Lectionary Readings

Episcopal News

Coming events

Sunday, Apr. 6 — Fifth Sunday in Lent

• 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Chapel)

• 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

• 11:30 am Antique Show meeting

Monday, Apr. 7

• 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

Tuesday, Apr. 8

• 6:00 pm Men’s Corner

Wednesday, Apr. 9

• 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (Chapel)

• 5:00 pm Good Grief meeting

• 6:00 pm Lenten Supper with making palm crosses

Thursday, Apr. 10

• 1:00 pm Quilting and Knitting Group

Saturday, Apr. 12

• 9:00 am Campus Cleanup Day

Sunday, Apr. 13 — Palm Sunday with Bishop Visit

• 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

• 5:00 pm Parish Movie Night: “Jesus Christ Superstar”

For more events, visit our calendar.

Join Us for Campus Cleanup Day

We’re calling on parishioners and friends to help us refresh our beautiful church grounds with a Gardening-focused Cleanup Day!

📅 Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025

⏰ Time: 9 AM – Noon

Let’s dig in, plant, trim, and tidy up together! Bring your gloves, tools, and a helping spirit. 🌱💚

For questions, contact Ed Hinz at 📞 310-418-8138 (text or voice).

Visitors welcome...

Christoph Bull, Organist

Long Beach Camerata Singers performed Requiem by Fauré at St. Francis on Sunday, March 30. Organist Christoph Bull (right), who performed an organ solo as part of the concert, and our own David Knight (left) reunited for a quick selfie.

For more information about Long Beach Camerata Singers, visit their website.

Jonathan Zimmerman and family

Captain Jonathan G.C. Zimmerman, son of Albert and Susie Zimmerman, has been in the Air Force for 20 years. Jonathan visited St. Francis on Sunday, March 23, with his wife, Mary Kate, and their three children, Brook, Christopher, and Katherine.

The bishop is coming!

Palm Sunday, April 13

Our diocesan bishop will be visiting St. Francis on Palm Sunday, April 13. Anyone who would like to be received, reaffirmed in their faith, or baptized during the bishop's visit must contact Fr. Jason. Any adult interested in confirmation should also contact Fr. Jason.

Antique Show Gala Silent Auction donations needed!

Do you have the perfect treasure to make our Gala Silent Auction a huge success? Please consider making a donation for our event on Wednesday, May 28th. Popular items include personal creations such as jewelry and culinary specialties, social experiences like wine tasting events and group dinners, sports and theater tickets, luxury home items and much more! If you would like to donate, please contact Mary Deley at mary_deley@yahoo.com. You may drop off items in the church office or we are happy to coordinate pick up. A tax deductible donation statement is available upon request.

Thank you all for your ongoing support of this important fundraiser!

Movie Night: Jesus Christ Superstar

Everyone is invited to join us for movie night! On Sunday, April 13, doors open at 5:00 pm. Movie starts at 5:30 pm. Hotdogs, popcorn, soft drinks, and probably some healthy options too! Childcare provided. We hope to see you there!

Help shape the future of our diocese

The search for a new Bishop of Los Angeles is underway! Listening sessions are scheduled across the diocese from March 22 to April 26, giving parishioners and clergy the opportunity to share their thoughts and hopes.

Since St. Francis is part of Deanery 8, our session will be held on:

St. Cross, 1818 Monterey Blvd., Hermosa Beach

April 12 at 10:00 AM

Your input will help shape the profile of our next Bishop and guide the search process. All are welcome to attend!

The Diocese is also seeking parishioners to serve on the Transitions Committee, which will introduce bishop candidates to the diocese. If you have skills in hospitality, event planning, or pastoral care, consider applying!

Application opens: March 21 on the diocesan website

Deadline: April 11

For more details, read the full announcement in The Episcopal News.

For questions, contact our Diocesan delegates:

Susie Zimmerman – susiehzimmerman@gmail.com

Albert Zimmerman – azimmer159@outlook.com

Let’s take part in this important process for our church community!

Download flyer PDF

Lent and Easter in the South Bay

St. Francis participates in a combined Lent and Easter worship schedule with other South Bay Episcopal parishes. Below is the schedule of worship opportunities for you in our area. Download schedule PDF.

Rector's Reflection

Final Lenten Devotion moved to April 9

Last night I chose to stay home with our children, as Rachel had an upset stomach that resulted in her early dismissal from school, and both she and Archie were sad that Jennifer was away at Science School. It wasn’t an easy decision to make - I don’t like missing church or church events. But it was the right decision, as Rachel was able to get a good nap and Archie was glued to my side the entire night. I am incredibly thankful for the lay leadership at St. Francis, The Friars, and for Celeste, who very ably led Compline in my absence. Last night my plan was to teach about the origin and theology of Compline, talk about the basics of baptism, and wrap it all up. I hope to do that next Wednesday, while we also work on making palm crosses for Palm Sunday.

—Fr. Jason

Fr. Jason's Week in Review

March 27: Admin tasks; pastoral visit; wrote for Bellringer.

March 28: Prepped for Stations of the Cross; lunch with Senior Warden; prepped for Sunday’s sermon; Stations of the Cross at 6pm - we had 9 people in attendance.

March 29: Day off.

March 30: Sunday services. Attendance for 8AM was 23, and at 10AM was 91.

March 31: Admin tasks; worked on the last Lenten program of the year.

April 1: Jennifer left for Outdoor Science School in the morning; worked on Lenten program; admin tasks; several pastoral phone calls; dinner with friends.

April 2: Healing service; admin tasks; pastoral phone call; finished up with Lenten program; received call from daughter’s school that she needed to be picked up, as she’d had tummy troubles; elected to not have the Lenten program today, but will do it the following Wednesday, combining palm cross manufacturing with instruction on Compline and Baptism. Though we missed the dinner, a kind heart brought us two plates of food - Darryll and the Friars put on an amazing meal of pulled pork, roasted peppers and potatoes, and beans and rice. Had I been there in person, I would have had a whole plate of the potatoes.

Get Involved at St. Francis

St. Francis Choir

All singers and voice parts are welcome! No audition is necessary! Come join us at rehearsals on Mondays from 7-9 pm in the Sanctuary. For more information, contact Dr. Mark Bennett, Director of Music, at sternstag520@gmail.com or (617) 217-1601.

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.

Flowers for the altar

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 Gina McQueen in the church office at 310-375-4617 or gina.mcqueen@stfrancispalosverdes.org.

Call for Photos

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 Gina McQueen in person in the church office. For security reasons, we don't share the parish directory via email or phone call.