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The Abundant Life
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April 19, 2018 For Sunday, April 22nd
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From the Rector
For the Love of the Other Sheep
We read about the Good Shepherd each year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter and preachers dig up arcane data about sheep and shepherds that we hope will illuminate the text. We sometimes give the impression that the meaning is only clear when we have specific knowledge of first century animal husbandry. This is not true.
Jesus is the good shepherd, the trustworthy leader, for his immediate “sheep pen”- his disciples – and for others that are known just to him. He is trustworthy because he will lay down his life for his followers as a part of the Father’s vision. Jesus is not just our good shepherd, not just for our familiar pen. Jesus is God’s trusted leader in a much larger plan.
Jesus is clear that he leads other sheep who are not of our local flock. He knows and cares for them, too. He lays down his life for them, too. These other sheep for whom Jesus lays down his life are a challenge to seeing the world and salvation as centered on us. In the gracious plan of the Father, these other sheep will listen to the good shepherd’s voice and will be counted with us as one flock.
It makes me wonder.
Who are these other sheep? How does Jesus know them? Should I think of others as sisters and brothers I have never met? Is it enough to know that others hear Jesus’ voice, too. Is it enough to know that God loves them, too.
Because I don’t know who hears Jesus’ voice or see the fullness of the Father’s plan, I believe that I am called to treat all other “sheep” with nothing less than God’s mercy, compassion, and love. As a Christian who follows the good shepherd who laid down his life his life for them, can I do less than welcome, nourish, and bless those who are also known to him?
The real work of faith is practicing that same love of Jesus in everyday life. As we follow the good shepherd’s lead, we begin to hear the same voices that are known and loved by God and our wondering turns to joy. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
John 10:11-18 Common English Bible (CEB)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.
“This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
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FAITH BUILDING
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library
The Episcopal Cafè
April
4/22 Real Love: A Reflection on 1 John 3: 16-24.
4/29 Abide in Love: A Reflection on 1st John 4:7-21.
May
5/6 A Faith that Overcomes: Reflections on 1 John 5:1-6.
5/13 Happy St. Matthias Day: Reflections on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26.
5/20 Think Differently About Difference: Reflections on Acts 2:1-2.
5/27 Adoption: Reflections on Romans 8:12-17.
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Tuesdays — Accepting God’s Gift of Faith
Tuesdays @ 7PM in Library: The Great 50 Days of Easter! This series will celebrate the 50 days of Easter incorporating elements of Lectio Divina, Hymns, and Baptismal Covenant
April
4/24 The Music of Easter.
Facilitated by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
May
5/1 Ignatian Lectio Divina based on John 15: 14-23.
Facilitated by Gary Scott
5/8 African Bible Study Lectio Divina based on Ephesians 1:15-23.
Facilitated by Bro. John Charles
5/15 Benedictine Lectio Divina:
Facilitated by Audrey Spencer
5/22 Lectio Divina: Based on John 3:3-5.
Led by Gary Scott
5/29 Lectio Divina: A daily Way of Life.
Led by Audrey Spencer
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On-Line Spirituality/Reflections:
The Great 50 Days of Easter is an opportunity to renew a daily prayer and reflection discipline. Here are some on-line sites which offer daily spirituality: From Facebook, you can “friend” —The 50 Days of Easter or Daily Office. Other sites: CommonPrayer; Daily Office; 50 Days.
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Please consider hosting a coffee hour.
You may sign up at the West end of the Parish Hall.
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RefugeeNet
 As part of our Easter celebration of diocesan ministries, this week we highlight the work of RefugeeNet, whose mission is to assist refugee families as they arrive in San Diego. We provide native language caseworkers who help families navigate their new environment, including transportation to appointments with schools, medical providers, and support agencies. We help families acquire household furnishings and clothing. We also provide tutoring and field trips for children and distribute fresh fruit and vegetables weekly. In their effort to escape war or persecution, refugees often experience a life-or-death struggle to reach a UN Refugee Camp. There they wait for years for State Department and Homeland Security approval to travel to a safe home in our community, where they face new challenges. RefugeeNet assists refugees through this process.
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Episcopal Community Services (ECS)
Operating under its mission of serving God by serving those in need through programs that foster hope, dignity, and independence, Episcopal Community Services inspires children, empowers adults and transforms communities by providing vital, high-quality social services that encourage healthy interdependence. ECS’ current programs address homelessness, mental illness, early childhood education, child development and substance use education. Last year, ECS served more than 8,000 people. To learn more, visit www.ecscalifornia.org.
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Camp Stevens
As part of our Easter celebration of diocesan ministries, this week we highlight Camp Stevens, a welcoming home for retreats, education and adventure in the town of Julian. Its summer camp, year-round programs and retreat center are designed to deepen connections among people and between people and the earth. Camp Stevens’ mission is to inspire, challenge, and empower personal, social, and environmental transformation. To learn more, visit www.campstevens.org.
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Next Taizé Service
Please note: our final Taizé service of the season will be Thursday May 3rd at 7:00 pm.
“A Taize service is a time to be still within as we sit together and experience the love and power of the Holy Spirit.” All are welcome to worship through chant, meditation and silence. For more information, contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488 x225.
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Parish Life Book Club
. . . meets on the first Tuesday each month at 1:00 PM in the Library and new members are always welcome. On May 1st, 2018, Book Club has selected Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Set in South Africa, Cry, the Beloved Country is the deeply moving story of a Zulu pastor and his son set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. It is a work of love and hope, courage and endurance. 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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Save the date: April 21st
St. Paul’s DOK chapter will hold its annual retreat at Desert Journeys on Saturday, April 21, from 10:00 to 3:00. Women of St. Paul’s are invited to attend. Facilitated by the Rev. Canon David Caffrey, we will celebrate “The Fifty Days of Easter,” particularly as they impact DOK’s Rules of Life, Prayer, and Service. Carpooling can be arranged from the church. Please call Sharon Strong if you wish to join in the fellowship and study while enjoying the serenity of the high desert: 760.285.8910
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Communion at Windsor Court
 The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, May 9th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.
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Icon Writing Retreat
Icon Writing Workshop is a five-day (June 25th-29th) retreat instructed by Teresa Harrison, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego. Participants will learn the prayerful practice of painting or writing a Byzantine-style icon. The emphasis will be on the step by step process of painting an icon, using Jo Sonia acrylic paint and 23 carat gold leaf, as well as on the spiritual practice of allowing God to work in us and through us. The course per-person fee is $435 and includes all supplies, five full days of instruction, and lunch. To RSVP please contact Julie McMinn, jemcminn@gmail.com.
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St. Paul’s Camping Ministry
The weekend of July 13 – 15 this summer, our church campers are going up to Hurkey Creek campground near Lake Hemet. Cost is low, $10 a person, but so are the temperatures – 25 degrees cooler than in Palm Springs! Basic cabins are available at $100 and we plan to fish! Contact Bonnie Stroock to reserve – 760.324.7949
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Report Clergy 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 John Seitman, 858-793-4555 or Equilla Luke, 760-583-0485.
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Compassionate Care Task Force
Our diocesan task force on compassionate care for victims of clergy sexual misconduct seeks to connect with those who have experienced misconduct. If you have reported clergy sexual misconduct and have information about the reporting or post-reporting experience that could be helpful to their work, please refer to the task force members, all of whom are listed on the diocesan website: Task-Force. Information on how to report misconduct is available here.
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Church Office Hours
Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
If 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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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: www.stpaulsps.org
125 West El Alameda
Palm Springs, California 92262
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