Journal May 2018 Officially join the Episcopal Church: The Bishop is Coming this September 9 If you are not already, would you want to be officially a part of the Episcopal Church? This can be accomplished by having the Bishop Baptize you if you have never been baptized before, or you can be Confirmed if you have never had a Bishop lay hands on you, or you can be Received if you have been Confirmed in another faith tradition. All we ask is that you allow us to give you some background information on what Episcopalians believe, a recommended path for Spiritual maturity, what the Book of Common Prayer is, how we are organized, and what Episcopal worship looks like. You can do this through the Discovery Series which is a formation series geared to help understand the Episcopal faith tradition. There are classes being scheduled. The schedule will be posted outside my office. Keep your eyes open for one day offerings. I am looking forward to this course and the conversations to be had about God and our faith. Remember this course is not only for those desiring Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception, but also for those that desire to be refreshed, formed, and informed in their journeys as Christians. Specifically, we are the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement. Peace, Fr. Mitch+ 1
Peace and Grace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ our Lord! Do you know what I have done to you? John 13:12b NRSV When I preached on this during Maundy Thursday of Holy Week, I preached about how the disciples were transformed by the actions of Jesus washing their feet. Transformed. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples to blow their minds in that the greatest must serve and not be served. The transforming part of that for the disciples is that they had to sit there while the LORD washed their feet! They had to accept the service of Jesus. Peter fought it but Jesus helped him to accept it. I cannot help but think there was even more to this example: Gratitude. I have to believe in serving the disciples in this way Jesus was showing how grateful he was for the work they had done, and what they were about to do. For when Jesus ascended and then sent the Holy Spirit, the work of the disciples changed from student to master. They became apostles, meaning messenger who is sent forth. They were sent to serve in gratitude the day of Pentecost. We celebrate Pentecost this year on May 20 th. It is a wonderful time, for it is an event of deep transformation. The disciples realized the deeper meaning of their calling - to go out into the world now guided by the Holy Spirit. They were to be grateful to Jesus, each other, and those they teach. To serve with gratitude. I believe that in washing the disciples feet Jesus was saying thank you for trusting him, believing in him, and being willing to follow one whose greatest action was to serve humanity through the greatest sacrifice ever. It s our turn to be thankful. It s our turn to have an attitude of gratitude for everyone we meet. Now we may not be able to wash everyone s feet, but we surely can tell people we are thankful for them and what they do. From the people that serve us at restaurants and cashiers at the registers, to our family members that are church, friends, or blood, to those that service us in public and church capacities we can simply pull aside and say thank you. We can look people in the eye and tell them thank you. Don t let them block it either. Help them to fully accept your gratitude like Jesus did with Peter at the foot washing. Peace, Mitch+ 2
Shirts for Sale If you do not have a St. Francis shirt or if your St. Francis shirt is showing signs of age, you will soon have the opportunity to order a new one or more. Polo-type shirts as well as button downs may be ordered. You may choose from a variety of colors. Several of our parishioners have volunteered to be Test Pilots so that you may see the shirts in person. Shirts will go on sale on May 6. See Gay Barron and/or Kathy Dunn. Below are the Test Pilots modeling the shirts. 3
4
OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH TUESDAY, MAY 1ST @ 11:30AM ROAST SOCIAL KITCHEN - 1125 E 5TH STREET SATURDAY MAY 5TH BREAKFAST @ 9:00 AM CHURCH UNDER A BRIDGE PREP @ 10:00 AM ALL ARE WELCOME AND INVITED. 5
KENTUCKY DERBY SERENDIPITY DINNER FRIDAY, MAY 11th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM HOSTED BY: GAY & ROY BARRON 1203 HILLCREST DRIVE, WHITEHOUSE MAIN COURSE: PORK LOIN (HERB CRUSTED & CRANBERRY) 6 DERBY ATTIRE IS ENCOURAGED!!!
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21 NRSV When it comes to stewardship we all pledge the time, talent, and treasure that we know we can give. For what you and I pledge to support the ministries of St. Francis, we are thankful. We are so close to eliminating our deficit I believe that if we begin to give an extra $5-$10-$20 in the offering plate we would reduce, if not eliminate, any deficit for 2017. So bring a friend: George, Abraham, Alexander, Andrew, Harriet, and some of their friends. Together we can continue to fully support the ministries of St. Francis! Peace, Mitch+ Duffels for H.O.P.E. Duffels for H.O.P.E. is a non-profit organization that supports children s charities by providing stuffed duffels to children in the foster care system. St. Francis will be supporting Duffels for H.O.P.E. during the month of May. It is very easy to support this worthy cause. You can help in one of three ways. You can donate a 28 inch or larger duffle (with or without wheels) bag filled with needed items, you can donate just the duffle bag or you can donate just the items that go in the bags. The bags can be geared for boys or girls from babies to age 18. These bags are designed to hold the children s belongings, provide some needed necessities and provide some comfort items. Items for the bag may include diapers of all sizes, wipes, (toiletries shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, chap stick, lip gloss, makeup, haircare products, etc..), a fun pillow and blanket, stuffed animals, hairbrush, socks, books, a dairy, small toys, etc Please have all duffel bags and items to the church by Sunday, May 27 th. Thank You for supporting the foster children of Smith County. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Miller at 903-830-0252. 7
Other News and Happenings Since the Last Journal: Other News and Happenings Since the Last Journal: Published our most recent version of the Journal! (Before this one of course.) Thanks to the hard work to get this out every month! Wednesdays: (During Lent: All are invited) 11:30am Healing Service A contemplative yet participatory service where we have laying on of hands and anointing of oil to foster and pray for physical and spiritual health for each other and our community. 12:00pm Light lunch 5:30pm Light Dinner. 6:00pm Lenten Program. 7:10pm Choir Practice Lift your voices and sing songs of praise! If you like to sing, join the choir. The DOK (Daughters of the King) met. They are a group that does so many things around the church along with the many prayers they say. A great group committed to serving Christ. Hand Bell Practice! The Bell ringers are BACK! Everybody are invited. It is a great group of folks that come together and make the bells sing! Spring cleaning was an astounding success! We had over 25 volunteers cleaning windows, dusting furniture, working in the garden and yard, painting things! The campus looked terrific! Palm Sunday was awesome! Love the liturgy of the palms where we bless them and remember Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem! Our Just As I Am Missional community met for prayer and fellowship! We had the Invite Welcome Connect team meeting with Bob Gray. Great discussion and ideas on how to invite people to church, welcome them in, and connect them to what is happening here. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the discussion. We celebrated Tenebrae, Maundy Thursday, The Watch in the Garden of Repose, Stations of the Cross, Good Friday During the week. Thank you all you volunteer that made this happen! It was a joyous Easter season! Fr. Bob DeWolfe s Bible classes! A classroom type environment where there is deep diving into the Biblical text. We celebrated our first neighborhood Easter egg hunt on Saturday! What a wonderful way to engage with the local community! The Saturday evening Easter Vigil was so wonderful! The first light celebration and chanting was a wonderful and deeply meaningful way to worship the risen Christ while giving gratitude to God! AND of course Easter Day was filled with friends and family! With the flowering of the cross and goodies after the second service! Thank you all for making it wonderful! The OTLB (Out to lunch bunch) visited (attempted to) Kiepersol this month. Everyone is welcome, it is simply yet another opportunity for St. Francis folk to mingle. Bring a friend! The Anglican Rosary happens on the first Wednesday of the Month. Everyone meets and if you have not prayed with an Anglican Rosary before you are brought up to speed. It is a very powerful way to pray. Church Under a Bridge Prep Here all are invited to help make 225 sandwiches and bags in preparation for taking them to the Church Under a Bridge on the following Sunday. The Church Under a Bridge is a community that holds worship for the homeless under the Gentry bridge. We provide lunch for that community once a month. Church Under a Bridge Delivery On the first Sunday of the month there is a faithful few that deliver the meals prepared the day before to the Church Under a Bridge. Some have been known to stay and worship with our homeless neighbors. Which from personal experience is quite powerful. There was a Men s breakfast. All are invited to go and if you are lucky you get to be there for biscuits and sausage gravy! SOOOOOO filling! Thank you men s group for expanding your ministry last month. 8
Serendipity, a time we get together at a home or the church for a fellowship meal in which everyone is invited and guests are welcomed, was held at the DeCarlo home and hosted by the DeCarlo family and Robby Jerger! We had people trained in safeguarding God s children. This training is to keep everyone safe in our church. Thank you trainees for your time and dedication to this important endeavor! Your vestry met and discussed the finances, grounds, and future of St. Francis. Thank you for your service vestry members, and clerk! Returned to regular Wednesday activities: (All are invited) 12:00pm Bible Study An open discussion around the Bible as we walk through the Bible together. Everyone is welcome to come. 6:00pm Healing Service A contemplative yet participatory service where we have laying on of hands and anointing of oil to foster and pray for physical and spiritual health for each other and our community. 7:10pm Choir Practice Lift your voices and sing songs of praise! If you like to sing, join the choir. The gardens look so nice! (Thanks gardening angels! If you are reading this, you can be one too!) Thanks goes out to the Altar guild for having everything ready each and every Sunday! Thanks also to the office volunteers folding and answering the phones. Plus much, much more! Thanks go out to the many, volunteers and donors that make these things happen! Think about volunteering at the church, nothing will make you feel more connected than participation within your community. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW Out to Lunch Bunch - Roast Kitchen 5/1 @ 11:30 A.M. Men s Breakfast 5/5 @ 9:00 A.M. Church Under a Bridge Preparation 5/5 @ 10:00 A.M. Church Under a Bridge Delivery 5/6 @ 9:30 A.M. Serendipity Dinner 5/11 @ 6:30 P.M. Pentecost 5/20 Memorial Day (Office Closed) 5/28 Serendipity Dinner 6/1 @ 6:00 P.M. Men s Breakfast 6/2 @ 9:00 A.M. Church Under a Bridge Preparation 6/2 @ 10:00 A.M. Church Under a Bridge Delivery 6/3 @ 9:30 A.M. Graduation Sunday 6/3 @ 10:45 A.M. 9
Do you know all of those delicious baked goods that we have on Sunday Mornings? Well our resident master baker Judy Kovic has offered to provide the recipe for any of the goodies that she brings. So if you find yourself just dying to have the recipe, see Judy and she will be happy to provide it to you. THANKS JUDY! 10
GRADUATION SUNDAY JUNE 3, 2018 RECEPTION FOLLOWING THE 10:45 SERVICE Please join us for our annual Graduation Sunday when we honor our members graduating from high school or college. This year we will be recognizing Rebecca Gray who is graduating from Whitehouse High School. Rebecca will be attending Texas State University in San Marcos and will be pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. MAY BIRTHDAYS Julia Gray 05/01 Leonard DeCarlo 05/04 Cezanne Barnes 05/05 Peg Corrie 05/08 Roy Lee 05/09 Mike Barham 05/15 Will Armstrong 05/17 Christine Miller 05/17/ Julie Streeter 05/18 Jack Brown 05/20 Linda Gray 05/23/ Melissa DeCarlo 05/26/ Hugh French 05/27 Rob Jerger 05/29 MAY ANNIVERSARIES Michael & Christina Matthews 05/21 Tom & Monalee Camp 05/24 Bob & Linda Gray 05/30 11
St. Francis Episcopal Church 3232 Jan Avenue Tyler, TX 75701 Telephone: 903-593-8459 Email: office@stfrancistyler.org Web site: www.stfrancistyler.org www.facebook.com/stfrancistyler 12