|
|
The Abundant Lite
|
September 18, 2008
For Sunday September 21st
|
|
|
From t he Rector
Whose Harvest is This Anyway?
Mother
Stephanie and I were talking about the Gospel reading for this weekend.
One of her professors from seminary, Dr. Kathy Grieb, had suggested a
different focus for the story.
The pathos usually revolves
around the workers who think they should get more pay for their longer
hours, but don't. What must it be like to be a worker struggling to
make a living for your family, and not finding any work? Can you
imagine the happiness at even being able to take home 1 or 2 hour's
pay? How about the unbridled joy at receiving a days wage - enough to
feed and care for your family?
This story is incredibly good
news. Everybody receives enough. All receive a fair wage. Everyone is
put to work in God's vineyard! Why is it that we so often choose to
look at blessing of God's abundance as if it were a competition?
Let's practice looking at life with those who receive unexpected blessings. We practice this in worship every weekend.
If you have a brief story of unexpected blessing, share it with me. Give your name, email, and add your story in the comments section.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
Featured Scripture
Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus said, "The
kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning
to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for
the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out
about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and
he said to them, `You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you
whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about noon and
about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five o'clock he went
out and found others standing around; and he said to them, `Why are you
standing here idle all day?' They said to him, `Because no one has
hired us.' He said to them, `You also go into the vineyard.' When
evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, `Call the
laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then
going to the first.' When those hired about five o'clock came, each of
them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they
thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the
usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the
landowner, saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made
them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching
heat.' But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong;
did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs
to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are
you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the
first will be last."
|
The Tuesday Night Bible Study
Is Almost Full!
September 23, 2008
We will begin a study of the Gospel According Matthew
on Tuesday September 23rd continuing through
December 9th.
The class fills quickly so please sign up
early to insure we have enough books. To sign up please call
Father Fred in the Parish Office at 320-7488 ext. 221. The cost
of the book is $11.00. Scholarships to cover the cost of the book
are available.
|
Youth Group Meets
September 20 - 6-8:30 p.m.
The
Youth Group invites all teens and inbetweens, ages 11 to 18, to join
together on the 20th of September for our Fall kick-off activity. Bring your swim suits and appetites for a dinner/swim/meeting to the Ellenich's home from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Call Ronn to confirm and get directions at 327-0233. You are welcome to bring a friend.
See you there!
|
DOK
September 22 - 6 p.m.
Daughters of the King (DOK) will reconvene at a dinner meeting, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Bonnie Stroock's home.
Our
theme this year will involve preparing for the DOK National Triennial
next July in Anaheim. To attend this amazing and spiritual event is a
good reason to join us this year. Call Bonnie at 324-7949.
|
Newcomers Class
September 28 at 6 for Class
October 4-5 All Services for Joining
October 5 at 5:30 for Welcome Dinner
Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie will lead the class about joining St. Paul in the Desert. Members of the parish will help.
If
you are new to St. Paul's, if you have never been through this class,
or if you have been here for years and forgotten more than you want to
admit, sign up for this class.
The Class - 9/28 from 6-8 p.m.
The Joining (if you wish) -
All Services 10/4-5
The Welcoming - 10/5 at 5:30 p.m.
The newest family members are the guests. This is your chance!
Click Here to register. (Fill out the information and type NEWCOMER in the Comments Section)
|
New at Worship
Prayer and Music Changes
We
are changing the music in our 10:30 service beginning 9/28. In addition
we will use a new Eucharistic Prayer at both services on Sunday. Click here for a look at the new prayer.
|
|
Worship Schedule
All Services include
Holy Communion
Saturday Evening 5:30 p.m.Sunday Morning 8 a.m.
Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m.
Children Welcome in Worship
Godly Play 10:30 a.m.
Childcare also available
on Sunday Morning Wednesday Evening 6:00 p.m.In the library
Informal worship and shared reflection
|
Sam Harris Concert
For DAP and
Shelter from the Storm
Sunday, October 26, 7p.m.
 Sam Harris, star of Broadway stage and television performs in a Benefit Concert at St. Paul in the Desert.
Tickets are $50 with ALL proceeds going to the Desert AIDS Project and Shelter From the Storm.
The best way to buy is at tickets. Tickets may also be purchased with cash or check at the church office. The checks should be made out to Desert AIDS Project.
The concert is hosted by Mike Carson and Ron Steigerwalt in thanks for their 30th anniversary.
|
WALK with the Team
Desert AIDS Walk - October 25
You
are invited to join the St. Paul in the Desert Team as we walk to
support people living with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley.
You
can sign up to walk and raise money. You can support the Team without
walking. You can go to the event at Francis Stevens Park and learn
about how the AIDS Walk is going Green.
Join the team by signing up after church on Sunday. Or Join the Team on-line.
If you raise or donate at least $25, you will receive a Walk T-Shirt.
|
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar
September 22
Daughters of the King
September 23
Matthew Bible Study Begins
September 28
Newcomer Class
October 1
ECW Lunch
October 4
Blessing of the Animals
October 5
Welcoming Pot Luck
October 25
The Desert AIDS Walk
October 26
Sam Harris in Concert
November 1
Saturday Service Time Change
4:00 p.m.
November 2
Baptism Offered
November 9
Spirit of the Desert (ECS)
|
Fellowship Breaks Out at St. Paul's!
ALAT Blamed
 The
Abundant Living Action Team will be inviting members to House
Gatherings in October and November. They will be opportunities for
greater fellowship in our parish.
Your invitation will be mailed by the 25th of September.
If you have not received one by October 4th, call the Parish Office at 320-7488 x227.
|
Blessing of the Animals
Saturday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Save the date and join us for a service celebrating the blessings we
receive from sharing our lives with God's great gift of our animal
companions. There will be an opportunity to remember beloved pets who
have died.
Click here to save a place for your pet. (Only give your name, email, and in the comments, your pet's name and type.)
|
Abundant Life On-Line
September Issue
Our monthly Parish Newsletter, the Abundant Life is available in PDF form. Click here.
|
|
|
|
|
Spirit of the Desert
November 9, 2008 -- 12 Noon
SAVE THE DATE
 Each
year Episcopal Community Services honors outstanding citizens who have
contributed to improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable and needy
in the Coachella Valley. This year's award is dedicated
to Betty and Gerald Ford in recognition of their tireless work to improve the
living conditions of troubled people in the area and to support the Episcopal
Church. These efforts have endeared the Ford family to the people in the Coachella Valley and impacted the lives of so many
families and individuals.
Spirit
of the Desert will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Thunderbird Country
Club beginning at 12:00pm. The Club is located at 70-612 Highway 111,
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. Valet parking is provided.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Alyssa at (619) 228-2800 or email rsvp@ecscalifornia.org.
|
Mission Statement
God has invited us to share the Abundant Life of Jesus Christ,
through the Church of St. Paul in the Desert,
by serving Christ in others and by gathering
to praise and thank God in worship.
We are a Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive Community.
|
|
|
|
|
Each
year 
ovided. 
The
Abundant Living Action Team will be inviting members to House
Gatherings in October and November. They will be opportunites for
greater fellowship in our parish. If you have not received one by the
end of September, call the Parish Office at 320-7488 x221. 