The Right Reverend John C. Bauerschmidt--Bishop of Tennessee The Reverend Joseph B. Howard--Vicar

Order of Worship

St. Francis Church is a community dedicated to the transformation of lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ for

the Kingdom of God.

The Fifth Sunday of EasterYear B

St. FranciS church Biblically minded::Mission driven

A congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee and the world-wide Anglican Communion

A note for visitors: We’re thankful that you could join us for worship today, and we pray God blesses you in your time here. The service is printed in your bulletin. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask someone around you!

St. Francis Church we want to encourage families to worship together. In order to be a community where all ages feel welcome, we provide coloring materials for children to use during worship and seek to understand the specific gifts and challenges that children bring. We encourage you, should you feel comfortable doing so, to sit toward the front with your children, as little-ones are often more attentive if they can see what is happening. After the second reading, children 6 years old and below are invited to take part in children’s chapel.

We understand that there may be times when it is best to take advantage of child care, and nursury is provided.

In Preparation for worship: We invite you to take a few moments before the service begins to be still, and rest from the business of your lives. Take time to breathe deeply, and reflect upon the past week, preparing yourself to come before God in worship. When you’re ready, you might say the following prayer or one like it in preparation for worship.

O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Word of GodProcessional: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed H616

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gun!strong;birth:sing;blest:

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The Kingdom of God616

From Tell Out, My Soul: Guitar Lead Sheets for Favorite Hymns, Vol. 1 Copyright ©2006 by R. C. Laird. Church Publishing Incorporated. www.churchpublishing.org

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HailHeHe

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gun!strong;birth:sing;blest:

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The Kingdom of God616

From Tell Out, My Soul: Guitar Lead Sheets for Favorite Hymns, Vol. 1 Copyright ©2006 by R. C. Laird. Church Publishing Incorporated. www.churchpublishing.org

Opening Acclamation:All Standing

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ is risen.People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Collect for Purity:

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we

may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The following is sung, all standing

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Canticle 20, Glory to God: Gloria in excelsis S 280

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Collect of the Day: Celebrant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Celebrant: Let us pray.

AlmiGhTy God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly

follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading: Acts 8:26-40All sit.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles:

An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and

went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

The Psalm of the day:Remain seated

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Psalm 22:24-30

24 My praise is of him in the great assembly; * I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him. 25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: * “May your heart live for ever!” 26 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, * and all the families of the nations shall bow before him. 27 For kingship belongs to the Lord; * he rules over the nations. 28 To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; * all who go down to the dust fall before him. 29 My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; * they shall be known as the Lord’s for ever. 30 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn * the saving deeds that he has done.

Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-21

A Reading from the First letter of John.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

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The Children Come forward for prayer, and then depart for Children’s Chapel

All stand.

Sequence: Bless the Lord my soul Taizé

Holy Gospel: John 15:1-8

Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf

coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Gospeller: The Gospel of the LordPeople: Praise to you, Lord Christ

Sermon: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard

The NiceNe creed

We believe in one God,the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

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We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.The PrAyers of The PeoPle

Leader: Let us pray

In our Diocese we pray for St. Mark’s Church, Antioch.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for the Diocese of North Queensland - in the province of Queensland, Australia. The Rt. Rev’d Willaim J Ray, Bishop, The Rt. Rev’d Saibo Mabo and The Rt. Rev’d James Randolph Leftwich, suffragans.

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;People: That we all may be one.

Leader: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;People: That your Name may be glorified by all people.

Leader: We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;People: That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacra- ments.

Leader: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;People: That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

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Leader: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;People: That our works may find favor in your sight.

Leader: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;People: That they may be delivered from their distress.

Leader: Give to the departed eternal rest;People: Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Leader: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy; People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

Celebrant: Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The coNfessioN

Celebrant: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14, 16

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.Silence.

Minister and People:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against youin thought, word, and deed,by what we have done,and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.All standCelebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.People: And also with you. Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord. Announcements

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# The holy commuNioN #Offertory music chosen by musician

Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offering of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the celebrant. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.People: We lift them to the Lord.Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we say:

The Sanctus: S129

Please stand or kneel at this time, as best helps you to pray.

We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.

Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son 10

to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.

And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all. When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you:Celebrant and People

We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God.

Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name. Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.

Remember all who minister in your Church.

Remember all your people, and those who seek your truth.

Remember all who have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone; bring them into the place of eternal joy and light.

And grant that we may find our inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,

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but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The BreAkiNG of The BreAdA period of silence is kept

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

ON RECEIVING COMMUNION: All baptized Christians who are in love and charity with their neighbors are invited to the Lord’s table. If you do not wish to receive, you are invited to come forward for a blessing in the name of Christ—simply cross your arms over your chest to let the servers know that you will not be receiving.

Prayers before receiving can be found on pages 337 (the Prayer of Humble Access) and 834 in the Book of Common Prayer (the red books available under your chairs).

Communion hymn: You are my king

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Post-Communion Prayer

After Communion, the Celebrant says:Let us Pray

The minister and people together, pray:Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

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Recessional: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name H450(Guitar Capo 3)

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The Christian Life657

From Tell Out, My Soul: Guitar Lead Sheets for Favorite Hymns, Vol. 1 Copyright ©2006 by R. C. Laird. Church Publishing Incorporated. www.churchpublishing.org

Celebrant says the dismissalPeople: Thanks be to God.

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A Note on Today’s ReadingsThe Fifth Sunday of Easter—Year B

Welcome to St. Francis Church. On the final Sundays of Easter, our attention is directed to the results in our lives of Jesus’ dying and rising: the results of Baptism and Eucharist. The Gospel reading today describes our life in Christ. That life is characterized by our love for Jesus as the ground of our faithfulness. We are as intimately bound up in the life of the risen Jesus as the branches of a plant, drawing our new life directly from him.

Like a vine growing new branches, the early Church began to spread beyond Jerusalem almost immediately, bound together in Christ’s love and led by the Spirit. In today’s reading from Acts, Philip, one of the seven ordained with Stephen, preaches the Gospel to an official of the Queen of Ethiopia. This preaching was prompted by the official’s reading of the “Suffering Servant” passage from Isaiah (52:13-53:12). The Ethiopian is converted and baptized on the spot.

Today’s reading from First John carries on his theme of our share in God’s self-giving love (agape). We are to reflect in our own living and ministry that same love which was manifested to us in Jesus’ dying and rising. This is the life he shares with us.

We, the People of God, gather in Eucharist to remember and share the story of God’s love for us. Our actions in Eucharist are a liturgical expression of self-giving love toward God and others. As we receive Holy Communion, God implants in us Jesus’ own life and equips us to extend the divine love to all people in concrete actions of ministry and proclamation.From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church

Publishing Incorporated, New York.

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Good News Daily(

Volume IX May 10–16, 2009 Number 19

Sunday, May 10

Leviticus 8:1-13, 30-36 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. (v.12 NIV)

The detailed instructions in the book of Leviticus concerning the sacrifices and other ritual matters do not appeal to most readers. Even the Jewish people, who have been without their Temple rites for nearly two thousand years, are for the most part unfamiliar with them. Nevertheless, they helped focus Israel’s thoughts upon the worship of God in the wilderness and later, during their struggles in the Promised Land.

In 17th-century England the priest-poet George Herbert wrote a poem entitled Aaron, drawing a parallel between Aaron’s priestly vestments and his own. Herbert was nearly overcome by a sense of his own unworthiness, until he clothed himself in the power and grace of Jesus (see Romans 13:14) and so rejoiced in his ministry:

“So holy in my head, Perfect and light in my dear breast, My doctrine tuned by Christ (who is not dead, But lives in me while I do rest) Come people; Aaron’s dressed.”

Psalms 24, 29; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; Matthew 7:7-14

Monday, May 11

Luke 7:36-50 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. (v.46)

What is sacrifice? The English word comes from the Latin sacrificium: to make holy. It is especially linked with the idea of giving up or surrendering something valuable in order to achieve a greater good.

In ancient times sacrifices were made to honor or placate God or a god. The sacrifices of Israel were of this kind. Human sacrifices were not allowed in Israel but animal sacrifices were part of the ritual of the Tabernacle and, later, of the Temple. The animals were to be unblemished, for only the best of one’s flock or herd could be offered to God.

The woman in today’s Gospel carried this a step forward. Myrrh was an expensive substance. In the Epiphany narrative, it is one of the gifts of the magi (Matthew 2:1-13). We do not know how this woman obtained her flask of myrrh, and it does not really matter. She recognized in Jesus the One her troubled soul was seeking—Emmanuel, God with us—and for her, no sacrifice was too great.

Leviticus 16:1-9; Psalms 56, 57, 58; Colossians 3:18—4:18

Tuesday, May 12

Romans 12:1-21 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (v.1)

The word Paul uses for “bodies” is somata: selves. For Paul, soma (the singular form) means one’s very self or life. In a real sense we are our bodies. We live in the world and interact with other people

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through our bodies. In Is the Last Supper Finished? Bishop Arthur Vogel has written, “The human body...is always spatial and material in nature, but it is lived space, expressive matter.”

Paul urged the Christian congregation in Rome to offer themselves as a living sacrifice. The sacrifices in the Temple were of slain animals, which ceased to exist beyond this ritual act. A living sacrifice, on the other hand, is a continual offering of one’s self, recalling the atoning death of Christ on the cross.

The body is also the means of our communion with one another. To be a living sacrifice is to be part of the Christian Church in a particular place, joining in Christ-like communion with other church members and reaching out to the world in that place.

Leviticus 16:20-34; Psalms 61, 62; Luke 8:1-15

Wednesday, May 13

Romans 13:1-14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (v.14)

In Sunday’s reflection, George Herbert, meditating upon the priesthood of Aaron and his own ministry, concluded that by the grace of God in Jesus Christ his ministry was not lacking. By “putting on Christ” he was ready to worship God properly and serve God’s people. Centuries earlier, this same passage in Romans led to the conversion of the young Augustine, who would soon become one of the Church’s great teachers.

It is certainly true that Jesus is a sure defense against the assaults of evil, and for that, the image of armor is appropriate. But Paul’s emphasis here, as in Herbert’s poem, is on one’s inner clothing. The Christian, obeying the law of love that Paul articulates in this passage, may seem to be defenseless before the world, but in fact he or she has a strength that no adversary can ever defeat.

Leviticus 19:1-18; Psalm 72; Luke 8:16-25

Thursday, May 14

Leviticus 19:26-37 You shall not tattoo yourselves. I am the Lord. (v.28b)

Some of the Levitical laws may seem rather unimportant or irrelevant. Doubtless, the laws about respecting the elderly and caring for the stranger are weightier than not trimming one’s hair or beard. Still, it would be wrong to just dismiss these other laws. Biblical proscriptions should not merely be brushed aside.

Animal sacrifices in ancient Israel were to be of un blemished animals, so as not to show disrespect to God. To mark one’s skin with a tattoo was to deliberately create a blemish on one’s own body and thus to physically mar the offering of oneself to God. It also risked violating the Second Commandment, against making graven images.

That doesn’t mean that we in the present age should judge or condemn those who have tattoos. It should make us think of how we care for our bodies, meant to be living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable to God.

Psalm 71; Romans 14:1-12; Luke 8:26-39

Friday, May 15

Psalm 106:1-18 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? (v.2)

Many people today wonder about the usefulness of studying history in school. After all, what’s past is past. In some of our schools, history as such is no longer taught, rather, is subsumed under social science. The result is doubtful, at best.

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It is true that what is past is past. Some of us have suffered through classes that were tiresome. Inspired teaching can and does make a great deal of difference on a person’s attitude toward history and other school subjects as well.

Yet there is more to it than that. History has intrinsic value apart from how well it is taught. The Bible is the record of God’s action in human history, first through the nation of Israel and then through one man, Jesus of Nazareth. Our Judeo-Christian religion is fundamentally historical. Take that away and what is left are dry propositions that engage the mind and heart hardly more than a droning lecture engages a sleepy student.

The psalmist’s question is the primary calling of the Church in the world and for the world: to make the God of history known and his praises proclaimed. That can only be accomplished by those who know God as active both in the past and in the present—in the lives of those who have gone before us and in our own lives personally. Let our lives be our witness.

Leviticus 23:1-22; Romans 14:13-23; Luke 8:40-56

Saturday, May 16

Luke 9:1-17 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. (v.9)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that we should not be anxious about tomorrow. Anxiety is wrong when it is exaggerated, fruitless, and showing lack of trust in God. Not all anxiety is bad, however. We should be anxious about some things. Indifference and true understanding are far apart.

The anxiety of Herod Antipas was surely justified. He had executed John the Baptist, and now here was Jesus causing another stir. Herod’s anxiousness was more than political. John the Baptist had disturbed Herod’s soul, and John’s execution had caused Herod no little distress.

What would have happened if Herod had seen Jesus then? He might have been converted, even become Saint Herod! That it didn’t happen is clear from Luke 23:6-12. Too bad.

We should be anxious for the salvation of those close to us, and for others, too. This anxiety that can lead us to offer ourselves in service to God, can prompt us to support foreign missions with financial help, or can teach us a heightened sensitivity to the needs of those around us. Lord, fill me with anxiety for others that they may come to know you.

Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 75, 76; Romans 15:1-13

by Matthew Borden

Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIPP. O. Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790

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ANNouNcemeNTs

Upcoming events and things to keep in mind for the Summer:

May 31: 10:00 am, Join Pentecost service at Sanders Ferry Park with St. Joseph of Arimathea, St. James the Less and Our Savior, Gallatin. The service will be followed by a picnic. (wear Red!)

Vacation Bible School: We will be partnering with St. Joseph of Arimathea once again this year, and with St. James the Less and Our Savior for the first time, to put on a Vacation Bible School. The VBS will take place on four consecutive Wednesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24.

Registration site:

http://www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/JointVBS2009

The format will be as follows: We will gather for dinner at 6:00, after which classes will divide up for the lessons. In addition to the children’s classes, there will be adult sessons led by Fr. Rob Courtney, Mother Jill Zook-Jones, Fr. John Bender and Fr. Jody Howard.

The theme for the VBS is “Rome: Paul and the underground Church.” For a preview, take a look at the VBS web site at: http://www.groupvbs.com/rome/

Bishop of TennesseeThe Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt

VicarThe Rev. Joseph B. Howard

Mission Council Thom ChittomLinda PalmerShelley Sircy

Kim Waltenbaugh

AccompanistAnna Howard

Schedule of Ministry:Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard Reader: Thom ChittomAcolyte/Crucifer: Adam Waltenbaugh Prayer Station: Shelley SircyOblationers: Chalicist: Adam WaltenbaughTo check the schedule online, visit: http://stfrancis-tn.net and go to congregational resources-->ROTA: service schedule

To get in touch with Fr. Jody for any reason, you can reach him at 615-440-6492 or via email at frjody@stfrancis-tn.net. _______________________________________________________________________________

St. Francis ChurchBiblically minded. Mission driven.812 Meadowlark LnPO Box 697Goodlettsville, TN 37072Phone: 851-0790http://stfrancis-tn.net

Cover Image: Icon of Christ the VineWood cuts from: Pitts Theological Library Digital Image Archive

Color images from: Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN, https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-search.pl

CCLI License No. 2334637 Oneliscence.net No. A-714717