For Sunday November 12, 2023
Veteran’s Day Parade Saturday!
Please join St. Paul as we honor service members at the annual Veteran’s Day parade this Saturday, November 11.
Park near the Ramon-S. Palm Canyon intersection. Then meet at our parade spot #46 just south of Ramon near Wells Fargo Bank NO LATER THAN 2:30 p.m. to help decorate our red, white, and blue vehicles and get in the patriotic spirit.
Look for your fellow parishioners and don’t forget to wear your St. Paul T-shirt!
The parade goes north on Palm Canyon from Ramon to Alejo starting at 3:30.
We are looking for two more drivers, so this is your chance to get behind the wheel of a brand new Cadillac. The cars can accommodate riders, and more walkers are also needed.
Please contact Jan Wacker ( or 503-803-6863) to volunteer to drive and to receive parade updates as necessary.
See you Saturday and GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS!
Advent Bereavement Group
If you are in a place of loss/grief, you are invited to join others in this four-week series, and travel together in hope to our “Blue Christmas: Longest Night Service.” Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 PM, in the library, beginning November 30. Sign-up roster is in the Narthex.
Newcomers’ Orientation
Sunday, November 26 – 9:00 AM – Church Library
If you’ve never attended one of these sessions, come to learn more about joining St. Paul in the Desert. Coffee & donuts provided.
Parish Choir News
We will have another choir opportunity for anyone interested: we will practice after the 10:30 postlude on November 12, November 19, and November 26 in order to sing at Lessons and Carols (3 PM, Dec. 3) and for Pink Sunday (10:30 worship) on December 17. It is not required that you sing both times, but it will be the same anthem and we will determine who is available for the two events. We will also talk about the feasibility of a Christmas Eve choir, though we will not be rehearsing for that yet. Everyone is invited to come and sing with us!
Join St. Paul’s in Preparing for 2024, by turning in your DREAM BIG Pledge Card!
In case you missed it…
A Recap of Our Pride Mass Wedding and St. Paul’s largest contingency of parade marchers!
THANK YOU to every person who served and helped in so many ways. We are so proud of you and grateful for how you made this week the best! More pictures on our Facebook/Instagram pages!
Click the first image below and scroll through the pictures with the arrow keys on your keyboard.
Annual Diocesan Convention
Annual Diocesan ConventionPlease pray for our Co-Rectors and Diocesan Delegates, as they head to San Diego for the Annual Diocesan Convention this weekend (Nov. 10-11): The Rev. Dan Kline, The Rev. Jessie Thompson, Alex Christensen, John Hampson, Ed Walsh, and David Weir.
Legacy Society Our Story
Who are you?
Ed Walsh & Wayne Soucy
How long have you been at St. Paul’s and what brought you here?
We’ve been at St Paul’s for 20 years. We were brought to St. Paul’s by the warm welcome of Fr. Andrew Green and his unwavering embrace of full acceptance of us as a couple. This was the first time I entered a church and felt fully accepted for who I was. I was also drawn to the liturgy. I immediately felt this was going to be our church.
What keeps you here?
We feel part of the St. Paul’s family and the Eucharist / Mass continues to be a special time of an intimate spiritual encounter with Christ that is so personal but at the same time very communal reenforcing the unique nature of God’s family that is St. Paul’s.
Why did you join the Legacy Society?
We joined the Legacy society to provide for a legacy of welcome, acceptance and sacramental family for future generations.
What are your big dreams for St. Paul’s future as we embark on our annual stewardship campaign this year?
I would like to see St. Paul’s recognized as a beacon of hope and love for the Coachella Valley where a growing diverse group of people come together and form a family drawn by Gods abundant love.
If you would like to find out more information about planned-giving, end of life care, or joining the St. Paul in the Desert Legacy Society please email
Book Study with Rev. Jessie Thompson & Rev. Frank Dunn
“Divine Communion: A Eucharistic Theology of Sexual Intimacy”
Mondays, Nov. 6, 13, 20, & 27; Dec. 4, 11, & 18 – 3:30-5:00 PM – in the Library
Please note: Due to the nature of personal sharing in a group such as this, this Monday, Nov. 13, is the last day to join. After that, the group will be closed. If you’re unable to join this time, please reach out to Rev. Jessie () and let her know you’d be interested in a future group.
Jay Emerson Johnson’s book: “Food, sex, and God– these intertwine at the heart of Christian faith and practice. This book invites Christian communities to reflect theologically and spiritually on the desire for God and the desire for sexual intimacy as the same fundamental desire for communion. This is likewise God’s own desire to be in communion with us, which Christians celebrate whenever we share a simple meal of bread and wine at the Eucharistic table.
The longing for intimacy and its disruptions echo throughout our political contestations, economic systems, racial and ethnic conflicts, and ecological crises. In no small measure, the vitality of Christian witness to the Gospel in the twenty-first century depends on exploring the depths of desire itself in the ancient hope for Divine Communion.
Patio Parties – A few spaces left!
Praying as you Can – Not as you Can’t
Sundays 9:00 – 10:15 AM in the Library
November 12, 19
An exploration of different prayer types and practices based on personality type and found in world religions. Tapping into sources as diverse as the Bhagavad Gita, the Book of Job, the Tao Te Ching, St. Francis of Assisi and Mohammed we wil learn how each of us follows on of four Journeys: that of Unity, Devotion, Works or Hamony. We’ll learn why we prefer certain prayer forms and why others are more of a challenge.
Where & Who: St. Paul’s Library. Taught by Mother Deb Seles, qualified MBTI administrator (individual & team assessments in for-profit and non-profits). with questions!
Book: Four Spiritualities: Expressions of Self, Expressions of Spirit. Peter Tufts Richardson. Section I for 10/22.
Preparation: If you don’t know your MBTI type, you may want to go to: http://keys2cognition.com/explore.htm to take a free inventory. Other inventory sources can be found here: https://millennial-grind.com/top-10-best-myers-briggs-tests/
Taming of the Shrew class
Thanksgiving & Advent Services
Movie Night!
“A Man Called Otto”
Saturday, November 18th, 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall Theater
This film tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grump who no longer sees purpose in his life following the loss of his wife. Otto is ready to end it all, but his plans are interrupted when a lively young family moves in next door. A heartwarming and funny story about love, loss, and life. A Man Called Otto shows that family can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places.
St Paul’s Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 2:00 PM via Zoom. Meeting information will follow later. For December, Book Club has selected The Gospel According to James Baldwin by Greg Garrett. Baldwin’s writing critiques religion, culture, and discrimination, and in the witness of his life he holds up hope and the primacy of love despite all the difficulties of the present moment. Following in Baldwin’s footsteps, Garrett reflects on themes of equity, justice, and reconciliation.
New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at
Church T-Shirts Available!
A new shipment of St. Paul’s T-shirts has arrived, and they are now available for purchase at $20 each (cash or check only). Available sizes: XXL, XL, L and M.
As we embark upon another annual parade season, we encourage all who represent St. Paul’s at community events to wear our parish logo attire. Look for the display/sales table located just outside the church on Sundays, between services. Or pick up your shirt(s) at the Parish Office during the week.
Sunday’s Altar Flowers
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2
Fresh flowers at the altar honor God and add to the beauty of our worship. If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s) A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship is suggested.
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.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for Igreja Anglicana de Mocambique e Angola (the Anglican Church of Mozambique and Angola), The Most Reverend Carlos Simao Matsinhe, Acting Presiding Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri, The Right Reverend Diane Jardine Bruce, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for our delegates attending the Diocesan Convention this weekend.
For those commended to our prayers: Barry MacDonald, Steven Michael Chacon, Robert Menifee, Connie & Spencer, Dominic, Kurt Davis, Rosa Ealy-Zingg, Bonnie Stroock, Meg Irwin-Brandon, Sharon Pick, Rob Porter, Alfred Boutté, Donald Hamilton, Quinci Vicory, Nico Cataneso, Jason Melfa, Ramon Gueits, Jacinta Rodriguez, Crystal Caballero, Gail Medrano, Glad, Paris, Mary Jo, Bonnie, Thomas Root, Jodene Catterlin, Terry Garrity, Rus Butler, Joe Christopher, Kelly Barnard, Garrett Estrin, Amelia Grinstead, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Donald Chase, Greg Gowdy, Tom Lutgen; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Maudry Davis, Arlene Rosenthal, Frank Riviers, Don Orsbern.
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: November 12: Pete Conley, Norma Graves; November 14: Tom O’Mara; November 15: Todd Muffatti, Duane Haverkamp, Steve Innes; November 16: Michael Howard; November 17: George Smith, Marcus Fuller; November 18: Roger Donnelly, Charles Morrison, Manuel Mendivil.
For those celebrating anniversaries: November 14: Norma Graves & Michael Davidson; November 15: Robert Moon & Robert Hammack; November 16: Michael Sonner & Duane Haverkamp.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Sunday’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Valerie Rogers in loving memory of her husband, Bob Rogers, and with thanksgiving for thirty-eight years of happy marriage.
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 . The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.
For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on November 19, 2023, The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Saturday, November 11 – 4:00 PM – Palm Springs Veterans’ Day Parade
- Sunday, November 12 – 2:30-5:00 PM – Prayer Vigil for the Salton Sea – North Shore, Mecca
- Sunday, November 12 – 2:00-4:00 PM – Patio Party – North Palm Springs
- Monday, November 13 – 3:30-5:00 PM – Eucharistic Sexuality Class – Library
- Tuesday, November 14 – 4:00-6:00 PM – Patio Party – Desert Hot springs
- Wednesday, November 15 – 1:00 PM – Sacred Circle – Library
- Wednesday, November 15 – 4:00 PM – HR Committee – Library
- Thursday, November 16 – 3:30-5:00 PM – Interfaith Bible Study – Library
- Saturday, November 18 – 6:30 PM – Movie Night – “A Man Called Otto” – Parish Hall
- Monday, November 20 – 3:30-5:00 PM – Eucharistic Sexuality Class – Library
- Thursday, November 23 – 10:30 AM – Thanksgiving Day Eucharist
- Sunday, November 26 – 9:00-10:00 AM – Christ the King Sunday – Newcomer Class – Library
- Sunday, November 26 – 1:00 PM – Vestry Meeting – Library
- Tuesday, November 28 – Daughters of the King – 1:30 PM, first half-hour, members only (closed session); 2:00 PM, open to visitors – Parish Hall Conference Room
- Thursday, November 30 – 3:30-5:00 PM – Advent Bereavement Group – Library
Sunday Service LiveStreaming
We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. 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
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