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I Choose
This week’s reading from the Book of Joshua was chosen to accompany the Gospel selection from the end of chapter 6 because the disciples, like the ancient Israelites had to make a choice. The Israelites choose the LORD over other gods. The disciples chose Jesus.
I like choice.
If I were honest, I would say that I feel entitled to have choices. It is what I am used to and I have no adult memory of not having a choice in most things. Choice is key to one of the first definitions of being rich I heard: “Among all the people on earth, if you have a choice of what you will eat today, you are rich.”
Church is a choice. It wasn’t always a choice for many of us of a certain age. My folks insisted that I go to church, so I went. No choice. It is now a choice for everyone. A challenge facing our Parish today is being a choice, when we pretend we are not. This affects how we organize ourselves as a community and how we reach out to people.
The choice the disciples made did not make them “go to church.” They chose to stick with Jesus in his fresh vision of God’s Reign on earth. The Israelites, in Joshua, chose to follow the LORD their God. It required them to live in a unique way that honored the Covenant they made with God, but it did not require them to “go to church.”
Having a choice empowers me. Having a choice of what I eat or where I live can help me have a sense of health control in my life. Patients who have or create real choices in their course of treatment have a sense of control that improves their health. Each of us has a choice about many things, and some of those are how we share with others who have fewer choices.
I choose today. I choose to follow Jesus. I choose to be a part of the people of God who live as an offering to the world. I choose to find ways to empower the choice-less. I choose to say “Yes” to God’s invitation.
I invite you to join us in worship this weekend as we attempt to honor the God who chooses us and gives us choices.
Fr. Andrew
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Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel:
“Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”
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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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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
8/26 – Speaking Christian, Last Session, led by Victoria Hatch
9/02 – No meeting (Labor Day Weekend)
9/09 – Judaism: What is Judaism? DVD led by Rick Tinsley
9/16 – Judaism: Stages of History, DVD led by Rick Tinsley
9/23 – Judaism: Jewish Library, DVD led by Rick Tinsley
9/30 – Judaism: Emergence of Rabbinic Judaism, DVD led by Rick Tinsley
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“Thursdays At 7” (Returns)
The Story of Anglicanism
9/06 – Ancient & Medieval Foundations, led by Craig Ewing
9/13 – Reformation & Its Consequences, led by Craig Ewing
9/20 – Creating a Global Family, led by Craig Ewing
9/27 – The Anglican Way of Life, led by Jerry DiNoto
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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!
8/28 “Fried Green Tomatoes” hosted by Jerry DiNoto
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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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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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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 September, this will occur on September 12th 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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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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Camp Stevens is celebrating their 60th anniversary September 2nd from 1:00-5:00 pm. Communion and a BBQ dinner are part of this free event in Julian, about 2 hours from Palm Springs. Come and tour this wonderful camp and wish Peter and Vicki Bergstrom well in their retirement as camp directors.
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Daughters of the King will attend the fall assembly in Oceanside on September 8th. The speaker represents the National Cathedral in Washington. Lunch and Communion are part of the program. Please call Karen Nelson at 760.808.4215 if you want to join us.
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Coffee Hour
Our hosts after the 8:00 service are Eileen Upton & Don MacLean. Coffee Hour hosts are still needed for several services the rest of the year. 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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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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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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