|
Who Is My Witness?
I remember something my mother would say when she was angry: “As God is my witness…”
She wanted whoever it was to know that she was angry, and she had a witness – God. If I knew what was good for me, I should change my behavior. Mom was reacting out of frustration and needed to claim that in some way, God was on her side. I don’t think I have used the same phrase, but I know that I have claimed God is on my side. I know that I have felt the need of a substantial witness that I was on the right track.
This week we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. This weekend, we will be reading the story of Pentecost from the Acts of the Apostles about the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Christian movement.
In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he describes the work of the Holy Spirit. In our selected passage, Paul reminds us that we belong to God, and that the Holy Spirit is our guide and witness. It is as if he is answering an unasked question. Who says we belong to God? God’s own Spirit, that’s who.
I believe the Holy Spirit is our witness to fullness, that we are fully and completely God’s daughters and sons. If we have trouble believing it, the Holy spirit is our witness. If we have trouble living it out, the Holy Spirit is our guide.
According to Paul, we are fully heirs of God with Jesus, but there is an”if.”
The if is not about our credentials or pedigree, it is about our willingness to claim our inheritance by following Jesus on the way. As children of God, we have been connected with all other children of God, especially those who don’t yet know they belong, those who suffer need, or live with injustice. The Holy Spirit is their witness, too, and guides us to serve and heal.
Join the worship this Pentecost as we affirm our connection with God and with the rest of God’s family, as God is our witness – through the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
Romans 8:14-17
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ– if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
|
|
“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
From Convent to Miter
The Legacy of Women in the Episcopal Church,
hosted by Victoria Hatch
5/19 The Election of Katharine Jefferts Schori
5/26 NO CLASS – Memorial Day Weekend
The Lives of Great Christians
DVD with Dr. William R. Cook,
hosted by Rick Tinsley and David Caffrey
6/02 Introduction: What Make a Great Christian?
6/09 Paul and the First Christian Missionaries
6/16 The Early Martyrs
6/23 St. Anthony – The First Mjonk
6/30 The Desert Fathers and Mothers
|
|
“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
The Old Testament
A study of Hebrew Scriptures, DVD with Amy-Jill Levine,
hosted by David Abernethy-Deppe and Bob Hettinger
5/21 Covenant and Law II – Leviticus
5/28 The Conquest – Deuteronomy 20-31 and Joshua
Great Figures of the New Testament,
DVD with Amy-Jill Levine,
hosted by Jerry Lynch and Jerry DiNoto
6/04 John and James, the Sons of Zebedee
6/11 The Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son
6/18 The Samaritan Woman
6/25 Stephen, the First Martyr
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
“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!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
PENTECOST SUNDAY,
MAY 19TH
WEAR RED!
Why do we wear RED on Pentecost? One of the beautiful aspects of our liturgy is it’s love and constant use of signs and symbols. One such symbol is the use of color. There are variations of color but we primarily use white, purple, green, blue and red. Each color has symbolic meanings, but perhaps the most dramatic is red. Red is used less frequently. It is a very attention-grabbing color. Is that why fire engines are red? Red symbolizes fire and blood in two different contexts. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples like “tongues of fire.” Fire is explosive, energetic and also symbolizes the strong energy and powers we need to spread the Good News of the Gospel. Of course red also symbolizes blood. The blood Jesus shed on the cross as well as the blood of martyrs through the ages who shed it for their faith.
Wear RED this Sunday!
|
|
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.
|
|
LGBT Health Needs Survey.
The LGBT Community Center of the Desert, in partnership with Health Assessment Resource Center (HARC), is proud to announce the first ever comprehensive LGBT Health Needs Survey of Coachella Valley! The information obtained from this survey will help the Center design programs and services to meet your specific needs and obtain additional funding to provide new programs and services. Please take 20 minutes to complete the survey! It’s all online, completely anonymous, click here.
|
|
Sunday School
children and teachers
. . .are invited to attend church on Sunday, June 9th at 10:30am when awards and certificates will be given out for the Godly Play Program. You did a great job!
|
|
Movie Night!
Coming on Tuesday Nights in July and August
|
|
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 June 12th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
|
|
Daughters of the King will meet on Tuesday, May 28th, at 1:15pm in the Condo for our monthly prayer time. Dues will be collected. Newcomers are welcome to come and hear about the spring assembly in San Diego where a report on African Ministry was presented. The fastest growing chapters of DOK are in Malawi, Africa, where women are learning that the beauty of Christian fellowship empowers them. Call Bonnie Stroock for information at 760.324.7949.
|
|
Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts after both services today are members of the Vestry.
Hosts are needed for many Sundays throughout 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Write a comment: