From the Rector
Fr. Len Giacolone
HOLY WEEK
Sunday, April 9, is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. On this day we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but also read the passion narrative, this year according to Matthew, to recall that Jesus’ popularity was fleeting while on earth and that his suffering and death were the ultimate reason for his being here. At the 11:00 am service, we will begin in the hospitality area for the blessing of the palms and process into church. Remember, there will be no 9:30 am service on Palm Sunday due to the Austin 10/20. We simply won’t have access to the church until after 10:00 am.
- On Wednesday of Holy Week, I will conclude by Lenten series on the Collect for Purity at a 7:00 pm Holy Communion service.
- On Maundy Thursday, we will have Holy Communion at 7:00 pm, followed by the stripping of the altar.
- Our Good Friday service will also be at 7:00 pm. Each year our service includes prayers, Scripture readings, including St. John’s Passion, the Litany and the Veneration of the Cross.
- On Holy Saturday, we will celebrate the Solemn Easter Vigil, beginning at 7:30 pm. This service includes the blessing of Paschal Candle, the Easter Proclamation, readings from Scripture focusing on the history of salvation, plus the first Eucharist of Easter.
- Of course, on Easter Sunday morning we will have our usual schedule of Masses at 9:30 and 11:00 am.
Each year I encourage you to attend any or all of these services with more or less success. Once again, I am asking that you consider being there during Holy Week to remember why we are who we are and what Jesus did to make us who we are. I know it takes some effort. (Believe me, I know). These are beautiful and meaningful liturgies that each year should give us pause to reflect on how great a gift we have been given.
NEW CHURCH
It appears, barring any further complication, that we will be able to move into our new church sometime in May. This is really good news after a lot of not so very good news. Please continue to pray that all goes well for the final stages of the process.
OLD STAINED GLASS
I mentioned to you last month that we would be offering the windows from the old property to anyone who might want to buy any or all of them. They will soon be on display at church. So far the response has been somewhat underwhelming but I am hoping that seeing them will stir up some interest.
Some Housekeeping Items
On one recent Sunday, I was greatly distracted by the number of persons exiting and reentering the church during the service. I realize that this may be necessary is some cases but please try to take care of whatever needs to be taken care of before you enter for the service. It is terribly distracting to me and I’m sure to other who are worshipping. Secondly, I want to remind you that using the common communion cup if you are ill, or think you may be ill, is a hazard to your fellow parishioners. Please do not drink from the chalice if there is any possibility that you might have something someone else can catch. Thanks for your cooperation.
Anglicans for Life
Steve McCown
In response to the legalization of euthanasia in Canada, the January 2017 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal contains a study entitled “Cost analysis of medical assistance in dying in Canada” Typical of this 3,000 word article is the following paragraph:
If Canadians adopt medical assistance in dying in a manner and extent similar to those of the Netherlands and Belgium, we can expect a reduction in health care spending in the range of tens of millions of dollars per year. Our analyses suggest that the savings will almost certainly exceed the costs associated with offering medical assistance in dying to patients across the country, and that the inclusion of medical assistance in dying in the services covered by universal health care will not increase health care spending, but rather will release funds to be reinvested elsewhere.
There are two sentences in this extensive article that address the concerns of those who might find this a rather callous perspective:
We are not suggesting medical assistance in dying as a measure to cut costs. At an individual level, neither patients nor physicians should consider costs when making the very personal decision to request, or provide, this intervention.
It is hard to understand, though, what else the article could be suggesting other than that conducting a “cost/benefit analysis” of killing, rather than treating, a patient is a valid exercise.
It is the position of Anglicans for Life that the sanctity of an individual’s life extends to all, including the unborn, the infirm and the elderly. Legalizing euthanasia would lead to subtle — and no doubt, increasingly explicit — pressure on the elderly to submit to life ending “treatment.”br>
Lenten Food Drive
Amy Crandell
The food drive is ongoing through April 9. During Lent, St. Francis has been conducting a food drive that benefits The Storehouse, a Christian-based food pantry in Pflugerville. The food items they always accept:
• Beans, Rice, & Pasta
• Tomato products: sauce, diced, spaghetti sauce
• Peanut Butter/Jelly
• Fruit juice
• Crackers & cookies
• Boxed dinners (e.g. macaroni & cheese)
Bring your donations to the office. A printed copy of the above list is available on the table outside the worship space.
The Storehouse is also in need financial assistance. Make checks payable to The Storehouse and either leave in the office, put in the offering plate or give to Fr. Len. You can also donate online at www.thestorehousenetwork.com.
Bishop Iker at St. Francis
for Confirmation and the Building Dedication
Bishop Iker will visit St. Francis on June 18 to dedicate the building and for confirmation. If you are interested in being confirmed, received into the church - i.e. already confirmed in another church, or reaffirming your confirmation, please see Fr. Len.
Potluck Luncheon
April 30, 2017 is the second 5th Sunday of 2017. Please to bring something tasty to eat and share with your St. Francis friends for the Potluck Luncheon after the 11:00 service.
5th Sunday Hymn Sing
All are welcome to come to the Retirement and Nursing Center at 6909 Burnet Lane at 3:30 PM on April 30. We primarily sing hymns, with some prayers and Bible readings thrown in the mix for an hour on every 5th Sunday.
Easter Lilies
Our altar has been without flowers since Septuagesima Sunday on February 12. All are looking forward to the sanctuary being adorned with flowers and lilies beginning with the Easter Vigil on April 15.. If you would like to make a remembrance or thank offering for the flowers, there are envelopes on the table in the back for this purpose. Gifts will be collected through Palm Sunday.
Building Progress
Construction has begun again! Our webpage and Facebook page will be updated soon with the progress. (On the web, pictures are on the home page. 3401 Oak Creek is the address. Prayers continue to be needed. We are even closer. We are hoping to move in May.
April Readings
4/2 5 Lent
- Ezekiel 37:1-3, 11-14
- Psalm 130
- Romans 6:16-23
- John 11:1-44
4/9 Palm Sunday
- Matthew 21:1-11
- Isaiah 45:21-25
- Psalm 22:1-11
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Matthew 26:36-27:66
4/13 Maundy Thursday
- Exodus 12:1-14a
- Psalm 78:14-25
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
- John 13:1-15
4/14 Good Friday
- Isaiah 52:13-53:12
- Psalm 22:1-11
- Hebrews 10:1-25
- John 18:1-19:37
4/15 Solemn Easter Vigil
- Genesis 1:1-2:2
- Genesis 22:1-18
- Exodus 14:10-15:1
- Isaiah 55:1-11
- Ezekiel 36:24-28
- Romans 6:3-11
- Matthew 28:1-10
4/16 Easter Sunday
- Acts 10:34-43
- Psalm 118:14-29
- Colossians 3:1-4
- John 20:1-18
4/23 1 aft Easter
- Acts 2:14a, 22-32
- Psalm 111
- 1 Peter 1:3-9
- John 20:19-31
4/30 2 aft Easter
- Acts 2:14a, 36-47
- Psalm 116
- 1 Peter 1:17-23
- Luke 24:13-35
9:30 Service on Palm Sunday Canceled
Due to the 10/20 race closing Burnet Road, the 9:30 service is canceled on April 9 - Palm Sunday
The church will not be accessible at that time. Everyone is welcome to attend the 11:00 am service. The Liturgy for the Palms begins in the Fellowship Area.
Church Calendar for April
Sundays
- 9:30 AM Said Holy Communion (except 4/ 9)
- 9:30 AM Sunday School (except 4/9)
- 10:00 AM Choir Practice
- 11:00 AM, Holy Communion On the first Sunday, this service is sung Morning Prayer with Holy Communion.
Wednesdays (4/5 and 4/12)
- 7:00 PM, Holy Communion with a reflection on the collect of purity.
Thursdays (except 4/13)
1st Saturday April 1
- 9:00 AM, Prayer Service for our Nation
1st Friday, April 7
- 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Games Night
2nd Monday, April 10
Maundy Thursday, April 13
- 7:00 PM, Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar with music
Good Friday, April 14
- 7:00 PM, Good Friday Liturgy
Solemn Easter Vigil, April 15
- 7:30 PM, Holy Communion with music
3rd Friday, April 21
- 12 PM, Mothers' Prayer Group
4th Sunday, April 23
- 12:30 PM, Anglicans for Life Meeting.
5th Sunday, April 30
- Noon, 5th Sunday Potluck Luncheon
- 3:30 PM, Retirement and Nursing Center Hymn Sing
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
6 Bryan Gentsch
8 Robert Bernard
20 Ray Merrill
21 Jim Crandell, Ellen Harrison
24 Donna Hunt
Anniversaries
5 Roy and Nancy Jones
10 Dan and Ellen Harrison
11 Dale and Mary Boswell
St. Francis Anglican Church of Austin
A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth
Diocese Office: 2900 Alemeda St.
Fort Worth, TX 76108
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
Treasurer: Grady Collins
Senior Warden: David Norris
Junior Warden: John Hatley
Secretary: Kevin Burnette
Vestry Members
Class of 2018: Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin, John Hatley
Class of 2019: Brendle Glomb, David Norris, Kevin Burnette
Class of 2020: Missy Bernard, Dinah Arce
Fr. Len Giacolone
Church Group Leaders
Acolytes: Fr. Len Giacolone
Altar Guild: Becky Hunt
Anglicans for Life: Rory Motl
Christian Education for Youth: Missy Bernard, Denise Gentsch, Doug Cooper
Christian Education for Adults: Fr. Len Giacolone
Evening Prayer: Jim Crandell
Home Group Hosts: Claire Ducker, 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 Service for Nation: Amy & Jim Crandell
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: Susan Rambin
5th Sunday Nursing Home Service: Amy & Jim Crandell
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