The Abundant Lite – December 12, 2013

From The Rector

Take Offense?

This week we hear again from John the Baptizer as we move through Advent. On the second Sunday of Advent John called people to “turn around” and get ready for the Messiah. Now, later in Matthew’s Gospel, John, from prison, has sent his followers to ask Jesus if he is indeed that Messiah. The confidence of his bold prophet’s challenge – seen in his prophesying and baptizing – is muted and seeking confirmation.

Jesus does not answer John directly, but provides evidence instead. If one thinks the Messiah will heal the sick, raise the dead, and include the poor, then Jesus is that Messiah. Then Jesus says, “Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” People’s expectations may differ from Jesus’ serving ministry; there is none of the Messiah of power and kingship people have hoped for.

I don’t think we have any reason to believe that John took offense at Jesus, but how Jesus was doing his work caused John to ask for confirmation. We don’t know if John expected Jesus to have a different agenda, or if he were simply reaching out for some assurance.

Yet I would not be surprised if most people, including me, were to take offense at Jesus’ not exercising power but choosing instead a ministry of compassion and inclusiveness. Some see Christianity as making people morally upright, and may take offense at the Jesus who refuses to judge tax collectors and sinners. Some see Christianity as about reversing the injustice of the world, and may take offense at the Jesus who was willing to dine with the rich and powerful.

It is quite human and quite easy for me to build my image of the Messiah I hope for, and to take offense when Jesus – on close inspection – upsets my expectations and shows them to be incomplete. I build images of the Messiah over and over, but God loves me enough that Jesus keeps challenging me. In the same way, Advent presents us with several views of what God has in store. If at least one of his views does not cause us to take offense – to inspire us to reexamine our expectations – then maybe we are not paying attention.

Join in worship with a community that looks to grow our understanding and expectations of Jesus and of ourselves.

Fr. Andrew
 

Featured Scripture

     Matthew 11:2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

         `See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

          who will prepare your way before you.’

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

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

The final Advent Taizé service is offered at St. Paul’s on Tuesday, December 17th, 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. You 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.

Faith Building

“Sundays at 9:15”

In The Library

The Three Comings of Jesus, led by Rick Tinsley

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.

Deaths In The Parish

Michael Lee Lovett

September 15, 1946 – November 21, 2013

Funeral, December 13, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

May he rest in peace.

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 Blessing Bags for our sisters and brothers in need. Sunday, December 15th, you 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.

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.

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.

Announcements

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Church Office Hours

Please help the staff by observing that the office is not open for regular business on Mondays. The doors will not be open for walk-ins; and if you call the office, please leave a voice mail message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.

PLEDGE UPDATE

As of last Sunday, 129 pledges for a projected income of $229,200 have been received for the ministry of St. Paul in the Desert in 2014.

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.

You are invited to help . . .

DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS

Please come to the church next Sunday, December 22nd, at 1:30p.

For further information, call the office at 760.320.7488.

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.

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.

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 Sunday, after the 8:00 service are Barry Hagenbuch & Robert Woods, and after 10:30 are Bryan Wannop & Frank Kajfes.

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.

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.