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The Abundant Life
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December 7, 2017 For Sunday, Dec. 10th
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From the Rector
Who Are the Prophets Preaching To?
The second Sunday of Advent is all about the message of the Prophets. We will read from Isaiah, and we will read about John the Baptizer, but these are only two of a long line, beginning with Moses. True prophets speak for God and shake up the comfortable and self-satisfied. Their message always has an element of repentance and return.
The purpose of John is two-fold. He is confronting the power of the corrupt King Herod and the injustice that resulted – although we don’t read about that this week. John is also preaching to an audience of people from Jerusalem, asking them to admit the wrongs they had done and be baptized as a sign of their intent to renew their covenant with God.
Whereas the people who followed John to the wilderness were confessing their sins, they did not seem to be extraordinary sinners – they were ordinary people. Under the oppression of an occupying army, which they were individually powerless to change, they heard John’s call to make right their relationship with God. In a time of stress, they were brought back to their spiritual home and renewed with a message of hope.
The prophets are preaching to us.
They remind us that our lives get disconnected from God. We need to take stock of that relationship and turn back. The prophets ask everyone to turn back to God, to repent – not only corrupt rulers, but those who would resist corruption, as well as those who sit on the sidelines. This includes us.
The covenant we make at baptism anticipates this need for renewal. “Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?”
Unless we heed the prophet’s warnings to return to the center of our spiritual values, to renew that covenant each Christian has made with God, we lose our ability to work most effectively for the values we care about.
In our worship, this call to repentance and renewal comes as a part of our gathering together at the table. As we share in turning back to God, we also share in forgiveness. We are nourished by the holy food, the Body and Blood of Christ. Renewed and reconciled, we are sent out; some to be prophets, but all to be Christ. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Mark 1:1-8 (CEB)
The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah:
Look, I am sending my messenger before you.
He will prepare your way,
a voice shouting in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.”
John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
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Tax Note:
End of the year note: All contributions that are intended to count for 2017 must be received by December 31st.
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Save the Date – Bishop’s Visit – March 25, 2018
The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori will preside at Baptisms/Confirmations/Receptions and Reaffirmations. Instructional preparation for candidates will include seven consecutive Sunday evening two-hour sessions beginning February 4th, 6-8PM through March 18th. If you are interested in more information or wish to become a candidate or a sponsor, contact Jerry Di Noto at 760 320-7488 ex. 224 or Fr. Andrew at 760 320-7488 ex. 223.
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Click the calendar (above) for a full size, printable calendar.
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End Gun Violence!
On Sunday, December 10th, St. Paul’s joins the Nationwide Vigils and Events to end Gun Violence – We ask you to wear orange on this day to remember 30,000 who die and 100,000 who are injured each year through needless gun violence.
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Taizé Services
Taizé services will be presented on the these Tuesdays in December (12th, & 19th) at 7:00 pm in the Church. As one person said, “Taize is a deeply spiritual service by candlelight with music, quietude and prayer. It is a wonderful opportunity to center your day and your life while expressing gratitude.” For more information, contact Nathan Ensign at 760-320-7488 x225.
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CHRISTMAS FLOWER OFFERING
If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas flowers, please use the special offering envelopes found in the pew pockets, or send your check to St. Pauls (address at the bottom of this newsletter) with the note on the check “Christmas Flowers”.
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Planning Our Future Together
 We invite you to complete Landscape, an online survey that will help our diocese gauge the strength, vitality, and trends in our church today. The information gained from this assessment will be valuable in helping to build a profile of our diocese. The profile is one of the major means we have of introducing ourselves to clergy members who may wish to discern if they are called to be our fifth bishop.
Last Sunday, (December 3rd) we asked you to go online by clicking on the link provided and tell us about your experiences in and priorities for our diocese. Each adult (16+) member of the household is asked to complete the survey for her/himself, even if there is only one email address for all members of the family. Please do not discuss the survey or your answers with others as this may influence their answers. We want to know what YOU are thinking. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, December 22.
If you do not have access to the Internet or for some other reason wish to have a paper copy of the survey, please contact your clergy person or warden.
All answers are strictly anonymous. We have no way of matching any assessment to a particular person, so please feel free to candidly share your perceptions, opinions and experiences. The confidentiality of your responses is important. Our future together is dependent on your participation and your honest answers.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the nominating committee via email: epost@edsd.org or via mail: 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107.
Many thanks,
Bishop Nominating Committee
Take the Survey
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Altar Guild & Altar Ministry
 Calling all Altar Guild and Altar Ministry members and potential new members – We will be gathering in the Parish Hall for a continental breakfast and light cleaning of the Church on Saturday, December 23 at 9 AM. This is preparing the Church for the Christmas season. If you’re not a member of either Ministry, but would like to explore service in them, this is a good way to come and socialize while sprucing up the church. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Br. John at brjohncharles@gmail.com
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SWEET AND SAVORY FINGER FOOD ADVENT POTLUCK
 At 5:00pm on Wednesday, December 20th, the Parish Life Team is coordinating a casual potluck in the Parish Hall. Sign-up sheets will be in the back of the church and in the Parish Hall beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving. You are invited to bring tea sandwiches, croissant sandwiches or turkey/ham rollups and other finger food. Desserts are the sweet element but remember the FINGER FOOD theme and bring such goodies as brownies and cookies. There will be plates and napkins but no utensils so if you can’t hold it, don’t bring it! We anticipate a special musical treat for those attending and the event will conclude at 6:45pm. Feel free to dress up in holiday attire if you are so moved. Have fun and help spread the holiday cheer!
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Parish Life Book Club
Parish Life Book Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm in the Library. New members are always welcome. On January2nd Book Club marks its first anniversary and will discuss the January selection Before We Were Yours: A Novel by Lisa Wingate.
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Save The Date: Saturday, February 10, 2018
A Women’s Spiritual Retreat presented by the Daughters of the King at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. For women from St. Margaret’s, St. Paul’s and St. John’s – limited to the first 50 attendees. We will focus on prayer, reflection, journaling, meditation, listening and worship. RSP to Robin Nugent at rpnenninger@gmail.com or call her at 513.673.9568. Registration closes on January 14, 2018.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, December 13th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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FAITH BUILDING 2017
Sundays @ 9:15 am
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè
December
“Bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace”
A series of meditations and discussion on Violence and Nonviolence
12/10 The Root of Violence Led by Rev. Ron Giekow
12/17 The Inevitable Spiral of Violence Led by Gary Scott
12/24 NO SESSION Christmas- New Year Recess
12/31 NO SESSION Christmas- New Year Recess
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Tuesdays @ 7PM
AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY
December
12/12 Advent Taizé
12/19 Advent Taizé
12/26 NO SESSION Christmas- New Year Recess
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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
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