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 Are You Ready For Some Hope?
I have been told that I am very critical. I can be picky and point out many flaws in an argument (or person.) That is not very hopeful.
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been to work with alcoholics in recovery. I learned that there was rarely a need to point out their short comings. They knew them only too well. No one was ever saved by being criticized.
Our reflection on the short-lived experience of Peter walking on water is a case in point. Most of the sermons I have heard, on this story, stress what Peter does wrong or what he needs to do better. Perhaps there is something for each of us to learn.
“Peter was testing Jesus, just like Satan did.” “Peter began thinking about himself, not Jesus and that is why he sank.” “We must try harder to focus on Jesus, so we won’t sink like Peter did.” This may be accurate, but useless criticism or advise.
This week I was reading a blog post by David Lose. He challenged readers not to look to Peter’s experience in this story for a message, but to Jesus.
Jesus knew Peter. He seemed to know his weaknesses and strengths. When Peter issues his challenge to Jesus -“If it is you, command me to come to you on the water” – Jesus invites him to come. As Peter becomes distracted he begins to sink and calls out for help.
Jesus grabs hold of him instantly and catches him.
Jesus has plenty of instruction for Peter and the disciples. That is not what saves us. It is not about how well we listen or learn. At the end of the day, when we try our hardest, when we exasperate the most, when we are in the greatest danger of sinking because nothing is working – Jesus catches us.
Join us this weekend as we celebrate Jesus catching us, and practice catching one another.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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Episcopal Relief and Development – Somalia
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 On July 20, the United Nations declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia. The food shortage is the consequence of a sustained drought that is said to be the worst in more than 50 years. Reports indicate that over 800,000 people have fled Somalia as a result, many seeking refuge in the neighboring countries of Kenya and Ethiopia. In response to the developing crisis, Episcopal Relief & Development will be working through its network of Anglican and Episcopal partners to support the humanitarian work of local organizations such as Ukamba Christian Community Services in Kenya
Episcopal Relief & Development’s support will be used to provide food aid (including maize, beans and cooking oil) to as many as 1,320 households in four areas over the next five months. Orphans, widows and the elderly will receive priority during distribution. The program will also support community efforts to prepare the land for the next rainy season, with soil and water preservation measures such as terracing and sand dam construction. Rains are expected between November and December 2011.
Please pray for all those affected by drought and famine in East Africa, and especially for those who have fled their homes in search of food and water for survival. Please also pray for the return of rains, and healthy harvests in the future.
To support the crisis response efforts of organizations like Ukamba Christian Community Services, please make a contribution to St. Paul in the Desert and write in the memo section ERD: Disaster Response Fund.
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 The Daughters of the King have planned an informal lunch meeting on August 9th at 12:30 p.m. We will meet at Don and Sweet Sue’s Restaurant located at the southwest corner of Ramon and Date Palm Drives in Cathedral City. We will share prayer concerns. Newcomers…join us and see what the DOK is all about. Contact Bonnie Stroock for information 760.324.7949.
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The Episcopal Church Women are women of all ages, ethnic origins and socioeconomic backgrounds who hold a variety of views. However, the common denominator of our members is love of God and the wish to do His work. The ECW’s activities invite its members into a time of fellowship with an eye toward connecting to others in our church family as we strengthen our own spiritual lives by offering service to our parish and community. ECW’s work also involves raising funds to support parish activities, local mission projects and the United Thank Offering program by gathering for monthly luncheon meetings with programs, which are open to all members of the church and guests. For more information on ECW, please contact Bette Knutson, 760.416.5739.
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PLEASE NOTE!!!
“Thursdays at 7: will not be held during August.
“Thursdays at 7” will begin again in September, after Labor Day.
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
 This Sunday, and each Sunday during the month of August, you’re invited to join “The Sunday Dance With The Three-Legged Stool,” discovering how the Scripture Readings (First Lesson, Psalm, Second Reading and the Holy Gospel) are chosen; and how those choices influence our worship, preaching, hymn selection, church music, prayers, and a whole lot more. The Rev. Dr. David Abernethy-Deppe, along with Nathan Ensign, Director of Music, will share with us how this all comes together for our Sunday worship services. See you at 9:15 am in the Library . . . and join “The Dance”. . . and bring a friend!
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No “Sundays at 9:15” class on September 4th.
Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend.
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
 The Sunday after Labor Day, we’ll begin the Fall Adult Faith Building Program with a four week study on “An Introduction to Understanding Islam.” Having 1.2 billion adherents, Islam is the second largest and fastest-growing world religion! Unfortunately, many of us in the West know little if anything about this faith, except what we hear regarding the actions of a minority of radical extremists. To better understand this faith, we’ll use several DVD presentations by Dr. John L Esposito, Professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. Also, we hope to invite a Mullah (Islamic Clergyperson) to join us for one of these sessions to provide background and to answer some of our questions. Mark your calendars:
September 11th, 18th, 25th and October 2nd, in the Library, 9:15am.
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Adult Faith Building – “Thursdays at 7:00”
 “Thursdays at 7” starts on September 8th, in the Library, 7pm. The Rev. Dr. David E. Abernethy-Deppe will present “In the Footsteps of Paul: An In-Depth Study of the Apostle’s Missionary Travels and Writings.” We’ll begin this course with several new DVD presentations by Dr. Bart Ehrman of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina. He will provide an overview of the New Testament, as well as a closer look at Paul, the earliest Christian writer, and his Epistles. Finally, we ourselves will make an in-depth study and comparison of two of Paul’s letters: I Thessalonians and Philippians. Join us!
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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Just ONE Extra Item!
 In your grocery cart is what we ask of our parishioners to get in the habit of purchasing for the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry of St. Paul in the Desert. While accomplishing your weekly grocery shopping, buy ONE extra item. This ONE extra item would assist us in providing dessert for the children, their parents, plus the rest of the 90+ clients, of Roy’s Desert Resource Center. Dessert (box of cookies, doughnuts, fruit, cheese or any other special treat) is provided every Monday evening by St. Paul volunteer servers and providers. These same 8 parishioners, week after week, from their own pockets, make sure that the St. Paul’s Dessert Ministry provides for these special people who look forward to this once a week treat, especially the children. Parishioners can bring items to church on the weekend or deliver desserts before 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Place the perishable desserts in the Parish Hall refrigerator (labeled clearly “SOS”). Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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Well In The Desert
Now Serves Lunch at St. Paul’s on Wednesdays
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The Well in the Desert has moved its meal service at St. Paul’s from Fridays to Wednesdays. In order to support the retail businesses in our neighborhood, we requested a change in the day of our meal service. Now a hot meal is served at St. Paul’s from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Wednesday.
The Well needs volunteers to carry out their services and they need financial support to provide them. You can call (760) 327-8577 to volunteer. If you want to contribute to the Well, just write “Well” in the memo portion of your check.
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A Holy Communion Service
. . .is scheduled for Wednesday, August 10th at 10:00 a.m. at Windsor Court presided over by Fr. Fred Myers.
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Coffee Hour
 The hosts for the 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hour is Don MacLean and Eileen Upton. Susan Green and Patti Minton Sivcovich are the hosts for the 10:30 a.m. 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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Lay Eucharistic Visitors
LEVs share in the pastoral and sacramental ministry of the church, by taking Holy Communion to persons unable to attend church. LEVs go each Sunday to Desert Hospital and on a rotational basis to those confined at home or in Skilled Nursing Facilities. Diocesan licensing is required to perform this ministry, which we help you coordinate. If interested in the LEV ministry, contact Jonathan at 760.320.7488, ext. 224 or email at jonathan.abernethy-deppe@stpaulsps.org.
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St. Paul Campers
. . .are almost packed for their 6th annual trip to Idyllwild on August 12th through the 14th at Idyllwild County Park. Call Bonnie to see if there are any openings left. St. Paul’s Campers invite other families, individuals, and nature lovers from St. Paul’s to join our annual trip up to the cool, pine-filled forest. Dogs are welcome! See Bonnie Stroock at church or call 760.324.7949.
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The St. Paul Columbarium Niches are over 60% sold out. If you are interested in a specific niche, please do not wait to purchase it or reserve it. Deposits are required for all niche reservations. Please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe, at 760.320.7488, ext. 224 for further information.
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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 receiving the latest mailings and the Abundant Lite weekly newsletter? If not, then we probably don’t have your correct mailing and/or email addresses. We want to make sure that you receive the invites to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. Please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give it to an usher, or 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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