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Reflections: From Jerry Di Noto
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Do we often listen to God’s prompting?
Generally I turn to God in prayer for major decisions and traumas, but must admit not so much in the “ordinary” things of life. I go about doing things on my own and save God for the big dilemmas.
In reflecting upon this Genesis reading, I see much more than the arranged marriage account between Isaac and Rebekah. This scripture is a story of lives guided by trusting and acting on God’s prompts. As each person took a step of faith at each juncture in the account, God revealed the next step. As they responded obediently to the inner voice or the open signs they received, God opened the way to bring success to the mission.
Understanding the faith, trust and obedience of Abraham, Laban, Rebekah and Isaac is a biblical template of how we also can respond to God’s promptings in every aspect of our lives. The story is a lesson in questioning and then following that direction – a lesson of trusting that God will bring our actions, plans, deadlines, decisions and lives to successful completion.
I’m reminded of the hymn lyrics, “Lead me and guide along the way.” Yet, am I really attentive to that petition and open to following the divine promptings throughout my daily affairs?
The ordinary can truly become extraordinary with the realization God’s “every step of the way” presence. Let’s not be hesitant to ask for God’s prompting and direction throughout our daily lives. The simplest mundane chores to the more complex business and life decisions can all be guided. We can learn to live with the assurance that where we are is exactly where God needs us to be. Wouldn’t that be comforting!
Believing, trusting and following may not assure us of a stress and problem free life journey. However, it may assure us that we’re not alone, lost or forsaken and that God really has a plan for us.
Blessings.
Jerry DiNoto
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Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
The servant said to Laban, “I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, `You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.’
“I came today to the spring, and said, `O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also” — let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’
“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, `Please let me drink.’ She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, `Drink, and I will also water your camels.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, `Whose daughter are you?’ She said, `The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.”
And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will.” So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.” Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, “Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
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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. To date, the Church has received 48 donations totaling $5,945. 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 a well-earned annual vacation and three month sabbatical. 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.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
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
July is movie month on Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Library!
The theme for the month of July is “Care/Caregiving”.
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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A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
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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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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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Thanks to St Paul’s parishioners,
. . . $120 was raised on Camp Stevens Donation Sunday. The camp is in need of funds for a new well and for camper scholarships. If you missed donation Sunday and would like to help, donations may be sent to the camp director, Beth Bojarski, P.O. Box 2320, Julian, CA 92036 or here.
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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
Robert Woods and Barry Hagenbuch will host this morning’s Coffee Hour following the 8:00 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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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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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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