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Who’s The Sinner?
Think of it like a child’s game while traveling, of alphabetically organizing license plates by state. Or an adult game where you look at other couples in a restaurant and imagine their conversations. The game we all play is “Who’s the Sinner?”
Jesus challenged that game when he was at Simon’s home for dinner. Simon, the pharisee, played by the rules of his culture and law – they knew who the sinners were. A woman, who does not seem to have crashed the party, makes a very public gesture at Jesus’ feet. Hers was a publicly intimate display that seems to have been one of heartfelt gratitude.
But Simon plays the game. He knows who the sinner is – and that Jesus is clueless. Then Jesus turns the tables on Simon with a story: “Who loves more? The one whose forgiven debt was greater.”
Simon sees the answer, but not the point. He understands ritual sin and forgiveness. He certainly participated in the ritual. But he was clueless about what was at stake and what point he was missing.
The woman offered the oil and her tears, not because she was a sinner, but because she was released! When I have carried a burden of hurt that I caused, it has weighed me down. I don’t know if I have ever felt so weightless as when I was released, when I was forgiven.
I have to admit that I have been both the unnamed woman and Simon. Church can slip into being the place that “Simons” congregate, fall back on ritual and stereotypes, and point out sinners. I hope we can become a gathering of those who know they have been forgiven and who are joyfully grateful, rejoicing with all the others who have been released; free to follow Jesus in service.
Join in worship this weekend and play Jesus’ game: “Who’s Forgiven.”
Fr. Andrew
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Luke 7:36-8:3
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him– that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “Speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
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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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. . . on the Older Adult Committee trip to Balboa Park in San Diego on Monday, August 12th, departing St Paul’s parking lot at 7:15am and returning to Palm Springs before 6:00pm. $45 per person (cash or check only). Cardiff Luxury Bus with restroom, coffee with light breakfast before we board. Wine, soft drinks and snack on the way home. Lunch and museums on your own. Balboa Park info at www.balboapark.org. Click for wheel chair/scooter rentals. Tickets available at Parish Office now and after services on July 14 & 21. Limited seating – buy your seat now.
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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
6/16 The Early Martyrs
6/23 St. Anthony – The First Mjonk
6/30 The Desert Fathers and Mothers
7/07 No Class
Evolution of the Word;
Exploring Marcus Borg’s book on the chronological New Testament,
led by Fr. Jonathan
7/14 An Overview & Paul’s letters: 1 Thess. & Galatians
7/21 Paul’s Letters: 1 Corinthians, Philemon, Philippians
7/28 Paul’s Letters: 2 Corinthians and Romans
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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
6/18 The Samaritan Woman
6/25 Stephen, the First Martyr
Movie Night on Tuesdays at 7pm in the Library
The July theme is Relationship & Marriage
7/02 Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
7/09 Lincoln (2012)
7/16 Steel Magnolias (1989)
7/23 My Favorite Wife (1940)
7/30 Reinas (Queens) (2005)
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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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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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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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Children’s Sunday School continues through the summer (although not the Godly Play program) with stories, artwork, and music during the 10:30 service.
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Come camping in August
. . . with the St. Paul’s Campers 9th annual trip. Families, singles, kids of all ages are invited to the cool woods near Idyllwild from August 23- 25. It’s a lot of fun for little money. Bring your dog! Call Ron Shepherd at 760.832.4709 to reserve space.
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Movie Night!
Coming on Tuesday Nights in July and August
See the schedule in the Faith Building section
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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 July 10th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Lectors and Intercessors (servers who read the lessons and prayers) will meet with Father Andrew on Sunday, June 23rd, at 9:15am, in the Church.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts after the 8:00 service are Victoria Hatch & Shelia Brubaker and after the 10:30 are John and Lucinda Hampson.
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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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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