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The Last Breakfast
As we prepared for Easter, we read of the “Last Supper” and reflected on the beginnings of the Holy Communion. In John’s Gospel, the last evening meal with the disciples focuses on the mark of service: Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. The theme of service continues in this week’s Gospel reading.
The setting is probably weeks after the Resurrection of Jesus and about 150 km north of Jerusalem on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples have departed the room where they had hidden in fear and then met the risen Jesus with joy. A majority of them have returned to the work they knew – fishing.
I have often heard them criticized for going back to fishing, but I don’t see it that way. These men met Jesus at work, were called to follow him from their nets, and they returned to work as they puzzled what would come next. What came next was that Jesus met them at work again and called them again to follow him. He made this call in the context of a breakfast meeting.
It is all about the work. Their lives and relationships were built around their work, fishing. Jesus finds them up north, working again, and he tunes his original call. Instead of inviting them to “fish for people,” he calls them to tend, feed, and care for his flock. (Pardon the mixed metaphors!)
There is an important role that Peter has in this story, but I am reading the conversation Jesus has with Peter as applying to all the disciples, then and now. If you love me, tend my sheep. Jesus calls them to get to work, but not just any work. They are to be about Jesus’ work.
We know that all the leaders of the disciples, the twelve, moved away from making a living from fishing, tax collecting, etc. to devote themselves to leading the Jesus Community. I imagine that it did not happen abruptly, and it was not that way for all the disciples who made up the community. Most integrated their regular life and their Jesus life. They were fishermen who also fished for people.
From what I have seen as a follower of Jesus and a designated leader, this is the heart of Jesus’ call for his followers: finding, feeding, and tending Jesus’ sheep is work that is integrated in our daily lives.
It means seeing our worship together less as a pinnacle of spiritual bliss, and more of a breakfast meeting that takes us from and sends us back to, work.
Let’s share our Communion meal this weekend as we worship, celebrating the work done and the work to come.
Fr. Andrew
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John 21:1-19
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Click here to read the entire Scripture Lesson.
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Rod B.Burke
12/23/1942 – 4/10/2013
Funeral plans are pending.
May he rest in peace.
Keep Rod’s partner of 35 years,
Kirk Storm in your prayers.
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St. Paul’s to Host Conference Worship
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On April 14th at the 10:30 service, St. Paul’s will host the Western Region of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) in worship as they conclude their Annual Conference.
 Founded in 1968, “The Union of Black Episcopalians stands in the continuing tradition of more than 200 years of Black leadership in the Episcopal Church.”
The Rev. Zelda Kennedy will preach at the service and there may be guest clergy sharing in the worship leadership.
We welcome the conference participants to our worship and we look forward to hearing the Rev. Kennedy, a leading preacher in the Episcopal Church.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Coptic Church/Traditions
Hosted by Rick Tinsley
4/14 Session II
4/21 NO CLASS – Confirmation with Bishop Mathes
From Convent to Miter:
The Legacy of Women in the Episcopal Church
Hosted by Victoria Hatch
4/28 Religious Orders and Religious Education
5/05 The Fight for Ordination I
5/12 The Fight for Ordination II
5/19 The Election of Katharine Jefferts Schori
5/26 NO CLASS – Memorial Day Weekend
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
The Old Testament
A study of the Hebrew Scriptures, DVD with Amy Jill Levine.
Hosted by Craig Ewing and Team
4/16 The Jacob Saga – Genesis 25-36
4/23 Biblical Folklore Analysis – Genesis 25-36
4/30 Moses and Exodus – Exodus 1-15
5/07 The God of Israel – Exodus 1-15
5/14 Covenant and Law, Part I – Exodux 19-40
5/21 Covenant and Law, Part II – Exodus 20-35 and Leviticus
5/28 The Conquest – Deuteronomy 20-21, 27-31, and the Book of Joshua
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center is an outreach of St. Paul’s that serves the homeless by providing clothing and desserts on Monday evening served by our volunteers. You can help by contributing desserts, donating to our SOS Fund, adding to our donation baskets in the Narthex or joining our volunteers on Monday evening. For more information, call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726.
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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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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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Bishops Speak on Violence
The Bishops of the Episcopal Church just ended a four-day meeting in North Carolina with a Pastoral Statement.
It is called:
A Word to the Church:
Godly Leadership in the Face of Violence.
You may read the statement here.
They encourage all members to pray and work for an end to gun violence.
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Desert Blind and Handicapped
Breakfast at Coco’s
. . . to support transportation for people with disabilities. Takes place at Coco’s, Smoke Tree Village, 1901 E Palm Canyon, Drive on Saturday April 20th from 8 AM -11 AM. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 760-778-8552 or see George Holliday.
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We Need Volunteers
. . . to assist with Name Badge organization. Please contact Mike Funke at 760-409-0986 or: mike.funke@yahoo.com if you can help.
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Celebrate May with ECW!
A luncheon and special program are planned for the Episcopal Church Women’s gathering on May 2nd, the last of this year’s gatherings. The program will feature parishioner and artist Charlene Faris, who will be displaying and talking about some of her paintings. There will also be time to reminisce and share memories of “Mother’s Artistic Yarns” to celebrate Mother’s Day. A business meeting, open to all, begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by the noon luncheon and program. Newcomers to the parish are especially welcome. Those attending (except for newcomers) are asked to bring a salad to serve 6 to 8, rolls, or a dessert. Beverages are provided. Hostesses will be Beverly Zwach and Victoria Pineda. For additional information, contact Kathy Briski @ (760) 864-7145.
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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. The next service will be May 8th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour today after the 10:30 service is hosted by James Kyle & Mark Leggett in honor of their 28th Anniversary!
Coffee Hour hosts are needed for the rest of 2013. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, call 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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Episcopalians Against
Gun Violence
. . . is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, click here.
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“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”
Ministry!
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Pau’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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