Special Days

In Baptism, by water and the Holy Spirit, we bring new members into the Church, the Body of Christ. From then on, all the rights, delights and responsibilities of being a Christian are settled on the newly-baptized, no matter what age. We baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and we recognize any baptism from another church that is in the name of the Triune God. Baptism is truly a joyous occasion!

The solemn season of Lent opens with Ash Wednesday. When we gather, we are reminded of our mortal nature and tendency to wander far from God in this sinful world. Ashes are imposed on our foreheads in the sign of the cross, with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” We say Psalm 51 and pray a Litany of Penitence. There is no sermon, and Holy Communion follows. Please make room in your calendar to come to our beloved St. Francis Church and together make a good and holy beginning to Lent.

On Palm Sunday we bless palm fronds for each person, then walk through the Saint Francis garden carrying them, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the last time. He was greeted by crowds carrying palm fronds and casting them before Jesus as he rode into the city on a donkey. The crowds cried, “Hosannah! Hosannah! Save us! Save us!” and he was welcomed as the messiah. During the service which follows, we read the Gospel account of Jesus’ last supper with the disciples, his betrayal by Judas, his arrest and arraignment, and his crucifixion. It is a deeply solemn service, rich in meaning, in which the congregation participates.

This service begins at Noon when tradition holds that Jesus was nailed to the cross. The altar has been stripped and there are no signs of Jesus anywhere. We read the Passion narrative from the Gospel according to John, pray the Solemn Collects and say special anthems. Hand-forged crucifixion nails are hammered into a large wooden cross. There is no music, and people continue to meditate and pray in silence, coming and going as they please. Some may chose to follow self-guided Stations of the Cross on the grounds of the Church. These personal devotions continue until three o'clock, when tradition holds that Jesus said his last words and died. At that time a prayer will be said, and the church will be closed.

This is the happiest, most festive of all days in the Church year! The nave is decorated with lilies and flowers, and music lifts our voices in song. We speak the acclamation and response we wait all year to hear: Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

All during Lent we have refrained from saying alleluias. Now we proclaim them. Now Jesus has completed the mighty act by which he redeems our souls, and opens to us and to the world the way of everlasting life in the Kingdom of God. Alleluia!

This Easter Day we will be especially joyful because we will be baptizing one of our children. What could be better?

On this day the Holy Spirit descended on the gathered disciples with tongues of fire. They each spoke in their own tongue, and others understood them. Many of us will wear red to symbolize fire, and we will have the Lord’s prayer spoken in different languages!

Saint Francis of Assisi is known for his embrace of all of God’s creation, finding God’s glory in every plant, animal, field, woodland, mountain and desert. On this feast day, marked by special music and prayers we will honor our patron saint, who inspires our life together here at St. Francis Church.

Following The Feast of Saint Francis service, in the morning, we gather with our pets in the garden, where they are blessed with holy water and prayer. If you cannot bring your pet, bring a picture, and the pet will be blessed through its picture.