Prayer Cycle for the Week of May 24, 2026

Day of Pentecost:  Whitsunday

The Collect:

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.- BCP

 Jackson Kemper, Bishop and Missionary, 1870

The below names, "LFF" are celebrations from "Lesser Feasts and Fasts", online 2025. Holy Days are in the Book of Common Prayer.  https://www.episcopalchurch.org/wpcontent/uploads/2025/03/lesser_feasts_and_fasts_-_2024__final_.pdf

Prayers and Gratitude for the Parish

David, Isabel, Gary, Judy, Matthew, Chris, Pam, Ray, Kay, Jane, Daphne, Kissa, Paul, Carolyn, Charlotte, Stephen, Harrison, Bill, Gregory, Marjie, Judy, Tim, Tasha, Rodney, Gloria, Helen, Fran, Milinda, and Don.  We pray for the health of the downstream wetlands of Woodard Creek.  

 Prayers for Friends of St. Benedict

Nancy Jo, Adam, Tina, Amanda, Jess, Tim, Gary, Shane, Marianne, Ron, Kelly, Oran, Judy, Michael and Steve.

Prayers for Military Deployed in Service to the Nation

Mark and Richard

Prayers for the Departed
__________________________________________

In the case of a pastoral care emergency please call the Rector directly
360-485-7281

Monday - May 25 - For Parish Members

Bob 

Bede the Venerable, Priest and Historian, 735

Tuesday - May 26 - For Parish Members

Daisy
Orie
Alejandro
Kash

Augustine, First Archbishop of Canterbury, 605

Wednesday - May 27 - For Parish Members

Esther

Thursday - May 28 - For Parish Members

Gerald

Mechthild of Magdeburg, Mystic, c.1282

Friday - May 29- For Parish Members

Roger
Jan

Saturday - May 30 - For Parish Members

 Tom

A Prayer for this Parish

O God, our heavenly Father, make the doors of our Church wide enough to receive all who need your care, compassion, and fellowship; and narrow enough to shut out all pride, selfishness, and prejudice in the name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.  Amen

Sunday -May 31, 2026
Trinity Sunday
Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Worship Services - 8 am and 10:30 am 

For the members of our parish family that
passed away  this year:

Mary Eberling
Kathleen Bruner
Kristie Louise Gouley

Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Paschal Candle

Light from Light 

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, one in being with the Father. Through him all things were made. -Nicene Creed
In some ways, it seems like just yesterday that our Deacon, Tony, carried the new light of the Easter Vigil into the nave of our Church, shouting with joy,the Light of Christand the People exclaimed,Thanks be to God. The word Paschal means Easter, and this candle reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World.

The candle is blessed at the Easter Vigil and is lit at every Communion Service for the fifty days of Easter (including ten days of Ascensiontide). It shines brightly to remind us that Jesus brings light into our hearts and our world. The symbols on the candle teach us about Jesus.

• A cross to remind us of Jesus

• The Greek letters Α (Alpha) and Ω (Omega). These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and remind us that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things. 

• The numbers of the current year remind us that Jesus is with us today

• 5 grains of incense in wax pins to remind us of Jesus' wounds in his hands, feet, and side. 

• This year, the Pascal Candle also reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd of his people.

At the Easter Vigil, this Candle was brought into the dark church and was the only light (other than the flashlights held by the Choir). The light from this one Candle was passed through the pews, and soon the nave was filled with warm, glowing light. This reminds us that when we follow Jesus and let him live in us, we bring his presence and light into the world.

Now that we have reached Pentecost, things have changed. Ten days ago, during Ascensiontide, the Paschal Candle and all of the candles of the Church were extinguished as the People of God waited for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.  Hope against hope that Jesus keeps his promises.

The Paschal Candle will be lit again for baptisms, the renewal of baptismal vows, and during the burial office.  The light calls us to unity and love and reminds us that we are the light of Christ in the World.

You are invited to join us and share in the light of Pentecost on Sunday during both Services.

Let's Talk History

From the Rector’s Desk

When I grew up, it was common to see notices that 'George Washington Slept Here'.  As a kid, these signs were the obvious reason that Washington was the Father of our Country.  It was not until much later that I learned that Washington did not have children of his own.

As a young priest, it seemed that Washington not only slept at every inn along the Route 1 Corridor between New York and Virginia, but he also went to Church wherever he could paddle a canoe or ride a horse.

Although these are quaint memories, there is something to learn as we enter the 250th Anniversary of our Nation.  I hope that you will join us between Services on Sunday as we explore the roles that faith, religion, and the church played in the founding of America.

Bingo Night was full of Fun!

Tables were full of enthusiastic players under the talent of caller Nancy Zabel!  The evening began with a baked potato bar and a display of prizes for winning players.  We ended the evening with plenty of good humor and camaraderie!  

Thanks to all who joined in the fun!  Stay tuned and be sure to mark your calendar for St. Benedict Bingo with friends.

Don't Flush "Flushable" Wipes!

Every three years, Thurston County requires that we have our on-site septic system inspected, which was done recently.  The good news is we passed the inspection.  The concerning news is that there were several "wipes" products in the tank.  While these products are marketed as "flushable," they are the bane of municipal sewers as they don't break down and have to be removed from the sewage stream and sent to a landfill.  

As the Vestry considers replacing the septic tank with a sewer connection, wipes result in a VERY expensive pump repair bill.  Let's start now.  Thank you for your help.

- Norman Gregory, Junior Warden

Remember our New Mailing Address!

Please remember that the mailing address for St. Benedict now matches our street address: 910 Bowker St SE, Lacey, Washington 98503.  We are finding that mail forwarded from our old PO Box is getting delayed.

If you have mailed something to the Church and haven't gotten confirmation that it has arrived, please call the Church Office and let us know, 360-456-2240.

Thank you for your help.

-Norman Gregory, Junior Warden.

Clarice needs you!

Sign up for your plot

Bob and Dawn Wille spent Tuesday afternoon caring for the Church plot.  Dawn weeded, and Bob blow torched the weeds in the cracks of the sidewalks.

Sign-Up for Your Plot
Clarice Gregory, Head Gardener 

Thanks to everyone who signed up to maintain one of our beautiful gardens (there are now name tags in the gardens so folks can thank you personally).  There are still lots of tasks that need doing regularly (blowing the Peace Memorial Garden clean, mowing the front strip along Bowker St., weed-eating the peripheral area, blowing the parking lot clear of leaves, etc.).  If you are willing to "own" one of these tasks, please let me know.

The Book Club is reading the book: "How We Learn to Be Brave"

The Wednesday Morning Book Group is reading the book:  How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith by Mariann Edgar Budde.

We are discussing How We Learn to Be Brave at our 11:00 am Zoom meetings on Wednesdays.

If you’re new to the group and wish to join us, please send me an email, and I’ll send you a link to the meeting.  
Send the email to Anne Metzler at annieg426@gmail.com .

Episcopal News Service

The Episcopal News Service (ENS) has been added to the St. Benedict Web Site for your convenience.  It is a successor to the bi-weekly paper, Episcopal News, that ran from 1835 to 1937. Episcopal News Service  offers in-depth reporting of local, regional, national and international news for Episcopalians and others interested in the church’s mission and ministry. Episcopal News Service is the official news source of the Episcopal Church.

The link will be posted each week for your easy access.  We hope that you find this new service helpful, click on the link below. 

Wednesday Healing Service

The Episcopal Church has an established tradition of providing healing services. The St. Benedict Healing service is a public gathering where folks come together to pray for healing and wholeness for themselves and others, with the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. The Service emphasizes prayer, spiritual support, and a sense of community in seeking God's healing presence.

Our community is blessed with the Great Cloud of Witnesses and so we call on the Saints of our faith to inspire us to wholeness.

We gather each Wednesday at the side chapel at 12:15. I hope you will join us.