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From The Rector
How Much Rejoicing Can Heaven Handle?
The week we read two of the three “Lost and Found” stories in the 15th chapter of Luke. The Found Sheep and the Found Coin are leading to the Found Son. (Which we read on the 4th Sunday of Lent this year.) These first 2 parts of the parable remind me of how much gets lost in life and how much opportunity there is to celebrate what is found.
Doesn’t it seem like the characters, the shepherd and the woman, are a bit overly dramatic? How does the shepherd call together friends and neighbors? Because of their work, shepherds are isolated and socially marginalized. Would the single woman tear the small house apart to find a tenth of her savings, only to spend it celebrating with the neighborhood? These two examples don’t add up.
I can’t imagine the level of rejoicing from these mundane events described in the story. However, the story is not the description of real life, it is a parable – a hypothetical story to teach a lesson or to challenge a common understanding. The parable is not about animal husbandry or fiscal responsibility, but about the economy of Grace. The Rev. Eric H.K. Law, who preaches and participates in the St. Paul’s community, has written several books about what he has come to call GraceEconomics. In “Inclusion:Making Room for Grace,” Eric introduces the idea of a Grace Margin. I understand this parable-stories as examples.
These stories illustrate why there is such abundant celebration for such mundane activities. All our lives have boundaries which define our comfort zones. When we cross those borders – the ones between comfort and the unknown, between the insider and the outsider, or the safety of the known for the risk of the unknown – we enter the Grace Margin. While God’s love and grace constantly surround us, it is in that Grace Margin where we discover the boundless reality of God’s abundance – what was lost is found. Or those in the margin have been brought to the center and those comfortable at the center venture out to the margin to find those who were missing.
The rejoicing is not over just one sheep, but the flock that is now complete. The whole community of heaven rejoices over being filled with the redeemed. When we venture out seeking the lost or welcome into our midst the lost seeking refuge, we participate in making our human community whole – that is when the heavenly rejoicing kicks in to high gear.
Through our worship and fellowship each week, we practice welcoming the seekers. But we also prepare ourselves to enter the Grace Margin, to in turn seek out the lost, the broken, the different, and the ignored. Our rejoicing on the weekend is a foretaste of that heavenly joy that the margin was entered by God’s graceful shepherds and housekeepers.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Luke 15:1-10
All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
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2016 Desert AIDS Walk
 Join the 2016 Desert AIDS Walk Team, now! The 2016 Desert AIDS Walk is Saturday Oct. 22nd. Members of St. Paul’s have participated in every walk since the first one in 1989. Sign up to walk. Get sponsorships. Help support people in the Coachella Valley with HIV/AIDS. We are recruiting Walkers and Sponsors after each service. Look for the AIDS Walk Table on the walkway near the west entrances to the church. You can also join the team at desertaidswalk.org. Our Team name is St. Paul in the Desert. Please make donation checks payable to Desert AIDS Project.
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Diocesan Convention
The 43rd Annual Diocesan Convention takes place right in our own backyard this year, at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. Don’t miss the opportunity to take part! Registration is being handled online only at http://www.edsd.org. Convention dates are Friday and Saturday, November 11-12. New at Convention this year – Youth Genius Bar. Do you need help navigating Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Youth from all over the diocese will come together to answer tech questions on Friday afternoon and evening during Convention.
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Accepting God’s
Gift of Faith Program 2016
 Are you worshipping with our community and ready to take a further step to become an Episcopalian through Baptism and/or Confirmation? Already an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect? Confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church? Then our Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program is for you! The program will consist of eight weekly sessions in preparation for Adult Baptism/Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation by Bishop Mathes on Sunday, December 4th. Sessions will be on Tuesdays at 6:00pm, starting on October 11th. Sessions begin promptly with dinner at 6pm and end by 8pm. This group journey will lead participants through their own spiritual life story as well as through the history, theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. It is an opportunity to spiritually grow in and through the community of faith at St. Paul’s. Please RSVP your interest in attending by calling the Office by September 30th at 760.320.7488, ext. 0.
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A Call for Confirmation Class Sponsors.
Are you interested in accompanying a member of the Confirmation class on their spiritual journey? This is an opportunity to make new spiritual friendships that will last well beyond the confirmation experience. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call Br. John Charles at 415-279-6340
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The Altar Guild and Altar Ministry Kickoff
 . . . will be held at Rick’s Desert Grill on Sunday, September 18th at 5 PM. We will hold a business meeting in which we will discuss the Altar Guild and Altar Ministry calendar for the remainder of the year, followed by a no-host dinner. All members of the Altar Guild, all Altar Ministers and anyone interested in either Ministry are invited to attend. Please call the office to RSVP. For questions or comments, please call Kathy Kilmer at 760.774.8233 or Br. John Westaway at 415.279.6340.
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Altar and Narthex (church lobby) Flower Sponsorships
Sponsoring flowers for the Altar or Narthex is a distinctive way to remember loved ones or commemorate special occasions, like birthdays and anniversaries. There are many dates still available to sponsor an arrangement this year. RESERVE YOUR DATE NOW by completing the sponsor sign-up form in the binder on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Library
Check it out
September
9/11 How Should WE Respond to “Evil”?
Led by Craig Ewing
9/18 Five Myths about Sharia Law.
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
9/25 Who Do You Love?
Led by Alan Zimmerman
October
10/2 Finding God and Faith on TV.
Led by Jerry Di Noto
10/9 Attitude of Gratitude- 10 Lepers (Lk.17:11-19)
Led by Br. John Charles
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
Book Study – “How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis to Revelation,” by John Dominic Crossan. Led by Br. John Charles.
9/13 Part II: Civilization; Part III: Covenant
9/20 Part III: Covenant (cont’d.)
9/27 Part IV: Community
10/4 Part IV: Community (cont’d.)
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Announcements
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
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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Giving Made Easier
We encourage you to use our new system for online giving.
Pay your pledge, make a donation to St. Paul’s or support select ministries.
More information in the column to the right of this publication.
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Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
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St. Paul’s 101: Welcome!
If you want to Join St. Paul’s or learn more about the Parish, come to St. Paul’s 101. The next single session class with Fr. Andrew will be Sun. Sept. 25 at 9:15 in the Chapel in the Parish Hall. You will learn about St. Paul’s, ask questions about the Parish, and join.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship.
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Hospitality Ministry
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.
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service is sponsored by Michelle Hathaway.
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests. There are several Coffee Hours without sponsors throughout the year. Please consider signing up to be a host.
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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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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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Baked Goods and Fruit
for Roy’s
St. Paul’s Monday night outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center needs your support to help get through the summer doldrums. Home-made or store bought baked desserts, cakes and cookies, as well as fresh fruit, are urgently needed. Simply bring your donation to church on Saturday or Sunday and leave it with the ushers. Contact Chris Kelly at (760) 406-2978 for further information.
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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 incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, jseitman@pacbell.net, 858-793-4555 or the Rev. Janet Wheelock, jwheelock@edsd.org, 952-240-8067.
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