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

Send a test version of your email to yourself, and to others including a personal message. Up to  5  addresses may be entered separated by a comma ",".

Email Address(es): wrector@earthlink.net (Separate multiple addresses with a comma ",") Personal Note: Send both HTML & Text versions

View Html Version View Text Version View Printable Version