The Abundant Lite – October 18, 2012

From the Rector

We Are Able

When you read the Gospels frequently, and pay special attention to the disciples, you learn to be ready for the unexpected. Sometimes the disciples, particularly Peter, James and John say the darndest things. Previously, Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah and then corrects him on his approach to being the Messiah.

In this week’s Gospel reading, James and John want Jesus to promise that he will grant them whatever favor they will ask. It seems a little presumptuous to me. They thought it presumptuous enough to ask for special future seating with Jesus that they did not ask this in front of the others.

Jesus turns their request back on them and asks if they can handle the gift they have requested. “Are you able to drink the cup…” They answer him, “We are able.”

This is significant misdirection. They think they know what is to come and believe themselves ready. Can you imagine the glorious future they anticipate? But Jesus really knows. He has just told them what is to become of him – he will be scorned, killed, and rise on the third day. Even hearing that, they insist on their imagined scenario.

Here is the point: Jesus believes that they are or will be able. They will be able to face what comes, when it comes. He believes in them, even as he redirects them.

Like James and John, I want to be there with Jesus. I don’t think about heavenly seating, on the right or left hand, but I want to be where Jesus is. I think all Christians want to be with Jesus. It is just that we don’t always understand where Jesus invites us to go.

Nowhere in any Gospel do I read that Jesus invited a group or individual to go with him to Church. No one is invited to write a check. But Jesus constantly invites his disciples to join him in service. He invites them to turn their expectations upside down. Status in Jesus’ world comes from connecting with what is common, not from connecting only with the certified holy or important.

Today, Jesus invites us to join him in service. Today. By the grace of God, and Jesus’ confidence in us, we are able.

You can read in our newsletter or bulletin about some of the ways that people from St. Paul’s serve. There are many other ways. No one has a corner on service.

Join us in worship this weekend as we practice building a community of service.

Fr. Andrew
 

Featured Scripture

     Mark 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
 

Special Worship,

Saturday November 3rd at 4:00 PM.

Bishop James Mathes will be present to lead a special Holy Communion service in support of the Desert AIDS Walk and the LGBT community.  The Bishop will preside and preach, the Choir of St. Paul in the Desert will sing, and the Palm Springs Community will be welcomed.  We will also observe our special All Saints prayers. Sunday worship will be led by Canon Victoria and the Rev. Steven Strane, Associate Rector in the late 70’s will preach.

25th Annual Palm Springs AIDS Walk

Join the St. Paul’s walkers as we participate in the Palm Springs AIDS Walk on Sunday, November 4th. Join us as we walk to end the AIDS pandemic.  There is a table to sign up after the Sunday services on the walk between the Church and the Parish Hall.  You are also welcome to make donations for a specific walker or you may  “adopt” a walker at the table.

Sunday, NOVEMBER 4TH

Click the heart above to go to the St. Pauls AIDS WALK page!

Robert V. Taylor To Visit November 15th

Robert V. Taylor, author and Episcopal theologian, will facilitate a discussion on his new book, A New Way To Be Human, on Thursday, November 15th @ 7 PM in the Church Hall Parlor. Robert was one of our visiting theologians this past winter and is looking forward to his return visit in November.  Robert’s book is available at http://www.amazon.com.  For more information, contact Barbara Villani at:

bhvillani@gmail.com.

PMS: THE RECITAL

(A Benefit for the Music Program at St. Paul’s)

Our soprano section-leader, Patricia Minton Sivcovich, along with special guest musicians, will present a concert on Sunday, October 21st, at 4 PM. Serious songs, sacred songs and silly songs will be included in the program.  There will be a reception following in the Parish Hall hosted by the choir. For more information contact Patti at: 760.778.6016 or Nathan at 760.320.7488, ext. 225. Donations are graciously expected at the door.

Click Patricia’s picture to view her bio.

Wanted!

Your Photos, Messages, & Announcements

. . .to be put up on the new monitors in the Parish Hall.   Please give your JPEG images to Roger Allen (or place them in his mail box in the Parish Office) on a flash drive (thumb drive) or SD card at least a week before you would like them shown. We can also show Power Point presentations.

ALSO NEEDED: Experts in Power Point and video editing. Please talk to Roger Allen for details.

Faith Building

New Program at St. Paul’s by the
Older Adult Forum…

“Building Community & Socialization”

3rd Friday Breakfast 9am-10am
 

Come join us the 3rd Friday of each month to enjoy a great program and have a bite to eat. Our next event will be Friday, October 19th at 9am in the Parish Hall.

“Sundays at 9:15”

In The Library

The Orthodox Church
10/21    Interview with John Granet, led by Rick Tinsley
10/28    DVD: Eastern Orthodox Theology, led by Jerry Lynch
11/11, 11/18/ & 11/24    The Hebrew Scriptures-The Book of Genesis, led by Jerry Dinoto (11/11) & Victoria Hatch (11/18 &11/24).

“Tuesdays At 7”

In The Library

The Story of the Episcopal Church
10/23—General Convention / “Next Stop on the Via Media:  Grand Central Station”, led by Victoria Hatch
10/30—The Parish Vestry / “When the Greek Chorus Gets Budget Authority,” led by Victoria Hatch & Craig Ewing

11/6, 11/13, 11/20 & 11/27   Faith and Reason, led by Jerry DiNoto.

Roy’s Desert Resource Center

 Volunteers from St. Paul in the Desert  serve dessert to 70-100 homeless men, women and children at Roy’s every Monday evening. We also deliver socks and underwear purchased and placed in the “ROY’S” basket. Roy’s clients, who are  striving to get back into the main stream, deeply appreciate your efforts.

Announcements

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Daughters of the King

. . . meet on Tuesday,  Oct. 23rd at 1:15 PM.  We will plan our calendar for the year and update our prayer list.   You’re invited to join us in the Condo building and enjoy refreshments, coffee, and good fellowship.  Have a blessed week! Bonnie Stroock, Order President, at 760.324.7949.

ECW Luncheon November 1

The Episcopal Church Women have an autumn luncheon on the calendar for Thursday, November 1.A business meeting at 11:30 a.m. will be followed by the traditional salad luncheon.  All women of the parish are invited to attend this event.

The group will continue its discussion of plans for the 2012-2013 season according to Bette Knutson, the group’s president. Hostesses for the day will be Audrey Spencer and Debbie Reder. Those attending are asked to bring a favorite salad, rolls or dessert to share; beverages are provided.  For additional information about the event, contact Bette at (760) 416-5739.
 

Holy Communion Service for

Local Care Facilities

Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of each month at Windsor Court.  The next service will be November 14th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.

The Children’s Choir has regular rehearsals on Wednesdays, at 6:00 in the choir room. New members are always welcome! All children age 4 and up are invited to participate in this activity learning musical life skills and working together as a team. For more information contact Nathan Ensign at:

760-320-7488 Ext. 225

Coffee Hour

Hosts after the 8:00 service are Eileen Upton & Don MacLean.

Peter Rittenhouse and Rich Cansdale will host after the 10:30 service.

Coffee Hour hosts are still needed for several services the rest of the year. 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.

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.
 

Sign Up for Flowers,

Coffee Hour and

Roy’s Desert Resource Center

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.

Report Sexual Misconduct.

As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please remember 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 and to encourage all to report any misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Canon Suzann V. Holding immediately: sholding@edsd.org

or 619-481-5452.

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.