The Abundant Life – March 31, 2023

• Palm Sunday – The Sunday of the Passion. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
• Holy Tuesday – Stations of the Cross – Or “Way of the Cross,” refers to a series of images depicting Jesus on the day of crucifixion.
• Spy Wednesday – Tenebrae – (The Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows.”) The gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of our Lord, remains. By its light, all depart in silence.
• Maundy Thursday – The service commemorates the Last Supper and initiates the three days of remembrance of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, called The Triduum.
• Good Friday – The Friday before Easter Day, on which the church commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a day of fasting and special acts of discipline and self-denial.
• The Great Vigil of Easter – The most solemn and ancient liturgy of the entire year – the culmination of Lent and Holy Week. This is the service upon which every Sunday Eucharist is based.

The Watch before the Garden of Repose

“Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)

Pray in the Garden of Repose, Maundy Thursday 8:00 PM – Good Friday 9:00 AM. We will create a garden at the Memorial Altar outside St. Paul’s for the overnight watch. You are invited to sign up for a one-hour timeslot to come pray with Jesus through the night. (Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex.) The Memorial Garden Altar will be set with chairs and lighting and a security person will be on site. Bring your blanket and immerse yourself in quiet, contemplative prayer.

Easter Flower Donations

If you wish to make a memorial donation to our Easter Flower Fund, please mark your check or donation envelope with the name(s) of those you wish to remember. Your donation/dedication will be printed in our special Easter bulletin insert if received by Monday, April 3.

Also, if you would like flowers from the Easter display delivered to someone who is unable to attend Easter services, please provide their name(s) and contact information. After Easter services, volunteers will take flowers to those you name.

Easter Safe Church Challenge

American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) 

This important mission of the Episcopal Church is dedicated to raising financial support for schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. Every year, we donate St. Paul’s Good Friday Offering to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in support of these causes. For more information, see Michael Howard at the AFEDJ information table set up outside the church after services today. You can also learn more at

Update from the March 2023 Vestry Meeting

Campus Care

+ The gas leak (alleyway sidewalk between the Parish Hall Kitchen and the Church) has been repaired. The water leak under the sidewalk next to the parking lot has been repaired. Concrete work to repair the sidewalks (had to be removed to fix the lines) will happen on Monday.

+ During the heavy rains this week, the Cottage Roof started to leak. The roof was in review for repairs/replacement since the Fall. The Vestry approved a bid for repairing the cottage roof.

+ The Vestry has charged the Finance Committee and Campus Care Committee with creating an emergency repair protocol that would help to speed up emergency repairs in the future.

Finance

+ The Vestry is still actively recruiting a new Treasurer. If you are interested, please reach out to the Finance Committee.

+ The Vestry authorized a change of the bank signers to the current Sr. Warden, Jr. Warden, and Clerk, as is the custom when new officers are appointed/elected.

+ The Vestry approved a Governing Body Resolution to ensure that St. Paul’s can receive the $200K Grant for Security over the next two years. The grant is a reimbursement, not a cash advance. The grant does not contribute to our operating budget, but is focused on developing our campus infrastructure.

+ The Vestry finalized the budget for the launch of the St. Paul’s Legacy Society. This specific initiative focuses on a culture of philanthropy and planned giving at St. Paul’s and will help ensure that St. Paul’s remains a financially stable institution as it carries out ministry in the wider community for many years to come.

Parish Finances & Human Resources

Volunteers needed – to serve as members of our Parish Finance and Human Resources Committees. Have a background in finance or HR? Want to serve your church in this unique but necessary way? We need you! Please contact ASAP to offer your expertise. You can help  support these vital functions!

Desert Baroque
The Art of Time Concert Series

The series concludes its 2022-23 season with a festive finale: “Time Travel Abroad,” Friday, March 31, 2023, 7:00 PM, The Artists Center at the Galen, 72-567 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, CA. Tickets at EventBrite.com. 

Music from Early Modern Italy and its brilliant composers: Girolamo Frescobaldi, Andrea Gabrielli, and Dario Castello. Featured performers: Alexandra Opsahl, cornetto and recorder, and Ian Pritchard, organ and harpsichord. With this concert Desert Baroque closes its 2022-‘23 season. Visit us one more time for this excursion into magic! 

www.desertbaroque.com 

St. Paul’s Parish Life Hiking Club

Hello, St. Paul Hikers,

Thanks everyone for your feedback on our Spring 2023 hike dates.  Unfortunately, there’s a lot going on in our proposed hiking window and we have not been able to accommodate all scheduling issues.  We have, however, done our best to pick a date that works for what appears to be the largest group of people considering all the competing concerns.  Here are the confirmed details.  We will send around a final reminder the week before the hike just to make sure plans are firm and everyone’s in the loop.

Date: So . . . (drumroll) after some very comprehensive vetting of dates, church calendars, weather patterns, and input from many sides, we’ve selected APRIL 15, 2023, as the date for our next hike.  My very sincere apologies to all those who let us know they could not make that date – we really tried to find a few other consensus dates, but just could not seem to make anything work so close to Easter.  For those unable to make it, we’ll plan an extra-special Fall Hike just for you.

Destination/Trail: Our planned destination on APRIL 15, 2023, will be the Mastodon Peak Trail, near the Southern Gate to Joshua Tree National Park.  This trail, with its wild rock formations, wildflowers, abandoned mines and sweeping views of the Colorado Desert is a great introduction to the scenic and historical treasures of Southern Joshua Tree.  The trail is about 3 miles, has a few very modest elevation changes, is well-maintained and marked and is rated “easy-to-moderate” in most guidebooks.

Carpool/Park Passes: The Mastodon Peak Trail is located inside the “pay” area of the National Park, so our plan will be to meet in Palm Springs and then carpool to our destination with any willing drivers who have annual Joshua Tree or National Park passes.  If you have such a pass, can make the April 15, 2023, date and are willing to help us carpool everyone out to the site, please let Nancy Antonius or me know. It would be much appreciated.  The drive to the trailhead is a simple one (a straight shot down I-10) and usually takes 50 minutes to an hour. Driving directions will be supplied in advance of the hike to those who are assisting with the carpool.  It’ll be fun!

Meeting Time and Place: The trail is a popular one and we will try to get an early start to minimize crowds.  We will therefore meet at 8:00 AM in the parking lot area of St. Paul in the Desert Episcopal Church in Palm Springs, which is located at 125 West Alameda Street, Palm Springs, 92262.  PLEASE BE ON TIME or let us know if you are running late.  We WILL leave if we don’t hear from you (it’s happened).

What to Bring: It’s been hard to predict weather this year, but hikers should definitely prepare for the desert.  Accordingly, please wear solid and comfortable walking or hiking shoes with a rubber or similar soul for traction.  Dress comfortably for likely sunshine but bring an extra layer just in case.  You should carry sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water.  Trekking poles are not essential but can add stability to anyone who needs it.

Questions/Help: If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, please feel free to contact Nancy Antonius at or me at .

Chris Kelly

St. Paul’s T-Shirts Now Available

St. Paul’s T-Shirts have arrived! This blue apparel comes in M, L, and XL. It features the Church’s new logo on the back and the phrase, “We respect the dignity of every human being” on the front (part of our baptismal covenant). If you would like to purchase one, a booth will be set up at coffee hour. You can also pick one up by stopping by the office. The cost is $25 per shirt (the cost of materials + shipping – St. Paul’s is not making any money off of these).

EXACT CHANGE ONLY (by check or cash).

St Paul’s Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 1:00 PM, via Zoom.  Meeting information will follow later. For April, Book Club has selected The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr. Set in 1929, this novel brings to life an important part of Black history in North America, from the perspective of a queer man living in a culture that renders him invisible in two ways. When a mudslide strands a train, Baxter, a Black sleeping car porter, must contend with the perils of white passengers, ghosts, and his secret love affair.

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

Mid-week Services

You are invited to the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM each week for contemplative Eucharist/Evening Prayer. During Lent, our Wednesday services will be Rite I.

The church will be open the hour prior (5:00-6:00 PM) for silent, personal prayer. Come and rest.

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 West Tennessee, The Right Reverend Phoebe Alison Roaf, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of St. Hugh of Lincoln, Idyllwild.

For those commended to our prayers: Rus Butler, Laurie Molello, Spencer and Connie, Ken Burris, Kurt Davis, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Ray Tackett, Susan Moseley, Don Chase, Ysna Satyan, Guy Patrick, Gary Scott, Forest Irons, Greg Gowdy, Amelia Grinstead, Gigi Noonan, Earl Dumler, Nikko, Tish & Elliot Kahn, Roddy Delson, John Ketchum, AJ Miller, Tom Lutgen, Brian Nealy; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said. 

For those who have died: Michael Peroni, Marge Horstman, Olga Roberto, Leslie Thomas, Thomas Roberts, Janet Howell, Fairy Lee Wiley, Robert Quirk, Beth Reed, Shirley Gilchrist.

In Memoriam: Long-term parishioner Bonnie Woods died March 20 at her home in San Marino, CA. Bonnie was the wife of the late Rev. Barry E. Woods who served as Assisting Clergy at St. Paul’s. Fr. Barry passed away in 2008.

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: April 3: William Eir, Tempe Essell, McLeaman Legg; April 5: Moxie Wuesthoff, Carl Bellamy; April 6: Jacqueline Chandrasena, Stefan Hill.

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 click on April 9, 2023, The Sunday of the Resurrection – Easter Sunday.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Saturday, April 1 – 9:00 AM – Come decorate the church for Palm Sunday.
• Sunday, April 2 – The Sunday of the Passion – Palm Sunday – Livestreamed.
• Tuesday, April 4 – 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM – Stations of the Cross.
• Wednesday, April 5 – 6:00 PM – Tenebrae Service – Livestreamed.
• Thursday, April 6 – 6:00 PM – Maundy Thursday – Foot Washing – Livestreamed.
• Friday, April 7 – 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM – Good Friday – The Death of our Lord – Livestreamed.
• Saturday, April 8 – 8:00 PM – The Great Vigil of Easter – Livestreamed.
• Sunday, April 9 – Easter Services – 8:00 AM (Spoken Mass), 9:00 AM (Family Service), Easter Egg Hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny; and 11:00 AM (Sung Mass – Livestreamed).

The Reconciliation of a Penitent: Remembering Confession in Lent

The Book of Common Prayer contains two orders of service for private confession, known officially as the Reconciliation of a Penitent. Making a private confession is a traditional and powerful spiritual practice, and the choice to confess or not confess to a priest is governed by the old adage: All may, some should, none must. This Lent, Rev. Jessie and Rev. Dan will be reserving time for hearing confessions and will be available by appointment. If you would like resources or help preparing for confession, or if you would like to set up a time for this sacrament, please email or

Reconciliation of a Penitent: What Is It and What Can I Expect if I Try It?

Here is an excerpt from the Rev. Hillary Raining’s book, Joy in Confession: Reclaiming Sacramental Reconciliation:

Reconciliation of a Penitent Explained

The theological explanation of reconciliation is both complicated and simple. At its heart, reconciliation is the very cornerstone of our faith—the love of God proclaimed in the forgiveness and healing offered to us by Jesus. We often hear the phrases “Jesus died for our sins” or “Jesus died to save you.” Yet, understanding how that forgiveness works in our day-to-day life can be difficult. The Rite of Reconciliation exists so that we can live into the forgiving action of Jesus as found in his Body, the community of the Church, and as people of God.

In the Episcopal tradition, Reconciliation of a Penitent (as defined in the Book of Common Prayer) it “is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.” It is often referred to as “private confession.”

Reconciliation invites us to leave our tombs (our sins and failings) and live the life God calls us to. Reconciliation means we become one again with our Lord and Savior—that we experience the Easter promise of new life. When people truly embrace and practice Reconciliation of a Penitent, they will be transformed—as will the world around them.

What to Expect When Making Confession

Although each location will be different according to your church’s traditions and the style of your confessor, here are some things that you can expect when you make a confession.

• Begin your journey to reconciliation with prayer and self-examination. Knowing that this opportunity is a call to grace and not a call to feel shame, ask God for clarity in those parts of your life that may need healing and change.
• When you feel the desire to seek reconciliation, call your church to make an appointment with your priest or make note of any previously scheduled times of confession that are posted in your church.
• The place where you make your confession will be confidential and sacred. Very few Episcopal churches have confessional booths; however, if yours does, simply enter and either sit or kneel as the priest takes her or his place on the other side of the screen. If your church does not have a booth, you will most likely be invited to kneel at the altar rail or meet with the priest in his or her office. The confessor may sit facing you or in such a way as to not make direct eye contact with you; this may make the moment more comfortable for you and is a sign that your confessor is listening deeply on behalf of God.
• Using one of the reconciliation rites from The Book of Common Prayer, you will confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness. Don’t worry if you can’t remember everything! God knows what is on your heart.
• The priest may offer pastoral conversation and some spiritual practices (such as a psalm, prayer, or hymn to be said or something to do) to offer as a sign of penitence and an act of thanksgiving.
• The priest will then absolve you from your sins and remind you of the wonders of God’s grace and forgiveness that you have received.
• Spend some time in prayer afterward to revel in the freedom and joy that God offers you in this pastoral gift of reconciliation.

The 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

Searching for a Lenten Practice that will have you looking at what you have, getting rid of what you don’t need, and creating literal space for God’s Spirit to flow and your home to be a place of resurrection?

Join us this Lent with the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge.

You determine the size of the bags, and going through each room, drawer, closet, and cupboard, each day collect the items you don’t need, don’t use, or have too much of and discard, recycle or find a new home for those items. Ask yourself, can I donate my unused clothing to those in need? Do I let food go to waste? Am I spending my money on new possessions when I am not using the ones I have or when I could be helping those in need?

While this might seem a different Lenten practice, Lent is a time of prayer, sacrifice, and self-denial. Getting a little uncomfortable is what Lent does, allowing us a time of confession, reconciliation, and new habits as we deepen our spiritual lives. Clearing out our space isn’t just the new ‘minimalist’ fad. We are called to be good stewards of our things and the more things we have, the more energy we take in keeping them up, and the less time we have to spend with those we love and with those we are called to serve. By using/having less and by being less wasteful, we can make more room for prayer and to hear God’s Voice.

Join us. #40bagsin40dayslentchallenge

1 Front porch/steps/yard

2 Entryway

3 Hall Closets

4 Kitchen drawers/cabinets

5 Under the kitchen sink

6 Pantry/refrigerator

7 Dining room table/shelves/drawers

8 Towels and linen closet/drawers

9 Bathroom closets/drawers/shelves

10 Under the bathroom sink

11 Toiletries/makeup

12 Cleaning supplies

13 Junk drawers

14 Living room shelves/cabinets

15 Family room shelves/cabinets

16 Master bedroom drawers/shelves

17 Bedroom closet

18 Guest room drawers/shelves

19 Guest room closet

20 Bookshelves

21 DVDs/VHS tapes

22 CDs/Records/Tapes

23 Jewelry/other accessories

24 Kids’ bedroom drawers/shelves

25 Kids’ bedroom closets

26 Dog/cat toys/blankets/etc.

27 Shoes/jackets/hats/scarves

28 Toys

29 Office desk

30 Office shelves/drawers/stacks

31 Craft room drawers/shelves

32 Craft room floor/piles

33 Christmas stuff

34 Other holiday stuff

35 Sports equipment

36 Laundry Room

37 Garage cabinets/shelves

38 Cars (center consoles, floor, trunks, glove compartments, etc.)

39 Back porch/yard

40 All piles of paper

St. Paul’s Social Justice Ministry Needs Warm Weather Clothing Donations

Now that spring has officially arrived, the Social Justice Ministry is seeking donations of new or gently used warm weather clothing to distribute to our needy neighbors. Hats, sun visors and other summer accessories are also appreciated. Please place your donated items in the collection “barrels” located in the narthex.

The Ministry thanks all who helped make this past winter’s coat drive such a major success. Your generosity surpassed all expectations.

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