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The Big Surprise
This weekend we have competing themes that may not be as dissimilar as they appear. Christ the King and Celebration Weekend.
The feast of Christ the King comes as the end of the Church Year. Often there are elements of all the seasons in the lessons, but the emphasis is the same – our hope is in the Reign of Christ. This particular Gospel reminds us that God’s reign will surprise us.
Everyone is surprised! The “sheep” who are honored and welcomed are surprised because they were unaware of their behavior as praiseworthy. It was imbedded and even unconscious. The “goats” who are cast out are very surprised! They may have been incredibly conscientious about looking out for the welfare of the King. They were so focused on being attentive to the powerful, that they missed giving attention to the King’s interests – the powerless and isolated.
Can you imagine how surprised the formerly hungry, thirsty, sick, homeless, or immigrant or prisoner were when they realized that their welfare was the price of admission to God’s kingdom? Imagine the listeners as Jesus preached, hearing this good news. Do you think they might have felt blessed. (Note: The Beatitudes – Blessed are…- was Jesus first public teaching in Matthew. This week’s lesson was the last public teaching. Is there a connection?)
Our Celebration Weekend is the time each year when we pay particular attention to celebrating God’s abundance by returning our pledges of financial support in the year ahead. We have heard witnesses talk about God’s love and the importance of the Parish Community. We have gathered in homes to reflect on the ways God’s love is made human in the ministry of our parish. I believe that our Celebration Weekend connects well with this week’s Gospel.
My giving (your giving – our giving) to the work of God through the church is important. It is a way to remind ourselves that God is God. It is a way to cede control over things of value so that our hearts may be renewed. And it is a way to open ourselves to being surprised by God throughout our lives.
Join us for one of the biggest surprises, the community that God calls to worship together this weekend.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 25:37-40
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?^ And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
Read More . . .
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The Anglican Chorale of Southern California
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The Anglican Chorale of Southern California will perform at The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, THIS Sunday, November 20th, at 4 p.m. Selections include the works LeBlanc, Nestor Wilberg, Dawson, Hogan, Staheli under the direction of James A. Person, Founder of The Anglican Chorale, and accompanied by Brent Reynolds. Suggested donation is $10 for general and $8 for student. For information call 760.992.7947 or anglicanchorale@dc.rr.com.
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Location: United Methodist Church, 1555 East Alejo Road, Palm Springs, CA (immediately West of North Sunrise Way)
Date/Time: Sunday, November 20, beginning at 4:30pm, in the Fellowship Hall; parking is on-site.
Click logos for full individual details.
Location: Tolerance Education Center, 35147 Landy Lane, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 (off Bob Hope Drive, between Dinah Shore and Gerald Ford)
Date/Time: Saturday, November 19, from 4:00-6:00pm, in the auditorium, followed by a brief reception; parking is on-site.
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 with Mirium Mohiuddin
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
7:00 PM
As a follow-up to the Adult Faith Building Program course, “An Introduction to Understanding Islam”, we are hosting a special evening session on ISLAM. Our guest speaker, Mirium Mohiuddin Is from the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Mark your calendar and take advantage of this faith sharing learning experience.
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Taize Style Service Comes to St. Paul’s
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Since Nathan’s visit to Taize, France during his sabbatical 4 years ago, and having used Taize chants in our Sunday worship, many have asked when a Taize style service would be held at St. Paul’s.
To go along with Jerry Lynch’s meditation classes on the Sundays in Advent, Nathan Ensign, Director of Music, will be offering a 30 minute Taize style service of songs, scripture and silence on Thursday nights (Dec. 1st, 8th, and 15th) in the Church at 7:00 p.m.
Participants will be sitting on the carpet, so please bring a small stool or a cushion to sit on (if needed) and wear comfortable clothes. If you have any questions, please contact Nathan through the church office at 760.320.7488 ext. 225. We hope that this opportunity will add a new dimension to your Advent preparations.
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A Year Of Living Generously
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 “A Year of Living Generously” is a exciting process of how implementing small changes in our lives we can make a big difference to those who need it the most. You will see and hear this phrase often at St. Paul’s. It captures the spirit of the people of St. Paul in the Desert. Living Generously encourages people to do just that. It is more than providing gifts to those in need but to change our life so that we Live Generously…giving in time, money, skills/talents and a myriad of ways of need.
You will have an opportunity to reflect on Living Generously in God’s grace, which takes place when you return your 2012 pledge card, declaring your financial gift for the new year. Money is only a fraction of Stewardship. In addition, the proper care of our bodies, care of our environment, proper use of credit and not living beyond our means are also fundamental elements of Stewardship. In giving our time, helping the poor, and remembering that we belong to God, we live in Generosity, not only with the Church―but with all of God’s creation.
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United Thank Offering Sunday is December 4th
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The UTO is a ministry of The Episcopal Church that values thanksgiving, generosity, mission, and ministry. Since 1889, the UTO has helped alleviate human suffering by distributing money through grants. Last year the UTO received 120 grant applications from which 69 were chosen to receive grants of a total of $2 million to support projects locally and worldwide. Domestic needs received 43 grants, companion dioceses received 11, and international projects 15. In Phoenix, St. Jude’s Mission received $24,000 to buy a van to transport children from elementary to college age to church functions. In Los Angeles, $5,000 was awarded to a church to provide African immigrants with a storage unit for distributing goods. Please give generously to the UTO as you ponder all the things for which you can give thanks.
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ECW Welcomes the Holidays
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Getting an early start on the holiday season, The Episcopal Church Women will gather on December 1st for their Christmas luncheon. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with the business meeting.
A festive meal is planned for the occasion, and as is traditional, there will be caroling, featuring Jeannette Debonne playing the harp. Newcomers to the parish will be especially welcomed at this event.
The salad luncheon is at noon, and those attending are asked to bring a salad to serve six, rolls/bread, or a dessert. Beverages will be provided. For questions about the luncheon, please contact Bette Knutson, (760) 416-5739. Hostess for the luncheon is Kathy Briski.
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“Sundays at 9:15” – In The Library
Nov. 20
Living With Grateful Hearts
with Victoria Hatch
Nov. 27
No Class
Dec. 4, 11 & 18
Living the Hope of Advent
with Jerry Lynch
Jan. 1
No Class
Jan. 8, 15, 22, & 29
Enriching our Prayer Life
with John Harper
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“Thursdays At 7”
Nov. 17
Understanding the Gospels
with David Abernethy-Deppe
In the Parish Hall Parlor
Nov. 24
No Class
Dec. 1, 8 & 15
Taize Service
with Nathan Ensign & Victoria Hatch
In the Church
Jan. 5
No Class
Jan. 12
Nimble Believing,
with The Rev. Dr. Roger Ferlo, Theologian in Residence
In the Church
Jan. 19 & 26
The Historical Jesus
with David Abernethy-Deppe
In the Parish Hall Parlor
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center & Desert SOS
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Hap Blaisdell, strongly encourages volunteers to use the sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall to help him manage the number of volunteers he would like to see each week for Desert SOS. Hap says a minimum of 6 volunteers at Roy’s each Monday night is ideal. If fewer than six volunteers sign up, the workload is overly burdensome. Roy’s is also in need of more desserts, especially homemade delicacies, or money to purchase store bought items. These desserts bring much joy to the clients at Roy’s who ask for so little.
With the budget cuts at Roy’s Resource Center, NINE St. Paul volunteers not only served the 90+ clients dinner and dessert, they assisted in additional areas of need and said they found it extremely rewarding. Sign-up to help the most in need. The sign-up sheets are in the binder on the entrance table to the Parish Hall. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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 ONE Extra Item…Brings Smiles to the Homeless – Purchase one extra item during your weekly shopping to donate to the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry of St. Pauls. Dessert is provided every Monday evening. A box of cookies, doughnuts, fruit, cheese or other special treat would be so appreciated by people who ask for so little. Place the dessert in the Parish Hall refrigerator, (labeled clearly “SOS”), or bring it to the parish office (ring doorbell) before 4:00 p.m. Monday. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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Well In The Desert
Now Serves Lunch at St. Paul’s on Wednesdays
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The Well in the Desert has moved its meal service at St. Paul’s from Fridays to Wednesdays. In order to support the retail businesses in our neighborhood, we requested a change in the day of our meal service. Now a hot meal is served at St. Paul’s from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Wednesday.
The Well needs volunteers to carry out their services and they need financial support to provide them. You can call (760) 327-8577 to volunteer. If you want to contribute to the Well, just write “Well” in the memo portion of your check.
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Living Generously:
Click the plate to
make change!
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A Holy Communion Service
is scheduled for Wednesday, November 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at Premier Health Care. The Rev. Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2011 GIFTS
The Parish is grateful to all of its Parishioners, who pledge annually, for their steadfast generosity.
We also acknowledge the special gifts, the list can be viewed by clicking here.
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Deck The Halls
The Christmas Decoration Committee needs volunteers to decorate the Church inside and out. If you would like to serve on this committee, there is a sign-up sheet on the entry table in Hogarth Hall. If you have questions, contact Rosa Zingg at rozingg@yahoo.com
or 760.904.5080.
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Coffee Hour
 The Coffee Hour hosts for both services are the Abundant Living Action Team.
To sign-up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder located on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have any questions, please contact, Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725
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The Children’s Choir
. . . continues on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. All children ages 4 and above are encouraged to participate in this dynamic musical ministry where they not only learn musical skills but also how to work together as a team. They will be singing about once a month for the 10:30 service. Call Nathan at 760-320-7488 ext. 225 for more details.
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Scam Alert!
 An impersonator pretends to be a relative in urgent need of money.
You receive a phone call from someone pretending to be your son, daughter, grandchild, etc. requesting money to get out of a predicament. Your emotions run high and you cave in to sending a money gram to assist. You have been scammed. It is happening frequently.
If you should receive such a call, verify the identity of the caller by asking a question only the true individual could answer. If the caller is unable to answer correctly, you can be assured you have interrupted a scam.
For a thorough discussion on this subject, Click Here.
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Sign Up for Flowers,
Coffee Hour and
Desert SOS
To make is easier for parishioners to sign-up for Flowers, Coffee Hours, and the Dessert Ministry, we have integrated the sign-up sheets into a three-ring binder format. These sheets are in binders that are on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. Instead of writing parallel onto a bulletin board, you will now be able to write at table height. Please note that there are binders for the rest of 2011 and for 2012. If you have a special date that you want to commemorate, be sure to save it as soon as possible.
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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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Parishioners: Are you sure we have your contact information? In our quest to keep our directory current, we ask you to give us your updated address, telephone, and email if it has changed in the past year. Too often we get the message “Return to Sender” and “Telephone no longer in service.” Please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate or email: valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
Better twice than not at all. Thank you!
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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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The St. Paul Columbarium Niches are over 60% sold out. If you are interested in a specific niche, please do not wait to purchase it or reserve it. Deposits are required for all niche reservations. Please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe, at 760.320.7488, ext. 224 for further information.
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