Abundant Lite

September 18, 2008

The Abundant Lite September 18, 2008 For Sunday September 21st                                                                                                                From the Rector              Whose Harvest is This Anyway? Mother Stephanie and I were talking about the Gospel reading for this weekend. One of her professors from seminary, Dr. Kathy Grieb, had suggested a different focus for the story. The pathos usually revolves around the workers who think they should get more pay for their longer hours, but don't. What must it be like to be a worker struggling to make a living for your family, and not finding any work? Can you imagine the happiness at even being able to take home 1 or 2 hour's pay? How about the unbridled joy at receiving a days wage - enough to feed and care for your family? This story is incredibly good news. Everybody receives enough. All receive a fair wage. Everyone is put to work in God's vineyard! Why is it that we so often choose to look at blessing of God's abundance as if it were a competition? Let's practice looking at life with those who receive unexpected blessings. We practice this in worship every weekend. If you have a brief story of unexpected blessing, share it with me. Give your name, email, and add your story in the comments section. Fr. Andrew                                                                                                                                                                                                     Featured Scripture Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, `You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, `Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, `Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, `You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, `Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."                                                                                          The Tuesday Night Bible Study Is Almost Full!                 September 23, 2008                                 We will begin a study of the Gospel According Matthew on Tuesday September 23rd continuing through December 9th.  The class fills quickly so please sign up early to insure we have enough books.  To sign up please call Father Fred in the Parish Office at 320-7488 ext. 221.  The cost of the book is $11.00.  Scholarships to  cover the cost of the book are available.                                                                                                        Youth Group Meets                 September 20 - 6-8:30 p.m.                 The Youth Group invites all teens and inbetweens, ages 11 to 18, to join together on the 20th of September for our Fall kick-off activity. Bring your swim suits and appetites for a dinner/swim/meeting to the Ellenich's home from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Call Ronn to confirm and get directions at 327-0233. You are welcome to bring a friend. See you there!                                                                                          DOK                 September 22 - 6 p.m. Daughters of the King (DOK) will reconvene at a dinner meeting, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Bonnie Stroock's home. Our theme this year will involve preparing for the DOK National Triennial next July in Anaheim. To attend this amazing and spiritual event is a good reason to join us this year. Call Bonnie at 324-7949.                                                                                          Newcomers Class                 September 28 at 6 for Class October 4-5 All Services for Joining October 5 at 5:30 for Welcome Dinner                 Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie will lead the class about joining St. Paul in the Desert. Members of the parish will help. If you are new to St. Paul's, if you have never been through this class, or if you have been here for years and forgotten more than you want to admit, sign up for this class. The Class - 9/28 from 6-8 p.m. The Joining (if you wish) - All Services 10/4-5 The Welcoming - 10/5 at 5:30 p.m. The newest family members are the guests. This is your chance! Click Here to register. (Fill out the information and type NEWCOMER in the Comments Section)                                                                            Links Anglican Communion The Episcopal Church Diocese of San Diego Episcopal Community Services Epis. Public Policy Network Global Reconciliation Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog (Scripture Reflection) The Painted Prayerbook Secure Giving and Statement Listen to Sermons Changes                                                                                            New at Worship                 Prayer and Music Changes                 We are changing the music in our 10:30 service beginning 9/28. In addition we will use a new Eucharistic Prayer at both services on Sunday. Click here for a look at the new prayer.                                                                                                      Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion                 Saturday Evening 5:30 p.m. Sunday Morning 8 a.m. Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m. Children Welcome in Worship Godly Play 10:30 a.m. Childcare also available on Sunday Morning Wednesday Evening 6:00 p.m. In the library Informal worship and shared reflection                                                                                                          Sam Harris Concert For DAP and Shelter from the Storm                 Sunday, October 26, 7p.m. Sam Harris, star of Broadway stage and television performs in a Benefit Concert at  St. Paul in the Desert. Tickets are $50 with ALL proceeds going to the Desert AIDS Project and Shelter From the Storm. The best way to buy is at tickets.  Tickets may also be purchased with cash or check at the church office. The checks should be made out to Desert AIDS Project. The concert is hosted by Mike Carson and Ron Steigerwalt in thanks for their 30th anniversary.                                                                                          WALK with the Team                 Desert AIDS Walk - October 25                                   You are invited to join the St. Paul in the Desert Team as we walk to support people living with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley. You can sign up to walk and raise money. You can support the Team without walking. You can go to the event at Francis Stevens Park and learn about how the AIDS Walk is going Green. Join the team by signing up after church on Sunday. Or Join the Team on-line. If you raise or donate at least $25, you will receive a Walk T-Shirt.                                                                        Upcoming Events                 Mark Your Calendar                 September 22 Daughters of the King September 23 Matthew Bible Study Begins September 28 Newcomer Class October 1 ECW Lunch October 4 Blessing of the Animals October 5 Welcoming Pot Luck October 25 The Desert AIDS Walk October 26 Sam Harris in Concert November 1 Saturday Service Time Change 4:00 p.m. November 2 Baptism Offered November 9 Spirit of the Desert (ECS)                                                                                                        Fellowship Breaks Out at St. Paul's!                 ALAT Blamed                 The Abundant Living Action Team will be inviting members to House Gatherings in October and November. They will be opportunities for greater fellowship in our parish. Your invitation will be mailed by the 25th of September. If you have not received one by October 4th, call the Parish Office at 320-7488 x227.                                                                                                        Blessing of the Animals                 Saturday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. Save the date and join us for a service celebrating the blessings we receive from sharing our lives with God's great gift of our animal companions. There will be an opportunity to remember beloved pets who have died. Click here to save a place for your pet. (Only give your name, email, and in the comments, your pet's name and type.)                                                                                        Abundant Life On-Line                 September Issue                 Our monthly Parish Newsletter, the Abundant Life is available in PDF form. Click here.                                                                                                        Spirit of the Desert  November 9, 2008 -- 12 Noon SAVE THE DATE Each year Episcopal Community Services honors outstanding citizens who have contributed to improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable and needy in the Coachella Valley. This year's award is dedicated to Betty and Gerald Ford in recognition of their tireless work to improve the living conditions of troubled people in the area and to support the Episcopal Church. These efforts have endeared the Ford family to the people in the Coachella Valley and impacted the lives of so many families and individuals. Spirit of the Desert will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Thunderbird Country Club beginning at 12:00pm. The Club is located at 70-612 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. Valet parking is provided. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Alyssa at (619) 228-2800 or email rsvp@ecscalifornia.org.                                      Mission Statement God has invited us to share the Abundant Life of Jesus Christ, through the Church of St. Paul in the Desert, by serving Christ in others and by gathering to praise and thank God in worship. We are a Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive Community.

St. Paul in the Desert | 125 W El Alameda | Palm Springs | CA | 92262

                                   

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August 30, 2008

The Abundant Lite August 21, 2008 For Sunday August 24th                                                                                                                From the Rector              What You CAN do I don't know if you have ever been frustrated by what you want to happen, but doesn't. I have. I want the kids to behave, now. (This is less of a problem as they have aged.) I want people to make the changes that I know will make their life better. I want the world to adjust to me. The truth is I have been seeking to control all those people who are on my list and this will never happen. It will only lead to frustration, broken relationships, and disappointment. What CAN I do? Any of you that have identified even a little with my control need, can join me in listening to what Paul was telling the Christians in Rome. "Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil. Hold fast to what is good." While none of us can control others, all of us can choose the good that we want for ourselves and for others, and do it. I don't have to agree with someone for my love to be genuine. Reading and reflecting on this text from Romans is a great preparation for our worship together and our life as the Body of Christ. We CAN do this! Fr. Andrew                                                                                                                                                                                                     Featured Scripture Romans 12:9-21 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.                                                                                        Baseball Road Trip                 Saturday, September 13, 2008                                 A private chartered bus will leave St. Paul's around 10:00 a.m. to arrive at the Angels' Stadium in Anaheim by 1:00 p.m. for an Angels/Seattle Mariners  baseball game. After the game, a stop at Knott's Berry Farm for dinner and then return to St. Paul's by about 8:00. Cost: everything included - $64.00 for adults 12-59, $52 60 and over, and $48.00 for children. Call the church office to reserve a place at (760) 320-7488, ext 221. There are only 48 seats on the Bus! Take Me Out to the Ballgame!                                                                                          Upcoming Events                 Mark Your Calendar                 September 3 ECW Luncheon September 13 Road trip to "A's" - Mariners Game in Anaheim Acolyte & Worship Coordinator Training September 14 Baptism - 10:30 a.m. September 20-21 Choir Retreat September 23 Matthew Bible Study October 25 The Desert AIDS Walk October 26 Sam Harris in Concert                                                                                        Links Anglican Communion The Episcopal Church Diocese of San Diego Episcopal Community Services Epis. Public Policy Network Global Reconciliation Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog (Scripture Reflection) Secure Giving and Statement Listen to Sermons Changes                                                                                                      Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion                 Saturday Evening 5:30 p.m. Sunday Morning 8 a.m. Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m. Children Welcome in Worship Godly Play Begins 9/7 10:30 a.m. Childcare also available on Sunday Morning Wednesday Evening 6:00 p.m. In the library Informal worship and shared reflection                                                                                                        The Tuesday Night Bible Study Is Back!                 September 23, 2008                                 We will begin a study of the Gospel According Matthew on Tuesday September 23rd continuing through December 9th.  The class fills quickly so please sign up early to insure we have enough books.  To sign up please call Father Fred in the Parish Office at 320-7488 ext. 221.  The cost of the book is $11.00.  Scholarships to  cover the cost of the book are available.                                                                                                          WALK with the Team                 Desert AIDS Walk - October 25                                   You are invited to join the St. Paul in the Desert Team as we walk to support people living with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley. You can sign up to walk and raise money. You can support the Team without walking. You can go to the event at Francis Stevens Park and learn about how the AIDS Walk is going Green. Join the team by signing up after church on Sunday. Or Join the Team on-line. If you raise or donate at least $25, you will receive a Walk T-Shirt.                                                                                        Acolyte and Worship Coordinator Training                 Saturday, September 13, 2008                                 Current Acolytes and Worship Coordinators as well as any of you who desire to join this vital ministry will need to mark your calendars and attend the Training Session on Saturday, September 13th.  Worship Coordinators will begin the training at 9 AM and the Acolytes will join them at 9:45.  Enthusiasm and questions are encouraged!  Please notify John Hampson at 288-6470 or email jhampson@peoplepc.com if you are unable to attend for any reason. Please make this a priority.                                                                                      Mission Statement God has invited us to share the Abundant Life of Jesus Christ, through the Church of St. Paul in the Desert, by serving Christ in others and by gathering to praise and thank God in worship. We are a Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive Community.

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May 15, 2008

The Abundant Lite May 15, 2008 For May 18th Trinity Sunday                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in this issue :: Featured Scripture :: Disaster Relief :: Links :: Upcoming Events :: Worship Schedule :: Ministry Fair :: Youth Group :: Communion Options                                                                                                From the Rector              Trinity-Community I asked the men in the Bible Study, "What is the most significant word in Sunday's Gospel (Matt. 28:16-20)?" There were a couple answers, but they came to more than one word. You need to understand - the word that seems most important today, might fade tomorrow and another take its place. That is how my prayerful reflection on scripture is. I don't come up with the absolute truth myself, just what is on my heart at the moment. So before you read on, don't look at my answer. Read the Gospel below and pick what is for you the most important word, today. Got it? Now read on. Disciples, Baptize, Father, Son, Spirit, Worship, and Doubt are all candidates, but were not the one I picked. Each of these has some reason to be considered. Considering that it is Trinity Sunday, the descriptive language about God cannot be ignored. However, what I was drawn to was the emphatic word, go. Go make disciples. Go baptize. Go teach. Go to all. Go to every. Go and remember that where you go, Jesus goes with you. Note that Jesus did not send an individual, but a community. Jesus did not ask that they be baptized in his name, but in the name of the Divine Community - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus' disciples had been learning with him for years. They had been practicing. They had been betraying him. They had been hiding. They had been forgiven. Now it was time for them to go - and be the community of his life in the world. Join us as, in worship, we prepare and practice to be Christ's Community. Join us as we go forth into the world to love and serve the Lord. Fr. Andrew                                                                                                                                                                                                       Featured Scripture Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV) The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."                                                          ER-D responds                 To Cyclone Nargis in Burma                 Working with our local church partner, Episcopal Relief and Development is sending funds to secure shelter, food water and other relief needs for people displaced by the Cyclone.  As part of our long term strategy, we have been working for the past two years with five dioceses on economic development including agriculture, livestock, and micro-loans, clean water and education programs. To Earthquake in China and Tornadoes in US ER-D is ready to provide emergency assistance to families impacted by a severe earthquake in China and tornadoes in the Midwest and southeast United States. ER-D is in touch with dioceses and partners in the disaster areas and stands ready to respond once needs are identified. Your assistance is needed. You may make contributions to Episcopal Relief and Development through the Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Make checks payable to "The Church of St. Paul in the Desert" indicate in the memo "For ERD" You may also indicate which disaster you are responding to.                                                                                          Links Anglican Communion Episcopal Church Diocese of San Diego Episcopal Community Services Epis. Public Policy Network Global Reconciliation Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Fr. Jake Stops the World Secure Giving and Statement Listen to Sermons Changes                                                                                          Upcoming Events                 Mark Your Calendar                 May 17 Youth Group Ice Skating at 1:30 p.m. May 19 Daughters of the King (DOK) Dinner Meeting at the home of Alice Sleight at 6:30 p.m. May 25 Ms. Cherry Remboldt's Last Sunday June 1 Al Warman Retirement Celebration 12:30 p.m. at Temple Isaiah (RSVP needed) 320-7488                                                                                                                  Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion                                 Saturday Evening 5:30 p.m. Sunday Morning 8 & 10:30 a.m. Children Welcome in Worship Godly Play at 10:30 a.m. Childcare also available on Sunday Morning Wednesday Evening 6:00 p.m. In the library Informal worship and shared reflection Pentecost Banner Crafted by our Youth Ministry                                                                                        Ministry Fair Success!                 Thanks Br. Michael-Gregory and the Time and Talent Committee.                                                                                                                            Youth Group to Meet                 The EYGSP, or Episcopal Youth Group of St. Paul's, look forward to a skating party at the Ice Garden this Saturday at 1:30.  This event is open to adults and kids. The group presented two special Pentecost banners at church last Sunday. (One pictured above.) The group, whose nickname is the Flames of Life, Leith Chandrasena,  Zoe Navarro, and Ed, Cris, and Jenn Ellenich created them with the help of advisors, Ronn Ellenich,  Michael Howard, and Bonnie Stroock.  Young people from ages 11 to 18 are invited to join.  Phone Bonnie for more information  324-7949.                                                                                      Ordination Bus: On-Board!              This is your last chance to be part of the group going to Ms. Cherry Remboldt's ordination in San Diego on June 7.                Fee: $15.00             Departs: 6:45 a.m. from St. Paul's             Contact: 320-7488 x 221                                                                                       Communion Options                 To Drink from the Cup or Intinct (have the bread dipped)                 Two examples of extending hands Left to receive the bread, Right to have the bread intincted and placed on the tongue. [Read the article for more] When you come forward to receive Holy Communion you have several options, and there are some helpful instructions. First, fill the Rail (either standing or kneeling) from the center to the outside. Second, you are invited to extend your hands as a sign of your openness to receive the abundant grace that God offers. Third, if you receive the bread and drink from the cup, extend your hands together and the bread will be placed there. Eat it and extend your hands for the cup. Help guide the cup to your lips. If you receive by Intinction (have the bread dipped), extend your hands apart, open your mouth as the Communion Minister approaches, and receive the dipped bread on your tongue. (People are discouraged from dipping the bread themselves for reasons of hygene.) Finally, wait a moment until the person next to you receives, then return to your pew. Hopefully your experience will be unhurried and invite you to a spiritual communion with God.                                                                Mission Statement God has invited us to share the Abundant Life of Jesus Christ, through the Church of St. Paul in the Desert, by serving Christ in others and by gathering to praise and thank God in worship. We are a Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive Community.

St. Paul in the Desert | 125 W El Alameda | Palm Springs | CA | 92262

                                   

Send a test version of your email to yourself, and to others including a personal message. Up to  5  addresses may be entered separated by a comma ",".

Email Address(es):         wrector@earthlink.net         (Separate multiple addresses with a comma ",")                 Personal Note:                 Send both HTML & Text versions

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