The Abundant Life – August 8, 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.

Campers be Campin’ and Launderers be Launderin’

St. Paul is more than a Sunday morning kind of faith community. We don’t just show up once a week and call it a day. As Rev. Dan often beckons us at the dismissal each Sunday, “Our liturgy has ended and now our service begins!” Well, in the last few weeks, we had folks play and serve outside the parish. First, a great group of parishioners headed up to Idyllwild to spend a few days camping in nature. Sharing morning meditations, hikes, meals, evening prayer, and general joy, folks (many of whom have attended the church for less than two years!) got to know each other and the spirit of the community of St. Paul. Many thanks to Bonnie, the fearless leader, who organized the event and helped bring God’s people into the original church: nature.

Click a picture to view full-size.

We also had a wonderful group of parishioners serve at the Laundry Love event. This is an opportunity to help people (some houseless and some trying to make ends meet) wash their clothes at a laundromat, by providing soap and quarters. Laundry Love is a nation-wide service opportunity, and St. Margaret’s Mike Mullins has brought it to the desert.

Laundry Love is the name of a mission to help individuals and families/households wash and dry their clothing, bedding and towels with no cost to people who need these services. These services are offered at the Wash Time Coin Laundry in Palm Springs on the third Wednesday evening of each month. We form teams of volunteers to ‘staff’ each wash event. Each team receives orientation and training from Mike. The guidance and inspiration for creating this local Laundry Love mission is the national organization, LaundryLove.org.

July Statistics: 42 guests and 238 loads of laundry! Special thanks to July’s crew: Terry, Tony, Elizio, Ray, Jesse, Deb, Doug, and Mike !

Mike recently sent an email that included these words: “Friends, we have made the six-event (6-month) marker offering Laundry Love wash events, and we have plenty of juice to keep walking alongside our guests. We are averaging around 40 guests per wash event, who are washing an average of 240 loads of clothing, bedding, sleeping bags and blankets, shoes, etc. The calm and positive vibe surrounding these wash events continues to be mellow, with a lot of expressions of appreciation from both team members and guests… Again, thank you for your generous spirits.

I trust that most (all?) of you came away from the experience with something positive. We always hope that the Spirit of Peace will flood you with that presence, encouraging you to keep doing what you’re doing for the good of your fellow humans. We continue to spread the news about Laundry Love, and we are building new teams for the coming season.” St. Paul’s Ray Tackett has worked alongside Mike, and he is willing and ready to share with you how you can get involved! In fact, Ray needs 5-8 volunteers for Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 5:30-10PM (and if you can only volunteer for part of that time, let Ray know). If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ray Tackett at ertack6560@gmail.com or 503-689-7361. (Laundry Love take place at 1750 N Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA) The thanks, love, and appreciation will leave you blessed knowing you have given your time to serve those in need.

A Call for Ushers!

Do you like people? Do you like making sure people feel welcome and at home? Do you want people to come back to church because they felt like they were seen and invited to be themselves? Then consider this your official Call for Ushers!

Ushers perform a vital role in worship at St. Paul’s. They welcome parishioners and visitors to services, distribute bulletins, collect offerings, guide worshipers to the altar for communion, and stand by to respond to any special needs. If you would enjoy being involved in this type of service, you may want to consider ushering. We currently have openings for both the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services and we need YOU. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Kathy Kilmer (kmkcc@aol.com)

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.

Like to sing? Consider Joining Our Summer Prior Choir

On Sunday September 1st we are inviting you to be part of our Prior Choir, which will meet a half hour before the service (10 AM). We 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!

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.

 

September Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM in the Library at St. Paul’s. For September, Book Club has selected The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. Sam Hill was born with red pupils, he was called “Sam Hell” by his classmates. Forty years later, Sam reflects on the tragedy that causes him to turn his back on his friends and his hometown. Sam embarks on a journey that will bring into view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters.

New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com

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 The Anglican Church of Korea, The Most Reverend Onesimus Dongsin Park, Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, The Right Reverend Jean-Zaché Duracin, 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. Andrew’s by-the-Sea, San Diego; for the children and teachers of St. Andrew’s Preschool.

For those commended to our prayers: Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Tony McEwing, Eliott & Tish Kahn, Karl Jacobson, Clayton Goehring, Megom W., 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, 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: Greg Gowdy, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, 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 11: Daniel Ratnam; August 12: Robert Hammack; August 14: Ava Mendivil, Amos Krahmer; August 15: Thomas Amestoy, Teri Whitmer, Dick Taylor, Ryan Hackney, George Piccardi, Jesse Cruz; August 16: Chris Butler, Cecilia Melero.

For those celebrating anniversaries: August 13: Michael Schiefelbein & Steve Klinkerman; August 16: Suzi & Richard Osuna; August 17: Anthony Jones & Jon Dotson.

For those for whom flowers have been donated:Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Carolyn Roberson, in loving memory of John Herbert Jones, Jr. and Ruby G. Jones.

“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 18, The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Wednesday, August 14 – 6:00 PM – Mid-week Eucharist – Come and rest
• Sunday, August 18 – 12:15-1:30 PM – Finance Committee meeting – Library
• Wednesday, August 21 – 4:00-5:00 PM – HR Committee meeting – Pastoral Office
• Wednesday, August 21 – 6:00 PM – Mid-week Eucharist – Come and rest
• Wednesday, August 21 – 6:30-7:30 PM – Executive Committee meeting
• Sunday, August 25 – 1:00-3:00 PM – Vestry meeting – Library
• Wednesday, August 28 – 6:00 PM – Mid-week Eucharist – Come and rest

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.