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 From the Rector
Some Worship Musings I will not be reflecting on the Beatitudes. Listen for Mother Stephanie's sermon this Sunday.There are 3 devotional additions to our St. Paul's worship which I want to highlight. Pew Shepherds - These are folks who watch out for the other worshipers in their seating area. They learn their names. They inquire after their health. They miss them if they are away. They check in. They let the Parish Leadership know if follow-up is needed. Are you a Pew Shepherd? I would like to hear from you. This is a sign of informal, grass-roots pastoral care that is something of a self-organizing system. Imagine how blessed you feel when someone other than the priests notice and care about your presence. Hands Extended for Communion - Worshipers have been invited to extend their hands as they come forward for Holy Communion. It is a physical sign of the openness, willingness, and desire to receive the blessings that God showers upon us. It seems that about 25% of our worshipers find this devotion a blessing. Look for it. Mutual Hand Movements - At Clergy Conference, Marva Dawn, reminded us that "The Lord be with you/And also with you," came from Ruth 2:4. Boaz greets his workers and they respond as a sign of respect and affection. They invite God's blessing upon one another. So when the Presider says, "The Lord be with you," they extend their hands in invitation, in extension of God's blessing. The congregation is invited, when they say, "And also with you," to extend their hands to the Presider, mutually inviting God's blessing. Careful of those around you, lest you get too enthusiastic in your blessing and jostle them. For what it is worth: When thinking about these practices remember, "All may, Some will, None must." Join us in worship this weekend as we joyfully practice the Blessings of God. Fr. Andrew A story of unexpected blessing from visitors. Last night a couple came to our Wednesday 6 pm Communion. Reflecting on a reading from the end of 1st Peter, the woman related an experience in Idylwild. They went to a restaurant that was closed. A neighbor saw them and offered assistance. They said they wanted to go in and get something to drink. The neighbor said, "If that is all you want." He went in to his home, got 2 bottles of water and some brochures about the community. They went on their way, blessed. 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. |
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Elizabeth was a long time member of St. Paul's. Her daughter, Kitty, and son, Tom, are also members.
The Rev. Barry Woods died at Eisenhower Medical Center in
Rancho Mirage.
Each
year 
Over the course of his ministry, David has worked with a variety of|
You Might Have Noticed Did you get a Card?  Some members of the Caring Ministry are pictured at a recent meeting. They are the ministry that send out cards, make phone calls, visit shut-ins and practice caring.  New Coffee Hour Sign-Ups This is the New and Improved COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP! You are invited to sign-up for hosting at the 8 or the 10:30 or both! In addition the Parish Party Czar has offered a set of expectations and hints for a successful Coffee Hour Hosting. It should be fun and fairly simple. You or your group or clique or constituency or posse can sign-up this Sunday.  From the Sublime to the Interesting, to the Very Mundane Our sewer system is having trouble. The pipes drain to a sump and we pump it to the sewer. One pump is broken, as are the automatic switches. If you see someone in the middle of this planting, don't run away, they are pumping the sump. Our Jr. Warden is in the final stages of a plan to replace the pumps. When it happens, it will require that no water be used in sink or toilet for about 3 days. He will try to make sure this does not happen on a Sunday. |
| 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. |
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St. Paul in the Desert | 125 W El Alameda | Palm Springs | CA | 92262
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Dr. Lundblad is an ordained minister
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, she served 16 years as a
parish pastor in New York City, as well as campus pastor at Lehman
College and New York University. She has taught preaching at Yale
Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College,
and in the D.Min. program of the Association of Chicago Theological
Schools. In 2007, she served as president of the Academy of Homiletics.
Nathan Ensign Shined!
Each
year 
Bill & Carol
Mary Lou
Richard
rayers of blessed memory for those beloved companions who had died.
Each
year 
Each
year 
