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The Abundant Life
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June 15, 2017 For Sunday, June 18th
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From the Rector
As You Go – Local, Healing, Free
Jesus asks us to plead for help this week. We are to plead with the Lord of the harvest for hands to help.
The disciples are with Jesus as he travels about the villages of Galilee. In the verses leading up to our Gospel for this weekend, Jesus has been doing amazing things that show he is from God: healing every disease, throwing out demons that bind people, even raising the dead. Through these acts, he is indiscriminately loving everyone who is in need when and where he meets them. This profligate care is the harvest of Jesus. This is the harvest Jesus is pleading for help with.
Jesus names his mixed band of disciples and sends them out, just as he sends them out after his resurrection (which we read last week for Trinity Sunday). But there is a critical difference. In this week’s Gospel, the disciples are sent to do exactly what Jesus has been doing – healing the brokenness they encounter among “the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”
Jesus concludes his directive by specifically reminding the disciples of the nature of God’s grace: as they received it freely from Jesus, they must give it freely to others. God’s grace is its own currency. It is to be gratefully received and passed along – never stockpiled, always shared.
As disciples who live in the forefront of both “sendings” – to the local, familiar “lost sheep” and to those who are unfamiliar, different, or outsiders – I want us to reflect, this week, on the first, local, directive.
Jesus’ disciples will grow in their skill and compassion as they minister God’s liberating grace to the people most like themselves. And Jesus will continue to reach beyond borders as he leads these disciples. When they are ready, he will send them to a wider world.
Week by week we receive God’s grace. We are invited to be made whole by that grace and to pass it along. As we go, we first engage those nearest to us with healing care as a sign of that grace. As our experience grows, so will the circle of our impact – wider and wider. As we have received it from God’s abundance, so we offer from that place of abundance, freely and without reservation. Join us
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Matthew 9:35-10:8 (CEB)
Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.”
He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee; and John his brother; Philip; and Bartholomew; Thomas; and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean; and Judas, who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, “Don’t go among the Gentiles or into a Samaritan city. Go instead to the lost sheep, the people of Israel. As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment.
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Summer Church Office Hours
The Church office has transitioned to summer hours. We will close at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays until after Labor Day in September.
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Sunday’s Coffee Hours after the 8:00 and the 10:30 services is sponsored by the
Daughters of the King.
Please consider signing up to be a Sunday Coffee Hour host.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next Communion Service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, July 12th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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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 this Saturday, 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..
Click here to read Susan’s account of her Journey to Being a Deacon.
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Bethlehem Handcrafts
This Sunday, June 18th, Bethlehem Handcrafts will be here to sell their handmade carved olive wood religious art. The proceeds help Bethlehem’s Christian carvers support their families and allow them to remain in their homeland.
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Episcopal Night at Petco Park
Join us for a fun night at Petco Park in San Diego as the Padres take on the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 23rd. The Party in the Park will begin before the game at 5 pm. The Episcopal choir will sing the national anthem before the game and Bishop Mathes will throw out the first ball. For more information please contact the parish office at 760.320.7488, or see the diocesan website
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Parish Life Book Club
Parish Life Book Club (PLBC) will discuss the book The Orphan Tale, by Pam Jenoff at their July meeting. Because the July 4th holiday falls on the first Tuesday of the month, the PLBC will meet on Wednesday, July 5th at 1:00 pm in the Library. The Orphan Tale is a compelling read about a traveling circus during World War II and the close friendship of two remarkable women during World War II and the sacrifice and struggles they must endure.
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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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Summer Parish Potluck
Please mark your calendar for August 10, 2017, for the summer parish potluck. Doors open in the parish hall at 5:30 with dinner at 6:00. Sign-up sheets will be in the narthex and parish hall about thirty days ahead of the event.
The Parish Life team would appreciate your input. We’ve hosted several activities and your feedback will help us plan future events. Would you like more entertainment options or perhaps simply enjoy great food and the company of others? Please email your thoughts and suggestions to FredERoss@comcast.net.
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FAITH BUILDING 2017
Sundays @ 9:15 am
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè
6/18 Compassion Workers: Reflection on Matthew 9:35-10:8 – Led by Gary Scott
Read about it
6/25 String of Pearls: Reflection on Matthew 10:24-29 – Led by Ron Geikow
Read about it
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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.
6/20 Aging – Led by Br. John Charles
6/27 Body – Led by Craig Ewing
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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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