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From The Rector
One Spirit and One God
In the reading from Paul’s 1st Letter to the Christians in Corinth this week, Paul is answering a question. Are some Christians more important, more gifted than others or is there a different spirit at work in different Christians? Paul says, no. There is a difference between the “gods” that competed as patrons in these new Christians’ former lives and the God who is one. The Spirit of God does not distribute gifts to advance the standing of any one group, but offers distinct and significant gifts to all the faithful – for the common good.
Paul is writing to new Christians who know him and who look to him as a mentor in the Faith. Paul is not saying that all religion is the same. Clearly, he sees that his faith in Jesus is different than, but connected to, his Jewish roots. He argued that it was the God whom he had worshiped and studied growing up, who led him to his encounter and conversion to Christ.
In the last few weeks, a professor at Wheaton College has been suspended from her teaching position for a FaceBook post where she said that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. To clarify she was not saying that Christianity and Islam were the same, but that both seek to approach the same God. This is an important idea and it is critical for the common good of all people. Because there is one God, the God whom we worship must be the same God as Muslims and Jews worship. Pope Francis has said that we worship the same God, viewed and understood differently. I agree.
Our Faiths are not the same and each approaches the one God differently. The difference is not in God, but in our understanding of God, our description of God, and the ways in which we have come to believe.
As a faithful Christian, I believe and I testify, that Jesus is Lord. My work is to respond to the gifts the Spirit of God has given to me, to walk alongside others with different gifts, and to support the common good of the Christian Community and that of God’s beloved world.
Join us as we worship the One God, practice following Jesus, and take our part in doing God’s work of healing the world.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (CEB)
Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. You know that when you were Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can’t even speak. So I want to make it clear to you that no one says, “Jesus is cursed!” when speaking by God’s Spirit, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of languages to another, and the interpretation of the languages to another. All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.
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Funeral Services
Funeral services for long time St. Paul’s parishioner and former vestry member, Harriet Yost will be held at St. Paul’s on Saturday, January 16th at 11:00 am. Harriet and her husband Ray, who pre-deceased her, were active, vital members of St. Paul’s. Both served on the vestry and were active in many committees and ministries. Harriet is remembered as an enthusiastic member of the choir and ECW and as a faithful, warm and welcoming greeter as people gathered for worship.
Funeral services for long time St. Paul’s parishioner Gary “Hank” Smith will be held at St. Paul’s on Saturday, January 23rd at 11:00 am.
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Recognition for St. Paul’s Prayer Shawl Ministry:
 Fr. Andrew received this note from Ana Mostofi, at Eisenhower Medical Center: “On behalf of the administration and staff of Eisenhower Medical Center, we would like to thank you and the Prayer Shawl Ministry for the hand-made items donated for our Patient Holiday Gift Drive. The lovingly-made gifts brightened the day of many of our patients hospitalized on Christmas.” Congratulations and thanks to the members and benefactors of this ministry. Drop in and visit or join this group. They meet “almost” every Wednesday in the Parish Hall between 10 am and 1:00 pm. For information contact Barbara Villani, 760.799.1509 or just stop by on Wednesday!
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Ceremony
 The annual Commemoration Ceremony celebrating the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. will take place here at St. Paul’s Sunday, Jan. 17th at 2:00 pm. This year’s theme is “Civil Rights in the 21st Century.” This event is open to everyone and all are welcome to come together to honor Dr. King’s courageous and enduring leadership. Following the program refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall.
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Ushers, Altar Ministers and Altar Guild Member Training:
There will be hands-on training for Ushers, Altar Ministers (Acolytes, Chalice Bearers and Worship Coordinators) and Altar Guild members, on Saturday, February 6, 2016. The training will be delivered separately for each ministry: 9:00 am – Worship Coordinators; 10:30 am – Altar Ministers and Ushers; 1:30 pm – Altar Guild. We ask that all current and prospective members of theses ministries attend – even those who have extensive experience serving. And we also invite participation by those who simply want to learn more about these ministries. You may find one is just right for you! Please RSVP to the parish office (760.320.7488).
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
January
1/17 The Privilege of Belonging.
Facilitated by Craig Ewing
Read about it here
1/24 A Christian Response to Gun Violence.
A Church Next on-line presentation in the Library.
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Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
January
Faith Building classes resume in January with discussions on the
Gospel of Luke.
1/19 – Luke 4:1-30 The Temptations: Who is Jesus, Part 1.
Led by Br. John Charles.
1/26 – Luke 5:1-9:50 The Galilean Ministry: Who is Jesus, Part 2.
Leader to be determined
February
2/2 Luke 9:51-62 Journey to Jerusalem: The Call to Discipleship.
Led by Br. John Charles.
2/9 Shrove Tuesday: Evening Prayer & Pancake Supper.
See LENT announcement for details.
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Thank You From Roy’s
We’ve been asked to pass along the gratitude of our homeless brothers and sisters and their children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center for your generous support of St. Paul’s annual Christmas gift card drive, which raised enough money to provide 80 Walmart gift cards of $25 for Roy’s residents this year. We hope everyone will help continue this good work in 2016 by donating baked goods and funds for new underwear, and by watching this space for other ways you can become engaged with those in need at Roy’s. Your help makes a real difference, and is genuinely appreciated. For more information, contact Chris Kelly – 760.406.2978.
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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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Announcements
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CHURCH
OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
Should you call on Monday when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
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LENT
Lent begins early this year. Join us in the Parish Hall on Shrove Tuesday, February 9th @ 6:00 pm for Evening Prayer and our annual Pancake Supper. Tickets for the supper are $5.00 each and are available for purchase following each worship service or at the parish office.
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Bishop’s Visitation
Bishop Mathes will visit St. Paul’s on December 3-4, 2016.
He will Preside and Preach at our worship and will offer Baptism and Confirmation.
The Inquirer’s Class will begin in early October.
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Mark Your Calendar!
The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 31st at 9:15 am. This is your opportunity to meet the new and returning Vestry members and to learn about the financial state of the parish. Refreshments will be served. See you there!
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Giving Made Easier
St. Paul’s has a new system for online giving and we encourage you to use it (see the right hand column on this web page.)
If you have any questions, please contact the office. Our online system makes it easy to direct your donation to a specific fund.
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Next Taizè Services
Our next Taize service will be February 4th at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to this quiet service of music and meditation. For more information, contact Nathan Ensign at 760-320-7488 x225.
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Save the Date
Our Music Director, Nathan Ensign, will present a talk and photos about his sabbatical Pilgrimage in the Cotswolds at a potluck dinner on Sunday, January 24th beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The Church will provide the main entree, so please bring your favorite salad, vegetables or dessert. Come and find out just how many miles Nathan walked last summer and what a “kissing gate” is all about! Sign up sheets for this event will be in the narthex and at the large table at the entrance to the parish hall. You may also call the church office to sign up.
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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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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 February 10th, at 10:15 am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service is hosted by Bob & Deanna Burpee. Craig Ewing hosts the coffee hour after Sunday’s 10:30 service. There are opportunities to host future Coffee Hours. Please sign up in the Parish Hall.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on
Wednesday’s from 10 am-1 pm 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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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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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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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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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