The Abundant Life – August 23, 2018

The Abundant Life

August 23, 2018                                            For Sunday, August 26th

From the Rector

We Stand Against Powers Not People

This week’s reading from the letter to the church in Ephesus is full of encouragement for the community of believers. The message was powerful when it was written and remains powerful in our own day, although I am hesitant to embrace the imagery of violence and warfare that “armor” suggests. In the Roman world, the presence of armed and armored soldiers was commonplace, especially in conquered territories. Considering that the Christian Church has taken up real shields and real swords to defend and to conquer, I want to emphasize this scripture’s intention to prepare the Christian Community for spiritual struggle, not military combat.

This spiritual armor represents tools that equip the community of faith to respond to the forces of darkness that are often present and threaten to overwhelm us. Since I am not a soldier, when I visualize this armor, I see images for memorable strengths. The Belt of Truth is the beginning of our preparation. We need to speak and hear truth about the challenges faced by everyone, but especially the challenges that confront the most vulnerable and poor around us. The Breastplate of Justice represents the desire and willingness of Christians to act on the truth and change the structures that feed on and exploit the poor and weak.

The Shoes of the Good News of Peace make our feet ready to take us out of our comfortable places to let the world know that God is renewing the world and that we stand with those who need to hear Good News the most. We carry the Shield of Faith to protect our integrity, to deflect the arrow attacks of doubt and direct assault on our core community structures and values which give us reason to hope and persevere. The fact that people of faith are standing up for those who had lost hope is a sign that God’s Good News will prevail. Faith reminds us that by walking the path of Jesus we are participating in God’s liberating reign.

Our Helmet of Salvation is the knowledge and confidence that we are loved and accepted by God. This sense of acceptance guides our use of the Scriptures to inspire, to welcome, and to support the people whom God calls us to engage. This is the key – all the tools are there to equip the Church to challenge the “evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.” These tools are part of the Loving, Liberating, Lifegiving Jesus Movement, as or Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry likes to say.

Join us as we worship together and practice using these powerful, gracious tools

Fr. Andrew

Many thanks to Jerry DiNoto, the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch, and Sharon Strong for offering their reflections in this space this summer.

Featured Scripture

Ephesians 6:10-17 Common English Bible (CEB)

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

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FAITH BUILDING

Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library

The Episcopal Cafè 

Our Adult Faith Building Classes on Tuesdays will be on hiatus for the month of August. 

Hospitality Ministry

We hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall after either service on Sunday.

There are many upcoming opportunities for you to sponsor a Sunday Coffee Hour after either the 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM service. The sign-up notebook is on the table as you enter the Parish Hall.

WANTED:

Parish Life Hospitality Coordinators – If you enjoy planning and managing social events, we’d like to talk to you! We’re currently seeking volunteers to help coordinate our after-service hospitality on Sundays. Partnering with the Sexton, volunteers will provide oversight to ensure adequate host presence and suitable refreshments following the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services. Questions? Please contact Fred Ross at (415) 710-9180 or email Fredeross@comcast.net. (NOTE TO ALL: Donated food items suitable for Sunday hospitality are always welcome. Please deliver your contributions to the Parish Hall kitchen.)

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Summer Help for the Homeless

This year’s heat will likely linger into the fall, meaning it’s time again for our annual hot weather outreach to those on the streets. This year, the Social Justice Committee is asking your help in buying and distributing sunscreen, lip balm, sun visors, sun glasses and other hot weather essentials to those in need. Please consider a generous contribution to this outreach, which has already served hundreds this summer. Simply drop your donation or check payable to St. Paul’s into the collection plate and write “Social Justice” in the memo section.

Contact Lena Granet at 760-322-2179 for more information.

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Are You Concerned About Gun Violence?

Then consider taking action! “Living Without Fear” is a joint initiative of St. Paul’s, St. Margaret’s Palm Desert and St. John’s Indio focused on raising awareness of gun violence and educating our community on ways to reduce it. The task force is seeking new members to help organize symposia, petitions and other action. If this is a cause you care about, please come, find out what’s needed and take a stand. Contact Gary Scott at gkscott2000@gmail.com for more information.

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The Parades/Special Events Team

The Parades/Special Events Team is an outreach ministry which assists in making St. Paul’s visible at the various parades and special events scheduled in the community throughout the year. Last year, St. Paul’s participated in PRIDE, Veterans and Black History parades as well as the Neighborhoods Fair in Palm Springs. New Team members are needed to assist in keeping our community presence active and growing. Planning meetings take place the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Library. For more information or to volunteer to be on the Team, please call Jerry Di Noto, in the office at 760.320.7444.

Parish Tee-Shirts are available in the Office. Cost– $10
 

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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 and new members are always welcome. On September 3, 2018, Book Club has selected Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. In the summer of 1961 tragedy befalls a Minnesota family and a thirteen-year-old boy finds himself thrust into adulthood. It is a novel about discovering the price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God. Book Club is a group of people who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read. For more information please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com. 

The Palm Springs Library has 1 book and 1 audiobook to loan.

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Music Tour in Spain

Our “Vacation Organist” at St. Paul’s, Meg Irwin-Brandon, invites you to join a small-group tour for aficionados of the organ in Spain, October 23rd – November 2nd. Private visits to historic organs in churches and cathedrals, Salamanca, Tordesillas, Valladolid and more. Contact Meg for more information: 413-285-6881.

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Have you chosen not to report clergy sexual misconduct?

The task force for the compassionate care of victims of clergy sexual misconduct would like to hear from you. We wish to understand better the choice not to report, from those who have made such a choice. Please contact the Rev. Paige Blair-Hubert at 858-755-1616 x 101 or pblair@stpetersdelmar.net or visit edsd.org/task-force to connect with other members. We are committed to protecting your confidentiality and will share only what you give us express permission to share anonymously. Thank you, in advance, for helping us do our work. Please keep us in your prayers as the diocesan convention approaches and we prepare to offer our report and recommendations.

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Report Clergy 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 John Seitman, 858-793-4555 or Equilla Luke, 760-583-0485.

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Compassionate Care Task Force

Our diocesan task force on compassionate care for victims of clergy sexual misconduct seeks to connect with those who have experienced misconduct. If you have reported clergy sexual misconduct and have information about the reporting or post-reporting experience that could be helpful to their work, please refer to the task force members, all of whom are listed on the diocesan website: Task-Force. Information on how to report misconduct is available here.

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Church Office Hours

The Parish Office hours have changed for the summer. From Memorial Day, the Parish Office will be closed on Friday afternoons, beginning at 11:30 AM and will be unavailable for walk-in business. These hours will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend.

If 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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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