July 16 2026 Newsletter
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, July 19th, 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
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Preacher
The 10:00 am Service is also Livestreamed on YouTube.
CLICK HERE to see the 10:00 a.m. service bulletin
The Liturgy of the Word
THE FIRST READING | Genesis 28:10-19a
THE RESPONSE | Psalm 139: 1-11, 22-23
THE SECOND READING | Romans 8:12-25
THE GOSPEL READING | Matthew 13:24-30,36-43
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for Aaron, Easton, Hayden, Reed, Jon, Loriana, Molly & Joe,
Cristi, Ross, Virginia & Paul, Peggy, Zain, Bryan, Nuri, Fran, Antonio,
Hugh, Sr., Liam, Jennifer, Helen, Jeff Sr., Jessica, Clara Sue, and Dut.
We give thanks for the St. Francis worship leaders who volunteer their efforts each week, including the Ushers, LEMs, Acolytes, Chalice Bearers, Greeters, Nursery Attendants, the Monday Counters and the Altar Guild.
We give thanks also for the safe return of those on the Mountain Mission Youth Trip.
We pray also for Franciscans preparing for Holy Matrimony
including Delcie Kestner & Chad Saucier.
Please note Rev. Joy will be away from MON-20-JUL through SUN-26-JUL, returning the week of 27-JUL.
Book Club at St. Francis?
Are you interested in joining other Franciscans in a book club? If so, please call or email Jack Mathias (571-720-4730, jackmathi@aol.com) to express your interest. My hope is to form a group that would enjoy reading, discussions, and spending time together. At this point, the specific books, meeting frequency, format, and other details are all open -- the group of interested readers can decide what would work best for everyone. The plan is to get organized over the summer and begin reading (and meeting) in September.
Sandwich-Making to Benefit Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston
Saturday, August 8 from 1:00-3:00 pm, in Millen Hall
Come join us to make sandwiches and bag meals for our neighbors in Reston at the Embry Rucker Shelter. All ages are invited to help. Bring the family & friends.
Questions? Contact Rev. Joy familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org or Ginger Roll rollginger@icloud.com
New Family Worship Service
continues Sunday, August 9th
at 9:00 a.m. in Millen Hall
Held every second Sunday of each month
Thank you to everyone who attended our first and second Family Services! It was a joy to gather together in worship, fellowship, and celebration as a church family.
We look forward to continuing this special time of worship and community at our next Family Service on Sunday, August 9, at 9:00 a.m. in Millen Hall. We hope you will join us and invite family and friends to be part of this growing ministry!
With gratitude and joy,
The Family Ministry Team
The Deacon's Corner with
Deacon Nancy Searby
Sharing the Good News of God's Love at the intersection of community and church
Thanks for attending the Adult Forum on Sunday, July 12th about the June 25-28 Pilgrimage to Niobrara Convocation
Thanks to all who attended the Adult Forum last Sunday about our Pilgrimage to the Niobrara Convocation at the Pine Ridge Episcopal Mission. Please share your thoughts and prayers as we continue to discern with our friends at Pine Ridge what might be next.
In case you missed it, HERE are the slides that provide an overview of our time there. Please speak to the pilgrims about their reflections: Amie Shakespeare, Kris Young, Marguerita Scott, Susan Kawmy, Rev. Joy Warburton, Deacon Nancy Searby
Again, for the link to the file of the slides, CLICK HERE
Second Sunday Contemplative Worship Service will take a break in August and will continue on Sunday, September 13,
5:00 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
Through candlelit prayer, contemplative silence, poetry, beautiful music, and Holy Communion from the Iona Celtic tradition, this service is different from what we offer on Sunday morning. A brief reflection on spiritual journey will also be offered by a member of St. Francis.
This worship series will be held on the second Sunday night of each month (except for August.) If you are looking for a new or different way to worship and a space to find your sacred center in the midst of a busy, distracted life, this may be the service for you.
Sunday School on hiatus until the Fall
Ages 3 - 10
Volunteers Teachers are always needed. Please email Rev. Joy at familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org for more information.
Baptisms at St. Francis
If you're interested in being baptized or having a child baptized, please email familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org or call the church at 703-759-2082.
St. Francis Family Festival:
Where Neighbors Become Friends
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 9:00am - 2:00pm
A BOUTIQUE SALE
This year we will have a Boutique Sale and are seeking donations of tasteful, gently used higher-end items with unique character. Examples include jewelry, china, crystal, decorative items, small furniture pieces such as end tables and lamps, artwork, and new or gently used dresses and suits. Janet Durfee will let you know when to bring your items to St. Francis Church.
QUESTIONS? Contact Janet Durfee jmdurfee@comcast.net or Kathy Anderson kquinnanderson@gmail.com or Carmela Condro ccondro@verizon.net
WANT TO KNOW MORE OR TO OFFER YOUR HELP?
Contact Kathy Anderson 703-476-9065 or Carmela Condro 703-620-1110
FOR THE COMMUNITY
Experienced Nanny Available
Julieta Bonafe, one of our two Sunday Nursery Attendants is looking for a full-time (preferably) or part-time position. Julieta is a longtime friend of St. Francis, having cared for one of our Franciscan family's children for 20 years. She is available immediately. Please email her at jbonafe95@gmail.com or call her at 919-817-1844 if you are interested.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) Offered at at Christ the King Lutheran Church this Summer
We encourage families to sign up for VBS:
· https://vbspro.events/p/christtheking2026
For age 3 to rising 6th grade (should be potty-trained)
Rising 10th graders through college students may volunteer
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
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.
We are 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. Please submit by close of business on Tuesdays each week.
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. Linda Calkins, Assisting Clergy
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
2026 Vestry Members & Roles
Lynda Davis, Senior Warden
Pepin Tuma, Junior Warden
plus Christian Formation and Worship & Spiritual Care
Cathryn Lee, Register plus Communications
Kathy Ditmore, Christian Fellowship, Communications
Chris Giragosian, Outreach and Mission & Mission Partnerships
Jessica Maxson, SF Music & Arts
Holly Piper, Evangelism
Larry Pratt, Stewardship
Steve Riihimaki, Family Ministry
Molly Reynolds, serving Treasurer
Brice Eldridge, Facilities Manager, Creche Board Chair
and Rise Against Hunger Chair
facilities@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
