What's Happening at St. Francis this week

Thursday Announcements
 March 31, 2022

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) Lent is rushing by, and I have been so busy with life that I haven’t taken much time at all to sit and reflect on the deep meaning of this season. One thing that has kept me grounded though has been our Wednesday Soup Suppers and Stations of the Cross. Our simple meal and this short but powerful service has been a weekly reminder that we are made for community and we are sustained in worship. Remembering and hearing these lessons about the trial, torture, and death of Jesus (as well as the suffering of those who knew and loved him) go a long way to preparing my heart for the coming tragic/joyful three-day witness of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. As I said last Sunday, I very much hope that you will attend all three services this year as it is our last chance to walk through these texts together. Here is the schedule:
 
            April 14th — Maundy Thursday                    6:00 P.M.
            April 15th — Good Friday                             12:00 & 6:00 P.M.
            April 16th — Great Vigil                                8:00 P.M.
            April 17th — Easter Morning                        8:00 & 10:00 A.M.
 
2) Some have asked the best way to find and view sermons after they are live on the website, and the answer is to search for the church on facebook (“Saint Francis Episcopal Church”) or youtube ("St. Francis Episcopal Church Scottsbluff, NE”) and all of our previous videos should be available in either location.  
 
3) Today is the feast day of poet/priest John Donne (1572-1631). Fifty years ago I came across a book of his poetry in our high school library (a mystery on a couple of levels) and was really taken by several of his poems. This is one: 
 
Sonnet X   by John Donne
 
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die. 

ANN’S ADDITIONS​

Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought
life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are actually living!​

​​Birthdays
 
Dante Anderson-Saenz                 April 3
Scott Harvey                                  April 4
Owen Viola                                    April 6
Justin Cawiezel                             April 8
Brett Parrish                                  April 8
Ann Peterson                                April 8
 
Lenten Prayer Bookmarks are available in the pews for all parishioners courtesy of the Daughters of the King, St. Clare Chapter. It is our hope you will use the bookmark as a reminder to pray throughout the Lenten season.
 
Also please join us for Compline services Sunday nights during Lent.  Father Mark will lead this service at 8:00 pm on ZOOM beginning March 6.
The link is https://saintf.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1f8804eda97214951fdb7fdde&id=eb42721a53&e=dfd56a5aa2. 
 
This service is intended as a peaceful way to end the day and can be a meaningful addition to your Lenten journey.
 
The United Thank Offering
 
The mission of the United Thank Offering is to expand the circle of thankful people.  To achieve this mission, we encourage daily prayers, offerings, and awareness of abundance of God's blessings.  

Our values are: 

Thanksgiving (for joy, blessings and challenges)
Generosity (all offerings are granted)
Mission (expand the church)
Ministry (meet compelling human needs)
The United Thank Offering is a spiritual and financial partner in the mission work of The Episcopal Church.

Prayer Requests ** Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message),
email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to:
 
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Forward Day by Day Booklets
We have the Forward Day by Day’s for April-May in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.