Advent Quiet Day has been canceled

This year’s quiet day, scheduled for December 9, will be postponed to the Lenten Season. I apologize for the late notice, and for those who were simply looking for a quiet place to reflect, please know that we are always ready to open the church or chapel for you during our office hours.

From Vestry Meeting to Variety Show

At our October Vestry meeting, I was talking about how stewardship is a year-round endeavor, not just something we do in the Fall; what we do in the fall is fundraising, which is part of stewardship, but certainly not the whole of it. For the rest of this program year, I hope that we as a congregation can bring our joy to Christ, that is, whatever it is that brings us joy and makes us feel most like ourselves. I spoke about the feeding of the multitude in John’s Gospel, wherein the little boy brings his five loaves and two fish to Andrew, who then takes them to Jesus. We often look at what we have and say to ourselves, “What can anyone possibly do with this?” And we end up depriving ourselves and others of the joy we might have brought into the world.

As I was speaking I said that even if what you have to give to Jesus is your ability to solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute, he will find a way to use it to further the kingdom. From across the room Ed Heinz said, “Well hold on there boss, I have an idea. What if we have a telethon, like the Jerry Lewis telethon, or what they used to do for PBS? Then your Rubik’s Cube person could show their talent to the world. We could have a cart of deals like they did in the old days—Gloria Jones could wheel out items from the Rummage sale and we could auction them off.” Ed was on a roll, and he was excited. He said, “Let’s have a telethon, a variety and talent show where people can share their joy with the congregation.” I wasn’t going to stand in his way. He was animated, determined, and joyous.

Ed took his idea and ran with it. In less than 50 days he put together an incredible show: a talent and variety show that showcased the talents of our parishioners and raised over $1,500 dollars for St. Luke’s feeding ministries and St. Francis’ programming and outreach. It was a remarkable night, with over 60 people in attendance in the church, and many watching online.

As we continue to grow together in Christ, let us ask ourselves what it is that brings us joy, and then bring those gifts to Jesus. It’s amazing how he uses them to further his kingdom.

—Fr. Jason

Father Jason's Week in Review

November 30: Printed wedding bulletins; prepared for wedding; pastoral calls; pastoral visit; went to wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

December 1: Celebrated the wedding of Josh and Danielle Fournier.

December 2: Sermon prep for Sunday; St. Francis Variety and Talent Show!

December 3: Sunday services; Advent Wreath making after the 10 o’clock service.

December 4: Met with Senior Warden; pastoral calls.

December 5: Gave a tour of the church/grounds to a prospective member; admin tasks.

December 6: Staff meeting; caught up on emails and admin tasks; pastoral phone call; pastoral visit and home communion; St. Anne’s Guild Christmas Auction.

🎶 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!

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