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The Abundant Life
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March 1, 2018 For Sunday, March 4th
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From the Rector
What Would Jesus Disrupt – Here
On the third Weekend of Lent, we read about the angry Jesus. He drives people out with a whip. He stops the sale of animals for sacrifice. And he turns over the tables of the money changers. His disciples saw his anger and remembered a verse from Psalm 69:9, “Passion for your house consumes me.”
But why?
From what I understand, the various folks involved in these activities were providing good services. They facilitated people making their offerings and sacrifices. Possibly there was some abuse of the system – blemished animals or a thumb on the scales from time to time – but Jesus does not call that out. He does not drive out only the cheats, he drives out everyone.
I imagine that Jesus was offended by people who had allowed their interaction with the Holy to be systematized. The Scriptures describe several encounters between humans and the divine. There is usually a sense of God’s transcendence, an awareness of God’s otherness, a sense of danger. Why else would the angelic mediators regularly say, “Fear not.” For Jesus to enter the temple and see people carrying on as if it were just another market may have led to his angry words.
We don’t sell animals for sacrifice and we don’t have tables selling bread and wine for the offering, but we might need to have some of our tables overturned.
What would Jesus disrupt if he were to wander in as we prepare to worship this weekend? Would he challenge the structure of our liturgy, the style of our music, or our preaching? Would Jesus disrupt a self-centeredness or assumption of privilege, or lack of diversity? Or would he disrupt our wandering thoughts: unspoken judgements, satisfaction with personal faith, failing to bring hypocrisy to the light of day, or fear of change?
I don’t think Jesus would simply complain about things as if he were a dissatisfied worshiper. I think Jesus would disrupt whatever stood in the way of a more authentic encounter between God and the Body of Christ – the church. And I think each of us should look for where Jesus is disrupting us – turning over our favorite tables. Join us and, as the angels say, “Fear not.”
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
John 2:13-22 Common English Bible (CEB)
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple those who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as those involved in exchanging currency sitting there. He made a whip from ropes and chased them all out of the temple, including the cattle and the sheep. He scattered the coins and overturned the tables of those who exchanged currency. He said to the dove sellers, “Get these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a place of business.” His disciples remembered that it is written, Passion for your house consumes me.
Then the Jewish leaders asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things? What miraculous sign will you show us?”
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple and in three days I’ll raise it up.”
The Jewish leaders replied, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?” But the temple Jesus was talking about was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered what he had said, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
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FAITH BUILDING
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library
The Episcopal Cafè
March
3/4 A Hidden Riddle: Reflection on Exodus 20:1-17
Led by Jerry Di Noto Read about it
3/11 Of Snakes and Things: Lectionary Reflections on Numbers 21:4-9.
Led by Craig Ewing Read about it
3/18 The Oracle of Newness: Reflection on Jeremiah 31:31-3.
Led by Rev. Victoria Hatch Read about it
3/25 NO SESSION – Palm Sunday & Bishop’s visitation
(Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation)
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Sundays @ 6:00 PM in the Library — Accepting God’s Gift of Faith
Preparing for Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation — Four remaining sessions. All are welcome to attend any of these sessions as part of their Lenten Renewal, regardless if you are seeking Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation.
March
Session Topics are:
3/4 Our Beliefs- Part 2
Led by Fr. David Caffrey
3/11 Discernment
Led by Fr. Andrew & Jerry Di Noto
3/18 Instructed Eucharist and Preparation
Led by Fr. David Caffrey & Fr. Andrew Green
3/25 Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation; 10:30AM
These Sunday evening sessions will be in lieu of Tuesday Night Adult Faith Building Sessions which resume April 3rd.
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Spring Forward!
Daylight Saving Time Begins Next Weekend
Be sure to move your clocks ahead
one-hour next Saturday night, March 10th!
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Gun violence and prevention
Gun violence and prevention: Students across the nation are taking a stand against the alarming number of mass shootings in our nation and are challenging adults to work with them to reasonable and responsible gun regulations. Let’s support these students and demand that Congress enact effective and sensible legislations. Contact our elected representatives today.
Senator Dianne Feinstein: (202)224-3841, wwwfeinstein.senate.gov
Senator Kamala Harris: (202) 224 3553, wwwharris.senate.gov
Representative Dr. Raul Ruiz: (202) 225-5330,wwwruiz.house.gov
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PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS:
A Lenten Study at St. Anthony’s – Desert Hot Springs. Join in on Thursdays during Lent at 1:00 PM beginning February 22nd. This Lenten Study will be devoted to the music of Christians. Led by the Rev. Dr. Bill Doggett, this series will involve study and some easy singing. Weekly topics will include Chant, Gregorian and others; Metrical Psalms; The Rise of Hymns; Children’s Hymns; and The Episcopal Hymnal. Come for a pot-luck lunch. Contact Deacon Susan Green at bluejayfive@gmail.com or 760.808.0174. St. Anthony’s is at the corner of 20th and Mountain View in Desert Hot Springs.
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Next Taizé Service
Join us for our Taize services on Thursday, March 1st, at 7:00 pm and again on Thursday April 12th at 7:00 pm. 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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Funeral Notice
Former parishioner Gene Walker died Friday, February 23rd at his home in Las Vegas. Funeral service will be at Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, at noon on Monday, March 26th.
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Special Events/Parade Team:
We wish to extend our gratitude to all participants of the St. Paul contingent in the Black History Parade last Saturday. We were well represented and received by the community. Our next event will be the One PS Neighborhoods Fair on Saturday, March 24th, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Ruth Hardy Park. Our Family/Children’s Ministry will be hosting a booth at the Fair. Volunteers will be needed to take shifts at our booth.
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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 and new members are always welcome. For March 6, 2018, Book Club has selected Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. This is a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of a picture-perfect family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. Little Fires Everywhere is a bestseller and 2017 awards winner. Book Club is a group of people who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read. For more information please contact Jan Wacker at jwacker2001@yahoo.com.
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The Good Book Club
Group Study of the Good Book Club, the Lenten reading of Luke, continues Tuesdays at 1:00 PM in the parish office conference room. Materials for individual study can be obtained from www.forwardmovement.org, which includes a “Journey with Luke”, ed. Zabriski. “Forward Day by Day” is available free at St. Paul’s.
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United Thank Offering
You will find information and giving envelopes for the United Thank Offering (UTO) in the pew pockets this weekend. The familiar blue boxes (perfect for pocket change!) will be available in the Narthex and Parish Hall. The DOK, which facilitates this ministry here at St. Paul’s, has added information on recent grants given by the UTO, an impressive list attesting to the work of this important ministry of the Episcopal Church. Your donations will be in-gathered March 11th. Please consider supporting the UTO this year during Lent.
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, March 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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Conference @ Hope Lutheran
Don’t miss this important conference: “Where is Our Peace in this Violent World” being held on March 24th at Hope Lutheran Church, 45900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. Guest speakers are Congresswoman Jackie Speier and our Assisting Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori who was the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 2006 to 2015. Early registration is requested due to limited space. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex and the Parish Hall.
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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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