ON-GOING ACTIVITIES AT ST. BEN’S
ABUNDANCE SHOP– Thrift shop at 2025 9th St. COMMUNITY DINNER – Providing and serving food at SBCC, on 1st Thursday of odd-numbered months, in conjunction with Los Osos Cares. EARTHCARE – ZOOM – 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 2:30pm. Discussion/action group seeking spiritual and practical solutions to environmental concerns. HEALING SERVICE – FACEBOOK – A time for prayers for healing at the 10:30 service on 5th Sundays HOLLISTER INSTITUTE – ZOOM –Opportunities for stimulating discussion and thoughtful exploration. Currently: “Streams of Living Water” book discussion Tuesdays at 10:15; and Bible Study of Romans Thursdays at 11am LAUNDRY LOVE – Helping low-income families with funds, soap, and friendly assistance at Osos Clean Laundry. 3-7pm on last Wednesdays PEOPLE’S KITCHEN – Providing and serving lunch at 40 Prado, 1st Saturday of even-numbered months SATURDAY EUCHARIST – ZOOM –Evening Eucharist on 2nd Saturdays at 5:30pm 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 Diana Hammerlund, Esta Kandarian, Alan Kiste, and Michael Lucas
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).
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
- Dec 16 Jane Wu
- Dec 19 Kate Maruska
- Dec 19 Carol Brubaker Walton
- Dec 20 Donna Ross
ANNIVERSARIES Dec 17 Sarah and David Chesebro
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 https://www.StBensLosOsos.org/support-us/
St.Benedict’s Connections – Please stay in touch with your St. Benedict’s cloister, and do not hesitate to contact Caro+ at 805-704-5826 caro@stbenslososos.org. She loves to hear from you. In an emergency, texts are best.
This Week at St. Benedict’s
- Sunday Dec 13
- 8:00 am Worship on Zoom
- Monday, Dec 14 RECTOR’S SABBATH
- Tuesday, Dec 15 (all Zoom)
- 9:45 am – Prayers for the Morning
- 10:30 am – Hollister Institute: Light of the World
- 5:30 pm – Vespers
- Wednesday, Dec 16
- 2:30 Earthcare
- Thursday, Dec 17
- 11am Bible Study Zoom
- Saturday, Dec 19
- 5:30pm Blue Christmas FaceBook
- Sunday Dec 20
ANGELS AND MORTALS GAME STARTS MONDAY This is an opportunity to focus on one other person in prayer and in Christmas fun. It’s like Secret Santa. How to Play?
- Sign up to be an angel/mortal by emailing gabriel@stbenslososos.org.
- You will be given the name of another church member who will be your mortal.
- As that person’s angel you get to (a) pray for them and (b) do nice things/ send them nice things between Dec 14 and Dec 24. Nice things might include; leaving a cupcake on their doorstep (but make sure you aren’t seen) having a neighbor leave some flowers on their doorstep: sending a card using the church’s return address, not yours; having someone call them and read them a poem/sing them a song; posting something on their Facebook page or sending them a special email. It’s difficult to be anonymous in email or on Facebook so we have enrolled Gabriel as our helper. If you send an email to Gabriel@stbenslososos.org,Gabriel will send your email (you provide the text) or post something you provide (maybe a photo or a joke) to Facebook or will send a text on your behalf.
- Please also send them a Christmas card by mail, revealing your name as their angel, timed to arrive on Dec 24. You can put “From Gabriel” above the return address so they know not to open it before Christmas Day when mortals will find out who their angel was!!
- Christmas Services
- Dec 19 – Blue Christmas Service 530pm 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 for many of us (FaceBook)
- Dec 20 – Christmas Lessons and Carols 3pm This simple service follows the Christmas story through the words of the Bible, combined with hymns and Christmas music to lift your spirits and put you in the holiday mood. (FaceBook)
- Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Service 800pm What could be better on Christmas Eve than a warm church decorated with candles, flowers and greenery and all your favorite carols in a joyful service of praise to God? Make this part of your family tradition, and join us on Facebook to celebrate the birth of the Christ child.
- Dec 25 – Christmas Day Service 10am A joyful beginning to your Christmas Day. Celebrate the coming of Jesus in a communion service held safely and socially distanced in the church parking lot, weather permitting. Please wear a mask.
POINSETTIAS DEDICATIONS – If you would like to honor a loved one by contributing towards the cost of Christmas poinsettias, please email stefshuman@sbcglobal.net with the names and wording of your dedication (as in memory, thanksgiving, or honor) and send a donation to the church, marked “poinsettias.” Names will be printed in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship bulletins. Suggested contribution is $10 each.
NOMINATIONS FOR PARISH COUNCIL and DELEGATES TO CONVENTION St. Ben’s Nominating Committee is seeking people to serve on the Parish Council (three 3-year terms and one 1-year term) and as Delegates to Diocesan Convention (3 delegates and 1 alternate). If you are interested in serving, or learning more about what it would mean, please speak to Michael Lucas, Lorienne Schwenk, or Diana Hammerlund.
Personal Prayer – A member of the Healing Prayer Ministry team is available each week to pray with you for special concerns. If you’d like this prayer support this week, contact Jill Denton at 805-704-1364. If no answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned.
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- Looking Ahead
- Jan 3 – Star Party 3pm Drive-in event in the parking lot
- Jan 31 – Annual Meeting
OPERATING FUND INCOME November Income: $ 4,575.35 November Budget: $14,233.34 November Shortfall: ($ 9,657.99) YTD Income: $182,142.01 (includes $21K PPP Federal Grant) YTD Budget: $156,566.74 YTD Surplus: $ 25,575.27
Be well, be safe, and stay in touch.