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November 17, 2016 For Sunday, November 20th
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From The Rector
 Gather. Don’t Scatter.
This is transition weekend for churches around the world. Two weeks ago, many churches in the United States experienced the transition from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time. In the last week, the United States has begun the transition from one administration to another. Christians who follow a Church Calendar will celebrate the final Sunday of the Year as the Feast of Christ the King. Reflecting on this transition, the reading from Jeremiah promises that God will raise up a “wise king.” “He will do what is just and right in the land.” This wise leader will gather the people of God, not scatter them.
Jeremiah uses the image of a shepherd to confront the leaders of his day about their injustice. The job of the shepherd is simple: gather and protect the sheep. But these shepherds have done the opposite. They have abused their duty and caused their sheep to scatter in fear.
God will deal with the shepherds who have scattered the sheep. Then God will appoint shepherds who gather and serve – who care for the sheep. The chief shepherd will be a king from the line of David. Christians understand that king to be Jesus. We see Jesus as the king whose power is moderated by vulnerability, and therefore can be trusted to stand with humanity. Jesus gathers the sheep, serving them and protecting them from harm.
For those Christians who understand Jesus in this way – those who have been gathered from the edges and brought to the center – our mission is clear. We are to gather and serve – to bring in and offer healing support to men and women who have been scattered. Are we ready to offer our ears and hands to build real relationships? Are we ready and willing to listen, to hear the truth of their lives? Are we ready and willing to reach out and bring the stranger to the center?
Our community at worship includes different kinds of people. Those ready to reach out now and those who need some time, as well as those who are still scattered, lost, and hurting. When we trust God to be faithful, we can risk reaching out. Join us as we stand together as a people ready to gather others to healing and love. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Common English Bible (CEB)
Watch out, you shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, declares the Lord. This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, proclaims about the shepherds who “tend to” my people: You are the ones who have scattered my flock and driven them away. You haven’t attended to their needs, so I will take revenge on you for the terrible things you have done to them, declares the Lord. I myself will gather the few remaining sheep from all the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. I will place over them shepherds who care for them. Then they will no longer be afraid or dread harm, nor will any be missing, declares the Lord.
The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous descendant from David’s line, and he will rule as a wise king. He will do what is just and right in the land. During his lifetime, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And his name will be The Lord Is Our Righteousness.
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Thanksgiving Day Worship
Please join us for worship on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 24th at 10:30 a.m. to give thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed on us.
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
There are several Coffee Hour sponsorships available through year-end. Please consider signing up to be a host.
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Celebration Weekend, Nov. 19th – 20th
Together We Serve is the theme for our next year. Serving one another and the world by building relationships and expanding our truth through listening carefully to the experience of others will make us a blessing for our community. We will celebrate this theme and receive Pledge Cards at all services.
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African Team Ministries
On Sunday November 20th, the African Team Ministries will display wonderful gift items in our Parish Hall. This year they will offer men’s crosses, women’s crosses, jewelry, musical instruments and a host of other hand-crafted items. Please check out these unique and wonderful gifts for sale at this annual event. Your purchases will support our ministry in Africa. Thank you!
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Calling all Elves!
It’s time again to decorate for Christmas. Saturday, November 26th starting at 9:00 a.m. We are looking for jolly holiday volunteers to help decorate the parish hall and the office lobby. In addition we will be decorating the outside of the church with lights in time for the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade. Refreshments will be served.
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The Next Taize Services
…will be Tuesday, December 6th, 13th, & 20th 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.
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20th
This is the Annual Day of Remembrance when we honor those who have been victims of violence and oppression in the Transgender community. As in previous years the local remembrance will be at Francis Stevens Park, November 20th, from 5-7 pm. This is an opportunity for transgender, intersex and their allies to get together, socialize and build relationships with the community.
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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 Sunday, November 27, at 9:15 am in the Conference Room in the Parish Office. In this informal setting you will have the opportunity to ask questions about St. Paul’s and learn how to become a member.
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Don’t Miss the
Children’s and Family Ministry’s Picnic
Come join us at our picnic on Sunday, December 4th at 1:00 pm. at Ruth Hardy Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Snacks and prizes (games) will be available. Meet us near the playground.
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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 9: Voting for Common Sense Gun Laws is Political Suicide. Truth: Although many elected officials are reluctant to support rational gun laws because they fear voter rejection, that fear is unfounded. A report by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence following the 2008 elections found “no evidence that any candidate, at any level, lost because of support for sensible gun laws.Supporters of common sense gun laws won in the Senate, House and state races across the country.”
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Christmas Gift Cards for Roy’s
As in the past, St. Paul’s will be raising money this Holiday season to buy a $25 Walmart gift card for each of the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center. We urge all Sr. Paul’s parishioners to chip in this year and help in this important effort – simply drop your check to St. Paul’s in the collection plate with the notation “for Roy’s” in the memo line, or call Chris Kelly 760-406-2978 with questions. Let’s make sure that no one in our community is forgotten or left out this Christmas.
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Faith Building 2016
Sundays at 9:15 am in the Library – The Episcopal Cafè
November
11/20 If Jesus can’t save himself, how can he save us?
Led by Br. John Charles
11/27 Speaking to the Soul – Keep Awake! – An Advent Reflection
Led by Gary Scott
December
12/4 Bishop’s visit – No Session.
12/11 The God Who Descends – The Incarnation Part I –
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch.
12/18 The God Who Descends – The Incarnation Part II –
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
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Tuesdays at 7pm in the Church
December 6th, 13th, & 20th – Taizè Services
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Thursdays at Noon in the Library
December 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd – Join us for an Advent exploration of Brian McLaren’s book The Great Spiritual Migration led by Audrey Spencer. Bring a bag lunch and share thoughts on this book’s theme of migrating from Christian faith defined as a system of beliefs to a love-centered way of life.
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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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Print a copy of The Abundant Life?
Click here
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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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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 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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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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    The Church of St. Paul in the Desert
Local: 760.320.7488 // Fax: 760.416.2441
Email: clergy@stpaulsps.org Website: http://www.stpaulsps.org
125 West El Alameda
Palm Springs, California 92262
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