Post on 05-Mar-2016
description
Holy Eucharist
Sunday services are 8 a.m. & 10:15
a.m. at
616 Stockell Drive, Eureka, MO.
Office: 210 S. Central Avenue, Eureka,
MO 63025
Phone: 636-938-3733
Website: www.StFrancisEureka.com
Vicar
The Rev. Sally S. Weaver
Phone Numbers:
Cell: 314-651-3836
Home: 636-938-7773
Deacon
The Rev. Rebecca Barger
Phone Numbers:
Home: 636-778-0799
Cell: 713-515-5676
Bishops Committee: Kevin Broom, Sr. Warden, Sue Schmidt, Jr. Warden;
Donna Bernert; Jackie Selle; Dan Card;
Sally Hader; Joe OReilly; Sylvia Ahmad; Jack Lauless; Jim Bowlin
Suzanne Jones, Treasurer
Convention Delegates:
Rich Mayfield, Arlene Underwood
Alternate: Linda Doolittle
Annual Meeting
An Annual Meeting is held each year at
the end of January at which new
Bishops Committee and Convention
Delegates are elected.
St. Francis Episcopal Church is a mis-
sion of the Episcopal Diocese of
Missouri.
The Chalice is the newsletter of St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Eureka, and
is published at least 10 times per year.
Submissions for The Chalice are
due approximately the 20th of each
month and may be
e-mailed to the Office at
stfranch@sbcglobal.net.
The Chalice
St. Francis Episcopal Church
Eureka MO
Pastors Corner Rejoice in the Lord always; again I
will say, Rejoice. The Lord is near.
Do not worry about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplica-
tion with thanksgiving let your re-
quests be made known to God. Philippians 4:4-6, reading from Advent 3 (Dec 13)
Advent is a time of waiting, of expecting, of pre-
paring. We Christians await the birth of Jesus. Advent is
also a time of shopping, wrapping, and baking. The
church urges us to strive for quiet and reflection as we
wait for the Christ child to be born. The larger society
urges us to strive for a perfect Christmas by giving just
the right gifts and serving just the right foods. For most
of us, Advent is a time of stress. As life kicks into high
gear, we feel the jolt.
What are we to do about it? Pray. In the letter
quoted above, Paul tells his community in Philippi not to
worry about anything, but to pray. Prayer does not
change our circumstances Christmas is still coming on
Dec 25 whether were ready or not. But prayer changes
our attitude.
Paul suggests not just bringing our anxieties, but
also our thanks to God. We reorient our hearts when we
focus on all that we have to be thankful for, rather than on
all that we have still left to do. We become attuned to see
D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 5
(Continued on page 5)
The Chalice Page 2
Contacting Pastor Sally
If you call or e-mail Pastor Sally and she
doesnt respond, please let her know.
The best number to call
is her cell phone:
314-651-3836. Re-
member that theres a
middle initial, S, in
her e-mail address:
SallySWeaver@yahoo.com.
She wants to respond quickly, so please
let her know if thats not occurring.
The Vicars Calendar is
On-line
Pastor Sallys calendar is on our website,
www.stfranciseureka.com. Select
Calendar, then Vicars Calendar. Its
the only calendar Pastor Sally uses, so it is
complete and up-to-date.
Table of Contents
Have we missed an
important date for you or
your family?
Jot a note and put in the
collection plate. We want to
help celebrate everyones
accomplishments.
Adult Forum Calendar 3
Advent Quiet Morning 16
ASA Statistics 17
Birthdays & Anniversaries 10
Calendar 26
Caroling @ Eureka 21
Christmas Day @ Sally & Tonys 4
Come, share 5
Consecration Sunday Update 7
Contacting Pastor Sally 2
Diocese Of MO Convention pics 20
Earthy Soul 9
ECM Holiday Gift Wrapping 20
Feed the Hungry 15
Financial Update 13
From the Deacon 22
From the Kids Space 8
Future Home!!! 6
Nominating Committee 12
Pastors Corner 1
Prayer for St. Francis 17
Prayer list 11
Property Update 7
Put our website on your iPhone! 24
Recipe of the Month 18
Red Wagon 10
Rides for Roger 7
Ring Our Wild Bells 23
St. Francis in Depth 17
St. Francis Planning Calendar 14
Upcoming Events 4
Worship Participants 25
Youth Group Pictures at Sports
Fusion
19
Youth Group Caroling 5
The Chalice Page 3 www.stfranciseureka.com
Adult Forums are held on Sundays from 11:55 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The complete
Adult Forum calendar is on our website at www.stfrancisereka.com select
Christian Education, Adults.
Adult Forums December & January
December 6 Family Christmas Traditions, Show & Tell
December 13 Toward Christmas: Getting from Stress to Joy
December 20 The Best Christmas Gift You Ever Received
December 27 Mysteries of the Bible
January 3 Minor prophets, part 1
January 10 Minor prophets, part 2
January 17 Bible trivia quiz show
January 24 Annual meeting
January 31 Wisdom literature, part 1
Adult Forum Schedule
(Cont. on page 20)
New Cross New Acolyte
The Chalice Page 4
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, December 1 6:30 p.m.Womens Group at Donna
Bernerts
Tuesday, December 1, 7:00 p.m.Mens Group, Pacific Brew Haus
Sunday, December 6, 6:00 p.m. Diocesan Advent Lessons and
Carols, Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust
St., 63103
Thursday, December 17, 6:30 p.m. Youth Group Caroling at
Marymount Manor
Saturday, December 19, 9:30 a.m. Flyer Blitz, parish
Thursday, December 24, 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service, Lodge
Friday, December 25, 10 a.m. Christmas Day service, Lodge
Christmas Day, December 25, 1:00 p.m. Christmas Day at Tony &
Sallys
Sunday, December 27, Christmas Carols & Lessons, 8 a.m. & 10:15
a.m.
Thursday, January 14thThe Book Group will discuss Christina
Baker Klines Orphan Train.
Christmas Day at Tony and Sallys If you are dreading the prospect of spending Christmas Day alone, please
plan on coming to Tony and Sally Weavers house for Christmas Day dinner. Well
gather about 1 p.m. at 2575 Sunrise Dr. in Eureka. Come join with new friends and
fellow parishioners for a meal and lively conversa-
tion. Just let Pastor Sally or Tony know you plan to
be there, so theyll set a place for you. All are wel-
come.
The Chalice Page 5 www.stfranciseureka.com
(Pastors Corner cont. from page 1)
and take delight in small things a bird in flight, the smile of a child, the warmth of
a mug of tea. Feeling grateful is a habit of the heart.
When we develop an attitude of gratitude we will find that every day brings
reasons for rejoicing. Our holiday-season worries lose their power in the face of
thanksgiving for the fact that we are alive, that we have people to love, and that we
are able to celebrate Christmas. God is alive and dwells among us. Thanks be to
God!
Pastor Sally
The Youth Group Invites You to
Carol at Marymount Manor December 17
Our teens are serenading the residents of
Marymount Manor nursing home on Thursday, De-
cember 17 at 6:30 p.m. Come join in singing joy-
fully, delighting the sick and lonely. The Christ-
mas songs we sing are familiar; lyrics and Santa
hats are provided. We will meet at Marymount,
313 Augustine Rd. in Eureka.
The Chalice Page 6
Groceries &
Scarves
Ingathering
November 15
St. Francis at 602 Brewster Rd.
The Chalice Page 7 www.stfranciseureka.com
602 Brewster Rd.: Property Update
On Nov 16, the contract for the demolition of the house and outbuildings was
awarded to Rows Hauling. The asbestos in the flooring requires abatement. Then
the structures can be torn down. The drain field and tank of the old septic system
are also part of the demolition project.
Church Development Services is in the process of creating draft layouts/floor
plans for the building. As soon as we have a proposed design, we will share it.
Additionally, were working with consultant John Hessel on the schedule and
method for conducting the capital campaign. We intend to make on-line donating
through our website and Facebook page -- available to interested parties.
Consecration Sunday Results
As of November 29, we have received 35 pledges totaling $83,584. (For 2015
we had 44 pledges.) So far for 2016 we have 1 new pledge, 23 pledges that are in-
creases over last year, 4 decreases, and 7 that stayed at the same amount.
The Finance Committee will meet in December to develop a proposed budget
for 2016. A draft budget will be adopted by the Bishops Committee at their Dec 20
meeting. The proposed budget will then be presented for adoption by St. Francis at
our annual meeting on Jan 24, 2016.
Rides for Roger Shaw
The following is the schedule for rides to and from the 10:15 a.m. worship on Sun-
days.
Dec 6 - Kevin Broom
Dec 20 - Sue and John Schmidt
Adult Forums Dec 6 and Dec 20
Dec 6 - Family Christmas Traditions, Show & Tell
Bring a beloved Christian tradition of yours to share. It could be an Advent calen-
dar, a special food, an ornament, a story
Dec 20 The Best Christmas Gift You Ever Received
Come prepared to describe your favorite Christmas gift of all time.
The Chalice Page 8
FROM THE KIDS SPACE November 1, All Saints Day
We learned that the word saint refers to all Christians from
the New Testament. We named as many saints as we could
name: St. Francis Xavier, St. Bernadette, St. Alexandria, St.
Patrick, St. Joseph, St. Monica, St. Augusta, St. Elmo, St.
Agatha, St. Paul, St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Mary.
Then we made a poster of a historical saint, a biblical saint,
and a saint from our family or congregation. We paraded the
posters and our saint medallions (a circular piece of clay we put our thumb print on
to remind us that we are all saints if we are following Christ) through the sanctuary
on this Sunday.
November 8
We made a gift cartoon, comic strip drawings of giving gifts to God. Some of us
drew giving books and then read to kids who are unable to read. Another group drew
giving money to God and God swimming in the money. The last group drew a tree
with no life and then a tree full of life.
We made a list of things we can give without it being
financial: clothing, time, toys, books, serving, and tal-
ents.
We also played tic-tac-toe using coins (heads/tails). We
couldn't put the coin down unless we answered a ques-
tion correctly regarding Mark 12:38-44.
November 15
We made a Church we thought Jesus would like. We made God's Church of Sea li-
ons. We thought out of the box and used our creativity to make a Church in a differ-
ent dimension where people are not allowed since they would be eaten by some of
the animals. (See the collage on page 12.)
November 22
Today the kids learned this Sunday was called Christ the King Sun-
day. The kids made Jesus is King collages with magazine pictures
and letters. Two of the collages can be seen on the kids wall down-
stairs at the Lodge.
The Chalice Page 9 www.stfranciseureka.com
Earthy Soul
The Sound of Silence
My goodness! The birds outside my house are busy this morning! And like
some people on social media, they seem to need to talk about whatever it is that
theyre doing as if it were monumentally important that they just found a bug or a
berry or that their babies are going to have to build their own nests.
Their chirping, since I dont speak Robin or Chickadee or Phoebe, doesnt
bother me. I rather like the music of the birds, even when theyre not singing.
Mostly when we think about nature, we think of, remember, are inspired by the
sights we see. Any view, whether of a single mayapple flower hiding under its leaf
or a view of the Grand Canyon, can inspire thoughts of Gods goodness, majesty and
power.
Sometimes, though, I like to close my eyes and listen for the many sounds by
which nature speaks, sounds I often miss because I am too distracted or too busy to
notice or because my people-talk drowns out other sounds.
We all love the sound of water, whether its waves crashing against a rocky
shore or a quiet stream making that little burbling sound as it moves over rocks in its
path.
Leaves, too, have a music all their own. Aspen leaves fluttering in the summer
wind make a sound that brings me back to my childhood. Dry autumn leaves from
maples and oaks crunch underfoot in such a satisfying way! Why do we love that
sound? Im not sure, but its a joyful gift, isnt it?
Birds are not the only animals whose songs are worth hearing, worth listening
and waiting for. Croaking frogs, howling, yipping coyotes, purring cats, trumpeting
elephants, galloping horses, even crickets and the delightful spring peepers sing
songs that can soothe, enchant, inspire, evoke awe and even fear.
Make a chance to go outside. Still your own voice and find a way to listen.
Let the sounds of creation wash over your soul. How wonderfully God leads us
back to prayer!!
by Kathleen McDonald
The Chalice Page 10
December Birthdays
Jonah Broom-Morse Dec 3
Nick Sacco Dec 5
Jackie Selle Dec 5
Kevin Broom Dec 7
Noel Choweller Dec 11
Ernie Benecke Dec 15
Rebecca Barger Dec 20
Tia Hollister Dec 22
Bob Champlin Dec 22
Cristin Selle Dec 22
Caitlin Selle Dec 22
Tim Booker Dec 22
Michael Booker Dec 26
Red Wagon
In 2014, 48.1 million Americans
lived in food insecure households,
4.6 million seniors 65 and older were
in poverty.
Please remember the food pantry
when you shop:
peanut butter, jelly,
canned meats,
canned pasta meals,
individual packs of
fruits, applesauce,
puddings, instant oat-
meal packs, dry cere-
als.
Also, always needed
items paper and sanitary prod-
ucts, soaps, dental items, etc.
The Chalice Page 11 www.stfranciseureka.com
Preparing for Sunday
The homepage of our website,
www.StFrancisEureka.com, now contains the
icon shown here. Click-
ing on this icon brings up
the Bible readings for the
upcoming Sunday. Not
only can you read the
Scriptures appointed,
theres a brief explana-
tion of each passage.
This is a good and easy way to prepare for
what youll hear at Sunday morning worship.
St. Francis Spiritual Offerings
during the Week
Mondays from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at the
parish house (210 S. Central) we gather for
prayer. We pray for the people of St. Fran-
cis, those who havent joined us yet, those
on our prayer list, the needs of our commu-
nity, and the world. We close each session
at 6:05-6:15 p.m. with New Zealand Night
Prayer.
Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 10
a.m. at the Parish House (210 S. Central)
we study the Bible readings appointed for
the upcoming Sunday.
Please join us for these meetings whenever
you can, whether weekly or once in a while.
All are welcome.
Tom & John Sons of Paddy Wrob
Jennifer
Judy Parishioner
The Barger
Family
Parishioner
Nick Parishioner
Laura Parishioner
Benita Parishioner
John Parishioner
Billie Mother of Jerry Smith
Horst Brother of Brigitte Jung
Roberta Carly Champlins sister
Gwen Rosie & Ernies daughter-in-
law
Joe Son of Donna & Joe Bernert
Patrick Friend of Cheryl Foster
Nick Linda Doolittles brother
June Barbi Clicks friend
Aunt Mary Ann Relative of Nicholas Schaeffer
Johanna Jack Lauless mother
Sue & Barbara Neighbors of Aundrea Bach
Lou Ann Dan Cards wife
Katie Fried of Della Hosutt
Prayer List
January Calendar &
Worship Schedule
The deadline for the January newsletter, cal-
endar & worship schedule is December 23.
Items not received by that date may not
make the publication. If you have items for
any of these publications, please send or e-
mail to Barbi Click in the parish office
(stfranch@sbcglobal.net).
The Chalice Page 12
Nominating Committee
On November 22, outgoing Bishops Committee members met to develop a
slate of candidates to serve terms as Bishops Committee members and Diocesan
delegates.
Sue Schmidt, Jackie Selle, Dan Card, and Jim Bowlin are completing their
terms as Bishops Committee members this month.
At St. Francis Annual Meeting on January 24, we will elect their successors.
Additionally, we will elect a member to serve out Joe OReillys unexpired term on
the Bishops Committee; Joe has taken a job in Korea. At the January 24 Annual
Meeting we will also elect two delegates to represent St. Francis at Diocesan Con-
vention in 2016.
The slate of candidates will be approved by the Bishops Committee at their
December 20 meeting. Watch for details about who is running in the January
Chalice.
God's Church of Sea Lions from Sunday, November 15 Kids Space
The Chalice Page 13 www.stfranciseureka.com
Financial Update October 2015
Actual for
Oct 2015
Budgeted for
Oct
YTD 2015
Actual
YTD 2015
Budget
Total Income $ 10,758 $ 12,118 $125,862 $ 121,189
Total Expenses 17,134 13,181 135,739 116,338
Difference ($ 6,376) $ (1,063) ($ 9,876) $ 4,851
Checking AccountRockwood Bank $ 25,579.64
Balance in Diocesan Investment Trust 11,738.27
Custodial account held by the Diocese 34,307.04
Vicars Discretionary Account 47.16
Total $ 63,672.11
If you have further questions, talk to the Vicar. Pastor Sally values input and
is happy to have a conversation at any time about St. Francis.
COMMENTARY:
Our 2015 budget continues to reflect a lack of projected loose plate income, along
with the 602 Brewster expenses that were not planned for this fiscal year.
OTHER MATTERS FOR THE COMMITTEE:
Results of Consecration Sunday ingathering of pledges: as of 11/13/15, we have 29
pledges for a total of $75,064. With additional projected income, we are currently
projecting a shortfall of $13,280 which is -10% from our 2015 income. While this
shortfall is not a surprise due to loss of several members with generous giving histo-
ries, we will examine the full implications of this loss of income when we start
working on the 2016 budget later this month.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne
Suzanne Jones, Treasurer
The Chalice Page 14
St. Francis Planning Calendar 2015
December Diocesan Advent Lessons & Carols at Christ Church Cathedral Dec 6
Youth Group sings at Marymount December 17
Budget & BC slate for 2016 adopted by Bishops Committee Dec 20
Christmas Eve & Day worship
Tutoring
Christmas Lessons & Carols Dec 27
January 2016
Reports for annual meeting written
Souper Bowl Jan 17
Annual meeting Jan 24
Vicars vacation Jan 25-Feb 5
Adult Forum schedule
Community Services Ministries schedule
Youth Group schedule
Report for Diocese and National Church: Parochial report, sexual misconduct
form, list of Bishops Comm. members, Metro IV delegates, etc.
Tutoring
St. Francis
Adopt-a-Highway
November 14
The Chalice Page 15 www.stfranciseureka.com
Feed the hungry.
This is such a basic mission of our Church that St. Francis has been helping
to feed the hungry for more than twenty years! On the fifth Sunday of the month
(about four times a year) we cook and serve food for the hungry guests of the Hot
Lunch program of Trinity Episcopal Church in the Central West End. And every
week, year in and year out, our parish helps to provide pantry staples and a bit more
to those in need closer to where we live.
The Eureka Food Pantry is a wonderful opportunity for us to stand with our
neighbors to help our neighbors. The pantry, housed at the Methodist church in
town, is staffed not only by Methodists but also by Lutherans, Catholics, Baptists
and Episcopalians. From our parish, Paddy Wrob, George Vits and Della Hosutt
have regular work mornings each month. They help to distribute the pantry products
whatever is on hand to families who need to stretch their limited food budgets.
The pantry products from St. Francis, blessed during the Offertory portion of the
Eucharist, are brought up to the altar by the children, via a traditional red wagon.
After our service, Arlene Underwood, who helped us take on this ministry originally,
loads up her car and drives them to the Pantry so that theyll be ready for the first
customers on Tuesday morning.
Theres one additional way that St. Francis contributes to this ecumenical ef-
fort to feed the hungry. During the growing season we plant, tend, and harvest a gar-
den plot at the Wildwood YMCA. Nearly all of our produce goes to the Eureka
Food Pantry. So does the huge (hundreds of pounds!) harvest of vegetables from the
rest of the Wildwood Y, who shares out the bounty between Eureka and the Circle of
Concern in Valley Park, a very large organization open daily. John Schmidt, Sylvia
Ahmad, Kathleen OReilly, Brigitte Jung and Kathleen McDonald all participate in
this end of the ministry.
When you go shopping to buy food for your family, buy a little extra. Bring
non-perishables to church on Sunday, and put them in the little red wagon just inside
the sanctuary door. God bless you! Pastor Sally will bless the food, and the hungry
will be satisfied.
by Kathleen McDonald
The Chalice Page 16
Advent Quiet Morning
at The Church of St. Michael and St. George
December 5
8:00 AM - Noon
St. George's Chapel
An Advent Quiet Morning will be held Saturday, December 5 with The Rev. Canon
John W. Kilgore leading the day. With the Advent themes of waiting, expectation,
and preparation in mind, meditations on the Magnificat will be offered. This hymn
sung by Mary in her encounter with Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, when
they were both pregnant, is an inspiration for us and has found many musical ex-
pressions. As Mary and Elizabeth contemplated the meaning of giving birth to holy
infants, may we also begin the season of Advent with a day of quiet contemplation
on the meaning of the coming of Christ into the world.
Follow this link for directions: http://www.csmsg.org/visitors/location/
The Chalice Page 17 www.stfranciseureka.com
Prayer for St. Francis We pray for the witness, renewal, and growth of our parish family. Living
God, infuse us with your love. Enable us to proclaim the good news of Jesus
Christ to all whom we meet through our actions, our thoughts, our
words. Make St. Francis' Church a place of invitation and welcome, a safe
harbor and a beacon of the light of Christ. Amen.
St. Francis In-Depth
If you would like more details about St. Francis finances, the Bishops Committee
meetings, and the Vicars activities, please see the bulletin board in the lower level
of the Lodge. There you will find two months worth of:
Bishops Committee meeting minutes
Monthly financial reports
Treasurers commentary
Vicars activity reports
Sunday Worship
Attendance Statistics
2014 2015
All Saints 67 60
24 Pentecost 67 67
25 Pentecost 54
Christ the King 66 58
November 29 72 66
The Chalice Page 18
Recipe of the Month
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon garam masala (curry powder is a fine substitute)
3 medium carrots, diced into 1/4-inch chunks
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tart-yet-sweet apple, such as Honeycrisp or Fuji, peeled and finely chopped
2 medium celery stalks, finely chopped
6 cups low sodium chicken broth, best quality such as Swanson
1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup red lentils
1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded, skinless cooked chicken, from a store-bought rotisserie chicken
or leftovers
1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus 6 lime wedges, for serving (2-3 limes)
Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Directions:
Heat the vegetable oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the garam masala
and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the chopped carrots, onions, apples,
and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 7-8 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, red lentils, ginger and salt to the pot. Bring to
a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes,
or until the lentils are tender and starting to break down.
Add the cooked chicken and 1 tablespoon lime juice, and heat until warmed
through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, more lime juice and cayenne pepper,
if desired. Serve the soup generously sprinkled with fresh chopped cilantro, with
lime wedges on the side.
Note: The soup will thicken as it sits. Add more chicken broth to thin it out if nec-
essary.
submitted by Sylvia Ahmad
Indian Spiced Red Lentil &
Chicken Soup
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Servings: 4-6
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
The Chalice Page 19 www.stfranciseureka.com
Youth Group at Sports Fusion for laser tag November 14
The Chalice Page 20
Representing St. Francis at
the Episcopal Diocese of
Missouris 176th Diocesan
Convention
Doubletree Hotel, Chesterfield,
November 20-21
Episcopal City Mission Holiday Gift Wrapping Party
The Chalice Page 21 www.stfranciseureka.com
Caroling at Eureka Tree Lighting - November 21, 2015
The Chalice Page 22
From the Deacon
As I write this, Thanksgiving Day has come and gone and Advent 1 is only a
day away. Christmas will be here before I know it. In light of recent life events for
my family and me, facing the holidays ahead seem like a daunting task, to say the
least. The majority of us have had some experience, or numerous experiences, of
grief over the course our lives, so we know that grief covers a broad spectrum.
When we experience a loss of any variety, we encounter grief. Each person journeys
through grief in his or her own unique and individual way, and there is no right or
wrong way to go through the grieving process. We just grieve.
Grief (of any nature) doesnt take a break or recognize the holidays; the sad-ness and loneliness lingers and intensifies for most of us. We mark the holidays in
our society by being surrounded by family members and friends whom we love or
hold dear. So, how is it possible for those who are grieving, to bring or maintain the
merriment and celebratory mentality into the holidays?
It is a good thing that the season of Advent precedes Christmas. It is to my
advantage to heed the call to prepare my heart, mind and soul for the birth of the
Christ child. For our 21st century minds, it is difficult to truly imagine the world into
which Jesus was bornthe oppression, discrimination, and the occupation of Ro-man rule that the first century Jews endured. They needed hope. They, too, were
grieving the loss of the world and life-style that they held dear. God sent Jesus into
the world in a time of darkness to be loves pure light for all the nations to live by.
The message I glean from this is that the loss of our beloved Jake will still
cause us pain and the emptiness of his absence will be sorely felt during the holi-
days. Life, as we now know it, will continue on. However, at the very heart of all
this, God will not leave us. My faith gives me the assurance that the God I worship
is a God of love. I cling to the belief that God remains with us, holding us, comfort-
ing us, and is walking this dreadful, dark journey along side us for as long as it
takes. This is my focus; this is my hope. Gods love is the light that will illumine my way.
God came to us in the lowliness of a child, to live and grow as any human
child could, and to experience all the good, bad and ugly that life can hold or imag-
ine. God came to us to reveal that God is ever present to us, and loving us until the
end of the age. This is a truth worth clinging to, even in the midst of grief.
In Christs service,
Deacon Rebecca
Deacons Vacation
Deacon Rebecca, Phil and Sarah will be away visiting family in Virginia beginning
Wednesday, December 30, 2015 and returning home on Monday, January 4, 2016.
The Chalice Page 23 www.stfranciseureka.com
Ring Out, Wild Bells!
Christians share the hard work of building Gods Kingdom in the ways that
Jesus particularly asked of us: we are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter
the homeless, free the oppressed. Yet not all of our work is difficult. Much of it is
joyous, especially when we can share music that makes worship so beautiful, so spe-
cial, and so much fun!
Last month our Music Director, Cheryl Foster,
was borrowing music from one congregation when
she asked if they knew of any bell sets going un-
used. Following that lead, Cheryl found a three oc-
tave set (thats huge!) currently unused at Holy
Cross Lutheran Church in Creve Coeur. After a
friendly discussion with Pastor Schack, St. Francis
was given use of the bells through the Easter Sea-
son, and, according to Cheryl, a ton of music for
them.
This is exciting news! Although we cannot currently afford the thousands of
dollars it would cost to buy our own bell set, we have had the generous use of loaner
bells for nearly a year.
The Holy Cross bells went into use almost as soon as they arrived at St. Fran-
cis and are played each Eucharist during the Gloria. On December 27th at our an-
nual Lessons and Carols service, the bell team, currently in rehearsal, will provide
several bell performances.
Thanks to Cheryls persistent search, to Pastor
Schacks generous loan, and to our local ver-
sion of two men and a truck (Cheryl, Deacon
Rebecca, and the Bargermobile), St. Francis
will ring with joy this Christmas and Easter,
too!
By Kathleen McDonald
The Chalice Page 24
Put our Website on Your iPhone
You can have St. Francis website like an app on your iPhone. Heres how.
Using Safari, open our website on your iPhone. The address is
www.stfranciseureka.com. Heres what the homepage looks like:
Depending on your iPhone, with the St.
Francis website open, select the following
button:
This will bring up the following screen.
Select Add to Home Screen. The St. Francis website will
now appear on your iPhone!
The Chalice Page 25 www.stfranciseureka.com
DEC 2015 WORSHIP LEADERS SCHEDULE
Ministry DEC 6 DEC 13 DEC 20 DEC 27 DEC 24 DEC 25
Lectors Kevin Selle
Paddy Wrob
Tim Booker
Michael
Booker
Bob Smith
Barb Sacco
Kevin Selle
Paddy Wrob
Sue Schmidt
Kathleen
McDonald
Intercessors Kevin Selle
Paddy Wrob
Sue Schmidt
Michael
Booker
Bob Smith
Barb Sacco
Kevin Selle
Paddy Wrob
Sue Schmidt
Kathleen
McDonald
Chalice Barb Sacco Kevin Selle Kathleen
McDonald
Barb Sacco Michael
Booker
Barb Sacco
Acolyte Rich Mayfield Kathleen
McDonald
Jerry Smith Kevin Selle Katie Jones
Jerry Smith
Torch-
bearers
Carly
Champlin
Bob
Champlin
Arlene
Underwood
Jack Lauless
Sue Schmidt
John Schmidt
Annette Carr
Barb Sacco
Carly
Champlin
Bob
Champlin
Altar
Guild
Brigitte Jung
Jerry Smith
Brigitte Jung
Kathleen
OReilly
Linda Doolittle
Sue Schmidt
Linda
Doolittle
Jerry Smith
Set up Wed
23 @ 4 pm.
ALL
Cleanup
Thurs 24 ALL
Usher Rich Mayfield Michael
Booker
John Schmidt Bob Smith Rich Mayfield
John Schmidt
Tellers Suzanne
Jones
Bob Smith
Bob Champlin
Arlene
Underwood
Rich Mayfield
Bob Smith
Arlene
Underwood
Bob Smith
Suzanne
Jones
Bob Cham-
plin
Eucharistic
Visitor
Kevin Selle Sally Hader Kathleen
McDonald
Paddy Wrob
The Chalice Page 26
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
6:30 pm
Women Group,
Donna Bernert
house
7 pm Mens
Group, Pacific
Brew Haus
2
11:30 Eureka
Chamber of
Commerce
12:30 pm
Crafternoon
6:30 pm
Tutoring @
Lodge
3
4:30 pm
Ex Comm
7 pm
Bible Study
7 pm Finance
meeting
4
10 am
Bible
Study
5
6
8 am HE
9 am Choir Pract
9:30 am Property
10:15 am HE
11:55 am Brunch
6 pm Advent Lessons
& Carols, Christ
Church Cathedral
7
5:30 pm
Prayer
Group
6:30 pm
Worship
& Music
8
9
12:30 pm
Crafternoon
6:30 pm
Tutoring @
Lodge
10
7 pm
Bible Study
11
10 am
Bible
Study
12
13
8 am HE
9 am Choir Pract
9:30 Property
10:15 am HE
11:55 am Adult Forum
14
5:30 pm
Prayer
Group
15
6 pm
Communica-
tions & Mar-
keting, parish
16
12:30 pm
Crafternoon
6:30 pm
Tutoring @
Lodge
17
6:30 pm
Caroling @
Marymount
7 pm
Bible Study
18
9 am
Chalice,
parish
10 am
Bible
Study
19
9:30 am
Flyer Blitz
20
8 am HE
9 am Choir Pract
9:30 am Property
10:15 am HE
11:55 am Adult Forum
12:45 pm Bps Comm
Meeting
21
5:30 pm
Prayer
Group
22
23
12:30 pm
Crafternoon
24
5:30 pm
Christmas
Eve, Lodge
25
10 am
Christmas
Day,
Lodge
26
27
8 am HE
9 am Choir Pract
9:30 am Property
10:15 am HE
11:55 am Adult Forum
28
5:30 pm
Prayer
Group
29 30
12:30 pm
Crafternoon
31
7 pm Bible
Study
DECEMBER 2015 @ St. Francis