The Weekly Word

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid" (John 14:27 ) . When I watch the morning news each day this command not to let my heart be troubled is a hard one for me. But the good news is that Jesus' command is tied to his promise: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." This is the same peace that we wish each every time we gather in worship: "The peace of the Lord be always with you."

Once a sweet 85-year old youngster came at me, arms open wide, to pass the peace. I leaned down to meet her and I heard, "May God disturb you!" She gave me a grin and turned to find another person to unsettle. Why did Gertrude (name changed) say that? She said that many of us seem to think that the peace of God is only about their own peace of mind, as if being a Christian is rather like being on a tranquilizer. But God intends to stir us up, she said, to make us notice new things, to keep us from being complacent.

Gertrude was on to something. Christ's peace is not like a comfortable bed, a warm fuzzy feeling, or the kind that's written about in many self-help spirituality books. It's like the assurance that comes when we're so caught up in helping someone that we forget to worry about ourselves. Martin Luther called faith "a lively reckless confidence in the grace of God." We like the part about confidence so much that we often overlook the part about being lively and reckless. We tend to forget that Jesus was on his way to the cross when he promised peace to his disciples.  

The peace that Jesus gives is not a peace that just lies there. It's an active peace works for the very best that God intends for us. When Jesus gives us this peace it implies that we must cooperate with Jesus and do our part to make God's intentions a reality in the lives of others. Strangely (or perhaps not so strangely) we discover that it's in those moments that our hearts forget to be troubled, because it's in those moments we get caught up in the love of God.
Pray that we will always be disturbed by God - and really at peace. Not as the world gives peace, but as Jesus gives.


Shalom, Fr. John+

 
Sunday Service Times 
  • 8:30am and 10:30am: Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • 10:30am: Children's Chapel (Sunday School for ages K-5th Grade)
  • Childcare is available from 9:30am until 11:30am
See our Christian Formation page for more information on programs for infants, toddlers, children, youth and adults.
 
You are invited to submit your prayer requests here. Submission of your prayer request will be received by a member of our office staff and in the included in the parish prayer list. If received  after 5:00pm on Wednesdays, or you indicate that you would prefer to keep your prayer confidential, a member of our clergy will address your prayer privately.

General Announcements

Diolog: The Texas Episcopalian
Are you receiving the Dialog quarterly magazine published by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas?  If not and you would like to, then please let Frances know!  

Sunday Breakfast Club  
A BIG THANK YOU to all who have contributed to the Sunday Morning Breakfast Club and to those who will contribute!  Your offerings have been (and will be) much appreciated and enthusiastically enjoyed!  I would like to remind you to please clean up and remove any leftover food from the Parish Hall before you leave church on Sunday.  Very few, if any, are staying for Hospitality after the 10:30am service and, on a few occasions, food has been left out until Monday when Frances comes to work. Please do not add extra work for her!  Thank you for your cooperation.  Deacon Tamara

2016 BACKPACK BUDDIES
For a number of years, St. Francis has participated in a community wide project to provide backpacks and school supplies for some of the less fortunate children in the Temple school district. We have been asked this year to provide supplies for 50 children.  The cost of an average backpack and supplies is approximately $40.

We ask that you consider sponsoring a child or several children.  Having a new backpack and a complete set of supplies will enable these children to feel special and will give them a great start to their learning experience. There will be a sign up list in the parish hall after each Sunday service beginning this Sunday, July 10th and continuing until July 24th . When you sign up, you will be given the supply list, and an identification number to attach to the backpack.  

If you prefer, you may give a check donation with "BACKPACK BUDDIES" written in the memo space, but we encourage you to shop for your student.  Any additional funds raised for this project will be used to provide each student with a pocket cross or pocket angel.
You may bring your full backpack any time between now and July 31st to the church office.   

Please let us know if you also would like to help deliver the backpacks on August 1st . This worthwhile ministry is supported by many of our local churches in Temple, and St. Francis has been involved in this outreach since it's inception.  We hope you will continue to support this ministry!

Thank you, BackPack Buddies Chairs
Gail Avots
Karen Fredenburg
Heidi Couchman
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WHAT'S GOING ON AT ST. FRANCIS THIS WEEK?
 
Sunday, July 10     
  • 8:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II 
     
  • 9:30am Feed My Sheep Sandwich and Sack Preparation
     
  • 9:45 am Sunday Breakfast Club
     
  • 10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • Childcare is available from 9:30 until 11:30am
     
     
Tuesday, July 12    
  • Tuesday Solace: 1:00-4:00pm in the Parish Hall. (See description below). 
      
Wednesday, July 13
  • Weekend Nutritional Backpack Ministry: 9:00am at CTLC - 702 West Avenue G, Temple TX (See description below)
    **Currently on summer break!** 
Thursday, July 14
  • Garden Work Day: Join us for garden workday every Thursday at 8:00am.

 
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Quiet Day - Saturday, August 27, 9am - 2pm
  • The Women of St. Francis are invited to a Quiet Day sponsored by The Diocese of Texas ECW and The ECW of St. Alban's in Waco.  Now you may be telling yourself that St. Francis does not have an ECW.  But if you are a woman and you attend an Episcopal Church, then you are by definition in the ECW - Episcopal Church Woman. Gather a group of friends and carpool up to Waco for a day where you will Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord through quiet reflection as well as enjoy a day of a shared meals, prayers and laughter. How much does it cost?  $0.00.  That is right.  No cost to you.
RSVP to kwaskom@gmail.com by August 15th.

  • Monday, July 18 - The Face of Mercy at Cedarbrake Retreat Center
  • Take a day of retreat and ponder Pope Francis' invitation to experience God's unconditional love so we can share it with others! As the Year of Mercy continues we will listen to the words of Jesus and insight by Pope Francis to embrace mercy more deeply in our lives and bring this gift to others. Cedarbrake's Brian Egan, Beverly Collin and Fr. Joseph Nisari will lead these reflections. The retreat starts at 9am.  Lunch and mass will be part of the day; the cost is $35.  You can register online or by phone, (254) 780-2436.  The retreat is open to all!
ONGOING MINISTRIES
Tuesday Solace: Tuesday Solace is a free service supporting families affected by Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia and takes place from 1:00 -4:00pm at the Parish Hall. Allowing caregivers respite time, the program provides music and singing, fun, social activities, and loving care to the participants.

Weekend Nutritional Backpack Ministry: Each Wednesday morning at 9:00am volunteers gather at CTLC (Churches Touching Lives for Christ) to fill 400 backpacks for the WNB Ministry. CTLC is located at 702 West Avenue G, Temple T X
**Currently on Summer Break!**

Feed My Sheep Sack Meals (FMS) : On the 2nd Sunday of each month, all are invited to gather in the Parish at 9:30 to prepare 200 sack lunches for our neighbors who have limited access to food. The lunches are delivered after the 10:30 service to Feed My Sheep by those who may wish to volunteer. Our next schedule sack meal preparation is set for Sunday, July 10  To learn how to get involved, please see Deacon Tamara.  
 
Churches Touching Lives for Christ (CTLC) :   The collection item for July 2016 is Breakfast Cereal. Items may be brought to the narthex on Sunday or to the Church Office during weekdays.
Ministers in the Lord's Service

Altar GuildHeidi Couchman & Judy Ludlow  

Ushers: Len & Ruth Henry
Acolytes: Steffanna Wojtaszek

Vestry Greeter: Terry Whitley
Lay Readers
8:30 Service: Don Miller
10:30 Service: Lawson Grant & Nick Graham 

Organist: Debra Johnson 
 

This Week's Birthdays & Anniversaries 
If your birthday or anniversary is missing or incorrect, please contact Frances and let her know!

Birthday, July 10:
Victoria Wojtaszek
 
 
Birthday, July 11: 
Celeste Wojtaszek

 Anniversary, July 12
Jason & Christina Culp

Anniversary, July 12
Pete & Karen Fredenburg

Birthday, July 13: 
Adelaide Heckman

Birthday, July 15: 
Sheri Macchi
   
Birthday, July 16: 
Jo Cooke
Anniversary, July 16
   Drs.Dudley & Vivian Baker



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