For Sunday September 15, 2024
Special Class on Sundays in September
Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse
No matter how far apart two sides are, there are effective strategies to bring people together. Running through the remaining Sundays in September, join us in the Parish Hall Parlor from 9AM-10AM for “Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse.” Designed by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and its Department of Faith Formation, the class was created to help Episcopalians understand how to use civil discourse to bridge partisan divides that keep us from moving forward. It provides tools for us to learn from one another ahead of the Nov. 5 general election and beyond.
Click Here To Learn More About This Course
Click Here To Register For This Course
Daughters of the King Rededication and Installation
In 2002, a Service of Institution was held to form the Mary in the Desert Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert. The Chapter included members from St. Paul’s, St. Margaret’s in Palm Desert, and St. John’s in Indio. Several years later those churches instituted their own chapters and the Mary in the Desert Chapter remained for members of the Order at St. Paul’s. Our chapter is named in honor of our patron, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and members include Jo Anne Adair, Michelle Hathaway, Patty Kiker, Karen Nelson, Bonnie Stroock, and Teri Whitmer.
“We are a group of Christian women who adopt a Rule of Life based on the promises of our Baptismal Covenant. We can never forget that prayer is the foundation from which our service grows, and we are honored to pray for our family, friends, parish, church, and the world at St. Paul’s for over twenty years. Membership in The Order is open to all women at every stage of life. No special spiritual attributes are needed to become a Daughter – only a sincere desire to draw nearer to God and to help others do the same.”
This fall we will be offering a period of preparation for any woman who would like to discern a calling to the Order of the Daughters of the King. Contact Patty Kiker at patty.kiker@gmail.com or 214.497.3034 or any of our members for more information.
This Sunday, September 15, in our 10:30AM service we will be having a Liturgy of Rededication and a Service of Installation of a Chaplain for the Mary in the Desert Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Please keep the Daughters in your prayers, even as they continue to keep the laity, clergy, and weekly prayer list names in their daily prayers.
Security (Grant) Sunday! September 22nd!
Did you know that St. Paul received a $200,000 grant from the State of California to strengthen and secure the campus to make it a safer place? We have been thrilled with the Security Grant Team, who have overseen the completion of this grant over the past two years. They have put in hours and hours to ensure the best use of the funds has been utilized. And they are ready to unveil it to the parish!
Join us this Sunday, where you’ll hear firsthand about the details of the grant and its impact on the campus. After BOTH 8AM and 10:30AM services, you are invited to stick around and hear from the team and take a tour of the campus. This is a Sunday you won’t want to miss!
Save the Date for Welcome Back Sunday October 13
One service at 9:30AM!
Covid Care at St. Paul’s
The latest strain of the COVID-19 virus is spreading in Southern California. St. Paul’s is a particularly vulnerable population, and we all want to make sure we are doing our part in keeping each other safe.
First and foremost, if you are feeling even slightly sick (even if you think it’s just allergies), please stay home. We have an incredible livestream for our 10:30AM service, so if you miss 1 week in-person you can still participate online. It’s a small price to pay to keep your fellow parishioners safe.
Second, we will continue holding our coffee hour outside for better air ventilation.
Third, consider masking when in smaller groups in classes or other meetings on campus where rooms can get crowded and air ventilation is not ideal. We know that we are all tired of masking, but it’s an easy way to protect yourself and others.
Finally, in consultation with your physician, check to see if you are a good candidate for the latest vaccine. Let’s stop the spread together!
Safe Church and Reporting Misconduct
When Rev. Jessie and Rev. Dan were at The Episcopal Church’s General Convention in Louisville, KY this past summer, they stopped by one of the booths in the convention center: SAFE CHURCH. Your rectors spoke with the people at the Safe Church booth, discussing how important it is for churches to be the safest places ever, and how much St. Paul in the Desert values that safety. The Revs told the Safe Church employees that we have almost 100 PEOPLE who are Safe Church trained at St. Paul, and they were floored! It was unheard of to have such a critical mass of parishioners in a single parish all commit to being the safest church around. (It was pretty fun to brag about you to the entire Episcopal Church!)
“The community has certain expectations of the Church and those who work for it. They believe that the church is, and ought to be, a place where they and their families can be completely safe in moments of deepest faith and in times of vulnerability and stress. They also believe that people who have chosen to work for the church do so out of a particular commitment to God and to the Christian way of life, and they trust those persons to act in accordance with Christian principles.” To learn more about Safe Church Safe Communities, click here:https://edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/
If you are someone who volunteers in any capacity here at the church, or if you are a newer parishioner who is interested in joining the almost 100 people who are committed to the safety and well-being of all who enter here, please reach out to frontdesk@stpaulsps.org and indicate you’d like the login instructions to take the online Safe Church Safe Communities courses. Join us in one of our Core Values of Safety & Care by being Safe Church Trained.
One more thing. The Diocese is committed to your safety and care as well. “The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. It is our hope that the potentially painful reporting process will realize healing and peace for all involved, particularly for the victims. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct.”
To make sure that you have access to Reporting Misconduct, you can click here to read more about this: http://edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/
Diocesan Eucharistic Visitor Training at St. Paul on Saturday, October 19!
On Saturday, October 19th from 9AM – 1PM, St. Paul’s will be hosting the first in-person Eucharistic Visitor Training in many years! We are excited about this offering and thrilled that the Diocese is coming to us. This is a special ministry of bringing Eucharist to homebound or hospital-bound parishioners. If you are looking for a great way to serve, you might be called to this ministry. If you are already trained as a LEV, you are invited to this training to sharpen your skills and help support others.
If you are interested in learning more, please click on the link here: https://edsd.org/event/lay-eucharistic-visitor-training-2/ and talk with one of the Revs prior to registering.
St. Paul’s Mercy Ministries
Mercy Ministries needs donations of sustainable wearable walking shoes sizes 9-11 both for men and women. At this time no more clothes are needed. We will begin our monthly distribution of sundries for our visitors at the Well on Wednesday, September 25th.
If you’d like to help set up, serve, or tear down for this distribution, please call Lena at 760-656-0575 or Ray at 503-689-7361
Fall Choir Rehearsals
Choir rehearsals will start for the season after the postlude on September 22! We will use the schedule we have been using this past year: Sundays after the 10:30 AM postlude for 30-45 minutes, and Thursdays at 5:45 PM for 45-60 minutes. Singers choose which time is best for them. There is no expectation that you’ll attend both rehearsals, but you are certainly welcome to do so if you choose.
Special note: the Choir Rehearsal on Sept. 22 will be in the Parish Hall. There will be a Security Presentation in the church after services on that date that will conflict. Moving forward, choir rehearsals will be in the Choir Loft after service on Sundays.
Our first Sunday to sing in worship will be Welcome Back Sunday on October 13 (one morning service that day at 9:30 AM.) Everyone is welcome! Questions? Please contact Chuck Peery musicdirector@stpaulsps.org
Save the date!
Bishop Susan will be Consecrating the Newly Constructed West Wing Colonnade Columbarium in a simple outdoor service on Tuesday, October 8th at 10:00 AM. AFTER this date, members may contact the front office to purchase a niche (no contracts will be signed until after October 8). You are invited to this special service.
Online Workshop: Vote Faithfully: Episcopalians Engaging the U.S. Election
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 1:00pm EDT (10:00AM PST)
Join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry with guests from across the church exploring the meaning behind voting from a theological perspective that centers this civic action as one expression of caring for one another and God’s creation. Our panelists will offer framing for healthy, faith-based civic engagement from the theoretical to the tangible, including addressing why it is important for Episcopal churches to leverage our resources to help our broader communities vote.
In an election full of increasing pressures—disinformation, the risk of political violence, disenfranchisement, environmental concerns, and more—come learn how to navigate challenges while remaining focused in our preparations to cast our votes in this fall’s election. Our panelists will provide an engaging discussion and direct attendees to resources that can help you encourage your parishioners and community to vote faithfully.
Panelists Include:
- Michael Curry – Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church; New York, New York
- Willie Bennett – Senior Congregational Engagement Officer, Episcopal Health Foundation; Houston, Texas
- Joyce Statz – Health and Justice Advocacy Network (HJAN), St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church; Austin, Texas
- Amy Coultas – Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Kentucky; Louisville, Kentucky
- Alan Yarborough – Church Relations Officer, Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations; Washington, District of Columbia (moderator)
Election Online Prayer Service with Bishop Susan Brown Snook
Are you looking for a way to come together in prayer for our nation during the election season? Join Bishop Susan on October 1 at 6:20 p.m. for a special prayer service as we pray for justice, peace, and wisdom in this important time. All are welcome.
For more info and the Zoom link: https://edsd.org/event/election-online-prayer-service-with-bishop-susan-brown-snook/
New Sunday School Season Begins
Did you know St. Paul had a “Bridal Room” near the Women’s Restroom? It had become more of a storage closet and so we decided to give it a remodel and new purpose! Out came the old red shag carpet and in was installed the new hardwood floors thanks to our amazing Sexton, Roberto. A fun kids’ rug and a new all-glass door is on their way. After service, take a peek in and see the newly renovated room for our kids!
Each week during the 10:30AM service, a short Children’s Sermon is shared on the steps by our preacher. Then, kids will be dismissed with two Safe Church trained adults to walk to the back new Kids’ Room. Kids will learn about the Gospel stories (and older kids can help!). At “The Peace” in the main service, the kids will be walked back into the church to their families to Celebrate the Eucharist together. We look forward to welcoming kids of all ages to share in our new format for this year’s program. Get ready for a fantastic year!
October Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 2:00 PM, in St. Paul’s Parish Hall Conference Room. For October, Book Club has selected Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. Setting: Warwickshire, England in the 1580s. A woman and her husband settle in Henley Street, Stratford, and have three children. The boy, Hamnet, dies in 1596, aged eleven. This novel is a brilliant reimagining of a marriage, family, and a boy.
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.
Prayers of the Church
For those commended to our prayers: Terri Miller-Steele and her daughter, Kathryn Briski, Kevin Phua, Harry, Paula Davis, Jim Franklin, Patricia, Dixi Tegard, Cheryl Balkin, Ann Nauman, Fanny Levy, Harry Nussbaum, Ruth Coleman, Eva Wilson, R. Gene Wilson, Jimmy Faye Johnson, The Kovitz Family, Crystal Caballero, Julie Galperon, Jessica Rodriguez, Dora Caballero, Maddie Johnston, Janet Elder, Ken Smithler, Dawn Alvarado, Jim Weigert, Robert Ravnikar, Paula Herrera, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Tony McEwing, Hap Blaisdell, David Valenzuela, Amelia Grinstead, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Tom Lutgen; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Richard Linyard, Janice Curry, A.J. Miller, Karl Jacobson, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Penny Lyons, Jenny Mobley, Cecilia Jackson, and “For the repose of the soul of Jonathan (Jack) Warren Cornell.”
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: September 15: Michael Rowley; September 16: Jim Whitten, Ralph Andrews, William La Voie, Alan Hampson; September 17: Johnny Miller, Gloria Swanson Stansbury; September 19: Allan Coe, Jon Coates; September 21: Andy Jessup.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Lucinda and John Hampson in thanksgiving for Alan Llewellyn Hampson and Lloyd Arnold AND BY Chuck Coursey, in loving memory of Tom Baxley, on the anniversary of his birth (September 15). The flowers adorning the Narthex today are sponsored by Jim Bozora and his sister, Rachell Blea, in thanksgiving for the birthday of Carl Blea (September 13). “Thanks for leading with the heart and making the world smile.”
“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 September 22, The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Sunday, September 15 – 10:30 Service – Daughters of the King Rededication
- Sunday, September 15 – Mexican Independence Day – Coffee Hour following both services sponsored by Latino Ministry and Daughters of the King
- Thursday, September 19 – 6:00 PM – Circle Supper season kickoff event – Parish Hall
- Sunday, September 22 – Following the 10:30 Service – Choir rehearsal in the Parish Hall
- Sunday, September 22 – Security Grant Sunday – Updates and tours following both services
- Wednesday, September 25 – Mercy Ministries monthly distribution of clothing and sundries
- Tuesday, October 8 – Bishop’s Consecration of new West Wing Colonnade Columbarium
Save The Dates!
The Feast of St. Francis – Sunday, October 6 – Bring your pet to the outdoor 8:00 AM service or have them blessed at a special service for the animals later in the afternoon. You are invited to bring pictures of deceased pets for our “pet altar” at both services.
Welcome Back Sunday – Sunday, October 13 – We’ll have ONE service together at 9:30 AM, followed by a potluck brunch and Ministry Fair.
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.
