|
Are We Friends?
In the Gospel reading this week, Jesus continues his preparation of his disciples for what is to come. The centerpiece is his commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” His example is his loving service of laying down his life for his friends. Those friends are expected to serve as well, to offer themselves for others, and to bear fruit.
Jesus’ words to his disciples are something different from traditional conventional wisdom or good advice for healthy and holy living. The commandment Jesus gives is not a standard against which one will be judged for admission to a heavenly reward. Rather, it is the key to a full and joyful life – one in relationship to God, to fellow disciples, and to the world which God lovingly created.
Jesus is about expanding and empowering. He expands the circle of “insiders” in a way that is threatening to the status quo in any generation. Whether, followers, slaves, or servants; whether faithful or betrayers, Jesus calls them friends. He is sharing the power of defeating death with its life-giving result – that God is calling him to lead and his disciples to partner with him in reconciliation, the deepest expression of friendship. They are included in everything that Jesus has been told.
And Jesus lays down his life for this expanded and expanding group of friends. The power that God has given him is not expressed in status, position or privilege, but in laying down his life. All of Lent and Holy Week leads us to see the ways in which his life is laid down. Jesus never presents it as an unavoidable tragedy, but as being closely connected with changing the status quo and building God’s Kingdom.
In Easter, the disciples – then and now – practice laying down their lives so that more strangers, more lost, more questioners might become friends of God. As we lay down our lives, to witness that all lives matter; as we lay down our lives, to make friends of those who are different – we are empowered to be the people of God, the friends of Jesus and to change the world.
Join us.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
John 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
|
|
A History of St. Paul in the Desert
|
|
A CHURCH GROWS IN THE DESERT
by Robert Louis Semes
A history of the first 75 years of St. Paul in the Desert has just been published. Copies will be available at a table in the Parish Hall during the Coffee Hours and they will be available at the Front Office during office hours from Tuesdays through Fridays. The cost is $20.00.
The author, the Rev. Robert Louis Semes, is an historian who has retired to Palm Springs. This is his third parish history to be published. He will be available to sign copies of his book at the Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service on May 31st.
|
|
The United Thank Offering Returns!
|
|
 The United Thank Offering is making it’s return to St. Paul’s. The UTO is a ministry, started in 1871, where Episcopalians give thanks to God for special gifts. Blue cardboard boxes or envelopes are used for coins, bills or checks that are sent to the UTO offices in New York. The money that is collected then underwrites grants that are requested for ministries in the USA and overseas. One local example is a church in San Diego that was granted money for the purchase of a portable shower. It has been used by the homeless in their area and is now a part of the “Showers of Blessings” program at the Episcopal Church Center. Please think about your blessings and plan to bring an offering to put in the special UTO baskets at church on May 24th, the Day of Pentecost. Blue envelopes will available during the month of June in the pew pockets or a limited number of blue boxes will be available from the Sunday School, Bonnie Stroock or the Parish throughout the month of May. Please help support this ministry and take a blue box home this week. Please think about your blessings and plan to bring an offering of thanksgiving to put in the special UTO baskets on Saturday May 23rd or Sunday, May 24th.
|
|
A Free Presentation on
Seniors and Aging in Society Today
|
|
May is Older American’s Month and Mizell Senior Center will be presenting a series of special events and seminars during the Month, culminating with an Open House at the end of May. On May 7th, with sign-in and refreshments beginning at 9:30AM we are presenting We’ve Come Too Far to be Treated Like This, a special presentation on Seniors and Aging in Society Today. We are extremely fortunate to welcome as our speaker Sandra K. Fitzpatrick, the Executive Director of the California Commission on Aging. Ms. Fitzpatrick has 36 years of experience in senior services and is a well respected statewide advocate for older adults and elder justice. In addition, Michelle Haddock, Director of the Riverside County Office on Aging will be participating on the panel. Ms. Haddock has more than 26 years of experience in the development, administration, and delivery of aging, human, social, and protective services in California. The presentation is jointly sponsored by the Riverside County Office on Aging, Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, and Mizell Senior Center. The event will be interactive with presentations and time for questions and answers. Registration begins at 9:30 AM with refreshments and the presentation will be from 10:00AM to 11:00AM. The presentation is free. For information, call 760-323-5689.
|
|
“Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café returns in The Chapel”
5/10 Used People
5/17 Confirmation Sunday- Bishop’s Visit: NO SESSION
5/24 The Power of Pentecost
5/31 What Is Your Story?
|
|
“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
5/12 The Psalms: Orientation.
Presented by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
5/19 Accessing the Psalms.
Presented by Jerry Di Noto
5/26 A Zen Perspective on the Psalms.
Presented by Bro. John Charles Westaway
|
|
Our Homeless Brothers and Sisters
Still Need Your Help
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Taizé Worship
. . . service will be held on June 4th at 7 PM. This is a contemplative, candle-lit service of chanting, prayer and meditation. All are welcome to join us. Bring a candle and a friend! This will be our last Taize service before summer break.
|
|
Children’s Baptisms
. . . will take place Sunday, May 17th at the 10:30 service with Bishop Mathes presiding. If you would like to have your child baptized, please call Marco Barrios in the Parish Office at 760.320.7488, ext. 227, to schedule an appointment with Fr. Andrew.
|
|
ST. PAUL’S CAMPERS
Several of St. Paul’s camper members are planning for our annual Idyllwild summer outing on July 17 to 19. Can you join us up in the cool pine trees and fun atmosphere of the Idyllwild County Camp Ground? Adults, kids, even dogs, are welcome. Contact Bonnie Stroock to make a reservation 760-324-7949 or bcstroock @aol.com.
|
|
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 13, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
|
|
COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Please consider hosting a Coffee Hour celebration. 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Write a comment: