|
|
From the Rector
Let me begin by wishing each and every one of you a blessed and happy new year. It is my prayer that 2014 will be filled with the Lord’s blessings for all of us and that our transition to our new permanent home will be quick and smooth. This will be a year filled with exciting new challenges for St. Francis and I would ask that you all be praying for God’s blessing on our endeavors.
I want to thank everyone who worked on our Christmas services, especially the Altar Guild and our musicians and choir. Even though our current space is not that desirable acoustically, the time and effort put in by our dedicated parishioners always makes a real difference in our worship.
As has been our custom for the last several years, we will have our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on January 18. Some of you asked for Mexican fare this year, so Mexican you shall have. Our dinner will be held at Tres Amigos Mexican Restaurant, 1801 S. Capital of Texas ;Highway, beginning at 6:30 pm. The menu is not completely set at this time but I assure you that you will have enough to eat. As always, if you are interested in an adult beverage, you are on your own. Soft drinks will be provided with the meal. If you volunteered in any way at St. Francis in 2013 you are eligible to attend. If you have not yet signed up for the dinner, please do so as soon as possible. If you are married, bring your spouse; if you are single you may bring a guest. I am asking you to sign up early because I need a head count by January 13 or 14. Thanks to all of you for all you do to make our parish what it is.
The annual Texas Alliance for Life Walk/Rally for Life will be held this year on Saturday. January 25. More details will be forthcoming as we get closer to the event. You may always check for information on their website and I encourage you to do so.
The annual parish meeting will take place on Sunday, February 2 after the 11:00 am service. I encourage you to save the date and to plan to be there for the meeting. We will have an election for two vestry members, present a budget for your consideration and approval, and talk, I am sure, about the upcoming move. Since this involves all of you, it is important that each of you attend. Please save the date.
As you know, I make a recommendation or two from time to time about books I have read, enjoyed, and find helpful. One of my recent reads is Jesus of Nazareth by Joseph Ratzinger, otherwise known as Pope Benedict XVI. This is not light reading. It is a serious theological study of the gospels about the person of Jesus and His teaching. The previous pope is a theologian of some repute. Interestingly enough, even though this book was written while Benedict was still the head of the Catholic Church, he states in the introduction that this is not meant to be official teaching but rather a personal investigation of the life of Christ as he understands the gospels. There is also a companion volume entitled The Infancy Narratives into which I have not yet delved, although I intend to. I encourage you to check out this book for a very scholarly study of our Savior’s life and teaching.
Epiphany Dinner
Join us for an Epiphany Celebration on Monday, January 6th from 6 pm to 8 pm. Fr. Len will perform an Evening Prayer service which will be followed by a dinner hosted by the South Austin home group that meets at Claire Ducker's house. English Epiphany dishes and desserts will be served along with a spicy wassail punch. All are encouraged and welcome to join the celebration. Hope to see you there!
- Kim & David Norris
Cradle of Prayer
In searching for an online listing of the daily Psalms and Lessons for the Christian year printed in the front of the 1928 Prayer book, I was delighted when I came upon this site: http://cradleofprayer.org/.
The Cradle of Prayer site offers recordings for morning and evening prayers and free daily downloads, read directly from the pages of 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Each reading includes a psalm, an old testament scripture, a new testament scripture, and prayers for the order of the day. During each service you will hear psalms, canticles sung simply and acapella, as well as prayers for you to recite along with the priest. Services last anywhere from 12 to 18 minutes and can be enjoyed from your own home, car, or wherever you may be. The Litany is offered at the end of each Friday morning service.
If you don't wish to use your computer or mobile device to listen and say the service, CDs are available to purchase that contain the same recordings. These will work in your car's CD player and most of the newer home CD players.
- Amy Crandell
Anglicans for Life
St. Francis Chapter of Anglicans for Life’s next meeting will be on Sunday, January 19, after the 11:00 service.
Everyone is welcome.
- Phoebe Hughes
Epiphany Facts
The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th. It marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas and memorializes the visit of the Wise Men. These men, often called Kings or Magi, brought valuable gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to honor the Christ Child.
The first gift, gold, was a gift usually given to a king. By presenting gold to the Child, the Wise Men were acknowledging Jesus as their King. The second gift, frankincense, is an aromatic resin harvested from a Boswellian tree which when hardened and burned will give off a fragrant smell. The burning of frankincense is an offering to God during worship. Frankincense can also be used medicinally and as a perfume. The third gift, myrrh, is a gum secreted by a thorny Commiphora tree. Myrrh was used for healing wounds because of its antiseptic properties.
All of these gifts brought by the Wise Men were of great value and worthy of bestowing on our Lord and King.
Newsletter Submissions
Any parishioner who has news of any kind to share is welcome to send it in writing to Tricia McLean at 640 Lakeside Dr., Wimberley, TX 78676 or to her e-mail address (triciadenslow@yahoo.com). If received by the 20th, it will appear in next month’s newsletter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
