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Be Unbound
Lent is moving along. From Jesus being tested, to Nicodemas coming by night and hearing about Spirit birth, to the woman at the well learning about Jesus’ living water, to the man blind from birth who was healed and learned to see Jesus, to the raising of Lazarus this week. Lent has moved relentlessly toward God’s abundant love.
It seems that Jesus is only able to interact with people for whom such interaction is forbidden. Or maybe Jesus seeks them out to send a message. Maybe he heals on the Sabbath to send a message. Maybe he waits until death has occurred to do more than heal. Maybe he wants to send the message (which St. Paul will later take up) that God’s love and power and life is not defeated by death.
As Lent moves to Easter, we chip away at the barrier between us and God’s love. In the climactic moment of this week’s reading, Jesus stands outside the tomb as Lazarus emerges. He is still wrapped the burial cloths. He asks the family, friends, and neighbors to unbind him and let him go.
As we move closer to the celebration of Easter, are we chipping away at our barriers? Are we standing before Jesus, newly alive, but tightly bound?
Join us in worship this week as we offer up to God all that still binds us.
Fr. Andrew
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Jan Richardson has published a poem on her blog, that gently invites being unbound.
Lazarus Blessing
The secret
of this blessing
is that it is written
on the back
of what binds you.
To read
this blessing,
you must take hold
of the end
of what confines you,
must begin to tug
at the edge
of what wraps
you round.
It may take long
and long
for its length
to fall away,
for the words
of this blessing
to unwind
in folds
about your feet.
By then
you will no longer
need them.
By then this blessing
will have pressed itself
into your waking flesh,
will have passed
into your bones,
will have traveled
every vein
until it comes to rest
inside the chambers
of your heart
that beats to
the rhythm
of benediction
and the cadence
of release.
© Jan L. Richardson. janrichardson.com
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John 11:1-45
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
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Holy Week, April 19th & 20th, 7:00 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Hugh Tudor-Foley
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God and You – Prayer as a Personal Relationship
 Different people approach the business of praying in different ways. For some it is, frankly, an obligation, like paying taxes. For other people prayer is a means – or at least a hope – of controlling events, and for those concerned with human fulfillment prayer is a way of delving into themselves, achieving self-knowledge and/or a deeper relationship with God.
The approach for this Holy Week teaching will be based on the belief that prayer is first and foremost a personal relationship with God and that prayer can and will build upon this relationship with a loving God and enhance that relationship.
We will look briefly at various methods of prayer suggesting that we will deepen and strengthen our relationship with Him.
The teaching will use William A Barry’s little book “God and You”, easily readable in a sitting or two and well worth rereading and pondering over several reads.
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The Rev’d Dr. Hugh Tudor-Foley has spent more than a decade in interim/transition ministry after serving on large staff parishes including St. Bartholomew’s New York City and Christ Church Greenwich.
He attended the Episcopal seminary, Berkely at Yale Divinity School and holds advanced degrees in communications and a focus on institutional change in religious organizations.
Fr. Hugh is also an experienced chaplain to families and individuals dealing with chemical dependency and is an advocate of the role spirituality must play in recovery.
He and his wife Rebecca, who heads up an independent film company, are currently living in the hills of Los Angeles with their golden retriever Wyatt and an inherited cat, fondly named “Furball.”
He is an experienced offshore sailor, a creaky skier and an amateur but energetic drummer.
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Adult Spiritual Formation
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Adult Spiritual Formation is a response to our baptismal commitment to grow in spiritual understanding and in the day to day practice of our faith. Our Spiritual Growth Team is committed to providing on-going adult spiritual faith formation through lectures, classes, discussion and faith sharing groups. David Abernethy-Deppe, Victoria Hatch and Jerry Di Noto comprise the committee that oversees and directs this vital aspect of parish life.
A survey was distributed via the bulletin and the website in order to solicit needs, topics, time availabilities and potential instructors and facilitators. The large response indicated a need for programs in the major areas of Scripture, Church Tradition, Spirituality, Living our Faith and Comparative Religions. The large response as to convenient times: Sunday mornings at 9:15, Thursday evenings at 7 and an afternoon session at 1.
Our team will offer lively, interesting and useful opportunities for Taith Building. Our first offerings will begin in May for Sunday mornings nad Thursday nights.
Our Spring ‘11 offerings:
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I Peter Sundays- May 1st, 8th, 15th and June 5th – 9:15 – 10:15AM (Instructor: David Abernethy-Deppe)
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Paul, The Man and His Mission Thursdays- May 12th, 19t h, 26th and June 2nd – 7:00- 8:30PM (Facilitator: Jerry Di Noto)
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Anglican/Episcopal Tradition Sundays- May 22nd, 29th and June 5th (Instructor Victoria Hatch with David Abernethy-Deppe assisting if needed)
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Characters in the Bible Series: Thomas and Mary Magdalene Sundays- June 19th and 26th -9:15-10:15AM (Instructors David Abernethy-Deppe and Victoria Hatch)
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The Heartbeat of God- Finding the Sacred in the Middle of Everything Thursdays- June 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd 7:00-8:30PM (Instructor Victoria Hatch)
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Beginning May 1st, a Faith Building Class will be held every Sunday in the Library at 9:15am. Bring a friend, a cup of coffee, and join us in conversation/discussion on subjects you have asked for. We will begin with a three-week series on First Peter, the Epistle readings for the Easter Season this year (Series A):
5/1 1st Peter: Persecution of the Early Christians
5/8 Overview: 1st Peter Easter Readings
5/15 What does 1st Peter say to us today?
This series led by the Rev. Dr. David Abernethy-Deppe.
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Camp Stevens
Programs for Families and Adults
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Whether on-site in Julian, or on an adventure in the High Sierras, Camp Stevens invites you to join a friendly all-ages community for fellowship during holiday weekends, backpacking excursions or a family vacation.
They are offering: Women’s Eastern Sierra Basecamp Backpacking; Sequoia Family Camping; High Sierra Basecamp Backpacking for Families & Adults; Memorial Day Family Camp; Young Adventurers Family Weekend; Thanksgiving Family Camp and more. Explore the natural environment with a new sense of adventure and self-confidence. Contact www.campstevens.org.
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United Thank Offering – Spring In-Gathering
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Last week was the “kick-off” for this year’s UTO Spring In-Gathering and we are glad to report that we collected nearly $1,000. This year we are focused on Grace, Gratitude, Generosity, which represents: Love for what we have, and Love for what we have been given, and Love for the God that gives it. During our Fall In-Gathering the Church of St. Paul collected $2,312. Please remember the dream of the women, who had a dream, so long ago, and started this outreach ministry and gave us ALL a challenge… and one that we must answer every day. What are you thankful for?
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2011 Pledges Are Still Needed
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The primary means of financially supporting God’s mission and ministry at St. Paul’s is the personal pledge. It helps the parish leadership anticipate giving so that we can plan staffing and programs.
Many parishioners have not turned in a pledge card for 2011 and are still sending in the pledge amount they sent in during 2010. If you have NOT filled in a pledge card, then we do not have you listed in our numbers as a pledge giver. Contact Valerie, Pledge Secretary, with any changes or questions you may have at valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
Pledge forms are available in church, at the Parish office, and on-line. You are invited to make a pledge and let our leadership know that you will be a partner in our ministries this year. Pledges can change if your circumstances change. In fact, we have invited those who have already pledged to raise theirs by $150 annually to fully fund our work this year.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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 St. Paul’s Desert SOS Ministry – Eight volunteers from St. Paul in the Desert served 90 “clients”, they were: Audrey SpencerMorris, Tom Baxley, Ron Shepherd,Chuck Marx, Fred Crawford, Eileen Upton, Michael Howard and Hap Blaisdell. Bob Dillingham’s incomparable lemon bars as well as cupcakes and cookies from Teresa were the hits of the evening.
MaryLou Feenstra and husband, Ken, were there with approximately ten Coachella Valley Association of Government subcommittee members at their monthly “dinner” meeting. They asked repeatedly, “How do you attract all these volunteers.” Hap responded, “Our volunteers are good folks having a good time.”
Roy’s has just expanded to 120 beds…an impressive addition in many ways, but with them operating at full capacity and with the snowbirds leaving, the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry is in need of more parishioners to bring in desserts. If interested in donating desserts for this Ministry you may leave them in the Parish Hall kitchen before 4:00 p.m. any Monday. Packages should be labeled “S.O.S. Dessert”. Suggestions include cake, cupcakes, ice cream bars, fruit, cheese, either purchased or homemade.
We need you to sign up in advance to help us to know what to buy or if we need to call in additional volunteers to help. Sign up sheets are posted in the Parish Hall. Questions? 760.323.5726.
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Holy Week Schedule
April 19th & 20th, 7:00 p.m.
The Rev. Hugh Tudor-Foley
God and You:
Prayer as a Personal Relationship
– – – –
April 21st — Maundy Thursday
12:00 Noon
Holy Communion
7:00 p.m.
Foot Washing,
Holy Communion,
Stripping of the Altar
8:30 p.m. – 12:00 Noon
Watch Through the Night
with Jesus
– – – –
April 22nd — Good Friday
12:00 Noon
Liturgy for Good Friday
Passion According to John
Communion from the
Reserved Sacrament
7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross
Follow the Way of the Cross
with Jesus
– – – –
April 23rd — The Easter Vigil
8:00 p.m.
Vigil Lessons
Baptism of Adults
First Communion of Easter
– – – –
April 24th — Easter Day
7, 9, and 11
Festive Worship
Holy Communnion
10:15
Easter Egg Hunt
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A Holy Communion Service
–will be held Wednesday, April 13th at 10:00 a.m. at Windsor Court presided over by Fr. Fred Myers.
Fr. Fred always welcomes assistance at Communion.
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Palm Sunday Crosses
 Volunteers are needed to help make Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday. We will meet in the hall on Saturday, April 16th, at 9:00 a.m. Roseanna Langley instructs us on how to make them, and it is really quite easy once you see it done. If possible, please bring a pair of utility type scissors for cutting the palm fronds. If you have any questions, please call Kathy Kilmer, 760.325.0332.
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Aid for Japan
 Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is already on the ground ministering to the people of Japan in the wake of the disasters which have hit. You may make a donation to that ministry of the Episcopal Church by writing a check to St. Paul’s with Japan in the memo or by going to the ERD website at www.er-d.org to make an on-line donation.
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The Bishop’s Appeal
The Bishop’s Appeal supports the mission of the diocese through gifts that are used for support of our ongoing programs and ministries: congregational support and development, leadership development, pastoral care, ministry development, and Christian formation. 100% of your gift goes to supporting our ministries. To make a gift, to the secure website at http://www.edsd.org or mail to: Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
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Report Sexual Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please be reminded that our diocese values the tenet of our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of the way we live into that is to train people in the prevention of sexual misconduct. Another part that goes hand-in-hand with training is reporting incidences of sexual misconduct. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, takes reports seriously and investigates them thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact Bishop Mathes immediately: bishopmathes@edsd.org, 619-481-5450.
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 Coffee Hour
There is no host for the 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hour. The hosts for the 10:30 a.m Coffee Hour is James Kyle and Mark Leggett.
The 2011 coffee hour sign-up sheets are posted on the north wall at Hogarth Hall. Find an empty slot and fill it with your name. For more information, call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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The Childrens Choir
 All children age 4 and above are welcome to participate in this group, learning singing skills and providing special music for the 10:30 service several times during the school year. For more information or questions please contact Nathan at 760.320.7488, ext. 225.
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Earn Money While Dining Out
fo r The Church of St. Paul. Whenever any St. Paul’s parishioners have breakfast, lunch or dinner at “The Old Creek House” in Palm Springs the restaurant will donate 10% of the total to The Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Simply sign your name and write in the name, “The Church of St. Paul in the Desert”, on your receipt. A check for the amount will be sent to St. Paul’s. The 10% does not include promotions or other discounts.
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Newcomers
Are you sure we have your contact information? If you haven’t received any of the latest mailings then we probably don’t have your mailing address. In January we will sending invites for you to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. We may not have your current address. If you feel this is the case, then please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give to an usher or you may send your contact information by email to vjwinters@dc.rr.com.
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Bullies Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we want to welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
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