The Weekly Word
A THOUGHT FOR THIS WEEK
JANUARY 22, 2017

So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate.  Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill  and destroy.  I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
-John 10:7-10
There are a couple of images in this portion of John's gospel for us to ponder: Jesus as the gate for the sheep that allows them to come and go safely in order to find good pasture.  We are also given the image of thieves and bandits that come to kill and destroy.  The point of this story is that Jesus came that we all may have life - and more importantly - to have it abundantly .

What does having abundant life mean to you, personally?
It may include better care of your body or addressing your spiritual well-being.  Perhaps there are some relationships in your life could be given more time and/or attention.  Abundant living may require you to look at the balance between your work life, personal life, and time for recreation.
What have you done to try and reach an abundant level of living?
What are you willing to to reach a state of living abundantly?
Jesus lived - and Jesus died - so that we may have life abundantly.  We are called to seek that abundant life intentionally, moving beyond the obstacles that may present themselves,
What does living abundantly look like for your life?
Blessings+
Fr. Brad

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.

Annual Parish Meeting
Set for Sunday, January 29 

We'll gather in the Parish Hall following the 10:30 service for snacks and beverages before commencing the business of the meeting at Noon. Three new vestry members will be elected, and at this time nominees are: Ruth Henry, Frank Johnson, and Barbara Walsh. Also, we will approve two newly appointed members to the school board and new members of the gift shop board.

While attendance at every Annual Parish Meeting is important, this year it is even more so, as we will discuss some issues of great importance relative to the future of St. Francis. Therefore, I urge you to make every effort to attend.

Blessings+
Fr. Brad
Consider Lay Reading...
Serving as a Lay Reader is an important church ministry. At each service, we read scripture and usually assist clergy with Holy Communion. It's a wonderful way to serve the Lord & the Church.

We are looking for readers at the 10:30 service. Most lay readers serve once a month. It is perfectly fine if you wish to just read and not serve at Holy Communion.

Please contact clergy if you are interested or speak to/email John Dieter. John's email is jnidieter@gmail.com.


What's Going on at
St. Francis this Week?

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
  • 8:30am: Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • 9:30am-1:30am: Childcare is available
  • 10:30am: Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • 10:30am: Children's Chapel 
  • 11:30am: Hospitality  
    Coach Pete Fredenburg Day!  We will honor Pete as the AFCA Coach of the year and coaching his team to a win at the Division III National Championship.  Come toast Coach Pete and Karen with cake and coffee during hospitality hour.

 TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
  • Tuesday Solace (See description below)

WEDNESDAY, 
JANUARY 25
  • Weekend Nutritional Backpack Ministry: 9:00am at CTLC - 702 West Avenue G, Temple TX (See description below) 
     
  • Bereavement Support Group at 3:15pm

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26
  • Garden Work Day: Join us for garden workday every Thursday at 8:00am.
     
Upcoming Events


OVERFLOWING JOY & ABUNDANT LIVING
March 6-8, 2017

For the 14th year, Camp Allen and UTMB's Center for Spirituality of Aging within the Sealy Center on Aging invites you to the conference Abundant Living: Nourishing your Spirit . This is a time to embrace aging as a creative journey of inner peace and to awaken new passion and purpose for living.  Learn from scholars about aging and enjoy music, canoeing, nature walks, cooking, art, fly fishing and labyrinth walks.  

Packages include two nights of hotel lodging at Camp Allen, seven buffet meals, socials and programming.  Register by 2/01/17 and receive an early bird discount! To learn more call 939-825-7175 or visit campallen.org.  Or you can speak to Deacon Tamara who attended last year and will be going again this year!  

Conference Rates:
Double Occupancy: $200 (per person) Early Bird Price: $185 (register by 2/1/17)  
Single Occupancy: $245 (per person)  Early Bird Price: $225 (register by 2/1/17).  

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 TX


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 scheduled sack meal preparation is Sunday, March 12 . We are skipping February on account of Diocesan Council. To learn how to get involved, please see Deacon Tamara.   
 

CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST (CTLC) :  The collection item for January 2017 is Mac & Cheese.  Items may be brought to the narthex on Sunday or to the Church Office during weekdays.

SHOEBOX MINISTRY: The Daughters of the King have taken over the Shoebox Ministry, benefiting the Temple Women's Shelter. We will be collecting items to go into shoeboxes.  What will be needed are basic toiletries, such as shampoos, soaps, razors, deodorant, facecloths, toothbrushes and paste, combs and brushes.  We also require empty shoe boxes. These items can be left in the parlor on Sundays and will be collected and packed on February 5th.  If you have any questions regarding this, please call Martha Hoyt. Thank you.  
Ministers in the Lord's Service

Altar GuildLyn Miller & Kyla Sherrard

Ushers: Jana Deakins & Frank Pugliese
Acolyte(s): Noah Schaefer & Morgan Callin

Vestry Greeter: Chris Sedonic
Lay Readers
8:30 
Bill & Linda Frick
10:30am Lawson Grant & Nick Graham
Organist: Debra Johnson

Children's Chapel:
Hospitality:
 

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

January 25 Birthday
Rolinda Brindley

January 25 Birthday
Waverly Stewart

January 25 Birthday
Addy Pryor

January 25 Birthday
Dorene Mundell

January 27 Birthday
Gregg Strasburger

January 27 Anniversary
David  & Ann Chastang

January 28 Anniversary
John & Jessica Dieter

January 30 Birthday
Trudy Johnson

January 30 Birthday
John Dieter

January 30 Anniversary
Bruce & Kathy Flanigan







Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.