|
Get Ready to Welcome
Each week the scriptures we read are combined with a prayer. The prayer for the 4th Sunday of Advent follows:
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The gospel tells the story of the angel Gabriel making the announcement to young Mary about the child she was asked to welcome. She chooses to receive the messiah: “Let it be with me according to your word.” Once Mary has agreed, all is ready.
I am thinking about Mary, ready to welcome the savior, and as I read the prayer for this week, I wonder if I am ready to welcome the savior. I am so used to Mary being the vessel God used, it does not even shock me as it should. However, when I consider being a mansion prepared for Jesus, I am waiting for an angel to let me know that I need not be afraid. I am really not ready for this.
God as the one who comforts me and in whom I rest seems reasonable. God who longs to rest in/with me is a different matter altogether. It means that I would carry what I believe, not only in my mind, but also in my skin and bones. All this gives rise to lots of reflection that could make Christmas very complicated.
Then I remember that although this is the story and the prayer for the 4th Sunday of Advent, it reflects a truth that lives in all of us. It lives in all of us who worship together and who share at God’s holy table. We who share the bread of life with one another don’t merely carry Christ with us, we become Christ for the world.
Join us this week in the final preparations for Christmas. May we realize that the gift we practice receiving is nothing less than a transformation of ourselves.
Fr. Andrew
Click the link below to read:
 Episcopal Presiding Bishop’s Christmas 2011 Message
|
|
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
|
|
ECW has travel plans for January
|
|
But, don’t pack a suitcase! At the January 5th luncheon of the Episcopal Church Women, Bonnie Stroock will take the group, via travelogue and narration to Southern Africa as well as Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Last Spring Bonnie traveled as part of a group of thirteen people to Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia for a three week safari which included the opportunity to photograph the beautiful wildlife. This promises to be a most interesting program.
The day begins with an 11 a.m. business meeting, then a noon lunch, and all women of the parish are encouraged to attend. Hostesses for this first meeting of the new year are Ruth Kraus and Anna Secrist. Those attending are asked to bring a salad to serve 4-6, rolls or a dessert; beverages are provided.
|
|
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.
|
|
“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Dec. 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
|
|
“Thursdays At 7”
Dec. 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
|
|
Safeguarding God’s People
|
|
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.”
|
|
New Photo and Information Directory
|
|
A New Photo and Info Directory is coming. Get the best choice of appointments; sign up for a photo shoot after the service today. If you have questions regarding the photo directory or appointment information, contact Taylor Baird at bairdallen@aol.com or call 760.832.8154.
There will be additional pages to feature our Ministries. Ministry leaders need to take photos of the volunteers in groups and volunteers performing their tasks together. Be sure to get permission if you take photos of non-parishioners.
To make the 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.
|
|
 Our Tea date is January 22nd, 2012. Watch for details. Have a blessed Advent. For additional information contact Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949.
|
|
Christmas Flowers of Remembrance-LAST DAY
|
|
 LAST DAY to sign up! The annual Christmas Remembrance Flower envelopes are available in the pew pocket. Complete the envelope and return Sunday, Dec. 18th. Place the envelope in the plate. You may also place your remembrance on-line at valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org. Remembrance must be received by Monday, December 19th to be included in the bulletin.
|
|
Taize Style Service Comes to St. Paul’s
|
|
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.
|
|
Roy’s Desert Resource Center & Desert SOS
|
|
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.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Please give to Christmas at Desert SOS – An incredible outpouting of generosity from the parishioners at St. Pauls in the Desert is making Christmas merrier for the 90 men, women and children at Desert SOS. We are so proud of our parishioners effort to give to those who ask for so little.
We will take the children and the neediest on shopping trips to Walmart for the perfect-fit in clothing, shoes, and with the money raised to date…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.
For more information about this program call Hap at 760.323.5726.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
 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.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Deck The Halls –
This Monday
The Christmas Decoration Committee welcomes all volunteers to assist in decorating the inside of the church and the parish office Christmas Tree on Monday, December 19th at 9:00 am. Contact Rosa Zingg for further information at rozingg@yahoo.com or 760.904.5080.
|
|
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.
|
|
Coffee Hour
 The 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hours host is George Peek. Cheryl and Ray Kelley are the 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour Hosts honoring Joleen Moore’s belated birthday.
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.
|
|
ECW Spaghetti Dinner 2012
The Episcopal Church Women’s annual Spaghetti Dinner is now on the calendar for Saturday evening, February 25th. Be sure to save the date.
The ECW will be planning their annual All Parish Spaghetti Dinner at their monthly business meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, February 2nd.
The meeting begins at 11 a.m., and will be followed by luncheon at noon.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Write a comment: