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Early Vision of Church
Each Sunday in Easter, our first reading is from the Acts of the Apostles, the first sequel in the Christian Scriptures. In the Gospel according to Luke, the author tells the story of Jesus. Luke writes to a member of the Imperial Household in Rome. Jesus lineage is specifically linked to Adam and his story concludes with his command that the disciples wait for heavenly power.
The Acts of the Apostles continues this story. It is about what happens when the students of Jesus are empowered by the Holy Spirit and sent to continue his ministry of healing and reconciliation. They take the Good News from Jerusalem out to the whole world and specifically to Rome.
This week’s reading describes the community of Jesus’ followers – who are not known as Christians yet. It is a vision of Church.
Here, “church” is not a building, or a denomination, but a community of mutual support and common purpose. Their lives and families are organized around God’s purpose of renewing the world. Having been empowered from on high, they worship, pray and rejoice together, then serve as Jesus did. They learn and they teach. They enjoy fellowship together and their powerful witness to the love of Jesus draws others in.
In the Acts of the Apostles the Church heals the sick, serves the poor, powerfully witnesses to God’s saving purpose, and welcomes all, especially outsiders. “They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.” (2:47)
In the history of Christianity, we always looks back to this time as if we should relive IT – their intensely pure response to God’s call. In fact, the best we can do is identify the values of that newborn community and choose which values God calls us to apply today, in our own context and with our own passion.
Today, God calls us to worship joyfully, welcome sincerely, and serve the world passionately. Join in worship as we live out that call together.
Fr. Andrew
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Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
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Sabbatical “Send-Off Brunch
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As you know, Fr. Andrew will soon be leaving on vacation and on a well-earned, three-month Sabbatical, his second after 25 years as Rector. It will be a time for him (and Susan part of the time) to relax, grow and renew so that he can return refreshed for the next chapter of his ministry with us. To that end, the Vestry has organized a Send-off “Brunch” for Fr. Andrew & Susan Green that will be held on Sunday, May 18th after the 10:30 service during Coffee Hour. It will be a catered affair and will be sponsored by the Vestry. While the Brunch is complimentary, please call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488, ext 0 by Wednesday, May 14th to reserve your seat.
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It is a part of Episcopal tradition to give members and friends of the parish an opportunity to contribute to a Sabbatical Fund to assist an extended and meaningful time away. If you would like to be a part of this effort, we invite you to write a tax-deductible check payable to “St. Paul in the Desert” noted for the Sabbatical Fund and either place it in the offering plate or send it to the Parish Office. It is from this fund that Fr. Andrew will be able to reimburse appropriate expenses through our usual business expense procedures.
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Juanita Bosworth
May 15, 1916 – April 15, 2014
A Celebration of Life for Juanita Bosworth, who died April 15, 2014, will be held at St. Paul’s on May 17th at 11:00 AM. Juanita was a very long time member of the Parish and attended the 10:30 service.
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Billie Jean Haas
Fr. Andrew will lead a Celebration of Life for Billie Jean Haas at Noon on Friday, May 16th at Forest Lawn Mortuary, 69855 Ramon Road at Da Vall Dr.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
How Do You Live As An Easter Person:
Personal Shared Reflections of the 1st Peter Epistle
5/11 1st Peter 2:19-25- “Endure when you are beaten?”
Led by Audrey Spencer-Morris
5/18 1st Peter 2:2-10 – “Are you a Living Stone?”
Led by Rev. Victoria Hatch
5/25 Memorial Day Weekend. No Session
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In The Library
Responding To Our Baptismal Promises. An interactive approach incorporating Social Justice issues.
Facilitators:
Jerry Di Noto, Audrey Spenser-Morris, Br. John Charles Westaway.
5/13 Seeking and Serving?
5/20 Striving for Peace and Justice?
5/27 Respecting the Dignity of ALL people?
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center
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Volunteers Needed For Roy’s Desert Resource Center! St. Paul’s is expanding its outreach to the men, women and children of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, one of the Coachella Valley’s largest transitional living facilities for the homeless. New volunteers are needed to assist in our continuing Monday night dessert service to Roy’s residents, as are baked goods, used clothing and donations to our Roy’s “S.O.S” fund. We are also looking for new volunteers willing to assist residents as they visit the on-site “God’s Closet” used clothing repository, and we hope to have a “team” together for this new program by early June. We encourage everyone with a little time to spare to join us in this opportunity for service and fellowship. For more information, please contact Chris Kelly at (760) 406-2978. We would love to hear from you!
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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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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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“MEDIA” VOLUNTEER NEEDED AT ST. PAUL’S
A volunteer is needed to transmit times and dates of services and special events to The Desert Sun (and possibly other news outlets) on a regular basis, for publication in their listing of “Upcoming Activities”. This does not involve writing any articles, it does not involve attending any meetings, and it can be done from home on your own schedule. Training will be provided. To volunteer for this important outreach ministry or for more information, please call Br. John Charles at 760.320.7488 in the Church office.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
Our next Social Justice meeting will be held Thursday, May 8th, @ 7p.m. in St. Paul’s Library. Please join us as we explore our attitudes concerning the dignity of work. As Christ’s hands and feet, how do we confer equal dignity to our fellow travelers who work to uplift humanity? “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” -The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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MEMORIAL DAY CAMP AT CAMP STEVENS
Camp Stevens Memorial Day Family Camp is May 24-26. Come and kick off summer in the mountains as you swim, hike, make crafts, play, sing and relax with families and friends. Get more information about the San Diego Diocese’s camp in Julian at www.campstevens.org/family.
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Taizé Services
will be on
vacation until
October 2, 2014
See You Then!
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Camp Stevens applications have arrived and are in the parish hall! Imagine your kids or grandkids enjoying the beautiful hills of Julian at the church camp for the Diocese of San Diego. Camping trips to the Sierra Nevada are available for teens and adults, as well. Write to: info@campstevens.org to get the schedules.
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THE DAUGHTERS
OF THE
KING
. . . will be training prospective members during the next two months. We are meeting in Palm Springs on Monday afternoons. Join us to see how the DOK Rule of Prayer and Service can work in your life. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 for more information.
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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 May 14th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Please join us for Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall. The Hosts for the 8:00 service are David Livingston & Russell Walters. The Daughters of the King are the Hosts for the 10:30 service.
Consider signing up to host a Coffee Hour in 2014. A binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall indicates available Sundays throughout the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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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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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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