St Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

Amid the dread of change and the hope of change - God is there.

"Things Fall Apart" - Sermon by The Rev. Nate Rugh Mark 13:24-37 - 1st Sunday of Advent - Graphic: AI image of autumn leaves on water

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.

Eduardo Kobra.2018. Chelsea Square, New York City.

In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
stir up your strength and come to help us.
Psalm 80:2

Keith Haring and LAII. Statue of Liberty. 1982.

for you have hidden your face from us,
and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Isaiah 64:7

Titus Kaphar. Behind the Myth of Benevolence. 2014.

Sandro Botticelli. Birth of Venus (detail). 1484

starts tomorrow (Dec 3), an evolving online Advent calendar that grows word-by-word each day of the season. Ponder images for the the daily word - post your own, or search to contemplate on the images posted by people globally! We'll have ours here on Facebook & Instagram. Join us!

Jesus, like a parent, nudges us over and over again to do the "do" of love... feeding, clothing, welcoming, caring, visiting.

"C'mon Kids" - Sermon by The Rev. Katie Cadigan Matthew 25:31-46 - Last Sunday after Pentecost - Christ the King - Image: Mountain goats, Yellowstone National Park, photo by NPS/Diane Renkin

Welcome to our new Director of Music - Mike Raleigh - rehearsing here with the choir before the 10:30 service begins!

"Living in Hope" - Sermon by The Rev. Nate Rugh Matt 25:14-30 - 25th Sunday after Pentecost - Image: St. A's chapel

Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!

Most merciful God, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely given to us: for life and health and safety, for strength to work and leisure to rest, for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life; but above all we thank you for our spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The holiday lights are up in the courtyard - to brighten our Thanksgiving... then Advent... then Christmas!

Join us at the 10:30am service tomorrow (Sun 11/19) as we thank Lewis Johnson for his generous interim leadership of our music program. His passion for Slavic music meant our choir had the blessing of premiering anthems such as this beautiful Alleluia by Anton Viskov!

OFFERTORY ANTHEM – “Alliluya” by Anton Viskov OFFERTORY ANTHEM – “Alliluya” by Anton Viskov (world premiere) sung by Jessica Berns-Garner, soprano, and the St. Augustine Chamber SingersSunday, October 8t...

"You may know me as the pastor who is always talking about love, and I am. But today I am mindful that the urgency of love—true, sacrificial love that respects all of humanity—is not just a good feeling, and it is not easy..."

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on 10,000+ dead in Gaza: Stop the killing You may know me as the pastor who is always talking about love, and I am. But today I am mindful that the urgency of love—true, sacrificial love that respects all of humanity—is not just a good feeling, and it is not easy.

Tomorrow at church - A vital Truth Commission held by CLUE: Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice - all about the violence being perpetrated against hotel workers and migrants. RSVP to the link below. And spread the word!

Last Saturday, CLUE took to the streets of Santa Monica in support of migrant workers at the March for Migrants! Now, CLUE invites the community to a truth commission on violence against migrants and workers in Santa Monica hotels.

The commission will give the community the chance to hear workers and migrants share their struggles and experiences at struck hotels. RSVP: https://form.jotform.com/233097457628164

Event Details:
November 16 @ 5PM
St Augustine By-The-Sea Church
1227 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

An evening of gratitude for the women+ of St. A's - enjoying a meal and making Gratitude Jars where we can put a slip of paper each day with what we're thankful for. And jars to dip into on those difficult days when we may need a lift by reading one or two, or a whole slew!

"Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
-Matt 25:13

"Hello Sleepyheads" - Sermon by The Rev. Katie Cadigan Matthew 25:1-13 - 24th Sunday after Pentecost - Image: The Clever Bridesmaids, by He Qi

Sunday Service live:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQJoW0zcnSHtmNgZfYo-jw
Bulletin:https://www.saint-augustine.org/uploads/files/pentecost-24-sun-nov-12-2023-1030am-year-a-final_440.pdf
Online Giving:
https://augbysea.breezechms.com/give/online

St. Augustine by-the-Sea - YouTube Worship services and music from St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Santa Monica, California.

Is Jesus indigenous? Great question for Curio & Lee to chat about with the Rev Bradley Hauff, enrolled with the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Lakota) of Pine Ridge.

Our clergy and delegates - Laura, Lee & Martha - have been faithfully representing St A’s at Diocesan Convention in Riverside! And hearing inspiring words from wise leaders around the Episcopal Church and in our own backyard, like we heard from the Rev. Bradley Hauff, who is the Episcopal Church’s Missioner for Indigenous Ministries. And Dr. Lucy Jones spoke on the sacred necessity of combating climate change.

God bless the newlyweds - Juan & Rose!

Its cook night! Making dozens of meals for Home-y Made Meals who give them to folk who without homes. Bless the chefs and the lives of those receiving these yummy meals

Collecting toys for migrant children being bused with families into Los Angeles from Texas. Drop them off before the 10:30 service this morning - or on All Saints’ next Sunday.

Sunday Service live:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQJoW0zcnSHtmNgZfYo-jw
Bulletin:https://www.saint-augustine.org/uploads/files/pentecost-22-sun-oct-29-2023-1030-year-a-final_830.pdf
Online Giving:
https://augbysea.breezechms.com/give/online

St. Augustine by-the-Sea - YouTube Worship services and music from St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Santa Monica, California.

Blessed by Canon Melissa's visit on Sunday! Come back anytime!

In a world of division, what does the church have to offer? Listen to "The Grace of Community," sermon by guest preacher, the Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy, Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
https://www.saint-augustine.org/sermons/?sermon_id=921

Image: The Church in Auvers-sur-Oise, View from the Chevet - by Vincent van Gogh

Sunday Service live:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQJoW0zcnSHtmNgZfYo-jw
Bulletin:https://www.saint-augustine.org/uploads/files/pentecost-21-sun-oct-22-2023-1030-year-a-final_983.pdf
Online Giving:
https://augbysea.breezechms.com/give/online

St. Augustine by-the-Sea - YouTube Worship services and music from St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Santa Monica, California.

Concert by C3LA: Contemporary Choral Collective of Los Angeles in the courtyard this evening!

This week Rev. Katie joined church planters and innovators at the Episcopal Church's Genesis Gathering, where DeAmon Harges challenged everyone to give up looking at the world through a scarcity lens and start opening our eyes to seeing abundance and gifts in our midst.

The Anglican hospital in Gaza was just hit by air strikes - with over 500 patients & medical personnel killed/injured we join our voices with those across the Anglican Community and around the globe in prayer for the Holy Land -

God of Love, you created all people as one family and called us to live together in justice, harmony and peace.

Surround us with your love as we pray for the Holy Land. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer

God of Righteousness, who demands that our worldly governors take up their responsibility to protect those in their charge and uphold the dignity of all human beings, pour your wisdom into the leaders of this world.

For all who bear such responsibility, that they may put the good of the whole over their own greed for power, Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.


God of Compassion, who even in the darkest times, shows us your path: we give you thanks for all those who in the face of crisis wrought by evil-doers, work to help the helpless, to hold out hope to the desolate, to speak for the voiceless and to bring understanding and knowledge to a world darkened by ignorance and hate.

For our siblings who risk much to aid others, that their actions may be successful and their words may be heard, Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

God of Mercy, who binds up the wounds of those who suffer, bless the victims of the consequences of fear and hate in the last week and over the past 75 years of conflict in the Holy Land: those injured and traumatized, those bereaved and grieving, those held as captives and prisoners, those who face deprivation and desperation because of systems of violence and oppression, so that they may move forward in this life standing firm in your truth and avoiding the temptation of vengeance.

For all whose lives are forever marked by suffering, that they may be blessed with the hope of your presence, Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.
God of Life, whose faithfulness to us in never-ending, we remember before you those who have died by the violence that has become shockingly routine in your Holy Land; receive them into your heart where they may know the peace and joy of eternal life in you.

For all who have died, that they may rest in that place where pain is no more, Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

God of Justice, who calls us to uphold the dignity of every human being, every child of this earth, beloved of you: empower your Church to help you heal this terrible cycle of violence and revenge; give us courage to rise above our fear that nothing can be done in the face of the conflict and chaos of our own creating; grant us the conviction to advocate for change and to work for the establishment of your peace, your shalom, your salaam, in this broken world.

For your dream of justice and peace on earth, and for us, that we may take up your call to build it, Lord, in your mercy,
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

All this we pray in the name of the One who offered his life so that we might live, Jesus the Christ. AMEN.

What are we to do in a time like this?

"Eyes Open" - Sermon by The Rev. Nate Rugh Isaiah 25:1-9 - Philippians 4:1-9 - 20th Sunday after Pentecost - Photo: Great Jesus Window in St. A's sanctuary

How are we responding to God's gift of love?

"Sacred Responsibility" - Sermon by The Rev. Katie Cadigan Matthew 21:33-46 - 19th Sunday after Pentecost - Photo: Tom Van Dyck

“We unequivocally condemn any acts that target civilians, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or faith. We implore political leaders and authorities to engage in sincere dialogue, seeking lasting solutions that promote justice, peace and reconciliation for the people of this land, who have endured the burdens of conflict for far too long.”

St. A's joins the global chorus of prayer for the cessation of violence bringing harm to both Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and for the immediate release of hostages. We pray for the safety of the people of Israel and Gaza, holding dear all whose loved ones have been killed or captured.

Christian leaders call for end to violence after Hamas’ attack ignites new war with Israel [Episcopal News Service] Episcopal and Anglican leaders are amplifying global prayers for peace after the militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel over the weekend, taking an estim…

On this Indigenous People's Day, we especially remember and honor the Indigenous people of the world, especially the Gabrielino-Tongva tribe whose land that we now occupy in this region was once their home, and it was taken from them. We give thanks for them and express our gratitude for their witness on how to live a life that is honorable and humble. May we always remember that the Earth does not belong to us; that we belong to the Earth, and that we are all relatives in life. Help us to learn from our past mistakes and be instruments of justice and peace for all people in today’s world, particularly the original Indigenous inhabitants.

Image: View from the City of Santa Monica's Tongva Park to the ocean

Sunday Servicelive:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQJoW0zcnSHtmNgZfYo-jw
Bulletin:https://www.saint-augustine.org/uploads/files/pentecost-19-sun-oct-8-2023-1030-year-a-final_67.pdf
Online Giving:
https://augbysea.breezechms.com/give/online

St. Augustine by-the-Sea - YouTube Worship services and music from St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Santa Monica, California.

This week in campus construction: demolition of the floor for the new bathrooms, making way for plumbing, electrical and ultimately new flooring!

"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."
(Philippians 2:1-2)

"Companionship" - Sermon by The Rev. Katie Cadigan Philippians 2:1-13 - 18th Sunday after Pentecost - Feast of St. Francis - Image: from St. A's Blessing of the Animals 2023