|
Remember His Words and Tell All
This is an intense and holy week. From Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his time with his disciples, his betrayal, suffering and death, until he was raised by God on Easter, this is an intense and holy week.
Throughout his ministry and including his last week, Jesus talked to people and especially to his disciples. He talked about the Kingdom of God. He said that it was not like other kingdoms and that it was very close to us. He talked about forgiveness. He demonstrated that God’s forgiveness was abundant and reckless. He talked about how the people who were on the outside of the structures of power were close to God’s heart and should be important to his followers. He said that the first would be last and the last first. He said that we should welcome the “little ones” and not turn them away. He talked about what would happen in Jerusalem. He said that he would be handed over, killed, and on the third day rise.
Jesus’ words represent years of fellowship, instruction, and practice at doing his work. Many of his followers participated, including the women who were the first witnesses to the resurrection. Yet, after all this history, the women came to the tomb simply to attend a dead man’s body. They had heard many things, seen even more, but after the crucifixion they acted on their core cultural training: as his adopted family they would care for his body in death.
But, it took only a word from the angels at the tomb to redirect them from their family culture to their disciple culture. The angels told the women, “Remember….”
They remembered Jesus’ words and went immediately to tell the rest of their disciple community. Theirs was the first telling of the Christian Story. It had mixed results. Only one went to the tomb; the rest dismissed the good news as an “idle tale.”
This Easter, once again, we get to reclaim the Christian Story. We need only remember what Jesus said. None of us will remember it all, but whatever we remember, we tell. It just may be that what any one of us remembers is just what a seeking friend or stranger needs to hear.
Join in the celebration this weekend.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
|
|
Patrick T. O’Hearn
June 22, 1930-March 31, 2013
Funeral Services are scheduled for April 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert.
|
|
St. Paul’s to Host Conference Worship
|
|
On April 14th at the 10:30 service, St. Paul’s will host the Western Region of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) in worship as they conclude their Annual Conference.
 Founded in 1968, “The Union of Black Episcopalians stands in the continuing tradition of more than 200 years of Black leadership in the Episcopal Church.”
The Rev. Zelda Kennedy will preach at the service and there may be guest clergy sharing in the worship leadership.
We welcome the conference participants to our worship and we look forward to hearing the Rev. Kennedy, a leading preacher in the Episcopal Church.
|
|
Have you appreciated or been inspired by the Windsails? Then, please write in the blue and silver book on the table in the narthex. The book will be returned to Wendy, their creator, after Easter.
|
|
Archbishop of Canterbury Installation
|
|
 Thursday, March 21st, Mike Carson was in Canterbury to see what he could of the Enthronement of Justin Welby as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Security was tight. Only the invited 2000 guests with photo name badges were even allowed near the Cathedral. Mostly it was just catching glimpses: the Papal delegation walking to the Cathedral, the Prince of Wales’ helicopter landing in the distance and an assortment of Anglican and other clerics walking the gauntlet through the crowd of perhaps 50 demonstrators who were protesting British government cuts to the National Health Service. In between days of rain and the following day’s English blizzard the weather stayed clear if only about 38 degrees. For it being the Church of England there was surprisingly little notice given anywhere. In Canterbury most passersby had no idea what event was taking place. On Friday only one London newspaper had the Archbishop on the front page. Others had a a small photo and article several pages in. The BBC news gave it a 60-second mention.
Sunday, in London, Mike met Mrs. Welby, the Archbishop’s mother, who happened to be worshipping with him at St. Paul’s-Onslow Square.
|
|
Episcopal Night at the San Diego Opera
|
|
‘Murder in the Cathedral’
Friday, April 5, at 7pm
Join Bishop Mathes and members from churches of the diocese for an evening of world-class opera and experience a 900-year old story of politics, intrigue, temptation and murder. Tickets purchased at a 20% discount include a backstage tour and a glamorous pre-opera reception. Visit the webpage www.sdopera.com/promo/offeredsd. For more information, pick up a flyer in the church office or contact Vanessa Dinning at 619.533.8047 or Vanessa.Dinning@sdopera.com.
|
|
“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Lenten Biblical Figures:
Hosted by Victoria Hatch
3/31 NO CLASS – Easter Sunday
Coptic Church/Traditions
Hosted by Rick Tinsley
4/07 Session I
4/14 Session II
4/21 NO CLASS – Confirmation with Bishop Mathes
From Convent to Miter:
The Legacy of Women in the Episcopal Church
Hosted by Victoria Hatch
4/28 Religious Orders and Religious Education
5/05 The Fight for Ordination I
5/12 The Fight for Ordination II
5/19 The Election of Katharine Jefferts Schori
5/26 NO CLASS – Memorial Day Weekend
|
|
“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
The Historical Jesus:
Hosted by Jerry DiNoto,
Craig Ewing and Father David
3/26 NO CLASS – Holy Week
The Old Testament
A study of the Hebrew Scriptures, DVD with Amy Jill Levine.
Hosted by Craig Ewing and Team
4/02 Abraham, Sarah and Hagar – Genesis 11-21
4/09 Isaac – Genesis 21-22
4/16 The Jacob Saga – Genesis 25-36
4/23 Biblical Folklore Analysis – Genesis 25-36
4/30 Moses and Exodus – Exodus 1-15
5/07 The God of Israel – Exodus 1-15
5/14 Covenant and Law, Part I – Exodux 19-40
5/21 Covenant and Law, Part II – Exodus 20-35 and Leviticus
5/28 The Conquest – Deuteronomy 20-21, 27-31, and the Book of Joshua
|
|
Roy’s Desert Resource Center
|
|
Roy’s Desert Resource Center is an outreach St. Paul that serves the homeless by providing clothing and deserts on Monday evening served by our volunteers. You can help by contributing deserts, donating to our SOS Fund, adding to our donation baskets in the Narthex or joining our volunteers on Monday evening. For more information, call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726.
|
|
|
|
Bishops Speak on Violence
The Bishops of the Episcopal Church just ended a four-day meeting in North Carolina with a Pastoral Statement.
It is called:
A Word to the Church:
Godly Leadership in the Face of Violence.
You may read the statement here.
They encourage all members to pray and work for an end to gun violence.
|
|
Easter Flowers
Your contributions for our Easter Flowers are appreciated.
Click here to view the current list of Easter Flower Donors and dedications.
|
|
The Good Friday Offering
…at St. Paul’s provides essential funding to strengthen the visibility of the Christian presence throughout the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. That funding is critical to the ongoing ministry in the region. Make your check out to St. Paul’s with Good Friday Offering on the memo line. For more information, click here.
|
|
The Episcopal Church Women Spring Luncheon
. . .is a celebration of Easter on April 4th at 11:30am in the Parish Hall, beginning with a brief meeting and followed by a salad luncheon. The program will be on the Greek Orthodox history of the Easter egg. All women are invited, and those attending (except newcomers) should bring a salad to serve 6 to 8, rolls, or dessert to share; beverages are provided. Hostesses for the event are Bonnie Stroock and Kathy Briski.
|
|
We Need Volunteers
. . . to assist with Name Badge organization. Please contact Mike Funke at 760-409-0986 or: mike.funke@yahoo.com if you can help.
|
|
Holy Communion Service for
Local Care Facilities
Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of each month at Windsor Court. The next service will be April 10th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
|
|
Coffee Hour Celebration
There is no coffee hour on Easter Sunday
Coffee Hour hosts are needed for the rest of 2013. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
|
|
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.
|
|
Episcopalians Against Gun Violence is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, go to www.facebook.com/EpiscopaliansAgainstGunViolence.
|
|
Report Sexual Misconduct.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please remember 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 and to encourage all to report any misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Canon Suzann V. Holding immediately: sholding@edsd.org
or 619-481-5452.
|
|
“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”
Ministry!
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Pau’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Write a comment: