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Must Be Lifted Up
This weekend we celebrate our 4th Sat/Sunday in Lent with a different flavor. It is called Refreshment Sunday or Mothering Sunday in some places and we will have Simnel Cakes as a part of our Coffee Hour, but it is simply a break in the Lenten routine.
Even though this is Refreshment Sunday and there is a break in our routine, the Scriptures we read still focus on Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Many people don’t follow Lent at all. Many Protestant churches don’t observe Lent. Other people experience worship only at Christmas or Easter. The result is that they are familiar with the Resurrection, but don’t pay much attention to Good Friday and the Crucifixion.
In our Gospel selection, Jesus tells Nicodemas: “…so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” Jesus must be lifted up. It seems like an obvious reference to his crucifixion. He will be lifted up on the cross. In John, however, there is never just one level of meaning. The “lifted up” also refers to the resurrection. Lent is about engaging both of these meanings for “lifted up.”
As I read the Gospels, and particularly this passage from John, it is clear that Jesus taught his disciples about both meanings for “lifted up.” Time and again he reminds both the disciples and the crowds that following him will be costly, because being Jesus was costly.
The one who will be lifted up in the resurrection, must first be lifted up on the cross. Jesus accepts God’s call and identifies himself with all the sin and brokenness in the world. Instead of taking the path that would have allowed him to escape suffering, Jesus chose the path to the cross that allowed him to co-opt suffering with hope.
All our worship centers on this hope. Join us this week.
Fr. Andrew
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John 3:14-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
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Make Palm Crosses on Saturday, March 31st at 9:00 am in the Parish Hall. The Altar Guild invites you to gather in the Parish Hall for a morning of ministry and fellowship while making 400 Palm Crosses Crosses for Palm Sunday. They are easy to make, so don’t worry if you have not done them before. Breakfast will be provided. The Altar Guild will also be cleaning the church in preparation for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Kilmer, Altar Guild Director, at 760.325.0332 or kmkcc@aol.com
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So far 166 members or families have committed $332,391.00 for the support of God’s Mission at St. Paul’s. In addition to 23 new pledges there are about 25 pledges still outstanding from people who pledged last year and are still part of St. Paul’s.
Our pledge target for 2012 is $416,000.00, so we are considerably short of that goal. We anticipate missing our target by as much as $0-50,000.
The support of every member is needed to support our mission and ministries. If you have not made a pledge, please do so if you are able.
The Rector and Vestry will be considering a variety of options to respond to this situation and will keep the parish informed.
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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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Daughters of the King will meet Tuesday, March 27th at 1:00 pm at St. Margaret’s. They will extend their March meeting to Africa and learn about our Malawi DOK members. Come to the Conference Room at St. Margaret’s. Call Bonnie for information 760.324.7949.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Mar. 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.
03/18—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. 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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 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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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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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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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 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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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
6:00 pm
Soup Supper
with Footwashing
7:00 pm
Taizé Eucharist
Good Friday-4/6
12:00 Noon
Good Friday Liturgy
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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Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour hosts for 8:00 am are Eileen Upton & Don MacLean; for 10:30 am are Frank Kajfes & Bryan Wannop. The Altar Guild will observe Mothering Sunday with Simnel Cakes.
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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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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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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