For Sunday January 29, 2023
Meet us in-person at the outside parking lot this Sunday (after the single, livestreamed 10:30AM service) for a conversation about the past year and what lies ahead in 2023 – and moving forward! Please dress warm as the weather is a little cold for this time of year (in the 60s) and the heat is still out in the church. Consider carpooling as the parking lot will be full and/or bringing a comfy chair and/or blanket for sitting outside (outside seating will be provided).
We will elect new vestry members and delegates/alternate delegates to Diocesan Convention, and the Strategic Planning Team will present an overview of St. Paul’s Strategic Plan for the next five years.
Lunch will be provided, the Photo Directory will be available after the Annual Meeting, and Rev. Dan will be dunked as promised because we went beyond our 2023 Annual Stewardship Appeal goal.
All pledging members of the congregation are entitled to voice and vote at the meeting, and everyone is encouraged to come celebrate another wonderful year together!
Candlemas Celebration: The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple (Transferred)
Wednesday, February 1, 6:00 PM, known simply as “Candlemas,” forty days after Jesus’ birth. Come for the procession and the celebration of light! All the candles and candle oil for the year will be blessed. You are invited to bring candles from your home to be blessed.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Wednesday, February 1, Candlemas (Transferred) – 6:00 PM.
- Friday, February 3 – Desert Baroque concert – 7:00 PM – The Artists Center, Palm Desert.
- Sunday, February 12 – The Reverend Absalom Jones (Transferred) – First African American Priest (Episcopal).
- Tuesday, February 21 – Shrove Tuesday 5:00 – 7:00 PM.
- Wednesday, February 22 – Ash Wednesday (Imposition of Ashes at both services).
- Saturday, February 25 – 2023 Palm Springs Black History Month Parade and Town Fair – parade begins at 11:00 AM, Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs.
February is Black History Month, and the 2023 Palm Springs Black History Parade is February 25
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, and every American President since has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The theme for 2023 is “Black Resistance” and “explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms,” since the nation’s earliest days.
In observance of Black History Month, the Palm Springs Black History Committee will host the 36th annual City of Palm Springs Black History Month Parade and Town Fair, Saturday, February 25, 2023. The parade begins at 11:00 AM at Palm Canyon and Arenas and ends at Francis Stevens Park. Following the Parade, the Town Fair will be well under way, located at the Downtown Park near the PS Art Museum. As in years past, The Church of St. Paul in the Desert will be represented in the Palm Springs parade. If you would like to walk or ride with the St. Paul’s contingent, please add your name to one of the sign-up sheets you’ll find in the Narthex OR call the Parish Office (760.320.7488).
Throughout February, St. Paul’s will honor these Black Saints:
- February 5 – The Rev. George Freeman Bragg
- February 12 – The Rev. Absalom Jones
- February 19 – The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray
- February 26 – Francis Joseph-Gaudet
Absalom Jones Fund
The Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal HBCUs – Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry invites us to support the hope-filled, life-impacting work of two historically Black institutions of higher education that were started by The Episcopal Church: Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina. These two schools were founded after the Civil War to create educational opportunities for formerly enslaved persons, and they continue to provide a liberal arts education to thousands of students today.
Bishop Curry has encouraged us to take up a collection for this fund on the Feast of Absalom Jones on February 12 (transferred). Blessed Absalom Jones was the first Black person ordained an Episcopal priest. All loose plate offerings donated Sunday, February 12, will go toward this important cause.
Mid-week Services
Mid-week ServicesYou are invited to the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM each week for contemplative Eucharist/Evening Prayer. The church will be open the hour prior (5:00-6:00 PM) for silent, personal prayer. Come and rest.
Join us as we prepare for Holy Lent
Join us as we prepare for Holy LentShrove Tuesday, February 21, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Burning of the palms, burying of the alleluias, and pancake supper.
Ash Wednesday, February 22
The Imposition of Ashes will occur at both services
12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM.
Ashes-to-go will be offered downtown in front of Starbucks during the day.
Winter Coat Donations Needed
Now that cooler weather has arrived in the desert, the Social Justice Ministry is seeking donations of new or gently used winter coats and jackets to distribute to our needy neighbors. Winter hats, scarves and gloves are also appreciated. Remember, donated used clothing should first be dry cleaned. Please place your donated items in the collection “barrels” located in the narthex.
Desert Baroque Concert
Desert Baroque ConcertDesert Baroque presents a program of music called “The Art of Time,” Friday, February 3, 7:00 PM – The Artists Center at the Galen, Palm Desert. Drawn from the treasures of the late Baroque in France, Italy and Germany, these works stand at the apex of musical development toward the end of an era of unrivaled expression. Tickets at www.eventbrite.com
St Paul’s Book Club
St Paul’s Book ClubThe next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 1:00 PM via Zoom. Meeting information will follow later. For February, Book Club has selected Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens. Charming, original, and emotionally moving, the novel follows an unconventional love triangle between George Sand, Fredrick Chopin, and Blanca, a 400-year-old ghost. A gorgeous and surprising exploration of artistry, desire, and life after death.
New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at
In Memoriam – Gary Koch
It is with deep sadness that we inform the parish of the passing of Gary Koch, a longtime member and friend of St. Paul’s. There will be a Zoom service on Saturday, February 18th at 11:00 AM. Zoom link details will be in next week’s Abundant Life. Grant to Gary eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Gary. We thank you for giving him to us, his family, and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for The Church of Pakistan (United), The Most Reverend Dr. Azad Marshall, Primate and Moderator.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington, The Right Reverend Mark Van Koevering, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of Christ Church, Coronado; for the students and teachers of Christ Church Day School.
For those commended to our prayers: Stan Spooner, Frank Riviers, Amber Burns, Chris Rogers, Griff Linsenmayer, John Ketchum, Ashley Mount Family, Bert M., Darlene Noon, Charles Russuel Thomas, Jr., Tim Johnson, Bret Caton, Ken Smithers, George Dodge, Candace Rinette, Don Hamilton, Spencer, Connie, Joel Cutler, Mike Gorman, AJ Miller, Maryanne Struck, Teresa Ball, Richard Jones, Michael R., Al Wilder, Wilma, Steve, Brandon, Matthew, Tom Lutgen, Brian Nealy; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Gary Koch, Deborah Caraway, Betty Burris, Tom English, Shirley Harrison, Gordon Zentner, Harvey Trackman, Anthony Picozzi. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
For those with birthdays: January 30: Stephen Lisante, Mauricio Correa; January 31: Eric Ornelas, Nate Reineke, Stephen Dixon; February 1: Lanny Tucker, Bill Murphy; February 2: David Price, Pete Smith; February 4: Richard Osuna, Lyle Haas.
For those celebrating anniversaries: January 29: Patty & Richard Kiker; January 30: Rev. David Norgard & Joseph Oppold; February 1: Bob Yeargan & Christopher Nance.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: This week’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Jeffry Georgianni & Rodney Dickson, in thanksgiving for family and friends.
Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to Weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.
For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net, and select February 5, 2023, the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.
Sunday Service LiveStreaming
We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. The livestream project was made possible through a generous gift from a “snowbird” member from Philadelphia who wintered in Palm Springs for many years and worshiped at St. Paul’s every Sunday. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.
Missed a service? Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert
Episcopal Relief & Development
Episcopal Relief & Development is mobilizing with Anglican agencies and other partners to provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance), Episcopal Relief & Development will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needed assistance. Please pray for all those affected. To donate directly to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund, visit (https://support.episcopalrelief.org/). If you prefer, you can donate through St. Paul’s Parish. Be sure to designate “ERD Ukraine” on your check or cash envelope.
Episcopal News Services
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego – The EDSD News is full of event announcements, church news, death notices, clergy changes, bishop-related notes, and current opportunities for service. Go to https://edsd.org/communications/ and scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find space to add your name and email address. Then click on SIGN UP TODAY. You’ll receive the EDSD News on Wednesday, every week.
Want the latest news from the National Episcopal News Service?
Subscribe for free at episcopalnewsservice.org/signup
