What's Happening at St. Francis this week

Thursday Announcements March 23, 2023
 

ERIN’S EPISTLETTES

• Thank you to the many faithful volunteers who fill worship leadership roles! I know your time is limited and valuable and I appreciate you sharing it with us. Moving forward, I ask that all service participants (acolytes, lectors, Eucharistic ministers and media team) are in the building at least fifteen minutes before the service starts. Timely arrival will be particularly critical as we move into the busyness of Holy Week. If you aren't in the building ten minutes before the service starts, we'll assume you aren't coming and find a substitute. 
• We're in the process of scheduling worship leadership for Holy Week services. A number of needs remain. Please take a look at your calendar and check MSP for openings. 
• The last interdenominational Lenten Lunch is next Tuesday, March 28. 
• Our last "Soup and Stations" is next Wednesday, March 29. 
  • Our midweek Eucharists resume the week after Easter (April 12). These will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesdays unless announced otherwise. 

Holy Week at Saint Francis
What Happens on Good Friday? 
Good Friday is the solemn liturgy in remembrance of Jesus' passion and death. On this day we hear eighty-two verses from the gospel of John which recount the events of the first passion. As Good Friday is a continuation of the Maundy Thursday liturgy, it begins as the prior service ended: in silence. The altar, which was stripped following Thursday evening's service, remains bare. This is the only service in the liturgical year at which we are offered the opportunity to venerate the cross. The Eucharistic prayer is not said on this day. Instead, communion is distributed from reserve. At Saint Francis, this year's Good Friday liturgy will be offered at noon and 6:30 p.m on April 7. 
 
Holy Week Schedule

• Palm Sunday (April 2): one service @ 9 a.m.
• Tenebrae (Wednesday, April 5): 6 p.m. 
• Maundy Thursday (April 6): 6 p.m.
• Good Friday (April 7): 12 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
• Holy Saturday Day Service (April 8): 10 a.m. 
• Easter Vigil (April 8): 7:45 p.m.
• Easter Sunday (April 9): 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.​

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From the office—Ann’s Announcements

Birthdays
Eain Peterson                  March 26
Melissa Moreno               March 28
Gretchen Traw                 March 30 
Rev. Erin Rath                 March 31

The Daughters of the King will be sponsoring a special collection on the fourth Sunday, March 26.   In place of collecting personal hygiene items, we will be collecting items for Capstone, the child advocacy agency in Gering that serves children in 11 counties in western Nebraska.   They are in need of journals which can be found in many stores in Scottsbluff; blankets, new only please, especially warm fuzzy ones; and McDonalds or Runza gift cards.   The cards are used to purchase meals for the children by DHHS workers who escort the children to Capstone.    Please help us fulfill this wish list for this vital child advocacy organization. 
    
Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email [email protected] 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 February-April are here in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.