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Worship Bulletins

Lectionary Readings

Episcopal News

Sunday, Dec. 22 – Advent 4

9:10 am Spiritual Formation Class: “Who is Jesus?”

11:30 am Christmas Choir Rehearsal

Monday, Dec. 23

9:00 am to noon Altar Guild Decoration of the Church

7:00 pm Concert Choir Rehearsal

Tuesday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve

4:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Service

6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal: final dress rehearsal

8:00 pm Christmas Eve Choir Concert

9:00 pm Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist

Wednesday, Dec. 25 — 9:00 am Christmas Day Holy Eucharist

Thursday, Dec. 26 to Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Church office closed

Sunday, Dec. 31 - First Sunday after Christmas

Wednesday, Jan. 1 — Church office closed

10:00 am Healing & Reconciliation Holy Eucharist

6:00 pm Nurture Support Group

For more events, visit our calendar.

The St. Francis Annual Meeting and Luncheon will be on January 26 following the 10:00 am worship service. All ministry leaders should submit a draft of their annual reports to Shelly Zak and Father Jason by January 12 for inclusion in the report.

Here are a few photos from St. Anne's auction on Sunday, Dec. 15. A big thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year's auction a great success.

St. Francis Families, Christmas Eve will be here before you know it. That means it's time for our annual Christmas Eve Pageant on December 24 at 4pm. If your child would like to participate, please pick up a costume on Sunday, Dec. 15 or Sunday, Dec. 22. If you prefer, you may pick one up at 3:30, before the 4pm service. We have angels, shepherds, and lots of manger animals to choose from. (If you would like to be a Wise Man or part of the Holy Family, let me know.)  Please plan on being to church by 3:30 on the 24th, so we can do a quick practice run of what to do. We can't wait to see everyone at Jesus's birth! If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Sams at ajsams@verizon.net or 310-749-5819. 

Donations requested for Rainbow Services to benefit those impacted by domestic violence. 

During this Advent and Christmas season, St. Francis is collecting donations of canned and dry goods and gift cards for grocery stores, Target, or Walmart for Rainbow Services. We will be taking the collections to Rainbow Services on December 20. Boxes for collections are in the Narthex and in the church office marked as donations for Rainbow Services. Rainbow Services helps those impacted by domestic violence. Contact: Robin Pano, 310-779-0486.

Just before walking into our beautiful sanctuary, there is a bookcase on the lefthand side of the foyer. On the bottom shelf, one may (or may not) notice a few children's books. They have been read and re-read by one generation to the next. While grateful that there are a few books, our supply needs to be updated.

If you're looking for a way to tangibly impact our children here at St. Frances this holiday season, please consider gifting a new book to our little children's bookshelves - both for the bookcase on the way into church and also in the kid's church classroom. 

A list of updated and inclusive books contributing to our children's spiritual formation has been created through an Amazon Wish list. Feel free to use this link to purchase a book: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3K2YF8YPVKAQG?ref_=wl_share

OR

Find a book title that is of interest to you and purchase the book from a local independent bookstore in our area. 

Once you've purchased the book, we would love for you to write an inscription on the inside cover with a message to the kids so that they know they were thought of specifically by you! Thank you!

Contact: Angie Witt, angiesue84@hotmail.com

Save the Date: Decorate the Church for Christmas

Saturday, December 23, 9 am to noon

Join the Altar Guild as they decorate the church interior for Christmas. All are welcome! 

Contact: Sara Schulz (s.schulz@cox.net).

On Christmas Eve, December 24, at 8 pm in the Sanctuary, the Saint Francis Episcopal Choir will be presenting its annual Christmas concert entitled, "On Christmas Night All Christians Sing!". This delightful and uplifting program of Christmas selections includes works for women's voices—excerpts from Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols, 2 settings of traditional English carols—The Lord at First and Coventry Carol by Ralph Vaughan Williams for male voices, a contemporary setting of the 15th century text Myn Lyking, a sublime and moving new work O Bethlehem by female composer, Christin Kieckhafer, a playful, joyous setting of the traditional English Sussex Carol, as well as Adolphe Adam's Cantique de Noël, for 2 sopranos, and many opportunities for all in attendance to sing some of their favorite Christmas carols. The concert will be followed at 9 pm by a service in which you will have even more opportunities to sing carols! We do hope we will see you there!

For more information or if you are interested in singing in this program (before December 8), please contact Dr. Mark Bennett at sternstag520@gmail.com or call or text me at (617) 217-1601.

I recently read a devotion that put a new perspective on the Nativity. The Greek word for inn used in Luke 2:7 is Katalyma, which is used in two other places in the Gospels, Mark 14:14 and Luke 22:11. On both of the latter instances it is translated as upper room or guest room. The word Inn appears one other time in Luke’s Gospel, in the story of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:34 - and the word used there is Pandocheion, which means public inn, or a place for travelers. Though it’s one of the few lines in our Nativity Play, we never actually hear an innkeeper in Luke’s nativity story, but we do see the word innkeeper in the story of the Good Samaritan. The Greek word used is Pandocheus, clearly linked to Pandocheion. So what does this mean, and what does it change? 

It means that though there was no extra room, they could stay with the family in the main living quarters, which housed not just the homeowners, but also any animals they owned (to keep them safe from the elements and thieves). It also means that Jesus wasn’t born in isolation, but rather he was born in the midst of a family who had invited Mary and Joseph to share sleeping quarters. The Gospel of Luke makes no mention of a stable, only a manger - a feeding trough - that was just as likely to be in the home as in a stable. It means that Jesus’ birth wasn’t set apart, but happened right in the middle of everything, that it was far more disruptive than previously believed. It means that the shepherds didn’t go to a barn where they were unlikely to bother anyone, but that they walked into Bethlehem and went to the home, another massive disruption, but also a holy, joyous disruption, a reminder that God’s love for us is not kept at bay, nor does it follow our social protocols. 

People motivated by God’s love are made bold, and though they may be afraid, their faith helps them overcome their fear. Jesus being born in a home, surrounded by strangers who have volunteered to help, seems far more like Emmanuel - God is with us - than being born in a barn with only Joseph there to help Mary through the delivery. God is with us, in the stable, stranger’s home, or wherever we may be - God is with us. 

Fr. Jason's Week in Review

December 12: Pastoral visit; spent time writing; spiritual direction; went to Candy Cane Lane with friends, and it did not disappoint. 

December 13: Sermon prep; attended St. Anne’s Auction, where Elaine Mistele served as an able substitute for Terri Tsuchida, who is currently on the IL. Elaine was always sure to mention when an item came with a box or a bag (or both). St. Anne’s put on a wonderful party, and Jennifer and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  

December 14: Day off; sermon prep; we went to a lovely Christmas party, where I wished multiple people a happy Advent. 

December 15: Sunday services; we had 20 people at the 8am service and 85 at the 10am service; there was a delicious cookie exchange following the 10am service, where a mystery baker had made wonderful maple cookies. 

December 16: Elaine Mistele, Richard Briggs and I met with an architect and local neighbors to discuss a proposed home that will be built across the street - our primary concern is construction traffic and noise disrupting church services during the week; read Christmas stories to two Town and Country classes; pastoral visit and card playing in the hospital cafeteria. 

December 17: Admin tasks; hospital visit; ran errands. 

December 18: Healing service; admin tasks; spent time writing; pastoral phone calls; prepared presentation for religion class at PV High School

December 19: Met with nominations committee; went to PV High to talk about Christianity and my faith - I used the lens of the nativity to talk about both, and the class was incredibly attentive, even though it was the penultimate day of the term; hospital visit; spent time writing.

Spiritual Formation: Who is Jesus?

Each Sunday, Dec. 1 to Mar. 30 at 9:10 AM | St. Francis Library

Have you ever wondered about Jesus? Are you questioning and inquiring, curious, or perhaps, doubtful of Jesus and what he is saying? Ever wonder what Jesus may really be saying to us? Where did Jesus come from?

Inquirers, seekers, those wondering about baptism or confirmation, and those seeking a deeper connection to something beyond ourselves: all are invited to conversations about Jesus on Sundays between services in the St. Francis Library.

Conversations will be based on our Sunday readings and we will meet Sundays at 9:10-ish to 9:45am. We will begin on the first Sunday of Advent and continue through the Sunday before Holy Week.

Please contact me, Deacon Celeste, at 310-913-1069 or email at cstump@thecanterbury.org. to RSVP or to answer any questions. I look for to speaking and meeting with you.

Peace, Deacon Celeste

Good Grief Loss Support Group: Alternating Wednesday mornings (11 am to noon) and evenings (5 pm to 6 pm) in the St. Francis Library. For people suffering loss of any kind including death, divorce, loss of health due to an illness or accident, etc.

Men’s Corner: Monthly for dinner at Corner Bakery. Contact Ed Hinz (kn6jn@yahoo.com).

Nurture Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month to have a simple dinner and discuss a spiritual topic in a non-judgmental and open way. Next meeting is December 4 at 6 p.m. at the home of Blair Hinz. Please contact Susan Egan if you wish to attend.

Quilting and Knitting Group: Thursdays at 1 pm in the Board Room. Contact: Anna Eakins (annatkozaki@gmail.com).

SAGES (Senior Adult Group of Episcopalians): Group outings, social gatherings, guest speakers, and more. Contact: Kristina Pela (krab3@yahoo.com).

St. Anne’s Guild: Meets on the 4th Monday of Sept-June at 6pm. Join us for fellowship, plan church events (like the Rummage Sale and Antiques Show), potluck dinners, and our Christmas charity event! Contact Anna Eakins.

St. Teresa’s Guild: Meet a few times a year to raise money for charities that support women and children through dues and our famous Chinese New Year event. Contact: Robin Pano.

Friars: Meets as needed to cook meals for Parish events (e.g. Lenten Suppers). Contact: Dick Briggs.

Yoga: All Levels Hatha Yoga for Strength and Mobility: Mondays, 11 am to 12:30 pm. All Levels Gentle Yoga for Vital Mobility and Balance: Wednesdays, 9am to 10:30 am. Contact: Jill Lynch (jillfenskelynch@gmail.com).

Download our 2024 Get Connected booklet (PDF) for a list of all our ministries and small groups.

Consider making a donation of altar flowers in honor of a special occasion or in memory

of someone you love. (The suggested donation is $50.) Contact Jessica Salazar in the church office at 310-375-4617 or by email.

Each week we change the photo in the header of this weekly email newsletter. But we need more up-to-date photos... Get your photo featured! You can submit your photos of the St. Francis campus, events, and people to us at social@stfrancispalosverdes.org for consideration. We'll even run your name as a photo credit. So get snapping—we can't wait to see what you create!

Liturgy and Worship 

Sundays at 8:00 am

Holy Eucharist Rite I with hymns in the Chapel.

Sundays at 10:00 am

Holy Eucharist Rite II with choir and music in the main church.

Wednesdays at 10:00 am

Healing & Reconciliation Holy Eucharist Rite II with hymns in the Chapel.

Taizé: Last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm

A meditative service of music and prayer in the Chapel. (No communion.)

For other worship services and parish events, visit our calendar.

Livestream Worship and Sermons Online

We livestream Sunday 10am worship on Facebook and YouTube. You can view past sermons or entire livestreams on our YouTube channel.

Nursery School and Sunday School

Sunday school for children in kindergarten through fifth grade will be held in the Parish Hall from 9:50 am to 10:40 am (ish ... the kids typically come in at the Peace). There is a nursery for children 6 months to 5 years old.

Contact: Kristina Pelá

Pastoral Care

In need of prayer? Send prayer requests to Fr. Jason.

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

Parish Directory

Our directory is available online. If you need the password, contact the church office or email Jessica Salazar.

Calendar of Events

All of our worship services, events, and small groups are listed on our church calendar.

Communications

and Notices

Please send all notices you wish to be included in the enews or bulletins to Father Jason and Wayne Hastings.

Coffee Hour

Ministry

To volunteer to help one week after the 10am worship service, see the sign-up sheet at Sunday coffee hour.

Yoga with Jill

A spiritual mind and body practice led by Jill Lynch in the St. Francis Parish Hall.

Mondays 11:00-12:30 pm – Level 1/2 Hatha for Strength and Mobility

Wednesdays 9:00-10:30 am – Level 1 Gentle Yoga for Vital Mobility and Balance

Phone: 310-375-4617

The Rev. Jason Shelby, Rector: 310-594-7984

The Rev. Celeste Stump, Deacon, Chaplain at The Canterbury: 310-265-5146

Mark Bennett, Director of Music: 617-217-1601

David Knight, Organist: 310-375-4617

Elaine Mistele, Business Manager: 310-594-8268

Gina McQueen, Receptionist and Office Administrator, (310) 375 4617

Joel Miranda, Sexton

Wayne Hastings, Communications: 901-219-6564

Church Office hours are:

Monday through Thursday

9:00 am to 3:00 pm