For Sunday November 24, 2024
Preparing for Advent
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!
Thanksgiving Eucharist, Nov. 28 at 10:30 AM
PLEASE NOTE: THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING TO GIVE OUR STAFF TIME TO PREPARE FOR ADVENT. Pastoral Emergency Line will still be open.
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.
St. Paul’s Book Club
Are you someone who enjoys reading, discussing, and talking about books? Book Club started in 2017. On the first Tuesday of each month at 2PM, folks gather in the Parish Hall Conference Room to discuss a book they have all read. Talking together is a way to build community at St. Paul’s. Meet people in a friendly, social and non-judgmental way and talk about something everyone has in common: reading the same book. The book selections are eclectic. Classics to contemporary best sellers. Most titles are secular. Book Club participants make suggestions on the selection on books to read. Each member provides their own book. Members read via paper, electronic and audio books We are mindful to make selections that are available in local libraries.
The meeting is held on the First Tuesday of each month at 2PM: Dec 3, 2024. Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 4, Apr 1, May, 6 Jun 3, 2025.
Alan Zimmerman
alanzimmerman@icloud.com
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
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.
Advent Lessons and Carols—Sunday, December 8 at 3PM
St. Paul’s Women’s Group: Sisters in Spirit
The new St. Paul women’s group has set a date for our next gathering. We will enjoy a holiday luncheon on Monday, Dec. 2 from 11AM-1PM at 849 (restaurant behind the church). To RSVP, email Jan Wacker at jwacker2001@yahoo.com.
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.
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.
Section 14
This past Thursday, the Survivors and Descendants of Section 14 reached an historic settlement with the City of Palm Springs. Through public participation in the process, the parishioners of St. Paul in the Desert have been actively engaged as peacemakers and justice-seekers at critical junctures in the story. We have helped to bring this conflict to an amicable conclusion. Marches, demonstrations at City Hall, City Council meetings, prayer services, and private conversations between the various parties involved were all critical to arriving at a compromise where neither side fully got what they wanted, but all agreed to move forward in acknowledging the past, making restitution for any wrongdoing, and seeking to relate in new ways based on a foundation of deeper trust and hope. There were parishioners on both sides of the issue who testified to City Council prior to this historic decision and we have members whose families were deeply impacted by the events of this incident. This complex issue raises the larger concern about the need for ongoing racial healing in our city. While a settlement has been reached, the underlying tensions will continue to need to be addressed. The hope is that this marker will crack open space for the deeper conversations that need to happen for healing to continue and for better understanding between the City, the Tribe, and the Survivors and Descendants of Section 14. While this chapter closes, a new chapter begins and we are called to engage in further conversation so that all nations and races may serve God in harmony, united in bonds of love. As our baptismal covenant says, “We respect the dignity of every human being.”
Wednesdays before Eucharist 4-5:30PM Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Dec 11, Dec 18—led by The Rev. Dale Carr
Fall 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
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 Anglican Church of South America, The Most Reverend Brian Williams, Presiding Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, The Right Reverend Ketlen A. Solak.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop of San Diego; for the leadership and people of Resurrection, Ocean Beach; 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, Ken Smithler, Kathy Schmidt, Harry Nussbaum, Jim Bozora, 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: Kenneth Mayo, La Verne Wash, McLeaman Legg, Charlene Smith, Evelyn Claire, Marlene Cafferky. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
For those celebrating anniversaries: November 24: Raffaele Alberto & Don Chase; November 25: Gary Scott & David Hayden; November 26: George Holliday & Rick Tinsley; November 28: Peter Smurthwaite & Patrick Von Bargen.
For those with birthdays: November 24: Katie Martin; November 25: Samuel Thayer, Patrick Von Bargen; November 27: Luis Valdez, David Hayden, Alan Glass; November 28: Allan Offermann; November 30: Rosalie Markley, Zachary Scott.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Jim Crumby & Warren Safley, in thanksgiving for their anniversary (November 23), AND BY George Holliday & Rick Tinsley, in thanksgiving for their anniversary (November 26).
“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 1, the First Sunday of Advent.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Sunday, November 24 – 9:00-10:00 AM – Adult Forum – “Preparing for Advent”
- Sunday, November 24 – 1:00 PM – Vestry meeting – Library
- Monday, November 25 – 2:00-4:00 PM – Sacred Ground – Library
- Wednesday, November 27 – NO MID-WEEK EUCHARIST TONIGHT
- Thursday, November 28 – 10:30 AM – Thanksgiving Day worship
- 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
- 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
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
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