|
Obedient
I am beginning with a “four-letter word:” Obedient.
It is a part of the description of Jesus in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.
(If you want the Passion According to Mark, click here.)
Jesus, the son of God, is described as obedient. Aside from Jesus, I don’t hear of many people described as obedient. It is as if being obedient makes one the willing or duped victim of someone in authority. Granted, most of us would say that we obey the law, but would we describe ourselves as obedient? I have vowed to “respect and be guided by” my bishop, but I don’t know that he would describe me as an obedient priest. I don’t know that I would, either.
We honor Jesus because he was obedient to God’s plan of redemption. He preached the message of redemption, he healed as a sign of redemption, and he lived God’s redemption. Even in the face of death, he was obedient to God’s over-arching plan of redemption and reconciliation.
During Lent we have been invited to follow Jesus from his baptism, through the wilderness of testing, to his upsetting the status quo of his own community. This week we follow him from his entry into Jerusalem, though his final meal and teaching of his disciples, to the cross. We are called to be obedient in our following.
The aspect that is crucial to me is that our call to obedience is to be faithful in making the journey with Jesus. We need to look at these events and see where we are in each. Perhaps we can identify ourselves in more than one role. Am I one of the adoring crowd or one of the leaders who are threatened? Am I seeking to comfort Jesus at the Last Supper, or waiting for it to be over so I can get on with my own agenda? Do I run away like the disciples, or hang in there like Mary and the other women when Jesus is taken to Calvary?
Join us in worship. More than at any other time, all the various parts we have been practicing come together as God’s redemption and reconciliation is accomplished.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death–
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
|
|
So far 166 members or families have committed $332,391.00 for the support of God’s Mission at St. Paul’s. In addition to 23 new pledges there are about 25 pledges still outstanding from people who pledged last year and are still part of St. Paul’s.
Our pledge target for 2012 is $416,000.00, so we are considerably short of that goal. We anticipate missing our target by as much as $40,000-50,000.
The support of every member is needed to support our mission and ministries. If you have not made a pledge, please do so if you are able.
The Rector and Vestry will be considering a variety of options to respond to this situation and will keep the parish informed.
|
|
“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
No Class April 1 or 8
April 15, 22, & 29
04/15 Faith and Doubting, led by Victoria Hatch
04/22 The Apocalypse: Daniel, led by David Abernethy-Deppe
04/29 The Apocalypse: Revelation, led by David Abernethy-Deppe
|
|
“Thursdays At 7”
No Class April 5
April 12, 19, & 26
04/12 The Protestant Reformation: Luther, led by Rick Tinsley
04/19 The Protestant Reformation: Calvin, led by Jerry DiNoto
04/26 The Protestant Reformation: The Anabaptists, led by David Abernethy-Deppe
|
|
 Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (Tuesday, April 17th | 9-11am | Parish Hall). This is a discussion group on Richard Rohr’s new book of the same title. Purchase the book on line. Rohr writes: “As we move beyond the first half of life understandings where rules come first, we discover in the second half of life that God is less concerned about laws and more about the relationship. Thus, the ability to move forward is to embrace God’s unconditional forgiveness.” Facilitated by Bob Poehling. Sign up in the Parish Hall or call the church office at 760.320.7488 ext. 0.
|
|
Mosaic for Home and Garden – Seminar
|
|
 Do-It-Yourself Mosaic for Home & Garden on May 19, June 2 from 10am-2pm. Cost is $25. Location is Camp Stevens. The art of assembling pieces of glass or stone into images, mosaics are a beautiful addition to a home or garden–and it’s simpler to do than you may think! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the steps to creating your own mosaic, including supplies and design considerations, and practice on an installation at Camp Stevens.
For more information and to register, go to www.campstevens.org/garden.
|
|
Rebuild Our Church in Haiti
|
|
The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti—the largest Diocese in the Episcopal Church is in ruins. While the people of Haiti struggle to rebuild their nation, Episcopalians are uniting to rebuild our Church in Haiti.
Click the image above to learn more.
|
|
Canterbury Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys
|
|
The Canterbury Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys is giving a concert on Monday, April 16th at 7:00 pm at St. Margaret’s. Ticket ($35 & $20) reservations are available by contacting John Wright, 760.346.2697, ext. 19. The Choir is from the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The program features music from the 13th century to newly-composed works.
|
|
Roy’s Desert Resource Center & Desert SOS
|
|
Special thanks to the crew that shows up every Monday at Roy’s Resource Center. Currently there are 95 registered homeless at Roy’s. St. Paul volunteers help serve dinner and dessert each Monday. Please sign-up to help the most in need. Sign-up in the binder on the entrance table to the Parish Hall. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.6726.
Hap Blaisdell strongly encourages volunteers to use the sign-up in the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall to help him manage the number of volunteers needed each week for Desert SOS. A minimum of six volunteers at Roy’s each Monday evening is ideal. If fewer than six show up, the workload is burdensome. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Cold Toes at Desert SOS – Roy’s Resource Center has made a plea for covered shoes, boots and tennis shoes for their clients. Many clients have no shoes. If you have unworn or nearly new shoes that could be donated bring them to the church office or place them next to the Desert SOS basket in the narthex.
If you would prefer to make a financial donation for shoes, make your check payable to: St. Paul’s, and in the memo area, write: SOS SHOE Fund. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
|
|
The Bishop’s Appeal
The Bishop’s Appeal supports the mission of the diocese through gifts that are used for support of our ongoing programs and ministries: congregational support and development, leadership development, pastoral care, ministry development, and Christian formation. 100% of your gift goes to supporting our ministries. To make a gift, to the secure website at http://www.edsd.org or mail to: Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
|
|
|
|
Holy Week
Worship Schedule
Palm Sunday-4/1
8:00 & 10:30 am
Rite II Eucharist
Maundy Thursday-4/5
12:00 Noon
Rite II Eucharist
6:00 pm
Soup Supper
with Footwashing
7:00 pm
Taizé Eucharist
Good Friday-4/6
12:00 Noon
Good Friday Liturgy
7:00 pm
Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday-4/7
8:00 pm
Vigil of Easter
Easter Sunday-4/8
7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am
Festival Eucharist
|
|
Easter Bunny sighting
at St. Paul’s! The Easter Bunny has been looking around the church grounds for the best places to hide eggs full of candy. Please share this exciting news with grandkids, neighbor kids, and any kids who would like to join our Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday at 10:15 am. Bring an Easter basket or bag. Sponsored by the Family and Children’s Ministry.
|
|
 Parish Photographer Needed
St. Paul’s needs a photographer to capture pictures of our people in action. We want pictures of our people in worship, in ministry and in fellowship.
Although most cell phones take decent pictures, the parish photographer would need a good digital camera and be willing to learn how to take pictures without distracting from the activities being photographed. The photo-grapher would also need to be able to upload the pictures quickly so that they might be used for parish purposes.
This is an important volunteer position and has the potential to assist the parish in attracting and welcoming new people.
Please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe at Jonathan.Abernethy-Deppe@stpaulsps.org or call him at 760-320-7488 ext. 224.
|
|
Prayer Shawl Ministry
. . . meets every Wednesday from 10 am – 1 pm in the Parish Hall. This peace-filled stitching circle gives members fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need of prayer. For more details contact Valerie Ferguson at 760.799.5927, Barbara Hawkins Villani at 760.322.3987, or Audrey Spencermorris at 760.835.5506.
|
|
Well in the Desert
. . .is looking for a couple of additional servers for the hot lunch they serve on Wednesdays at our church. They serve from 11 am – 1 pm. If you are interested please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe at 760.320.7488 ext 224 or jonathan.abernethy-deppe@stpaulsps.org
|
|
Coffee Hour
Hosts for 8:00 are Jerry DiNoto & Ron Thomas and for 10:30 are Cheryl & Ray Kelley and David & Kaye Clemons.
To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, please contact Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
|
|
Sign Up for Flowers,
Coffee Hour and
Desert SOS
To make is easier for parishioners to sign-up for Flowers, Coffee Hours, and the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry, the sign-up sheets are in binders that are on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. The 2012 binders are filling fast, so if you have a special date that you want to commemorate, be sure to sign up early.
|
|
Report Sexual Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please be reminded that our diocese values the tenet of our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of the way we live into that is to train people in the prevention of sexual misconduct. Another part that goes hand-in-hand with training is reporting incidences of sexual misconduct. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, takes reports seriously and investigates them thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact Bishop Mathes immediately: bishopmathes@edsd.org, 619-481-5450.
|
|
Bullies Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we want to welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
|
|
The St. Paul Columbarium Niches are over 60% sold out. If you are interested in a specific niche, please do not wait to purchase it or reserve it. Deposits are required for all niche reservations. Please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe, at 760.320.7488, ext. 224 for further information.
|
|
|
Write a comment: