What's Happening! Readings for November 18, 26th Sunday after Pentecost

Habitat For Humanity - It's not too late to join in! this Saturday, November 17 , 8:00 to 3:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch provided. 15 volunteers needed, plus donations for donor brick wall Once again, God’s people are in need of a good carpenter. St. Francis is very excited to be joining together again with Habitat For Humanity to help build a home for a family in need. Please come be a part of this wonderful event or make a donation to support our Build Day. No construction experience is necessary. The only requirement is a desire to help make a difference in the lives of others. To fund our Build Day, the St. Francis community is pledging $2,500 to Habitat For Humanity. Please consider making a donation to this very worthy cause. To help fund raise, the St. Francis community will present the family that will live in the house with an artistic "brick wall". Each brick in this wall will contain the name of a St. Francis donor. Br icks can be purchased for $50. Checks should be made payable to “St. Francis Church” with Habitat for Humanity in the memo section. Please contact Mike Spalding to sign up, or with any questions at (310) 897-3097.

Help the Homeless This Saturday... St. Luke's Breakfast and Showers Program on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 7:00 a.m. Hand out food and help distribute clothing at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Long Beach . This activity is appropriate for families with children of middle school age and older.  Questions?  Email Gayle Taylor. And teens - don't forget - the Great Egg Boil!! This Friday, November 16 from 6p - 9p All youth are invited to gather on Friday night, November 16th to boil 400+ eggs for the St. Luke's Homeless Breakfast. Pizza and a light dessert will be provided! See you then! Questions? Contact Rev. Laurel.

Last Chance to Donate - Harbor Interfaith Thanksgiving Food Drive - by This Sunday November 18. 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. Help them to help others by donating items for their Thanksgiving food baskets: Frozen turkeys*, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables (green beans or corn), boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing or dressing mix, yams or sweet potatoes, and cake mix and frosting or other dessert mixes.  Grocery gift cards are welcome, too. *please email Hank Gatlin in advance if you are thinking of donating frozen food.   Please put non-perishable food donations in the food baskets in the narthex. Thank you!!

Thanksgiving Day Worship Thursday, November 22, 10:00 a.m. Gratefully let us gather, after putting the turkey in the oven, to pause in meaningful moments for hymns, to hear the Word of God and message, and to receive the Presence of Jesus in Communion, all in a spirit of thanksgiving!

Thank you for Pledging! Please continue turning in your pledges as soon as possible - it helps so much to plan ahead for 2019. Please consider pledging if you haven’t before and increasing your pledge if you are able. Let’s keep supporting the mission of St. Francis. Thanks to everyone for your generosity. Can't find your pledge form? Download one here...

Office Closures - New Flooring November 19-23 (note - no noon service on Wednesday) The church offices will be closed next week because the offices and kitchenette will be getting new flooring. Everything loose has to be removed—including us, your Staff! A skeleton crew will work in the library and parish hall. We shall extend an office phone to the hall, but if there are any pastoral needs, please call Paula+ on her cell, 310 995 6519.   Note—the cost for replacing the 30+ year rug and linoleum is coming from Rummage Sale monies and not the Operating Budget.  Also - Rev. Peter+ will away from Friday 11/16 through Saturday 11/24.

Vestry Nomination Time! Please pray about nominating yourself or someone else to be on our Vestry, the governing board of our parish. We share in the mission and leadership of our parish through our variety of gifts. Please talk to one of the Vestry members or Paula+ about this rewarding service. (The Vestry meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and is a 3 year commitment. Election of 4 new Vestry members will take place at our January Annual Meeting.) Gratefully, Paula+

Other News, and Coming Up!

Advent Sunday Is Coming Soon! Wreath-Making, Devotionals, and Friars Advent Breakfast Sunday, December 2 Please join us on the first Sunday of Advent, as we meet in the Parish Hall to make Advent wreaths. We will be selling Advent wreaths’ rings and candles that day. If you have a ring you would like to bring and wrap with greenery, please feel free to do so. Greenery will be supplied. See you there!  Please also stop by to pick up an Advent Calendar (for adults and for families) as well as Advent Candle Lighting Devotionals (also for adults and families). to use when you light your Advent Candles each Sunday during this season. The devotional contains prayers, readings, and hymn selections for each Sunday and was written by Judith Lyons, our seminary intern. Plus! The annual Friars’ Advent Breakfast after both worship services!

Advent Quiet Day - “Into an Advent Peace” Thursday December 6th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sanctuary and Boardroom  In this Advent Quiet Day, we will explore different prayer forms and some of their living history to engage the spirit and quiet of Advent. These moments of peace may become special tools for centering during the hectic season before Christmas Day. The day will begin from 9am – 10am with an optional meditation and scripture time in our church chancel area led by our seminarian, Jude. The Quiet Day, led by Paula+ and Rev. Laurel, will continue in the boardroom, 10:15am – 12:30pm followed by optional brown bag lunches together. Advent Quiet Day is sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women. All (men and women!) are invited to attend.

The Seasons of the Church Sunday, December 9, after both services in the Board Room What is your favorite season of the church year? Did you know that our "church year" begins with the first Sunday of Advent (and not January 1st)? Paula+, Rev. Laurel, and Peter+ will lead this class on the liturgical calendar and the different seasons of the church year. We will talk about the different days that mark the seasons as well as other practices that help us to get into the spirit of each season.

Ongoing Spiritual Groups Meditation Group - Thursday Mornings, 9-10:00 a.m. Nason Chapel, main church. No charge. Yoga - Monday mornings 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday mornings 8:45 a.m. Free-will offering.

Sermons and Bulletins Online

S unday Worship Bulletins - download your bulletin to your phone or tablet and help us save the planet! Sermons Online Archive Canon Hank Gatlin Readings for November 11 Episcopal News Weekly - Response to Fire Crisis Email Paula+, 310-375 4617 x223 Email Peter+, 310-375 4617 x225.  Email Rev. Laurel , 310-375 4617 x229 You are not interrupting our work - you ARE our work!

Support our Ministries

Give by checking account, credit or debit card. Prioritize your finances, helping you give to God's mission first. Help you manage your giving, and access your giving account at your convenience. Questions? Email Elaine Mistele. Or call her at the church office at 310 375 4617. Moved? Changed your Name? New email or phone #? Please send new details to Mary in the office at 310 375-4617.