Announcements for Sunday, October 29, 2023

10/29/23 Online Announcements

 

8:45 am Bulletin Link

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:952030dc-3a4e-441e-99a2-99eacdf0f421

 

11 am Bulletin Link

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:991e6b09-ce6b-4833-b4cd-1febeae85c2a

  

Readings for Pentecost 22

Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18
Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46

 

Upcoming

 

 10/29 – Pentecost 22 / Day of the Dead

+Communion Service @ 8:45 am

+Communion Service @ @ 11 am service

Coffee Hours after services

 

10/30-11/3

+Morning Prayer @ 9 am

 

11/1

+Eucharist @ 10 am

Bible Study @ 11 am

 

11/2

Coffee with the Rector at Benicia Coffee Roasting 7:30-8:30 am

 

11/5 – All Saints’ Day–one service only

+Communion Service @ 10 am

Coffee Hours after service

Blessing of the oak tree @ 2 pm  

  

Day of the Dead Services This Sunday

Our celebration of Dia de los Muertos is upon us.  On Sunday we will remember those who went before us, those who inspired us, those who have made a difference in our lives, in our country, and in the world.  It is a day to remember that while death is inevitable, life is precious, and not to be wasted.  You may bring photos of your loved ones (including your pets) to be displayed in church.

The decorations in the sanctuary and outside are intended to give us some sense of how the Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico—with lots of flowers and sugar skulls.  At our historical Ofrenda you will see pictures of some of the people who made a difference at St. Paul’s, going back to its founders in the mid -19th century.  Our pet Ofrenda helps honor the pets we have loved and lost. 

On the altar cloth you will recognize the names of members of our congregation as well as grandparents, aunts and uncles, prophets and politicians, victims of violence and environmental calamities.  Each name has a story to tell.  They are part of what our Book of Common Prayer calls the whole family of God, the communion of saints both living and dead. 

See if you can find the small soccer ball near the middle of the altar cloth.  It dots the “I” of Kaeli DeWeese who was a fantastic soccer player.  Her mother founded the DeWeese Youth Legacy Fund to support youth ministries at St. Paul’s in her honor.  See if you can find the names of Jim and Grace Kurtz, Jackie Brien, Kay Mortlock, Rev. John Bogart, Sherman and Mary Johnson, or Walt and Virginia Vater—the names go on and on. 

Remember their legacies to us—their laughter, insights, and faith.  We have been so lucky to have shared in their lives.  In their honor let’s continue our support for St. Paul’s and its many ministries to our community. 

—Barbara Jewell

 

One Service Only at 10 am on Sunday, Nov. 5

In-gathering of 2024 pledge cards

Celebratory coffee hour

 

 Party of Parties Sign-ups

To sign up for any of the parties, contact the church office at (707) 745-0307 or admin@stpaulsbenicia.org. Note the November parties still have spaces available.

◻Breakfast at the Opera (1/27/24)

◻Domaine Carneros Champagne Tasting (1/13/24)

◻First Street Scavenger Hunt (9/7/24)

◻Family Game Night (1/20/24)

◻Hike & Bike (5/18/24)

◻How the Grinch Stole Christmas Party (11/26/23)

◻Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (3/9/24)

◻Native Garden Tour 1 & 2 (4/14/24)

◻Rustic Wood Mountain Scene Crafting Afternoon (11/5/23—note date change)

◻At Your Convenience Scavenger Tour in Benicia and Vallejo (2/1/24)

◻Sip and Paint (6/8/24)

Zampa Bridge 20th Anniversary Celebration (11/4/23) 

 

Benicia Community Action Council Fundraiser Nov. 4

Sharpening Fundraiser to Support Benicia’s Senior Meal Service

On November 4, 2023, the Benicia Community Action Council will be hosting a pre-Thanksgiving sharpening fundraiser to support its Senior Meal Service program. 100% of the day’s proceeds will go to support the Benicia CAC Senior Meal Service program. BCAC, like many other charitable organizations, has experienced severe reductions in its annual funding sources, and is now looking to redouble its fundraising efforts. Golden State Sharpening will be sharpening from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. People are asked to drop off in front of Benicia CAC located at 480 Military East.

Sharpening services will include cutlery, manual garden tools, as well as household, fabric, and utility scissors.

The Benicia CAC was established in 1967. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, run purely by volunteers and donations. Its Senior Meal Service program provides home-delivered hot, fresh, and nutritionally balanced meals to low-income elderly, disabled and homebound seniors. These deliveries are made Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Additionally, the Benicia CAC Food Pantry distributes fresh produce, and basic food staples, such as pasta, tomato sauce, rice, cereal and oatmeal. Nutritional information and easy to prepare recipes are also included with the deliveries . The Food Pantry provides emergency food allocations to homeless persons in Benicia as well. 

 

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Needs Our Help!   

Food insecurity is rampant in Contra Costa and Solano counties.  Where the Food Bank used to be the safety net for 1 in 8 people, it is now the safety net for 1 in 4 people. The high cost of living in the Bay Area, including the ever increasing cost of food, means a large part of our community often has to choose between paying rent and eating.  It’s not a choice any of us would like to make. 

To donate, go to foodbankccs.org and follow the prompts to the donate button.  Our community meal, which gets food from the Food Bank, will appreciate your help. 

—Barbara Jewell