For Sunday August 4, 2024
Parish Life Circle Supper Ministry 2024-2025
“Circle Suppers” are gatherings of small groups of parishioners (usually no more than 10-12) who meet monthly to socialize – typically while sharing a meal. These “Suppers” often take place in members’ homes or local restaurants – but can happen anywhere that’s comfortable and conducive to relaxed conversation. Circle Supper gatherings have no assigned reading and no prescribed (or proscribed) topics of conversation. They are all about building friendships across a large parish where many people, new and old, see their fellow parishioners rarely, or not at all. The goal is to nurture friendships and have fun. Please pass the word to any of your friends and family who may want to join – full time residents and snowbirds alike.
Registration for this season’s Circle Supper program will be available on-line only and everyone who wants to join, both past participants and newcomers, must register. You may do so anytime between now and September 1. Click on the Circle Supper banner below or this link to sign up.
Mark your calendars for the Circle Supper kickoff event on Thursday, September 19 at 6:00 PM.
Like to sing? Consider Joining Our Summer Prior Choir
On the first Sundays of 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!
THIS SUNDAY August 4! and next month, September 1.
Summer Spiritual Formation:
The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy
WILL MEET ONE MORE SUNDAY, AUGUST 4!
The conversation has been SO GOOD, so the class has decided to meet ONE MORE SUNDAY, so join us in the library this Sunday, August 4 at 9AM for a wrap-up conversation.
The class is 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.)
August 4, 2024 – 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM – Church Library – Led by Dr. Joy Zavarich.
You are the perfect person to join Altar Guild!
Altar service provides valuable assistance to clergy and the congregation throughout our worship. We are currently seeking volunteers to serve on the Altar Guild. These “behind the scenes” Altar Guild volunteers perform the myriad tasks required to prepare the Altar for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. They are also responsible for the proper disposition of Eucharistic elements, linens and utensils/vessels following the Celebration.
Whether you are new to St. Paul or a long-term parishioner wanting to experience congregational worship on a different level, please consider joining this important ministry. It is a fun way for you to meet new people and learn more about worship.
If you would like to volunteer for Altar Guild or learn more about it, please contact either of the Altar Ministry Co-chairs, Kathy Kilmer (kmkcc@aol.com) or Br. John Westaway (brjohncharles@gmail.com) or chat with one of the Co-Rectors.
St. Paul’s Mercy Ministries
St. Paul’s Mercy Ministries (formally Social Justice) is taking a “Summer Hiatus” as it is too hot to set up a sundries table. In light of this, please refrain from bringing clothes or other items to the church. INSTEAD, stock up on those items and keep them in your car, and be ready to hand them out when you see someone who needs something. Sunblock, hats/visors, and cool water are great resources to have on hand.
Thanks for all your support in this great ministry! WE’LL SEE YOU IN THE FALL!
Movie Nights at St. Paul’s
Like movies? Like watching them with a group of people? Think you know the perfect movie to watch with folks at St. Paul’s?
We are re-vamping the Movie Nights at St. Paul’s, and we need your help! We’ve heard the feedback about how we could make this super fun night EVEN better, and it starts by freeing up your Saturday night, and moving our movies to THIRD THURSDAY NIGHTS at 6:30PM, starting in October! AND, we want to get a small group of “movie buffs” who want to be part of planning and executing these excellent nights. If that’s you, please reach out to Steve Moore in person or at pscars4u@aol.com and be part of the action. Reaching out doesn’t mean a yearlong commitment, but an invitation to be part of the planning session for the year. We need you! Get ready for a great year.
August Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 2:00 PM via video conference. Meeting details will be emailed prior to the meeting. For August, Book Club has selected The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. When a four-year-old Mi’kmaq girl goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine, it sparks a mystery that will haunt the survivors, unravel a family, and remain unsolved for nearly fifty years. This is a riveting novel about the search for truth, the shadow of trauma, and the persistence of love across time.
New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com
Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul
Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email our Registrar, Orin Ellingson, at registrar@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.
New? Moved? Updated your info? Birthday/Anniversary?
We are finalizing the Church Directory Updated Addendum and want to make sure your info is in there! If you want to make sure we have your email or phone or home updated, please call the Church Office or email our Registrar, Orin Ellingson, at registrar@stpaulsps.org with that information. ALSO, if you want your birthday and/or anniversary added to our weekly prayer list, please let us know! Thanks for helping us stay connected.
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.
Rectors’ Discretionary Fund
The first Sunday of the month loose-plate offerings (i.e., general giving, not pledged giving) will be designated for the Rectors’ Discretionary Fund (sometimes referred to as “Benevolence.”)
This fund provides the clergy a financial pool to draw from when unanticipated (and unbudgeted) spending requests arise. The traditional uses of the discretionary fund are to assist the poor of the community. Examples of appropriate discretionary spending for those in need include rent, utilities, medical bills, etc.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for The Anglican Church of Kenya, The Most Reverend Jackson Nasoore Ole Sapit, Archbishop and Primate.
For the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, The Right Reverend Mark D. W. Edington, Bishop in Charge.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop of San Diego; for the clergy and people of Good Samaritan, San Diego.
For those commended to our prayers: Howard Cecil, Lynda Nolan (Nina), Gale Brawley, Roger Allen, Teri Whitmer, Andy Johnson, Michael Chacon, Leeandra Florez-Chacon, Ginger Bonnar, Curtis Ringness, Barry Ralph, Ronald Woodward, Mark Transue, Violet “Pat” Bobo, John Rauch, Jill & Robert Philbrook, Lori Miller, Michael Marguet, Lisa Yegin, June Marguet, Charla Blevins, The Kelley Family, David Hale, Harry Nussbaum, Judy Valone, Jim Bowe, Sally Fullerton, Kylie Smith, Nichole & Nick Kirchgessner, Br. John Westaway, 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: Dawn Coffin, Judi Miller-Steele, Jim Gordon, Catalina Roa, Cory Comperatore, Gary Grant.
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: August 5: Benton Clark; August 8: Howard Wren; August 9: Linda Krengel, Greg Gowdy.
For those celebrating anniversaries: August 4: Carmen Vasquez & Julie Galperon; August 5: Edd & Michael Nazelrod-Woodward; August 9: Eric & Tim Stein-Steele; August 10: Glen Calvin & Sahanan Koompoo.
For those for whom flowers have been donated:Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Jane Thomas, in thanksgiving for “my siblings: Gordon, Stuart, Amy and Blair.”
“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
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 August 11, The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Sunday, August 4 – The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ (transferred)
- Tuesday, August 6 – 2:00 PM – Book Club – “The Berry Pickers” – Video conference
- Wednesday, August 7 – 6:00 PM – Mid-week Eucharist – Come and rest
- Thursday, September 19 – Annual Circle Supper kickoff gathering (a time to meet your new group!)
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.
