eClare

 

News from
 St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church 
Blue Hill ~ Maine
 
March 8, 2018    


-
(Photo with thanks to Joe Lendvai)

"In a way Winter is the real Spring--the time when the inner things happen, the resurgence of nature."
-Edna O'Brien


St. Francis By The Sea

 
T he Calendar 

Sunday
Worship Service
10 AM
***
Thursday
5 PM Choir
***
The Outreach Meeting has been re-scheduled for Thursday, March 15 at 1 pm

We pray for
Barbara Billings
Daniel 
Dianne
Edward Dufresne 
Brinley Hall
Dorine Harris
Joseph
Kaden 
Jill
Jennifer Hulsey  
Corinne Pert
Cal Peters
Chris Ramsay
John Remick
Diana Robson
Linda Slaven
Jane Story
Lauri Vainio
Galen Vainio

 
Those in the Armed Services   
Andy Ditmer
Kyle Carino Mings
Brian Haley
Sean Haley
Peter McGuyer


Those with March Birthdays
Julie Boardman
Mary Boyd
Libby Buck
Ambrose Chung
Jennifer Coolidge
Suzanne Decrow
David Falck
Steve Hayward
Fred Heilner
Prudy Heilner
Jane Heizmann
Billy Love
Ed Manuel
Melanie Moore
Pam Peters
Maren Rosborough
Peter Smith
Colleen Spangler
Jillian Weed
Gerald Wheeler
Bob Wilson

Easter Flowers are a really big part of our Easter Morning Festival Service. If you would like to contribute, honor a loved one, or gift in memory, please contact the church office.

Flower forms can be found in the narthex and downstairs in the parish hall.

 


St. Francis' traditional Salt Bowl is available now and throughout the Lenten Season. All are welcome any weekday morning (Tuesday-Friday) or after worship services on Sundays. Slips of paper are available for writing and burying in the salt. Thoughts and prayers are never read. The messages will eventually become the fuel for the Easter Vigil fire.


Yes, all of you Florida, Texas, Arizona,  southern, western, "Away Parishioners"---

---we really are getting a foot of snow today. And, yes, it is gorgeous...maybe a little windy...wish you were here!

 

St. Francis by the Sea
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 29
 - 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service will be held to
commemorate Jesus' last supper with his friends (John 13:34). Following the  ancient tradition, based on Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet, the congregation  will be offered the option to participate in having their feet washed as well. The  service ends on a poignant note as the congregation recites Psalm 22 in unison  "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" as the altar and all decorative  furnishings are removed and the lights go dim; communicants will leave in silence.

Friday, March 30
  - Noon at the Blue Hill Congregational Church. The two  churches will be joining for The Good Friday Ecumenical Service. It will be held to  commemorate Jesus' crucifixion. Join us for a deeply meaningful service of The  Stations of the Cross. Using the various medium of art, music, prayers and  meditation, this service enables participants to walk the final steps of Jesus on his
way to the cross, without ever leaving their seats.

Saturday, March 31
 - 7 p.m. Easter Vigil. The service begins in darkness as the  new light of Christ's radiance is ignited marking Jesus' passing over from death to  life. It is by this light that the sacred story of God's saving acts are told, and  prayers and praises are offered. Drawing on this ancient tradition therefore, this  service becomes the first Eucharistic celebration of Jesus's resurrection at Easter.

Sunday, April 1- 10  a.m. Easter Sunday. A Festival Eucharist will be held as the  high point of the week. Jesus' resurrection will be celebrated with word, special  music and flowers symbolizing Christ's new life among us.



Messages from our Bishop




From Bishop Steve:
 "Serving as your bishop is the greatest joy of my life in the Church, and I look forward to continuing that service for the next two years. The work of following Jesus goes on even as we make preparations for our diocesan future,.."
*****
The following is Bishop Steve's 2018 Lenten Message
---written to all of us for the times in which we find ourselves:



*****************
And click below for another recent gift from Bishop Steve which is being viewed across the country:




  An opportunity to thank St.  Francis parishioners who spend hours and hours working on our  behalf...  
Katie MacLeod
  

Can you imagine scheduling altar servers, lectors,  and intercessors for Holy Week...and every other week of the year? 

Katie does all of that, serves on the vestry, shows up for every church clean-up- and so much more. Her perspective is a gift as well, always welcoming conversation about the workings of the church. 

Give a big "thank you" to Katie at Coffee Hour...she contributes great food there, as well!

*let eClare know of someone you would like to have thanked in "Behind the Scenes!"

Links to Websites of
 Special Interest:



From our church office: W e now have a St. Francis Facebook Page!  Link below...   "LIKE" our page and keep up to date on all the news and happenings!!!