|
From the Rector
Hospitality Saves
Those who follow the seasons of the Church Year know that Palm Sunday is the day that Jesus enters Jerusalem where, over the following week, he will experience both death and resurrection. The encounter we read this weekend between Jesus and Zacchaeus is the last one before Jesus enters the Holy City.
So many of the encounters we read about in Luke remind us of Jesus’ mission proclaiming a Kingdom of God where status and fortune are reversed. Under the authority of God, the high will be brought low, and the lowly will lifted up, the proud will be humbled and the humble will be exalted, and those who have been excluded will be brought to the center.
The interaction between Zacchaeus and Jesus reminds us that even these great reversals are complicated. Zacchaeus has a complex relationship with the community. He is wealthy and powerful, but the role he has places him in opposition to the people. At least a portion of his wealth comes from his collaboration with the Romans. He is not honored, but is likely feared, envied, and judged by the people of Jericho.
All we know about him besides his profession and his status is his desire to see Jesus. That desire is so great that he is willing to humiliate himself, by climbing a tree, to get a closer look. And when Jesus comes to the place near the tree, he engages Zacchaeus and invites – demands – his hospitality.
The grumblers went to work when Jesus announced his intention to dine with one they had judged a “sinner.”
When Zacchaeus is brought to the center of Jesus’ attention, he surprises the grumblers. He reveals something unexpected: his spiritual practice in more than generous – he already gives half his income to the poor. He reveals the amends he has made to those who have been extorted – he already gives them quadruple damages. According to Jesus, this “sinner’s” response is a sign of God’s mission – to honor those often misjudged, lost, and disconnected.
At our worship, we are often with others like ourselves, but we always have the opportunity to dine at the same table with people who are different from us to some degree. Our willingness to be at table with the lost and disconnected is the sign that we understand Jesus’ mission. Our willingness to reach out to those same people outside of worship is the sign that we are following Jesus. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
________________________________________________
|
|
Featured Scripture
Luke 19:1-10 (CEB)
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through town. A man there named Zacchaeus, a ruler among tax collectors, was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but, being a short man, he couldn’t because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.” So Zacchaeus came down at once, happy to welcome Jesus.
Everyone who saw this grumbled, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I repay them four times as much.”
Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this household because he too is a son of Abraham. The Human One came to seek and save the lost.”
________________________________________________
|
|
Time Change!!
 Don’t forget to FALL BACK next weekend!! We return to Pacific Standard Time on Sunday, November 6th. The official time change is at 2 am. But you might want to turn your clocks and watches back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday, Nov. 5th.
________________________________________________
|
|
Gay Pride 2016
 All St. Paul’s parishioners are invited to march in the parish contingent of the Palm Springs Pride Parade on Sunday, November 6th at 10 AM. You don’t have to be gay to march! We welcome all of our “allies” and those who are Proud to be welcoming, empowering, supportive Episcopalians! If you would like to “march,” but need to ride, there are a limited number of spaces available in the cars. See the sign-up sheets in the Church Lobby & Parish Hall. Check this space for further details.
________________________________________________
|
|
The Palm Springs
Pride Parade
The parade kicks off this Sunday at 10 AM. St. Paul’s Contingent # is 156. The assembly area is South of Vista Chino on Palm Canyon. Vehicles must be checked in by 9:00 AM. Parade marchers should not try to check in before 9:30 AM. There will be new St. Paul’s Pride Parade T-shirts available at the Parade venue where we gather our contingent. If you have any questions, please call Br. John Charles at 415.279.6340.
________________________________________________
|
|
PRIDE WEEKEND
Service Schedule Change
The Palm Springs PRIDE Parade on Sunday November 6th, makes the church virtually inaccessible on Sunday morning. Our All Saints Principal Service will be Saturday, Nov. 5th at 4:00pm. The Choir will sing. There will be a quiet service at 8:00 Sunday with no music. There will be no 10:30 service.
________________________________________________
|
|
All Saints’ Day,
November 5, 2016
For our annual observance of All Saints’ Day, we invite you to offer the names of loved ones who have passed away within the last 12 months. The names will be celebrated during All Saints’ Day service on Saturday November 5th. Please add names to registers located in the Parish Hall and Narthex, or by calling the Parish Office at 760.320.7488. If you have submitted names in past years, they are part of a permanent parish record and will be remembered along with those newly added. Deadline for submitting names is Wednesday, October 26, 2016.
________________________________________________
|
|
Seeking Vestry Nominations
The Vestry (Governing Board of St. Paul’s) has opened nominations for the new term. A three-year term on the Vestry is a significant responsibility and a rewarding experience. For more information and to share the name of someone you know who might be interested contact any of the following Vestry members: Bob Hettinger (treasurer@stpaulsps.org), Kathy Kilmer kmkcc@aol.com (760 325.0332), Rosanna Langley rolangley1@aol.com (760. 409.8534), Tom Lutgen tmlutgen@hotmail.com (760.322.4089), and Diane Stielstra dianestielstra@msn.com (760.325.3710).
________________________________________________
|
|
Welcoming Pride Shabbat
Temple Isaiah invites people of all faiths to a community-wide Welcoming Pride Shabbat (Sabbath) service to be held on Friday, November 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the Bochner Sanctuary at Temple Isaiah JCC, 332 West Alejo Road, Palm Springs. Clergy from various congregations will participate. The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch will represent St. Paul’s. Please join in this worship service at Temple Isaiah and stay for the reception following.
________________________________________________
|
|
43rd Annual Diocesan Convention – Local this year
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.
________________________________________________
|
|
Save the Date! November 19
On Saturday, November 19th, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Parish Hall, The Rev. Canon David Caffrey will present a workshop on sharing the Good News of Christ. He will bring together those interested in – or those highly suspect of – what in the Episcopal Church is called the “dreaded e-word – evangelism.” With his usual humor and good grace, Canon Caffrey will involve us in a journey of joy, and says, “Evangelism is nothing to be afraid of. It’s simply sharing the Good News, and all of us can do that.” DOK is sponsoring the workshop, and invites everyone to attend.
________________________________________________
|
|
10 MYTHS ABOUT
GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA
The Social Justice Committee continues its presentation of Myths about Gun Violence in America, as published by the Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV):
Gun Violence Myth 6: Gun Laws Only Punish Law Abiding Citizens; Criminals Ignore Them. Truth: Sensible Gun Laws Do Not “Punish” Law Abiding Citizens – They Save Lives. Legislatures nationwide have enacted laws to protect public safety, even though they may impose a small burden on law abiding citizens and despite the fact that some people will ignore them. For example, we have laws regulating automobiles and their drivers and passengers (such as speed limits and seat belts) even though some people may find those laws inconvenient and other will violate them. Similarly, laws regulating guns, and gun owners (such as requiring background checks or banning the sale of assault weapons) protect the public, even though some may find them burdensome and others may ignore them. The reality is that most Americans support sensible gun laws because they realize those laws help reduce gun violence.
________________________________________________
|
|
Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Library
Check it out
October
10/30 Speaking to the Soul- Joyful Choice
Led by Audrey Spencer
November
11/06 No Session – Palm Springs Pride Weekend
11/13 The one unwilling to work, shall not eat!
Led by Alan Zimmerman
11/20 If Jesus can’t save himself, how can he save us?
Led by Br. John Charles
_________________________________________________
|
|
Tuesday Evenings at 6:00 PM
Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program 2016.
This program consists of eight weekly sessions which began on October 11th and will continue through November in preparation for Adult:
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Reception
- Reaffirmation
in the Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 4th by Bishop Mathes.
_________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Announcements
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Desert Aids Walk
Update
A big thank you to all who participated in the Walk on Saturday October 22nd. St. Pauls’ team raised $2700.00 in support of the Desert Aids Project.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
“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 Sunday, October 30, at 9:15 am in the Chapel in the Parish Hall. In this informal setting you will have the opportunity to ask questions about St. Paul’s and learn how to become a member.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Election Day
Prayer Vigil
The Church will host a prayer vigil for our country on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th. A Chapel will be created in the conference room and it will be available for prayer from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Daughters of the King will assist in the vigil.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
EDSD Book Drive
For the fall collaborative project, the Diocese is asking churches to collect new and gently used books for children up to age 14. Start collecting books now, and bring them to Church on Sunday, October 30th. We will then bring all the donated books to Convention on November 11-12, at St Margaret’s, Palm Desert. All donations will be distributed throughout the desert region to children in need by Episcopal churches and other social service agencies.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Taize Services
The next Taize Service will be Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. In a quiet setting of candles and Liturgical art, this service offers a style of meditation through repetitive chant, psalm and silence for personal reflection and prayer. All are invited. Contact Nathan Ensign for more details at: 760-320-7488 Ext. 225.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9th at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Sunday’s Coffee Hour following the 8:00 & 10:30 services are hosted by John and Lucinda Hampson.
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests. There are still several Coffee Hours without sponsors throughout year end. Please consider signing up to be a host.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
|
