|
From The Rector
Create and Release
As we reach the mid-point of Lent, we are reminded of God’s purpose for us and our path to new life. God has renewed, restored, and recreated humanity’s relationship with God in Christ. And St. Paul is writing to a faith community, which he began, which he loves, and which has had its share of problems. It is to that community he writes about the renewal of creation in Christ.
Paul makes an important point about God’s work. The life and teaching of Jesus can be understood from a very human perspective, but Paul has generalized the significance of that first century Galilean rabbi for an ever wider circle of believers. Christ is not judged by human standards and limited to a specific time or place. In the same way, we are not to judge each other according to human markers of status, ethnic or religious origin, but as new in Christ.
This new perspective. This new reality. This new creation. ALL are key to being people of faith in any age, but especially in our age. The followers of Jesus who have become new in Christ are not satisfied with their own awareness of God’s renewal, but are committed to taking it to everyone and everything.
But how?
The renewal that is God’s plan and intention for all of creation is built on one thing – forgiveness. So that we might fully participate in God’s divine plan and purpose, we have been released from the power of sin. As Paul wrote to his beloved Corinthian congregation “God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them.”
The path to renewal and re-creation begins when we accept that we are released from the burden of our sin and brokenness. Yes, living a renewed life will involve cultivating compassionate virtues as we have seen in Jesus. However, release from the obligation or debt of sin is a requirement to experience renewal and return to the path of God’s purpose for us.
The biggest challenge is to take “not counting their sins against them” into our lives and relationships. God has released us to be part of a grace-filled new creation. In the same way, we need to release others and “not count their sins against them.” Whereas each of us may have hurts which are too fresh to be released, I think every one of us may have a library of old wrongs that we may be clinging to. Some of them are sure to be overdue and ready for release.
Join in worship that prepares us to “forgive as we have been forgiven.”
Fr. Andrew
_________________________________________________
|
|
Featured Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (CEB)
So then, from this point on we won’t recognize people by human standards. Even though we used to know Christ by human standards, that isn’t how we know him now. So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!
All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.
So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!” God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God.
_________________________________________________
|
|
Friend of Parish at the Altar
Sunday, March 6
 The Rev. Lane Hensley
A native of Shreveport, La. and a lifelong Episcopalian, the Rev. Lane Hensley was ordained in 2001. Before coming to St. Margaret’s in 2010. A graduate of Duke University and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Lane served for 11 years as a Seabury Trustee, where he served with Andrew Green for 6 years. Lane is currently the Area Missioner for the Coachella Valley.
Before seminary, Lane was a technology manager for Trans Union Corporation and System Software Associates in Chicago and the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. in Washington, DC.
Lane and Andrew are working with their respective Parish Vestries to develop sustainable ministry and growth.
_________________________________________________
|
|
A Death in the Parish
Bob Dillingham died at his home the morning of February 28th..
Funeral Services for this long time St. Paul’s parishioner will be offered on Saturday, March 12th, at 11:00 am. A reception follows in the Parish Hall. Bob and his wife, Joan, who died in 2011, were active in many of St. Paul’s ministries.
May he rest in peace, in that place where he can be confident that God’s love and justice have prevailed.
_________________________________________________
|
|
 Piano Concert
with Member John Granet
We are delighted to present our own member, John Granet, in a classical piano concert of works by Scarlatti, Mozart and Schubert on Sunday, March 13th at 4:00 pm. John requests this special event be a benefit concert with all donations (graciously received at the door) going to the Music Ministry. A reception will follow to greet our artist and one another in the Parish Hall.
________________________________________________
|
|
Newcomers Class
with Fr. Andrew
Many worshipers wonder how to become a member of St. Paul’s. If you are interested, join our Rector in the Chapel on Sunday, April 3rd at 9:15 am. You’ll learn how easy it is to become a member and will hear more about St. Paul’s, its ministries, and how we serve our members and our community. This is a single session class and is not the same as the Inquirers’ Class. If you are already a member of St. Paul’s, this class is not for you.
________________________________________________
|
|
Ushers, Altar Ministers and Altar Guild Member Training:
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE
There will be hands-on training for Ushers, Altar Ministers (Acolytes, Chalice Bearers and Worship Coordinators) and Altar Guild members, on SATURDAY, MARCH 5TH, 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
3/6 Lent and Wilderness.
Leader TBD.
3/13 Lent: Gazing At the Face of Evil.
Leader TBD.
_________________________________________________
|
|
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
March
3/8 & 3/15 Lenten Taize continues in the church at 7:00 pm.
_________________________________________________
|
|
Fridays at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
Book Study: Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor. Join us as we encounter together the struggles of this renowned and gifted preacher and Episcopal priest.
Br. John Charles and Audrey Spencer will lead the sessions. Participants should bring a bag lunch. Books will be available for purchase at the first session. The book is also available on Amazon and as a Kindle eBook.
Book Study Continues March 4th, March 11th, and March 18th
_________________________________________________
|
|
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.
________________________________________________
|
|
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.
________________________________________________
|
|
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!
________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Easter Flower Donations
If you would like to donate to our Easter floral display please use the envelopes in the pews or note on your check memo line, “Easter Flowers.” Donations must be received by Palm Sunday to be acknowledged in the Easter Sunday Bulletin.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
The Watch of Gethsemane
Watch through the night with Jesus – Maundy Thursday, March 24th, 8:30 PM to Good Friday, March 25th, Noon, at the Altar of Repose, located in the lobby of the Parish Office. The Gethsemane watch presents a superb opportunity to reflect on faithfulness in prayer and discipleship. Sign-up sheets for those wishing to take part in this vigil are located in the Parish Hall.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Maundy Thursday
Soup Supper
Thursday, March 24th, 6:00 pm, in the Parish Hall. Sign-up sheets are posted in the Narthex (church lobby) and in the Parish Hall. Suggested donation: $5. (Childcare available.)
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Daylight Savings Time Begins March 13th!
Don’t Forget to set your clocks ahead next weekend! Daylight Saving Time begins next Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 am. You may want to reset your clocks Saturday evening, March 12th.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
CHOIR CALL
As some of you have remarked, we are currently short on singers in the Choir, especially in the Bass and Soprano sections. We know that there are very fine singers (you) sitting in the pews because the Choir hears you singing as they process. Now would be an excellent time to join the choir as we prepare for Easter and the weeks that follow to June, when we break for summer. Please contact Nathan Ensign for more information after services or at 760.320.7488, ext. 225.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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 Taizé service is Tuesday, March 8th 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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship. The priest will impose ashes in observance of Ash Wednesday for those attending this service.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
COFFEE HOUR
Sunday’s Coffee Hours are sponsored by the Altar Guild. Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests.
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
|
