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Forced By The Spirit
As Lent begins, we read about Jesus being tempted by Satan. Forty days he is tested. In Mark’s account that is all the detail we get. He passes the test and he does not yield to temptation.
This happens just after his baptism, perhaps in response to his baptism. Mark writes: “At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness.” His time in the wilderness was initiated by God. It was a part of his formation as God’s beloved son. Satan’s testing is a part of that formation. The circumstances are difficult and challenging – in the wilderness among the wild beasts – yet he is not isolated, as the angels served him as a part of that formation.
This brief description in Mark challenges our quick polarization of events into clearly good and bad. It challenges our image of God, who dearly loves Jesus and finds happiness in him. That same God, by the Spirit forces Jesus into a testing time.
We are forced by the Spirit into times that test us. We are forced out of our places of comfort and asked to face difficult challenges. For God’s part, I believe that the tests are intended to prepare us to face the critical challenges of life – the challenges that divide us from God and neighbor. Like Jesus, we may find ourselves among “wild beasts,” and we may need to look carefully to see the “angels” or helpers from God there to serve and support us.
Our parish is forced out of our comfort zone by the Spirit from time to time, and tested. We are tested so that we might grow stronger and become more like Jesus, God’s beloved. We get challenged with new and different worshipers. We get challenged with new opportunities to stand with people in need. We even face financial challenges.
Individually and as a congregation, we are forced by the Spirit to evaluate ourselves to determine how we respond to the tests and the “wild beasts” around us. We are challenged to respond as a people who are surrounded by God’s “angels” and by the abundance of God’s love, even in the wilderness. Lent is a time when we are formed for the work that will come after for an Easter People, where the challenges grow as we serve the world in Jesus’ name. Jesus is given 40 days and helpers, so are we.
Join us as we worship in the wilderness of Lent. Bring your “wild beasts.” “Angels” will be provided.
Fr. Andrew
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Mark 1:9-15 Common English Bible (CEB)
About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”
At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”
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Peter Salometo died February 23rd at the Veteran’s Hospital in Loma Linda.
May he rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon him. Amen.
His service will be on Friday, March 27th at 11 am. It will not be Holy Communion.
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MESSAGE FROM FATHER ANDREW
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I will be making a pilgrimage to the
Holy Land, November 6 – 16, 2015.
The Pilgrimage will be organized by the Rev. Earle King of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Grand Island, NY. This will be Fr. King’s sixth pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Our families have been friends since 1982 and I continue to work with Fr. King as a part of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
There are several spaces available to join this pilgrimage. A $300 non-refundable deposit is required by the end of January to reserve a place.
See Fr. Green’s Flyer here. Full Details here. Contact Fr. Earl King at 716-773-3335 or at padreking@aol.com
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“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,
Toward an Earthly Spirituality – Guest presenter Rev. Dean Lueking: a five week Lenten series from biblical King David that speaks uniquely to our time.
2/22 David, his Story; (1 Samuel 16- 1 Kings 2);
David and Samuel: Names (1 Samuel 16: 1-13)
3/1 David and Saul: Work (I Samuel 16:14-23);
David and Goliath: Imagination (I Samuel 17)
3/8 David and Jonathan: Friendship;
David and Doeg: Sanctuary (I Samuel 21-22)
3/15 David and Generosity: (I Samuel 30);
David and Sovereign Grace (2 Samuel 7)
3/22 David and Bathsheba: Sin (2 Samuel 11-12);
David and Absalom; Suffering (2 Sam. 16-18)
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Church”
Taizé Services
Taizé Prayer Services will be moving to Tuesday evenings throughout Lent, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 at 7:00 PM in the church.
(NOTE: There will be no sessions on Palm Sunday 3/29, Tuesday of Holy Week 3/31 and Easter 4/5)
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Our Homeless Brothers and Sisters
Still Need Your Help
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Our goal now is to resume monthly deliveries of new underwear and socks to Roy’s residents – a gift that is both urgently needed and much appreciated. Please help feed the hungry and clothe the naked with a financial contribution this month. Simply drop your check, payable to “St. Paul in the Desert,” in the collection plate or hand it to an usher with a notation on the “memo” line that it is for the “Roy’s Fund.” For more information contact Chris Kelly at 760-406-2978. Both the Roy’s team and residents are truly grateful for your support.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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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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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The Order of the
Daughters of King
. . . will have their next meeting on Tuesday, February 24th at 1:15 pm in the Parish Hall Chapel. We welcome all ladies in the parish to come join us to see what DOK is all about. We are also hosting our Annual Tea in the Parish Hall Parlor on Saturday, March 7, starting at 2:30-4:00 pm. This is a very lovely event, so please plan on attending! Following we will be attending the Saturday 4 pm church service. Any questions, contact Val Ferguson @ 760-671-5372.
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Taizé
Prayer Services
for Lent
. . . led by Nathan Ensign, will be held on Tuesday evenings throughout Lent at 7:00 PM in the church: 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24.
(NOTE: There will be no sessions on Palm Sunday 3/29, Tuesday of Holy Week 3/31 and Easter 4/5)
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The next parish Vestry meeting will be held in the Library on Thursday, February 26th at 6:00PM.
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A Celebration of Life will be held for Patti Minton-Sivcovich on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 11:00 AM here at the Church of St Paul in the Desert.
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Update 2-21-15
Concert
Sunday, March 22nd
We are happy to host in concert our own Meg Irwin-Brandon on the harpsichord Sunday, March 22nd at 4:00 PM in the Parish Hall. A suggested donation of $15 is requested and a reception will follow to greet our performer and one another. Contact Nathan Ensign at 760-320-7488 Ext. 225 for more information.
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The Family and
Children’s Ministry
. . . will have a field trip to the Coachella Valley Reserve right after the 10:30 service on March 8. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more details, see Ted Barajas at the 10:30 Coffee Hour.
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BLESSING BAGS
. . . (small bags with personal hygiene essentials) will be distributed to the need in our Community. You are invited to donate TRAVEL SIZE toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs or sun block. There will be a collection basket in the Foyer of the Church from Sunday February 8 through Sunday February 22. If you prefer to contribute by check, please make them payable to St. Paul’s with “Blessing Bags” in the memo line. Please join us during coffee hour after both services on Sunday, March 1st to help fill the bags with blessings. Thank you!
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Available in the Parish Hall
Living Well through Lent 2015, a publication from the Living Compass Faith & Wellness Ministry, provides daily readings and suggestions for reflection and action, inviting you to engage fully in your Lenten journey. Pick yours up today!
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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.
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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 11, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Coffee Hour following the 8:00 AM service is hosted by Barry Hagenbuch and Robert Woods. Please consider volunteering as a Coffee Hour host in 2015. Sign up with a friend or make a new friend by signing up with someone you’d like to get to know better.
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.
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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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