|
From The Rector
The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Us
Jesus reads Scripture and preaches in his home town – and the results are mixed. This week we read his sermon. Next week we get the response. The people are amazed at his words and they are proud of him. Jesus pushes back and those same people turn against him.
The selection from Isaiah which Jesus reads is a statement of God’s mission of redemption. People are to be liberated, healed, and debts forgiven. Good news is to be preached to the poor, those with little expectation of anyone’s favor, let alone God’s. All these words are blessings for those who are struggling, not necessarily for those who are doing well on their own.
This is a challenge for us as a Parish today. God’s Spirit is upon us, calling us to extend that Divine Mission of redemption in our own time and community – especially to those who struggle. As William Temple (Archbishop of Canterbury 1942-44) said, “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” We are to be “light for the world,” not simply lights shining on one another.
St. Paul’s has a history of seeking justice and having push back from members of our parish and community. We could easily fall into complacency if we think only about the times we responded clearly to God’s Mission. We could easily get depressed when we think only about what has been left undone. Reality is complicated. We are a people whom God’s Spirit engages. And on a regular basis, we welcome the stranger and many find a home or a place to rest. At the same time, we know that we are called to greater faith and more action to care for God’s world.
At the beginning of the new year our challenge is that the work of mission, worship, pastoral care, hospitality and faithful administration requires the contribution of all our members. As I write this, we have not reached the level of pledging we need to build a budget without dependence on our reserves or a deficit. We need an additional $100,000 of financial commitments to go forward as faithful stewards of our parish and God’s mission for us.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. We have a share in God’s mission to the world and one another. Join us in worship as we praise and thank God. Join us in making or increasing a financial commitment as a practical-grateful form of responding to God.
Fr. Andrew
_________________________________________________
|
|
Featured Scripture
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
_________________________________________________
|
|
Funeral Services
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.
_________________________________________________
|
|
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!
________________________________________________
|
|
Donate Winter Coats
for the Needy
With a wet and cold El Nino Winter still expected, St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee needs your help collecting warm winter coats, sweaters, hats and gloves for our needy and homeless brothers and sisters. You can either bring your own used warm-weather gear or purchase a used outer garment at Goodwill, Angel’s View or Revivals – simply leave your items with the church ushers on Sunday or contact Chris Kelly at (760) 406-2978 to arrange a drop-off. Our target date for all collections is February 14, 2016. Your generosity will help many.
________________________________________________
|
|
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).
________________________________________________
|
|
Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
Check it out
January
1/24 A Christian Response to Gun Violence.
A Church Next on-line presentation in the Library.
_________________________________________________
|
|
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
January
Faith Building classes continue with discussions on the
Gospel of Luke.
1/26 – Luke 5:1-9:50 The Galilean Ministry: Who is Jesus, Part 2.
Led by Craig Ewing
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.
_________________________________________________
|
|
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.
________________________________________________
|
|
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 because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
“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.
________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Announcements
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
Ash Wednesday services, with imposition of ashes, are scheduled for Wednesday, February 10th, at noon and 6 pm.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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!
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Sunday Evening . . .
For those who signed up: Don’t forget that our Music Director, Nathan Ensign, will present a talk and photos about his sabbatical Pilgrimage in the Cotswolds at a potluck dinner Sunday, January 24th beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
COFFEE HOUR
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service is hosted by Jack Moore. Anthony Flores & John Werner host the coffee hour after the 10:30 service. Please consider hosting an upcoming Coffee Hour. The sign-up book is on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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!
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
|
