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Where Exactly, Does Their Worm Never Die?
One option for dealing with difficult, regularly misunderstood passages of Scripture is to ignore them. Sometimes that is a good choice and hell worms, and fire might qualify. But let’s look more closely to see how Jesus uses them to build a community of faith? Because, Jesus is doing more teaching with his disciples this week. He is guiding them as they learn to be his disciples and as they learn what a community of faith is.
They react to an “outsider” doing “insider” work. They told the fellow who was using Jesus’ name for healing, to stop. They had a red line for the work of God: Anything to do with Jesus was theirs. Brian Stoffregan shared this about setting lines for Jesus:
Jensen (Preaching Mark’s Gospel) quotes an unnamed professor of theology who once said: “Whenever you want to draw lines in order to mark who is outside the kingdom and who is inside, always remember: Jesus is on the other side of the line! Jesus is always with the outsiders!” [italics in the original, p. 149.]
Jesus was building the Kingdom of God and a Community of Faith that welcomed all. The disciples were listening with one ear, but were making sure they were the gatekeepers. He taught them that they must be accountable and hold the gates wide open. Jesus’ harshest words were for the ones who would cause a seeker to be turned aside or to stumble – who tried to keep the gates closed.
The “worm that never dies” and the “fire that never goes out” is a quote from Isaiah 66:24. Essentially, the scattered people of God will be welcomed home. There they will see the ultimate end of those who opposed God’s plan. The opponents will be disconnected from the divine community they have counted on to sustain them. Jesus uses the Isaiah passage to graphically show the disciples their own loss if the new Kingdom is not kept inclusive.
This is tough teaching for the disciples who would be gatekeepers. It is directed to the insider disciples not the outsider seekers.
Who would Jesus have us welcome at St. Paul’s?
Join us this weekend as we practice welcoming one another and absolutely everyone else.
Fr. Andrew
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Mark 9:38-50
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
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Bp. Mathes joins San Diego Religeous Leaders
in denouncing film
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Click the image (below) to view
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25th Annual Palm Springs AIDS Walk
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Join the St. Paul’s walkers as we particiapte in the Palm Springs AIDS Walk on Sunday, November 4th. Join us as we walk to end the AIDS pandemic. There is a table to sign up after the Sunday services on the walk between the Church and the Parish Hall.
Sunday, NOVEMBER 4TH
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PMS: THE RECITAL
(A Benefit for the Music Program at St. Paul’s)
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Our soprano section-leader, Patricia Minton Sivcovich, along with special guest musicians, will present a concert on Sunday, October 21st, at 4 PM. Serious songs, sacred songs and silly songs will be included in the program. There will be a reception following in the Parish Hall hosted by the choir. For more information contact Patti at: 760.778.6016 or Nathan at 760.320.7488, ext. 225. Donations are graciously expected at the door.
Click Patricia’s picture to view her bio.
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Wanted!
Your Photos, Messages, & Announcements
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. . .to be put up on the new monitors in the Parish Hall. Please give your JPEG images to Roger Allen (or place them in his mail box in the Parish Office) on a flash drive (thumb drive) or SD card at least a week before you would like them shown. We can also show Power Point presentations.
ALSO NEEDED: Experts in Power Point and video editing. Please talk to Roger Allen for details.
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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 next event will be Friday, October 19th at 9am in the Parish Hall.
Presenter will be Malcolm Boyd discussing: Who I am and how I reflect my faith community
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Judaism
9/30 – Emergence of Rabbinic Judaism, DVD led by Rick Tinsley
Stewardship
10/7 – Peter Rittenhouse – Chair of the Abundant Living Action Team
The Orthodox Church
10/14 DVD: Catholic-Orthodox-Protestant, led by Rick Tinsley
10/21 Interview with John Granet, led by Rick Tinsley
10/28 DVD: Eastern Orthodox Theology, led by Jerry Lynch
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“Tuesdays At 7”
In The Library
The Story of the Episcopal Church
10/02—The Founding of the Episcopal Church / “Here’s some nice mud, now who brought the straw?”, led by Victoria Hatch & Craig Ewing
10/09—The Episcopal Church and Mission / Hooking up our High Horse to a Plow, led by Victoria Hatch & Craig Ewing
10/16—The Parish, the Diocese and the Episcopate / “The Parish, the What and the What?”, led by Victoria Hatch
10/23—General Convention / “Next Stop on the Via Media: Grand Central Station”, led by Victoria Hatch
10/30—The Parish Vestry / When the Greek Chorus Gets Budget Authority, led by Victoria Hatch & Craig Ewing
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Roy’s Desert Resource Centeer
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Volunteers from St. Paul in the Desert serve dessert to 70-100 homeless men, women and children at Roy’s every Monday evening. The desserts are baked goods and other goodies (store-bought or homemade) from our parishioners. We also deliver socks and undies purchased with donations from or placed in the SOS basket by parishioners. The people who are striving to get back into the main stream deeply appreciate your efforts.
If you would like to participate in this program, you can:
• Sign up to Volunteer
• Write a check to St. Paul’s (marked: SOS Fund)
We spend an average of $500 per month for new sox and undies from this parishioner-supported fund. It is currently operating on empty.
• Bring new white socks and/or large underwear for the SOS basket in the narthex
• When you are baking, make an extra cake or zuchini loaf and place it in the right hand section of the Parish Hall kitchen refrig marked “SOS”.
Please call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726 for additional information and ideas.
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Sign Up for Flowers,
Coffee Hour and
Roy’s Desert Resource Center
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 October, this will occur on October 10th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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The Children’s Choir will begin regular rehearsals on Wednesday, October 3rd at 6:00 in the choir room. New members are always welcome! All children age 4 and up are invited to participate in this activity learning musical life skills and working together as a team. For more information contact Nathan Ensign at:
760-320-7488 Ext. 225
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The St. Paul’s Campers
. . . are going to the mountain on October 5th to 7th. We had to reschedule our original plans due to a thunderstorm. We have equipment to lend, a great dinner planned, and lots of fresh mountain air! Please call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7979 to reserve a spot.
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The Episcopal
Church Women
. . . welcome the Fall season with a luncheon on Thursday, October 4th. A business meeting at 11:30 a.m. will be followed by the traditional salad luncheon. All women of the parish are invited to attend as plans for 2012-2013 will be discussed. Bette Knutson, group president, will chair the discussion and host the luncheon with Harriet Yost. Those attending are asked to bring a favorite salad, rolls or dessert to share; beverages are provided. For additional information about the event, contact Bette at 760.416.5739.
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SAVE the DATE for our NEXT STEWARDSHIP EVENT!
October 13th, from 11-2, will be our all parish Bar-B-Q! The fun will begin with a mystery activity! While the event is complimentary, you will need to acquire your tickets after worship services, beginning Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30.
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Dine for the Desert Blind
Oct. 3, 5-8:00 p.m. at Nicolino’s. The Desert Blind and Handicapped Association has a long relationship  with St. Paul’s. They host a monthly luncheon for their clients in our Parish Hall. We are invited to join them at Nicolino’s on October 3rd to benefit the services they provide. Tickets are $20. More information and tickets are available in the Parish Hall. You may also call 760-778-8552 to order your tickets.
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Daughters of the King
The DOK will start the fall season on Tuesday Sept. 25th in the condo at 1:15. Women who enjoy praying together and learning in a Christian community are invited to attend. All our meetings will be at St. Paul’s this year as St. Margaret’s has formed their own chapter. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 for information.
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Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour hosts after the 10:30 service are Joan & Mick Dawson celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary (September 27th) and Mick’s birthday ( the 29th).
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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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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