ON-GOING ACTIVITIES AT ST. BEN’S
ABUNDANCE SHOP– Thrift shop at 2025 9th St. (If you would like to volunteer, please contact them at (805) 528-1370)
COMMUNITY DINNER – Providing and serving food at SBCC, on 1st Thursday of odd-numbered months, in conjunction with Los Osos Cares.
EARTHCARE – Zoom 3rd Wednesdays 3pm. Discussion/action group seeking spiritual and practical solutions to environmental concerns. MEN’S GROUP – Morning social gathering, 3rd Saturdays – 9am at Celia’s Garden Cafe.
HEALING SERVICE – FACEBOOK – A time for prayers for healing at the 10:30 service on 5th Sundays.
HOLLISTER INSTITUTE – Opportunities for stimulating discussion and thoughtful exploration on Tuesdays at 10:15am on Zoom. “The Book of Joy” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama starts Nov 30.
LAUNDRY LOVE – Helping low-income families with funds, soap, and friendly assistance at Osos Clean Laundry. 4-6pm on last Wednesdays
PEOPLE’S KITCHEN – Providing and serving lunch at 40 Prado, 1st Saturday of even-numbered months
VESPERS AND CONVERSATION – Zoom – 5:30 pm Tuesdays
VESTRY / PARISH COUNCIL – ZOOM – 3rd Sundays at 12:30pm.
- The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall, Rector
- Stef Shuman, Sr. Warden
- Jane Wu, Jr. Warden
- Lisa Gonzalez, Treasurer,
- Lorienne Schwenk, Clerk
- Esta Kandarian,
- Alan Kiste,
- Benjamin Nucum
- Helen Schnieders
- Barbara Schippers
- Maureen Titus
Bidding Book Prayers – If you’d like to request prayers for someone and have their names read out during the online worship services on Sunday, please submit their names to stefshuman@sbcglobal.net during the week (by Friday).
We are grateful for God’s financial providence and blessing. Thank you for making your offerings by mail to our PO Box, or on-line.
Week of December 19th, 2021
Sunday, Dec 19
8:00 am – Contemplative Eucharist service (also on Zoom)
9:20 am – Bible Study
10:30 am – Eucharist service – (also live-streamed on FB)
3:00 pm – Celebration of Carols Christmas Concert (also on FB)
Monday, Dec 20 RECTOR’S SABBATH
Tuesday, Dec 21
9:45 am – Prayers for the Morning (Zoom)
10:15 am – Spiritual Conversation: “The Book of Joy” (Zoom)
5:30 pm – Blue Christmas Service, in person at the church
Wednesday, Dec 22
5:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, Dec 23
3:00 pm – Advent Study: “All the Earth is Waiting” (In-person and on Zoom)
Friday, Dec 24
4:30 pm – Carols Around the Crèche Communion Service
7:45 pm – Christmas Carol Sing
8:00 pm – Festival Eucharist Service
Saturday, Dec 25
10:00 am – Christmas Eucharist, followed by light brunch
Sunday, Dec 26
8:00 am – Contemplative Eucharist service (also on Zoom)
9:20 am – Bible Study
10:30 am – Service of Lessons and Carols – (also live-streamed on FB)
CHRISTMASTIDE
Blue Christmas —Tuesday, Dec 21
5:30 pm — It’s not an easy time of year for everyone. If the holiday season brings up memories of the past, of loved ones lost, or if there are reasons why this year is not especially bright, please join us for a short simple service which acknowledges that Christmas can be a difficult time.
Christmas Eve Services – Friday, Dec 24
4:30 pm — Carols Around the Crèche: A service for a all the family with well-known carols, a short reflection on the readings, and communion.
8:00 pm — Festival Christmas Eucharist: Enjoy the magic of Christmas carols, readings and the mystery of Holy Communion. (Carol singing starts at 7:45)
Christmas Day Celebration – Saturday, Dec 25
10:00 am — A Quiet Communion service with some a capella carols. Followed by a light brunch for those who can stay.
Star Party! — Wednesday, Jan 5
6:00 pm — Our traditional Twelfth Night/Epiphany party will happen in person on January 5th 2022. We will sing together, crown Kings and Queens of Epiphany, undress the church, share a small fire to burn tokens of our Christmas decorations and bless the church for the New Year. We will also be having a Star Party Feast! (To minimize possible viral transmission, we will not serve ourselves, rather food will be served onto a plate for each person individually.) If you would like to bring food for the after party, please wear a face-covering when you are preparing a dish to bring for the feast.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
AN URGENT APPEAL FROM Episcopal Relief and Development – The tornadoes that swept a 200-mile trail of destruction across the Central and Southern US were the most powerful we’ve seen in at least a decade. We need our faith community to come together to support those affected by this catastrophic event — and right now, whatever you give will automatically double as part of our 2021 Year-End Match. Please, will you donate to our US Disaster Fund today to help us both provide immediate and long-term assistance? Your gift will help provide immediate help from food to blankets to pastoral care — bringing relief and comfort to those in the wake of catastrophic storms. Thank you in advance for your compassion, and for praying for those affected by the tornadoes. https://support.episcopalrelief.org/disasters
POINSETTIAS – December 19 is the last day to honor a loved one by contributing for Christmas poinsettias. Please use the envelopes at the usher’s station to indicate the exact wording of your dedication for inclusion in the Christmas bulletins (as in memory, thanksgiving, or honor.) Please print clearly. Suggested contribution is $10 each. Place envelope in offering plate.
CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK:
— Birthdays —
Dec 19 – Kate Maruska
Dec 19 – Carol Brubaker Walton
Dec 20 – Donna Ross
Dec 25 – Jim Malone
LAUNDRY LOVE – One day a month St. Benedict’s helps low-income and no-income families with funds, soap, and friendly assistance at the Osos Clean Laundry. Please consider stopping by on Wednesday, December 29, at 11am or 4pm to help out, or you may wish to make a contribution to cover expenses. Maureen has details.
COMING IN JANUARY:
- Epiphany Star Party – Wednesday, January 5 – 6:30pm
- Los Osos Community Dinner at SBCC– Thursday, January 5 – 5pm
- Memorial Svc for Larry Swafford – Saturday, January 15 – 3pm
- Annual Parish Meeting – Sunday, January 23 – 12:00pm
- Tree-planting workday – Saturday, January 29th
- Beginning in January, there will no longer be an 8am service on the first Sunday of the month
TUESDAY SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION
Our current Tuesday morning spiritual conversation is be based on The Book of Joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. This conversation is open to anyone and everyone whether or not you read the book. On-line via Zoom on Tuesdays at 10:15am. A service of Prayers for the Morning is also available on Tuesdays, starting at 9:45.
ADVENT STUDY GROUP Advent is a special time of preparation; preparing our inner selves for the coming of the Christ. To help us do that, we will have an online Advent study group on Thursdays at 3pm. The meetings will include time for prayer and silence as well as conversation based on All Earth is Waiting – Good News for God’s Creation at Advent by Katie Z. Dawson. We will explore the familiar Advent themes of hope, preparation, joy, and peace with the heavens and earth in mind and consider how all creation longs for the coming of Christ, taking seriously the notion that the good news of Christ is good news for all the world. Sessions will last no more than 90 minutes and will be in-person at the church and also available on Zoom Dec 2 through Jan 6 (skipping Dec 30). A few books are available at the church or from https://www.cokesbury.com/All-Earth-Is-Waiting.
RDF – On the last Sunday of each month, the loose cash in the plate offering is designated to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, to help those in the parish or the wider community in need of emergency assistance. Or you may write checks to St Ben’s with “RDF” in the memo line. Thank you for your generosity!
2022 PLEDGE CARDS – Please turn in your pledge card, if you have not already done so. It is important for us to get an estimate of income for 2022 so we can budget for the fullest ministry possible. Extra blank cards are available at the ushers’ station.
VESPERS Consider coming on Tuesdays at 5:30 for some mid-week fellowship. This short service includes time for bible reflection and sharing together. It is a good way to build relationships and deepen community. If you come in person, please consider staying afterwards for a glass of wine or other beverage. You can also participate in Vespers via Zoom. You will be able to see and hear the participants in the church as well as others joining via Zoom and those in the church will be able to see and hear you as well. Everyone is welcome.
PERSONAL PRAYER – A member of the Healing Prayer Ministry team is available each week after the 10:30 service to pray with you for special concerns. If you’d like this prayer support during the week, contact Louisa Beeler at (805) 543-2898 If no answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned.
BIDDING BOOK PRAYERS – If you’d like to request prayers for someone to have their names read out during the worship services on Sunday, please write them in the bidding book on the stand by the usher’s station as you come into church.
PRAYER CHAIN – Also, remember that you may send your prayer requests to the prayer chain at: prayers@stbenslososos.org This is a group of individuals dedicated to intercessory prayers, who upon receiving your email will pray for your concerns.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY – Sunday Morning Bible Study is held each week between the two morning services starting at 9:20 in the classroom. Lisa Gonzalez and Lorienne Schwenk will be leading the discussion.
COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UPS – Sign-up on the sheet posted in the kitchen if you would like to host coffee hour on a specific Sunday. If no one signs up there will not be coffee hour on that day.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS – Jay will be in the church office on:
Tuesdays 3-6pm; Thursdays 10am-1pm; Saturdays 10am-1pm
NAME TAGS – We are asking everyone to wear a name tag. Please check the name tag board by the door for yours. If you don’t have one, or if an old one has become too shabby, please ask Stef to make one for you. (Or just tell the ushers). In the meantime, you can fill out an adhesive tag for the day.
DONATIONS – Collection plates are not passed during the service, but you may put your contributions in the plate by the usher’s station before the service, or contribute on-line at: https://www.StBensLosOsos.org/support-us/ or by mail to our PO Box. Thank you for your offerings! We are grateful for God’s financial providence and blessing.
ST. BENEDICT’S CONNECTIONS – Please do not hesitate to reach out to each other to stay in contact, and feel free to contact Caro+ at 805-704-5826 or caro@stbenslososos.org She loves to hear from you. In an emergency, texts are best.
IN-PERSON SERVICE AT ST. BENEDICT’S – To help lessen the chance of spreading Covid – or Flu or colds – please observe the following behaviors when worshipping at St. Ben’s. Thank you.
- Masks are required at all times inside the church, except when putting the communion bread into your mouth, or when reading the lessons or making announcements from the lectern.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
- Maintain safe social distancing – spread out in the pew to maximize space both from side to side and before/behind.
- When coming forward for communion, spread out the circle to keep from standing too closely together.
- During communion the consecrated bread will be dropped into your palm for you to consume. The consecrated wine will be held before you to receive by sight alone.
- No physical contact with people outside of your family unit.
- We will only have coffee hour if someone signs up in the kitchen in advance and agrees to follow the diocesan food service guidelines posted there.
10:30 Ministers of the Service Dec 19
Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall
Eucharistic Minister: Lisa Gonzalez
Lector: John Horsley
Piano: David Alm
Ushers: Ron Thompson & Sandy Fisher
Altar Guild: Diana Hammerlund
Flowers: Laura Thompson
Prayer Team: Louisa Beeler
Tellers: Stef Shuman & Alice Welchert
Online Host: Elaine Beckham
HOW TO FIND OUR SERVICES
Our 8am and 10:30 am services each Sunday are Eucharist services, held indoors at the church for anyone wishing to attend in person. Masks are required, and we will continue to ask people to maintain social distancing by having no more than three people per pew. Communion will be distributed in bread only. Wine will be received by sight.
The 8:00 am service will also be available on Zoom.
The 10:30 am service will also be live-streamed for those who watch remotely — either on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stbenslososos/ or through our website at http://www.stbenslososos.org/facebook-including-live-stream/
Service leaflets for both services are available under the Worship tab on our website: https://www.stbenslososos.org/category/service-bulletin/
Unless otherwise stated, our meetings happen on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7977776046?pwd=VUFZSXY3UVpNVitJaDl2VmhPS3E2UT09 Passcode is: 93402