February 3, 2011

The Abundant Lite February 3, 2011                                                              For Sunday, February 6th From The Rector Rethinking Salt and Light Disciples are the salt of the earth and the light of the world according to Jesus. If we are disciples, that applies to us also. Our experience with both salt and light is very different from that of the people of Jesus’ time. For us, salt is everywhere and is in everything. (I need to gargle with salt water.) All of us have too much salt and need to limit it. Susan and I live about 1 ½ blocks from the Palm Springs Stadium. When the lights come on at the stadium, they light our back yard. Artificial light is so much a part of our world that we have trouble imagining real darkness. At the time of Jesus, salt was common but valuable. After sundown, artificial light was scarce and costly. Jesus said that his disciples are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I think he meant that we have a similar function in the world to salt and light. We are here and we make a difference. I don’t think we should confuse being salt with doing good deeds. Being salt is more subtle and pervasive. Rather than single acts, think of a way of life. Jesus is just beginning to teach his disciples. He encouraged them as blessed people who belong to God’s reign. In this passage Jesus lets them know that their presence will stand as a sign of that reign. We who believe, stand as a sign of God’s gracious reign in our community today. It may be hard to see it in yourself, but can you identify those who stand for God’s justice and mercy? When we gather to worship this weekend, give thanks and praise to God for them. Fr. Andrew   Featured Scripture Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.   Pacific Lutheran Wind Ensemble The Pacific Lutheran University Wind Ensemble concert presented at St. Paul in the Desert on Friday, January 28th was a resounding success!  Thank you to the St. Paul's Choir for hosting a reception to give audience members the opportunity to meet the artists after the concert.  Thanks also for the generous hospitality of the many St. Paul's parishioners who opened their homes to house the approximately 50 students and served them breakfast on Saturday morning before transporting them back to the church for the next leg of their tour.  The PLU Wind Ensemble is comprised of some of the best performers of wind and percussion instruments at the University.   ECW Spaghetti Dinner The Episcopal Church Women’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner has it all!   There is a great meal to look forward to, the promise of fellowship for the entire parish family, a festive atmosphere, and of course, the traditional White Elephant event, and Bake Sale. And it’s all coming to St. Paul’s the evening of March 5th. Dinner will be served between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall, which will be decorated Italian bistro style, with red and white checkered cloths and candles. George Holliday and Rick Tinsley, who will be reprising their roles as chefs again this year, reveal the evening’s menu: spaghetti, with choice of either vegetarian or meat based sauce, tossed garden salad and bread. A variety of beverages will be offered, and desserts will be available for a nominal cost.   The White Elephant Event and Bake Sale are an integral part of the evening’s festivities, with the White Elephant event featuring an interesting array of quality items to peruse. Donations, valued at $5.00 or more, will be greatly appreciated, and can be brought to the church, marked for the sale. And, the bake sale always dazzles with its selection of cookies, cakes, pies, and breads. Contributions of bakery items (please, nothing that needs refrigeration), should be brought to the church between noon and 4 p.m. the day of the sale. Tickets, which will be on sale following all church services in February, are $8.00 for adults, $3.00 for children between 3 and 12 years of age, and children under three are free. This event is the ECW’s main fundraiser of the year with proceeds going to meet the special needs of the church and the community. In charge of this year’s dinner arrangements are co-chairmen Diane Stielstra and Mari Covell.   Call For Ushers Ushers - - Frontline Hospitality Ambassadors   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.   Safeguarding God's People: Save The Date!   Saturday, February 19 at St. Margaret's, Palm Desert Session begins at 8:30am and lasts until 4:00pm.  (Note: Participants are required to attend the entire daylong session to receive certification of training.) To register on the Diocesan website; click here.   Contact Registrar Isabel Lynne for more information: 619-481-5455. The Diocese of San Diego is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment where, by God's grace, the full work of the Church can be carried out. Sexual misconduct on the part of any clergy person, employee, or volunteer of any congregation, institution, organization, school or agency within the diocese violates the mission of the Church, is prohibited, and will not be tolerated. Safeguarding God's People teaches how exploitation and harassment occur, the awareness we need to prevent such occurrences, and - should exploitation or harassment occur - how to respond. Who needs to attend?  All paid employees  Vestry members  Youth group volunteers  Sunday school teachers  Lay Eucharistic Visitors and anyone going into someone's home  Worship leaders  Some volunteers If it has been more than five (5) years since you last participated in a Safeguarding God's People training, you will be required to attend this workshop in Palm Desert (or a workshop on Saturday, March 5 at Sts. Peter & Paul, El Centro, or Saturday, March 12 at St. Michael's, Carlsbad).  For questions/clarification regarding when you last attended this training, call Br. Michael-Gregory at 760-320-7488, ext. 224.   Camp Stevens Scholarship   Camp Stevens, our diocesan camp and retreat center near Julian, provides a enriching summer camp program for children, teens, and a choir camp. At Camp Stevens, attendees are provided the experience to appreciate and care of one-another while deepening their love of God and God's creation.   St. Paul in the Desert would like to enable a disadvantaged child the chance to experience the enrichment of Camp Stevens. We need to raise $500 to do this. Please place your donation in the green Camp Stevens box in the parish hall, or leave a check,in the box, or in the collection plate and mark it “Camp Stevens Child”.    Watch for updates, this spring, about interesting retreats and workshops that you can be part of in the beautiful natural world of Camp Stevens. Desert SOS Dessert Ministry The St. Paul-Desert SOS Ministry Need Providers and Servers   Since October, St. Paul in the Desert volunteers began serving dessert to the guests at Roy’s Resource Center EVERY Monday, instead of the first and third Monday of each month. Hap Blaisdell, coordinator, said, “We are the only group providing desserts to the 60-90 guests”. Desserts often include sweets, fruit and ice cream bars. In addition, the ongoing donations to the St. Paul-SOS Fund makes it possible for our ministry 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 frequently have more volunteers, including teens, and on these occasions, we have been able to assist the kitchen staff by serving the main course as well or make the following days sack lunches.” 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.   Worship Schedule   All Services Include Holy Communion   Wednesday Evening 6:00 p.m. The Rev. Andrew Green - - - Saturday 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Andrew Green - - - Sunday Morning 8:00 a.m. Sermon-The Rev. Andrew Green 10:30 a.m. Sermon-The Rev. Andrew Green   On Sundays Godly Play in the Parish Hall at 10:30 a.m. Children Welcome in Worship Childcare is available on Sunday Mornings   Watch Sermons View recent sermons and other video material on-line.   We post the sermons from Sunday's services on You Tube.  Our YouTube Channel is named stpaulinthedesert     Click below to watch video from this week.   Sunday's Sermon - 1-30-11   Announcements   A Holy Communion Service   will be held, Wednesday, February 9th 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.       The Childrens Choir   All children age 4 and above are welcome to participate in this group, learning singing skills and providing special music for the 10:30 service several times during the school year.  For more information or questions please contact Nathan at 760.320.7488, ext. 225.     2011 Giving Envelopes   Are now available in the parish offices during the work week, Tuesday - Friday.       Coffee Hour   The 8:00 Coffee Hour is hosted by new members, Jerome DiNoto and Ron Thomas. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourselves to Jerome and Ron. There is no host for the 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour. The 2011 coffee hour sign-up sheets are available on the north wall at Hogarth Hall. Please sign up to host. For more information, call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.     Inquirer's/Confirmation Class "I Will, With God's Help"   This class will start THIS THURSDAY February 10th and run through March 17th. Bishop Chilton Knudson will be a companion to participants in this 6-week series based upon the Baptismal Covenant from The Book of Common Prayer. The course 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 760-320-7488, ext. 0 to sign up.     Mid-Week Worship Break Wednesdays at 6 p.m.   Wednesday evening worship offers a break during the week. The Holy Communion service meets in the Library, reflects on a saint from our Church Calendar, all who wish can participate in the sermon, and it last 45 minutes.   As you can see in this picture, the only thing missing is you. Join in this informal worship opportunity.     The Family and Children’s Ministry - partners families to strengthen, nurture, and train their children to become disciples of Jesus Christ. They accomplish this through Bible study, Sunday “Godly Play”, meaningful fellowship, outings, play, mission-minded service and relationships with Christian leaders who strive daily to walk with God. For information on how your family may become involved, call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949.     Newcomers   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.     Altar and Narthex Flowers     The New 2011 Altar and Narthex Flower Sign-up Sheets NOW AVAILABLE   Thank you - to all our parishioners who have signed up to provide the gracious gift of flowers for the altar and narthex. Many have bestowed these arrangements of love in memoriam to beloved family member(s) or friend(s) or in thanksgiving for the gifts we have received. The floral arrangements are a endearing visible sign of your love to them and to your fellow parishioners. We need altar flowers for the weekend of February 27th to keep our altar blooming with the beauty that Woody Miller masterfully creates for us each week. There is still room available for flowers for the narthex for those dates also.     Earn Money While Dining Out   for 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.      Bullies Not Welcome Here   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.   The Episcopal Cafe article on Cyber-bullying is available here.   "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.   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.   Contact Us The Church of St. Paul in the Desert - - - 125 W. El Alameda Palm Springs, CA 92262 - - - Ph. 760-320-7488 Fax. 760-416-2441 E-Mail clergy@stpaulsps.org Web http://www.stpaulsps.org   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.