The Abundant Life – January 18, 2018

The Abundant Life

January 18, 2018                                     For Sunday, January 21st

From the Rector

 

 

 

Why Wait?

 

We read about the beginning of Jesus’ work this week according to Mark. One quality that is at the heart of this Gospel is also reflected in our other readings, Jonah and 1st Corinthians – the time to listen, trust, and act is now.

 

In Jonah the cause for immediacy is that the city of Nineveh will be overthrown in 40 days. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he believes a crisis is at hand that demands drastic action, “For the present form of this world is passing away.” In Mark’s Gospel, the immediacy of the message is emphasized by the arrest of John the Baptizer. Jesus takes up the message of John and announces that, “Now is the time.” He knows that the forces that opposed and arrested John will target him as well, and that his ministry is now urgent.

 

The call of Simon and Andrew, James and John continues this immediacy. There is no question or discussion reported. The disciples drop everything and follow Jesus “right away.”

 

In the world around us, we are confronted with many challenges that need attention immediately and which will only get worse with delay. Economic inequality and lack of housing will not correct themselves. Racism and misogyny will not heal themselves. Each of these can only be healed by the actions of women and men who trust that “now is the time.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking at the 1965 commencement at Oberlin College, said it like this, “The time is always right to do what’s right.”

 

So, what can we do?

 

Jesus’ first words when he begins his ministry in the shadow of John’s arrest call us to a significant action: “Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

 

The people who left everything to follow Jesus – without waiting – saw only the promise of the life Jesus and his message promised. It would be worth change because they had been moved to trust God’s good news. Their change in their hearts was matched by the action they took. They left the stability of the family and lives they knew for the life associated with a wandering preacher. The change was worth it, because they would be part of God’s reign of justice and righteousness.

 

We are asked, first, to trust God’s good news, and then to become part of it. Join us in worship, in the community of God’s kingdom here as it re-energizes our part of its reign, its justice and righteousness in our time.

 

Fr. Andrew

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Featured Scripture

Mark 1:14-20 (CEB)

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets. At that very moment he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers.

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LET’S DO LUNCH!

A BENEFIT FOR

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27th

11:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M.

701 W. Baristo Road, Palm Springs

Lunch, Dessert and Classical Entertainment

by pianist Gale Enger and cellist Ray Kelly!

Click here for details

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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Help Us in Preparing for the 2018 Budget

The budget for 2018 is nearing completion. Only with your support can we sustain the ministries that define St. Paul in the Desert — our beautiful music, our compassionate outreach to the community and our devoted pastoral care. Our principal revenue each year comes from your pledges. If you haven’t already, won’t you pledge to St. Paul’s today so that we can move forward confidently into 2018 with a fully funded budget? There are pledge cards available in the pew rack or you can pledge online at our site.  Click here to go to it.

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FAITH BUILDING

Sundays @ 9:15 am

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

2/4         An Answer to a Hard Question? Reflections on Isaiah 40: 21-31 

                 Led by Craig Ewing

2/11       God’s Extraordinary People: Reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-14 

                 Led by Br. John Charles

2/18        God’s Bow in the Clouds: Reflections on Genesis 9:8-17

                 Led by Audrey Spencer

2/25       Out of Our Hands: A Reflection on Romans 4:13-25

                 Led by Gary Scott

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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”, Sunday, January 21st at 9:15 am in the Conference Room in the Parish Office. This is a single session class with Fr. Andrew. In this informal setting, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about St. Paul’s and learn how to become a member. The next single session class with Fr. Andrew will be Sunday, February 25th at 9:15 am also in the Conference Room in the Parish Office.

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Tuesdays @ 7PM

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Serve Christ in Others!

St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at 7:00 pm in the Church Office Library. Discussion will include expansion of St. Paul’s current outreach to the homeless, our ongoing gun violence awareness initiatives and other important social justice causes for 2018. All are welcome to attend and contribute. Contact Chris Kelly 760.406.2978 for more information.

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Piano Concert

On Sunday, January 28th at 4:00 pm, we will present Craig Sheppard, pianist, in concert. Since 1993, Sheppard has been Professor of Piano at the University of Washington School of Music in Seattle and during his career, he has presented concerts throughout the world. His program will include works by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy among others. A reception to greet our artist and one another will follow in the Parish Hall. This concert is presented in part thanks to a generous donation in memory of Ruth Kraus. Your donations gratefully accepted at the door.

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Next Taizé Service

Our next Taizé service will be Thursday, February 1st at 7:00 pm. 

“Church lights dim, dozens of candles flicker, beautifully chanted prayers, a time of silence. All help guide the soul to rest in God.” For more information, contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488 x225.

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Parish Life Book Club

Circle Suppers are B–A–A–A–C–K!

Circle Suppers (small group potlucks) will continue with our existing groups. The potlucks have been a huge success and for those who wish to join in the fun, signup sheets are in the back of the church. Please fill in the requested information (completely and legibly please!) so we are able to contact you. If you are already in a group there is no need to sign up again.  Be sure to check the new column which asks if you are a part-time resident. Depending on the number of new sign ups we will either create additional groups of six to ten or add new folks to existing groups. If interested, please sign up right away as we’d like to have the new additions fully engaged during February, March and April and beyond!

Please contact Fred Ross by email, FredERoss@comcast.net or cellphone 415 710-9180 with any questions or if you would like to become a part of the Parish Life Team and assist in planning other activities designed to help us get to know each other better.

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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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“Let the Good Times Roll”

Mardi Gras Parish Pot Luck Dinner: Tuesday, February 13th. 5-6:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Bring your favorite dish; enjoy fellowship and entertainment. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Parish Hall. Please indicate what you will be bringing and if you are able to stay and help clean up.

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Communion at Windsor Court

The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, February 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.

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“Let the Good Times Roll”…. Save the Date

Sunday, February 18th at 4:00 pm for the Brass Roots Trio concert.

Watch this spot for further information in next week’s Abundant Life!

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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.

Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program 2018

Are you:

• Worshipping with our community and ready to take a further step into becoming an Episcopalian through Baptism and/or Confirmation?
• Already an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect?
• Confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church?

Then our Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program is for you!

Instructional preparation for candidates will include seven consecutive two-hour Sunday evening sessions (6-8PM) beginning February 4th, 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 ext. 224 or Fr. Andrew at 760.320.7488 ext. 223.

Click here for more information.

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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