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The Abundant Life
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July 6, 2017 For Sunday, July 9th
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From the Rector
Yoke of Power and Peace
Jesus has a message for the crowd in this week’s Gospel. He has just met with disciples of the imprisoned John the Baptist who wonder should they follow Jesus or wait for another? Jesus answers them indirectly – that they should judge for themselves according to his actions – and then turns to the crowd.
He likens the crowd to children in the marketplace for whom life is a game. He says the messengers from God are always judged against the crowd’s changing, fickle, perceptions: John the Baptist was too serious to connect with them, and Jesus (the Son of Man) was identified with the wrong people and could not be taken seriously. Nothing will please or instruct them.
Jesus longs, not to please them, but to see them embrace the Kingdom God has called him to proclaim. He wants them to be deeply connected to the living God, to work for justice, and be happy to be counted as one of his “little ones,” his disciples. The image he gives us of this deep connection is the yoke, common in traditional spiritually – a wooden beam that tightly “yokes” two working animals together.
He invites them directly to take his yoke as their own and learn from him. The yoke makes their effort shared and guided by his lead. There is an intimacy of purpose and commitment in his invitation to join him in mission, to “take my yoke upon you.”
And there is a gentle attractiveness to the invitation that comes, conversely, at the end of a turbulent set of teaching on the serious costs to person and family: “I have come not to bring peace but a sword.” and “Your enemies will be members of your own household.” What is the power of the yoke of Christ that it can carry these proposed burdens easily and lightly?
The kinship, the “deep connection,” with Jesus is that power. Our mission may be a struggle and a heavy burden, but if we are yoked with Jesus and learn from him, we will have the intention of power and its restful peace.
Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (CEB)
Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like a child sitting in the marketplaces calling out to others, ‘We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song and you didn’t mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Yet the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by her works.”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have shown them to babies. Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness.
“My Father has handed all things over to me. No one knows the Son except the Father. And nobody knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Michelle Hathaway is sponsoring the coffee hour after the 8:00 service Sunday.
Please consider signing up to be a Sunday Coffee Hour host.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, July 12th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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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
7/9 A Key Insight about Romans 7:15-25
Led by Craig Ewing Read about it
7/16 What Kind of Soil & Sower Are You? Reflection on Matt. 13:1-9
Led by Ron Geikow Read about it
7/23 The Gospel According to Annie – A Reflection on Romans 8: 12-25
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey Read about it
7/30 Nothing Can Separate Us: Reflection on Romans 8.26-39
Led by Gary Scott Read about it
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Tuesdays @ 7PM
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY
No evening sessions during July & August. Sessions will resume September 5th.
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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 Thursday. Friday office hours are 9 am – 11:30 am through summer. 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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