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With Recognition Comes a New Challenge
This is a flashback to the evening after the day of resurrection. The disciples are in turmoil and are returning to something like business as usual. Going home to Emmaus they meet a stranger on the road and fill him in on the events of the last week.
Jesus is that stranger. Meeting him is unexpected and their lack of recognition provides the opportunity for irony as Jesus opens the scriptures to them.
He accepts their invitation to hospitality and then turns the table to become their host. His actions rather than words are familiar. He took the bread, he blessed or thanked God, he broke it and gave it to them. These were his actions at their last supper with him.
In that moment they recognized him. They knew that Jesus was risen. They knew that the meal they shared with Jesus was the meal they would share with him.
But.
In the moment of recognition, he vanishes.
The moment of recognition was like a culmination of their time with him over perhaps years. It was not the glimpse that comes when one experiences something for the first time. All the teaching, all the practice, all the experience was now being brought to the moment when it would be handed over. It would be their turn to teach, to care, to live the witness of Jesus.
The first hurdle is to tell their friends. Notice, that they even had to wait for Peter to tell his story.
Their first witness, their first response to the new challenge, led to a foundation of witness for all who would follow. Jesus was known in the breaking of bread.
Join us as we teach, live, and witness; as Jesus is known when we break bread in our celebration this weekend.
Fr. Andrew
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Luke 24:13-35
That very day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
Responds to Severe Storms and Tornado
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 The severe storms and tornadoes that have overwhelmed five Southern states continue to batter the region. A new wave of storms came shortly after an earlier cluster that barreled through the Southeast over the weekend of April 16. Over 350 people have died throughout the South and Southeast and widespread damage to homes and civic infrastructure has been reported.
Episcopal Relief and Development needs your support to reach the growing number of dioceses responding to those in distress:
Donate to help storm victims by donating to St. Paul’s and write in the comment, “USA So. Storms”.
Pray for those who are at risk or who have suffered losses, for the families of those who have died, and for the rescue and relief teams who are working to save lives and address immediate needs.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
On Sunday, May 1st, we began a three week Faith Building class in the Library on Peter. The classes occur at 9:15 am each Sunday. Bring a friend, a cup of coffee, and join us in conversation and/or discussion on subjects you have asked for. It’s never too late to join in. We continue with the three-week series on First Peter, the Epistle readings for the Easter Season this year (Series A):
May 1 1st Peter: Persecution of the Early Christians
May 8 Overview: 1st Peter Easter Readings
May 15 What does 1st Peter say to us today?
This series led by the Rev. Dr. David Abernethy-Deppe.
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 Continuing “Sundays at 9:15”
A new, three week series, “Anglican/Episcopal Tradition” …what does it mean and from whence did we come? Begining on Sunday, May 22nd and continuing on Sunday’s through June 5th, we shall explore our origins and our history. We will use a series of video presentations followed by discussion, which will help us discover where this denomination of ours began and developed as an on-going, growing community of faith. We may not answer all the questions; however, we may increase our ability to live comfortably with ambiguity, led by the Rev’d Canon Victoria Hatch.
There is no need to sign-up for these classes, show up and discover.
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“Thursdays at 7” is the name of our new adult spiritual faith formation group, starting May 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. The topic will be: Paul, The Man and His Mission. Each evening will begin with a half hour DVD presentation by Prof. Bart D. Ehrman, Chair of Religious Studies Dept, University of North Carolina, followed by a guided discussion:
May 12 The Acts of the Apostles
May 19 Paul, the Man, the Mission and Way of Operating
May 26 Paul and the Crises of His Churches
June 2 Pauline Ethics.
This series will be facilitated by Jerry DiNoto.
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2011 Pledges Are Still Needed
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The primary means of financially supporting God’s mission and ministry at St. Paul’s is the personal pledge. It helps the parish leadership anticipate giving so that we can plan staffing and programs.
Many parishioners have not turned in a pledge card for 2011 and are still sending in the pledge amount they sent in during 2010. If you have NOT filled in a pledge card, then we do not have you listed in our numbers as a pledge giver. Contact Valerie, Pledge Secretary, with any changes or questions you may have at valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
Pledge forms are available in church, at the Parish office, and on-line. You are invited to make a pledge and let our leadership know that you will be a partner in our ministries this year. Pledges can change if your circumstances change. In fact, we have invited those who have already pledged to raise theirs by $150 annually to fully fund our work this year.
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The SOS Fund at St. Paul in the Desert collects donations to be utilized for basic needs of our homeless friends at Desert SOS who are trying to break the cycle of homelessness. Each month $300.00 comes from the fund to provide undergarments, socks and seasonal necessities. The population of men, women and children being cared for at Roy’s Resource Center has increased 30% this year. The SOS Fund needs YOUR support. If you are interested in supporting this outreach ministry, drop a check in the collection plate. Make the check to: St. Paul’s , and in the memo area, write: SOS Fund. Thanks from our friends at Desert SOS.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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 St. Paul’s SOS Dessert Ministry NEEDS YOUR HELP. We deliver and serve desserts to the 85+ clients of Roy’s Desert Resource Center as a special dinner treat every Monday evening. Each week, this is the one and only meal served at the Center that includes a dessert course. All of the clients look forward to it, of course, but it’s the children who really light up when they see the trays filled with fruit, ice cream, cookies, cakes, brownies and more. Our servers say it makes the trip out to the Center worthwhile, “just to see all of those smiling faces.” This week’s servers were: Fred Crawford, Chuck Marx, Orin Ellingson, Jeff Peck, Ron Shepherd, and Hap Blaisdell. We’re fortunate to have several other parishioners who regularly volunteer to serve at the Center on Monday evenings. Unfortunately, there are weeks when the amount of donated dessert items isn’t sufficient to meet the needs of the Center. When that happens, servers often feel compelled to purchase and donate enough additional food to make sure there is enough to go around.
Several parishioners are regular dessert providers (Bob Dillingham’s lemon bars have become a Center favorite), but we really are in need of more donations from others willing to contribute to this Ministry.
Please consider making a commitment to donate dessert once a month. When you go shopping for your groceries, buy an extra box of cookies or yummy dessert, an extra bunch of bananas or some tangerines. Then bring them to church with you or drop them off before 4:00 p.m. any Monday, and leave them in the Parish Hall kitchen (clearly label them “SOS”). The serving team for that evening will collect and deliver them to the Center. We would appreciate you adding your name to the Volunteer Dessert Provider List on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, indicating what dessert you plan to donate. This enables us to determine whether or not we’ll need to purchase additional items for that evening. Questions? Contact Hap at 760.323.5726.
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Notice – The Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Holy Communion service, held in the Library, has been closed for the summer.
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Coffee Hour
The 2011 coffee hour sign-up sheets are posted on the north wall at Hogarth Hall. Find an empty slot and fill it with your name. For more information, call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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Gift Acknowledgements
St. Paul’s wishes to thank those who have provided gifts during the months of March and April.
To view the acknowledgement list of gifts for this period, click here.
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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.
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The Bishop’s Appeal
The Bishop’s Appeal supports the mission of the diocese through gifts that are used for support of our ongoing programs and ministries: congregational support and development, leadership development, pastoral care, ministry development, and Christian formation. 100% of your gift goes to supporting our ministries. To make a gift, to the secure website at http://www.edsd.org or mail to: Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
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Report Sexual Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please be reminded that our diocese values the tenet of our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of the way we live into that is to train people in the prevention of sexual misconduct. Another part that goes hand-in-hand with training is reporting incidences of sexual misconduct. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, takes reports seriously and investigates them thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact Bishop Mathes immediately: bishopmathes@edsd.org, 619-481-5450.
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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 valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org
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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.
“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.
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