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All Is NOT Lost
Jesus seems to run into a wall in his hometown. It is the most disappointing experience of his Galilee Tour.
Do you notice who Jesus is usually disappointed with? Isn’t it the religious leaders and his own disciples? But here it is the rank and file of his hometown. They are aware of the work that he is doing and the message he is preaching. Rather than believe, they wonder. They wonder why they should believe. They are concerned that the Kingdom of God Jesus preaches could cause their community to be out of sync with the religious and secular authorities.
So Jesus moves on.
As you have been reading along with me, week by week, you know that Jesus gives his disciples authority at the end of Mark, Chapter 2. He has been expressing lots of concern for their weak belief.
Here, at the beginning of Chapter 6, they are finally doing something! Another way to say it would be that they were finally believing enough to use some of the power and authority that Jesus gave them. The result of this faithfulness is that they are seeing what God is doing through them, just as Jesus promised!
Jesus invites us to keep at it. He invites us to keep believing. He invites us to then act like disciples, not like people who are mired in thinking about commitment.
Jesus has been working with the disciples from the beginning, and he is not done with them in Chapter 6. He is not done with us yet, either. Part of our growth in faith is to develop the spiritual practices that will nurture us. Personal prayer, community worship, reading the Gospels, and spending time serving those in need are each steps that lead us to mature discipleship.
We are at Chapter 6. Things are moving. All is NOT lost. As my AA friends say, “Keep coming back!”
Join our community in worship this week as we joyfully celebrate at least one of these spiritual practices together.
Fr. Andrew
I am at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Indianapolis until the 13th. Keep me and the convention in your prayers, that we may keep believing, keep our center in Christ, and do faithful work.
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Mark 6:1-13
Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
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Changes Are Happening in the Parish Hall thanks to the kind and generous gifts of time, talent and funds by numerous parishioners. The “upgrades” in Hogarth Hall include the Parlor (the room behind the sliding accordion doors) to create a user-friendly Adult Education Area. It will be painted, carpeted and have a new wall built to hide the stored chairs and tables. The closets have been cleaned and organized.
We are also making changes in the Kitchen: A new center island and new movable cabinets will provide flexibility. They are lockable to assist in assuring security.
The Restrooms are being thoroughly cleaned, painted and wallpapered. There is now a larger handicap stall in the women’s room. The entry hall to the restroom will be cleared out and made more inviting.
Finally, we are installing audio and video systems in the Main Hall and in the newly upgraded Adult Education Room. The large bulletin boards are being replaced with flat screen monitors that will provide current information about St. Paul’s, our programs, parishioners, and activities.
July will be a busy month for all these projects. Your participation is welcome and appreciated. Roger Allen, our Senior Warden, is coordinating these efforts, and he welcomes your contributions, comments, and support.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
July
7/08 Characters in the Bible: Martha, Mary & Lazarus
by Jerry DiNoto
7/15 Characters in the Bible: John the Baptist
by David Abernethy-Deppe
7/22 Characters in the Bible: The Gentile Mother
by David Abernethy-Deppe
7/29 Characters in the Bible: St. James
by David Abernethy-Deppe
August
Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power and How They Can Be Restored will be the focus of our August Sundays at 9:15 Adult Faith Formation classes led by Victoria Hatch. The book is available at http://www.amazon.com in paperback or Kindle edition. The Faith Formation Team encourages you to order it now and read it several times before the August classes begin. It’s one of Borg’s better books . . . and that’s saying a lot.”
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“Thursdays At 7”
There will be no “Thursdays at 7” meetings in July and August
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“Tuesdays at 7”
Movie Nights in July & August
On Tuesdays at 7 in the Library, the Faith Formation Team thought it would be fun to watch a movie together, enjoy popcorn, chocolates, or …, then share thoughts about the film, and discuss its ethical or life implications, if any. Here are three selections for July. We would like your suggestions for August!
7/10 “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” hosted by Jerry DiNoto
7/17 “Priest” hosted by Jerry DiNoto
7/24 “Chocolat” hosted by David Abernethy-Deppe
7/31 “The King and I (By request)
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Keeping the Doors Open at Ahli Hospital in Gaza
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Ahli Hospital has operated since 1882 and continues caring for desperately poor Gazans, even though the United Nations Relief and Works Agency has halted funding. Ahli is operated by the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, an independent, non-political 501c3 which helps sustain the diocese’s many humanitarian programs. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Visit http://www.afedj.org to learn about or contribute to their important work which sustains the Christian community.
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Sign Up for Flowers,
Coffee Hour and
Desert SOS
To make is easier for parishioners to sign-up for Flowers, Coffee Hours, and the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry, the sign-up sheets are in binders that are on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. The 2012 binders are filling fast, so if you have a special date that you want to commemorate, be sure to sign up early.
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Holy Communion Service for
Local Care Facilities
Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of each month at Windsor Court. For July, this will occur on
July 11th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Premier Health Care. For July, this will occur on
July 24th at 11:00 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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St. Paul ‘s Campers
are reserving campsites in Idyllwild County Park for August 16th-17th for our 8th annual trip. Individuals, as well as families, are invited to join us. Dogs are permitted. We’ll do our spectacular BBQ dinner by sharing salads, deserts, etc., on Friday, the 17th. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 to make a reservation. Come and enjoy the cool mountain air!
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
. . . meets every Wednesday from 10 am – 1 pm in the Parish Hall. This peace-filled stitching circle gives members fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need of prayer. For more details contact Valerie Ferguson at 760.799.5927, Barbara Hawkins Villani at 760.322.3987, or Audrey Spencermorris at 760.835.5506.
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Coffee Hour
Hosts after the 8:00 service are Barry Hagenbuch & Robert Woods and after the 10:30 service are Lena & John Granet. Coffee Hour hosts are still needed for several services this summer. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, please contact Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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Volunteers from St. Paul’s continue to serve dessert to between 70 and 100 homeless men, women and children at Roy’s every Monday evening. The desserts consist of baked goods and other goodies (store-bought or homemade) from our parishioners. As well, we deliver each month sox and undies purchased from our SOS Fund or placed in the SOS basket on Sunday. which is funded by special donations from parishioners. All of these efforts are deeply appreciated by these people who are earnestly striving to get back into the main stream.
If you would like to participate in this program, you can:
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Sign up to Volunteer
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Write a check to St. Pauls (marked for SOS Fund)
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Bring new white socks and/or large underwear for the Basket
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Place baked goods in the center section of the Fridge (again, marked For SOS)
Please call Hap Blaisdell at 760-323-5726 for additional information and ideas.
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Report Sexual Misconduct.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please remember 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 and to encourage all to report any misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Canon Suzann V. Holding immediately: sholding@edsd.org
or 619-481-5452.
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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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