|
Full of Grace and Truth
Merry Christmas!
John’s telling of the Gospel knows nothing of the manger in Bethlehem, of Shepherds interrupted by angels, or of Magi from the east. He does not tell the Christmas story at all.
I think John tells the prequel.
Without getting into the details and timeline of the actual birth of Jesus, he gives background that points us to the action of God and the importance of Jesus – the Word made flesh. The Word and Light which are from the beginning are made accessible, through the gift of God and we witness God’s glory in the Word who lives among us, full of grace and truth.
This description of Jesus as the representation of God’s glory makes me stop and wonder. I have to admit that I am prone to assume God’s glory is about magnificence and huge, powerful images – the bigger, the better. But John, like Luke in the traditional Christmas story, has a different image.
Luke contrasts the power of empire, with the humble and homeless birth of a seemingly insignificant baby. John describes the Word that acted with God in the creation of everything, as living among us and full, not of power and privilege, but of grace and truth.
Christmas is a time when we are reminded that God loves all of us and calls us to lives of grace and truth. God calls the weak, lowly, and those who have been told they are unworthy to lives of grace and truth. God also calls the powerful, the privileged, and those who are sure that they are worthy to lives of grace and truth.
The key is the light that has come into the world. If we look to Jesus – the light – and listen to him, we will be enlightened about grace and truth. If we are willing to admit that we don’t fully comprehend the truth yet, and are willing to listen to Jesus in the stories of others – especially of the poor and weak – we are on the road to being enlightened.
Our time in worship is a time to praise God and look for Jesus living among us, and listening – learning lives of grace and truth. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
|
John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
John 1:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
|
|
Patricia Minton Sivcovich
10/20/1952 – 12/12/2014
Patti was a vital part of our Parish community.
She was the Soprano Section Leader for the choir and had recently been responsible for scheduling the various worship ministers.
In addition, Patti was a regular worshiper when she was not singing and was a hub for various kinds of fellowship and social activities.
Please remember Patti in your prayers, as well as Steve, her beloved husband.
|
|
St. Paul’s Makes Gift to Diocesan Capital Campaign
|
The Diocese of San Diego is concluding a multi-year Capital Campaign. As of this writing, the campaign has exceeded its goal of $2,500,000.00! You can learn more about the Capital Campaign here.
The Vestry of St. Paul’s has made a gift to the Capital Campaign of $30,000.00. This gift represents a portion of the bequests we have received in the past year.
Read the entire article here.
|
|
Bequests Received in 2014
|
|
St. Paul in the Desert received four bequests this year. Bequests are used according to the donors designation, or if undesignated, according to the policy of the Vestry.
Bequests were received from:
The Estate of Shirley Gary
The Estate of Forrest Harrell
The Estate of Gene and Peggy Wilczak
The Estate of Neal Boden
The Wilczak Family requested that a portion be used to support the rebuilding of the piano in the Choir Room.
Neal Boden asked that a plaque be placed in the Meditation Garden in Memory of Neal, his dogs Julie and Caroline, and his love for all animals.
St. Paul’s is grateful to receive these generous gifts. The Vestry will be using a portion of these for some projects to improve our facilities and to support the Capital Campaign of the Diocese.
Every member in encouraged to consider making a gift to the work of St. Paul’s as you develop estate plans and make a will or trust.
|
|
“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Welcome to The Episcopal Café Discussion Group! Sessions will be held in the Chapel Room in the Parish Hall. These discussion/sharing sessions are based on online topics from Episcopal websites,
During the 4 Sundays of Advent – A Journey Through the Music and Customs of Advent led by Rick Tinsley and Rev. Canon David Caffrey.
12/28 NO SESSION: Christmas Break
1/4 Torture and the Cross Facilitator: Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
1/11 The Anosognosia of Racism Facilitator: Br. John Charles
1/18 Transgender Priest Rachel Mann Made Minor Canon at
Manchester Cathedral Facilitator: Craig Ewing
1/25 Annual Meeting: No Café session
|
|
“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
Christian Mysticism & Mystics
12/30 No Session
1/6 The Cloud of Unknowing and the Mystic Tradition.
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
1/13 Teihard de Chardin. Led by Craig Ewing
1/20 Julian of Norwich. Led by Br. John Charles Westaway
1/27 de Caussade / Evelyn Underhill. Led by Rev. Andrew Green
|
|
“Christmas at Roy’s Desert Resource Center”
|
|
It’s never too late! For the past several years, St. Paul’s has raised money to buy Christmas gift cards for the residents at Roy’s Desert Resource Center. Each Roy’s resident received a $25 gift card that can be used to purchase clothes and other essentials at a local retailer. Please join in showing your support for this important outreach with a donation – simply make your check payable to “St. Paul-in-the-Desert” and put “Roy’s Christmas” in the memo line. Drop it in the plate on Sunday or bring it to the church office Our target this year is to raise $2,500 by the end of December, so please give early and give often!”
|
|
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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Taize Services return on Thursday, February 5th at 7 PM in the Church.
|
|
On Friday, January 16th at 7:30 p.m. we will present the Plymouth State University Chamber Singers from New Hampshire. Under the direction of Dr. Dan Perkins, this 21 voice choir will sing a program with works by such known composers as Whitacre, Bernstein, The Beatles, Part and others as a benefit for The Friends of Roy’s Foundation. Donations are graciously received at the door and a reception will follow to welcome singers and community guests.
|
|
SUNDAY SCHOOL
(FORMERLY “GODLY PLAY”)
NEEDS –-> YOU
We are looking for volunteers to be Story Tellers and/or Doorkeepers (observers) for our Sunday School program during the 10:30 service. This is an opportunity to teach children through biblical readings and activities selected by the Sunday School Team from an Episcopal curriculum. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact Ted Barjas at 760.902.1014.
|
|
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 January 14, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
|
|
COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Coffee Hour following the 8:00 AM service is hosted by Jack Moore. Coffee Hour following the 10:30 AM service is hosted by Hap Blaisdell.
Please 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. There are several Sundays available through the end of the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
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: