Landscape Improvements
In fall of 2017, Holy Family suffered a lightning strike to both parking lot lights and one pine tree near the sanctuary. Over time, the church has been working to replace items both inside and outside the building that were damaged by the surge of power. On May 12th, volunteers from the church, led by Building and Grounds Coordinator Stephen Hendrickson, tackled the removal of the dead tree as well as other landscape improvements. Finally, volunteers also assembled a large storage box for preschool outdoor toys. Gratitude is extended to all who helped with this project.
Pentecost 2017
On Saturday, June 3rd, Holy Family held it’s annual Pentecost celebration. This year our prayer service was organized by our own Deacon Cathy Scott. Music was provided by the youth of Holy Family led by guitarist Connor Wilson.
The Pentecost prayer service was held in our outdoor chapel. It was a hot day – we certainly felt the heat of the Holy Spirit!
An unusual feature of this year’s service was the reading of a portion of Acts 2 in multiple languages. Readers, shown above, were Jolene Johnston (Polish), Dan Chillemi (Spanish), Ian Johnston (French), Bob Murray (Italian), and Kristine Canter (German.)
Following the prayer service we held our traditional “Tongues of Fire” pitch-in picnic with entree items grilled by members of our Brotherhood of St. Andrew chapter. Families enjoyed the beautiful weather, played frisbee, and kids jumped in the bounce house. It was an incredible day of food, fellowship, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. For more information about upcoming events at Holy Family, please contact our church office. admin@hfec.org
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 2017
On February 28th, Holy Family’s Youth Group hosted its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper fundraiser.
Our kitchen crew, made up of primarily Brotherhood of St. Andrew members, cooks up a feast including four kinds of pancakes plus sausage, applesauce, and beverages,
Holy Family is delighted to serve congregation members and guests of all ages.
Midway through the event, we paused to participate in a liturgy to burn the palms used to create ashes for our Ash Wednesday service.
Some of our youngest participants watched from the comfort of our parish hall. The Youth Group members would like to thank those who volunteered as well as everyone who attended to support the event.
Our Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7 PM and is open to all.
Greening the Church 2016
On Sunday, December 18th, Holy Family held its annual Greening of the Church event. Congregation members join together to decorate the sanctuary and Narthex for the Christmas season. Following the decorating, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew hosts its traditional spaghetti dinner as a thank you for everyone’s hard work. Christmas services will be held at Holy Family throughout the weekend. Please CLICK HERE for more information.
Feast of St. Andrew 2016
Holy Family’s chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew gathered this evening to celebrate the feast day of St. Andrew. Also known as Andrew the Apostle, he was a Christian Apostle and the older brother to St. Peter. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is said Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. It is then he asked the two to become disciples and “fishers of men.”
Per Christian tradition, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in Patras. He was bound, rather than nailed, to a cross, as is described in the Acts of Andrew. He was crucified on a cross form known as “crux decussata,” which is an X-shaped cross or a “saltire.” Today this is commonly referred to as “St. Andrew’s Cross.” It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself “unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus.”
His saltire cross is featured on the flag of Scotland and is represented in much of his iconography. He is commonly portrayed as an old man with long white hair and a beard, often holding the Gospel book or a scroll. St. Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen and singers.
Members of Holy Family’s Brotherhood of St. Andrew chapter shared Eucharist and then adjourned to finish the evening with fellowship. For more information about Holy Family’s chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, please contact the church office. admin@hfec.org
