As we move through the Easter season, the church provides us with two additional feasts for us to commemorate in the life of the Lord and of His church. Thursday, May 5, is the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a day of obligation in our liturgical year. We will have a Holy Communion service at 12:00 noon. Obviously, the name of the feast describes the occasion. But the feast is also the preparation for the sending of the Holy Spirit on the church at Pentecost. Jesus told His disciples that unless He left them He could not send the Holy Spirit who would be their help and guide through the execution of the Great Commission. Since Pentecost always falls on a Sunday, we will have our regular schedule of services at 9:30 and 11:00 am. These are wonderful feasts of the church because they remind us that the work of the church is far from finished. The Great Commission is still in force and the Holy Spirit is still with us to lead and guide us in the process. Far from simply being just more meaningless liturgical celebrations, these great feasts should spur us on to a greater enthusiasm for the work all of us are called to do.
Speaking of the work we are called to do, Bishop Iker has enlisted the help of the American Anglican Council for a workshop on parish revitalization. It is his view that we (all of us in the diocese) have more or less plateaued and that it is time for us to re-energized ourselves for the work of the kingdom. He has requested that every parish in the diocese participate. Nancy and I along with Ed Sandlin and Amy Crandell will represent St. Francis at this conference in early May. I would ask your prayers for us and for all the parishes of the diocese as we search ways of bringing new vigor to the work of Jesus in the world.
Pastoral Visit
As you know, Bishop Iker will be here at St. Francis for a formal parish visitation and Confirmation on Sunday, June 5. Although the bishop has been here once for a “meet and greet” back in October, this will be his first visit to us as our bishop. He is only able to be with us for the 11:00 am service, so I would encourage as many of you as possible to join us at that service. (There will be a 9:30 am service). He is our spiritual leader. It is his ministry (under Christ, of course) in which we participate. Your presence with him on that day will signify your participation in that ministry. Therefore, please plan to come and worship with your bishop. On that Sunday there will be a collection for the Bishop's Discretionary Fund. Special envelopes will be provided in your pew sheet.
As I mentioned above, Bishop Iker will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. We do not have many to be confirmed but we have had a good confirmation class up to this point consisting of potential confirmands and several others who simply wish to learn more about their Christian faith in the Anglican tradition. The class continues on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm through May.
Building
The construction of our new building continues at 3401 Oak Creek. Although I have not yet been there to see what they are doing, I intend to get over there soon. We have been asked by the builders, Navcon, Inc., to begin thinking about what the building should look like on the inside with things like flooring, etc. Our Senior Warden, Grady Collins, is contacting Navcon's representative to determine exactly what we need to do at this stage of the process. We are indeed moving forward and our final move is in sight. Our lease at the present facility has been extended only through October. Please pray that that will be all we need.
Sunday School News
Missy Bernard
In May, the youth class will begin its final unit of the Sunday School year, titled The Community of Believers. The Bible verse for this unit is Acts 4:32: "The community of believers was one in heart and mind." The teacher's guide provides this description:
The stories in Acts about the early church give us an idea of the excitement and energy around the spread of the Gospel. We see the power of God's Spirit at work in the disciples' ministry and in the hundreds of conversions taking place every day. While the conversions, healings, and other miracles produced enthusiasm, people feared what might happen to any one of these new converts. So the emotion of this time drew people together.
The people of the early church came together like family. They gave themselves over to the authority of the twelve disciples and tried to live in the love and grace of Jesus.
Also in this unit we will discuss some of the martyrs of the early church and, in an age-appropriate way, talk about persecution of Christians in the world today.
Our last Sunday School class before the summer break will be Trinity Sunday, May 22nd. We will resume classes on September 11th.
Doug and I have enjoyed working with your kids this year! We hope they have enjoyed it, too. We wish everyone a happy and safe summer, and look forward to coming together again in the fall!
Pentecost BBQ
Amy Crandell
May 15 is the Day of Pentecost. The members of the St. Polycarp's Guild are going to fire up their grills and produce some wonderful meat for all to eat as part of the Pentecost BBQ held after the 11:00 service. If you would like to eat something in addition to meat, please plan to bring the dish - and make enough to share with your St. Francis friends! Suggestions are the typical - salads, veggies, bread, side dishes and desserts. Sharing a meal together is always a good thing.
St. Michael's Conference is a 7-day conference at Camp Crucis in Granbury (June 19-25) where an intentional community of prayer, support, and education helps to form young Christians to be witnesses to the world of the Saving Power of Jesus Christ. The intention is not to do a "new thing", but to faithfully hand on what has been given to us - the Anglican expression of the Catholic Faith. All youth between the ages of 12 and 19 are highly encouraged to attend. See www.stmichaelsw.org or contact Joseph Francis at jfrancis@nashotah.edu for more information.
Bishop Iker is scheduled to visit St. Francis on 6/5/2016. Confirmation classes are on-going on Wednesdays.
St. Francis May Calendar
Sundays
9:30 am Said Holy Communion
9:30 am, Sunday School (except May 29)
10 am, Choir Practice
11 am, Holy Communion On the first Sunday, this service is sung Morning Prayer with Holy Communion.
Wednesdays
7 pm, Confirmation Class
Thursdays
7 pm, Evening Prayer
Ascension Day, Thursday, May 5
12 pm noon, Holy Communion
Pentecost, May 15
12:15 pm, Pentecost BBQ
1st Friday, May 6
7 - 9 pm, Games Night
1st Saturday, May 7
9 am, Prayer Walk
2nd Monday, May 9
6:00 pm, Vestry Meeting
3rd Friday, May 20
12 pm, Mothers' Prayer Group
5th Sunday, May 29
3;30 pm, Hymn Sing at the Retirement and Nursing Center
1 Amy Crandell
4 Cathy Stevenson
9 Randy Scheer
10 Michael Presley
17 Sandy Scheer
7 Dwight and Julie Davis
21 Michael Adams and Kerry Manning
23 Chaille and Melissa Bernard
31 Keith and Gayle Harrell, Ben and Shirley Ellis, Thomas Sager & RobinRuth Alexander
Newsletter and Service Bulletin Deadlines
Monthly newsletter deadline is the 20th of the month.
Weekly service bulletin deadline is end of day on Wednesdays.
Options:
- Receive the newsletter via e-mail with a printable version attached
- Pick up a printed copy on the table at the entrance to the church
- Have a copy mailed to your physical mail box (cost to the church is 49 cents)
- View newsletters on our website.
To change how you receive the newsletter, contact Amy Crandell in person, via e-mail (best method) at stfrancisaustin@gmail.com or by calling 512.452.7231.
St. Francis Anglican Church of Austin A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth
Diocese Office: 2900 Alemeda St.
Fort Worth, TX 76108 http://www.fwepiscopal.org/ Bishop
The Rt. Rev'd Jack L. Iker, D.D Rector
The Rev. Canon Len Giacolone Music Director and Organist
Paula Blaha Parish Administrator
Mark Rambin Vestry Members
Senior Warden, Grady Collins; Junior Warden, David Norris; Treasurer, Michael Ready; Secretary, Kevin Burnette; Brendle Glomb, John Hatley, Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin
Church Group Leaders
Acolytes: Fr. Len Giacolone
Altar Guild: Becky Hunt
Anglicans for Life: Rory Motl
Austin City Prayer Walk: Amy & Jim Crandell
Choir: Amy Crandell
Christian Education for Youth: Missy Bernard, Doug Cooper
Christian Education for Adults: Fr. Len Giacolone
Evening Prayer: Jim Crandell
Home Group Hosts: Claire Ducker, Kim & David Norris, Doug Cooper
Hospitality: Kim and David Norris
Intercessory Prayer Group: Fr. Len and Nancy Giacolone
Mothers' Prayer Group: Charlotte Ready
Newsletter & Pew Sheet: Amy Crandell
Nursery: Missy Bernard & Grace Rowse
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Charlotte Ready
Readers: Mark Rambin
St. Claire's Guild: Eileen Cole
St. Polycarp's Guild: Jim Crandell
Ushers: Al Parker
Webmaster: Jim Crandell
Women's Bible Study: Becky Hunt
Women of the Church: Leanne Read
5th Sunday Nursing Home Service: Amy & Jim Crandell
