Dear Friends of St. Francis
The crisis at the Capital yesterday was quite a shock for us all no matter what our political persuasion. Now, more than ever, we need to embrace, as friends of the saint, Francis, the way he led his life, in a radical love for God and God’s people. Francis sought to be for others an instrument of peace. That way of peace must be built on the power of prayer. Let us pray from our hearts for unity and for healing. Prayer is more powerful than we realize especially when “two or three are gathered in his name.” I bet Jesus never envisioned us gathering via emails, text messages, phone calls and Zoom and Facebook prayer times.
Put on the mind of Jesus Christ who prayed that we be blessed with a peace that the world cannot give so we can be instruments of peace in all its necessary forms.
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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
I pray that the Epiphany Light of Christ breaks through the darkness of division and illumines the souls of us all, to be the citizens of a new way of love, a new world order of peace.
Let us gather together as God’s family at 10am this Sunday through our Website Facebook page to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany and the Baptism of Jesus from Mark’s Gospel. We offer the nourishment of the Prince of Peace through “Drive through Holy Communion” at 11:15. (Please RSVP for Communion - text 310-995-6519 or email.
With love and care,
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Also - many people have asked - if you wish to write to Jeannie here is her address:
Jeannie Cobb
2889 San Pasqual St.
Pasadena, CA 91107
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The Annual Meeting of St Francis Parish is all of Us
On January 24th, after the 10am Sunday worship, (exact time TBD), we shall gather for the annual business and review of our parish. We elect a new Vestry Class of 4. We elect Delegates and Alternates to the Diocesan Convention. We hear reports from our clergy and lay leadership. We review the operating budget approved by the Vestry and share in the vision of a new year.
This year, because of the restrictions of COVID 19, the Annual Meeting will involve the entire parish through ZOOM! Each of you will link into the Zoom meeting. We shall vote online and provide for nominations and comments as needed. It will be a unique, real, faith-filled meeting of the family of St Francis. Stay tuned for the Zoom link information that will become available.
I will give my final Rector’s Report with pride and thanksgiving for all that we are together!
Gratefully,
The Very Rev. Paula Vukmanic, Rector
Dean of Deanery 8
St Francis Episcopal Church
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Be a part of the Diocesan Convention in November 2021
Every year we elect Delegates and Alternates from our parish family to represent us at the Diocesan Convention. It is important to be a “voice and vote” in matters of the Diocese. Please consider. It involves a day and a half, Friday, Saturday, November 13,14, 2021. At our Annual Meeting, on Zoom, on January 24th we shall vote for our representatives. Please let me know ASAP if the Spirit grabs your mind and heart and nudges YOU!
(By the way, our own Albert and Susie Zimmerman were elected President and Secretary of Deanery 8 at the Pre-Convention Assembly this past October so we get to vote them in as delegates but need more representation because of the size of our parish!)
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Join us for Compline
Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7pm (PST)
This is your Compline Prayer Team!
We are a ministry of quiet prayer at the end of the day, to soothe our souls and turn the day that is over to God.
We take turns leading Compline, which begins in The Book of Common Prayer on page 127. Consider praying with us on any MWF at 7:00 pm or you can watch it and pray any time after 7:00. You can find us on the St. Francis Facebook Page
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There's Still Time to Send in Your Pledge
We know that things are difficult for many of you at this time - but if you can - there is still time to make an annual pledge to help keep the Ministries of St. Francis serving not just our immediate community, but beyond.
Please download and complete the form, and mail it to: Elaine Mistele, St. Francis Church, 2200 Via Rosa, PVE, CA 90274. And see below for how to make it even easier to make regular donations automatically - no check writing every Sunday!
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Simplify Your Giving!
Use automatic bill pay for your pledge to St. Francis. You choose the payment frequency and date that works for you.
Look for Bill Pay or similar when you’ve logged in to online banking. Then add St. Francis as a new payee. You don’t need the church bank details - only the address and phone number: St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. 310 375 4617. And thank you!!
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Bible Study Has Returned - Tuesdays
Bible Study in the New Year!!
Join Jude+ for zoom Bible and Book Study
Begins: Tuesday, January 5th
Meets: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9 – 7:00-8:30pm
ALL are welcome. No experience necessary!!
- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs the kingdom of heaven.”
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
- “You are the salt of the earth;”
- “You have heard it said you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
These are some of the famous lines from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew, chapters 5-7. In this class we will have the luxury of spending time with the scripture that is so fundamental to our faith. What is Jesus saying about the Kingdom of Heaven? What is Jesus saying about how we are to live?
Please join me for exploration and conversation, together on zoom!
Email me and I will send you the link and more information a few days ahead of time.
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Be together - 5 days a week, as well as Sundays.
Morning prayer twice-weekly, led by Paula+, and Compline three times per week, led by Jude+ and a team of lay leaders. Each service includes the traditional service, plus words from the leader, and explanations of the readings. They are prayerful and quiet, a far cry from the turmoil of the world, and medicine to help us heal and be comforted and inspired.
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Watch Our Services Live via Facebook
You do not need to have a Facebook page to view our content. Just click here to view our page. If you don't have a facebook account, or have forgotten how to log into it, just ignore any prompts to log in etc. The page should be visible to anyone. Still having trouble? Email Susan Marshall, for help.
Weekly Worship - all via our Facebook page
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Sunday Readings, Music, Sermon, words from Paula+, and Spiritual Communion – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Worship bulletins are here.
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Morning Prayer - Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m.
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Compline (prayer for the evening) - Monday, Wednesday and Friday Evenings, 7:00 p.m.
Livestreams are also saved to our Facebook page, so you can watch again at any time if you miss one. Plus our sermons are also available as separate audio recordings here.
Other Offerings and Meetings
Zoom groups -
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The Bellringer
At the current time, our monthly newsletter is on hiatus, but we'd still love to hear from you. If you have any updates or items you would have submitted for publication in normal times, send them along to Susan and we will publish them in this enews instead!
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Do you need help of any kind?
Physical, Spiritual, Psychological, Material?
We are here to do our best to help you with whatever you may need. We know circumstances are difficult for many at this time. For help of any kind, or just for a Zoom or Facetime or phone call, please email or call Paula+ or Jude+ at any time.
If you are in a position to do so, (only if - no guilt), you may also donate to Paula+'s Discretionary Fund to help those at St. Francis in financial need. Send checks to 2200 Via Rosa, PVE 90274, made out to St. Francis Church, with 'Rector's Discretionary Fund' in the memo line. Thank you!
Email Jude+, 310- 701-5966. |
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View or download our bulletins - bulletins will be posted in time for livestreaming.
Sunday's Sermon
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Contacts:
Jude+, 310-375 4617 x225.
You are not interrupting our work - you ARE our work!
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