The Abundant Life – June 17, 2022

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, The Most Reverend Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority.

A prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York

For those commended to our prayers: Mauricio Correa, Mary Kipe, AJ Miller, Tom Lutgen, The Rev. Karl Jacobson, Zachary and Carolyn Scott and family, Edward and June, Angela Brinker, Terrence Marguet, Christina Laredo, Ken Hughes, Virginia Mason, Lauren Mason, Brian Nealy; pray for all those affected by COVID-19: heal those who are suffering, comfort those who grieve, and strengthen those who are caring for others; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Guy Sands, Michael Francis Lang – May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

For those with birthdays: June 20: Arthur McGhee Pollack, Finn Stein-Steele, Sally Irons, Aurora Sosa; June 21: Charles Mader, Robert Richter, Janice Linsenmayer; June 22: Bob Edgerly; June 24: Sharon Strong; June 25: Charles Hull.

For those celebrating anniversaries: June 19: Frank Stahl & AJ Miller; June 22: Marie & Jeffrey Ratnam; June 23: Sandra & George Piccardi.

For those for whom flowers have been given:  Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Frank Stahl and AJ Miller, in thanksgiving for their 37^th anniversary.  Congratulations, Frank and AJ!

For our Vestry, which meets this Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 PM, and regularly, the fourth Wednesday of every month.

For the Sacred Circle Ministry, which meets this Wednesday, June 22, and regularly, the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month.

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

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.stpaulsps.org, and click on “This Week’s Scriptures” in the Worship Services box. From the calendar, select June 12, The First Sunday after Pentecost: TRINITY SUNDAY

Summer Singers

During these summer Sundays, June 19 through September 25, I’m inviting volunteer singers to join me in the choir “loft” to encourage and support congregational singing during the 10:30 AM liturgy. We will rehearse together Sunday mornings at 9:45, by reviewing the day’s music and singing through the full service. No vestments required, just dress appropriately for the morning service. Come often or a few times; I would love to have you sing with me! See you at 9:45 in the “loft”!

Canon Phil, Interim Director of Music & Organist

June is LGBTQ+ Awareness Month
Celebrate PRIDE!

July Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 1:00 PM via Zoom.  Meeting information will follow later. For July, Book Club has selected The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. The Plot is a propulsive and suspenseful novel about a story too good not to steal, and the writer who steals it. What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?

New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at

St Paul’s Parish Life Camping Ministry

Are you interested in joining us for the upcoming camping trip, July 14 – 16, in Idyllwild (previously announced in this space and in The Abundant Life)?  We have scheduled a trip planning session for Sunday, June 26, 9:30 – 10 AM, outdoors on the church lawn.   Join us to learn more details about the event and sign-up for our festive group dinner planned for Tuesday, July 14.   $15 will reserve your spot. Remember, it’s 20 degrees cooler up in the tall pine trees. Questions? Contact Bonnie Stroock – 760.799.9336.

Escape the Summer Heat with a Hike and Picnic! 

Come join St. Paul’s Hiking Group for a special summer hike and picnic on July 23, 2022, in beautiful Idyllwild, California, just a short hour’s drive from Palm Springs.  We will meet there at 9 am and enjoy a leisurely 3-mile walk among the pines at the Idyllwild County Park and Nature Reserve, followed by a bring-your-own picnic (beverages provided) and plenty of fun and fellowship.

This hike is suitable for all ages and skill-levels and is especially recommended for those who are new to the trail or new to the area and interested in exploring – all you need is a good pair of walking shoes.  Carpools can be arranged for those in need of a ride.  Your friends and family are invited to join us, and canine friends are welcome with a leash.  There is a $6 per person fee for the park.  Contact Nancy Antonius at for more details.

Social Justice Ministry – Ukraine Refugee Family

The Social Justice Ministry is discerning the prospect of a St. Paul’s-sponsored Ukrainian refugee family.  If this should happen, it would be months away and would be realized through the Episcopal Migration Ministries’ Neighbor to Neighbor Program. We would be looking for several parishioners to step up and be a part of the process.

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.  To date, donations processed through our church have totaled $1,918.

Social Justice Ministry volunteers separate and sort donated clothing items.

Social Justice Ministry – Clothing Donations

The Social Justice Ministry is seeking clothing donations – particularly, men’s polo-style shirts, tee shirts and casual shorts for summer wear. If you prefer, you can make a financial donation to help off-set the cost of sundries and underwear.  Members of the Ministry are always grateful for your generous support.  They will continue to sponsor a monthly clothing/sundries distribution event at the church on the last Wednesday of each month.

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

COVID-19 and Masking at St. Paul’s Update

Please click here to read the latest update regarding masking at St. Paul’s.

The following changes will take effect in our public worship on Sunday May 1, 2022:

+ 8:00AM – vaccine and mask required

+ 10:30AM (& Wednesday nights) – vaccine and mask strongly recommended

In addition to the changes mentioned above, the following will continue:

+ Funerals, which often have many guests from out of state, will be mask required services (we will not check for vaccinations)

+ Ushers, altar ministers, lectors, and clergy will continue to remain masked unless reading, preaching, or celebrating the Eucharist. Staff singers/choir/ensembles will continue to remain masked during the services

Coffee/Social Hour Hospitality

For those wishing to sponsor refreshments for a specific Sunday Coffee Hour, please call or stop by the Parish Office to sign up. All our hospitality procedures and protocols are subject to any CDC guidelines and mandates that Bishop Susan may put into place, depending on prevailing COVID conditions.

The Abundant Life E-List

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