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When You Are Overcome
This is the final Sunday after the Epiphany and we read about Jesus’ Transfiguration. There are allusions to Moses on Mt. Sinai and we read about Jesus conversing with representatives of the Hebrew Scripture: Moses representing the Torah and Elijah representing the Prophets. Matthew clearly understood Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s saving acts and so does the Christian church. However, today, I am focused on Jesus’ care for Peter, James and John as they witness this encounter, as they are overcome by what they see and hear.
Matthew writes that Jesus’ “face shown like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” I see four things that overcame the three disciples: First, the appearance of Jesus – his face and clothes; then the sudden appearing of Moses and Elijah; next the luminous cloud that overshadowed them; and finally the voice from the cloud. The disciples were overcome with fear.
Peter tried to make sense of the experience when he offer to build shelters for the three holy ones, but the cloud and the voice were too much for him. There is no record of James or John responding in any way but in overwhelmed awe, a kind of fear.
When the cloud, light, holy visitors, and the voice were gone, Jesus touched the three disciples and reassured them. He did not stand at a distance and offer verbal encouragement. He came to their places and stooped down to them and touched them.
I have been overcome. This means that I have been overwhelmed with challenges to my health, my personal life, or even my faith, and have been moved beyond my own ability to control or even cope. Have you been overcome. too?
Take comfort in Jesus’ response. He does not shout good advice to you, he touches you; he lets you know he is present when you are confused, wrung-out, or over-awed. Remember, we are his hands through which the overcome are touched and comforted. It is our willingness to be present when we may have no words which link us to the care of Jesus. And it takes practice.
Join in worship with a community that practices being with one another care-fully, so that we are prepared to reach out and touch those who find themselves overcome.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 17:1-9
Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
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Faith Building: Sunday Mornings
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Faith Building Class: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally” – Dramatic Changes in Global Christianity
 We are pleased to have the Rev. F. Dean Lueking lead our Sunday Morning program for four weeks in March. Pastor Lueking and his wife, Beverly, have engaged Christians from many countries around the world to learn about the state of Global Christianity. The result was his twelfth published book, Through Their Eyes, A People’s View of the Global Church. Dr. Lueking’s class will be based on this book. Copies of the book will be on sale following each service and in the Parish Office for $20.00.
Pastor Lueking is a Lutheran Pastor from River Forest, Il. He was ordained in 1954 and served Grace Church, River Forest for 44 years. Since his retirement in 1998, he has been the Pastor Emeritus. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1960.
He and Beverly have been married since 1954 and have begun spending part of each winter in the Coachella Valley. (Click here for his full Curriculum Vitae.)
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Gus Frouws
Died 2/21/2014
Funeral services are scheduled for March 22nd at 11:00 am.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
The Twilight Zone: What Happened on That Mountain – a closer look at the Transfiguration.
March 2
Led by David Caffrey and Andrew Green.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally:
Dramatic Changes in Global Christianity.
We are pleased that the Rev. F. Dean Lueking will lead our Sunday morning program March 9, 16, 23, and 30. Pastor Lueking and his wife, Beverly, have engaged Christians from many countries around the world to learn about the state of Global Christianity. The result is his twelfth book, Through Their Eyes, A People’s View of the Global Church, which will be the basis of the class. Copies are on sale following each service and in the parish office for $20.00. Lueking was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1954 and served Grace Church, River Forest, for 44 years. Since his retirement in 1998, he has been the Pastor Emeritus. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1960. He and Beverly have been married since 1954 and have begun spending part of each winter in the Coachella Valley.
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In The Library
Jesus and the Gospels – a continuation of the DVD series by Luke Timothy Johnson. Hosted by David Abernethy-Deppe.
3/04 Why Not “The Historical Jesus?”
3/11 The Starting Point – The Resurrection Experience
3/18 The Matsrix – Symbolic World of Greek and Jew
3/25 Parallels – Stories of Greek and Jewish Heroes
4/01 The Context – Jesus in the Memory of the Church
4/08 Earliest Stages – Paul and the Oral Tradition
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center is an outreach of St. Paul’s that serves the homeless by providing clothing, special Monday night desserts and other volunteer services to one of the Coachella Valley’s largest transitional living facilities. You can help by contributing desserts, donating to the SOS fund, adding to the donation baskets in the Narthex or by joining our volunteers to assist our Monday evening outreach. Several new services are planned, and new volunteers are both needed and welcome. For more information, contact Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726 or Chris Kelly at 760.406.2978.
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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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
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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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“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”
Ministry!
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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!
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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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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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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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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE WISDOM
“The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without
humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles.” Mahatma Ghandi
Social Justice Ministry meets Thursday, March 13th, at 7pm in St. Paul’s library.
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PLEDGE UPDATE
As of February 25th, there are 171 pledges, for a projected income of $318,564, that have been received for the ministry of St Paul in the Desert in 2014. Offering envelopes can be picked up in the parish office.
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FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRY OUTING
…will meet at the Coachella Valley Preserve parking lot off Thousand Palms Road on Saturday, March 22nd, at 1:30pm. Contact Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 or Michael Howard at 760.323.1050.
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THE EPISCOPAL
CHURCH WOMEN
meets on Thursday, March 6th, at 11:30am. The event affords a special time of fellowship, and all women of the parish are welcome. At the business meeting we will discuss plans for the All Parish Spaghetti dinner on March 22. The salad luncheon and program will follow the meeting. Those attending (except for newcomers) are asked to bring a salad to serve 6-8, rolls, or a dessert. Beverages are provided. Hostesses for the luncheon are Bette Knutson and Harriet Yost. For additional information, contact Kathy Briski at 760.864.7145.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Please save the date of April 6th for Lunch with the Bishop after the 10:30 service! It’s an opportunity for us to get to hear from our Bishop, James Mathes. Details will follow at the beginning of March.
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A Taizé Service
. . . is held on the first Thursday of the month. Currently the service schedule is March 6th at 7:00 pm.
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The Annual Parish Spaghetti Dinner
and
ECW Bake Sale
. . . are on the horizon! It will held in the Parish Hall on Saturday, March 22nd from 5-7 PM. Tickets are on sale after each worship service, each Sunday through March 16th, and in the Parish Office until the event.
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MUSIC OF J. S. BACH
. . . and His Boys for Violin and Harpsichord, played on period instruments by the eminent Dutch violinist, Jaap Schroeder and harpsichordist, Margaret Irwin-Brandon will be presented Sunday, March 23rd, at 2:30pm in the Parish Hall. A reception to meet the artists will follow and a suggested donation of $20 is requested. Contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488 ext 225.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on March 12th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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SPIRITUAL REFLECTION RETREAT AT
CAMP STEVENS
Do you need a weekend of spiritual reflection and Christian company in a beautiful, natural setting? Camp Stevens in Julian offers the Gary Hall annual retreat for men and women on Feb. 28th – March 1st, as well as Women’s Retreat on March 28th -30th. For more information go to the website for Camp Stevens: www.campstevens.org/adult.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
The host after the 8:00 service is David Livingston and hosts after 10:30 are Nathan Ensign & Jerry Lynch.
You may sign up to host a Coffee Hour by using the binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall. There are lots of opportunities in 2014. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Bishop Mathes has invited us to create Prayer Flags to explore and express prayer through fabric, color, words, and thoughts. Prayer Flags are a universal symbol of peace, love, and compassion. They will be displayed at convention, February 21st & 22nd, and at dedication festivities for our first Diocesan Center. Prayer Shawl Ministry would appreciate offerings of embellishments for the flags, such as ribbons, buttons, fabric scraps, beads, fabric paint and permanent markers.
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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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