|
|
|
|
The Abundant Life
|
|
August 16, 2018 For Sunday, August 19th
|
|
Reflections From Sharon Strong
Psalm 34:9-14 speaks of the wisdom of “fearing” God – holding him in obedient awe. When thinking of our beloved parish, and the wisdom, care, and joy of our clergy, lay ministers, staff, volunteers and people, I offer my words in gratitude for these people, this place, and our wondrous God. These writings come about in response to the imperative, “Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so!”
I am become a Watchman who sees
grace bestowed.
It is a quiet joy, this sight of how
He loves those I love.
I do not tell of the night, but
of their days, and mine.
There are whirlwinds, a Spirit
moving over the waters,
a descending dove.
There is the voice of God in thunder,
and Pentecostal tongues.
There is lightning saying,
“Here we are,”
morning stars in song, and a
burning bush.
We have been well advised.
The faithful have many faces.
Watch carefully lest you miss them.
Their own cross will differ from yours
in weight and length
and burden –
their stamina not always equal to
its demands.
Ask for mercy.
For each of us.
How got we community
from Living Bread and
life in true drink of blood?
How is God’s wisdom come to us in
Christ’s redeeming and
Holy Spirit’s sanctifying
minds and hearts together?
Try this for purpose, answer,
awe:
“In him the fullness of God was
Pleased to dwell.”
So I say, with love to my parish,
Sharon Strong
_____________________________________________
|
|
Featured Scripture
John 6:51-58
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
________________________________________
|
|
FAITH BUILDING
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library
The Episcopal Cafè
August
8/19 Wisdom’s Table A Reflection on Proverbs 9:1-6.
8/26 Whom shall we Serve? A Reflection on Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18.
Led by Alan Zimmerman Read about it
September
9/2 No Session Labor Day Holiday Weekend
9/9 Happy Ever After? A Reflection on Isaiah 35:4-7a
Led by Jerry Di Noto
|
|
Our Adult Faith Building Classes on Tuesdays will be on hiatus for the month of August.
Tuesdays at 5:00 PM in the Library Beginning on September 4th:
How to enhance your relationship with God on a daily basis. This series is designed to assist participants in developing and deepening a daily spiritual discipline.
9/4 What is a Rule of Life? Facilitated by Br. John Charles
9/11 Creating you own Rule of Life Facilitated by Audrey Spencer
|
|
Hospitality Ministry
We hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall after either service on Sunday.
There are many upcoming opportunities for you to sponsor a Sunday Coffee Hour after either the 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM service. The sign-up notebook is on the table as you enter the Parish Hall.
WANTED:
Parish Life Hospitality Coordinators – If you enjoy planning and managing social events, we’d like to talk to you! We’re currently seeking volunteers to help coordinate our after-service hospitality on Sundays. Partnering with the Sexton, volunteers will provide oversight to ensure adequate host presence and suitable refreshments following the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services. Questions? Please contact Fred Ross at (415) 710-9180 or email Fredeross@comcast.net. (NOTE TO ALL: Donated food items suitable for Sunday hospitality are always welcome. Please deliver your contributions to the Parish Hall kitchen.)
_____________________________________________
|
|
Summer Help for the Homeless
This year’s heat will likely linger into the fall, meaning it’s time again for our annual hot weather outreach to those on the streets. This year, the Social Justice Committee is asking your help in buying and distributing sunscreen, lip balm, sun visors, sun glasses and other hot weather essentials to those in need. Please consider a generous contribution to this outreach, which has already served hundreds this summer. Simply drop your donation or check payable to St. Paul’s into the collection plate and write “Social Justice” in the memo section.
Contact Lena Granet at 760-322-2179 for more information.
_____________________________________________
|
|
Are You Concerned About Gun Violence?
Then consider taking action! “Living Without Fear” is a joint initiative of St. Paul’s, St. Margaret’s Palm Desert and St. John’s Indio focused on raising awareness of gun violence and educating our community on ways to reduce it. The task force is seeking new members to help organize symposia, petitions and other action. If this is a cause you care about, please come, find out what’s needed and take a stand. Contact Gary Scott at gkscott2000@gmail.com for more information.
_____________________________________________
|
|
The Parades/Special Events Team
The Parades/Special Events Team is an outreach ministry which assists in making St. Paul’s visible at the various parades and special events scheduled in the community throughout the year. Last year, St. Paul’s participated in PRIDE, Veterans and Black History parades as well as the Neighborhoods Fair in Palm Springs. New Team members are needed to assist in keeping our community presence active and growing. Planning meetings take place the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Library. For more information or to volunteer to be on the Team, please call Jerry Di Noto, in the office at 760.320.7444.
Parish Tee-Shirts are available in the Office. Cost– $10
_____________________________________________
|
|
Circle Suppers
 If you are NOT currently participating in our small group potluck suppers known as Circle Suppers, now is your chance to join. All current participants will be assigned to new groups this year; our goal is to expand the number of people you will meet at Circle Suppers. These potluck groups have been a great success and we look forward to growing the number of participants. New groups will be formed on August 23, 2018, so be sure to sign up right away. You’ll be happy you did! (Sign-up forms are in the Narthex and the Parish Hall.)
_____________________________________________
|
|
Eucharistic Visitor Training
 If you’re interested in administering the Eucharist to those who are homebound or in a care facility, this one-day training session on Eucharistic Visitor Training on Saturday, August 25, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM, is for you. The Episcopal Church recognizes that some members cannot attend church to participate in the Holy Eucharist. The ministry of the Eucharistic Visitor (EV) makes the Eucharist available to them. This class will teach you the art and history of Eucharistic Visiting. (Successful completion of the class is required to be licensed by the diocese.) The cost is $20; handouts and lunch will be provided. Please contact Alyson Terry at aterry@edsd.org or 619-481-5454, if you have any questions. The training venue will be All Souls’ Episcopal Church, San Diego. To register, contact Alyson Terry or Br. John (brjohncharles@gmail.com).
_____________________________________________
|
|
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. On September 3, 2018, Book Club has selected Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. In the summer of 1961 tragedy befalls a Minnesota family and a thirteen-year-old boy finds himself thrust into adulthood. It is a novel about discovering the price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God. Book Club is a group of people who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read. For more information please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com.
The Palm Springs Library has 1 book and 1 audiobook to loan.
_____________________________________________
|
|
Buy Your Tickets for Godspell and Benefit Refugees
 St. Luke’s North Park is proud to present a special one-night performance of the musical “Godspell” as its inaugural Refugee Benefit Concert on Friday, September 7 at 7:00 PM at St. Paul’s Cathedral (2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego). All proceeds from this event will benefit St. Luke’s job development work with the Sudanese and Congolese refugee communities of San Diego. Based on the Gospel according to Matthew, “Godspell” is the first musical theatre offering from composer Stephen Schwartz who went on to write such well-known hits as Wicked, Pippin, and Children of Eden. (You can buy your tickets online at stlukesnorthpark.org/godspell.) Purchase includes a $50 tax-deductible donation to St. Luke’s. Read more here
_____________________________________________
|
|
Save the Date!
Saturday, September 15th, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
 St. Phillip’s Lemon Grove & The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego invite you to the 3rd Annual Latino/Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Church, located at 2660 Hardy Drive, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. There will be cuisine, games, La Loteria Electoral (raffle), bounce house, Aztec Dancers, Mariachi, Art Displays, Carousels and a DJ. For more information, contact Joe Gamboa at gamboa2@cox.net.
_____________________________________________
|
|
Have you chosen not to report clergy sexual misconduct?
The task force for the compassionate care of victims of clergy sexual misconduct would like to hear from you. We wish to understand better the choice not to report, from those who have made such a choice. Please contact the Rev. Paige Blair-Hubert at 858-755-1616 x 101 or pblair@stpetersdelmar.net or visit edsd.org/task-force to connect with other members. We are committed to protecting your confidentiality and will share only what you give us express permission to share anonymously. Thank you, in advance, for helping us do our work. Please keep us in your prayers as the diocesan convention approaches and we prepare to offer our report and recommendations.
_____________________________________________
|
|
|
|
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.
______________________________________________
|
|
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.
______________________________________________
|
|
Church Office Hours
The Parish Office hours have changed for the summer. From Memorial Day, the Parish Office will be closed on Friday afternoons, beginning at 11:30 AM and will be unavailable for walk-in business. These hours will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend.
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.
______________________________________________
|
|
Print a copy of The Abundant Life?
Print a copy
______________________________________________
|
|
Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
______________________________________________
|
|
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.
______________________________________________
|
|
    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
|
|
|
|
|
