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The Abundant Life
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January 25, 2018 For Sunday, January 28th
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From the Rector
Teaching With Authority
Jesus and the first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John, come to Capernaum where Jesus begins teaching in the synagogue. The people notice a difference – he was teaching with authority. However, the text doesn’t define “authority.” Perhaps Jesus taught with an authenticity that made the scriptures come alive for the people?
However, Jesus’ authoritative teaching was interrupted by a scream. A man with an evil spirit begins to testify about who this teacher – Jesus – is. He explains the source of Jesus’ authority – Jesus is the holy one from God. The good people in the synagogue, including the disciples, don’t know who Jesus really is, but the evil spirit does. And he is getting ahead of Jesus’ story.
Jesus silences the spirit and orders him to leave the man. The people who witnessed it saw it as another example of Jesus’ authority. “He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” From this experience, the story of Jesus begins to spread.
But, I wonder about the man.
In stories, a character may function just to move the story along. But in synagogues or congregations there are real people who may have spirits that oppress them. They may have illnesses or attitudes that set them apart or mark them as different. There may be people who are just hurt or feeling lost. On some days, that might describe any of us. So I wonder about the man.
I wonder how long he had been part of that gathering. Was he known to the others or was he transient like Jesus? After the spirit left him, did anyone offer him a kind word, a drink of water – a hand?
We know who Jesus is, and of his authenticity and authority. Are we amazed? Is ours the extended hand?
Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Mark 1:21-28 (CEB)
Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.”
“Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out.
Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee.
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Piano Concert
DON’T MISS Sunday’s Piano Concert by Craig Sheppard (January 28th at 4:00 pm!) Sheppard is Professor of Piano at the University of Washington in Seattle, and after our concert he will be performing in Jerusalem in March and later in the year, Hong Kong and Beijing. A reception to greet our artist and one another will follow in the Parish Hall. This concert is presented, in part, thanks to a generous donation in memory of Ruth Kraus. Your donations are graciously accepted at the door.
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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
Sundays @ 9:15 am
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè
January
“Bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace”
A series of meditations and discussion on Violence and Nonviolence.
1/28 ANNUAL MEETING–NO SESSION
February
2/4 An Answer to a Hard Question? Reflections on Isaiah 40: 21-31
Led by Craig Ewing
2/11 God’s Extraordinary People: Reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-14
Led by Br. John Charles
2/18 God’s Bow in the Clouds: Reflections on Genesis 9:8-17
Led by Audrey Spencer
2/25 Out of Our Hands: A Reflection on Romans 4:13-25
Led by Gary Scott
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Tuesdays @ 7PM
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY
Tuesdays @ 7PM in Library
January
Spiritual vs. Religious–
A series designed to address issues and areas of Religion and Spirituality.
1/30 Am I Spiritual and Religious? Facilitated by Jerry Di Noto.
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Serve Christ in Others!
St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at 7:00 pm in the Church Office Library. Discussion will include expansion of St. Paul’s current outreach to the homeless, our ongoing gun violence awareness initiatives and other important social justice causes for 2018. All are welcome to attend and contribute. Contact Chris Kelly 760.406.2978 for more information.
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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.” This is a single session class with Fr. Andrew. In this informal setting, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about St. Paul’s and learn how to become a member. The next session with Fr. Andrew will be Sunday, February 25th at 9:15 am, in the Conference Room in the Parish Office.
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Next Taizé Service
Join us for our Taize service on Thursday, February 1, at 7:00 pm. 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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Save the Date – Bishop’s Visit – March 25, 2018
The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori will preside at Baptisms, Confirmations, Receptions and Reaffirmations.
Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program 2018
Are you:
- Worshipping with our community and ready to take a further step into becoming an Episcopalian through Baptism and/or Confirmation?
- Already an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect?
- Confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church?
Then our Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program is for you!
Instructional preparation for candidates will include seven consecutive two-hour Sunday evening sessions (6-8PM) beginning February 4th, through March 18th. If you are interested in more information or wish to become a candidate or a sponsor, contact Jerry Di Noto at 760.320.7488 ext. 224 or Fr. Andrew at 760.320.7488 ext. 223.
Click here for more information.
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Parish Life Book Club
The Parish Life Book Club meets on the first Tuesday each month at 1:00 PM in the Library and new members are always welcome. On February 6, 2018, the Book Club will discuss The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. This book is a modern classic and the compassionate glimpses into its characters’ inner lives in a Georgia mill town during the 1930s are enduring, powerful and timely.
The Book Club is a group of people who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read. For more information contact Jackie Freeburn at jfreeburn@dc.rr.com.
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Circle Suppers are B A A A C K!
Circle Suppers (small group potlucks) will continue with our existing groups. The potlucks have been a huge success and for those who wish to join in the fun, signup sheets are in the back of the church. Please fill in the requested information (completely and legibly please!) so we are able to contact you. If you are already in a group there is no need to sign up again. Be sure to check the new column which asks if you are a part-time resident. Depending on the number of new sign ups we will either create additional groups of six to ten or add new folks to existing groups. If interested, please sign up right away as we’d like to have the new additions fully engaged during February, March and April and beyond!
Please contact Fred Ross by email, FredERoss@comcast.net or cellphone 415 710-9180 with any questions or if you would like to become a part of the Parish Life Team and assist in planning other activities designed to help us get to know each other better.
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Mardi Gras Parish Pot Luck Dinner: Tuesday, February 13th. 5-6:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Bring your favorite dish; enjoy fellowship and entertainment. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Parish Hall. Please indicate what you will be bringing and if you are able to stay and help clean up.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, February 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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“Let the Good Times Roll”…. Save the Date
Sunday, February 18th at 4:00 pm for the Brass Roots Trio concert.
They will perform an eclectic concert titled “American
Impressions”, including works by Copeland, Joplin, and Fats Waller.
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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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