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 Time To Wake Up
It is the call that I remember from my mother when I was young: Time to wake up.
As a child and teen, I fought it. Now I, more or less, embrace it. Sleeping in has gotten harder to accomplish. Only part of that is aging. A good part of it is that I feel like I have things to do and I want to get moving. Each morning there is much that can happen, and I want to be a part of it.
The Gospel selection and the reading from Romans that is featured both have a common theme: It is time to wake up and watch out. The mission of God is moving forward and we want to be ready, we don’t want to miss out.
We can miss out by not paying enough attention to what God is doing in our midst, and we can miss out by paying too much attention to ourselves. Perhaps Advent is the season of calibrating the balance between paying attention to God’s callings and our own. I say this because the easy way is to jump to an extreme. The tougher path is to claim the goodness of the God-made persons we are in the context of a world in which God’s claims upon us are crucial.
God calls me as a specific person to wake up. God invites me into a particular relationship. God desires my enthusiastic partnership in the mission that is unfolding now and is described in seasons like Advent, Christmas, and Easter.
The same is true for each of us.
Join me as we celebrate this wake-up call in our worship this weekend.
Fr. Andrew
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Prayer for Advent I
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Romans 13:11-14
You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
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Grace, Gratitude, Generosity
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ALAT/ATA Festive Dinners:
A Smashing Success!
Last weekend, the 2nd Annual Festive Dinners were held in Hogarth Hall--and nobody left early!
All in attendance enjoyed a delicious dinner, fabulous fellowship, eclectic entertainment, plentiful prizes, dynamic discussions...PLUS a lively and informative guest speaker, Terri Mathes (see the video here).
There were several highlights during the evenings. Some of the most inspiring revolved around the varied reflections of how lives have changed--in so many positive ways for so many parishioners--with God's help, through the Church of St Paul in the Desert.
This upcoming weekend, November 20-21, you too will have an opportunity to reflect on God's GRACE in your own life. Your offering of GRATITUDE for God's GENEROSITY and Grace takes place when you return your 2011 Pledge Card, declaring your financial gift for the new year.
Please remember your/our "Faith Home" and the "welcoming, empowering, supportive community" we all experience at St Paul's. Please prayerfully consider your gift as it will surely go a long way to ensure a place for everyone at God's table, and in the classrooms, at the baptisms, and the various special services taking place here at St. Paul in the Desert."
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Cranberries and Christmas for ECW
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The Episcopal Church Women will welcome the holiday season with a Christmas program and luncheon. There will be carols, of course, and something new: an old-fashioned look at the part cranberries traditionally play in year-end festivities. All this and more is on the calendar for December 8th.
Sharing her expertise on the cranberry will be parishioner Bonnie Woods, who will have pictures to accompany the talk, and special recipes on hand for those attending. Anna Secrist will lead caroling, with accompaniment on the piano by Bette Knutson. Newcomers will be especially welcomed to this event.
The business meeting begins at 11 a.m., to be followed by the traditional salad luncheon at noon. Hostesses for the luncheon will be Billie Webster and Kathy Briski. Those attending are asked to bring a salad to serve four, rolls/bread, or a dessert. Beverages will be provided.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Episcopal Night at The Nutcracker
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Come to Episcopal Night at The Nutcracker with the California Ballet and San Diego Symphony. This event will occur on Tuesday, December 21 at 7 p.m. at the San Diego Civic Theatre. From your ticket price, $10.00 will go toward bringing a child from Head Start or the Episcopal Refugee Network to see Nutcracker.
This is a great way to spend a holiday evening with friends and family - and church family. Tickets are $45, $38, $30, and $25 for children aged 3-12. Please contact Diane Grosman at 858.560.6741, or at tickets@californiaballet.org to buy your tickets today.
Please mention "Episcopal" to enjoy the discounted ticket price and extras. This is a sponsored event by the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
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At St. Paul in the Desert we want to welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
It is not enough to say "NO" to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
"It Gets Better" is a series of video
messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
"A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied" was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church, to be personalized and carried as an affirmation of our God's Love. Print this out on a card and hand out to any LGBT youth who may someday find themselves at risk.
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"Call" for Altar Guild Ministry Members
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This group of devout parishioners comes together with the primary task of serving God at God's altar, and in so doing praise God with hands and hearts. They are committed to diligent and reverent work. In general terms, the duty of the Altar Guild is to prepare everything necessary for the celebration of Holy Communion and the observance of the other Sacraments and Offices of the church. They feel it is an honor and privilege to serve God in the Sanctuary and at the altar.
This ministry is comprised of women, men and young adults dedicated to caring for the church and altar. They work in teams that rotate weekly so that each member serves approximately one time per month.
Some of the responsibilities are:
- The church is prepared and made welcoming to those attending all services;
- The altar is prepared for each service and cleaned up following each of the services;
- The care of the communion vessels and the linens used during the services.
Most of the duties are done behind the scenes. It is the dedicated service of the men and women of the Altar Guild that makes our worship services proceed smoothly.
The Altar Guild is ready to welcome new members to this very rewarding ministry. No experience is necessary. Training is ongoing. New members are supported by another member, so that you will never work alone. Everyone is invited...men, women, and young adults. Contact Kathy Kilmer at 760-325-0332 (kmkcc@aol.com).
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Ushers, Our Front Line Hospitality Embassadors
Ushers greet parishioners, newcomers and visitors as they arrive for worship, projecting warmth and hospitality with a smile, "hello" or "good morning." They distribute bulletins and help people find seating.
Ushers introduce newcomers and visitors to parishioners who will be sitting near them during worship. They can further enhance a visitor's welcome by pairing them with a member who is available to show them to coffee hour or introduce them to the clergy.
Ushers help worshipers move to and from the altar rail during communion in a smooth and orderly procession and accommodate anyone who may need special assistance anytime during the service. They also complete a worshiper headcount for every service.
The Usher Ministry is comprised of men and women willing to devote their time and hospitality-focused talents to this important front-line function.
Parishioners interested in volunteering for this Ministry should contact Ron Shepherd at 760.832.4709 or by email at ron_karen_shepherd@yahoo.com.
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All Services include
Holy Communion
Wednesday Evening
6:00 p.m.
Fr. Andrew Green
Saturday Evening
4:00 p.m.
Sermon-Fr. Andrew Green
Sunday Morning
8:00 a.m.
Sermon-The Rev. Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe
- - -
10:30 a.m.
Sermon-The Rev. Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe
Godly Play at 10:30
in Parish Hall
Children Welcome in Worship
Childcare is available on Sunday Mornings
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The "From" address on this Abundant Lite Newsletter is currently "Andrew Green <wrector@gmail.com>". Future issues of the newsletter will use "Andrew Green <newsletter@stpaulsps.org>" as the "From" address. Please place this new "From" address in your contact list so that the newsletter will not end up in your spam folder.
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Coffee Hour
The Coffee Hour Hosts for the 8:00 a.m. AND the 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hours are the Abundant Living Action Team (ALAT) & Action Team Associates (ATA). According to John Westaway, Chair of ALAT, “We want to thank the parishioners for their support and generosity”. With most the members preparing their specialites, this should prove to be a banquet of delicacies. Sign up in Hogarth Hall to host the Coffee Hour.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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Our Monday night dessert ministry continues to need more PROVIDERS of desserts. Please sign up to be a Provider. The dessert needs to be delivered to the church by 4 p.m. on Monday or donate to the weekly plate using the pew envelope and mark with “Dessert”.
As we embark upon this season of food-focused holidays, you may want to consider sharing the Abundant Life with the less fortunate by participating in the work of this Ministry. Sign-up sheets are located in the Parish Hall or call Hap at 760.323-5726.
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Are you sure we have your contact information? If you haven’t received any of the latest mailings then we probably don’t have your mailing address. In January we will sending invites for you to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. We may not have your current address. If you feel this is the case, then please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give to an usher or you may send your contact information by email to vjwinters@dc.rr.com.
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Episcopal 301 meets Sunday, Nov. 28th, Dec. 5th and 12th.
“Worship in the Anglican Tradition”with Fr. Andrew Green To register, call the parish office at 760.320.7488, ext. 0.
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Inquirer's/Confirmation Class
I Will, With God's Help
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 This class will be offered in February and run through March. This 6-week series, facilitated by Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie, is based upon the Baptismal Covenant from The Book of Common Prayer and encourages newcomers to the Episcopal Church, as well as longtime Episcopalians, to examine and share their own faith journeys. The course may lead to Confirmation for those who desire it during Bishop Chilton Knudson’s visit to St. Paul's on Sunday, March 20th.
The class meets from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning February 10th. Please call the church office at 320-7488 x 0 to sign up.
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The monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, November 30th at 1 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church. They will meet in the conference room in the office complex. The DOK members are bringing their yarn, hooks and needles to teach all who are interested on how to knit or crochet their own prayer shawl. If you already know how, all the better. The idea of the prayer shawl is for a gathering of Christians to create a shawl while praying over each stitch and purl, then to present it to a person of need.
Also, mark your calendars for the annual Epiphany Tea on Sunday, January 16th. Call Bonnie Stroock for more details. 760.324.7949.
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The Church of
St. Paul in the Desert
-- -- --
125 W El Alameda
Palm Springs, CA
92262
-- -- --
Ph.
760.320.7488
Fax:
760.416.2441
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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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