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From Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
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There are those who come seeking Jesus, and Jesus’ response to them is, ‘…you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.’ Jesus poses this question in a variety of ways, “For what are we looking?” What sort of bread are we seeking, Wonder Bread or a dense whole wheat, maybe sourdough or squaw bread. Are we seeking superficial or surface needs being met or are we seeking ‘core’ needs being met; needs which may be costlier of our time and of our very being.
This past Sunday evening, several members of St. Paul’s journeyed to the San Diego area to listen to a dialogue on gay marriage. It was hosted by Skyline Church, one of the major players in support of Prop. 8 in the last election. For me there was something missing, no crosses in the building; however, an elegant fountain outside and a large Coffee Cafe inside seemed of importance to them. The gospel for this Sunday offers some similar parallels.
I believe Jesus calls us to follow and in following, we are called to go ever deeper to the heart of God’s compassion for all of God’s creation. Are we called to sit comfortably in our pews or we called to acknowledge the discomfort the gospel causes in us and the action to which the gospel calls us? What is life giving and what seems to impede life? Jesus calls us to new life again and again. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”
Come and join us this Sunday as we share and feast on ‘the bread of life’!
Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
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John 6:24-35
The next day, when the people who remained after the feeding of the five thousand saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
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A Service in Loving Memory
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Jeffrey John Hampson
December 27, 1949 – July 27, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
10:00 a.m.
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
August
Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power and How They Can Be Restored is 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. 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!
8/07 “On Golden Pond” hosted by Jerry DiNoto
8/14 “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” hosted by David Abernethy-Deppe
8/21 “Of Gods and Men” hosted by David Abernethy-Deppe
8/28 “Fried Green Tomatoes” hosted by Jerry DiNoto
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New Program at St. Paul’s by the Older Adult Forum…
“Building Community & Socialization”
3rd Friday Breakfast 9am-10am
Come join us the 3rd Friday of each month to enjoy a great program and have a bite to eat. Our first event will be Friday, September 21st at 9am in the Parish Hall.
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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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Picture Directories
If you had your picture taken for the directory, there is one reserved for you and it is available in the Narthex.
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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 August, this will occur on
August 8th 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 August, this will occur on
August 28th 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
Our hosts after the 8:00 service are Eileen Upton & Don MacLean and after the 10:30 service are Jerry Lynch & Nathan Ensign. 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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