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You Shall
In this week’s reading from the Hebrew Bible, we hear the instructions that God lays out for those who desire to be God’s people. We call them the Ten Commandments. They have become a reflection for self- examination ever since. We say them at the beginning of most of our Lenten weekend services in order to invite that reflection. This week, we get a double dose.
Sometimes I am put off by the negative tone in these instructions, the “thou shalt not…” I don’t like advice in the negative. (If the truth were told, how many of us like advice at all?) Having reflected on, meditated on, and delivered sermons on the Ten Commandments many times, I thought it might be fair to reflect on them this time without the negative tone.
My reflection divides the list in two, instructions for our relationship with God and instructions our relationship with one another.
Our relationship with God needs to be primary, faithful, and mutual. For a relationship to develop, it must be attended to. I hear people talk about God, not as a primary relationship, but as a “back-up.” I work at thinking about my life and activities in the context of a world that starts with God. Do I learn what our faith teaches and what my experience of prayer confirms, before I make a decision or take an action? Or do I act first and pray only when the outcome is adverse?
The instructions for our relationship with one another seem obvious to me. It may be because they are so familiar. When reflecting on these, I tend to give myself a gold star – so long as I skip quickly over coveting.
Jesus seemed to have experienced this with people in his day, so he challenged them to dig deeper. “You may not have murdered, but have you destroyed a relationship with anger?”
The invitation in these relationship instructions is to seek ways to connect with and support one another, rather than see each other as objects only for our personal benefit. If we look beyond the obvious prohibition to murder, we might get a glimpse of the abundant life that God intends for us. If you perceive the world as a place of scarcity, then you might feel compelled to take and hoard. If you perceive God’s presence as a place of abundance and love, you might feel encouraged to live generously each day.
As Jesus taught, “You shall love the Lord your God with your heart, mind, and strength; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Join us in worship as we celebrate God’s love and learn to care for one another and the world generously.
Fr. Andrew
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Exodus 20:1-17
Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work– you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
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Grief Group: Experiencing Life After Loss
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The death of a loved one is difficult. It challenges our strength and faith in ways we can never anticipate. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. The goal of the St. Paul’s Grief Group is to create a safe space in which those of us who are grieving can find healing after loss. This is accomplished through mutual support, sharing, and understanding from other members of the group who are also walking the path of healing. You’ll gain valuable resources to help you navigate through the grieving process and begin experiencing life after loss.
Brother Michael-Gregory Norrie, a certified hospice care chaplain and bereavement facilitator, will lead this 8-week faith-based grief support group. The group will meet on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m., beginning March 13th and will culminate in a special remembrance service. Pre-registration and a commitment to attend each of the sessions is required. If you are interested in participating in this parish offering, call the church office at 760-320-7488, ext. 0 to register.
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A Newcomers Class is slated for Sunday, March 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The goal of this class is to give Newcomer’s a chance to become more informed about St. Paul in the Desert and to provide a clear path to joining and participating as members. Parish clergy will lead this session and will be available to answer questions. If you are a Newcomer and have not received an invitation, please call the parish office at 760-320-7488 ext. 0.
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Canterbury Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys
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The Canterbury Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys is giving a concert on Monday, April 16th at 7:00 pm at St. Margaret’s. Ticket ($35 & $20) reservations are available by contacting John Wright, 760.346.2697, ext. 19. The Choir is from the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The program features music from the 13th century to newly-composed works.
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 Growing Vegetables from Seed and Making Compost March 31, 10am-2pm. Cost of the seminar is $45. Location, Camp Stevens.
Early spring is the time to start planting your spring and summer garden–and good soil and strong seedlings are key. You don’t have to depend on often unreliable nursery seedlings or expensive soil-damaging fertilizers. Join Ryan Wanamaker, Camp Stevens Farm and Garden Director, to learn how to create your own high-quality compost, improve your soil organically and start your own plants from strong seed. For more information and to register, go to www.campstevens.org/garden.
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Mosaic for Home and Garden – Seminar
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 Do-It-Yourself Mosaic for Home & Garden on March 31, May 19, June 2 from 10am-2pm. Cost is $25. Location is Camp Stevens. The art of assembling pieces of glass or stone into images, mosaics are a beautiful addition to a home or garden–and it’s simpler to do than you may think! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the steps to creating your own mosaic, including supplies and design considerations, and practice on an installation at Camp Stevens.
For more information and to register, go to www.campstevens.org/garden.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Mar. 4, 11, 18 & 25
Lenten Wilderness Journey
Baptismal Understanding
Our, “Lenten Wilderness Journey—Baptismal Understanding” continues, as we prepare for the Easter Vigil, looking at the Vigil Scripture readings in light of our Baptismal promises.
03/04—Deliverance (Exodus 14:10-15:1)
03/11—Salvation Offered Freely To All (Is. 55:1-11)
03/18—Gathering of God’s People (Zephaniah 3:12-20)
03/25—Commitment to Christ (Romans 6:3-11)
•Presenters will include David Abernethy-Deppe, Jerry DiNoto, Andrew Green, Victoria Hatch, Jerry Lynch and Rick Tinsley.
No Class April 1 or 8
April 15
Faith and Doubting
•With The Rev. Victoria Hatch
April 22 & 29
The Apocalypse: Daniel and Revelation
*With David Abernethy-Deppe
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“Thursdays At 7”
Mar. 8, 15, 22 & 29
Lenten Taizé Prayer Service
At your request, on Thursday evenings during Lent, we will again join in solemn choral Evening Prayer following the practice of the Taizé Community, engaging in meditative singing and prayer. These services will be led by Nathan Ensign. We invite you to bring a candle, and if you have one, an icon or a small cross or crucifix. This will be a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week and Easter.
•with Nathan Ensign.
No Class April 5
April 12, 19, & 26
The Protestant Reformation: Luther, Calvin and the Anabaptists
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Rebuild Our Church in Haiti
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The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti—the largest Diocese in the Episcopal Church is in ruins. While the people of Haiti struggle to rebuild their nation, Episcopalians are uniting to rebuild our Church in Haiti.
Click the image above to learn more.
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center & Desert SOS
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Special thanks to the crew that shows up every Monday at Roy’s Resource Center. Currently there are 95 registered homeless at Roy’s. St. Paul volunteers help serve dinner and dessert each Monday. Please sign-up to help the most in need. Sign-up in the binder on the entrance table to the Parish Hall. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.6726.
Hap Blaisdell strongly encourages volunteers to use the sign-up in the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall to help him manage the number of volunteers needed each week for Desert SOS. A minimum of six volunteers at Roy’s each Monday evening is ideal. If fewer than six show up, the workload is burdensome. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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Cold Toes at Desert SOS – Roy’s Resource Center has made a plea for covered shoes, boots and tennis shoes for their clients. Many clients have no shoes. If you have unworn or nearly new shoes that could be donated bring them to the church office or place them next to the Desert SOS basket in the narthex.
If you would prefer to make a financial donation for shoes, make your check payable to: St. Paul’s, and in the memo area, write: SOS SHOE Fund. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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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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Remember!
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Sunday, March 11th
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A Holy Communion Service will be held at Windsor Court on Wednesday, March 14th at 10:15 am. The Rev. Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance.
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Holy Week
Worship Schedule
Palm Sunday-4/1
8:00 & 10:30 am
Rite II Eucharist
Maundy Thursday-4/5
12:00 Noon
Rite II Eucharist
7:00 pm
Taizé Eucharist
Good Friday-4/6
12:00 Noon
Rite II Eucharist
7:00 pm
Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday-4/7
8:00 pm
Vigil of Easter
Easter Sunday-4/8
7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am
Festival Eucharist
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 Parish Photographer Needed
St. Paul’s needs a photographer to capture pictures of our people in action. We want pictures of our people in worship, in ministry and in fellowship.
Although most cell phones take decent pictures, the parish photographer would need a good digital camera and be willing to learn how to take pictures without distracting from the activities being photographed. The photo-grapher would also need to be able to upload the pictures quickly so that they might be used for parish purposes.
This is an important volunteer position and has the potential to assist the parish in attracting and welcoming new people.
Please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe at Jonathan.Abernethy-Deppe@stpaulsps.org or call him at 760-320-7488 ext. 224.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
. . . meets every Wednesday from 10 am – 1 pm in the Parish Hall. This peace-filled stitching circle gives members fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need of prayer. 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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Well in the Desert
. . .is looking for a couple of additional servers for the hot lunch they serve on Wednesdays at our church. They serve from 11 am – 1 pm. If you are interested please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe at 760.320.7488 ext 224 or jonathan.abernethy-deppe@stpaulsps.org
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St. Paul’s To Be Honored
Well in the Desert Luncheon, Magic and Music will be held, Sunday April 1, from noon – 2:30 p.m. at Spencer’s Restaurant. The Church of St. Paul’s is being honored with WID’s Visionary Award. Contact www.wellinthedesert.org or 760.323.8353.
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Camp Stevens
Annual Women’s Retreat
March 9-11
Join other women for a rejuvenating weekend in the mountains of San Diego to reflect on the seasons and rhythms of life. Led by the Rev. Kay Sylvester, the weekend features organic meals, spiritual reflection, hiking, music, and time to chat with new friends or explore nearby quaint Julian. All inclusive retreat fee of $140. Visit www.campstevens.org/register or call 760.765.0028.
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Coffee Hour
The host for the 8:00 am Coffee Hour is Tom Baxley.
To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, please contact Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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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 Desert SOS Dessert Ministry, the sign-up sheets are in binders that are on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. The 2012 binders are filling fast, so if you have a special date that you want to commemorate, be sure to sign up early.
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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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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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St. Paul in the Desert’s Directory is being Updated – The information we have in the computer, on each of our parishioners, will be printed in the new St. Paul Directory. If any of your information has changed in the last two years, please give us your updated address, telephone, and email. If you are in any doubt that your information is correct, please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate or email valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org
We would rather receive your information again, than have it wrong in the directory.
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