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We Have a Challenging Goal for Advent
This weekend begins another Advent Season, a time of preparation. The question is: What are we preparing for?
The world around us is preparing for it’s definition of Christmas. Not to be too cynical, but most of that preparation is reduced to sales. A good “season” is one in which sales are better. The sale of gifts, meals, and entertainment should all increase.
In the church, we are also preparing for Christmas. There is extra work to be done for the celebration of the holy day. Extra services are planned, and we hope that many people will participate. We always hope our attendance will grow.
However, if this preparation is as far as we go, the church misses the point. At the heart of the matter, we are not really preparing for Christmas – we are preparing for Christ.
Each week we will read of ancient hope invested in the Anointed One, the Messiah. The hope calls us to higher expectations than either good sales or increased attendance. In our reading from Isaiah this week, the hope is all about peace. That hope is an expectation that the Messiah will lead away from war and bring peace.
In our preparation for Christ, how might we be part of that hope for peace? How do we communicate with our leaders that peace is our hope? We can do it by prayer, by making choices in our everyday lives that promote peace, and by practicing those small local choices until they lead us to a larger and wider hope of peace. I believe that, “neither shall they learn war any more,” starts within and among us as we prepare for Christ, and grows into our witness of hope for the world.
Join this week, in our practice of hope that welcomes Jesus. May God give us the strength to be people of hope.
Fr. Andrew
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Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD!
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National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day
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In recognition of National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day on December 21st, Older Adult Ministries and Social Justice are TAKING ACTION to create Blessing Bags for our sister’s and brothers in need. We request contributions of combs, shampoo, lip balm, socks, etc., (travel size only) for our Sunday Basket. On Sunday, December 15th our parishioners may share in filling Blessing Bags during the coffee hour. We will distribute Blessing Bags at Sunrise Park on Saturday, December 21st from 11am to 1pm. Blessings for your caring and generosity.
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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
The Three Comings of Jesus, led by Rick Tinsley
12/01 Preparing the Way of the Lord:
Advent History, Tradition & Devotion
12/08 Incarnate from the Virgin Mary and Was Made Human
12/15 With Us Always to the End of the Age
12/22 Will Come Again in Glory to Judge the Living and the Dead
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“Tuesdays at 7”
Taize Worship in the church.
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Scott Martin
August 28, 1959 – November18, 2013
Funeral December 5, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
Joseph Lowth
August 19, 1929 – November 11, 2013
Funeral, December 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
Michael Lee Lovett
September 15, 1946 – November 21, 2013
Funeral, December 13, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
May they rest in peace.
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Christmas For the Homeless
St. Paul in the Desert is planning to repeat its annual Christmas in-gathering for the men, women and children at Roy’s Resource Center. Last year, the generosity of our parishioners helped make Christmas much merrier for the less fortunate. We provided $25 gift certificates for most of the homeless at Roy’s for clothing and other necessary items. Please help us repeat this by making a special donation to St. Paul’s, designated for “SOS Christmas” – your contribution to this worthy cause will be much appreciated by those in need. For information, contact Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726.
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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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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Thanksgiving Day Worship
We will gather to give thanks to God on Thursday, November 28th at 10:30 a.m.
Join in to sing and pray our thanks in the celebration of Holy Communion.
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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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Lesson and Carols
will be presented by the Choirs of St. Paul in the Desert on Sunday, December 15th during the 10:30 worship service.
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Christmas Worship Schedule
December 24th – Christmas Eve
Carols – 5:45 p.m.
Family Service – 6:00 p.m.
(Childcare available)
Carols – 10:45 p.m.
Midnight Mass – 11:00 p.m.
December 25th – Christmas Day
Holy Communion and Carols
10:30 a.m.
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Holiday Concert featuring the Joslyn Singers on Thursday, December 5th, at 2:00pm at St. Anthony Episcopal Church, 19990 Mountain View Road, Desert Hot Springs. Suggested donation is $10.
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Spirituality for the Second Half of Life, a mini-retreat sponsored by the Older Adult Committee, will happen on Saturday, December 14th, 9:30am to 3:30pm. The presenter is the Rev. Canon David Caffrey. The cost is $10 which includes lunch. Tickets are on sale after services beginning November 23 or in the parish office.
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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. Learn more. . .
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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, (or view and print), 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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ECW Holiday Lunch
With the holidays fast approaching, the Episcopal Church Women will entertain at their annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 5th. A highlight of the festive event will be the special program, starting at Noon. Featured will be music of the season performed by St. Paul’s Music Director, Nathan Ensign, on the piano, accompanying Theresa Danne, an alto in the choir. Ms. Danne will sing several solos, and then lead the group in singing carols.
The traditional salad luncheon will follow the program in the parish hall. All women of the parish are invited, and those attending (except newcomers) should bring a salad to serve 6 to 8, rolls, or dessert to share; beverages are provided. For additional information, contact Kathy Briski at 760.864.7145. Hostesses for the winter gathering are Kathy Kilmer and Ruth Kraus.
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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 December 11th at 10:15 am. Parishioners are welcome to participate and assist.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Host today after the 8:00 service is Susan Green & after 10:30 is Craig Ewing.
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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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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