|
Personalized Repentance
John the Baptizer is building a crowd and a following by declaring something is happening that requires people to change – to make a 180 degree turn – to repent: “the kingdom of God has come near.” This week our Gospel says their repentance prepares the way for the Messiah – their awesome God is bringing the kingdom to them, and God will stay with them. John is calling people to “turn around” as the way to get them ready for life as Jesus’ followers and its demand for “good fruit” – justice and mercy and love of neighbor.
Like the prophets of the Hebrew Bible, John reminds the people and especially their leaders that God wants the people of God to have a passion for justice. As a people, they were to stand for justice and with one another.
His preaching inspired all sorts of people in the region, and they responded by confession and by receiving baptism – the sign that they had “turned around” and received a new life. Even the leaders responded to John’s preaching.
I had thought those leaders who were confronted by John had left, but that is not what the text says. I don’t believe they were turned away. John just personalized his preaching and described to them clear, powerful alternatives to repentance. As leaders of the people, they had to bear good fruit – examples of just dealing in their leadership – or suffer dire consequences.
I hope to listen to John’s preaching as if it were meant just for me, and hear where it calls me to “turn around.” At the same time, I hope to hear John as he is speaking to all of us – calling all of us to the path of justice. Like everything in our faith, we each have a personal stake and we each are part of a community that has a stake in living out God’s mission of reconciliation.
Join in our worship this week as the personal and the communal response to God’s call and God’s presence among us, is shared around the table.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
Matthew 3:1-12
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
`Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.'”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
|
|
National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day
|
|
In recognition of National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day on December 21st, Older Adult Ministries and Social Justice are TAKING ACTION to create 100 Blessing Bags for our sister’s and brothers in need. We request contributions of bars of soap, granola bars, pairs of socks, disposable razors, toothbrushes, boxed toothpastes, Emory boards, tissue packs, etc. 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.
|
|
 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.
|
|
Older Adult Committee Trip
|
|
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.
|
|
“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
The Three Comings of Jesus, led by Rick Tinsley
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
|
|
“Tuesdays at 7”
Taize Worship in the church.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
“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 Paul’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!
|
|
Free Vision Screening
. . .sponsored by the Palm Springs Lions Club is on Saturday, December 28th, 8am to 2:30pm at St Paul’s. For information call Linda at 760.702.0879 or to volunteer to help email Lena Granet at lenahome@aol.com.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
The Tolerance Education Center
proudly presents the film version of Del Shores’ “Southern Baptist Sissies,” the story of four “sissy” boys growing up and singing in the choir at a Texas Southern Baptist Church. Two showings on Tuesday, December 10th, at 4pm and 7pm. Admission is $25. Reservations at 760.328.8252 are required. For more information email Stan Deller & David Weir
at davidweirs@gamil.com.
|
|
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.
|
Dine and Do Good.
The most unique dining experience you will ever have, Dining in the Dark is a benefit for the Desert Blind & Handicapped Association that will be held on Saturday, December 14th, with no candlelight, no moonlight and no starlight, just your powerful other senses taking over.
Catered by Opaque, with entertainment by Jeannette Debonne, harper, the evening will begin with cocktails at 5:30 pm with dinner at 6:30 pm and take place at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.
Tickets for the event are $150 each and can be purchased by calling 760.778.8552 or online at www.desertblind.org.
|
|
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. . .
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts today after the 10:30 are Bette Knutson, Harriet Yost, and Beverly Zwach.
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Write a comment: