January 1, 2026 Newsletter
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Sunday, January 4th, 2026
You are welcome to the
8:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite I & Healing Prayer
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Preacher
10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite II & Healing Prayer
with the St. Francis Choir
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Preacher
The 10:00 am Service is also Livestreamed on YouTube.
The Liturgy of the Word
The First Reading | Jeremiah 31:7-14
The Response | Psalm 84 or 84:1-8
The Second Reading | Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a
The Gospel Reading | Matthew 2:1-12
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for Mahan and Mozhan Motahari, Leon, James, Jon, Katie, Jackie, Cammie, John, Francesca, Lee, Luke, Terry, Amelia, Cindy, Alessandro, Carl, Debra, Anne, Rachel, Pete, Susan, Pepin, Barbara & Bill, Jennifer, Helen, Park, Andy, Jeff Sr., Jessica, Clara Sue, and Dut.
We pray also for Franciscans who are preparing for Holy Baptism, including
Grace Czekaj, daughter of Katie Cjekaj.
De-Greening St. Francis: Sunday, January 4th, 2026.
This year St. Francis will be ‘de-greened’ on Sunday, January 4th, 2026 immediately following the 10:00 am service. The Altar Guild invites ALL parishioners to help with this effort. It is a great way to work with friends and have fun at the same time. We especially need two or three people to help remove the large wreaths that are in the windows behind the altar. Thanking you in advance for your much needed help.
Creche Happenings!
Join us as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the St. Francis Creche Preschool!
This January marks the 25th anniversary of the first class at the Creche preschool in spring 2001. Since that time the Creche has nurtured, educated and supported all around growth in preschool aged children. We will be celebrating and recognizing this wonderful milestone with a luncheon, speakers, kids activities and more after the service on January 11, 2026.
Who: All are welcome
What: Anniversary celebration of the Creche preschool. Food and drink will be served.
Where: Millen Hall
When: January 11, 2026 at 11:30am (after the 10:00am service)
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Steve Riihimaki via text (703-624-6388) or email (sriihimaki@verizon.net).
Epiphany is Tuesday, January 6th
Adapted from resources by Rev. Anna Strickland | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.
The coming of the Magi is celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6th. This Sunday, January 4th, we will hear in the Gospel of Matthew about their joy in finding and worshiping baby Jesus. And on Sunday, January 11th, we will each receive a star word as a gift from God and a guide in the new year.
It is a prayer practice in churches all over the world to give people an Epiphany star word. There are many reasons behind this new tradition. First, we know that the Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year—to move closer to Jesus.
Secondly, we trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words offer a tool to actively seek and reflect on God's presence among us, both in the moment and in hindsight.
Finally, we know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. This practice invites a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful way to connect with God.
A prayer for receiving your Epiphany Star Word
As stars have guided wise ones for centuries,
May your word guide you in the year ahead.
By the radiance of your star and the power of the Holy Spirit,
May you live with deeper intention and greater attention;
May you find the holy in delightfully unexpected places;
May you worship with joy,
Give with gratitude,
And follow the new way home that God will provide.
A blessed Epiphany to you all!
SAVE THE DATE: February 7th, 2026 -
For the St. Francis Winter Gala
Growing
Stronger Together
Pledging for 2026
A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY ~~
DON’T MISS IT!
May there be peace in the world, warmth in your house, joy in your heart and gratitude in your souls for the birth of our
Savior Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to God !
You already know about the ADAMS MATCH and this is your opportunity to take part. If you have already pledged, consider a top up gift towards this double match! If you are a new pledger your gift shall be matched!
Please communicate with our treasurer@stfrancisgreatfalls.org as soon as possible. Thank you for letting us know your intention for 2026.
Reaching Beyond St. Francis to Raise Funds for
the Ezo High School
With the blessing of the vestry, the Outreach Committee recently launched a GoFundMe webpage to raise money for the high school that the Episcopal Diocese of Ezo, South Sudan, is trying to build. They already have students--but the students don't have a building! Bishop Isaac is attempting to meet the urgent need for a secondary school because the students who complete primary school have limited options. You can read some of their stories on the GoFundMe page:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/build-a-high-school-in-south-sudan
This is a new venture for St. Francis as we try to reach out beyond the church to raise the needed funds. Here are some ways you can help:
Share the GoFundMe link with friends and family, for instance, in your annual Christmas letter, or in your email signature.
Ask for a donation to the fund in lieu of a Christmas present, or make a donation to the fund as a Christmas present for the person who has everything.
Spread the word about the fundraising through your clubs, classes, or other networks.
The Outreach Committee is hoping that we can all help to make a difference in the lives of these young people in Ezo. Thank you!
Sunday School resumes on January 4th
10:00 AM, in the Red Classroom
(next to the Nursery)
Ages 3 - 10
Teachers: Ms. Nancy, Ms. Marilee, Mr. Larry, and Rev. Joy
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are always needed. Please email Rev. Joy at familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org for more information.
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, January 25, 2026
For the St. Francis Annual Congregational Meeting and Election of New Vestry Members.
This meeting will commence after the 10:00 a.m. service this day, in the Sanctuary. In the meantime, we are seeking candidates to fill 2 Vestry member vacancies; each is a 3-year term. If interested in "throwing your hat into the ring" as a candidate to serve on your vestry, please contact the parish administrator admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.org by no later than FRI-2-JAN 2026.
Also, we are calling for Annual Reports from "the usual suspects" to be delivered to the parish administrator admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.org by no later than FRI-9--JAN 2026.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions regarding Vestry service, please contact either Senior Warden, Lynda Davis lyndacdavis@aol.comor Junior Warden Pepin Tuma pepintuma@gmail.com
Also Seeking New Members for our 2026 Endowment Committee
Elections will take place at our Annual Congregational Meeting on January 25, 2026. Stay tuned for more information. Finance experience preferred.
ALTAR FLOWER SPONSORS for 2026
The Flower Sponsor sign up chart for 2026 is now in the Narthex. Sponsoring flowers is a lovely way to give thanks for something or to remember someone or some event. Each Sunday has two slots (for two arrangements.) We ask for a donation of $75 per arrangement. To pay, you can use a donation envelope available in the Narthex racks or you can click here to pay on-line. (Please select Altar Fund in the drop-down menu.) If you pay online, please send Lynn Fallon an email (admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.com) with the sentiment you wish to have printed in the Sunday Bulletin.
…And if you are unable to get to church, you may choose a Sunday by emailing Jennifer Murphy at jenniferomurphy@gmail.com. She will enter your name on the chart.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
Dark Horse Theatre presents “Calamity” Improv
at St. Francis in Millen Hall
SAT-10-JAN at 7:30 p.m. More info to come.
ONGOING WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
AT ST. FRANCIS
Morning Prayer offered MON-FRI, at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom
All are invited to immerse themselves in this supportive offering from St. Francis Church where we regularly pray for one another and our mission in the world. We pray using the Forward Day by Day daily prayer link of the Book of Common Prayer that automatically updates for each day's readings (link: https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/pray). On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we pray Rite I, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we pray Rite II.
Click here to connect to Morning Prayer via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 968 1679 4908; Passcode: church
Contemplative Prayer: Mondays at 7:30-8:30 p.m.
We hope you can join us via Zoom videoconference.
For more information and any questions, please contact the coordinator for the program: Kathy Anderson, 703-476-9065 or kquinnanderson@gmail.com.
Click here to connect to Contemplative Prayer via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 998 1159 6134; Passcode: church
Men’s Group: Wednesdays 8:35 a.m.
Beginning a Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew
All are welcome. Questions? Contact Stu Edwards elchivogoat@cs.com
Click here to connect to the Men's Group via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 922 8116 0056; Passcode: church
St. Francis Social Hour meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for casual conversation. Grab your favorite beverage and let's reconnect!
Click here to connect to the St. Francis Social Hour.
Zoom ID: 935 2210 0835; Passcode: church
Thursday Afternoon Bible Study at NEW TIME of 3:00 p.m.
Meetings take place via Zoom on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join and participate in interesting discussions.
This fall, we will be studying Lord, Teach Us to Pray by John C. Purdy, a Kerygma resource that offers meaningful insights into the power of prayer.
Our group meets weekly via Zoom, creating a welcoming space for learning, reflection, and fellowship. Whether you have joined us before or are new to the group, we would love to have you with us.
The resource book is available here:
https://kerygma.com/products/lord-teach?_pos=2&_sid=013c64283&_ss=r
For further information contact Amelia Logan at ameliavinteriors@gmail.com
Click here to connect to the Thursday Afternoon Bible Study.
Zoom ID: 836 1505 5434; Passcode: TABS24
Women's Group Coffee on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to NOON at Starbucks in Great Falls
The St. Francis Women's Group has an open invitation to meet at the Starbucks in Great Falls every Friday morning. Please join us.
Second Story Dinners: Sundays at 5:15 p.m.
Needed: Volunteers to prepare and deliver Sunday dinners to the Second Story Teen Crisis Center on Gallows Road. Volunteers work solo or in pairs, according to their wishes.
Dinners are made on the first, third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of the month. The count for a meal typically ranges from five to eight persons. It has been as many as twelve. Volunteers receive reminders when their Sundays are coming up.
Please contact Jennifer Murphy at jenniferomurphy@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer for this ministry or if you have any questions.
Do you have a news item you would like to share through the Weekly Franciscan? Or do you have a photo from life at St. Francis you would like to submit? We welcome and rely on your participation.
admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
Clergy and Staff
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Priest-in-Charge
The Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Associate for Family Ministry
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
Ms. Lynn Fallon, Parish Administrator
Mr. Larry Vote, Music Director
Mr. Sasha Beresovsky, Organist
Ms. Cristi Leslie, Creche Preschool Director
Ms. Wendy Filller, Bookkeeper
Mr. Dominic Pelegrin, Sexton
Ms. Rita Arteaga, Nursery Attendant
Ms. Julieta Bonafe, Nursery Attendant
Ms. Sandra Loucks, VTS Seminarian
2025 Vestry Members
Lynda Davis, Senior Warden
Pepin Tuma, Junior Warden, Christian Formation
Cathryn Lee, Register, Christian Fellowship
Molly Reynolds, Treasurer
Kathy Anderson, Worship & Spiritual Care
Chris Giragosian, Mission & Mission Partnerships
Elizabeth Kim, Evangelism & Communications
Jessica Maxson, St. Francis Music & Arts
Larry Pratt, Stewardship & Fundraising
Steve Riihimaki, Family Ministry & Creche Board
Brice Eldridge, Facilities Manager, Creche Board Chair
and Rise Against Hunger Chair
facilities@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
