For Sunday June 16, 2024
Use Social Media to Spread the Word
As summer approaches, we have several ways to share the good work of St. Paul’s with the wider community. This week alone we have a movie night, a blood drive, and an interfaith prayer and peace rally for racial healing. Click here to find out more about how to spread the word about these opportunities to serve our neighbors.
Movie Night!
Saturday, June 15, 7:30 PM – St. Paul Movie Theater – “The Greatest Showman”
Growing up in the early 1800s, P.T. Barnum displays a natural talent for publicity and promotion, selling lottery tickets by age 12. After trying his hands at various jobs, P.T. turns to show business to indulge his limitless imagination, rising from nothing to create the Barnum & Bailey circus. Featuring catchy musical numbers, exotic performers and daring acrobatic feats, Barnum’s mesmerizing spectacle soon takes the world by storm to become the Greatest Show on Earth.
Join us for a Blood Drive
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, in the Parish Hall.
Give Blood, the Gift of Life, through this outreach service of the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Use this direct appointment link to sign up:
https://giftoflife.lstream.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/118629
Walk-ins will also be welcome, but donors are encouraged to make an appointment ahead of time to help achieve optimal efficiency.
Summer Spiritual Formation:
The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy
Join us Sundays in July for our study of “The False White Gospel,” by Jim Wallis. The class will be an overview of this text which asks, “What does white Christian nationalism mean to the Christian community?” Our focus will be on the six primary Scriptural verses that the author offers as guidance and support, to encourage and sustain us in our faith.
“Wallis rightly notes that the need for justice and equity is greater than ever and implores us to reclaim the Jesus of the Gospels in the face of white Christan nationalism that threatens our democracy, our faith, our common life.””(The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.)
July 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2024 – 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM – Church Library – Led by Dr. Joy Zavarich.
(Class participants are encouraged to purchase the book, but that is not a requirement to attend the four sessions.)
Unpacking a History of Systemic Racism in the American Education System with Tiffany Jewell
Pizza & Poetry & Pride
Thursday June 27th, from 4 to 8 PM in the library
Come when you can and stay for as long as you want, which could very well be the entire 4 hours since the 25 poems by 25 LGBTQ poets – from the historical and quite dead Walt Whitman to the living, yet a killer of a poet, Danez Smith – will have us laughing, recounting past glories, confronting a few lingering regrets, pondering future possibilities, and sharing it all with old or new friends. Think of it as Happy Hour in a church.
You are welcome to bring beverages or even something healthier than pizza to share (the pizzas will be delivered around 6) though it’s not necessary. But please RSVP since space is limited. Questions? Or to reserve your place: Contact Ken at quitepositive@gmail.com
The Green Room Theatre Company Coachella Valley presents “Displacement Stories from Section 14,” a new work for the stage.
This innovative theatre reading will address the many complex layers in the history of Section 14, a one-square-mile tract in downtown Palm Springs. In the mid-60s the homes of Latino, Black, and other family homes were bulldozed and burned to make way for development, without compensation or housing options for displaced residents. The Palm Springs City Council has publicly discussed paying reparations to survivors and descendants, which currently remain under negotiations. The play was devised by a committee of local creatives, actors, and researchers led by Green Room Theatre Company’s executive artistic director, David Catanzarite.
June 22 – 2:00 and 6:30 PM; June 23 – 2:00 PM
United Methodist Church, 1555 E Alejo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
June 28 – 6:30 PM; June 29 – 2:00 and 6:30 PM; June 30 – 2:00 PM
Coachella Library Community Room, 1500 6th Street, Coachella, CA 92236
Laundry Love Update
We made the Desert Sun! Click here to read more about our partnership with St. Margaret’s to help wash the clothes of the less fortunate in our own backyard.
DOK End of Season Luncheon
The Daughters of the King celebrated the end of the season with a final luncheon with the Co-Rectors. Interested in finding out more about the DOK, a lay order of women who observe a daily prayer practice? Reach out to Patty Kiker for more information: patty.kiker@gmail.com
July Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 2:00 PM via RingCentral. For July, Book Club has selected Horse by Geraldine Brooks. A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history.
New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com
Like to sing? Consider Joining Our Summer Prior Choir
On the first Sundays of July, August, and September, we are inviting you to be part of our Prior Choir, which will meet a half hour before the service (10 AM) on those Sundays and will sing an easy anthem during the service. This activity is open to anyone who is interested and willing to try it. You, your children, your grandchildren can all sing with us if you foresee that working. We will not wear robes or sit in the Chancel for the whole service. You’ll come up at the Peace, sing the Offertory, and return to your pews. It won’t be Bach or Beethoven, but it will be designed more for your success and enjoyment. This musical gift will add to the service and give everyone a fun opportunity to sing with us!
See you on July 7, August 4, and September 1!
Summer Camping Get-Away
St. Paul’s Campers invite you to join the group up in Idyllwild’s cool pine-scented forest. July 22-24, Riverside Co. Campground, site # 42-43, cost- just $20. Reserve with Bonnie Stroock – bcstroock@aol.com
Forward Day by Day
The latest quarterly issue of Forward Day by Day has arrived and copies are available in the Narthex and Parish Office. St. Paul in the Desert supports your spiritual life beyond Sunday, and Forward Day by Day is a simple, but powerful way to begin engaging with a little hunk of scripture each day.
The daily reflections that follow the Bible verses are written by disciples, just like you, and share a wide range of lessions and thought-provoking messages. We commend it to you if you are looking for a daily prayer practice.
Altar Flowers
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2
Fresh flowers at the altar honor God and add to the beauty of our worship. We are in need of altar flowers for several special celebratory Sundays coming up, including the Bishop’s visit! If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s) A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship is suggested.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for Iglesia Anglicana de Chile (The Anglican Church of Chile), The Most Reverend Héctor Tito Zavala Muñoz, Archbishop and Primate.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, The Right Reverend Alan M. Gates, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop of San Diego; for the clergy and people of St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert; for all doing the work of racial healing and reconciliation, especially in our diocese; the leaders and people participating in LARK (the Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge program) and RJRTF (the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force).
For Gun Violence Prevention
God of Justice, help us, your church, find our voice. Empower us to change this broken world and to protest the needless deaths caused by gun violence. Give us power to rise above our fear that nothing can be done and grant us the conviction to advocate for change. Amen. JUNE IS NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.
For those commended to our prayers: Brooke Wolford, Paul Olingy-Bizzaro, Don Russell, Julia, Lupe Yañoz, Paula Davis, Marna & Rick Hill, Robert Koch, Lynn Koch, Dick Koch, Dorothy Baker, Larry Wilson, Teresa O’Steen, Harry Nussbaum, Janice Linsenmayer, Roger Allen, Peter Smurthwaite, Jim Franklin, Dawn Alvarado, Kelly Barnard, Roberto Thais, Dennis Telles, Delores Swanson, Eliott Kahn, Kirsten, Julie Duke, Joey Lim, Ned Smith, Merle McBee, Terry Garrity, Rus Butler, Joe Christopher, Hap Blaisdell, David Valenzuela, Amelia Grinstead, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Greg Gowdy, Tom Lutgen; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Patricia Thompson, Jai Bezaire, Blanche Mickelson, Woody Wood, Jerry O’Steen, David Duke, Charles Gossett. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
For those with birthdays: June 17: Jack Moore, The Rev. Tim Rogers; June 20: Finn Stejn-Steele, Sally Irons, Aurora Sosa; June 21: Charles Mader, Robert Richter, Janice Linsenmayer; June 22: Bob Edgerly.
For those celebrating anniversaries: June 18: The Rev. Susan Green & The Rev. Canon Andrew Green, Monicka Rueda & Aurora Sosa; June 21: Josh Brown & Martin Prew, Daniel Drinan & Ron Moore; June 22: Marie & Jeffrey Ratnam, Rodney Dickson & Jeffry Georgianni.
For those for whom flowers have been donated – Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Rodney Dickson & Jeffry Georgianni, in thanksgiving for their 21st anniversary (June 22), AND BY Dan Drinan, in loving memory of Trish Durant, and in celebration of Boots Scott’s 90th birthday.
If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday honoring a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s).
Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to registrar@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.
For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on June 23, The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Tuesday, June 18 – 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Blood Drive – Parish Hall
- Wednesday, June 19 – 3:00 PM – Juneteenth Interfaith Celebration
- Sunday, June 23 – 1:00 PM – Vestry meeting – Library
Stay Connected
Sunday Service LiveStreaming
We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.
Missed a service? Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert
Join our E-Mail List
You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!
Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!
Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.
