Abundant Lite

May 28, 2009

The Abundant Lite The Day of Pentecost May 28, 2009 For Sunday May 31st From The Rector The Feast of God's Spirit The day of Pentecost is a celebration of God's Spirit taking hold of the early disciples and beginning to build the heavenly community on earth. It was the first step in expanding circles of God's welcoming invitation to ALL. As you heard in my sermon a few weeks ago, the Pentecost experience of Jewish pilgrims to Jerusalem - from virtually everywhere -  was followed by the pentecost of Samaria, the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch, and the Gentile pentecost experienced by the family of Cornelius. Could it be any clearer that God's Spirit is seeking to invite and engage an ever widening community of faith? The reading that I have featured for this week views this process from the perspective of our hope and longing for our fulfillment in God's redemption. It is not a hope that we have alone, but it is evidently the hope of all creation. God's Holy Spirit is our help, support and sign of God's promise. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. The Spirit helps us to extend the arc of our hope when we are discouraged. Brokenness and fear are replaced with reconciliation and hope. The Genesis story of the tower of Babel begins this process and the story of Pentecost shows its fulfillment. The multiplicity of languages that divided humankind as they sought to blaze their own trail to God's realm, became the vehicle of grace when all those pilgrims heard the wonderful deeds of God in their own native tongue. The unity we cannot achieve through our own striving becomes a gift at God's invitation. Those we have previously marked as outsiders, strangers, or even enemies are revealed to be the beloved of God - as are we. Join us this weekend, as in our worship we celebrate the multiplicity of calling and ministry, and unite in one communion with Christ - all made possible by the Holy Spirit we share. Fr. Andrew See people tell their story. I am Episcopalian Featured Scripture Romans 8:22-27 (NRSV) We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Celebrate the Abundant Life! Appreciation Luncheon This Sunday! This Sunday will mark the culmination of our month long celebration of all of you who give so generously of your time and talent to the Abundant Life we are so blessed to share at St. Paul in the Desert. Our ability to offer ministry and mission to God's people grows exponentially when we all bring our gifts and skills to the table.   Everyone is invited!  We hope to see the whole "family" at the celebration.  It will be a relaxing afternoon of food, fellowship and fun-and all of you are the special guests! 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 Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog The Painted Prayerbook Listen to Sermons Housekeeping: Secure Giving and Statement Changes   Looking For Some Help Specific Ministries Need Ministers Coffee Hour Fun - Ray and Cheryl Kelley have gathered a group who want to take our Coffee Hour Fellowship to a new level. My Favorite Dish is the theme for hosts of our 8 and 10:30 Coffee Hours. If you want to join in the hosting fun, more information is available here. Communications and PR - One of the goals that our Vestry has adopted is to improve our internal and external communications at St. Paul in the Desert. Members who have experience in developing communication strategies are needed. Please reply here. There is need for people who will help develop the plan and be done, as well as people who are interested in implementing the plan. Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion Ingathering of Gifts Profiles Saturday Evening 4:00 p.m. Sunday Morning 8 a.m. Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m. Children Welcome in Worship Children's Choir Sings 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. ST. PAUL MOVIE  NIGHTS FREE in the Parish Hall 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." Saturday, June 13, 7 PM --West Side Story N.Y.Times: "cinema masterpiece" West Side Story (1961) starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno and many more. Winner of 10 Academy Awards. Chips or sodas available for 50 cents Upcoming Funerals Christopher Glaize Friday, May 29 at 11 am Edmund Lormar, Jr. Saturday, May 30 at 10:30 am John Prince Services pending Summer Sundays @ 9:15 Teach Us To Pray: A Six-Week Study on the Lord's Prayer Taking the Lord's Prayer clause by clause, Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie examines how this prayer - given by Jesus in response to a request from his disciples for guidance on how to pray - contains the very essence of Christian teaching. The series begins Sunday, June 7 at 9:15 a.m. in the Chapel in the Parish Hall.  Bring your Bibles!   Divine Diners Summer Pot-Luck Celebration Saturday, June 6th at 6 pm Please join us for the kick-off planning pot-luck dinner of the 2009-10 Divine Diners Season: Saturday, June 6th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Roger Allen and Taylor Baird, 861 E. Granvia Valmonte in Palm Springs. (One block south of Ruth Hardy Park) Bring: 1. Your favorite dish. 2. Several dates (September 2009 thru early 2010) that you will be willing to host your Divine Diners Group (8 people) at your home, in a park, at a restaurant, a clubhouse or wherever. The event may be dinner, brunch, or whatever. All events are pot-luck or "dutch." Singles, those with a small home or for any other reason, who would like to pair-up with another member of Divine Diners are welcome to do so. Call Taylor or Roger now at 760-832-8154 to acknowledge your intended participation at the Summer Celebration and throughout the 2009-10 Divine Diners Year. Vestry Goals From May Vestry Retreat On May 1-3 all members of the Vestry and our staff clergy had a retreat facilitated by Suzanne Foucault. We met in Ontario, CA and worked at building relationships, learning about the nuts and bolts of Vestry Leadership, and establishing goals for the parish. It was a time of work, play, and prayer. Here are the 5 Goals we will be organizing our work around: Assess long term maintenance and repair of capital facilities and projected costs, over next 30 years Develop a five-year plan for financing annual operations    Develop a program to increase the number of families with special emphasis on gay families with children Develop a comprehensive, effective communication plan resulting in a well-informed leadership, congregation, and community Develop a better system for identifying and connecting with guests and visitors Response to the Supreme Court's Decision Profound Disappointment May Become Call to Change After my own reading, listening to some talking heads, and personal reflection, Tuesday's decision to validate the process for putting Proposition 8 on the ballot was expected, but nevertheless profoundly disappointing to me. For many Gay and Lesbian people across the state and nation, as well as in our own parish the news was received as another sign of their status as second class citizens. I do not believe that this is the last word on the subject and I believe that a word of hope is needed. For me the bottom line is that Gay and Lesbian couples should have the same fundamental rights as "traditional" couples. This includes all the rights that come with marriage, including the right to describe themselves as MARRIED. My commitment to Civil Rights is not in conflict with my Christian Faith, but springs from my faith. When we rehearse our Baptismal Vows and promise to strive for justice and peace with all people and respect the dignity of every human being, I have learned to see the faces of all our people, not one group or another. When I promise to seek and serve Christ in others, I have learned to look to those who have been left on the margins. Our Mission Statement describes St. Paul's as a Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive Community. None of these thoughts should be a surprise to anyone in the parish. The care we offer to all people in our parish is not new. We have been blessing relationships for years and inviting all couples to strive for the holiness that comes from a vital relationship with Christ. Some believe that we go too far, and some not far enough. We can never out-do God in blessing one another. God gave Jesus as ultimate blessing. When we lift Jesus up, others are drawn to him and to us. How can we not bless with our prayer and encouragement, those whom God has blessed with the gift of Jesus? How can we not stand up for those whose fundamental rights are denied? I look forward to and will work tirelessly for a time when the civil rights of Gay and Lesbian people are secured and their access to all of the church's sacraments is not restricted by anything but God's invitation.   Faithfully, Andrew Green 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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May 21, 2009

The Abundant Lite Easter VII May 21, 2009 For Sunday May 24th From The Rector The Church's First Selection Process How do we select leaders in the church? There are many ways that are used to select leaders, lay and ordained. Those who are ordained generally have a more formal process, but there is a process for all. In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles for this Sunday, the 11 who have been sent out by Jesus (=Apostles) need to complete their leadership team by replacing Judas. It is a simple process, they identify those who knew Jesus and who are known by the other leaders. Two are qualified and they draw lots for the selection. From this point on selection processes will become, on the whole, more complicated. However, the 2 issues in this selection still apply. People who are chosen should be followers of Jesus, they should know Jesus, and they should be known by the community of faith. This is not perfect, and the scriptures talk of leaders who do more harm for the community of faith than good. However, the knowing and being known are a good rule of thumb. When someone is experienced to be a faithful follower and a natural leader they are often encouraged to discern new leadership opportunities, lay or ordained. When someone comes from outside our community, they need time to know us and we need time to experience them as people of faith and people in community as a part of discerning leadership. We try hard not to be too quick. Sometimes we err on the side of being too slow. As we celebrate the abundance of ministry that is being offered to God and people in our community, it is good to remember that leadership in the church has always had a broad base. St. Paul in the Desert is a community of people in ministry, with a variety of gifted leaders. We are not a collection of attenders who simply hire the Ministers. Sunday by Sunday we praise God in our worship, and lift up any and all ministry that serves God, the church, and the people of our wider community. As we do this we are constantly becoming aware of more - more that is needed, more that is being done, and more that could be done. People are regularly called to ministry and leadership as we gather to celebrate God's abundance. Join us. Fr. Andrew See people tell their story. I am Episcopalian Featured Scripture Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 (NRSV) In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus-- for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. Abundant Living: Ministry Breaks Out! Spotlight on Lay Leadership This Sunday we will be blessed to hear from the third of 3 members who give generously of their time and talent to support and grow our worship, our fellowship, and our common life. This Weekend's Lay Leader Spotlight falls on Joan Dillingham. Joan has been a member of St. Paul's for 9 years. She is most visible as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV). She has also offered her gifts as a facilitator for Adult Formation and she is active with the Nursing Home Ministry, ECW and Tuesday Night Bible Studies. These 3 are only a small representation of the abundant ministries offered by members of our Parish. Save the Date! May 31st. Lay Ministry Appreciation Celebration. Food, Fellowship and recognitions after the 10:30 service. 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 Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog The Painted Prayerbook Listen to Sermons Housekeeping: Secure Giving and Statement Changes   Tuesday Night Bible Study Concludes 1 & 2 Samuel Finished! The intrepid Tuesday Night Bible Studies participants just concluded a rollicking 13 week romp through the books of First and Second Samuel.  In addition to an engaging exploration of Scripture, all of those who took the journey made new friends and deepened their appreciation of the amazing people we have in this family of faith.  Way to go.  Congratulations to all of you! Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion Ministry Witness - Joan Dillingham 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. ST. PAUL MOVIE  NIGHTS FREE in the Parish Hall 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." Saturday, June 13, 7 PM --West Side Story N.Y.Times: "cinema masterpiece" West Side Story (1961) starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno and many more. Winner of 10 Academy Awards. Chips or sodas available for 50 cents Upcoming Funerals F. Thomas Kieley, Jr Sat. May 23 at 10 am Led by the Rev. Stephanie Parker & the Rev. Ken McCullen, Palm Springs Presbyterian Church Christopher Glaize Tentatively May 29 at 11 am Edmund Lormar, Jr. Sat. May 30 at 10:30 am John Prince Services pending Summer Sundays @ 9:15 Teach Us To Pray: A Six-Week Study on the Lord's Prayer Taking the Lord's Prayer clause by clause, Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie examines how this prayer - given by Jesus in response to a request from his disciples for guidance on how to pray - contains the very essence of Christian teaching. The series begins Sunday, June 7 at 9:15 a.m. in the Chapel in the Parish Hall.  Bring your Bibles!   Divine Diners Summer Pot-Luck Celebration Saturday, June 6th at 6 pm Please join us for the kick-off planning pot-luck dinner of the 2009-10 Divine Diners Season: Saturday, June 6th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Roger Allen and Taylor Baird, 861 E. Granvia Valmonte in Palm Springs. (One block south of Ruth Hardy Park) Bring: 1. Your favorite dish. 2. Several dates (September 2009 thru early 2010) that you will be willing to host your Divine Diners Group (8 people) at your home, in a park, at a restaurant, a clubhouse or wherever. The event may be dinner, brunch, or whatever. All events are pot-luck or "dutch." Singles, those with a small home or for any other reason, who would like to pair-up with another member of Divine Diners are welcome to do so. Call Taylor or Roger now at 760-832-8154 to acknowledge your intended participation at the Summer Celebration and throughout the 2009-10 Divine Diners Year. Important News! Parish Quarterly Finance Report A Quarterly Report of Parish Income and Expenses was mailed last week to all members. You can read the letter and the summary report here. General Convention is Coming The 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will convene in Anaheim for 10 days in July. Fr. Andrew is one of four clergy who, along with 4 Lay Persons, are deputies for the convention. You can learn about the convention here. (Check p.13 to find the difference between a delegate and a deputy.) Fr. Andrew will serve on the Prayerbook, Liturgy, and Music Committee. You can read more about the work on tap for Committee 13 here. Finally, we will be engaging in our work together with a view towards building community around our personal stories and experience. You can learn more about the Public Narrative Project here. In the weeks ahead there will be opportunities to learn about the work of the General Convention. Fr. Fred Myers New Vicar of St. Anthony's Desert Hot Springs Welcome him at 10 am June 7 Fr. Fred Myers has been a staple part of our parish for the last 6 years. Fr. Fred is the new Vicar of St. Anthony's in Desert Hot Springs. His first Sunday, as Vicar, will be June 7th. It would be great to have members of St. Paul in the Desert join with the people of St. Anthony's on that first Sunday. The church is near the corner of Mountain View and 20th, south of Dillon Rd and east of Gene Autry/Palm. 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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May 14, 2009

From:	Fr. Andrew Green <stpaulsepiscopal@dc.rr.com>
Subject:	News from St. Paul in the Desert
Reply:	stpaulsepiscopal@dc.rr.com

The Abundant Lite Easter VI May 14, 2009 For Sunday May 17th From The Rector What is Jesus' Command? Last week, we reflected on abiding. In my sermon I reflected on Abiding, Ablating, and Abounding. All this from the 8 verses of John's Gospel that precede this Sunday's Gospel. I was constrained in my reflections because there was 1 word missing. The word was missing from our Gospel selection, but not from the reading from 1st John. That word is love. We were told that we would abide with Jesus if we obeyed his command. This week we receive that command. We are to love one another as Jesus has loved us. Jesus makes love simple - and costly. We are more comfortable with complexity and the freedom from cost that comes from ambiguity. Jesus asks us to act in ways that honor the essential dignity of others, even if it means putting aside our preferences and our prejudices. For Jesus it meant putting aside his divine perks in favor of enabling reconciliation between God and all that was created - humanity included. This work of loving one another can be challenging, at least from my perspective. A friend, the Very Rev. Nicholas Knisley reflected recently (on facebook) that differences appear larger as we get closer to one another. The apparent differences make abiding in love even more important. Join us in worship this weekend as we encourage one another to abide with Christ through loving. Fr. Andrew See people tell their story. I am Episcopalian Featured Scripture John 15:9-17 (NRSV) Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." Abundant Living: Ministry Breaks Out! Spotlight on Lay Leadership For the next 2 Sundays we will be blessed to hear from members who give generously of their time and talent to support and grow our worship, our fellowship, and our common life. This Weekend's Lay Leader Spotlight falls on John Hampson. John has been a member of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert for 27 years. John is involved in many ministries around the church, including: name tags, sound technician, worship coordinator, acolyte and vestry, just to name a few! Thank you John Hampson. Next week the Spotlight will be on Joan Dillingham. These 3 are only a small representation of the abundant ministries offered by members of our Parish. Save the Date! May 31st. Lay Ministry Appreciation Celebration. Food, Fellowship and recognitions after the 10:30 service. 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 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 Ministry Witness - John Hampson 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. ST. PAUL MOVIE  NIGHTS FREE in the Parish Hall 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." Saturday, June 13, 7 PM --West Side Story N.Y.Times: "cinema masterpiece" West Side Story (1961) starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno and many more. Winner of 10 Academy Awards. Chips or sodas available for 50 cents Upcoming Funerals F. Thomas Kieley, Jr Sat. May 23 at 10 am Led by the Rev. Ken McCullen, Palm Springs Presbyterian Church Edmund Lormar, Jr. Sat. May 30 at 10:30 am St. Paul's a Polling Place All Day Tuesday May 19 The entryway to the church will serve as a polling place for next week's election. Using the church frees some public schools from service and conflict as polling places. Important News! Parish Quarterly Finance Report A Quarterly Report of Parish Income and Expenses was mailed last week to all members. You can read the letter and the summary report here. General Convention is Coming The 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will convene in Anaheim for 10 days in July. Fr. Andrew is one of four clergy who, along with 4 Lay Persons, are deputies for the convention. You can learn about the convention here. (Check p.13 to find the difference between a delegate and a deputy.) Fr. Andrew will serve on the Prayerbook, Liturgy, and Music Committee. You can read more about the work on tap for Committee 13 here. Finally, we will be engaging in our work together with a view towards building community around our personal stories and experience. You can learn more about the Public Narrative Project here. In the weeks ahead there will be opportunities to learn about the work of the General Convention. Summer Sundays @ 9:15 Teach Us To Pray: A Six-Week Study on the Lord's Prayer Taking the Lord's Prayer clause by clause, Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie examines how this prayer - given by Jesus in response to a request from his disciples for guidance on how to pray - contains the very essence of Christian teaching. The series begins Sunday, June 7 at 9:15 a.m. in the Chapel in the Parish Hall.  Bring your Bibles!   Fr. Fred Myers New Vicar of St. Anthony's Desert Hot Springs Beginning June 7 Fr. Fred Myers has been a staple part of our parish for the last 6 years. He has led worship, preached, and taught occasionally. He has also provided the leadership of our Nursing Home Eucharists and been the receptionist and made our worship booklets. You may wonder why you have not seen him every week. He has often been the Supply Priest at churches in the Diocese. This week Fr. Fred was invited to be the Vicar of St. Anthony's in Desert Hot Springs and he accepted. His first Sunday will be June 7th. This allows Fred to resume an important part of his vocation, leading a congregation. It will also lead to his departure from his weekday responsibilities at St. Paul in the Desert. This transition may take a little longer and Fred may supply for us on Saturday's from time to time. We wish Fred and his partner Ed all of God's blessings as they embark on this new adventure. 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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May 7, 2009

The Abundant Lite Easter V May 7, 2009 For Sunday May 10th From The Rector To Abide or Not to Abide Abide is a bit of an old fashioned word. I most often think of the hymn, Abide With Me, that is often used at funerals. Don't get me wrong. I want to abide with God in the hereafter. However, I think Jesus is much more interested in how abiding makes us fruitful disciples - now. We abide with Christ when we obey Christ. We abide in Jesus when we do what Jesus asked us to do. What must we do? What command must we obey? In a word, Love. Today's gospel selection does not mention the word, but it is all about love. The first connection to love is the structure that Jesus lifts up. He does not offer us a ladder of authority, but an organic connection as vine and branches. In human relationships that can only be accomplished by loving care towards one another. The second is when he refers his commands and words. These refer specifically to his new commandment that we should love one another as he as loved us. Love is about our behavior towards one another, not our feelings. When we attend to one another in our prayers or in listening - we love. When we make way for one another - we love. When we gently and clearly speak up for who we are - we love. When we fill the Well in the Desert  and SOS baskets - we love. When we watch over those who are sick or in need - we love. When we speak up for those who have no one else - we love. This is just a tiny list. It is not intended to be complete or represent a particular agenda. It is about spurring us think of ways that Jesus has loved and we might love. Join us in worship this weekend and we spur one another to abide with Christ through loving. Fr. Andrew See people tell their story. I am Episcopalian Featured Scripture John 15:1-8 (NRSV) Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." Abundant Living: Ministry Breaks Out! Spotlight on Lay Leadership For the next 3 Sundays we will be blessed to hear from members who give generously of their time and talent to support and grow our worship, our fellowship, and our common life. This Weekend's Lay Leader Spotlight falls on Mike Carson. Mike and his partner Ron have been members of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert for about 5 years.  Mike serves on the vestry as Junior Warden. He is the "Party Czar" and fulfills a number of other roles and needs of our parish. Thank you, Mike Carlson. Next week the Spotlight will be on John Hampson, and the following week it will be on Joan Dillingham. These 3 are only a small representation of the abundant ministries offered by members of our Parish. Save the Date! May 31st. Lay Ministry Appreciation Celebration. Food, Fellowship and recognitions after the 10:30 service. 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 Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog The Painted Prayerbook Listen to Sermons Housekeeping: Secure Giving and Statement Changes   Fair Trade Day Learning Creation Stewardship This Saturday is World Fair Trade Day. At. St. Paul's we are working to use Fair Trade Coffee in our fellowship. You can learn more here. Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion Ministry Witness - Mike Carson 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. 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." Saturday, June 13, 7 PM --West Side Story N.Y.Times: "cinema masterpiece" West Side Story (1961) starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno and many more. Winner of 10 Academy Awards. Chips or sodas available for 50 cents Upcoming Funerals Robert Philippsen Sat. May 9 at 10 am F. Thomas Kieley, Jr Sat. May 23 at 10 am Led by Dr. Bill Johnson, Palm Springs Presbyterian Church Edmund Lormar, Jr. Sat. May 30 at 10:30 am Bp. Mathes Town Hall Tonite at St. Paul's 7 pm Bp. Mathes will offer a brief Bible Study, a presentation, and respond to your questions. Tonight at 7 pm in the Church. Fr. Fred Myers New Vicar of St. Anthony's Desert Hot Springs Beginning June 7 Fr. Fred Myers has been a staple part of our parish for the last 6 years. He has led worship, preached, and taught occasionally. He has also provided the leadership of our Nursing Home Eucharists and been the receptionist and made our worship booklets. You may wonder why you have not seen him every week. He has often been the Supply Priest at churches in the Diocese. This week Fr. Fred was invited to be the Vicar of St. Anthony's in Desert Hot Springs and he accepted. His first Sunday will be June 7th. This allows Fred to resume an important part of his vocation, leading a congregation. It will also lead to his departure from his weekday responsibilities at St. Paul in the Desert. This transition may take a little longer and Fred may supply for us on Saturday's from time to time. We wish Fred and his partner Ed all of God's blessings as they embark on this new adventure.   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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