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Just How Special?
It is rare that I focus on a psalm for my reflection. Yet the psalms speak variously to our relationship with God, and this week I am struck by the psalm, specifically verse 8 – “Keep me as the apple of your eye…” It is a common phrase in literature and I would guess that most people are familiar with it. My understanding was that it referred to being a “favorite.” In listening to the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton of “The Lectionary Lab,” I learned that the original phrase had a different reference. After looking at some other references, I was more intrigued with the phrase.
The word “apple” in Hebrew translates as “little man.” It refers to the image one sees reflected in another’s eye when face to face.
The Psalmist is making a rather bold claim upon God. It is a claim of closeness and intimacy that does not require one to be a “favorite.” When we pray this verse, we are asking for God to see us as we are and to keep us close. Or perhaps as my wife Susan suggested, we are asking to see ourselves as God sees and loves us.
Seeing ourselves in this way is consistent with our hope as Christians and our responsibility. Our hope is a continuing closeness and connection with God, intimacy at God’s invitation. Our responsibility is to practice that closeness and connection in such a way that we extend God’s invitation to others – particularly those who find themselves far off from God’s or any love. This connecting is the heart of generosity. We share what we have received.
As we worship this week may we practice looking for “the little man (or woman)” reflected in another’s eye, and having seen that reflection invite God to keep us close and send us to make connections with the other – who may not know of God’s love. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Psalm 17: 1-9
1
Hear my plea of innocence, O LORD;
give heed to my cry; *
listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.
2
Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
let your eyes be fixed on justice.
3
Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
4
I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *
I have heeded the words of your lips.
5
My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
6
I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
incline your ear to me and hear my words.
7
Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *
O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
from those who rise up against them.
8
Keep me as the apple of your eye; *
hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9
From the wicked who assault me, *
from my deadly enemies who surround me.
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African Team Ministry (ATM) Craft & Jewelry Sale
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African Team Ministry (ATM) Craft & Jewelry Sale November Nov. 10th and Nov. 17th, hosted by Roseanna Langley after both Sunday services. African Team Ministries is a Christian organization working to provide funding for orphan and refugee relief missions in East Africa. The support they receive is used to provide school fees, tuition, books and uniforms for orphaned and refugee children. In addition, ATM also provides a means for selling jewelry and crafts handmade in Kenya, the proceeds from which go directly back to the artisans who made them.
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 Taize services are offered at St Paul’s on three Tuesdays in Advent. The first Advent Taize service will be December 3rd, at 7pm. In a quiet, peaceful setting, short songs are repeated again and again with just a few words to express a basic reality of faith. As these words are sung multiple times, our whole being is gradually permeated by this reality. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God and it allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together. All are invited to come and experience this calming, prayerful moment in our hectic, daily lives.
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Older Adult Committee Trip
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Older Adult Committee Trip to The Getty Center, Los Angeles, for the Exhibit “Canterbury & St. Albans: Treasures from Church & Cloister’ on Thursday, January 23, 2014, departing St Paul’s at 7:15 AM returning about 5 PM. $45 per person by cash, check or credit card. Transportation by Cardiff Luxury Bus with restroom. Coffee with lite breakfast will be served before we board. Wine, soft drinks and snacks available on the way home. Lunch at one of the Getty’s restaurants on your own. Tickets on sale after Services on Dec 1, 8 and 15 or in the Parish Office. Limited Seating – buy your seat now.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Year of St. Matthew, DVD series –
“Jesus and the Gospels” by Prof. Timothy Johnson.
Facilitated by Jerry Lynch 11/3 & 11/10 and
Craig Ewing 11/17 & 11/16
11/10 Gospel of Matthew-The Messiah of Israel
11/17 Gospel of Matthew-Jesus and the Torah
11/26 Gospel of Matthew-Teacher and Lord
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
Peace & Justice Issues. (Led by Bob Hettinger)
11/12 War and Peace
11/19 The Affluent Society
11/26 The Civil Rights Movement
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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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“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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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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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we 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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At the
Church of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
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The Social Justice Team
will meet on Nov 14th at 7 PM in St. Paul’s library. Linda Barrack, Director of Roy’s Desert Resource Center for Jewish Family Services will share issues with respect to “Transitional Housing” and what it means for our homeless brothers and sisters. Please join us for discussion, learning and tasty treats.
Thought for the week: “To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.” – Pearl S. Buck
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Well in the Desert
. . . is seeking volunteers to help prepare and/or serve dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Volunteer applications are in the church hall. Please fill them out if you are interested and we will group FAX them. Thereafter you will be called with the particulars.
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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
. . .every Wednesday at 6pm in the Choir Room. All children age 4 and above are invited to participate in this activity learning musical skills while having fun and assisting in the congregation’s worship. For more information please contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488 ext 225.
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 Godly Play
This Bible story-centered children’s curriculum aims at ages 4-9. It is held during the 10:30 Sunday service in the corner room of the parish hall. Nursery care is also available. A short parent and staff meeting will take place in the Godly Play room after church on Sunday. Bring your young children to church or invite friends who have grandkids of this age to join us. Call Bonnie Stroock for more information at 760.324.7949.
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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 November 13th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts today after both the 8:00 & 10:30 services are Members of the Vestry
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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Report Misconduct.
Report Misconduct. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Thomas Wilson at twilssdca@gmail.com or 619.518.4713.
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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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