|
Jesus Gets Busy
Rather, Jesus withdraws, builds a community, and then Gets Busy.
John, who prepared the way, is arrested. The only community that we know of for Jesus - to that point - is taken off the table. As a result, Jesus withdraws.
Jesus withdraws at significant times in his ministry, usually to pray. Although there is no mention here, I assume prayer was a part of his regular discipline. This first withdrawal is focused on building a community that is committed to the mission of God’s reign. I think this is worth a second look.
Usually we think that the work Jesus does is the preaching, teaching, and healing that we read about in the last line of this week’s Gospel selection. He is traveling, he is booked, and he is busy. I can also identify with it. It is active and it is measurable. I can almost imagine reports of his activity, his metrics. “I cured every disease and sickness presented: 28 sicknesses, 13 diseases, and 3 dual-diagnosis healings.”
I think we miss the energy that Jesus puts into building a community - before all the activity. In our selection, Jesus calls 4 disciples, Andrew, Peter, James and John. These would become his inner circle. Perhaps the most significant work that Jesus did is one that I need to pay more attention to: Jesus created relationships. His first action was to build a network of mutual support.
Church is first and foremost a community of worshipers who support one another on God’s mission. Jesus is at the center, but he is not alone. Priests and Bishops are often prominently featured in the church, but we are not alone, and we are always part of a community of mutual ministry and support.
That is my first goal. Build the community for serving God’s Mission.
Join us, this weekend.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
Matthew 4:12-23
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
|
|
All Parish Potluck this Sunday
|
|
An All Parish Potluck is scheduled for January 23rd, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Hogarth Hall to welcome our Newcomer’s to the Parish. New members of St. Paul’s are the guests of honor (see names below). It will be hosted by our Parish Leadership. Please bring a food item to the potluck to share.
LAST SUNDAY the Newcomer Class gave Newcomer’s, who were interested in becoming part of the Parish Community, a chance to find out more about us and to have a clear path to joining and participating as members. The attendees were: Crista Campagna, Andre’-Paul Chaussier, Jerry Di Noto, Gordon and Carol Etheridge, Michael Kingsbury, Daniel Weir, Stan Deller, Chris Brunette, Nancy and Gary Kerr, Bruce Mills, Jim Herrold, Charlie Mader, Tim Johnson, Nadine Frymann, Sandra Scardino, Steven Holston. Please welcome our new members and introduce yourself to them. Invite them to join you at Coffee Hour.
|
|
Pacific Lutheran University Wind Ensemble to Perform
|
|
St. Paul in the Desert will present this group of approximately 50 students on Friday, January, 28th at 7:00 p.m. There will be a reception after the concert to greet the artists. 40 students have been placed.
The Pacific Lutheran University Wind Ensemble is comprised of the some of the best performers of wind and percussion instruments at the University.
This large group of approx. 50 students will need to be housed over night and served breakfast the next morning. They will also need to be transported back to St. Paul’s after breakfast for the next leg of their tour. Thank you to the host families that have already signed up to host 40 students (There is still need for several more host families). If you can host 2 (or 4) students please let Nathan Ensign know at 760.320.7488 ext. 225. Host families will meet their guests at the reception.
|
|
At the Daughters of the King Tea - last week, the DOK Women collected 17 bags of groceries and several pairs of socks and donated these items to WID. The next scheduled meeting is THIS Tuesday at 11 a.m., instead of the regularly scheduled 1 p.m. We will meet in the condo at St. Paul's. Bring a Lenten reading suggestion. Newcomer ladies, come and learn more about the DOK. For more information, contact Bonnie at 760.324.7949.
|
|
The Vestry Nominating Committee is pleased to announce their nominations for election to the Vestry at the Annual Meeting, January 30, 2011 at 9:15 am.
The first nominations are to fill unexpired terms. Each nominee is currently on the Vestry filling an unexpired term, and, if elected, would complete one full term.
Roger Allen is nominated for a 1 year term.
Glen Calvin is nominated for a 2 year term.
The remaining nominees are for 3 year terms that would run from the Annual Meeting 2011 until the Annual Meeting 2014.
Mary Lou Feenstra has lived in Palm Springs since 1974 with her husband and is now a grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as close mother to their two daughters. She is an attorney who retired in 1996. Since then, she has volunteered her services to CASA, the Literacy Program at the Palm Springs Library, and served on the Library Board. She joined St. Paul’s about 3 ½ years ago and is an Administrative Volunteer.
Mike Funke moved to Palm Springs in 1999 when his job with an airline reservation system became virtual. He retired from Galileo in 2007, the same year he and his partner became members of The Church of Saint Paul in the Desert. He has served on the Abundant Living Action Team, and is a volunteer in the front office, reorganizes the name badges after Sunday services, and is trained in creating the Sunday Bulletins.
John Westaway moved to Palm Springs part time in 2003 and full time in 2004 when he started attending St. Paul in the Desert. He joined the Parish in 2007 and was confirmed by Bishop Mathes in 2009. He has experience on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Community Church -San Francisco in the '90's and early 2000's. John is in formation as an Associate Member of the Community of the Gospel. He is currently the Chair of the Abundant Living Action Team here at St. Paul's and is a volunteer in the church office, responsible for the liturgical portion of the service bulletin. He holds a BA in Spanish and Education and an MBA in Marketing and Management.
Rosa Zingg is a cradle Episcopalian and has lived in the Desert for 10 years. She is trained as an Urban Planner and currently is a homemaker. She is married to Shannon Ealy and they have two children, Christopher and Lydia. She is involved with the Family and Children’s Ministry and Christmas Decorations at St. Paul’s. She volunteers with Desert Cities Young Marines, a youth organization combating gang involvement.
|
|
The ECW Luncheon is Scheduled for February 2nd. The ECW will be focusing on plans for their annual All Parish Spaghetti Dinner when they gather for their monthly business meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, February 2nd. The annual event will take place on Saturday, March 5th, and tickets will be available after services beginning in February. The program, that day, is pending according to the group’s new coordinator, Bette Knutson. The meeting begins at 11 a.m., and will be followed by luncheon at noon.
Those attending the luncheon should bring a salad to share, which serves four, rolls/bread, or a dessert. Beverages will be provided. No reservations are necessary, but anyone needing additional information about the event, can contact Bette Knutson, (760) 416-5739. Women new to the parish are especially welcome.
Hostesses for the February luncheon will be Ruth Kraus and Beverly Zwach.
|
|
ON A “SAFARI”….FOR WHITE ELEPHANTS!
 The traditional ECW Spaghetti Dinner is now on the calendar for March 5th, and always a big part of the evening’s festivities is the White Elephant Sale. So, it’s not too early to go on a “safari” for a white elephant near you. Donations, valued at $5.00 or more, will be gratefully accepted, and starting January 18th, items, marked for the sale, can be left at the church. Any questions regarding donations, please contact Bette Knutson, (760) 416-5739.
|
|
Safeguarding God's People:
Save The Date!
|
|
Saturday, February 19 at St. Margaret's, Palm Desert
Session begins at 8:30am and lasts until 4:00pm. (Note: Participants are required to attend the entire daylong session to receive certification of training.) To register on the Diocesan website; click here. Contact Registrar Isabel Lynne for more information: 619-481-5455.
The Diocese of San Diego is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment where, by God's grace, the full work of the Church can be carried out. Sexual misconduct on the part of any clergy person, employee, or volunteer of any congregation, institution, organization, school or agency within the diocese violates the mission of the Church, is prohibited, and will not be tolerated.
Safeguarding God's People teaches how exploitation and harassment occur, the awareness we need to prevent such occurrences, and - should exploitation or harassment occur - how to respond.
Who needs to attend?
- All paid employees
- Vestry members
- Youth group volunteers
- Sunday school teachers
- Lay Eucharistic Visitors and anyone going into someone's home
- Worship leaders
- Some volunteers
If it has been more than five (5) years since you last participated in a Safeguarding God's People training, you will be required to attend this workshop in Palm Desert (or a workshop on Saturday, March 5 at Sts. Peter & Paul, El Centro, or Saturday, March 12 at St. Michael's, Carlsbad). For questions/clarification regarding when you last attended this training, call Br. Michael-Gregory at 760-320-7488, ext. 224.
|
|
Camp Stevens, our diocesan camp and retreat center near Julian, provides a enriching summer camp program for children, teens, and a choir camp. At Camp Stevens, attendees are provided the experience to appreciate and care of one-another while deepening their love of God and God's creation.
St. Paul in the Desert would like to enable a disadvantaged child the chance to experience the enrichment of Camp Stevens. We need to raise $500 to do this. Please place your donation in the green Camp Stevens box in the parish hall, or leave a check,in the box, or in the collection plate and mark it “Camp Stevens Child”.
Watch for updates this spring, about interesting retreats and workshops that you can be part of in the beautiful natural world of Camp Stevens.
|
|
Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
|
|
Several St. Paul volunteers provided and/or served dessert to residents of Roy’s Desert Resource Center Monday evening. They included: Judi Cribbs, Terri Miller, Valerie Winters, Fred Crawford, Ron Shepherd, Michael Howard and Orin Ellingson. They also helped prepare client brown bag lunches for the following day. Anyone interested in volunteering for our Monday night dessert ministry should contact Hap Blaisdall at 760.323.5726.
|
|
|
|
All Services include
Holy Communion
Wednesday Evening
6:00 p.m.
The Rev. Andrew Green
- - -
Saturday
4:00 p.m.
Sermon-The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
- - -
Sunday Morning
8:00 a.m.
Sermon-The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
10:30 a.m.
Sermon-The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
- - -
|
|
On Sundays
Godly Play resumes
January 9th in Parish Hall
at 10:30
Children Welcome in Worship
Childcare is available on Sunday Mornings
|
|
View recent sermons and other video material on-line.
We post the sermons from Sunday's services on YouTube. Our YouTube Channel is named stpaulinthedesert.
Click below to watch video from last Week:
Sunday's Sermon - 1/16/11
|
|
Attention!
Ministry Leaders
DEADLINE TODAY
Just a reminder that the Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for January 30th. Written reports for the Annual Parish Meeting will need to be submitted to Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie by January 20th for inclusion in the packets at the meeting. You may send your reports to him as an email attachment at ministry.stpauls@dc.rr.com or deliver them to the church office. If you have any questions, please call 760.320.7488, ext. 224.
|
|
A Holy Communion Service
will be held, Wednesday, January 26th at 10:00 a.m. at Premiere Care Center, presided over by Fr. Fred Myers. Fr. Fred always welcomes assistance at Communion. Recipients are extremely grateful that the Church of St. Paul provides this service for them.
|
|
2011 Giving Envelopes
Are now available and can be picked up in the parish office during the work week, Tuesday - Friday.
|
|
Coffee Hour
 The 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hour is not hosted. The 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour is hosted by David & Lynette Wright and Thomas & Diane McClocklin.
The 2011 coffee hour sign-up sheets are available on the north wall at Hogarth Hall. Sign up to host. For more information, call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.
|
|
Inquirer's/Confirmation Class
"I Will, With God's Help"
This class will be offered in February and run through March. This 6-week series, facilitated by Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie, is based upon the Baptismal Covenant from The Book of Common Prayer and encourages newcomers to the Episcopal Church, as well as longtime Episcopalians, to examine and share their own faith journeys. The course may lead to Confirmation for those who desire it during Bishop Chilton Knudson’s visit to St. Paul's on Sunday, March 20th.
The class meets from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning February 10th. Please call the church office at 320-7488 x 0 to sign up.
|
|
Mid-Week Worship Break
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
|
|
Wednesday evening worship offers a break during the week. The Holy Communion service meets in the Library, reflects on a saint from our Church Calendar, all who wish can participate in the sermon, and it lasts 45 minutes.
As you can see in this picture, the only thing missing is you. Join in this informal worship opportunity.
|
|
Are you sure we have your contact information? If you haven’t received any of the latest mailings then we probably don’t have your mailing address. In January we will sending invites for you to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. We may not have your current address. If you feel this is the case, then please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give to an usher or you may send your contact information by email to vjwinters@dc.rr.com.
|
|
Altar and Narthex Flowers
 The New 2011 Altar and Narthex Flower Sign-up Sheets NOW AVAILABLE
The Altar and Narthex Flower Sign-up Sheets are Filling Fast- New altar and narthex flower request charts have been placed on the boards in the parish hall. Be sure to sign up for your special day of remembrance before it is taken.
The Church of St. Paul truly appreciates the flowers on the Altar and in the Narthex that are purchased to adorn the church by our generous parishioners.
We would also appreciate the flowers staying within the confines of the church grounds each week for additional church events and for visitors who visit our church to enjoy.
The vases that the flowers are placed in, often times, are personal property of our florist and he would like to retain those for use each week. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
|
|
Earn Money While Dining Out
fo r The Church of St. Paul. Whenever any St. Paul's parishioners have breakfast, lunch or dinner at "The Old Creek House" in Palm Springs the restaurant will donate 10% of the total to The Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Simply sign your name and write in the name, "The Church of St. Paul in the Desert", on your receipt. A check for the amount will be sent to St. Paul's. The 10% does not include promotions or other discounts.
|
|
At St. Paul in the Desert we want to welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
The Episcopal Cafe article on Cyber-bullying is available here.
"It Gets Better" is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
"A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied" was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say "NO" to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
|
|
The Church of
St. Paul in the Desert
-- -- --
125 W El Alameda
Palm Springs, CA
92262
-- -- --
Ph.
760.320.7488
Fax:
760.416.2441
E-Mail
clergy@stpaulsps.org
|
|
Call the main switchboard,
(760) 320-7488, during business hours:
(Tues-Fri, 9:00-4:30 except during lunch, 11:30-1:00)
After hours call,
(760) 323-4028, to reach the Priest on Call when the church office is closed.
|
|
|
The ECW will be focusing on plans for their annual All Parish Spaghetti Dinner when they gather for their monthly business meeting and luncheon on 
Several St. Paul volunteers provided and/or served dessert to residents of Roy’s Desert Resource Center Monday evening. They included: Fred Crawford, Ron Shepherd, Paul Thompson & Oscar , Barb Ingelbritzen, Chuck Marx and Hap Blaisdell. They also helped prepare client brown bag lunches for the following day. We continue to need more PROVIDERS of desserts. Please sign up to be a Provider. The dessert needs to be delivered to the church by 4 p.m. on Monday or donate to the weekly plate using the pew envelope and mark with “Dessert”. Anyone interested in volunteering for our Monday night dessert ministry should contact Hap Blaisdall at 760.323.5726.
With the Annual Meeting scheduled for this weekend, the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hours are hosted by the Vestry.
This year we will have a collection for the homeless. Please bring your choice of canned goods and/or warm socks to the Tea. No other clothing please.
The Rt. Rev. Chilton R. Kudsen, retired bishop of Maine, and her husband, Dr. Michael Knudsen, are the first participants in this program.
St. Paul’s will again host the community for a Celebration of the life of Dr. King.
All Parish Potluck - happens the following weekend. With the new members as the guests of honor, an All Parish Potluck is scheduled for 
The Fire Marshal has required us to add a fire suppression system to the stove. The Vestry has approved $3000.00 for this safety feature. We also replaced 8 sets of emergency exit lights in the church.
Our organ has had some electronic glitches this Christmas. Nathan lost the use of the pedal section just before the Caballeros Christmas Concert. Tom Graham is replacing switching sound boards to isolate the intermittent problem.
