For Sunday October 8, 2023
Blessing of the Animals – Sunday, October 8 – 4:00 PM – Outdoors
Come and go anytime for a blessing. For their happiness and safety, please keep your pets leashed or otherwise in your loving care. Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us. All are welcome!
Book Study course with Rabbi David and Rev. Dan – “The Bible With and Without Jesus”
Thursdays in October and November – 3:30 – 5:00 PM – Library
Editors Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler show how and why Jews and Christians read many of the same Biblical texts – including passages from the Pentateuch, the Prophets, and the Psalms – differently. Exploring and explaining these diverse perspectives, they reveal more clearly Scripture’s beauty and power. Join us!
JOIN US FOR A SINGLE, ALL PARISH SERVICE, A STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE AND OUR ANNUAL MINISTRY FAIR.
A festive potluck lunch will follow. Please bring dishes to share, based on these guidelines:
Last Name Initials: A-G: Sides; H-N: Salads; O-T: Mains; U-Z: Desserts
St. Paul is getting new nametags for Welcome Back Sunday!
Make sure you get your info submitted for the new tags. Info sheets are in the narthex.
Interested in Singing in a One-Off Volunteer Choir for Welcome Back Sunday, October 15 at 10:30AM?
We are a singing church, and MANY of you were in or would like to try out a volunteer choir. If that’s you, you are invited to stick around after the 10:30AM service this Sunday and head up to the choir loft. We will be meeting with a choir director who will be leading this one-time choir to sing for our Welcome Back Sunday. We need you! Experience or no experience necessary—this is a fun time to try something new. We hope you’ll join us.
Class: The Role of Faith & The Church in the Healing & Transformation of Lives
The structure of the course reflects three main components that map out a path of healing for seekers after wholeness. The components have yielded data that reflect on experiences that have worked to help those who have suffered wounds of all kinds, and they serve to help facilitate the healing that only Christ can bring. These components or dimensions each offer solace and strength as Jesus’ promise of liberation is more clearly and fully realized in a person’s life. These components reflect the quest for wholeness of Holocaust survivors, persons suffering traumatic loss of a loved one, and those who grew up in a home defined by parental addiction/alcoholism, mental illness, or abuse, to name only a few of the wounds that bind and diminish us. The three areas of work that have held growth for those and any who have suffered damage and carry wounds are Mourning, Meaning, and Hope. It is through the road of each of these that we hope to grow more in personal self-reflection and spiritual awareness, while enlarging our understanding of others and their needs and pain. From Jesus to Gloria Steinem, come learn about how Christ calls all of us to deeper healing.
Coming Soon! “Praying as you Can – Not as you Can’t”
Sundays, October 22 & 29, and November 12 & 19, 9:00 AM, in the Library.
Using the Myers-Briggs typology (specifically one’s temperaments), we will explore spiritual practices according to MBTI preferences. An examination of both familiar and less familiar practices will allow participants to explore their shadow selves and come to a deeper appreciation of the varieties of prayer available to them. Class facilitator is The Rev. Deb Seles, who led our study of Armchair Mystic this past summer.
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.
Social Justice Blessing Bag Packing Party
Social Justice Blessing Bag Packing PartySunday, Sunday October 22nd after 8AM and 10:30AM services
All parishioners are invited to head to the Parish Hall after services to put together just ONE Blessing Bag. It only requires putting a few items in a gallon ziplock baggie, and will be an easy and fun activity. Blessing Bags will be blessed at the All Saints’ Services on Oct. 29.
The Social Justice Ministry is collecting the following items for Blessing Bags:
- Travel-size Toothpaste/toothbrushes (individually wrapped)
- Travel-size Tissues
- Combs
- Travel-size bars of soap
- Neosporin
- Travel-size Hand lotion
- Travel-size Hand sanitizer
- Small cans of fruit
- Small cans of Vienna Sausage
- Compostable forks/napkins
- 8 oz. water bottles
Please feel free to drop these items off on the remaining Sundays in October in the narthex. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lena Granet at or call the Parish Office at 760-320-7488.
Budget Presentation Day
Saturday October 14, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Have you ever wondered about how the church pays its bills? You are invited to participate as an observer for our annual Budget Presentation Day in the library. Ministries will be presenting their budget requests to our Budget Committee based on the seven objectives in our five-year strategic plan. Once the Budget Committee has compiled a realistic budget in consultation with the Finance Committee, it is sent to the Vestry for revisions and final approval. Come find out about how your pledge dollars contribute to vital ministries for 2024.
The Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist (transferred)
Celtic Healing Eucharist
Wednesday, October 18, 6:00 PM
Our Celtic worship is drawn from the liturgical traditions of Iona and Northumbria, and the music from Taize is contemplative, lively and haunting. The prayers for healing are at once earthy, holy, and inclusive. Join us.
Vestry Interest Day
Saturday October 21, 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Have you ever thought about being a member of the Vestry? Or have you ever wondered what Vestry does? Are you interested in understanding more about how decisions are made in our parish? Please join us for a special presentation from the Vestry about its mission and vision. We will meet in the main church building. Coffee and donuts will be provided. All questions welcome!
Desert AIDS Project Health Equity Walk
Saturday, October 28, 2023
7:00 AM, onsite registration; 7:30 AM, Urban Yoga; 9:00 AM, Walk kicks off. The DAP Health and Wellness village will be open 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
St. Paul’s walkers will meet in front of the stage at 8:45 AM for group photos and any other group activities. To register early and make donations, go to https:/secure.qgiv.com/event/daphew23/team/935011/. Questions? Contact George Holliday at 760.534.1642.
St. Paul’s Parishioners Greg and Dee Dee Barton named for Palm Springs Pride Honors 2023
Multiple individuals and organizations will be honored with awards recognizing the tireless efforts of those who advance LGBTQ+ rights during Palm Springs Pride in 2023. This year’s honorees include Donald Beck, Miss Patsi, Beverly Sweigart, Jase Nagaia, Greg Barton and Dee Dee Wilson Barton, and Brothers of the Desert. “This is not a group that seeks attention or applause,” said Ron deHarte, President and CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride. “They quietly serve, and we are grateful for the profound impact they have had and continue to have in our community.”
LARK (Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge) Workshop
This EDSD grown two-day anti-racism workshop focuses on local history and populations and deals with local issues and stories. It will take place on October 27 (4-9 pm) & October 28 (9:30 am-4:30 pm) at St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert. Registration fee is $25 (includes refreshments and lunches). Save the dates!
St Paul’s Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 2:00 PM via Zoom. Meeting information will follow later. For November, Book Club has selected Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. A scientist and single mother living in California in the 1960’s becomes a star on a TV cooking show.
New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at
Daughters of The King
In 2002, a Service of Institution was held to form the Mary in the Desert Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert. The Chapter included members from St. Paul’s, St. Margaret’s in Palm Desert, and St. John’s in Indio. Several years later those churches instituted their own chapters and the Mary in the Desert Chapter remained for members of the Order at St. Paul’s. Our chapter is named in honor of our patron, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and members include Jo Anne Adair, Patty Kiker, Karen Nelson, Bonnie Stroock, and Teri Whitmer.
We are a group of Christian women who adopt a Rule of Life based on the promises of our Baptismal Covenant. We can never forget that prayer is the foundation from which our service grows, and we are honored to pray for our family, friends, parish, church, and the world at St. Paul’s for over twenty years. Membership in The Order is open to all women at every stage of life. No special spiritual attributes are needed to become a Daughter – only a sincere desire to draw nearer to God and to help others do the same. This fall we will be offering a period of preparation for any woman who would like to discern a calling to the Order of the Daughters of the King. Contact Patty Kiker, the Chapter’s President, at or 214.497.3034 or any of our members for more information.
Please keep the Daughters in your prayers, even as they continue to keep the laity, clergy, and weekly prayer list names in their daily prayers.
Interested in learning more about the Daughters of the King (DOK)?
You are invited to join us for noonday prayer and coffee/tea and snacks on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 2pm in the Church Library.
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 The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and The Middle East, The Most Reverend Hosam Elias Naoum, Archbishop and Primate.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, The Right Reverend Cathleen Chittenden Bascom, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of St. Columba’s, Santee; for the Dioceses of Province VIII: Alaska, Arizona, California, Eastern Oregon, El Camino Real, and Hawaii.
For those commended to our prayers: The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Marie Ratnam, Carolyn Scott, Phil Smith, Theo Goehring, Irvin Goehring, Heather S. Gordon, Bonnie Archer-Hatch, Timothy Overdurf, Jim Crumby, Ned Smith, Deborah Williams, Mary Ann Lee, Ed, Kenn Catterlin, John Hatton, John & Sheena Wilson, Johnny Maiden, Carson Tullio, Sherry Tullio, David Maiden, Lorrie Nichols, Kristy Nida, 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: Charles Stephen Jones, Barbara Foster, Steven Salk, Antone (A.J.) Miller, The Rev. Dr. Sonia Waters, Nancy Hales, Nora Bain, Dana Gwinn, Lisa Hollis.
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: October 8: Jackie Freeburn; October 9: Michelle Brown, Carolyn Scott; October 10: Doug Hairgrove, Cynthia Jenson-Elliott; October 13: Rick Tinsley, Summer Schoch.
For those celebrating anniversaries: October 9: Jim De Mersman & Richard Patenaude; October 10: Jan & John Wacker; October 11: Dale Carr & Ken Ballard; October 12: Billy McJunkins & Dale Winters, Jeffrey Coates & Steven Holm.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Vern Marken & Luis Valdez, in loving memory of their sister, Phyllis Anderson, and their best friend, Gregory Schneidwind, both with October 4 birthdays, AND BY Jim De Mersman & Richard Patenaude in thanksgiving for their 32nd anniversary (October 9).
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 October 15, 2023, The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Sunday, October 15 – 10:30 AM – ONE SERVICE – Welcome Back Sunday – SAVE THE TIME & DATE!
- Wednesday, October 18 – 6:00 PM – St. Luke the Evangelist (transferred) – Celtic Healing Eucharist.
- Sunday, October 29 – All Saints’ Day (transferred).
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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