8:45 AM bulletin
(w/ traditional music)
11:00 AM bulletin
(w/ contemporary music)
READINGS FOR THIS WEEK
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Megan
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Diocese of Northern California,
Greetings on this Fifth Sunday in Lent. We are one week away from Palm Sunday, then onto Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Looking ahead to the Season of Eastertide, I invite you to join in our upcoming Fearless Faith Revival. On Saturday, April 27, we will gather at the beautiful campus of St. John’s Church in Roseville for an afternoon and evening of learning, sharing, fellowship, and worship.
My friends, as a people of faith, we are in need of revival. In a time of wars, political tensions, economic struggles, and destructive weather, we have been tested and tried. Jesus himself took time from the demands of his ministry to connect with his Father and recharge his spirits. This is our time to gather together, to worship, break bread, to pray, and to strengthen the bonds which make us a people of God.
The highlight of our Revival will be the Worship Service – featuring music, prayers, and preaching by our special guest, Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. This energetic, spirit-filled event will end with a call to prayer and service. You will not want to miss this.
The Fearless Faith Revival will bring friends and colleagues from around the Diocese, to hear from beloved speakers working in The Episcopal Church, and to recharge our batteries. It will bring us closer to what God calls us to do in the church. We will be planting love, harvesting hope, and walking away with a Fearless Faith, ready to share the love and passion for our Lord Jesus Christ with our communities.
In addition, we are hosting workshops taught by leaders from around the country on creation care, evangelism, racial reconciliation, community involvement, and meeting the needs of different generations of faith seekers.
The Revival Festival will feature ministry partners, exhibitors, vendors, and popular local food trucks. We will have prayer stations, contemplative spaces, and an outdoor labyrinth where you can walk prayerfully. And there will be a special area for kid-friendly activities. All activities at the Revival will be free.
As you know, our Diocese gathers in person each fall for our annual convention. An important part of convention is the opportunity to join in lunch, or occasionally, a special dinner for delegates and clergy. This year, however, our convention will be held entirely online. As a result, the Fearless Faith Revival will be the only day we will gather in person as a diocese.
My friends, hosting this revival is a huge undertaking of dedicated staff and volunteers from the entire diocese. It requires a significant investment of time and money. While much of the funds have been allocated by the Board of Trustees, there is still a need to defray the costs. One way that we hope to defray these expenses is a special dinner on the eve of the Revival.
On Friday, April 26, we will host a “Fearless Feast” fundraising dinner at Trinity Cathedral, featuring locally sourced foods and beverages. This event will provide a unique opportunity to meet and mingle with leaders from the across the country. I realize the cost to attend may be a burden for many, but all may gather to eat together at the Revival Festival the next day. If you cannot join us for the Fearless Feast, please consider making a gift to help underwrite this milestone event.
I believe that God has brought us as a diocese to this moment and that God is now calling us to an experience of His Renewal as a community. I urge you to send as many congregants as you can to join with me in responding to God’s action among us. We will find our thinking deepened in the workshops, our fellowship revived, and spirits warmed and encouraged. I am convinced that it is only from that place of praise and presence that we can begin to move outward to a whole community engagement to spread the Good News.
Bishop Megan
Please join Deacon Beth for a time of quiet and reflection followed by Compline on Fridays during Lent.
February 16th through March 23rd from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm in the church.
Book: Strength for the Journey: A Guide to Spiritual Practice, by Renée Miller (Morehouse Publishing, New York) Available in paperback (new and used from $1.99 online) and Kindle
You may want to keep a journal. Other resources will be shared during the class.
Class leaders: The Rev. Mack Olson, The Rev. Carol Luther, The Rev. Cn. Julie Wakelee, The Rev. Beth Gaines
Dates: 5 Thursday evenings: February 22, February 29, March 7, March 14, March 21. Time: 7-8 pm
On Zoom
Please register for this free course here: https://form.jotform.com/240366571427155
Meetings will include a mix of conversation and application (aka different prayer modes).
Please email Deacon Beth if you have any questions.
6 pm in the Parish Hall
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will. . . but how? With God’s help. And with some practical guidance.
Join Rev. Annie in this 6 week course that will equip you to share the good news authentically, naturally, and without the “join or burn” rhetoric that many of us think of. We’ll gather for soup, bread, salad, and conversation, then transition into the material that incudes short video clips, large and small group discussions, and activities. Gatherings begin at 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall.
Thursday, Feb. 29 – Session 1: Introduction to Embracing Evangelism
Thursday, Mar. 7 – Session 2: Seek, Name, Celebrate
Thursday, Mar. 14 – Session 3: The Great Story and Your Story
Thursday, Mar. 14 – Session 4: The Stories of Others
Thursday, Mar. 21 – Session 5: Invite Everyone to More
Thursday, Mar. 28 – No Class – Holy Week
Thursday, Apr. 4 – Session 6: Go! Discernment and What’s Next
Folks who complete all 6 sessions will receive St. Paul’s swag with our NEW logo, coming soon!
The Flower Guild needs your help!
Volunteers would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Carol Smiglewski at 707-631-2447 or molliesmoke2000@yahoo.com if you are interested in arranging flowers 1 time each month.
Thank you!
Plastic Egg & Candy Donations
We are looking for volunteers to help with our annual Easter egg hunt. Do you have time to help?
If so, we’re accepting donations of small/standard sized Easter eggs, filled with candy. (No peanuts, please.
Bring an appetizer & your choice of beverage to share. Mary & Gene Ekenstam are the hosts this month.
Saturday, March 23: Fiestas Primavera in Benicia
10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
City Park by the Gazebo
As an alternative to the harmful “La Migra” prank that often happens in our town, Solano Aids Coalition is offering a spring time event that celebrates Latino culture. They are bringing a vibrant and energetic opportunity to learn about and celebrate the Mexican/Latino and Indigenous cultures through an inclusive and interactive event called Fiestas Primavera Benicia or Spring Celebration. This event is supported by local and State officials, the Benicia School District, the Benicia Police Department, the Public Library, Benicia Black Lives Matters, the Kyle Hyland Teen Center, local artists and businesses, and a host of others who want to establish an equitable and welcoming community. It will feature art by our very own Richard Padfield!
St. Paul’s is lending chairs to the event and is looking for someone with a truck to help deliver them. Please Email event liaison Sheri Leigh (sheri0617@gmail.com) if you’re available.
Prayer Vigil at St. Paul’s March 28 – 29
The Gethsemane Watch will begin in the church at 8 pm on Maundy Thursday March 28 and continue to 12 pm on Good Friday, March 29. Come spend this time in quiet and prayerful contemplation of the sacrifice that our Savior Jesus Christ has given to us.
The sign-up sheet is located in the Parish Hall and will be there through our service on March 24. Or you may call the church office at (707) 745-0307 or email admin@stpaulsbenicia.org to have your name added to the schedule.
Join the crew that coordinates hospitality, feeds, and caffeinates our congregation after worship! Coordinators assist in set-up, clean-up, and showing the ropes to folks who sign up. With enough volunteers, this can be a 1x/month ministry right before or after the service you attend. Interested? E-mail: admin@stpaulsbenicia.org
Party of Parties
Native Garden Tour 1 & 2 (4/14/24); $20/pp
Hike & Bike (5/18/24); $10/pp (free for under age 18)
Sip and Paint (6/8/24); $50/pp
First Street Scavenger Hunt (9/7/24); $25/team
To sign up for a party, contact the church office at (707) 745-0307 or admin@stpaulsbenicia.org.
Dignity Day: April 13, 2024
SAVE the date! Dignity Day is coming up in April. If anyone is interested in participating as a volunteer Ambassador at the event, please let me know via email at deacon@stpaulsbenicia.org
Peddlers Fair Office Help Needed.
Can you spend a couple of morning hours per week helping out at the Peddlers Fair Office? Our office hours are currently Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 to Noon. If you can fit one or both days into your schedule, we would really appreciate your assistance. Talk to Gerri McGregor or Jim Brown at church, call us at (707)745-8680, or email us info@beniciapeddlersfair.org
Easter Season Display
Community Meal
Volunteer Online Signups
If you would like to volunteer to help at the Community Meal on Mondays or Wednesdays, see the link below for the 2024 sign up sheet. Please note that we need only one volunteer each day.
Plastic Grocery Bags Needed for the Community Meal
It’s time to replenish the supply of plastic grocery bags used for the to-go meals on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please bring them to church on Sundays or drop them off on the bench near the parish hall during the week.
None of these changes will affect how our parishioners access the video. That process remains completely unchanged- Log in to Facebook and search for “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.” Once you’re on our page, scroll down the timeline and a link will be posted just prior to the beginning of the service. We’ll also provide a direct link to our YouTube channel, and technical support worksheets upon request.
Anyone having any difficulty, is welcome to contact our Communications Coordinator, Eric Foster at communications@stpaulsbenicia.org
Morning Prayer Weekdays at 9 a.m. in Church and on Zoom
Join Zoom meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89062643237?pwd=YzFxOU43dDJ0TThnM0VCZkY0REMxUT09
Meeting ID: 890 6264 3237
Passcode: 355908
One tap mobile +16699009128,,89062643237#,,,,*355908# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 890 6264 3237
The deadline for submitting announcements is Wednesday at noon.
Please e-mail information to: admin@stpaulsbenicia.org
Office phone: (707) 745-0307