March 12, 2026 | VOLUME 38, ISSUE 11

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Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 15, 2026



SCRIPTURE READINGS



1 Samuel 16:1-13

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-41

Psalm 23



Preacher: The Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Thursdays in Lent, Feb 19 - Mar 26, 3:30 PM: Contemplative Prayer in Good Shepherd Chapel

Saturday, March 21, 9:00 -1:30 PM: "Seeing God" Half-Day Lenten Retreat led by Deb Kaufman Giordano in Luther Hall

Saturday, March 21, 2:00 PM: "David Harper Improv Writing Workshop" SoB venue in Luther Hall

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist:

Wednesdays | 7:00 PM

Chapel in the Sanctuary

Adult Forum: Lenten Study

Wednesdays | 8:00 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

HOLY WEEK & EASTER Schedule

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER: Thursdays in LENT

This Lenten season, come experience the ancient monastic practice of Contemplative Prayer led by Deb Kaufman Giordano. Join us for this time set apart to rest, reflect and listen for God in the stillness.

Thursdays, 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Good Shepherd Chapel

A Practice of Reflection

Come and experience Contemplative Prayer in Lent, starting on Thursdays. We’ll be gathering from 3:30PM-4:30PM in the chapel. The dates are:

•   Thurs., Feb 19

•   Thurs., Feb 26

•   Thurs., March 5

•   Thurs., March 12

•   Thurs., March 19

•   Thurs, March 26

We’re offering this weekly practice in Lent, because Lent invites us into a season of reflection. The Book of Common Prayer reminds us that “observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word,” (BCP, 265). Contemplative Prayer, an ancient monastic practice, becomes a practice of reflection and self-examination — time set apart to rest, reflect and listen for God in the stillness.

Our time together includes:

• We begin at 3:30PM with a silent walking meditation in the sanctuary and in the garden, to

help shed the energy of a busy day (five minutes)

• We gather in the chapel and open with a short prayer of thanksgiving for our time

together in God’s presence

•   We listen to a short reading/reflection on Advent.

•   We declare our intentions for the silent meditation by the Facilitator praying this Opening Prayer: ”Ever present God, we thank you for this gift of time. We sit before you in gratitude and in silence: making no petition, seeking no intervention, remaining content simply to be still in your holy presence. Amen.

• We sit together for a 20-minute meditation beginning with Psalm 46:10 —

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Each phrase gently repeated, dropping one word at a

time, until we rest in simple stillness: Be.)

• The 20-minute sit starts and ends with three chimes of a bell; and concludes with the

Lord’s Prayer

• We share in a Lectio Divina which involves three readings of a brief portion of scripture

appointed for the day. During the first reading we will notice any word or phrase that calls to us. During the second reading, we will reflect on what that word or phrase means. During the final reading we will reflect on what that word or phrase might be calling us to do in the days/weeks ahead.

•   We adjourn at 4:30PM with a closing prayer.

For questions, feel free to email Deb Kaufman Giordano at: debspirituality777@gmail.com

SISTERS OF BEDE ANNUAL EASTER BRUNCH

The Sisters of Bede warmly invite the parish community to our Annual Easter Brunch following the 10:00 a.m. Easter Service on April 5.

This tradition offers a joyful opportunity to continue celebrating Easter together in fellowship over a delicious brunch prepared by the Sisters of Bede. The event also serves as one of the Sisters’ important annual fundraisers supporting the church and our outreach programs.

Funds raised through our events help support many parish needs, and this year proceeds will also help support the purchase of a new kitchen oven for our parish, replacing our current oven, which has served the community for many years. We are especially grateful to the St. John’s Guild for their generous donation toward this purchase.

Please see the flyer below for additional details. Advance tickets will be available from the Sisters after Sunday services in the coming weeks.

SISTERS FUNDRAISING: HERE'S WHERE WE ARE MAKING OUR DONATIONS

There are still some future SOB events that have space available. Above, parishioners enjoy the Party of Parties last October.

The Sisters of Bede is the women’s evening fellowship of the church, open to all members of the parish who identify as women. The Sisters are grateful to everyone who hosted and attended our 2024-25 venues! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to gift a total of $6,300 to the following organizations and causes:

· $2,000 - St. Bede’s, towards the purchase of a much-needed new stove/oven for the parish kitchen. Please note that the $1,500 gift the Sisters gave to the church in 2025 will also go towards the stove/oven.

· $500 - Neighborhood Youth Association (NYA) General Fund. Founded in 1906, NYA is a West Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides after-school, academic, and social support to underserved youth.

· $2,000 – Neighborhood Youth Association (NYA) for a scholarship in honor of the late Canon Ruth Nicastro, a beloved member of the Sisters of Bede.

· $600 – Friends of Music, the primary source of financial support for the parish’s renowned music program.

· $1,200 – Episcopal Relief and Development, the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church, for the following funds:

· $400 - Ukraine Crisis Response Fund, providing humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine;

· $400 – Climate Fund, supporting vulnerable people through climate-smart agriculture, building economic stability initiatives, and access to clean water to prevent the spread of disease;

· $400 – Global Needs Fund, assisting communities worldwide facing poverty, injustice, preventable illnesses, conflict, and increasingly severe and frequent disasters. 

Many venues are still to come, and several have space available. Parishioners are encouraged to check the bulletin board in Luther Hall or view the flyers on the Sisters of Bede website.

To sign up, please contact Daphne Moote or Penny Jennings. These gatherings are always a wonderful opportunity to spend time together in community while supporting worthy causes!

Adult Forum Lenten Study:

POVERTY, WEALTH & FOLLOWING JESUS

An Honest Lenten Study on Money, God, and Faith

In When Did We See You?, Magill invites us into an honest conversation about faith, money, and community, posing hard questions about poverty, wealth, and what it means to follow Jesus in an economically divided world. With candor, grace, and deep pastoral insight, Magill wrestles with her own material privilege and encourages us to do the same.

Contact Rev. Jennifer to reserve a copy. Also available online, on Kindle, and at your favorite bookstore.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN ON ZOOM

SEASON of LENT RESOURCES

As we enter the holy season of Lent, we are invited into forty days of prayer, reflection, repentance, and renewal—and there are wonderful digital resources to support that journey. Daily digital devotionals provide Scripture readings, brief reflections, and prayers making it easy to build a consistent spiritual rhythm at home or on the go. Whether you choose a quiet daily devotional, join Lent Madness, listen to Lenten music, or simply set aside intentional time for prayer, may this season be one of renewal, hope, and deeper connection with God. Click on a picture below to get started.

An offering from the Diocese of Vermont in collaboration with the Diocese of Massachusetts.

Forward Day by Day is a collection of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings.

Episcopal Relief and Development's Lenten Meditations: "Holy Habits"

Written by Sister Monica Clare, an Episcopal nun, author and unlikely TikTok star, these meditations offer an invitation to rediscover—or deepen—holy habits of prayer, worship and engagement with Scripture.

Music for Lent selected by Lifelong Learning staff from the Virginia Theological Seminary and available on Spotify.

For a more interactive and lighthearted approach, Forward Movement’s Lent Madness offers a fun, bracket-style online experience in which participants read about saints, vote for their favorites, and follow the competition as it moves toward the coveted “Golden Halo,” all while learning about faithful witnesses from across Christian history.

"SEEING GOD" Contemplative Half-Day Retreat

"Come and see"

(John 1:39)

This half-day retreat led by Deb Kaufman Giordano invites us to explore seeing God, through visual prayer (Visio Divina), walking meditation, and creative practices.

To support one of our hands-on prayer practices, please donate magazines, calendars or images (religious or secular) in the box labeled Lenten Retreat in Luther Hall.

Saturday March 21

9am - 1:30pm

$20 suggested donation​

 RSVP Here

DAVID HARPER IMPROV WRITING WORKSHOP

Openings are available in the David Harper Improv Writing Workshop Sisters of Bede venue. Join Rosemarie for this special workshop celebrating the inspiring teacher who shared his passion for storytelling with so many. We'll honor David's legacy by exploring a few of his favorite improv exercises and writing prompts to spark creativity and get our ideas flowing.

Saturday March 21, 2:00 PM

Luther Hall

$10 minimum donation

SIGN UP HERE

SUPPORT SACRED RESISTANCE

St. Bede's has partnered a task force of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, called Sacred Resistance, that assists immigrant families who are sheltering in place. The Mission committee has been assisting in the delivery of household goods, groceries and clothing. 

There are two ways you can help:

1. Local Family Support We are currently supporting local families who need the following items:

ART SUPPLIES: Sketch pads, markers, construction paper, children's scissors, pipe cleaners, crayons, gel crayons, air dry modeling clay, stamps, stickers

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Notebooks, loose paper, notepads, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, rulers, pencil sharpeners, erasers, highlighters, pencil/pen bags, glue sticks, Sharpies

HOUSEHOLD GOODS: Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, dish soap, laundry soap, hand soap (soft soap), liquid baby bath soap, diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6), bleach, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, oatmeal, pasta

CLOTHING: Men's sizes L/XL, women's sizes M/L, children ages 4-10. Coats, sweatshirts, shirts, pants, and socks (new or gently used) are all welcome.

How to give:

• Shop online via their wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2X5NPRY7OJZR8?ref_=wl_share
• Drop off donations in the collection bins at St. Bede's
• Contribute financially—checks payable to St. Bede's with "fall clothing/assistance drive" in the memo, or cash



2. Broader Community Distribution

Sacred Resistance is also collecting dry goods and household items for distribution to families throughout Los Angeles County. View their wishlist here: https://www.myregistry.com/organization/sacred-resistance-los-angeles-ca/5220494

You may also drop off items directly at Sacred Resistance headquarters in Hollywood:

• Monday–Tuesday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
• Wednesday: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Thursday–Friday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM

Address: 6125 Carlos Ave, Los Angeles CA 90028

Monetary donations can be made here: Venmo: @ststephenshollywood Paypal: https://bit.ly/sacred-resistance

Your generosity helps families in our community during a vulnerable time. Thank you for your support.

Dear friends,

Many of you have shown concern about new immigration policies and how they will impact this vulnerable population among us here in Los Angeles. Below is information about how you can get involved through CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice), an organization that St. Bede's works with and supports. Join us in preparation for this essential work.

Blessings,

Rev. Jennifer+

At the core of nearly every faith tradition lies the concept of a just, harmonious, and loving society where all souls are valued and everyone can thrive. 

It is unconscionable that people fleeing violence in other countries would be deported back to those places, regardless of threats to their safety and security.

Because the Trump Administration is threatening immigrant communities across the country (regardless of documentation status), CLUE is working across Southern California to protect immigrant workers and their families in a variety of important ways. 

You can join us in this work or support it with your donations knowing that you are doing your part to protect vulnerable people.

SUPPORT CLUES IMMIGRATION WORK

RAPID RESPONSE NETWORKS

If you see ICE Activity anywhere you go, you can report it to the Rapid Response hotlines in your area.

• Los Angeles: 888-624-4752
• Orange County: 714-881-1558
• San Bernardino/Riverside: 909-361-4588
• Kern County: 661-432-2230
• Central Valley: 559-206-0151

CLUE is working with RRN partners to offer ongoing trainings for faith leaders and community members who want to show up for workers and families being targeted by ICE.  

If you want to be trained to be a rapid responder and you live in Orange County, Los Angeles or the Inland Empire, contact Sithy Bin at sbin@cluejustice.org. 

CLUE WELCOME NETWORK

CLUE is cultivating its vast network of houses of worship to create a network of congregations that provide respite, and even longer-term shelter, to migrants released into Southern California. 

Over 30 congregations are already participating in the CLUE Welcome Network that houses asylum seekers and refugees. We receive referrals from CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) for asylum seekers in need of shelter, from legal service providers that are seeking sponsors for people being released from detention, or direct walk-ins. Some congregations in the network provide temporary shelter or short-term housing, and others support those efforts with gifts of supplies, transportation, etc.

Thank you for standing in intimate solidarity as we seek to build a society where everyone is safe and lives with dignity.

If your congregation is interested in joining the network, offering housing or supplies or services, please contact Sithy Bin at sbin@cluejustice.org.

In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez

A PRAYER for IMMIGRANTS from BISHOP TAYLOR

PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND

ST. BEDE'S ONLINE GIVING PORTAL

Visit the St. Bede's website and at the top of every page, look for the "Donate" button. When you click on the "Donate" button, you will be transported to St. Bede's Vanco eGiving and Payment Process Site.

Vanco is an industry leader in online payments. More than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, and educational organizations trust Vanco to securely complete transactions every day. Vanco complies with PCI Level 1 standards, the highest security standard in the payment processing industry.

You are invited to set up one-time or recurring gifts using credit, debit, or bank transfer on Vanco's secure payment processing platform. Giving online through the Vanco site saves time and the hassle of remembering to bring your offering. In addition, you decrease the expense incurred by St. Bede’s from handling and processing checks and cash.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on March 9, 2026. The United States and Israel launched a series of attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, with attacks later spreading throughout the Persian Gulf region. Photo: Bilal Hussein/AP

Presiding bishop, interfaith leaders lead prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East

By ENS Staff

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and other faith leaders led a virtual interfaith vigil on March 10 to pray for peace in the Middle East as armed conflict continues throughout the region.

Six hundred thirty people joined the vigil, which was held in response to the United States and Israel launching a series of attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Iran responded by launching counterattacks throughout the Middle East.

“United by our hope for peace and our love for God’s people who are suffering in the midst of war in the Middle East, we gather to pray for those who have died and for the vulnerable ones who are bearing the greatest share of suffering. …We pray for those serving in the militaries of all the countries now at war. We pray especially for the children,” Rowe said during the vigil. “Let us pray, eternal God … spread abroad your spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace as children of one father, to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever.”

The vigil also featured reflections and prayers from faith leaders representing Muslim, Jewish, Bahá’í, United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Sikh, Buddhist and other traditions. 

“We all believe it is powerful to pray and work together for peace. We do not all agree with one another on each point that each of us is about to make in this time of prayer, but we do agree with enough of it for us to decide to take a stand together in this moment, and we think that matters,” said the Rev. Kirsten Guidero, The Episcopal Church’s ecumenical and interrreligious officer.

READ MORE HERE

Golden rule is key in response to current constitutional crisis, Bishop Taylor affirms

By Pat McCaughan

Bishop John Harvey Taylor invoked the golden rule as he called for an “All-Faith Democratic Union” to actively protect human rights, when welcoming faith leaders to “A Multi-Faith Response to Our Current Constitutional Crisis” March 11 at St. Paul’s Commons in Los Angeles.

“We sometimes debate about whether events such as this and the organizations that host them are interfaith or multifaith,” Taylor said. “My friends, we are all-faith. Missing from public life today is a distinct, unified expression of our core principles. So I propose that we need an All-Faith Democratic Union. Its vision statement would be to hold power accountable to the golden rule to the extent that it rules out acts of unnecessary violence and cruelty for cruelty’s sake. Its mission would be to identify politicians who are in violation, organize against them, crush them peacefully at the polls, and send them home to see if they can learn some manners.”

Salam Al-Mayarati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, moderated the gathering coordinated by a multi-faith coalition endorsed by 22 faith-based groups and attended by 75 in person with another 300 viewing via livestream. Video is here.

Opening prayers began with the sounding of the shofar by Rabbi Sarah Hronsky, president of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders, and were offered by local representatives from Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions.

“The golden rule is the divine law of the universe,” Taylor said. “It’s the only thing that works. It applies to everyone and everything – except, until now, our politicians and national leaders, who wield the power of life and death over creation. The golden rule has always ruled out cruelty for cruelty’s sake. And yet this government makes a whole religion out of cruelty,” he told the gathering.

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