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The Abundant Life
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June 1, 2017 For Sunday, June 4th
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From the Rector
Feasting In Wholeness
God’s Spirit is at work, has always been at work, in us and in Creation everywhere.
The Day of Pentecost is not original to Christians, but is associated with the Jewish Festival of Shavuot. This festival is referred to in Greek (Pentecost) by Christians and in our sacred calendar occurs 50 days after Easter, marking the end of the feast. I want to be cautious about linking the Jewish Festival and the Christian Feast Day. Each occupies its own place and respective meaning. I want to lift up a connection that I have been pondering. In our second Reading this Sunday, we will read from the 12th chapter of Paul’s First Letter to the Church in Corinth. Verse seven reads: “A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.”
I have generally understood this “common good” in the Christian context of the listing of specific “gifts,” or extraordinary abilities allocated to believers, as a sign that they are fully incorporated in the Christian Faith. The “gift of tongues,” or the ability to fluently speak languages one has not learned, gets most of the attention, but there are innumerable other “gifts.”
And here is the connection I lift up: The Spirit’s Gifts are not badges of achievement or prizes for the believer, but tools for making God’s world whole. God’s Spirit is constantly calling ALL who would listen to an understanding of abundance that connects the rich and the poor, the insider and the outsider, the believer and the unbeliever in a network of blessing that might make the world whole.
This wholeness was the intention of the creation stories in Genesis. The world as created by God’s wind sweeping over the waters of chaos was good, and all was in balance as humanity’s stewardship was for all Creation.
We should be amazed at God’s Spirit/Wind/Breath moving among us, and how she moves in the community around us both near and far. We should be amazed that the Spirit is not waiting for our permission or our embrace, but is moving to heal and renew. As a Christian, I see the Spirit moving in believers of different denominations and faiths, and among those who claim no faith.
In our worship this weekend we are invited to feast on God’s wholeness in our uniquely Christian way – around the table of Jesus where everyone is welcome. We are invited to acknowledge God’s Spirit at work in Shavuot, in the month of Ramadan, and in joyful moments of grace that remind us that the Wind of God is not waiting for our approval. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
1 Corinthians 12:3-13 Common English Bible (CEB)
So I want to make it clear to you that no one says, “Jesus is cursed!” when speaking by God’s Spirit, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of tongues to another, and the interpretation of the tongues to another. All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.
Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink.
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Sunday, June 4, is the Feast of Pentecost.
 In the New Testament, “Pentecost” refers to the coming of the Spirit shortly after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. Pentecost is the day we remember the story given to us in the second chapter of the Book of Acts. As the story goes, 40 days after the resurrection (which we celebrate at Easter) Jesus ascends into heaven (which we celebrate on Ascension Day). Before he ascends, Jesus promises that he will not leave us “comfortless,” but will send the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us – to guide the church. Ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the people gathered.
On the Day of Pentecost, the clergy wear RED vestments to signify the work of the Spirit. It is customary for the people in the congregation to wear RED on the Day of Pentecost as well. We wear RED to remind us of the fire of the Spirit.
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National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend
 Saturday June 3rd & Sunday June 4th will be National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend, honoring all those lives which have been lost or damaged by our nation’s continuing plague of gun violence. As in the past, St. Paul’s will mark this important event with special announcements and prayers during its normal Saturday and Sunday services. Those wishing to remember victims of gun violence are also encouraged to wear an orange ribbon or a small article of orange clothing in addition to their best Pentecost red.
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Summer Church Office Hours
The Church office has transitioned to summer hours. We will close at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays until after Labor Day in September.
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service is sponsored by JoAnne Adair, Lucinda Hampson is sponsor of the Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service.
Please consider signing up to be a Sunday Coffee Hour host.
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Parish Life Book Club
 The Parish Life Book Club meets every first Tuesday of the month. You won’t want to miss our next discussion on June 6th at 1:00 pm in the Library. We’re reading Mitch Albom’s latest book The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto. Albom is the author of several best-sellers including Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Frankie Presto is an orphan from the Spanish War, who is raised by a blind music teacher. Frankie ultimately ends up in America with his guitar and six magic strings. We hope you’ll join us as we consider Frankie and his talent and life. See you on June 6th.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next Communion Service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, June 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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Susan Green Candidate for Deacon Ordination
 Susan is a candidate for ordination as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. She has been in the discernment process for the last five years and studying at the Diocesan School for Ministry in San Diego for the last two years. We will charter a bus to leave St. Paul’s Palm Springs at 6:30 am on June 17th. The bus will arrive at the Cathedral in San Diego in time for the Ordination at 10:00 am. It will return at about 12:30 and arrive in Palm Springs at about 3:30 pm.
The cost for the transportation is $30; payments are now being received.. Sign up today in the Parish Hall.
Click here to read Susan’s account of her Journey to Being a Deacon.
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Bethlehem Handcrafts
On Sunday, June 18th, Bethlehem Handcrafts will be here to sell their handmade carved olive wood religious art. The proceeds help Bethlehem’s Christian carvers support their families and allow them to remain in their homeland.
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Episcopal Night at Petco Park
Join us for a fun night at Petco Park in San Diego as the Padres take on the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 23rd. The Party in the Park will begin before the game at 5 pm. The Episcopal choir will sing the national anthem before the game and Bishop Mathes will throw out the first ball. For more information please contact the parish office at 760.320.7488, or see the diocesan website
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Volunteers Needed
PEW RACK MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed to become part of this stewardship of upkeep, replenishment and inventory of the information in our pew racks. If interested, please call the Office- 760 320-7488 and leave your name and contact information. You will be contacted by the committee chair for training and scheduling.
PARISH OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
HELP, Summer Volunteers Needed! Due to vacation schedules, the parish office is in need of volunteers during the summer months to assist in various administrative tasks including preparing, printing and assembling the weekly worship booklets. If interested, please call the Office- 760 320-7488 and leave your name and contact information.
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Summer Parish Potluck
Please mark your calendar for August 10, 2017, for the summer parish potluck. Doors open in the parish hall at 5:30 with dinner at 6:00. Sign-up sheets will be in the narthex and parish hall about thirty days ahead of the event.
The Parish Life team would appreciate your input. We’ve hosted several activities and your feedback will help us plan future events. Would you like more entertainment options or perhaps simply enjoy great food and the company of others? Please email your thoughts and suggestions to FredERoss@comcast.net.
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FAITH BUILDING 2017
Sundays @ 9:15 am
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè
6/4 The Breath of God: John 20:19-23 – Led by Craig Ewing
Read about it
6/11 Trinity Sunday – A Reflection: Matthew 28:16-20 – Led by Jerry Di Noto
Read about it
6/18 Compassion Workers: Reflection on Matthew 9:35-10:8 – Led by Gary Scott
Read about it
6/25 String of Pearls: Reflection on Matthew 10:24-29 – Led by Ron Geikow
Read about it
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Tuesdays @ 7PM
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY
Christian Formation Inspired by Jesus’ Jewish Heritage.
This series, based on Rev. Lauren Winner’s book, Mudhouse Sabbath, includes DVD presentations and discussions. It is a look at Jewish traditions and how they have spiritual relevance for Christians.
6/4 Wedding – Led by Gary Scott
6/13 Death & Mourning – Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
6/20 Aging – Led by Br. John Charles
6/27 Body – Led by Craig Ewing
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Thank You from Roy’s!
With the facility slated for closure on June 15, 2017, St. Paul’s is suspending its long-standing outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center. St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee is exploring ways to continue the church’s historic commitment to the homeless and marginalized through new programs and hopes to have some concrete plans shortly. In the meantime, the Committee would like to extend very special thanks to all who have volunteered time, money, baked goods and prayers to this ministry. Please discontinue any such donations until new plans are in place, and WATCH THIS SPACE for further developments.
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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.
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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.
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Print a copy of The Abundant Life?
Click here
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Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
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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.
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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.
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    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
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