For Thursday November 28 & Sunday December 1, 2024
Pink Sunday In-Gathering & 85th Anniversary
Sunday, Dec. 15 at 9:30AM!
Mark your calendars for a special Sunday: Gaudet Sunday (Pink Sunday), on December 15th. We will have ONE SERVICE at 9:30AM to celebrate our Joy-Filled Generosity Pledge In-Gathering, followed by a Pink Party that Celebrates St. Paul’s 85thAnniversary! Have you made your pledge and helped us reach our goal to plan for the life and ministry of St. Paul’s for 2025? You can click on the banner above and make your 2025 pledge today. Have you picked out your pink outfit for the day?
This Sunday, December 1: Advent & World AIDS Day
Join us this Sunday as we begin Advent. Advent is the first season of the church year (Happy New Year!) and begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continues through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.” Our liturgical vestments turn to blue (feel free to wear blue too), and we move into a counter-cultural time of slowing down and listening, even as the days get shorter and the nights get longer. There are lots of ways to participate in Advent—Sunday classes and DOK Advent readings, etc. There are plenty of Advent resources from The Episcopal Church here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/advent-and-christmas-resources/.
This Sunday, Dec. 1, also marks World AIDS Day. “World AIDS Day is a day of solidarity for people around the world who are affected by HIV and for voices to unite by sharing experiences, remembering those lost, and standing together in the fight against HIV. The observance is also reserved as a day to bridge new and effective programs and policies across different sectors around HIV/AIDS. While great strides have been made since the first known cases of AIDS were reported in 1981, the disease remains a public health challenge. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for individuals and communities to honor the more than 32 million people worldwide who have died from AIDS-related illness.” This Sunday, wear a red ribbon and join us for a special prayer of remembrance and hope.
Consider Carpooling
With the return of our wonderful snowbirds, we are finding our parking lot gets fuller quicker. (Not a bad problem to have!) Many parishioners have mobility issues that require them to be close to the door of the church, and so if the lot is full, they often head home, unable to make it to worship. Please consider parking farther away if you can do so, AND consider carpooling with a parishioner who lives near you. Use your church directory and find someone who lives close and give them a call. We have lots of parishioners without cars who could use a ride. If you are open to GIVING A RIDE to someone and need a suggestion, please reach out to revjessie@stpaulsps.org. If you are someone who NEEDS a ride, please reach out to revjessie@stpaulsps.org. Let’s make this Advent season one of compassion and sharing.
You’re invited to St. Paul’s 4th Annual Holiday Office Open House!
A time for festivities and joy! A time to relax with your clergy and the St. Paul’s staff and office volunteers! A time to eat, drink, and be merry! A time to give to those who are in need! On Tuesday, December 3, come by the church offices anytime between 3 – 6PM and have a holiday snack/drink while you meet office staff and see the Church, Administrative, Rectors’, and Music offices. Bring an XL hoodie, sweatshirt, or jacket, or a pair of long pants to support the Mercy Ministry clothing drive! No RSVP necessary! AND, all attendees will be entered into a holiday prize raffle that will be drawn at 5:30PM. Merry Merry!
Two Great Advent Classes
Pick one of two great Sunday morning classes (held between services) to grow spiritually this Advent.
Spiritual Discernment Class, taught by The Rev. Dr. Louis Macateee
Seminary professor and author, Lewis Smedes, once wrote that discernment is “understanding what is going on underneath what is going on,” especially as it relates to our lives with God, as well as our roles in work, relationships , and as citizens of the world. However, how do we know that what we discern is “right”? These questions will shape the center of our discussion, study, prayerful grappling in this class.
For over 40 years, Rev. Louise Macatee served as a teacher, Chaplain, and Dir. of Counseling, and Parent Education at Campbell Hall, a K-12 Episcopal day school in Los Angeles. She has a B.A. in English from UCLS, MDiv and DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary, and MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Louise is an ordained Episcopal priest and a licensed Marriage and Family therapist. She lives in Palm Springs with her son, Jordan, and her dog, Buddy.
Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning Class, taught by Bob Hettinger
Are religion and science partners in human endeavor, or has science made religion obsolete? Discuss a handful of quotes of theologians and scientists with different points of view – including atheism – but leading to the conclusion that religion and science are partners in human intellectual endeavor. Talk about the implications of theoretical physics in re-interpreting the real presence and the Trinitarian formula and other Christian doctrine. Demonstrate that science can be as mystical as religion.
Selections from two books:
The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. (selections)
Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell (Selections)
In addition, there will be a handful of quotations from scientists and theologians with different, provocative viewpoints for discussion.
Also, two or three short YouTube videos 10 minutes or under describing in a picturesque
fashion with no equations about some of the latest radical ideas in theoretical physics and
parallels to theology.
And several jokes 😊
Bob Hettinger majored in religion and classics at Colorado College. Focused on Church history, comparative religions, western theology from the Middle Ages through the Reformation, and comparative religion. Translated from Latin letters between Reformers Cranmer, Melancthon, Calvin and Zwingli and wrote paper on Pan-Protestant council to counter the Council of Trent. Attended Harvard Divinity school for one year. Received an MBA from Northeastern and became a CPA. Have since acquired interests in linguistics, especially the differences between Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan languages and how they affect how we see religion and spirituality. Have also acquired an interest in quantum field theory and string theory. Have acquired deep appreciation for icons.
December Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 2 PM in the Parish Hall conference room at St. Paul’s. For December, Book Club has selected Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange. Wandering Stars traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through the shattering aftermath of a shooting at a powwow. This story is poetic and wondrous, but a devastating indictment of America’s war on its own.
New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com
Join the Latino Ministry in the showing of “Invisible Valley” at College of the Desert
Title: Movie Night: Special Screening of “Invisible Valley” Organized by COD Foundation
About the movie: Invisible Valley weaves together the stories of undocumented farm workers, snowbirds, and music festival-goers over the course of a year in California’s Coachella Valley.
Hello everyone,
Join COD Foundation for a special screening of Invisible Valley at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. This is a great way to engage in free community events and network!
Program:
- Production Team introduction, Screening, Q & A session.
- Popcorn and soft drinks provided.
- $10 per regular ticket or FREE for COD students book your free ticket. and just bring your student ID).
Advent Lessons and Carols—Sunday, December 8 at 3PM
Advent Painting
Advent Painting Class taught by Lou Armentrout on Saturday, December 7th.
Up to eight students, cost $15.00. Start at 9AM in the Parish Hall until finished, bring lunch, wear old clothes, bring photos of something simple that you’d like to paint. Will paint an oil painting either 8×10 or 9×12, maybe time for both. Pizza or shirt gift box to carry wet painting home. All other supplies furnished. Please sign up at the Welcome Table.
Want to help decorate the church for Christmas?
You’re invited to a quick meeting after the 10:30AM service on Dec. 8th at the front of the church with Michael and Will, to talk through decorating our sacred space for our Christmas Eve/Christmas services.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mariachi Mass
Wed. Dec. 11th at 6PM
Christmas Caroling & Spreading Joy at Local Assisted Living Facilities
Meet at the church parking lot on Saturday, December 14 at 1PM dressed in your holiday sweaters and scarves! We will carpool and head to one or two local assisted living facilities to sing carols and pass out holiday joy. This day is Rev. Jessie’s ordination anniversary, so it will be a great honor to share this day together, bringing the Light and Love of Christ into places where hope is needed. We should be done by 4PM. Please RSVP (revjessie@stpaulsps.org) so we print out enough caroling booklets.
Blue Christmas/Longest Night Interfaith Service—Sat. Dec. 21 at 6PM
Movie Night on Thursday, December 19th at 6:30PM – The Bishop’s Wife
A debonair angel comes to Earth to help an Episcopalian bishop and his wife in their quest to raise money for the new church.
Choir Rehearsals
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.
Everyone is welcome! Questions? Please contact Chuck Peery musicdirector@stpaulsps.org
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.
Want a St. Paul’s T-shirt?
Wear your church pride and baptismal covenant at upcoming parades and community events: “We believe in the dignity of every human being.” Purchase your Church of St. Paul in the Desert T-shirt on Sundays at the Welcome Table! Shirts are $25, and can be purchased with cash or check.
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.
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
Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.
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 (or $65 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, The Most Reverend Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop and Primate.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, The Right Reverend Susan Bunton Haynes, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop of San Diego; let us give thanks this week for blessings we have received.
For those commended to our prayers: Tom Tyrrell, Marilyn, Allyn, Ronald Woodward, Greg Barton, Julie, Arlene & Philip Fitzpatrick, Helen Nickerson, Lori Miller, Terri Miller-Steele, Jimmy Wilburn, Jim Franklin, Don Devine, Terry Moran, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Pat, 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: Marshall Mattle, Kenneth Mayo, La Verne Wash, McLeaman Legg, Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
For those celebrating anniversaries: December 7: The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch & Shelia Brubaker, Steve Horstman & Louis Sanchez.
For those with birthdays: December 2: Gary Price; December 5: Molly Mowat, Sharon Pick, Brooke Wolford; December 6: Janet Mendoza, Ray Tackett; December 7: Jack McLean, Jim McLean.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Craig Ewing, in loving memory of his father, Thomas Aquila Ewing, on the 100th anniversary of his birth (December 5), AND BY The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch & Shelia Brubaker, “in thanksgiving for our anniversary (December 7).”
“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 December 8, the Second Sunday of Advent.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Sunday, December 1 – World AIDS Remembrance Day
- Monday, December 2 – 2:00-4:00 – Sacred Ground – Library
- Tuesday, December 3 – 1:00 PM – Stewardship Committee meeting – Library
- Tuesday, December 3 – 2:00 PM – Book Club – Parish Hall Conference Room
- Tuesday, December 3 – 3:00-6:00 PM – Office Holiday Open House
- Wednesday, December 4 – 4:00-5:30 PM – The Path Ahead – Library
- Wednesday, December 4 – 6:00 PM – Mid-week Eucharist – Come and rest
- Wednesday, December 4 – 6:30 PM – SPIT meeting – Library
- Thursday, December 5 – 1:00 PM – Campus Care Committee meeting – Library
- Thursday, December 5 – 5:45 PM – Choir rehearsal – In the church
- Saturday, December 7 – 9:00 AM-3:00 PM – Advent Retreat – Painting class – Parish Hall
- Sunday, December 8 – 12:15 AM – Finance Committee meeting – Library
- Sunday, December 8 – 3:00 PM – Advent Lessons & Carols
- Tuesday, December 10 – 1:00 PM – Mercy Ministry meeting – Library
- Wednesday, December 11 – 4:00-5:30 PM – The Path Ahead – Library
- Wednesday, December 11 – 6:00 PM – Our Lady of Guadalupe (transferred) Mariachi Mass
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.
