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The Abundant Life
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May 18th, 2017 For Sunday, May 21st
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From the Rector
Companion in Love and Service
The context of this week’s Gospel reading might be confusing. We are in the fifth week of Easter, and also engaging Jesus’ teaching to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. John’s narrator has told the readers before, in chapters 2 and 12, that the disciples would not understand the significance of what Jesus said and did until Jesus rose from the dead. So we are reading about Jesus’ teaching in light of the resurrection.
Jesus has been the disciples’ companion and he tells them that if they love him and keep his commandments, he will send them a sustaining Companion “who will be with them forever.”
I understand the Companion Jesus is promising to be the Holy Spirit of Christian teaching. In some way, it is a continuation of the spirit of Jesus which they have experienced as they followed him. After Jesus is raised, his Companion will be with them – forever. “If…”
If they are faithful in keeping his commandments. The only commandment he is referring to is simply this: “Love one another as I have loved you.” He said this at dinner and then washed their feet. He demonstrated his love through service.
If we are faithful in keeping Jesus’ commandment – if we love as we have been loved – we can be sure of his Companion sustaining us. How can we know? What does it mean to “love one another?” How did Jesus love all of humanity?
Through service.
His washing their feet was a beneficial, yet humble act. He was not scoring points or looking for approval. His serving was authentically centered on “the other.” Our serving can emulate his – and the promised Companion can walk beside us, break bread with us, and be in each of us.
What if, in our worship this week, we give thanks for God’s sustaining love as our Companion? Then prepare ourselves as Jesus’ heart and hands, to serve the ones we meet to need a Companion as they walk. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
John 14:15-21 Common English Bible (CEB)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever.This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you.
“I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too.On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
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Summer Hours
Beginning Friday May 26th, the Church office will maintain summer hours. We will close at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays until after Labor Day in September.
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Parish Potluck and Concert: May 20, 2017
Parish Life Committee invites you to a pot luck and concert on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Depending on the heat and the wind, we will gather in the parish hall or perhaps outside under the colonnade around 5:00 p.m. following the 4:00 service and will plan to eat about 5:30. Tickets may be purchased for beverages.
Entertainment will be provided by Heatwave Show Band from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Coachella Valley. They are an award winning group of musicians aged 11–20 from various schools throughout the Coachella Valley. Check out more information on the group and see video samples of their music at:
https://www.facebook.com/HeatwaveBand/
We will be requesting a donation of $5 – $10 per person which will help defray the cost of the band.
Mark your calendar to bring family and friends to this fun event.
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Susan Green Candidate for Deacon Ordination
 Susan is a candidate for ordination as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. She has been in the discernment process for the last five years and studying at the Diocesan School for Ministry in San Diego for the last two years. We will charter a bus to leave St. Paul’s Palm Springs at 6:30 am on June 17th. The bus will arrive at the Cathedral in San Diego in time for the Ordination at 10:00 am. It will return at about 12:30 and arrive in Palm Springs at about 3:30 pm.
The cost for the transportation is $30; payments are now being received.. Sign up today in the Parish Hall.
Click here to read Susan’s account of her Journey to Being a Deacon.
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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 single session class with Fr. Andrew is Sunday, May 28, 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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Volunteers Needed
PEW RACK MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed to become part of this stewardship of upkeep, replenishment and inventory of the information in our pew racks. If interested, please call the Office- 760 320-7488 and leave your name and contact information. You will be contacted by the committee chair for training and scheduling.
PARISH OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
HELP, Summer Volunteers Needed! Due to vacation schedules, the parish office is in need of volunteers during the summer months to assist in various administrative tasks including preparing, printing and assembling the weekly worship booklets. If interested, please call the Office- 760 320-7488 and leave your name and contact information.
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Parish Life News
HOSPITALITY MINISTRY
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service is sponsored by Mary Holmes.
Please consider signing up to be a Sunday Coffee Hour host.
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PARISH LIFE BOOK CLUB
 The Parish Life Book Club meets every first Tuesday of the month. You won’t want to miss our next discussion on June 6th at 1:00 pm in the Library. We’re reading Mitch Albom’s latest book The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto. Albom is the author of several best-sellers including Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Frankie Presto is an orphan from the Spanish War, who is raised by a blind music teacher. Frankie ultimately ends up in America with his guitar and six magic strings. We hope you’ll join us as we consider Frankie and his talent and life. See you on June 6th.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next Communion Service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, June 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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FAITH BUILDING 2017
Sundays @ 9:15 am
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè
5/21 Truth and Beauty: A reflection on John 14:15-21 – Led by Br. John Charles
5/28 Jesus Prays for His Disciples: Reflection on John 17: 1-11 – Led by Gary Scott
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Tuesdays @ 7PM
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY
Christian Formation Inspired by Jesus’ Jewish Heritage.
This series, based on Rev. Lauren Winner’s book, Mudhouse Sabbath, includes DVD presentations and discussions. It is a look at Jewish traditions and how they have spiritual relevance for Christians.
5/23 Jewish and Christian Prayer – Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
5/30 Practice of Fasting – Led by Br. John Charles
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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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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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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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