|
|
|
|
November 23, 2016 For Sunday, November 27th
|
|
From The Rector
 Practice Makes Us Present – Not Perfect
This weekend we enter into “new” territory. We enter into the age-old anticipation of Emmanuel – God coming among us – but into a new year in the cycle of our worship. Every year, the texts remind us of Jesus being present – coming among people in a different way from the itinerant preacher and healer. Our reading this week from Matthew is a warning or an encouragement, depending on how we understand the central point.
Flood, thieves, and those taken or left are not the point of this passage. The point is that our anticipation must be one of actively seeking Jesus’ presence. We are to be on high alert for his presence in the here and now. We are to be prepared to join Jesus now – in the present, not fixed at the manger.
Matthew has no doubt about the presence of Jesus, but needs to remind his readers of the importance of constantly being present, being attentive themselves. This is not a prediction about a flood, but a reminder of what is devastating for the unprepared. Jesus does not give suggestions for home security, but encourages his followers to always be ready, for his coming.
Practice make us present – not perfect. And people of faith can practice being present with simple spiritual disciplines.
Regular worship together is a spiritual discipline. By offering ourselves to God in worship, we begin to practice consciously offering ourselves to God in every experience of our lives. We begin to look for the possibility of Jesus’ presence in every encounter and we become more attentive and present ourselves.
Praying for others by holding the simple image of Jesus being present and reaching out to them, is a spiritual discipline. When I don’t know what to pray, praying – visualizing Jesus’ presence allows me to be present and attentive.
Giving as a spiritual discipline is an effective way to experience the presence of Jesus. It takes conscious practice. Giving our money and committing our time is a tangible way to be present. We are present with and attentive to the recipients of our generosity. It connects us and makes us present with the larger mission of St. Paul’s.
Be present in worship with us this Thanksgiving weekend as we consciously look for Jesus’ coming and his powerful presence.
Fr. Andrew
_______________________________________________
|
|
Featured Scripture
Matthew 24:36-44
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
________________________________________
|
|
Please Note:
The Church office will be closed Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Happy Holiday!
From St. Paul’s Clergy and Staff!
_______________________________________________
|
|
Thanksgiving Day Worship
Please join us for worship on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 24th at 10:30 a.m. to give thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed on us.
_______________________________________________
|
|
Daughters of the King to Meet
DOK meets Tuesday, November 29 in the office conference room at 1:00 p.m.
We continue our series on exceptional women saints; our chaplain, Br. John Charles, will highlight Julian of Norwich. Interested women of St. Paul’s parish are always invited to join us.
_______________________________________________
|
|
Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
JoAnne Adair is sponsoring the coffee hour after the 8:00 service and the Children’s & Family Ministry is hosting the coffee hour after the 10:30 service.
There are several Coffee Hour sponsorships available through year-end. Please consider signing up to be a host.
______________________________________________
|
|
Calling all Elves!
It’s time again to decorate for Christmas. Saturday, November 26th starting at 9:00 a.m. We are looking for jolly holiday volunteers to help decorate the parish hall and the office lobby. In addition we will be decorating the outside of the church with lights in time for the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade. Refreshments will be served.
______________________________________________
|
|
The Next Taize Services
…will be Tuesday, December 6th, 13th, & 20th at 7:00 p.m. In a quiet setting of candles and liturgical art, this service offers a style of meditation through repetitive chant, psalm and silence for personal reflection and prayer. All are invited. Contact Nathan Ensign for more details at: 760-320-7488 Ext. 225.
______________________________________________
|
|
Don’t Miss the
Children’s and Family Ministry’s Picnic
Come join us at our picnic on Sunday, December 4th at 1:00 pm. at Ruth Hardy Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Snacks and prizes (games) will be available. Meet us near the playground.
______________________________________________
|
|
Communion at Windsor Court
 The next Communion Service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, December 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
______________________________________________
|
|
10 MYTHS ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA
The Social Justice Committee continues its presentation of Myths about Gun Violence in America, as published by the Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV):
Gun Violence Myth 10: Guns Don’t Kill People, People Kill People. This is the Grand-Daddy of all gun myths. It is used by opponents of sensible gun laws to convey the idea that it is somehow unfair to regulate guns, since human intervention is generally required to fire a gun. The fact, while generally true, does not lead to the conclusion that guns should be free from governmental regulation. Indeed, our laws regulated the sale and possession of other dangerous instrumentalities, such as automobiles, even though one could also say that “cars don’t kill people, people kill people.” Automobiles, unlike guns, are subject to a myriad of federal health and safety standards to protect their owners and the public.
______________________________________________
|
|
Christmas Gift Cards for Roy’s
 As in the past, St. Paul’s will be raising money this Holiday season to buy a $25 Walmart gift card for each of the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center. We urge all Sr. Paul’s parishioners to chip in this year and help in this important effort – simply drop your check to St. Paul’s in the collection plate with the notation “for Roy’s” in the memo line, or call Chris Kelly 760-406-2978 with questions. Let’s make sure that no one in our community is forgotten or left out this Christmas.
______________________________________________
|
|
Faith Building 2016
Sundays at 9:15 am in the Library – The Episcopal Cafè
November
11/27 Speaking to the Soul – Keep Awake! – An Advent Reflection
Led by Gary Scott
December
12/4 Bishop’s visit – No Session.
12/11 The God Who Descends – The Incarnation Part I –
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch.
12/18 The God Who Descends – The Incarnation Part II –
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
12/25 & 1/1 Christmas Break – No Sessions
______________________________________________
|
|
Tuesdays at 7pm in the Church
December 6th, 13th, & 20th – Taizè Services
______________________________________________
|
|
Thursdays at Noon in the Library
December 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd – Join us for an Advent exploration of Brian McLaren’s book The Great Spiritual Migration led by Audrey Spencer. Bring a bag lunch and share thoughts on this book’s theme of migrating from Christian faith defined as a system of beliefs to a love-centered way of life.
______________________________________________
|
|
|
|
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
Should you call on Monday when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
______________________________________________
|
|
Print a copy of The Abundant Life?
Click here
______________________________________________
|
|
Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
______________________________________________
|
|
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10 am-1 pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
______________________________________________
|
|
Report Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, jseitman@pacbell.net, 858-793-4555 or the Rev. Janet Wheelock, jwheelock@edsd.org, 952-240-8067.
______________________________________________
|
|
Bullying Behavior
Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we 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 because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
“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 Church of St. Paul in the Desert
Local: 760.320.7488 // Fax: 760.416.2441
Email: clergy@stpaulsps.org Website: http://www.stpaulsps.org
125 West El Alameda
Palm Springs, California 92262
|
|
|
|
|
