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Worship Bulletin

Lectionary Readings

Episcopal News

Calling, all wise men, animals, shepherds, and angels.

We need you! We are looking for a great cast for our St. Francis Nativity play. Please consider being a part of it. There are no speaking parts or practices, just fun, fellowship, and looking great on stage.


Costumes will be passed out before the 4 pm service on Sunday, December 24. Please consider coming around 3:30 to get your costume on and line up. We will show you what to do and when to walk down the aisle.


If you have any questions, please reach out. 

Jennifer Sams ajsams@verzion.net or 310-375-2962

Tom Tenney, thank you!

A big thank you to long-time parishioner Tom Tenney for his work replacing the light bulbs in our lower parking lot.


He replaced three of the parking lot light fixtures with new LED cobra head fixtures using a boom lift owned by BTEC. BTEC is a licensed C10 and B contractor #677334. BTEC is bonded and insured—our staff is trained and qualified to perform this work. Replacing the three fixtures took about four hours.


We plan on changing the rest and some other outdated fixtures on campus over the next few months, time permitting. 


His effort helps ensure the safety of a well-lit parking area.

Father Jason's Week in Review

December 7: Wrote for The Bellringer and the Daily Breeze; admin tasks; prepared for Dawn Unity Program on antisemitism in the United States; went to the same.


December 8: Day off.


December 9: Sermon prep, day off.


December 10: Sunday services.


December 11: Budget meeting with Senior/Junior Wardens and Business Manager; dentist appointment; met with Choir Director and Organist.  


December 12: Prepared for Deanery 8 Clericus lunch meeting; hosted the same; finance meeting; vestry meeting. 


December 13: Met with Rachel Nyback from St. Cross; staff meeting; spent time studying the Bible. 

🎶 On the 17th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... delicious coffee hour cookies! 🎶


Please join us on Sunday, December 17, for our St. Francis Traditional Christmas Cookie Coffee Hour. 


You are invited to bring a plate of your favorite holiday cookies to share. You might have a family heirloom recipe, or store-bought is fine. 


If you don't bake, just come and eat. We look forward to enjoying a little Christmas cheer (and calories!) together with all of you. 


If you have any questions, reach out to Jennifer Sams at ajsams@verizon.net or 310-375-2962.

Harbor Interfaith Services, Inc. (HIS) now plans to deliver over 350 complete holiday meals for Christmas. Donations from St. Francis can help to make the Christmas season brighter for families served by HIS. They ask specifically for spiral-sliced hams, canned vegetables, mashed potatoes, stuffing or dressing mix, canned yams or sweet potatoes, cake mixes/frosting, and/or grocery gift cards.


Toys or ages 1 month to 18 years old are welcome. Or, for teens, gift certificates/cards to stores, movie theaters, juice, or yogurt stores in the area.


Bring donations to church by Sunday, December 17.


For more information, contact Joyce Alley at jballey7359@gmail.com

Christmas Altar Flower Donations

Celebrate and Remember!


Contribute to the Christmas decorations of our church and chapel through the giving of memorial flowers. Dedications will be printed in the Christmas worship bulletins.


Contact the church office to make a Christmas Altar Flower donation. Or, at the church each Sunday through Dec. 17, we will have forms available to fill out—just ask an usher.


Deadline for insertion into the Christmas

bulletins is Sunday, December 17.


Contact Claire in the church office at 310-375-4617.

Christmas Music Donations


St. Francis is renowned for our outstanding music, blending centuries-old traditions of church music with newer composers right up to the present day.


Our choir always welcomes new members—no audition necessary!


Your generous donations support the additional music and musicians that add to our celebratory seasonal worship as well as help to maintain our regular year-round program.


Contact Mark Bennett at 310-594-7416 or mark.bennett@stfrancispalosverdes.org.

Sunday, December 24 at 8:00 pm


Come listen to the St. Francis Choir perform a selection of beautiful Christmas choral works and join us in singing some Christmas carols! On Christmas Eve at 8 pm we will be offering a brief program of fun and inspiring Christmas music along with some favorite Christmas carols just before the 9 pm Christmas Eve service. The choir is already hard at work preparing this wonderful program which you will not want to miss! Come join us in welcoming the Christ child with rich and joyful music!


For more information, please contact Director of Music, Dr. Mark Bennett at mark.bennett@stfrancispalosverdes.org.

Coming Events

Advent Taizé

Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00pm

Join us for a contemplative evening service in our Chapel. Feel free to come a few minutes early and let the gentle music, the flickering glow of candlelight, the soft chants and the moments of silence allow you to still your spirit and take in the Peace.


Christmas Eve Services

Children’s Pageant

Join us at the 4pm Children’s Pageant & Service, and 9pm traditional Christmas Eve service.


Christmas Day

Dec 25th, 9am

Celebrate the birth of Jesus with us on this holy day!


Christmas Eve Services & Children’s Pageant — Dec 24th

Join us at the 4pm Children’s Pageant & Service, and 9pm traditional Christmas Eve service.

Christmas Eve Concert — Dec 24th, 8pm

Come listen to the St. Francis Choir perform inspiring Christmas music & sing along to Christ-mas carols! For more info contact Mark Bennett, mark.bennett@stfrancispalosverdes.org


Christmas Day — Dec 25th, 9am

Celebrate the birth of Jesus with us on this holy day!

Sunday Holy Communion 


8:00 a.m.

Rite I in-person worship in the Chapel, with hymns. This service is not live-streamed.


10:00 a.m.

Rite II in-person worship in the main church with choir and music.


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 Claire Erbeznik.

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.

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 Fenske.


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


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

Parish Hall.

Contact us

Phone: 310-375-4617


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

Mark Bennett, Director of Music: 310-594-7416

David Knight, Organist: 310-375-4617

Claire Erbeznik, Office Administrator: 310-375-4617

Elaine Mistele, Business Manager: 310-594-8268

Joel Miranda, Sexton

Wayne Hastings, Communications: 901-219-6564


Church Office hours are:

Monday through Thursday

9:00 am to 3:00 pm