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Reflections: From Jerry Di Noto
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What a reading!
The scripture account of Abraham being asked by God to sacrifice his son Isaac was cause for overtime research, praying and reflecting. What came to mind was a Rabbi’s, “On the one hand – and on the other hand,” approach to scripture reflections.
On the one hand, we realize that child sacrifice was not uncommon at that time in pagan cultures. On the other hand, Abraham was ultimately directed not to kill his child, clearly indicating that this practice has no place in our tradition, nor our understanding and response to God.
On the one hand, we traditionally see this scripture as a test of Abraham’s faith and obedience. On the other hand, I believe it is also a testament to his trust in God. He trusted that the God who followed through with the promise of a son in his old age would not direct a tragic end.
There is a profound lesson and challenge in this scripture narrative for us.
On the one hand, there is the lesson of trust. Abraham learned over a long period of time that listening, obeying and trusting the voice of God brings positive results. Following God’s directions, though sometimes difficult, does bring the fruitage of peace, harmony and wholeness in our lives.
On the other hand, we are challenged by the reality that children are still being sacrificed in so many ways through starvation, lack of health care, abuse, war, and oppressive ideologies. How can we follow the angel’s halting command to stop the sacrifice and bring nourishment, healing, love and peace? This challenge cries out for our active prayer and outreach as we live out our life of faith.
The narrator of Psalm 37 gives us a path to this daunting challenge, namely to, “Trust in the Lord and do good.” When we daily follow this directive, we become receptive to the inspiration to stop the malice and become every day agents of blessing by our words and actions.
On the one hand it seems impossible. On the other hand it is, with God’s help, what we are called to do!
Have a Blessed Week!
Jerry DiNoto
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Genesis 22:1-14
God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.
When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
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 With the piano in Pasadena beginning to get its much needed make-over and the choir on vacation, the choir room seems somewhat empty. Donations are still needed and remember that no gift is too large or too small! Please see our Director of Music, Nathan Ensign, after services or contact him at 760.320.7488, x.225 for more information.
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As you know, Fr. Andrew has left on well earned annual vacation and 3 month sabbatical, his second after 25 years as Rector. It is a time for him (and Susan part of the time) to relax, grow and renew so that he can return refreshed for the next chapter of his ministry with us. It is a part of Episcopal tradition to give the members and friends of the parish an opportunity to contribute to a Sabbatical Fund to assist in an extended and meaningful time away. It’s still not too late to be a part of this effort and we invite you to write a tax-deductible check payable to “St. Paul in the Desert” noted for the Sabbatical Fund and either place it in the offering plate or send it to the Parish Office. It is through this fund that Fr. Andrew will be able to submit appropriate expenses through our usual business expense reimbursement procedure.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
American Religious Movements:
Presentation & discussion on some of the American-founded, Christian-based denominations.
6/29 Seventh Day Adventists: Led by Rick Tinsley
Sunday July 6th, @ 9:15 AM in the Parish Hall
Religion and the struggle for global LGBT Equality presented by Rev. Cannon Albert Ogle
With 80 countries criminalizing LGBT people, cultural and religious values play an enormous role to discourage any reform of these laws. In some cases, i.e. Uganda, the religious community has made things worse.
Come and hear Rev. Canon Albert Ogle discuss the implications of this theology and its intersection with foreign policy through the work of the St. Paul’s Foundation.
Welcome to The Episcopal Café’ Discussion Group! Sessions held in Parish Hall Chapel.
These discussion-sharing sessions are based on online topics from Episcopal websites.
Participants can pre-read discussion articles on the sites indicated. The Episcopal Café discussion group topics and websites are:
July 13 Reverence For God.
Facilitator Jerry Di Noto
Click to read
July 20 Is the internet really killing religion in the US?
Facilitator: Craig Ewing
Click to read
July 27 What Needs to Die in the Church.
Facilitator: Victoria Hatch
Click to read
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In The Library
“A Grief Observed”, by C.S. Lewis.
Book study facilitated by Craig Ewing.
A discussion of this short, yet powerful exploration into one man’s response to great personal loss. Twelve books will be available at the first session for $10 each or may be purchased on Amazon.
6/24 Grace, patience, and moving forward.
July is movie month on Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Library!
The theme for the month of July is “Care/Caregiving”.
7/1 Movie: Dominick and Eugene
7/8 Movie: Tea with Mussolini
7/15 Movie: Philadelphia
7/22 Movie: Mask
7/29 Movie: Secret Life of Bees
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Volunteers Needed – Roy’s Desert Resource Center!
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St. Paul’s is expanding its outreach to the men, women and children of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, one of the Coachella Valley’s largest transitional living facilities for the homeless. New volunteers are needed to assist in our continuing Monday night dessert service to Roy’s residents as are baked goods, used clothing and donations to our Roy’s “S.O.S” fund. We are also looking for new volunteers willing to assist residents as they visit the on-site “God’s Closet” used clothing repository. We encourage everyone with a little time to spare to join us in this opportunity for service and fellowship. For more information, please contact Chris Kelly at 760.406.2978. We would love to hear from you!
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As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact the John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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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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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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Taizé Services
will be on
vacation until
October 2, 2014
See You Then!
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St. Paul’s Campers are going up to Idyllwild County Campground on August 15 through the 17th! Come and enjoy the cool mountain air and tall pine trees. Sign up in the Godly Play Room or call Bonnie Stroock at 760-324-7949 to reserve space.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on July 9th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Tom Baxley and Terry Heil will host this morning’s Coffee Hour following the 8:00 AM service. Dee Barnes and John and Lena Granet will host the Coffee Hour following the 10:30 AM service.
Please consider signing up to host a Coffee Hour in 2014. A binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall indicates available Sundays throughout the year. There are several Sundays available through the end of the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Is on vacation for the Summer! Check back with us in September!
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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
. . . continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, (or view and print), to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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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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A
WELCOMING,
EMPOWERING,
SUPPORTIVE
COMMUNITY
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Paul’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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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we 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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