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Living Advent
Our Parish Theme this year is A Year of Living Generously. We want to explore and experiment with ways that we can be generous in all aspects of our lives. This is an attempt to disconnect the word “generous” from an exclusive association with money.
Our reading from St. Paul’s first letter and the earliest book of the Christian Scriptures could not be more helpful in our quest for generosity. It begins with advice. I am often leery of receiving advice, and I imagine folks wish I were as leery about offering it. But this is not advice about responding to a particular issue, it is about a way of life.
The people in Thessalonica to whom Paul was writing lived with uncertainty. They were uncertain of their place in their communities. They were uncertain of the time that would elapse before Jesus would return in triumph. They were uncertain about how to be a church. The only certainty they had was of the presence of Christ in their community of faith.
When I check in on the news, either by radio, internet, or newspaper, I almost always encounter a story about uncertainty as a factor in our current malaise. To be honest, I have experienced a sense of uncertainty, but when disconnected from the 24/7 news options, it is not foremost in my thoughts. I think Paul’s advice would be good for us today.
Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks!
Dirk G. Lange reminds us that this is not a new law for Christians, but a description of the way that Jesus’ followers live. It is different from the world around us. It is the result of being in a community that is connected to one another and connected to God’s Holy Spirit.
Living joyfully, prayerfully, and thankfully is a way to emphasize that we are people who are not centered on ourselves, but who belong to God. It means that we can celebrate the great things in our life with a community and we can know that we are not alone in facing the challenges.
Joy, prayer, and thankfulness don’t eliminate problems, but strengthen, comfort, and connect us in the face of problems. It is precisely this quality of turning us outward that describes an increase in generosity.
Join us this weekend as we practice living joyfully, prayerfully, and thankfully with one another and possibly leave more generous than when you arrived.
Fr. Andrew
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
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 The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet the next two Wednesdays, December 7th and 14th from 10 to 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Hogarth Hall
Our peace-filled stitching circles provide members with a major sense of fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need or in celebration. For more details contact Valerie Ferguson at 760.799.5927, Barbara Hawkins Villani at 760.322.3987, or Audrey Spencermorris at 760.835.5506.
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Caballeros, The Gay Men’s Chorus of Palm Springs, presents a Holiday Concert “Believe” at Church of St Paul in the Desert on Saturday, December 17th,, at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, December 18th,, at 3:00 pm. Tickets at the door are $25. Tickets purchased ahead from Chuck Marx or on line at http://www.caballerosps.com are $20.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Dec. 11 & 18
Living the Hope of Advent
Based on the Sunday readings, we’ll learn to use three different forms of prayer to open up the scriptures for our understanding and spiritual growth: “The Basics of Meditation and Mantra as prayer with Scriptures,” “The Basics of Meditative Reading: Centering Prayer;” and “The Basics of Contemplation.”
•with Jerry Lynch
Dec. 25th
No Class
Jan. 8, 15, 22, & 29
Enriching our Prayer Life
We welcome back, The Rev. John Harper, Deacon, from the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. John continues what we began last month, and will explore with us a broad spectrum of types and traditions of prayer—spoken and non-verbal, traditional and contemporary, from Christian and other faith practices. The final project will be for us to create our own distinctive versions of the Prayers of the People.
•with John Harper
Feb. 5, 12 & 19
The Pastoral Epistles
•with Jerry DiNoto
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“Thursdays At 7”
Dec. 8 & 15
Taize Service
Thursday evenings, during Advent, you’re invited to put into practice “Living The Hope of Advent” by praying Evensong (choral Evening Prayer). We’ll follow the practice of the Taizé Community, engaging in meditative singing and prayer.
•with Nathan Ensign & Victoria Hatch
In the Church
Dec. 22, 29 & Jan. 5
No Class
Jan. 12
Nimble Believing,
Dr. Ferlo will use poetry (Herbert, Dickinson and Auden) and works of art to explore the challenge of believing in an unbelieving time and place.
•with The Rev. Dr. Roger Ferlo,Theologian in Residence
In the Church
Jan. 19 & 26
The Historical Jesus
These two presentations by Dr. Bart D. Ehrman (DVD) attempt to reconstruct the life of the historical Jesus: Who was he and what did he actually say and do? In other words: “Will the real Jesus please stand up!” Marcus Borg’s book, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, provides a helpful background.
•with David Abernethy-Deppe
In the Parish Hall Parlor
Feb. 2, 9, 16 & 23
21st Century Christian Response to the World
•with Craig Ewing
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Safeguarding God’s People
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Because preventing misconduct is of utmost importance in our Church, all vestry members, vestry candidates, LEVs (Lay Eucharistic Visitors), and adults in Godly Play who have not previously participated in Safeguarding God’s People must attend. Other leaders are strongly encouraged to attend. The Diocese will offer Safeguarding God’s People at St. Paul in the Desert on Saturday, January 21, from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. $30 per person, includes lunch and materials. For more information, contact Registrar Isabel Lynne at 619.481.5455 or
lynnei@edsd.org.
You may register on line by going to www.edsd.org and clicking on “Register for an Event.”
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New Photo and Infromation Directory
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A New Photo and Info Directory is coming to St. Paul’s. Get the best choice of appointments; sign up for a photo shoot after the service this Sunday. In our quest to keep our directory current, please make sure we have your updated address, telephone, and email. 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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 Our Tea date is January 22nd, 2012. Watch for details. Have a blessed Advent. For additional information contact Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949.
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Christmas Flowers of Remembrance
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 The annual Christmas Remembrance Flower envelopes are available in the pew pocket. Complete the envelope and return by Sunday, December 18th. Place the envelope in the plate or mail it to the parish office. You may also place your remembrance on-line at valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
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 2012 Giving Envelopes are NOW AVAILABLE in the narthex. They will only be available in the narthex THIS weekend. After this weekend the boxes will need to be picked up in the parish offices. If you do not need your box of giving envelopes please place them in the side box that is marked, “giving envelopes not needed”. If you have any questions, contact Valerie at 760.320.7488 ext. 227 or valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
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Taize Style Service Comes to St. Paul’s
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In having used Taize chants in our Sunday worship, many have asked when a Taize style service would be held here.
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 (continuing Dec. 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 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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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. 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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Please give to Christmas at Desert SOS – Yes, Christmas is less than a month away and it’ll be a “hard candy Christmas” for the 90 homeless men, women and children at Desert SOS. Even though St. Paul in the Desert will continue to provide and serve Monday desserts and the monthly supply of undergarments and socks to Roy’s Resource Center, Christmas can be a lonely time when you’re without a home and the ability to provide or receive gifts.
Our SOS team has again worked with Roy’s management to bring Yuletide cheer to the children and the neediest at Roy’s! We will purchase Walmart gift cards from our St. Paul’s SOS Fund. But, that money is very limited. We need HELP. The children and the neediest will be taken on shopping trips to Walmart for the perfect-fit in clothing, shoes, and if enough money is raised…a toy.
YOU can be a part of happiness to the homeless, by donating. Please mark your check with“SOS Christmas” on it and place in the plate. We will do the rest.
A huge THANK YOU to all the parishioners who donated last weekend to this Ministry. You have made Christmas a lot brighter for the people in most need. For more information about this program call Hap 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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Christmas Worship Schedule
December 24th
Saturday, 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve
Family Service
(Carols 5:45)
Blessing of the Creche
December 24th
Saturday, 11:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass
(Carols 10:45)
Choir of
St. Paul in the Desert
December 25th
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Christmas Day
Holy Communion
with Carols
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Deck The Halls
The Christmas Decoration Committee welcomes all volunteers to assist in decorating the inside of the church on Monday, December 19th. Contact Rosa Zingg for further information at rozingg@yahoo.com or 760.904.5080.
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Wedding Announcement
John Granet
and
Lena McCracken
Wedding
Save the Date! The congregation is invited to join in blessing the Marriage of Lena McCracken and John Granet at 2 :00 p.m.
January 7th.
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Coffee Hour
 The 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hours hosts are Jack Moore, Pat and Bob Wadsworth. Bryan Wannop and Frank Kajfes are the 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour Hosts.
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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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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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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