This Sunday, December 5, we will host our Advent Sunday Celebration following our 10:00 a.m. service. We will enjoy refreshments and decorate Advent wreaths for our homes. Yes, I know it is the Second Sunday of Advent, but with Thanksgiving Holiday we decided to delay for a week.

One of the most noticeable traditions of Advent is the Advent wreath. We sometimes attach meanings to the different candles, but this is a recent development. Moreover, there is no agreement on the significance of the candles. On a devotional level there can be value in attaching themes to the different candles, but liturgically, they simply show that light is gathering until the dawn of Christ, the light of the world.  

There are also different colors used for the Advent candles. I grew up with the tradition of three purple and one pink (technically “rose”) candle. As most of you know, purple is the color for Lent and reflects penitence. The rose candle used on the Third Sunday signifies a shift towards the joy of the approaching celebration of Jesus’ birth. The traditional Latin introit for the Third Sunday begins with the word ‘gaudete” meaning, “joy.”

At St Francis, we use blue for our Advent candles. Blue has a long history of use in Advent, particularly in the Church of Sweden and in the ancient Sarum and Mozarabic rites of the church. Since purple is traditionally associated with penitential seasons like Lent, the use of blue creates a different mood; in the case of Advent, a sense of hope and anticipation.

Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter what color the candles are, what they mean, or whether we use an Advent wreath at all. The most important thing is that we are looking forward to the coming of Christ in our midst.

Will you prepare the way of the Lord this season?

Get into the Holiday Spirit and join us on the 2nd Sunday of Advent for the St. Francis traditional wreath-making! Following the 10:00am service we will gather to make wreaths and enjoy some festive holiday treats. We will have candles, greens and floral wire/pipe cleaners available at the event. However, in the spirit of reuse, reduce and recycle, please bring any foam or metal wreath bases you may have at home to use this year! We will have some available but really want to encourage families to use the ones they already have. If you have any questions, please email Mary Deley.

We'll meet in the Parish Hall Youth Room as usual from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Youth Group is open to all middle school and high school students. Bring your friends!

Monday, December 6th, at 4:00 pm, Board Room.

TWO activities this year to put you in the holiday mood!

If you would like to share another food item, you may bring that. We shouldn’t fill up on just cookies! We will have a table outside for the food, as we are still under the Covid restrictions. This will be a festive occasion and we hope you will all be able to come.

Advent Taizé - Back In Person!

Our Taizé service returns for an evening of contemplative music and prayer in our candlelit chapel beginning at 7:00pm and wrapping up with a reception on our heated chapel patio.

Come let the Peace of this Advent Service of Wholeness & Healing wash over you, then join us for a cup of warm wassail and light refreshments afterwards! Any questions, please email or call Kristina Pelá 310-941-2498.

Now is the time to make a donation to our Christmas Flowers and Music. Write a thanks or memorial to a loved one for inclusion in our Christmas bulletins.

Download a form here and return it to Mary in the church office by December 19.

Harbor Interfaith works to fill the void for the homeless and working poor during the holidays. They distribute holiday food baskets and provide social connection. Your help with the following items will make the holidays much brighter and full of hope.

OR Grocery Gift Cards

Unwrapped toys for any age range from 1 month to 18 years.

$20 Gift certificates to stores, movie theaters, or juice/yogurt shops in the area help a teen know that their community cares

Please bring non-perishable gifts and leave them on the coffee cart in the Narthex.

*Spiral hams need to be placed in the refrigerator in the kitchen.

Please ask in the office if you need help on a week day. Office hours are 9-3pm Monday through Thursday.

And/or bring donations on Sunday, Dec 19, after the 8 a.m. service and before and after the 10 a.m. service.

Questions? Contact Gayle Taylor.

8:00 a.m. - Rite I in-person worship in the Chapel, with two hymns (for those fully vaccinated). This service is not live-streamed.

10:00 a.m. - Rite II in-person worship in the main church with music. Live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, and available for watching later.

Please contact Kristina Pelá to arrange for a Lay Eucharistic Minister to safely bring you communion.

A spiritual mind and body practice!

Parish Hall (masks must still be worn). No set fees - classes are free-will offering. Questions? Jill Fenske

Meditation, followed by a quiet time of conversation.

Contact - Susie Zimmerman

Need someone's email, or even map directions to their home?

Go to https://servantkeeper.com/directory/sfc/login

The password is Romans12:4-5

Bookmark the link on your phone or computer and let your browser save the password and you will always be up to date with information!

We are here to do our best to help you with whatever you may need. We know circumstances can be difficult at any time. For help of any kind, or just for a Zoom or Facetime or phone call, please email or call Jerry+ .

310-594-7984

Enews is sent weekly on Thursday afternoons: email Susan with your requests.

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Office main line - 310 375 4617

The Rev. Jerry Sather 310-594-7984

Mark Bennett 310-594-7416

Susan Marshall 310-594-8427

Elaine Mistele 310-594-8268

Mary Sanchez 310-375-4617