The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, November 15th, 2026
You are welcome to the
8:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite I & Healing Prayer
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Celebrant
the Rev. Linda Calkins, Preacher
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite II & Healing Prayer
with the St. Francis Choir
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Celebrant
the Rev. Linda Calkins, Preacher
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
The 10:00 pm Service is also Livestreamed on YouTube.
CLICK HERE to see the 10:00 p.m. service bulletin
The Liturgy of the Word
THE FIRST READING | Judges 4:1-7
THE RESPONSE | Psalm 123
THE SECOND READING | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
THE GOSPEL READING | Matthew 25:14-30
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for Emilia, Hentzi* & Sara, Mike & Cheryl, Alamni,
Betty & Joe, Stephen, Lisa, David, Robin, MacKenzie, Nancy, Kathy,
Karen, Ross & Esmee, Jennifer, Helen, Jessica, Clara Sue, and Dut.
*A message from the Rev. Hentzi Elek, former Associate Rector at St. Francis:
Hi All, I need your prayers and best wishes. On Friday, July 31, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. That Monday, Aug 3, I was admitted to Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital, Denver for a 46-day stay and two intensive chemo treatments. I then had a ten day respite at home followed by 10 more days at the hospital and my third chemo treatment. The doctors were enthusiastically positive for great news as I have been living with 3 different blood cancers for the past 21.5 years and so the Acute Myeloid Lukemia ( AML) is simply my fourth. Alas, things have not gone so well. My last bone marrow biopsy came back and the numbers went the wrong way from 6% to 22% leukemia in my bone marrow.
So, now on November 12, I will be admitted to the hospital for another month or so and start a bone marrow transplant from a 26 year old anonymous donor who lives in Germany. Because of my leukemia load, I now have a 20% chance of surviving that first month in the hospital beginning Nov. 12. The remaining 80% is death. So, I ask your prayers or best wishes to the universe that I am part of the 20% and survive and eventually thrive again. Regardless of the outcome, please pray for strength, courage, healing, and hope for my wife Sara, for our son Lucas (32) and daughter Sophia (29) and for me. I believe God is with all of us no matter what, and I live in hope and generally a good mood. If you want to send me a note, please email me directly at hentzielek123@gmail.com or leave me a text at 610-715-8629. (Phone calls are too exhausting.)
With my prayers and best wishes,
Hentzi Elek
1121 Madison St.
Denver, Co, 80206
We pray for all newcomers who are discerning a call to Holy Baptism.
We pray also for Franciscans preparing for Holy Matrimony
including Delcie Kestner & Chad Saucier
and Molly Mordan & Mitchell Pan.
We pray in thanksgiving for the upcoming Contemplative Labyrith Eucharist
led by the Rev. Linda Calkins, at 5:00pm on Saturday, November 14th.
Rev. Weston will be away from November 13-22. During this time, for any pastoral emergency, please contact our Associate Rector for Family Ministry, Rev. Joy at familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org or (703) 759-2082 x103.
Stewardship for 2027
As of November 11,
75 Pledges have been received
totaling $515,811 or
82% of our goal of $630,000
Here are the people who have
made their pledge to St. Francis for
2027
Terri Adams
Molly & Kevin Albrigo
Kathy & Dana Anderson
Clara Sue Ashley
Cabot Bartlett
Michelle Bias
David Black & Olyia Zamaray
David Bobbitt & Wayne Chen
Elisabeth Bresee
Carolyn & Dut Brown
Nancy & John Burkley
Candy & Duncan Burt
Karen Butler
Sharon Callaway
Cleo Haynal & Wes Coby
Carmela Condro
Lynda Davis
Eleanor & John DeMoors
Janet Durfee
Mimi & Brice Eldridge
Dianne Emery
Sarah & Rick Entsminger
Nilda Ferrari
Dennis Findley
Jen & Juan Carlos Forero
Brenda & Chris Giragosian
Val & Bruce Goddard
Ginger & Edward Gotliffe
Caroline Grossmann
Betty & Joe Gurskis
Barbara & Mike Hattwick
Marylou & Tom Janczuk
Susan Kawmy
Jane Keihn
Elizabeth & Joshua Kim
Jan & Bill Lane
Rick Larson
Cathryn & Al Lee
Loriana & Weston Mathews
Jessica & Kevin Maxson
Beth & Walt Meyer
Jennifer & Ray Murphy
Karen Levy & Paul Mutino
Tamara O'Sullivan
Larry & Reyna Pratt
Tamber & Mike Ray
Molly & Joe Reynolds
Cate & Steve Riihimaki
Amber & Matt Robinson
Ginger Roll
Ron Schuster & Andreea Neaga
Tom Scott
Jack & Lori Shafran
Mike Shuler
Leslie Siegmund & Jack Mathias
Melanie & Denny Sisson
Judy Stocks
Rob Sumner
David Tuma
Pepin Tuma
Sandy & John Walker
Joy & Edmund Warburton
Pat & Paul Ward
Carol Withers
Joy & Tom Wood
Kristi & Dave Yarnall
Kris Young
Nan & Allen Young
Anonymous - 7
On October 23, 2026, Ellie James Shafran, daughter of Trevor & Lillie Shafran,
granddaughter of Jack & Lori Shafran, was baptized at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
by the Rev. E. Weston Mathews.
Welcome to household of God, Ellie!
Many Thanks!
We received very many generous donations to our New Coat Drive for Children in Pine Ridge Reservation and our Thanksgiving Food Drive. Thanks to your generosity, 77 children will have new coats to keep them warm and dry during the harsh South Dakota winter experienced on Pine Ridge Reservation. In addition, 39 local families, served by Second Story programs for youth and families, will each receive a $50 Aldi grocery gift card. Since all the donations we received for the food drive were in cash this year, Second Story requested that we purchase $50 Aldi grocery gift cards with the donations to help families with their struggles to obtain enough food. Your donations have made a significant difference in the lives of many children and families.
Contemplative Labyrinth Eucharist to be held outdoors (rain or shine) on Saturday, November 14th
at 5:00 pm,
led by the Rev. Linda Calkins
In this beautiful season of Fall, it is a blessing to worship outside in the midst of trees and the labyrinth ringed by the autumn leaves. A contemplative labyrinth walk in this setting is personal and deeply spiritual, walking in gratefulness for this season of change that spills into our own turning.
The Eucharist will reflect this inner quiet, offering bread, wine and ourselves as we ponder the beauty surrounding us, an invitation given yet again by Jesus to come to him and receive him in earthly elements.
All are invited to participate. Please consider bringing a flashlight and anything else that will help you to walk the labyrinth meditatively (prayer beads, a cross, a personal item used in praying). You are encouraged to bring friends and neighbors for this special offering.
Join us after the 10:00 am service for our annual Advent Wreath-Making event! Franciscans of all ages, especially newcomers, youth, children, and adults, are warmly invited to participate in this meaningful intergenerational tradition as we prepare our hearts and homes for the Advent season!
All materials will be provided.
Free-will donations are welcome to help cover costs.
Plan to come, create, and share in the spirit of Advent together!
Please click here to use Sign-Up Genius to let us know you plan to come. Your sign-up will help us determine how many supplies we need.
St. Francis Support Continues for
the Episcopal Mission on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
For our 4th year, St Francis continues to support the Episcopal Mission on The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The reservation is over 2.1 million acres and the home of the Oglala Lakota Nation, a tribe of the Sioux. “At least 60% of the homes on Pine Ridge are without water and electricity. Winters can drop to -50 degrees below zero” (American Indian Humanitarian Foundation) and in many Pine Ridge homes, children sleep in hats and jackets.
Our St Francis mission trip last summer brought back many personal messages that our gifts of knitted hats, scarves, and gloves are greatly needed and appreciated. Please place knitted items in the box in the vestibule by December 1 for delivery to Pine Ridge children. Thank you. For questions, contact Mimi Eldridge 703-424-4843 meldridge43@gmail.com
Second Story equips local youth and their families with critical tools, housing, and communities of support needed to achieve lasting self-sufficiency through residential and community-based programs.
Sunday December 6th: FREE Gentle Yoga Classes offered in Millen Hall,
beginning at 1:30pm and 3:00pm
Join us for a free gentle yoga class on December 6! Choose a mat class at 1:30 p.m. or a chair class at 3:00 p.m. (or do both!). Enjoy gentle movement, stretching, and relaxation.
To sign up, or if you have questions, contact Cathryn Lee at (703) 785-1318 or cathrynlee61@gmail.com."
Next Outreach/Ezo Meeting: Sunday, December 6 at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Agenda items will include: the Outreach/Ezo budget for 2027, the upcoming adult forum on Outreach, and our many Christmas season activities.
All are welcome! If you have an interest in how St. Francis helps others in our community, the nation, and the world, please join us!
If you have questions, please contact Jack Mathias (jackmathi@aol.com, 571.720.4730).
Community Messiah Sing at St. Francis
Saturday, December 12, 3:00 pm
Plan now to join the community in singing or listening to Part One of Handel’s glorious Messiah on Saturday, December 12 at 3 pm at St Francis Church.
Bring your own score or music will be provided. Join Director Larry Vote, soloists, the St. Francis Choir, and instrumentalists from the Paragon Philharmonia in a joyful reading of this holiday favorite.
Christmas Altar Flower & Music Donation
Each year St. Francis is beautifully decorated for Christmas with poinsettias and greens. We also have special music during the Christmas services. It is a custom at St. Francis for parishioners to make Christmas donations to the Altar Guild and to the Music Program to support these groups’ efforts at Christmas and throughout the year. Donations may be given in memory of loved ones or in thanksgiving for someone or something special.
If you would like to give to either or both of these funds, please fill out the envelope enclosed in your Sunday bulletin and put it in the offering basket. You can also send a donation directly to the church office at 9220 Georgetown Pike Great Falls, VA 22066. To have your memorials or thanksgivings listed in the Christmas service bulletins, the church needs to receive your donation by the third Sunday of Advent, December 13, 2026.
To contribute electronically, you may click on the “Give” button on the website www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org. At the drop down menu you may choose to direct your gift to the Altar Guild or to Music. (If you wish to split your contribution, you will need to complete two transactions, one indicating Altar and the other indicating Music.)
If you donate via the website, please email the parish administrator at admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.org to let her know how to designate your gift in the Christmas bulletin. Thank you in advance for your support.
The Deacon's Corner with Deacon
Nancy Searby
Sharing the Good News of God's Love at the intersection of community and church
Thank you for caring for our neighbors experiencing homelessness
On October 19th, Fairfax County released their latest strategy to prevent and end homelessness, called “The Way Home Fairfax.” Please read it to understand the challenges and plans to address them.
Thanks to each one of you for supporting multiple ministries supporting our neighbors experiencing homelessness. The Lamb Center, located on Campbell Drive in Fairfax, is a daytime drop-in center for individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. They provide a variety of services without cost to their guests, including breakfast, lunch, showers, laundry service, Bible studies, case management, AA meetings, a nurse practitioner clinic, a dental clinic, and much more. Our guests that join us during our thermal shelter week spend their days here.
From outfitting a Beacon's Landing permanent supportive apartment, to a parishioner’s recent donation of two large bags of coats and vests, to providing them the proceeds of our chili cook-off, we are showing our love for our neighbors. Our contribution to our Diocese of Virginia deacon's collection of underwear, along with collections from other churches were delivered to the Lamb Center this week. And, our Great Falls Area Ministry (GFAM) coalition of churches made a financial donation too.
I am so grateful to see the Holy Spirit moving in such important ways to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Thank you!
Family Worship Service
continues Sunday, December 13th,
9:00 a.m. with
Family Worship held every second Sunday of each month
Our next Family Worship Service (FWS) will be on Sunday, December 13, at 9:00 am. As we prepare to welcome our Thermal Shelter guests again during Christmas week, December 20-27, Family Ministry invites all families in attendance to stay immediately after worship for a simple but meaningful hands-on project to support this ministry of care and hospitality. We will stuff gift bags with lip balm for our unhoused guests.
This is an opportunity for children and adults to serve together, share Christ’s love, and help extend a warm welcome to our guests
With gratitude and joy,
The Family Ministry Team
Second Sunday Contemplative Worship Service will continue on Sunday, December 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.
St. Francis Counters Needed
One of the most important weekly tasks at St Francis is done by a wonderful team of volunteers who count the plate collection, the checks that come into the church and other monies collected. We call them the “St Francis Counters.”
They use a streamlined computer process that formalizes the process for bank deposits and official records used by the Treasurer & Bookkeeper. This all takes a couple of hours each Monday by a two-person team.
We need several more volunteers to join our team . No major skills required, just a good “bank account” familiarity and ease of using a keyboard. One will be trained thoroughly on the process. A volunteer typically counts once every 5-6 weeks with another team member.
And the fun part is one gets to know team members well through this endeavor.
This is a wonderful way to support our church in a much needed treasury function. Please join us if you can spare a couple of hours one Monday a month.
If interested, please call Carolyn Brown (cell:703-955-0232) or email her at ccbrown0249@gmail.com
St. Francis to Host 40 Unhoused Neighbors during Advent & Christmas again, this year:
December 20-27
In coalition with FACETS (Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services ), St. Francis will once again be hosting 40 of our unhoused Fairfax County neighbors overnight this Advent/Christmas season. The shelter will run December 20-27 from 5:00pm to 7:00am each night, with the exception of Christmas Day, when our guests will stay with us all day. We will need both volunteers and donations to help make the shelter as successful as it was last year. Please sign up for volunteer shifts and/or donations of perishable and non-perishable foods at the following links:
Volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4EA9AB2D6-65789537-stfrancis#/
Food donations: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4EA9AB2D6-59949271-stfrancis#/
Please note that there are multiple tabs on each SignUp Genius form, for different dates and for perishable vs. non-perishable foods.
Our partners at St. John's Church in McLean are taking the lead on providing donations of non-food supplies.
Please contact Jessica Maxson (jessica.c.maxson@gmail.com) or Cabot Bartlett (cabotb@gmail.com) with any questions. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, February 6th, 2027
for the St. Francis Winter Gala
Dust off your dancing shoes, your sparkly dress, or your velour tux, and mark your calendars! Join us on Saturday, February 6, 2027, for the St. Francis Gala benefitting the Ezo High School project and other vital parish charitable initiatives.
Our theme this year is GROM (Grown-Up Prom)—a fun celebration reminding us that St. Francis is a vibrant, joyful community for every stage of life (and giving us all a playful nod back to our high school days!).
Tickets at $90 per person will go on sale soon, but you can get involved today! We are looking for energetic volunteers and tax-deductible auction item donations. Please prayerfully consider how you can lend a hand to help build community, celebrate our wonderful parish, and support great causes.
Cash donations gratefully accepted to provide childcare that evening, comp tickets for our clergy, and help defray event costs.
Ready to help or donate an auction item? Contact your Gala Co-Chairs:
· Eleanor DeMoors: edemoors@gmail.com
· David R. Bobbitt: david.r.bobbitt@gmail.com
· gala@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
At the end of the Creche school year, our beloved Creche preschool director, Cristi Leslie, is retiring. A new Director will assume full responsibility in June 2027 for the 2027–2028 school year. Rector Weston Mathews and the Creche preschool board have launched a search.
Do you know someone interested in this position? Encourage them to submit a résumé and cover letter describing their interest and approach to early childhood leadership, and professional references.
All materials should be sent to:
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Rector
Creche25@Stfrancisgreatfalls.org
FOR THE COMMUNITY
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 9:00 a.m.
Beginning a Book Study on the
In Search of the Soul: A Philosophical Essay by John Cottingham; read chapter 1 for this coming Wednesday.
All are welcome. Questions? Contact Stu Edwards elchivogoat@cs.com
Click here to connect to the Men's Group via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 837 2820 9758;
Passcode: church
Thursday Afternoon Bible Study at NEW TIME of 5:00 p.m., beginning in January 2027
Meetings take place via Zoom on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join and participate in interesting discussions.
We are planning to study Job and the Life of Faith: Wisdom for Today's World, by Carol Bechtel
Sessions: 7
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/collections/nt/products/job
For further information contact Amelia Logan at ameliavinteriors@gmail.com
Click here to connect to the Thursday Afternoon Bible Study.
Zoom ID: 851 5076 5121; Passcode: TABS
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, Rector
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. Susan McGlohn, 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
