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From The Rector
Meal Givers and Guests
On the wandering path we have journeyed through Lent in scripture, we are now only about two miles from the Temple in Jerusalem, in Bethany. There we are part of a significant event – a meal of celebration which becomes a foreshadow of Jesus’ death.
Our host is Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead; his sisters Martha and Mary – loved by Jesus as close friends – prepare the meal, and something more.
Lazarus and his sisters celebrate his resurrection, his new life. As in last week’s story with the Prodigal Father, when the lost are found, the dead returned to life, there must be celebration. Lazarus celebrates the restoration of his life, and this important meal is one of hearty thanksgiving.
But Jesus is aware of his impending death, and for the authorities nearby in Jerusalem, this dinner is a reminder that Jesus – whom they will kill – is still building the community of his followers. Lazarus’ celebration continues; if the leaders know of it, they realize that the Jesus movement is undeterred by their threats.
The meal is poignant for Jesus. He had just come to Bethany to help his friend, but the threats of the Jerusalem leaders are very clear. One of them has just said, “…it is better that one man should die for the people….” Jesus knows that his ministry is changing and he is getting closer to a final confrontation in Jerusalem. He knows that continuing this course gives him a choice. He can change direction and his message – or he can face death. At this meal, with Mary at his feet with her ointment, he knows he is being prepared for burial. We stop our reading in hushed acknowledgement of where his – and our – journey will end.
The meal is the place where compassion is lived out. It is the place of celebration and grief. Not every meal includes both, but the meal we share this week does. The gathering must include the element of celebration; so first we celebrate the experience of God’s love and mercy for us, for those on our hearts, and for the world. And then we must be open to the grief and loss that is the reality for at least some of those present, and certainly for our world.
This meal is where we prepare our anticipated grief for its burial with Jesus, where we will relinquish it, and so move to celebrate our new life in his resurrection.
Join us at the meal this weekend.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
John 12:1-8 (CEB)
Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who joined him at the table. Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound, of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples complained, “This perfume was worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?”
Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it. You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.”
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Deaths 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.
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Richard “Dick” Secrist
passed away on March 6, 2016
Richard Secrist
5/11/1927 – 3/6/2016
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 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.
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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.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
Check it out
3/13 Lent: Gazing At the Face of Evil.
Leader TBD.
3/20 Palm Sunday, No Session
3/27 Easter Sunday , No Session
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
March
3/15 Lenten Taize continues in the church at 7:00 pm.
3/29 50 Days of Easter
Presented by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
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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
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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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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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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.
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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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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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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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Bishop Sue Moxley
to lead study on
Water Concerns
The Social Justice Committee and the Adult Faith Building team invite you to join Bishop Sue Moxley for a study on Global Water Concerns. Water is a vital source of life affecting our world –physically, environmentally and spiritually. Please join us Thursday, March 31st at
7:00 pm in the St. Paul’s library.
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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.
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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.
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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.)
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Daylight Savings Time Begins This Sunday, March 13th!
Don’t Forget to set your clocks ahead this weekend! Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 am. You may want to reset your clocks Saturday evening, March 12th.
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Picnic at The Living Desert!
The Family/Children’s Ministry will have a “bring your own lunch” picnic at the Living Desert on Sunday, April 10 at 1:00 pm. For more information, please contact Ted Barajas at 760-902-1014.
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DOK Retreat
All women of St. Paul’s, please Save this Date: Saturday, April 2nd. You are invited to join our Daughters of the King in a retreat to be held at Fr. David Caffrey’s Desert Journeys Retreat House.
Fr. Caffrey will explore elements of Benedictine rules which can deepen our personal spiritual lives. There is no charge. To register or receive more information, call Sharon Strong at 760.285.8910.
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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.
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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 Taizé service is Tuesday, March 15th 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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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13th 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.
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COFFEE HOUR
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8 am service is sponsored by John & Lucinda Hampson. Karen & Ron Shepherd join John & Lucinda Hampson as hosts of the coffee hour after the 10:30 am service. 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.
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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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