|
From The Rector
Listen to the Stones
The high drama of Holy Week begins. Jesus has been in Jericho, teaching the people, healing a blind man, and welcoming a tax collector to dine with him. Then he heads up to Jerusalem, coming from the east to the hill overlooking the temple and city.
This last November, several members of St. Paul’s joined me on a pilgrimage to the land of the Holy One. One day we visited Jericho and on another we went to the top of the Mount of Olives and walked through Bethany and Bethphage and looked out over Jerusalem.
We imagined this entry of Jesus to the Holy City, and we followed his path as we were able and as the current state of development and building would allow. The road today is steep and crosses a valley before rising to one of the gates of the city. There were various monuments, markers and churches that memorialized all that happened on the Mount of Olives. Despite the years of accumulation and development, I imagined Jesus entering the city from the east and the loud throngs of people who greeted him.
The scene was intended to be like the triumphant entry into Rome of a victorious emperor. But the players are different. No soldiers line the route, just regular folk and the poor, celebrating the one who gave them hope. They were praising Jesus, who brought them Good News, healed the sick, welcomed those shunned by others, and spoke God’s forgiveness.
And Jesus said, if they had not been shouting their praise, the stones would have cried out.
Throughout Lent, worshippers have been invited to carry a stone with them. This stone was a symbol of the baggage that each of us carries – whether old hurts, resentments, brokenness, or sin. The stones were to be a symbol of each of our burdens and our desire to release them, our desire to receive God’s healing and forgiveness.
I imagine all our stones to be the stones that would cry out for Jesus as he enters Jerusalem and begins what we observe as Holy Week. Imagine with me Jesus taking the brokenness and cares of our lives – our stones – and offering them up to God.
As we enter Jerusalem this Holy Week, consider participating in as many of the worship opportunities as possible: Palm Sunday, Tenebrae on Tuesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday Liturgy or Stations of the Cross, or the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday night. And of course, Easter Day. When you come, leave your stone, real or symbolic, and let your sorrows and joys cry out to God.
Fr. Andrew
________________________________________________
|
|
Featured Scripture
Luke 19:28-40Common English Bible (CEB)
After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If someone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘Its master needs it.’” Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said.
As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
They replied, “Its master needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road.
As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said,
“Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.”
Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!”
He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.”
________________________________________________
|
|
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.
________________________________________________
|
|
Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
Check it out
3/20 Palm Sunday, No Session
3/27 Easter Sunday , No Session
April
4/3 Reconciliation & Anglican Relations presented by Bishop Sue Moxley
4/10 The Mystery of Easter. Facilitated by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
4/17 Easter People Dressing a Corpse.
Facilitated by Audrey Spencer
4/24 Love One Another– John 13:31-35.
Facilitated by Br. John Charles
_________________________________________________
|
|
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
March
3/22 Tenebrae Service in the church at 7:00 pm.
3/29 50 Days of Easter
Presented by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
April
“Studying, Speaking and Singing the Psalms”
Presented by Rabbi David Lazar.
4/5 Psalm 121- Turning Our Eyes Toward the Mountains
4/12 Psalm 130- Calling Out from the Depths
4/19 Psalm 118- Praising Together with the Other
4/26 Psalm 30- Riding the Roller Coaster of Life
_________________________________________________
|
|
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 18th
_________________________________________________
|
|
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.
________________________________________________
|
|
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.
________________________________________________
|
|
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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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. Bp. Moxley, retired bishop of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island, is widely known as a passionate advocate for social justice. Bp. Moxley and her husband Bruce are previous and always welcome visitors to St. Paul’s. Please join us Thursday, March 31st at 7:00 pm in the St. Paul’s library.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.)
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
DOK Retreat
Ladies of St. Paul’s: Please save Saturday, April 2nd, if you would like to participate in a retreat sponsored by your Daughters of the King at Fr. David Caffrey’s Desert Journeys Guest House. Fr. Caffrey will share three Benedictine rules that will deepen our spiritual lives and celebrate our Easter discipleship. We’ll gather from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The day will include Fr. Caffrey’s highlight of the rules and discussion, time for lunch (bring your own), and a reflective quiet time. Drinks, snacks, and dessert for lunch will be provided. There is no charge, and we can car pool. For registration and more information, call Sharon Strong: 760.285.8910.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
COFFEE HOUR
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8 am service is sponsored by Bob & Deanna Burpee and Bert & Jean Anne Zimmerly. 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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
|
