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Under Authority
The Roman Centurion saw that Jesus was “under authority.” He goes on to give examples of having authority by giving orders and expecting them to be obeyed. He is under authority because he represents power more important than himself. The centurion represents his command structure and ultimately the Emperor. He understands that Jesus represents power beyond his experience, perhaps God.
Jesus has the authority to command the forces that can bring healing to the beloved servant. Jesus never claims unlimited power or authority, but only what is needed to serve God’s Mission. He acknowledges the authority to heal in this story. In other places, he claims the authority to forgive, to expel spirits, and to renew life. His authority is to take what is sick, broken, or unclean and excluded, and to restore it to the center of God’s care.
Each of us is “under authority,” too.
We have been forgiven, healed, or renewed by God through the ministry of Jesus. We have then been sent to do the same for others. If we have experienced God bringing us back to the center, then we are “under authority” to go to the margins and bring others – in Jesus’ name or under Jesus’ authority.
I need to remind myself that this story is not about healing, although it is present. This story is about faith, but it is a different look at faith. It is about the faith that is required to see God at work in the world and through God’s agents. The centurion did not demonstrate an emotional revelation. The occasion of illness caused him to recognize a possible remedy and he called on Jesus. He interpreted Jesus’ power to heal in his own soldier’s language.
When we care for those on the margins and bring them to the center, we are acknowledging a reality that is greater than our current economics, politics, or cultures. We are grasping the reality of God’s Mission.
As we worship this weekend, may we practice telling our story in language that is as much our own and is as compelling as the centurion’s.
Faith is being spoken here.
Fr. Andrew
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Luke 7:1-10
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,’ and he goes, and to another, `Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
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Take Action to Protect the Dignity of Immigrants
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Dear Parish Family and Friends,
In our baptism vows we promise to respect the dignity of every human being.
As our Congress prepares to debate and enact legislation that will reform our Immigration laws, we have the opportunity to stand up for the dignity of those who are immigrants.
Please read the article by Bp.  Mathes and call our elected officials. Ask them to pass the appropriate legislation.
Blessings,
Fr. Andrew
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Arturo Melero and his family have been working with St. Paul in the Desert for over 20 years.
He is also an active member of St. Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church in Desert Hot springs. Over the years, Arturo has served the people of St. Elizabeth’s and lead in generating the funds needed to serve God’s Mission.
In May, the Diocese of San Bernardino recognized Arturo Melero for his service.
The Most Reverend Gerald R. Barnes presented Arturo with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Award on May 20th at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Yucaipa.
We want to add our recognition and thanksgiving for Arturo’s dedication to our Lord.
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Help Those Affected By Tornadoes and
Severe Storms
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Episcopal Relief and Development has been in contact with local partners in the Episcopal dioceses of Oklahoma and Fort Worth following tornadoes on May 16 and May 20 that caused severe damage and loss of life. These devastating events were caused by a large storm system that set off tornado watches from Texas to Minnesota.
You can help make a difference to those so deeply affected.
Read More . . .
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
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
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
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
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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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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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“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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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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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.
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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!
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Movie Night!
Coming on Tuesday Nights in July and August
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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 June 12th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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A civil discourse on gun control, Wednesday, June 12th, at 7:00pm, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 890 Balour Drive, Encinitas, will include points of view relating to personal freedom, national security and public safety, as affected by the Constitution and existing and proposed legislation. It will be moderated by Jim Stiven a retired judge and a recently retired professor of Law at California Western School of Law. For more info: http://www.standrewsepiscopal.org or 760.753.3017.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts after the 10:30 service are Jerry Lynch & Nathan Ensign in celebration of Jerry’s 40th Anniversary of Ordination.
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.
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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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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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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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