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The Devil Did Not Make You Do It!
When I was growing up, I remember the comedian Flip Wilson. One of his tag lines was, “The devil made me do it.” I am sure it was not original with him, as I have heard lots of people say it in jest or for real.
A part of our reading for this weekend reminds us that the saying is not true. The devil does not – and cannot – make you do anything. The role of the devil in scripture is tempter or tester, not enforcer.
Last week we read about Jesus being tested about his vocation and remaining faithful. This week we are asked to consider the tests, trials, and temptations we experience. When Paul writes that God “will not let you be tested beyond your strength…” he is telling us something about God and about ourselves.
God can be counted on. God will be with us through whatever trials may come our way. Because God is faithful, because God can be counted on, we have a resource in facing tests and temptations. We can pray and we can turn to the companions that God sends to support us. We can’t wish trials away, but we can make decisions that move us through them. I have a memory of an ancient saint who advised, “When confronted with temptation, turn to the right.” Do something.
One power that any trial has is the feeling that I am alone, on my own. Sometimes, just remembering who I am as a beloved child of God is enough to get me through. That is, deciding to remember. It is a specific action that is able to connect me in a concrete way to the God who is faithful. Sometimes I need to ask for help. Again, I need to decide to do something. The simple act of calling a friend and saying that I am struggling and need their prayers may reconnect me with the strength of God which will lead me through.
Each of us is called on to encourage and support one another. We are living reminders that God is faithful, because God works through us. When we have experience working the support side, it is amazing how much more we feel connected, and not powerless in the time of our own trials.
Join us in worship this weekend as our community, familiar with testing and trials, learns to look out for one another.
Fr. Andrew
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1 Corinthians 10:12-13
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
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Click here to print and/or view a copy of this table.
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Billie Webster
4/9/1935 – 2/21/2013
Billie, a long time member of St. Pauls, died on Thursday, February 21, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held on March 1, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ramon Chapel of the Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Cathedral City.
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Remember: Change Your Clocks
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Daylight Savings Time
begins next Sunday,
March 10th.
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Walking the Via Dolorosa in Jersualem
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 The Faith Formation Team invites you to join Bonnie Stroock on Saturday, March 23rd from 2-3:45pm in the library for a virtual tour of where the Stations of the Cross began. Follow Christ’s path to Golgotha, after he was condemned an carrying the cross, through pictures on stories. Lean the history of one of the most famous pilgrimages of Christendom as we begin Holy Week. Then stay for Holy Communion at 4pm in the church.
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My sincerest thank you to the 2012 Vestry, the Rector, and parishioners of The Church Of St. Paul In The Desert, for the honor of receiving the Bishop’s Servant Ministry Award. Even though Fr. Andrew had told me about it, the award was truly unexpected. The activities mentioned in regard to the award are part of daily life for many in the parish. To be recognized for perhaps a more continuous and consistent participation is greatly appreciated. Living up to the award will put focus on the activities.
Sincerely
Ron Shepherd
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Dinner is Served-Tickets on Sale Now!
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All Parish Spaghetti Dinner
One of St. Paul’s not to be missed events is the annual Spaghetti Dinner, which takes place on Saturday, March 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The Hall will take on the look of an Italian bistro for the evening, traditionally a look of festivity and fellowship. Proceeds will be going towards outreach projects and special needs of the church.
On the menu will be spaghetti, of course, with choice of sauce, either meat or vegetarian, tossed garden salad, and garlic bread. A variety of beverages will be available to complement the meal.
A special feature will be the Bake Sale, featuring home baked cookies, cakes, pies and breads. Contributions are welcome (nothing that needs refrigeration) and can be delivered to the church between noon and 4 p.m. the night of the dinner. Sugarless treats are also needed.
Tickets, which are now on sale following all church services and in the parish office, are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children between the ages of 3 and 12 years of age; children under 3 are free according to this year’s chairpersons, Bonnie Stroock and John Westaway. For additional information, or to volunteer to assist with preparations for the event, please contact the church office (760) 320-7488, ext. 0.
Proceeds from this event benefit The Well in the Desert!
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The ‘Windsails‘ in the church were inspired by a visit to Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, off the north east coast of Britain where St Aidan founded a monastery in 635 AD in the Celtic pattern of Iona. As we progress through Lent, so the Windsails will be moved each week, getting closer to the altar for Easter. Wendy Rudd is an amateur British artist who worships in an Anglican Church and a friend of Gordon Etheridge who arranged for them to come to St. Paul’s. As they are moved into the main body of the building, we hope to have curated times when we can invite people to come and enjoy the quiet space for inspired reflection. If you are willing to offer an hour, probably in the weeks following February 24th, please email:
gordonetheridge@gmail.com
or telephone the church office.
(Gordon usually worships at the 1030 Sunday service)
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Episcopal Night at the San Diego Opera
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‘Murder in the Cathedral’
Friday, April 5, at 7pm
Join Bishop Mathes and members from churches of the diocese for an evening of world-class opera and experience a 900-year old story of politics, intrigue, temptation and murder. Tickets purchased at a 20% discount include a backstage tour and a glamorous pre-opera reception. Visit the webpage www.sdopera.com/promo/offeredsd. For more information, pick up a flyer in the church office or contact Vanessa Dinning at 619.533.8047 or Vanessa.Dinning@sdopera.com.
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The Experience of Confirmation;
Accepting God’s Gift of Faith
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Are you worshiping with our community and are ready to take a further step into becoming an Episcopalian?
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Are you allready an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect?
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Are you confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church?
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Are you interested in exploring your faith in the context of St. Paul’s community?
Then our Confirmation Program is for you!
This journey will lead you through your own spiritual life story as well as through the history, theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. It is an opportunity for you to grow spiritually in and through the community of faith at St. Paul’s. There will be weekly sessions on the Thursdays throughout Lent in preparation for Confirmation/Reception by Bishop Mathes on Sunday, April 21st. Please RSVP your interest in attending by calling Susan at 760.320.7488 ext 227.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Lenten Biblical Figures:
hosted by Victoria Hatch
3/03 Pharisees & Sadducees: Good Guys or Bad Guys
3/10 Pontius Pilate: Hand Washing? Please Pass the Soap
3/17 The Centurion(s): Pax Romana or Convert?
3/24 & 31 NO CLASS – Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
The Historical Jesus: hosted by Jerry DiNoto,
Craig Ewing and Father David
3/05 Who Do You Say That I Am? – The Last Days
3/10 Who Do You Say That I Am? – The Last Hours
3/19 Who Do You Say That I Am? – Death and Resurrection
3/26 NO CLASS – Holy Week
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center is an outreach St. Paul that serves the homeless by providing clothing and deserts on Monday evening served by our volunteers. You can help by contributing deserts, donating to our SOS Fund, adding to our donation baskets in the Narthex or joining our volunteers on Monday evening. For more information, call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726.
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“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”
Ministry!
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Pau’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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ACT NOW!
Sign the Pledge to Break the Cycle of Violence. Click here.
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The Rev. Sidney “Herbert” Shears, who was Rector of St. Paul in the Desert from 1968-1975, celebrated his 100th birthday February 14th. Read more…
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Annual
Daughters of the King
Daughters of the King thank the ladies who attended our tea. The usual Tuesday afternoon meeting is changed this month. Please meet at the church March 3rd at noon to start discussing our Lenten book, Expecting to See Jesus, by Anne Graham Lotz. Call Bonnie Stroock for information at 760.324.7949.
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Episcopal Church Women
…meets for their monthly luncheon Thursday, March 7th at 11:30am in the parish hall for a business meeting followed by lunch and a program by Ruth Kraus, who will share social, cultural, and educational experiences of living in New Zealand. Those attending (except newcomers) should bring a salad to serve 6-8, rolls, or dessert to share. Beverages are provided. For additional information, contact the church office.
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The Camp Stevens
Women’s Retreat
…will be March 8-10. The camp is in the beautiful woods near Julian CA, 80 miles south of Palm Springs. Cost is $145 for lodging, food and the program of worship, music, and reflection. Contact info@campstevens.org or phone 760.765.0028 for reservations.
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Emergency Update:
Hurricane Sandy
Episcopal Relief and Development is helping to meet the need.
Your help is urgently needed.
Click here to donate.
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Flowers in the church
Sign up in the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall for altar or narthex flowers for 2013.
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St Paul’s at The Follies
Saturday,
March 2, 2013,
1:30 p.m.
$49 per person cash or check. (Regularly $85 seats.) Call Mike Carson ASAP for tickets. (760) 318-6377.
Why not make it a show & dinner?
Get your tickets for the Annual Spaghetti Supper and attend after the Follies!
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We Need Volunteers
. . . to assist with Name Badge organization. Please contact Mike Funke at 760-409-0986 or: mike.funke@yahoo.com if you can help.
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Sponsors are needed
. . . for those who will begin our Confirmation / Reception / Reaffirmation preparation series. A sponsor is someone who encourages candidates with prayer, presence, and contact. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact the office at 760.320.7488.
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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 March 13 at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour is hosted after the 8:00 service by Tim Johnson and after the 10:30 service by Aaron Riviers and Denny De Lay
Coffee Hour hosts are needed for the rest of 2013. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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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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Episcopalians Against Gun Violence is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, go to www.facebook.com/EpiscopaliansAgainstGunViolence.
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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.
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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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