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Can I Come With You?
In the season of Easter preparation, we hear Jesus tell folks that they cannot go where he is going. He repeats it to his disciples at the last supper together, which we are reading this week. He is speaking about, in some way, going back to God, to his father. I have come to understand this as a part of the journey from Good Friday to Easter – death to resurrection. When Jesus is prepared, he will go where God leads him. His disciples can’t go with him – yet.
In our Men’s Bible Study this week, Doug posed a question: “Do you think we can’t go with Jesus, because we don’t love like Jesus?” Wow!
This perception holds promise. Just as Good Friday to Easter is a journey, so is becoming the kind of disciple who can follow Jesus wherever he goes. Do we understand the implications? I used to think of following Jesus as automatic for a disciple. Maybe not.
After he told them that they cannot come, Jesus gave them a new commandment – love for one another. This is not just LOVE, as in a romantic or feel-good story. It is, at least, the third specific type of loving behavior Jesus taught. Love your neighbors is first (not the people next door, but across the tracks). Love your enemies is second (think of those who wish you harm). And then the third: Love one another.
How hard could it be to love one another within the group of 11 disciples? If they do, the world will know that they belong to Jesus. They will be well on their way to following him – coming with him.
When we try to live by our Mission Statements, by “Fearless Love,” our eyes are set on loving the outsider, the “other,” or the person in some form of need. We work hard to turn our thoughts and actions outward, counting on God’s help. But Jesus teaches us that we also need to nurture our relationships inside the faith community. We need to be reconciled to one another. It is good practice for serving God’s world. That is where the risen Jesus goes before us.
When we are prepared, we can come, too.
Join the celebration of mutual love and our joyful praise of God.
Fr. Andrew
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John 13:31-35
At the last supper, when Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the religious leaders so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus
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The Chorus presents their performance of BORN THIS WAY Saturday Evening, April 27th at 7:00 pm and Sunday, April 28th at 3pm at the Palm Springs High School Auditorium. Tickets are available ONLY at the door for $55 VIP, $40 Premium and $30 per person. The Chorus is under the direction of Robert Seeley who is accompanied by Bruce Mangum and Orchestra. Come join them for a pleasant performance of magnificent entertainment.
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A Classical Piano Concert
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 Dr. John Granet will perform on Thursday, May 9th here at St. Paul’s in a benefit for Desert Blind and Handicapped. The Concert, narrated by John, will be preceded by a reception in the Parish Hall at 6 PM. The Concert will begin in the Sanctuary at 7 PM. There will also be a Post-Concert Reception in the Parish Hall at 8:30 PM. Tickets are $40 and are available by phoning 760.778.8552 or you may see George Holliday, Harriet Yost or Bette Knutson after the Sunday services.
Born in Portland, Oregon and totally blind at birth, John holds a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in piano and composition from USC. He has taught piano, music theory and music appreciation at various colleges. Many of John’s classical, chamber and solo works have been performed at venues and universities across the US.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
From Convent to Miter:
The Legacy of Women in the Episcopal Church
Hosted by Victoria Hatch
4/28 Religious Orders and Religious Education
5/05 The Fight for Ordination I
5/12 The Fight for Ordination II
5/19 The Election of Katharine Jefferts Schori
5/26 NO CLASS – Memorial Day Weekend
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
The Old Testament
A study of the Hebrew Scriptures, DVD with Amy Jill Levine.
Hosted by Craig Ewing and Team
4/30 Moses and Exodus – Exodus 1-15
5/07 The God of Israel – Exodus 1-15
5/14 Covenant and Law, Part I – Exodux 19-40
5/21 Covenant and Law, Part II – Exodus 20-35 and Leviticus
5/28 The Conquest – Deuteronomy 20-21, 27-31, and the Book of Joshua
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center is an outreach of St. Paul’s that serves the homeless by providing clothing and desserts on Monday evening served by our volunteers. You can help by contributing desserts, 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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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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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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Celebrate May with ECW!
A luncheon and special program are planned for the Episcopal Church Women’s gathering on May 2nd, the last of this year’s gatherings. The program will feature parishioner and artist Charlene Faris, who will be displaying and talking about some of her paintings. There will also be time to reminisce and share memories of “Mother’s Artistic Yarns” to celebrate Mother’s Day. A business meeting, open to all, begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by the noon luncheon and program. Newcomers to the parish are especially welcome. Those attending (except for newcomers) are asked to bring a salad to serve 6 to 8, rolls, or a dessert. Beverages are provided. Hostesses will be Beverly Zwach and Victoria Pineda. For additional information, contact Kathy Briski @ (760) 864-7145.
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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 May 8th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour hosts are needed for many Sundays throughout 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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“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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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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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, click here.
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