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Talking to God
Jesus has gone out early to pray, and when he returns, one of the disciples makes a request of Jesus, “teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” First Jesus often went to a secluded place to pray; and, second, the disciple asks to be taught to pray as John (the Baptist) taught his disciples to pray. The question is an oft asked question of clergy. “How do you pray?” or “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?” For whatever reason most of us have the misconstrued idea that prayer is a monologue on our part, when in fact, we need to be reminded, that it, like most conversations, is a dialogue. It is about talking and listening.
It is like so many things in life that we feel we can control or direct on our terms. What Jesus does not do, in this particular episode, is to tell the disciples about correct posture or focus or breathing techniques. Jesus teaches them to pray, to talk to God; to ask for the coming of God’s kingdom and for their daily bread. Jesus does not complicate His instructions, but tells the story of the somewhat ‘irritating’ neighbor, reminiscent of the story from Genesis. In the Genesis passage, Abraham talks to God about the city of Sodom, and with Abraham’s persistence in praying for the city, God decides not to destroy the city.
The important thing in our lessons this Sunday, especially the Gospel, is the importance of prayer and our need to do it regularly, persistently; and, to pray about, or talk to God about everything, even those things we feel are mundane, irrelevant, or silly, but also the critical items. Prayer is about our relationship with God and about the deepening of that relationship through our prayer life. Nothing is too small to bring to God in prayer. As the old gospel hymn says, “Take it to the Lord in prayer…”
Join us this Sunday as we are invited to talk to God and continue our journey and deepen our relationship with God in this dialogue, we call prayer.
The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
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Luke 11:1-13
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
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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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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Evolution of the Word;
Exploring Marcus Borg’s book on the chronological New Testament,
led by Fr. Jonathan
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
7/30 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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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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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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Bishop James Mathes
has issued a
statement on
Same Sex Marriage
Click here to read the Bishop’s message.
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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
Camperships for Camp Stevens raised $341.45 last Sunday. A big thanks for helping out kids who can’t afford a week of camp. You may still send a check to St. Paul”s noting Camp Stevens Camperships on the bottom. Also our parishioner, Noah Baker Aidukus is attending camp this summer. Yeah for Noah!
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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Movie Night!
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 August 14th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts following the 8:00 service is Tom Baxley and following the 10:30 service are Lena Granet and Barbara Villani.
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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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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