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What’s Your Excuse?
Well now, Jesus is really rather direct and straight forward, there is no wiggle room in the Gospel as Jesus proclaims it. However, for us, as with the individuals with whom Jesus communicates – we are complicated, over committed, and claim busyness to explain our inability to follow or follow through.
Even in the midst of our favorite show, “and now a word from our sponsors”; interruptions break into our world and our plans and we often say, “I had all these plans and then life happens.” We want to stay focused on what is in front of us, but we have so much going on around us and our finger in so many pots. Sometimes, we who are able to maintain our focus, respond as James and John did, ‘shall we destroy them? ‘
The wonderful and graceful moment in this gospel reading is that Jesus in this very ‘revealing’ human image of Jesus, ultimately Jesus keeps coming back to us and invites us to follow again and again. He is testy in his responses to those who volunteer to follow; but he doesn’t so no. He just reminds us that there is a cost to following Him; there is a need to focus and give ones undivided attention to the task at hand, which is proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
Paul in writing to the Church in Galatia, reminds the early Church, “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things…. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” These are the principles which are to be our guides as we strive to follow Jesus. We all fall short of the glory of God, but we are reminded through the Baptismal Covenant, that we are forgiven and we are to try our very best again and again. It is not meek and mild Jesus, it is the radical Christ who invites us to follow, sometimes we’re ready and sometimes we’re not.
Join us this weekend to hear the call to follow and, hopefully, heed the call to follow.
Canon Victoria
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Luke 9:51-62
When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
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Bishop James Mathes has issued a
Statement on Same Sex Marriage
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Click here to read the Bishop’s message.
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Peace & Justice Team invites you to a discussion on Thursday, July 11th at 7pm in St. Paul’s Library to form the Peace and Justice Ministry. Please be prepared to share local, national, and global issues that interest and concern you. On tap are lively conversation and yummy goodies. Please contact Audrey Spencer at 760.835.5506 or Jerry DiNoto at 760.416.7710 for more information.
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SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 12, 2013 – 5:00 PM!
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SAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT DATE!
You won’t want to miss this wonderful event.
We will kick off St. Paul’s 75th Anniversary
in a grand way!
Remember – SAVE THIS DATE: 10/12/13!!
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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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“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
6/30 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
Why Did Jesus, Moses, The Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road?
During August Victoria Hatch will lead us in a discussion of this new book by Brian McLaren that addresses the issue of Christian identity in a multi-faith world and focuses on how Christians are to engage with those of other faiths.
8/04 The Crisis of Christian Identity
8/11 The Doctrinal Challenge: Promoting Harmony and Unity
8/18 The Liturgical Challenge: Baptism and/or
Sitting on Santa’s Knee
8/25 The Missional Challenge: Who We Are in a Multi-Faith World
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
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)
August Movie Nights’ theme is Royals or Royalty:
Kings and Queens
8/06 Private Lives of Henry VIII (1933) – Craig Ewing, host
8/13 Elizabeth (1998) – Jerry Di Noto, host
8/20 Henry V (1989) – Jerry Di Noto, host
8/27 The Queen (2006) – Jerry Di Noto, host
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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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“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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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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At the
Church of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
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Your Giving Matters
See a snap shot of our latest financial information by clicking here.
This is an important update and your attention is needed.
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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
Camp Information Sunday on July 7th after each service. Camp Stevens requests donations to help children who can’t afford camp fees this summer. Donors are invited to visit camp in the fall for a picnic. Also see pictures from our St. Paul’s Campers trips. A few spots are still open for August 23-25 reservations at Idyllwild County Park. Call Ron Shepherd at 760.832.4709 to reserve.
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Daughters of the King
. . . congratulate our order member, Karen Nelson, who is being installed in the healing Order of St. Luke today. DOK are joining her at Good Shepherd Church, Hemet, where she had her six month training. DOK will not meet until September.
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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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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts after the 8:00 service are Barry Hagenbuch & Robert Woods.
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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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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