| Worship Schedule |
All Services include Holy Communion
Saturday Evening 4:00 p.m. Sermon-The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch 8:00 a.m. Sermon-The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m. Sermon-The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
Godly Play at 10:30 in Parish Hall
Children Welcome in Worship Childcare is available on Sunday Mornings
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| Wednesday Holy Communion |
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Wednesday Evening Worship in the Library located in the parish office building. 
Everyone is invited to this informal service of reflection and Holy Communion. The service begins at 6:00 p.m.
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| Watch Sermons |
View recent sermons and other video material on-line.
We post the sermons from Sunday's services on YouTube. Our YouTube Channel is named: stpaulinthedesert
Click here to view last Sunday's 10:30 am sermon
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| Calendar Connection |
Find out what is on the schedule at St. Paul In The Desert anytime from your own computer.
Just click on this link and connect with the Parish Calendar and Calendar of Outside Meetings (AA, NA, OA, etc.)
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| Emergency Contacts |
Call the main switchboard, (760) 320-7488, during business hours (Tues-Fri, 9:00-4:30 except during lunch, 11:30-1:00)
After hours call, (760) 323-4028, to reach the Priest on Call when the church office is closed.
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| Hospital Visits |
 If you are admitted to the hospital and would like a clergy visit or wish to receive Holy Communion during your hospital stay, please contact the church office at (760) 320-7488, ext. 0, or have a family member or friend call on your behalf. Privacy laws prohibit the hospital from notifying us directly regarding patient admissions.
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| Join Our List |
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| Contact Information |
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert -- -- -- 125 W El Alameda Palm Springs, CA 92262 -- -- -- Ph. 760.320.7488 Fax: 760.416.2441 Email: info@stpaulinthedesert.com
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From The Rector
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Time To Stand Up
I believe that this is such an important issue that instead of reflecting on the Scripture for this weekend, I want to make a clear statement about bullying - It is not welcome here and all people of good will, especially Christians, should stand against it. I have been saddened by the death by suicide of 18 year old Tyler Clementi last week. Sad, and then angry, when I learned of the bullying which led to his death. This was personal for me. As a teenager, I was bullied. I was picked on by others. I was picked on because I was small and because I had a big mouth. Both of these things that made me vulnerable changed and no bullying has followed me. I was lucky. Tyler was not. Tyler Clementi was bullied because he was Gay and that would not change, could not change. None of us can know what went on in his mind as he weighed his options when he was publicly outed and humiliated. To me, it is clear that his heart and spirit were broken. I have heard the stories of members of our parish and other Gay and Lesbian friends who have found themselves at the brink and seriously considered suicide. The bullying that led to Tyler's death is not a freak occurrence. It happens too often and is often treated as if it is harmless - especially by those of us who should know better. I have not been changed into the expert on bully prevention, but I want to be counted as a champion of those who are targets, who feel powerless and defenseless. I want our church to be a safe place and to be champions as well. The Jesus we read about week after week lifted up those who were down and confronted those who used power to manipulate and harm. We should do this, too. Bullying is violent, serious behavior and needs to be treated as such. It is not welcome here. I intend to start by learning and relearning about this hateful practice. I invite you to look at some resources that might help. Join us this week as we gather to make our worship a safe and joyful place for all.
Fr. Andrew
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| Featured Scripture |
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Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
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Free Flu Shots!
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The Palm Springs Family Care Center at 1515 N. Sunrise (next to the Desert AIDS Project) is offering Free Flu Shots daily from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. with no appointment needed. |
Brunch for All Saints
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Sunday, October 31st at 12:00 Noon
Tickets are only $5.00.
Bring one or more framed photos of departed loved ones to place on your dining table, so they are with us on this day of remembrance.
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| Holy Communion at Windsor Court |
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Holy Communion, Wed. Oct. 13th @ 10:00 am
To be held at Windsor Court, presided over by Fr. Fred Myers. Fr. Fred always welcomes assistance at Communion. Recipients are extremely grateful that The Church of St. Paul in the Desert provides this service for them
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| Abundant Living Action Team |
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GRACE, GRATITUDE, GENEROSITY 
--is our Stewardship Theme for this Year. This is a natural spiritual progression that we experience on a regular basis here at St. Paul in the Desert. You'll be hearing more about the power of "Grace, Gratitude, Generosity" at work in our Parish in the coming weeks and months.
Be on the lookout for the Hottest Ticket in Town! The invitations for the Festive Dinners sponsored by the Abundant Living Action Team and the Action Team Associates will be mailed at the end of this week! You'll be receiving an invitation for one of 2 evenings - either November 13th or 14th at 5 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Mrs. Terry Mathes, the accomplished wife of our Bishop! People are still talking about the fun and fellowship of last year's Festive Dinners.
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Blessing of the Animals Draws a Crowd
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About 60 people brought 35 dogs for a joyful celebration of God's love on October 2nd. Beloved animal companions were blessed. Food was donated to Animal Samaritans. One dog received an identification chip. Departed friends were remembered.

Thanks to Neal Boden and the Animal Samaritans for helping to host this event.
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WALK with the Team
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Desert AIDS WALK Saturday, October 23rd 
You are invited to join the Desert Episcopalians as we walk to support people living with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley. We need people to join us for the Walk. We will meet at the Church for a brief worship service at 8:00 AM. Then we will walk to Ruth Hardy Park for the WALK. Join the team by signing up after church on Sunday. Or Join the Team on-line.
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| In Remembrance |
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Parishioner, Ron Hull died on Sept. 19. His service will be on Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul in the Desert.
Harlan "Moose" Moore, husband of Parishioner Ginny Moore died on Sept. 22. His service was held at the American Legion, Owen Coffman Post 519 in Palm Springs on Saturday, October 2nd.
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| Dessert at Desert SOS |
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St. Paul in the Desert serves Dessert at Desert SOS
 Beginning the first Monday of October, St. Paul in the Desert volunteers began serving dessert to the guests at Roy's Resource Center EVERY Monday. Hap Blaisdell, coordinator, said, "We are the only group providing this service, and it has been very well received. Our volunteers, too, have found their involvement very rewarding over the past several months." He added, "Our initial concerns about being unable to interact with the guests proved to be unfounded, as the opportunities are clearly there." 60 -90 guests are typical per night. Desserts often include sweets, fruit and ice cream bars. Guests are offered a variety and more than one item if they desire. The ongoing donations to the St. Paul SOS Fund continues to provide the ability for us to purchase large quantities of undergarments for the men, women and children staying at Roy's. Hap stated that, "In actuality, only 2 or 3 volunteers, per evening, could manage serving dessert, but due to the popularity of this ministry, we have frequently had 6 or more (including teens). On these occasions, we have been able to assist the kitchen staff by serving the main course as well." He added, "We arrive at Roy's at 5:30 to set up and we are able to leave by 7". Roy's is about a 12-minute drive from the church barring the construction challenges at the Indian Canyon interchange. Hap challenges each ministry to sign-up for a given Monday night. Signup sheets are posted in the Parish Hall for those of you who would like to serve and/or provide desserts. You may also contact Hap Blaisdell for more information at 760.323.5726.
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Mark Your Calendar!
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Upcoming Events You Won't Want To Miss!___________________________________________
All Parish Bar-B-QSaturday, October 9th
Enjoy Chez Andrew's world famous barbeque meats and reconnect with one another at the All Parish Bar-B-Q! Come join the fun and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 9th, as we break bread together and share our stories from the summer. Note: A few tickets still indicate the time at 5:00 p.m., but it is 11:30 a.m. Tickets are FREE and will be distributed at the Saturday and Sunday services in September and the first weekend in October. This is a not to be missed gathering!___________________________________________
A Celebration of Long Term Relationships Sunday, October 24th at 4:00 p.m.
St. Paul's will host a sung Evensong Service recognizing all gay and lesbian couples in long-term relationships. The service will include a blessing of those couples attending with a festive reception following in the Parish Hall. The entire Coachella Valley is invited to participate in this free event. To register by October 15th, please contact George at LTRcouplesPS@dc.rr.com or 760.992.3459 with the following information: names, address, telephone and e-mail, and how long you have been together. We would appreciate you passing this information on to your friends and neighbors.
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Adult Education Offerings Coming This Fall - Sundays @ 9:15 Episcopal 101, 201, and 301
Oct. 17, 24, and 31
Episcopal 101 - "An Introduction to the Episcopal Church"w/Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie
Nov. 7, 14, and 21
Episcopal 201 - "The Creeds: We Believe" w/Canon Victoria Hatch
Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and 12
Episcopal 301 - "Worship in the Anglican Tradition" w/Fr. Andrew Green To pre-register for one or more of these classes, call the church office at 760.320.7488, ext. 0.__________________________________________
Women's "Spiritual Facelift" Retreat
Saturday, October 23rd, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
A Day of Mindful, Soulful and Heartfelt "Rejuvenation" ... from the Inside Out! Come, seek, and find spiritual refreshment to restore, refresh, renew, and breathe new life into the beautiful self God has made you to be. To be held, Saturday, October 23rd. With registration at 9:30am to 10am. The Retreat Day immediately following from 10am to 3:30pm. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The total cost is $35.00. A lunch will be included.
The facilitator is Linda Chandler Smith. Linda has Masters Degrees in Sociology, Religion/Spirituality, and Pastoral Counseling. She has been a Social Worker, Researcher, Public Speaker, Retreat Facilitator, Campus Minister, Artist, and Instructor of Theology, Ethics, Psychology and Contemporary Spirituality. Linda is currently a Spiritual Director and Lifestyle/Wellness Consultant in private practice and lives in Palm Springs, CA.
For more information or to pre-register, call the parish office at 760.320.7488 ext. 0.
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| Family and Children's Ministry-Godly Play |
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 Godly Play, the name of our children's Sunday School, began last Sunday. Godly play is open on Sundays from 10:30 am through 11:30 am. This enables the children to take Communion with their parents. We invite St. Paul families to bring their young children to our first lesson and invite a friend or neighbor to come along and learn about Godly Play. Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language - parable,  sacred story, silence and liturgical action - helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence in their lives. Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture. For more information about the committee, contact Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949.
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| Coffee Hour Ministry |
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Coffee Hour
Drs. Eileen Upton and Don MacLean are the Coffee Hour Hosts for the 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hour and Cheryl and Ray Kelley, Louise Packham and Hap Blaisdell are the hosts of the 10:30 Coffee Hour. These Coffee Hours sound to be filled with scrumptous goodies and great fellowship. Be sure to join in on the festivities.
Coffee Hour Host(s) are always welcome to present their "Favorite Dishes" at the Sunday coffee hours. Sign up in Hogarth Hall to host Sunday's 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour. Contact Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725 for info.
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| Meeting Space and Parish Events |
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To schedule meeting space-
-for your group or ministry, please contact Br. Michael-Gregory at 760.320.7488, ext. 224, or email him at ministry.stpauls@dc.rr.com. He will reserve the space and will enter your meeting date, time, and location on the Parish's Master Calendar.  The library and conference room are often utilized by staff during office hours and classes and other meetings are held in these rooms both during office hours and in the evenings and weekends. The chapel (located in the parish hall) and the condo (behind the church office) are also frequently used by parishioners and outside groups. It will be important for individuals and groups who wish to hold a meeting at the church to reserve meeting space in advance, particularly as we kick-off our fall programs, to ensure that the location you want is, in fact, available. Thank you.
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| Newcomers: Information Please! |
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Any changes in your contact information?
 In September we will be gearing up for a whole new program year and will be inviting you to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find informative and enjoyable. For us to invite you to these events, we will need your current and accurate contact information. Please send your current information to vjwinters@dc.rr.com or if you are at church, please fill out the "Update Info" card in the pew pocket and place in the plate or give to an usher. Thank you.
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| I Love To Tell The Story |
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Our Church History
 An exciting new project is taking shape to document the history of St. Paul in the Desert. We are seeking photographs of the church building and its members from the past 71 years. If you have photographs you would like to share with the archivist, please tag the photos with your name, the year (if you know it), and the names of the church members in the photos. Bring the photos to the church and we will digitally scan them and return them safely to you. In addition, we are looking for stories about the building of the church, its history, and member anecdotes. Thank you for helping us bring a bit of our church's past out of the attic and into the light.
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Church Bulletin
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Bulletin Announcements To be included in announcements, submissions must be received by Tuesday 10 a.m. You may call Valerie Winters at 320-7488, ext. 227 or email at vjwinters@dc.rr.com
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Rides To Worship Needed
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Can you be a "Worship-Pool" provider? If you would be able to give a ride to church occasionally, to a member who is without transportation, please contact Br. Michael-Gregory. (760-320-7488 x224) |
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