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December 15, 2016 For Sunday, December 18th
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From The Rector
Ask For a Sign
Finally, in this fourth weekend of Advent, we are led to anticipate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. In the reading from Isaiah, the prophet speaks of the young woman pregnant with a son. Although the child is not named, Christians have long identified him as pointing to Jesus. Yet, there is more than the identity of the child to consider. The child is a “sign;” the child points to something or someone.
Through Isaiah, God has invited the king of the region – Ahaz – to be bold and ask for a sign of God’s response to a threatened invasion. Ahaz won’t ask, and uses as his reason that he would be “testing” God. He wants to maneuver God for his own purpose.
Before being confronted by the prophet, the leaders been begging for protection, while at the same time refusing to establish justice in the kingdom. Widows and orphans are not cared for. People are calling evil good and good evil. Neither the ruler nor the people with power desire a response from God which goes beyond protection and might challenge their injustice.
God then offers a sign that is not what was wanted nor expected by the elite. God gives the sign of a barely weaned child – Immanuel – who will “learn to reject evil and choose good,” who will be more faithful than those currently in power. Not a warrior. Not what Ahaz thought he needed. Rather, the presence of God to walk beside God’s vulnerable people in whatever they face and call them to justice.
Join us in our anticipation that God has come to be with us, for the child points to God:
O come, dear child of Mary, come,
God’s Word made flesh within our earthly home:
Love stirs within the womb of night,
Revenge and hatred put to flight.
Rejoice, rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,
God’s chosen one, Immanuel, draws near. (The Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad)
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Featured Scripture
Isaiah 7:10-16Common English Bible (CEB)
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign from the Lord your God. Make it as deep as the grave or as high as heaven.”
But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask; I won’t test the Lord.”
Then Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Isn’t it enough for you to be tiresome for people that you are also tiresome before my God?Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.He will eat butter and honey, and learn to reject evil and choose good.Before the boy learns to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be abandoned.
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CHRISTMAS WORSHIP CALENDAR FOR ST. PAUL’S
December 20th
Advent Taizè Services – 7:00 p.m.
December 24th – Christmas Eve
Carols – 5:45 p.m.
Family Service – 6:00 p.m.
(Childcare available)
Carols – 10:45 p.m.
Midnight Mass – 11:00 p.m.
December 25th – Christmas Day
Holy Communion and Carols – 10:30 a.m.
Please Note:
The Church Office will close at 12:00 Noon on December 23rd and 30th
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Both coffee hours Sunday are sponsored by our Social Justice Committee.
Please consider signing up to be a host. Make it a New Year’s resolution
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A Death in the Parish
Taylor Baird died at home on Thursday the 8th.
His funeral will be January 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
Please keep his husband Roger Allen in your prayers.
If you wish to send cards and condolences, his address is:
71 San Simeon Pl
Mission Wells
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
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Advent Taizè Services
Our Advent Taize Services conclude this Tuesday, December 20th. 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. As one attendee noted, “The Taize Service provides the perfect respite from the hectic pace and pressure of the holiday season.” Everyone is welcome. Contact Nathan Ensign for more details at: 760-320-7488 Ext. 225.
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CHRISTMAS FLOWER OFFERING
If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas flowers, please use the special offering envelopes found in the pew pockets.
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Calling all Elves!
It’s time again to decorate for Christmas. Wednesday, December 21st starting at 9:00 a.m. We need helpers to decorate the interior of the church. Much of the decorations are high up so we are hoping some “ladder-nimble” elves will be able to help.
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Hikers Join UP!
The St. Paul’s Hiking Group is hosting its December hike at the Oak Glen Preserve above Beaumont on Saturday, December 17th at 8:30am, and it’s not too late to join us for fellowship, fun and a generous helping of natural beauty out on the trail – distance is about 3 miles, no special hiking experience is required. Contact Chris Kelly for further info at cwkelly615@verizon.net or 760.406.2978 for further information. See you there!
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Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath December 17-18
This week we will be joining Faiths United in commemorating the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend. This is the 4th year places of worship across the nation will be remembering those who have been lost, praying for those who survived, and raising awareness on what can be done to change the norm of gun violence in America. Click here for more information.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next Communion Service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, January 11th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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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
December
12/18 The God Who Descends – The Incarnation Part II –
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
12/25 & 1/1 Christmas Break – No Sessions
January
1/8 Do you Believe – Baptismal Gospel Reflection
Led by Gary Scott
Read about it
1/15 Come and See – Reflection on John 1:29-42
Led by Br. John Charles
Read about it
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Tuesdays at 7pm in the Church
December 20th – Taizè Services
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Thursdays at Noon in the Library
December 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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