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None Greater, Yet the Least of All
The Gospel we read this week gives me a bit of vertigo.
John the Baptist has questions. Have I got it right? Have I been pointing to the messiah?
Jesus’ reply was to point to the signs of justice being done. He did not say, “Look at me.” He said essentially, “Look at what God is doing all around you.” This is not what makes me dizzy.
When he assesses the ministry of John to his own disciples, then I get dizzy. He is effusive about John, and protective. Clearly Jesus appreciates the ministry of John and the sacrifices he was making. Then he says that there is no one greater, yet in heaven he is the least.
I believe that this is not meant to denigrate John or his faithfulness, but to make clear the importance and difference of living under God’s reign. John preached about the day when God’s reign would be fulfilled. The least of Jesus’ followers live in that day.
Advent is like that for me. I am looking forward to something that, for all practical purposes, I have already received. Trying to live a post Christmas and Easter life while reconnecting to the story’s introduction and beginning (Advent) is a challenge to my balance. At the gym, one of the exercises is to move up and down on one leg. My first response is that I am liable to fall. With practice it becomes easier and more smooth.
We, who live as Christians in the world God loves, are invited to practice disciplines and values which test our balance; not so that we can watch who falls, but so that we might become more agile as we connect our story, day by day, with Jesus’ Story.
Join us for living and telling the Story this week.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 11:2-11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
- `See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
- who will prepare your way before you.'
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
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Grace, Gratitude,Generosity
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If you want happiness for an hour-
take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day-
go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year-
inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime-
help someone else.
---Adapted from Chinese Proverbs
GRACE, GRATITUDE, GENEROSITY
The idea of "giving" is multi-fold, and there are numerous plans for reaching others in ways that bring GRACE, GRATITUDE and GENEROSITY...not only to ourselves, but to those in our Parish, the Coachella Valley, the Diocese and, indeed, throughout the world.
2011 pledge cards still out there-wending their way to the Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Over the years, your support of our Parish has been heartfelt and has brought the resources needed to fulfill God's call. As you plan your personal budgets and giving for 2011, please prayerfully consider your GENEROSITY in assisting the mission of St. Paul in the Desert.
Your offering will facilitate four critically important things:
- Continue our excellent programming
- Provide assistance to people in need
- Create a spiritual home for one and all
- Extend our 'hope' to the larger community
Thank You to our
St. Paul Parishioners
for your abiding support and generosity!
The Abundant Living Action Team
&
Action Team Associates
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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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WE ARE SHOPPING FOR THESE
GIFTS THIS TUESDAY!!!
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.
Please give today to Christmas at Desert SOS
For more information about this program call Hap at 760.323-5726.
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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.
A growing concern is bullying via cyberspace. The Episcopal Cafe article on Cyber-bullying is available here.
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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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-Fr. Andrew Green
- - -
10:30 a.m.
Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve
6:00 p.m.
11:00 p.m.
(Carols begin at 10:45 p.m.)
Christmas Day
10:30 a.m.
On Sundays
Godly Play at 10:30
in Parish Hall
Children Welcome in Worship
Childcare is available on Sunday Mornings
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Lessons and Carols
The Adult Choir will present a Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 12th during the 10:30 service. Anthems will include works by Near, Goss, Martin, and Harvey along with carols appropriate to the lessons. All are invited to attend this annual service in preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child.
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The Family and
Children's Ministry
 will meet Sunday, December 19th following the 10:30 service in the Godly Play room. Anyone wanting to participate in the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, please attend this meeting. For more information, call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949.
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O Come, all Ye’ Helpful...
 We need your help in decorating the sanctuary for Yuletide services. All are welcome to help. No special talent is required. Please add your name to the sign-up list located on the entry table in the Parish Hall or call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726.
We will assemble in the front of the sanctuary at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, December 23rd, and with enough help, should be finished by 11:00 a.m.
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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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Coffee Hour
The Coffee Hour Hosts for the 8:00 a.m. are Barry Hagenbuch and Robert Woods. The Coffee Hour Hosts for the 10:30 a.m. are Ray and Cheryl Kelley who are pleased to step-in for a cancellation and host a festive green and red “food feast” for our parish family right after Lessons and Carols.
Sign up in Hogarth Hall to host a Coffee Hour. For more information on this ministry call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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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 this weekend. After this weekend, they will need to be picked up in the parish offices during the work week, Tuesday - Friday. If you do not need giving envelopes, and have some assigned, please place them in the side box that is marked, “giving envelopes not needed”. Thank you.
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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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Earn Money While Dining Out
fo r The Church of St. Paul. Whenever any St. Paul's parishioners have breakfast, lunch or dinner at "The Old Creek House" in Palm Springs the restaurant will donate 10% of the total to The Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Simply sign your name and write in the name, "The Church of St. Paul in the Desert", on your receipt. A check for the amount will be sent to St. Paul's. The 10% does not include promotions or other discounts.
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FA LA LA,
A Holiday Concert
 Starring the Caballeros, the Gay Men's Chorus of Palm Springs with Guest Artist, Nathan Ensign. There are two performances to be presented at St. Paul in the Desert on Saturday, December 18th @ 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 19th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $20 from Russ Dunivant, Chuck Marx or at the door. For more information, contact: www.caballerosps.com.
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Sundays @ 9:15
Episcopal 301 meets Sunday, Dec. 12th.
“Worship in the Anglican Tradition”with Fr. Andrew Green
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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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