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Heart Covenant
This week’s reading from Jeremiah teaches us something critical about the nature of God: God is about relationship, and the key is God’s dedication to forgiveness.
God talks of leading the people by the hand and, yet, being rejected. The leading by the hand included the deliverance at the Red Sea, providing manna for food, and bringing water from the desert rock. The rejection included putting something that was not God, in the place of God, falling short in faithful relationships, and not caring for the most vulnerable in society – widows, orphans, and foreign residents. But God did not let rejection stand.
We can take stock of the ways we have let God down, where we have stumbled on the path or consciously turned aside. But for God, rejection won’t stand.
God is committed to renewing relationship. In this passage, God wants a covenant of the heart that is internal, that personally reconnects each of us. Although human history with this kind of relationship is fraught – our track record is grievous – God’s new covenant is one of forgiveness; God will not remember our sins, our rejecting him. Rejection is not the last word. Not in Jeremiah’s time, not now.
I once read a story about a young girl in the Philippines who claimed to have seen Jesus. As a part of her vetting, the bishop wanted to ask her something only Jesus would know. He told her to ask Jesus, “What did I say in my last confession?” When she returned to speak with the bishop, he asked what Jesus had answered. She said, “He forgot.”
Lent leads us to the ultimate forgiveness of the cross, and to the joy of “He forgot.” We are a new covenant people of the heart – by God’s grace.
Rejoice!
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Jeremiah 31:31-34
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt– a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
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The Moxley’s Arrive Next Week
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The Rt. Rev. Sue and Bruce Moxley will be in residence at St. Paul’s from March 23rd until April 16th. Bp. Moxley will preside and preach at worship services, will present two programs about the Anglican Peace and Justice Network, and will relax and enjoy the parish and the Coachella Valley. Bruce may join the choir and will be looking for golf opportunities.
Bp. Sue retired last year as the Bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Parishioners who would like to offer a golf date or other social activity are invited to work through Fr. Andrew at 760-320-7488 x 223 or rector@stpaulsps.org.
Welcome!
Bruce prepares for the
visit to Palm Springs!
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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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Click the image to view/print a copy.
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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.
3/22 David and Bathsheba: Sin (2 Samuel 11-12);
David and Absalom; Suffering (2 Sam. 16-18)
“Sundays in April
Episcopal Café returns at 9:15 AM in The Chapel”
4/5 Easter: NO SESSION
4/12 Natural and Mineral Resources A Theological Reflection,
Part 1: Led by Alan Zimmerman
4/19 Natural and Mineral Resources A Theological Reflection,
Part 2: Led by Craig Ewing
4/26 Gospel Seven Words: Led by Victoria Hatch
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Church”
Taizé Prayer Service, 3/24 at 7:00 PM in the church.
“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
4/7 Anglican Perspective on Peace and Justice, Part 1:
Presented by Bishop Moxley
4/14 Anglican Perspective on Peace and Justice, Part 2:
Presented by Bishop Moxley
4/21 Renewing the Face of the Earth: Environment/Sustainability,
Part 1: Presenter to be announced.
4/28 Renewing the Face of the Earth:Environment/Sustainability,
Part 2: Presenter to be announced.
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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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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
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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Concert
Sunday, March 22nd
Meg Irwin-Brandon will present a solo harpsichord recital, in honor of Jaap Schröder’s 90th year and in memory of his wife Agnès, on Sunday, March 22 at 4:00 PM in the Parish Hall. A suggested donation of $15 is requested and a reception to greet the artist and one another will follow. Contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488, ext. 225 for more information.
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Taizé
Prayer Service
for Lent
. . . led by Nathan Ensign, will be held on Tuesday evening, 3/24 at 7:00 PM in the church.
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Daughters of the King
. . . will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 24th, at 1:15 PM in the Chapel of Hogarth Hall. Br. John Charles Westaway will speak to our parish ministry and review the Lectio Devina method of prayerful reading of scripture. Women of the parish are always invited to join us.
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The next parish Vestry meeting will be held in the Library on Thursday, March 26th at 6:00PM.
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 The Altar Guild invites all to join in making palm crosses for Palm Sunday and cleaning and decorating the church in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. The fun begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 28th in the parish hall. Breakfast will be served!
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Longtime member Marilyn Johnson died Friday, March 6th. She was involved in many aspects of our Parish Life.
Funeral Service
March 27, 2015
2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s
May she rest in peace.
Marilyn Ann Johnson
January 22, 1933 – March 6, 2015
A celebration of life will be held for Peter Salameto on Friday, March 27th at 11:00 AM here at the Church of St Paul in the Desert.
Peter J.M. Salometo
May 11, 1944 – February 23, 2015
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Women’s Retreat at Camp Stevens in Julian.
Ladies are invited to spend the weekend up in the cool mountains on April 10th to 12th, starting with Friday dinner. The theme is Sabbath for the Soul with art, music, and scripture lead by Rev. Lisa Rotchford. $175 will include all costs. Ride provided by DOK member Bonnie Stroock. Please join other diocesan women for a joyful weekend. Register at info@campstevens.org and call Bonnie at 760-324-7949.
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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 April 8, 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 is hosted by Kitty Kieley Hayes and coffee hour following the 10:30 AM service is hosted by the Choir. Please consider volunteering as a Coffee Hour host in 2015.
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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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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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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