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The Abundant Life
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November 16, 2017 For Sunday, Nov. 19th
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From the Rector
Generosity Comes From God:
Includes All of Us
As I begin this reflection I need to mention the traditional interpretation: Make the most of the gifts you have been given or risk disappointing God. This scripture is a regular in the Fall, when we just happen to be soliciting pledges of financial support for the parish. I don’t believe that the traditional interpretation teaches much about God, but it emphasizes common expectations that seem more like an earthly ruler’s. We will learn something unexpected next week as we read the conclusion of this section – how the protagonist acts very differently than what we expect of a powerful ruler.
However, the beginning of this story does teach us about generosity. Each of the servants is entrusted by the householder with abundant resources. Although the householder is not some sort of venture capitalist, an investment is being made and a partnership is formed. Each servant is empowered to act with the householder’s valuable coins and two of them respond fearlessly, multiplying their stake. As the Rev. Eric H.F. Law teaches in his book “Holy Currencies,” the resource grows because it is moving. The valuable coins are one form of currency, the relationships formed from doing business are another currency. I imagine that the five valuable coins multiply for some if not all of the circle involved in business or trade.
The excitement of the first servant to trade with other members of the community may have freed other resources and created profits of joy for many. And the venture was not likely an instant success even though this is a short story. The householder left for a long time. Were the first two servant always ahead? Did the three of them ever talk or compare notes? It does not seem that these two fretted much, despite the responsibility. They accepted a generous trust and don’t seem to have looked over their shoulders.
The third servant never seems to have accepted the trust as generosity, only as a test. This servant stopped his valuable coin cold, burying it and probably watching the cache constantly, and always anticipating a tragic outcome.
I believe that God trusts us with abundant currencies and is generous in giving us freedom to use them. God lets go of the treasure and delights when it moves. We move God’s treasure with currencies like building relationships, truth telling, growing the wellness of our community, and even by letting go of valuable coins.
Join us in worship as we celebrate our stories of letting coins go and of burying them deeply, of moments when we are full of trust and moments when trust seems a long way off. Generosity includes all of us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Matthew (25:14-30) CEB
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. To one he gave five valuable coins, and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey. After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
Read more
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Celebration Weekend, November 18th & 19th
Journey to Generosity 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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Thanksgiving Service
Thanksgiving Day Service at 10:30 am – Start your Thanksgiving Day celebration at St. Paul’s. Join us for Holy Communion at our morning service.
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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 is next Sunday, November 26, 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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St. Paul’s Gun Violence/Safety Committee
It’s happened again. This time 26 killed and 20 injured. A three generation family of 8 killed when a 26 year old man with an assault weapon ,an AR15, opened fire on a Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. There have already been 307 mass shootings in the US this year – And the year isn’t over yet! That averages 1 mass shooting per day. Yes, pray, but take action, too. Get involved and join one of the programs listed:
And there are many more online. Contact our congress members and support their efforts for reasonable gun control:
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Craft & Jewelry Sale
African Team Ministries Craft & Jewelry Sale will be held on November 19th. The purchases or donations you make, help to feed, clothe, and provide watering devices. Each of the craftspeople get paid from the sale of their craft. Please keep these dates in mind and come visit the display in the Parish Hall.
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Calling All Elves!
 It’s time again to decorate for Christmas. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 28th starting at 9:00 am. We are seeking 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. Please call the office at 760-320-7488 and let us know you’ll be able to help. Refreshments will be served.
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Vestry Call!!
The outgoing members of your Vestry have opened nominations for Vestry for terms beginning in 2018. The Vestry is your working government of the church. Members of the Vestry help guide the parish’s growth and its service to parishioners and the community we live in. If you or someone you know would be interested or would like to learn more, please contact Steve Moore at pscars4u@aol.com or at 760.218.7667 or any of the other departing Vestry members: Alan Zimmerman, Karen Nelson and Ted Barajas. Thank you for being part of the St. Paul in the Desert Family.
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Parish Life Book Club
Parish Life Book Club meets on the first Tuesday each month at 1 PM in the Library. New members are always welcome. The Book Club meets again on December 5th. The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom is the next selection. In this gripping bestseller, Kathleen Grissom brings to life a thriving plantation in Virginia in the decades before the Civil War, where a dark secret threatens to expose the best and worst in everyone tied to the estate. This book is available in paperback. For more information please contact Jackie Freeburn at jfreeburn@dc.rr.com. In January 2018, Book Club marks its first anniversary. The January selection is Before We Were Yours: A Novel by Lisa Wingate. Members are looking forward to reading this popular book.
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Help Discern the Next Bishop for Our Diocese
Would you like to have a voice in selecting the new bishop of the diocese? Well, now is your chance! The leadership and parishioners of the eastern areas of the Diocese of San Diego, Mission areas 6 and 7, are invited to participate in a Listening Session to make your thoughts known. Sessions will be held at these locations:
- Saturday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.: Good Shepherd, Hemet
- Saturday, Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m.: Ss. Peter and Paul, El Centro
- Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.: St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert
Members of the diocesan Nominating Committee will be present to guide discussion and answer questions. The Listening Session will last approximately 2 hours. It is a gathering of all interested members of the diocese to answer a set of pre-determined questions. Responses to these questions will provide the basis for the Diocesan Profile to be posted on-line by February 2018. We hope you can attend and participate in this important process of calling a new bishop.
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Hey, St. Paul’s Hikers!
The Parish Life Hiking Group is starting its Fall/Winter schedule with a hike on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at the Whitewater Preserve. Please sign up by using the sign up sheets in the back of the church or Parish Hall over the next week or contact Chris Kelly at (760) 406-2978 if you’re interested in joining the fun. An announcement with more details will follow.
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Are You Attending?
Saturday, November 18
 Join the Rev. Canon David Caffrey as he facilitates a timely workshop on “Back to Basics in Times of Crisis” from 9 to noon in the Parish Hall. Our Baptismal Covenant is central to our faith and action, and Fr. David will relate to it several Benedictine and Daughters of the King rules and vows which can enrich our Covenant faith and ministries in contentious times. Everyone is invited to join us. Please sign up after services or in the office so DOK can plan for refreshments. You can also call Sharon at 760.285.8910 for further information.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, December 13th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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Taizé Services
Mark your calendars now for the first 3 Tuesdays in December (5th, 12th, & 19th) to attend our Taize style service at 7:00 in the Church. As one person said, “Taize is a deeply spiritual service by candlelight with music, quietude and prayer. It is a wonderful opportunity to center your day and your life while expressing gratitude.” For more information, contact Nathan Ensign at 760-320-7488 x225.
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Parade Special Events
On behalf of St. Paul’s and the Special Events Committee, we extend our gratitude to all who assisted in making St. Paul’s visible in the Palm Springs Pride and Veteran’s Day parades. We will be seeking your participation in the Black History Parade and the One PS Neighborhoods Fair next year. Special thanks to Jessup Motors for their support.
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Please consider sponsoring a coffee hour!
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FAITH BUILDING 2017
Sundays @ 9:15 am
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè
November
11/19 Zeph. 1:7, 12-18: Complacency -the Opposite of Faith.
11/26 Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24: Failed Kings and the Good Shepherd.
December
“Bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace”
A series of meditations and discussion on Violence and Nonviolence
12/3 Taking Jesus Seriously Led by Br. John Charles
12/10 The Root of Violence Led by Rev. Ron Giekow
12/17 The Inevitable Spiral of Violence Led by Gary Scott
12/24 NO SESSION Christmas- New Year Recess
12/31 NO SESSION Christmas- New Year Recess
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Tuesdays @ 7PM
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY
November
An Overview of the Reformation: Key figures and issues:
Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of the Ninety-five Theses.
11/21 Elizabeth’s Reformation. Led by Gary Scott
11/28 Revolution & Restoration. Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch.
December
12/5 Advent Taizé
12/12 Advent Taizé
12/19 Advent Taizé
12/26 NO SESSION Christmas- New Year Recess
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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?
Print a copy
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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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