November 15, 2018
ST. FRANCIS WEEKLY WORD NEWSLETTER
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My Word:

Thanksgiving is an especially Episcopalian day. Years before the Pilgrims, Episcopalians in Jamestown celebrated days of Thanksgiving. George Washington (an active member of Christ Church in Alexandria, a Vestry member of the Falls Church) proclaimed a national holiday to recognize the role of providence in creating the new United States, and the new federal Constitution. Franklin Roosevelt (Sr. Warden of his parish in upstate New York, almost the entire length of his presidency) established the date we now use, and Episcopalians call our main Sunday act of worship Eucharist—Thanksgiving.

This is at the heart of our understanding of what it is that God calls us to do. It is at the heart of our understanding of what God is doing in the world: providing for and showing abundance upon the created order that God so greatly loves. Our response is simple. We are first to acknowledge this gracious gift, then we are to share with others this bounty. Finally, we are to work for the good of the Kingdom of God.

You are being given two wonderful opportunities this week. First, on Sunday, it’s time to return and bless the pledges made for the financial support of our parish. Several folks have spoken these last weeks about how special St. Francis is to them. If you find this place has been a nexus of God’s blessings in your life, won’t you share with us in giving thanks with our gifts of support?

Then on Thanksgiving Day itself, there is a joint service with Christ Church, here at St. Francis, at 10:00 am. After the service, we hope to take a short ride to Feed My Sheep’s downtown location, and share gifts of warmth—especially gloves, socks and hats. Can you join us?  Can you donate some gloves, socks, or hats? With the sudden turn of the weather they will be greatly appreciated.

Even if you can’t join us for the service on Thanksgiving, please bring some gloves with you this Sunday. Share some warm socks. (I found The Dollar Store to be a lovely place to pick up several pairs: 2 for $1.00!) And know that your prayers are given twice. Once in the service, and at least once in the wearing.

Happy Thanksgiving to us all!

-Fr David Krause

PRAYER REQUESTS
Open to All

You are invited to submit to your prayer requests here, which will be received by office staff and included in the Parish prayer list. If received after 4:00pm on Wednesdays, or your indicate that you would prefer to keep your prayer confidential, a member of the clergy will address your prayer privately.
ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Saturday, November 17
  • 8:45am-5:00pm Shelters Fundamentals Workshop

Sunday, November 18
  • 9:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Tuesday, November 13
  • 1:00pm NO Tuesday Solace

Thursday, November 15
  • 8:00am: Garden Day
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TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST

THE COLLECT:
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen .

( Book of Common Pray e  r Page 235 )
Lectionary for this Sunday
SUNDAY SERVICE TIME
All are Welcome

9:30am : Holy Eucharist Rite II

11:00am : Hospitality
  • (Coffee and Conversation)
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PRAYER DURING THIS TIME
OF TRANSITION

As we continue to let the work of listening to God to discover His desires for St. Francis, let us pray:

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen .

(Book of Common Prayer, Page 816 )
WHAT'S GOING ON AT ST.FRANCIS?
A Note from Deacon Tamara:
Summary of My Attendance at the Hunger & Poverty Summit
Last week I attended the Hunger & Poverty Summit held at Baylor University. The summit was sponsored by the Texas Hunger Initiative . I attended many interesting workshops, mainly about food insecurity among the elderly. The older I get the more interesting I find this topic. Here is some of what I learned:
  • Nationally, about 1 in 10 households or 10% with an older adult 60+ is food insecure
  • In Texas, that percentage is slightly higher, 11.3%
  • Food insecurity in older adults has several health consequences: diabetes, hypertension, depression, osteoporosis, gum disease to name a few
  • 1 in 3 chronically ill adults cannot afford food, medicine or both. They often trade one for the other.
  • Most health care providers do not screen for food insecurity
  • There is a 2-question tool, The Hunger Vital Sign, that can effectively and easily screen for food insecurity. (see below)
If you would like to learn more, visit seniorhealthandhunger.org and take the free, one-hour course. It was developed by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and AARP Foundation. You do not need to be a healthcare provider to take the course. I did without difficulty.
The Hunger Vital Sign Tool
Within the past 12 months, we worried whether our food
would run out before we got money to buy more:
Often True, Sometimes True, Never True, Don’t Know/Refused
Within the past 12 months, the food we bought just
didn’t last and we didn’t have money to get more:
Often True, Sometimes True, Never True, Don’t Know/Refused
A response of Often True or Sometimes True to one or
both of those statements indicates that a person or family
are experiencing food insecurity.
Next week I’ll share more of what I learned, but if you or someone you know may be food insecure, please contact me. We will figure out how to help together .
THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
& it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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Project Angel Tree 2018: TAGS STILL AVAILABLE!
We would also love your help planning & hosting our Christmas Party
There are still tags available for those who wish to be a Shopping Angel and sponsor a child. Please use the signup sheet available on the Narthex table and place your name by the corresponding ID number for each of the gifts you wish to purchase.

If you need a Christian Gift, stop by the St. Francis Gift Shop , there are plenty of wonderful gift items. Once all of the gifts are purchased, please place them in the large shopping bags and return to the Church by 16 th of December . Our Christmas Party will be held on December 22 nd .

If you would like to assist in planning, organizing, and hosting as well as other areas that you can help make this year a successful PAT year, join us at our next meeting, THIS Sunday, November 18 , following the 9:30am service.

For more information, please contact Chris Sedonic , (254) 624-1759, or Roianne Ludlow , (254) 780-1527. 
JUNIOR WARDEN NEWS & THANKS

Our parlor has received a much needed paint job thanks to Roiann Ludlow, Tom and Lyn Miller, Karen Fredenburg and Cindy Allen .

A big thank you to Jeff Callin for replacing the missing lights in the sanctuary. Let there be light!

Thanks to Leonard Henry for adjusting our pesky parking lot lights timer for daylight savings time!
Did You Know?
Stewardship (at least as understood as making a financial pledge to the church, paperwork and receiving quarterly statements) is relatively new to the Episcopal Church. For many years the Church in the United States was primarily funded by “Pew Rents.” That is, each pew in the church carried a price tag, and you could rent that pew for the year, making it your family’s pew.

The most expensive ones tended to be near the front, with those in the back coming in at the least amount of money. However, in order to make sure that poorer folks could always find a place to sit, there was usually at least one pew designated “For the Poor” and at least one designated “For the Use of Passing Strangers” (which seems a pretty odd way to refer to visitors).
FEED MY SHEEP T-SHIRTS
STILL AVAILABLE!

Feed My Sheep T-shirts are still available. If you wish to purchase a shirt the cost is $10.00. A signup sheet will be in the Narthex, and you may contact Chris Sedonic , (254) 624-1759, to place your order.

If paying by check, please make it payable to Feed My Sheep. If you already have purchased your shirt, please don’t forget to wear them every second Sunday of the month on our FMS Sack Lunch Sunday.

The shirt is a beautiful green color.
The front says: "Feed My Sheep."
(John 21:17) Serving Bell County

The back reads "I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized I am somebody."
Meditation Garden Update
Although they are a little late, the monarch butterflies have arrived at St. Francis. Make sure to visit them in the gardens before they move on.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November Events
November 18th :

Project Angel Tree
Meeting after the service


2019 Pledges
Commitment Sunday

This last week, a letter from our Sr. Warden, Lyn Miller, was sent asking us all to consider our gifts to the Church for the coming year. Many of you have indicated that you do plan on supporting the mission and work of St. Francis, and have filled out a pledge card indicating that.

Some of us have waited until this day, Commitment Sunday, to return our pledge letters. If you are still waiting, today is the day. There are pledge letters in this bulletin, please prayerfully consider filling one out, folding it over, and placing it in the offering plates as they are passed. 


November 22nd :

Thanksgiving Day Service
  • 10:00am: Please bring to the worship service socks, gloves and hats. They will be blessed during the service and then we will join Christ Episcopal Church at Feed My Sheep to hand them out.


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December Events

December 1st:
10:00am--2:00pm.

Pre-Advent Prayer and Preparation Retreat

December 18th:
4:00pm at The Kyle

The Kyle Christmas Party, 4:00pm. Christ Episcopal Church has invited us to celebrate the Holidays with the residents of The Kyle. The Kyle is a 13-story building in downtown Temple for elderly, disabled and handicapped residents. Save the date and details will be forthcoming on how to participate.

December 22nd:
Project Angel Tree Christmas Party


Giving Thanks!  
Thursday, November 22
10:00am at St. Francis

It’s such an important notion that we Episcopalians call our primary act of worship Thanksgiving--Eucharist in Greek! On Thursday, November 22nd, at 10 am, St. Francis hosts a joint service of Thanksgiving with Christ Church. There will be a time of worship, singing the praises of God, reading the Word of God, and offering our thanks. Immediately after, donations of hats, gloves, or socks will be taken to Feed My Sheep and distributed to those awaiting the Thanksgiving Day meal. Join us, or at the very least, don’t forget to bring an item to help keep others warm!


Prayer. 
Saturday, December 1st
10:00pm--2:00pm

A pretty basic idea to the Christian faith, isn’t it? Yet, for many of us, one of the most difficult things to remember to do. Oh, we may say a short prayer in the morning, or even grace at meals. And many of us may still say our bedtime prayers. But there is so much more to the life of prayer.

Come to St. Francis for a free, Day of Prayer, in which we will discuss, learn, and practice some prayer “techniques.” Saturday, December 1st, from 10 - 2, with a light meal provided. You just might find your prayer life invigorated.


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VIEW A FULL LIST OF EVENTS ON THE DIOCESAN CALENDAR
ONGOING MINISTRIES
TUESDAY SOLACE
Tuesday Solace is a free service supporting families affected by Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia and takes place from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Parish Hall. Allowing caregivers respite time, the program provides music and singing, fun, social activities, and loving care to the participants.

FEED MY SHEEP SACK MEALS (FMS)
On the 2nd Sunday of each month , all are invited to gather in the Parish after the 9:30 service to prepare 100 sack lunches for our neighbors who have limited access to food.

CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST (CTLC)
The collection theme for November 2018 is Winter Warmup—time to clean out that coat closet and donate gently used coats, jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, and long sleeve t-shirts. Items may be brought to the narthex on Sunday or to the Church Office during weekdays.

THE WILDSCAPE GUILD
The Wildscape Guild's purpose is to provide a beautiful and welcoming outdoor environment at St. Francis' church for all God's creatures—including humans. We seek an awareness of God's presence in fellowship, in silent meditation, and in all the sensual joys of planting and harvesting in the care of creation. We are filling the grounds with native and adapted plants that will support birds, butterflies, and other wildlife as well as saving water and preventing erosion. We hope to make the gardens a living classroom to encourage the love of the outdoors in children at the school. We meet every Thursday at 8:00am . Please feel free to come by with your gloves and favorite tools. We would love to have you!.

ST. FRANCIS GIFT SHOP
As most of you know, the gift shop must have two workers at all times. We are in desperate need of volunteers. This is a great time to ask your best friend to sit with you and a great time to socialize and catch up. Please consider, just 3 1/2 hours a month and we will put you on the schedule.

ST. FRANCIS CHOIR
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” Notice the passage does NOT say we have to have a beautiful voice to praise God! We are looking for new choir members. We practice at 8:30am before we sing at the 9:30am service. So come join us!

We still need more choir members.  Our group is small enough that when a couple of members have to be absent, we are left really short. With more people we would be able to do more & different kinds of music. You do not have to have a big or beautiful voice because as in math, the whole (choir) is greater than any of its parts (members). We are a fun & companionable group and will welcome YOU! Come try singing with us & then decide if you want to join us!
MINISTERS IN THE LORD'S SERVICE
Altar Guild
Ruth Henry and
Judy Ludlow
     
Lay Readers :
Bill Frick and
Linda Frick

Acolytes:
Collin Wilson and
Ian Wilson
Ushers :
Phillip Okeson and
Bob Henry

Hospitality :



Children's Chapel:
Heidi Couchman and
Glen Couchman


Vestry Greeter:  
Cindy Allen

Organist:
Jeanne Winters

Social Media at St. Francis
Don't wait for the Weekly Word! Stay up to date with the latest news, photos and events on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and now Pintrest too! It is also a great way to stay in touch or make friendships with your fellow parishioners.

Click any of the circular icons to the left and either create an account and follow and like us. We are followed and following many Social Influencers in our space so it would be a great way to hear from the Anglican Communion and others.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
NOVEMBER 21 BIRTHDAY
Yoshie Wajima
NOVEMBER 25 BIRTHDAY
Larry Bednarczyk
NOVEMBER 25 BIRTHDAY
Marjorie Lewis
NOVEMBER 27 BIRTHDAY
Mary-Ellin Simmons
NOVEMBER 28 BIRTHDAY
Mary-Ellin Simmons
Take time to walk around the Meditation Garden. Benches and shade have been provided for you. Plan to walk the labyrinth. Thank you to the Wildscape Guild for working so hard to maintain such a beautiful, natural, prayerful space for us.