The Abundant Life – October 26, 2017

The Abundant Life

October 26, 2017                                     For Sunday, Oct. 29th

From the Ministry Leader

Feast of All Saints

Featured Scripture: 1 John 3: 1-3

All Saints/Souls observance is an opportunity to celebrate all who Jesus calls blessed and all who are called children of God. It is an opportunity to see our place in the great Communion of Saints. In reflecting on the saints, author Clare Boothe Luce wrote: “The portrait of a saint is only a fragment of a great and still uncompleted mosaic—the portrait of Jesus.” As such we, in millions of varied ways, reflect some part of Christ’s healing message to help to complete the mission of Jesus on earth.

I wonder what is it within us that helps to make something of Christ visible here and now? In each of our own unique circumstances, how does Christ’s light shine through?

We reflect Christ not only by our individual efforts, our doing the work of healing, forgiving and compassion. Our reflection of Christ also includes a family resemblance. In Baptism, we become children of God. Through our Baptismal Covenant we bind ourselves to a spiritual family. A bond, in Christ, with all those who have gone before, those here present and all those yet to come. The first letter of St. John reminds us, “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” It is a reminder of who we are and our spiritual familial structure, as well as, a commission of what we are called to reflect.

I believe the Feast of All Saints is apply placed as we begin our Thanksgiving time of year. It has become, for me, an opportunity to be filled with deep gratitude for all who have reflected God’s healing presence in my life; all who have contributed to my spiritual growth; all who, though no longer physically present, continue to inspire me in my life journey.

The Solemnity of All Saints signifies the Church’s recognition of Christ in the diverse and colorful features of the thousands of saints before us. These saints give us the courage to believe that Christ’s inexhaustible light will be reflected in some new color in us.

Perhaps we can reflect on this as we gather around the table that joins the past, present and the future. The table of eternity, where we partake of the Bread of Eternal Life.

Let us join all the angels and saints in praising God!

Jerry Di Noto

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Featured Scripture

1 John 3:1-3 (NRSV)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

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St. Paul’s Choir

Members of our choir will be singing at the Fall Festival of Faith celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on Sunday, October 29th at 6:00 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, 45900 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert.  This choral service, presented by The Mark Thallander Foundation, will be comprised of various choirs from local Desert Churches under the direction of Mack Wilberg, director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Fred Swann will be the Festival Organist. There is no charge and all are invited to attend. Contact Nathan Ensign for further details. 

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 “St. Paul’s 101” – Welcome!

If you want to join St. Paul’s or learn more about the parish, come to “St. Paul’s 101.”  The next single session class with Jerry Di Noto is Sunday, October 29, at 9:15 am in the Conference Room in the Parish Office.  In this informal setting, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about St. Paul’s and learn how to become a member.

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THE FALL PARISH POTLUCK

It’s coming on Thursday, November 2nd; the date of the next Parish Potluck. In addition to great food, fellowship and reunions with friends returning to the desert – you won’t want to miss our own renowned musician John Granet, PhD, who will perform several pieces on the piano. In order not to conflict with the Taize service at 7:00 pm, the potluck begins at 5:30 pm instead of 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:00 pm to bring your contributions and get settled. Beginning this weekend, you’ll find signup sheets in the Church lobby and in the Parish Hall. We promise a cooler environment than was the case for our August potluck!

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Taizé Services

The Next Taize service of meditation and chant will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 2nd in the Church. All are welcome at this quiet service in a setting of religious art and candles, chants, personal reflection and prayer. Contact Nathan Ensign for more details at 760-320-7488 ext. 225.

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March with St. Paul’s

Sign Up Now! We are taking sign-ups for the Pride Parade on Sunday, Nov 5th, and the Veteran’s Day Parade on Saturday, Nov 11th. Wear your St. Paul’s t-shirt and join the parish contingent in one or both events.

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Vestry Call!!

The outgoing members of your Vestry have opened nominations for Vestry for terms beginning in 2018. The Vestry is your working government of the church. Members of the Vestry help guide the parish’s growth and its service to parishioners and the community we live in. If you or someone you know would be interested or would like to learn more, please contact Steve Moore at pscars4u@aol.com or at 760.218.7667 or any of the other departing Vestry members: Alan Zimmerman, Karen Nelson and Ted Barajas. Thank you for being part of the St. Paul in the Desert Family.

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Your Donations

Third quarter statements have gone out. If you receive your statement by email, and you haven’t seen it yet, please check your spam folder. If you receive your statement by mail, you should have it by now. If you have any questions, please call 760-320-7488 x. 227 or email assistant@stpaulsps.org.

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VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

We’re looking for dedicated volunteers with time on their hands during the week to help with St. Paul’s new outreach to the homeless through Well-in-the-Desert, UCR Mental Health and HUD. Contact Chris Kelly at 760.406.2978 for details. Get involved, make new friends and help to serve Christ in others!

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Parish Life Book Club

Parish Life Book Club meets on the first Tuesday each month at 1 PM in the Library. New members are always welcome. The Book Club meets again on November 7 and is reading Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick. Published in 2010, Barbara Demick follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the rise to power of Kim Jong-Il (the father of Kim Jong-Un), and a devastating famine. This book is an account of life inside the closed world of North Korea and brings to life what it means to be living under a repressive regime. The Book Club is a group of people who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read. For more information please contact Jackie Freeburn at jfreeburn@dc.rr.com.

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Communion at Windsor Court

The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, November 8th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.

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Loving God and Neighbor

in the Jewish and Christian Traditions

Join Fr. Andrew and Rabbi David Lazar for a fascinating discussion of two basic passages for both Judaism and Christianity: “Love the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:1) and “Love your neighbor as you wish to be loved.” (Leviticus 19:18). The discussion is this year’s annual Jerry Behrend Lecture.

• Date & Time: Sunday, November 12th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
• Place: Temple Isaiah, 332 West Alejo Road, Palm Springs.
• Admission: $18.00. All are welcome.

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Save the Date – Saturday, November 18 

Saturday, November 18th, Parish Hall, 9:00 am to noon. The St. Paul’s Chapter of the Daughters of the King again sponsors a timely workshop facilitated by the Rev. Canon David Caffrey: “Back to Basics in Times of Crisis: Our Baptismal Covenant, Vows, and Hope. Everyone is invited to attend, and we ask you to sign up after services or in the office so there will be a harvest cornucopia of refreshments.

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Hospitality Ministry

Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.

 Please consider sponsoring a coffee hour!

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FAITH BUILDING 2017

Sundays @ 9:15 am

AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè                        

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Tuesdays @ 7PM

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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?

Print a copy

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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