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Have You Been Baptized Enough?
On the Second Sunday of Advent, we always read about John the Baptizer. He is to us a curious fellow, not unlike some of the folks who preach on street corners. He does not seem to have a smooth bone in his body, nor an edge that is not rough. He has a job to do.
He is to prepare the way for the Messiah.
John is not talking to unbelievers or the “unchurched.” He has put out the call to any Jew who will listen that God is about to do something. They are invited to get ready. They ready themselves by repentance and baptism. They agree to live life in a new way, oriented to God. They seal the deal with John washing them in the river. They do not leave as Christians. They leave as Jews who are renewed and ready for God’s Good News.
We Christians get baptized once, but have plenty of opportunities to be renewed. We have the renewal of the yearly cycle of salvation - from John the Baptist to Christ the King. We have the sacrament of Holy Communion in which we renew our repentance and renew our Baptism. We have moments when we see Christ calling us or see the people Christ calls us to love and we may be transformed.
I invite you to think about John and the street preachers and the needy and the powerful as you worship this week. In each of them, I believe Christ is calling. Calling for our ways to be prepared and for us to get ready.
Maybe this week we can see the Communion Rail as our River Jordan and in the Communion Bread see our Baptism anew.
Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 3:1-6
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
`Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.'"
Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
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Grace, Gratitude,Generosity
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Change Of Seasons
The Church Year is in the middle of Advent and we are waiting with hope and anticipation for Christ. We have completed our Stewardship Events for the calendar year and we are waiting with hope and anticipation as people return their pledges of financial support for 2011. Pledge cards are welcome at all services or at the office.
As a Parish there are two opportunities to practice our 3 G's for Christmas. Read about gifts for SOS. and the boys at Father's Heart Ranch in separate articles. Each of these is a way to give and offers an opportunity to build a relationship that can transform a life.
We are transformed by the grace of God at Christmas God invites us to share that grace with others.
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We are beginning a Secret Angel Program that will provide gifts for 24 boys between the ages of 6 and 12 who are living at the Father’s Heart Ranch in Sky Valley, which is a home for abused and neglected boys. Most of these children will not receive gifts at Christmas. This is an opportunity for the church to reach out with love by providing these boys with gifts at Christmas. If you would like to participate, please select an Angel from the Christmas tree in the Parish hall and:
- Look on the BACK of the Angel for clothing sizes or toy options
- Buy something NEW for the child (no violent toys, please)
- Wrap the gift in Christmas paper
- Securely tape the Angel to the front or top of the package, with the NAME side UP
- Place the wrapped gift under the tree before 4:00 PM, Thursday, December 23
Please do not forget the angel tag – without it we will not know which child to give the gift to.
 If you take an Angel and then find you cannot purchase a gift, please put the tag back on the tree or that child won’t get a gift.
There are two cards per child – one for clothing and one for toys. You are not expected to take both cards for each child.
Volunteers will take the gifts to the Ranch on Christmas Eve. We hope you will be a child’s Secret Angel this Christmas!
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It's a "hard candy Christmas" for the 90 homeless men, women and children at Desert SOS. Even though St. Paul in the Desert will continue to provide and serve Monday desserts and the monthly supply of undergarments and socks to Roy’s Resource Center, Christmas can be a lonely time when you're without a home and the ability to provide or receive gifts.
Our SOS team has worked with Roy’s management to bring Yuletide cheer to the children and the neediest at Roy’s! We will purchase Walmart gift cards from our St. Paul's SOS Fund. But, that money is very limited. We need HELP. The children and the neediest will be taken on shopping trips to Walmart for the perfect-fit in clothing, shoes, and if enough money is raised...a toy.
YOU can be a part of happiness to the homeless, by donating. You may make a donation using the white pew envelope or a check and write “SOS Xmas” on it. We will do the rest.
For more information about this program call Hap at 760.323-5726.
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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.
Those attending are asked to bring a stuff animal to the luncheon. These will be given out at the Premier Care Facility. (It seems they were very well received last year!
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Members of the Parish Board of Directors called the Vestry are elected at the Annual Meeting in January.
 Nominations are now open.
A candidate must be a baptized or confirmed member in good standing and a "giver of record."
The Vestry meets monthly for about 2 hours for prayer, study and business. There is a 3-day Retreat in the Spring. Each member is expected to be active in ministry and participate on at least one committee. In addition, there may be other meetings that arise throughout the year.
Nominations can be made to Rex Comer, Clerk of the Vestry at combill2@aol.com.
Or they can be given to Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie, the Parish Administrator at 760-320-7488, ex 224 and he will pass them to the nominating committee.
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New Painting of Our Patron
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Lou Armentrout and Mick Welch are always searching for artistic representations of St. Paul of Thebes, our Patron Saint.
 Recently they found a painting which depicts St. Anthony the Abbot visiting Paul the Hermit. [Note: Anthony was something of a rock star in the 4th century. Paul was his mentor, but Paul was not famous. Virtually the only icons or paintings of Paul happen to be of this visitation and only because Anthony was present.]
The painting is by Velazquez. Lou and Mick commissioned a painter to copy the original and they have donated the reproduction to St. Paul's. It hangs in the entryway across from the other painting of Paul. The Velazquez tells a story. The centerpiece is the meeting of the two holy men. There are small scenes of Anthony's journey to find Paul, the Raven bringing them food, and the burial of Paul. It is a lovely piece and we are blessed by its presence.
Thanks to Lou Armentrout and to Mick Welch for their donation and the thoughtful process that led to this acquisition.
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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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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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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. Canon Victoria Hatch
- - -
10:30 a.m.
Sermon-Fr. Andrew Green
Godly Play at 10:30
in Parish Hall
Children Welcome in Worship
Childcare is available on Sunday Mornings
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The Christmas Foundation
is conducting its 14th annual toy drive for needy children in the Coachella Valley. The Foundation's goal is to, “make everyday a holiday for children in need.” There will be a toy collection box in Hogarth Hall beginning today. Please bring a new unwrapped toy for any age child through teen. The toy collection box will be availabe until December 19th.
Last year the Foundation gave gifts and toys to over 900 children. This year their goal is to reach 1500. For more information, contact Tom Zecchini at 760.770.3060.
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A Holy Communion Service will be held, Wednesday, December 8th at 10:00 a.m. 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 provides this service for them.
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Coffee Hour
The Coffee Hour Hosts for the 8:00 a.m. are Barry Hagenbuch and Robert Woods. Thank you Barry and Robert for your repeated giving to this ministry. The Coffee Hour Hosts for the 10:30 a.m. are Roger Allen and Taylor Baird. These two couples really know how to be hosts, so don’t miss this time to enjoy their talents and the fellowship with parishioners. 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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2011 Giving Envelopes - are now available in the narthex. They will only be available in the narthex this weekend (12/4-5) and next (12/11-12) weekend. After that time they will need to be picked up in the parish offices during the work week, Tues. - Friday.
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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, 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 Church of
St. Paul in the Desert
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125 W El Alameda
Palm Springs, CA
92262
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Ph.
760.320.7488
Fax:
760.416.2441
E-Mail
clergy@stpaulsps.org
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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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