April 30, 2009

The Abundant Lite Easter IV April 30, 2009 For Sunday May 3rd From The Rector Do We Have Other Sheep? This is Good Shepherd Sunday. We read one of several passages from the Gospels which depict Jesus as the Good Shepherd. It is interesting that the earliest of representations we have of Jesus, depict him with a lamb around his neck. Either he is rescuing the lamb or he is bringing the lamb home. In the passage that we read, Jesus says that he has other sheep to whom he must go, sheep that are not of this flock. They are not of the same flock, but he tells us they will respond to his voice. He will bring them in and make the many flocks, one. I see this as an opportunity for us followers of Jesus. He was often looking after those who were not part of the the flock. We should be doing something like that, too. If we would be good shepherds. As Christians, we should have friends who are not Christian, not church people. (I don't mean find likely candidates for church invites.) We should know folks who are not part of the flock. It may be that they will recognize Jesus voice in our sincere compassion. We may hear it in theirs. I am writing this from Gene Camp, a Metropolitan Water District Outpost above Parker dam on the Colorado River. I am hear at the invitation of some members of the Desert Water Agency Board who are also members of the parish. I am learning about how the Colorado River affects our lives in the Coachella Valley. I am meeting and eating with sheep from several other flocks. I am listening for the voice of Jesus out in another Desert. I invite sheep from all flocks to join St. Paul's in joyful worship this weekend. Fr. Andrew See people tell their story. I am Episcopalian Featured Scripture John 10:11-18 (NRSV) Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-- and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father." Abundant Living: Open House - Great Time! Our House -- Your House -- God's House Many of our worshipers participated in this inaugural event for our focus on the stewardship of ministries. Thanks to Cheryl and Ray Kelley for leading the Open House and thanks to all the ministry leaders who provided snack tid-bits and ministry witnesses. More people saw more parts of our campus than they knew were there. Many people saw how God's abundance is reflected in the many ministries that were represented. It was an amazing scene of fellowship! And there's more!  Don't forget to save the date for Pentecost on May 31st as well.  We will celebrate our ministries and recognize all of you who make them happen. Links Be Informed: Anglican Communion The Episcopal Church Diocese of San Diego I Am Episcopalian Make a Difference: Episcopal Relief and Development Episcopal Community Services Epis. Public Policy Network Global Reconciliation The Well in the Desert Dorcas House Think, Reflect, Pray: Our Bishop Blogs New Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog The Painted Prayerbook Listen to Sermons Housekeeping: Secure Giving and Statement Changes   Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion Saturday Evening 4:00 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. An informal Holy Communion in the Library, with shared reflections. Camp Stevens Sunday May 3 On May 3 we will recognize the gift of Camp Stevens to our diocese and parish. It is 256 acres of live oak with a staff that feels like family. There are programs for children and adults. Schedules are available at the church entry and in the parish hall. A special offering will be received for the work of Camp Stevens. Read More> SOS Returns! May 8 Hap Blaisdell and Mark Calkins (co-chairmen of the 2009 SOS program at St. Paul in the Desert) are happy to announce that St. Paul's will begin hosting the Services and Overnight Shelter (SOS) group Friday evening, May 8th.  The 2009 program is expected to continue every Friday evening until the end of November.  We can expect to host overnight each Friday evening up to 25 homeless guests who are participants in this well-organized outreach program.  Our team of volunteers from St. Paul's will set up, provide and serve food and have the opportunity to interact with these guests.  A sign-up schedule will be posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall starting 4/26.        There will be a meeting of interested volunteers in the Parish Hall at 9:15 on Sunday 5/3.  Please join us if you are interested and learn what's planned for the homeless in our area...and how you can help.  We really want your input and your participation.  If you have any questions, e-mail Hap at HapBl@aol.com or phone 323-5726. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Luncheon May 6 at 12 noon The Episcopal Church Women and Daughters of the King are joining together to present a deeply moving Easter Reader's Theatre called, The Gathered Women, on Wednesday, May 6th at noon. We will meet in the parish hall for salad lunch, the reading will follow. All are invited to hear how the women who followed Jesus felt the day before the Resurrection. The business meeting is at 11:00 a.m. ST. PAUL MOVIE  NIGHTS FREE in the Parish Hall   SATURDAY, MAY 9TH, 7 PM -- Music and Lyrics PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: "The two generate more heart than they do heat, but that's the point. You want to see them together not just because they're adorable, but because you believe that their characters can take each other to a place neither could get to on their own."   SATURDAY, MAY 30TH, 7 PM -- Henry Poole is Here ROGER EBERT: "..achieves something that is uncommonly difficult. It is a spiritual movie with the power to emotionally touch believers, agnostics and atheists -- in that descending order, I suspect. It doesn't say that religious beliefs are real. It simply says that belief is real. And it's a warm-hearted love story."   Chips or sodas available for 50 cents Also Movie Night June 13th, title to-be-announced 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.

St. Paul in the Desert | 125 W El Alameda | Palm Springs | CA | 92262

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