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From the Rector
Who Are You, Lord?
During Easter we read from the Acts of the Apostles instead of the Hebrew Bible. Acts is the second volume of the Gospel according to Luke. Both claim the same author and are written to the same audience – Theophilus – an official of the Imperial Roman Court. The Gospel of Luke brings the Good News from Galilee to Jerusalem, and the Acts of the Apostles takes it to Rome. Luke is focused on Jesus, whereas Acts sees the mission of Jesus extending through the Apostles, especially Peter and, ultimately, Paul.
This week’s reading is usually called, “The Conversion of Paul,” but Eric Barreto of Luther Seminary suggests rather than a conversion, that it is a call. Saul is an opponent of the followers of Jesus – followers of “the Way.” Saul is called by Jesus to join the Way which he has been harassing, and to make the change he will become Paul the Apostle.
Saul was a faithful Jew of authority who was radicalized early in his opposition to the followers of Jesus. The author of Acts describes him hunting down these followers to bring them to religious justice. Saul represents the order and the status quo which crucified Jesus. The followers of the Way represent to him chaos and dangerous change.
In the tension between Saul’s ordered world and the chaos, he encounters Jesus. The heavenly light surrounds him, and as in most angelic or heavenly encounters, he falls to the ground in subjection. But Saul is not being converted; he is being called: “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”
Saul is being called, but by whom? He asks, “Who are you, Lord?”
We Christians are primed to connect “Lord” with Jesus, but I don’t think Saul yet makes that connection. He is responding to a powerful voice, something greater than himself, someone deserving his awe and respect – Lord. Everything that follows for Saul answers his question, “Who are you, Lord?”
Each of us has had a call of some sort from God. Some may have been dramatic, with heavenly lights even, and some may have been so prosaic as to be barely noticed. But each of us lives our life of faith in response to the same question, “Who are you, Lord?” And we each receive an answer specific to Jesus’ call to us personally.
Jesus answers us in our own context, and invites us to think deeply about our relationship to him as fitted to his context.
Join in worship with a community that listens for Jesus’ call, and supports each other in interpreting and living out the many unique contexts Jesus provides.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Acts 9:1-6 Common English Bible (CEB)
Saul encounters the risen Jesus
Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”
Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
“I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.”
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United Thank Offering
 The United Thank Offering (UTO) – of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society – will be collected at all services April 16th and 17th. Please use the blue giving envelopes in the pew pockets or the special UTO collection boxes for your donations. Collection boxes can be found in the parish hall and Narthex (church lobby). Since 1871, the Episcopal Church has gathered funds for this special offering as an expression of thanks for personal blessings. Donations fund grants in support of ministries in communities at home and around the world where there are no other sources of aid available. For more information, please see the UTO informational brochures in the pews. You are invited to take your copy with you and read the interesting history of this missionary outreach ministry of the Episcopal Church. Questions? Contact Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
Check it out
April
4/10 The Mystery of Easter. Facilitated by Alan Zimmerman
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
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
April
“Studying, Speaking and Singing the Psalms”
Presented by Rabbi David Lazar.
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
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Roy’s Still Needs YOU!
Just a reminder that St. Paul’s outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center continues through the summer months and needs your ongoing support. If you are a year-round resident of the desert, please continue to donate baked goods, fresh fruit and used clothing to this worthy cause. If you’re leaving us for the summer, take a moment to consider financial support for this important outreach before you go. Contact Chris Kelly(760) 406-2978 for more information.
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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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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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Feedback Wanted!
This year we celebrated Palm Sunday without the reading of the Passion. This required the permission of our Bishop and he asked that we share people’s responses. Specifically, how did it enhance or detract from your full participation in Holy Week.
Written responses may be mailed to St. Paul’s or emails may be sent to parishad@stpaulsps.org.
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Serving Christ in Others
Looking for new ways to put your faith into action? The St. Paul Social Justice Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at 7:00 pm in the Church Office Library. We will be discussing our continuing gun violence and safety initiative, our new “shower and service center” homeless outreach for the summer months and a host of new social justice programs for the fall. Please join us and share your ideas, your energy and your gifts. Contact Chris Kelly (760) 406-2978 for further information.
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Our next Taizé service
. . . will be Thursday, April 7th at 7:00 p.m.
In a setting of icons, religious art and candles, this quiet service of chant and meditation has been a welcome respite for many during our busy work week.
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Sunday, April 10th is the Day!
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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Save the Date!
St. Paul’s Campers
are planning a weekend trip to Idyllwild Co. Campground on July 15 to 17. Plan to come and escape the desert in the tall pines and mountain air of Mt. San Jacinto. Call Bonnie Stroock if you are interested in joining us. 760-324-7949
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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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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
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments. Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests.
Coffee hour after the 10:30 service on Sunday is sponsored by Elaine Schliesmann.
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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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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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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