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Reflections: From Jerry Di Noto
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Decisions Decisions!
Decisions can leave a great impact on our lives. Just ask Esau who gave up his birthright for a dish of stew! Clearly he did not think of his decision in light of life’s priorities or God’s plan. I wonder if we think of our minor and major decisions as ways living out life before God? When we make decisions, we can learn to become accustomed to evaluating and prioritizing them in light of God’s will. As people of faith, understanding God’s designs for our lives should be reflected in the decisions we make.
Each of us is placed in a certain context: our families, culture, status, sexual orientation, physical features, weaknesses, skills sets and personalities. God does not judge us on these matters; it is counterproductive to blame God for our perceived shortcomings. Instead, we should be expressing gratitude for who we are and what we have.
Reflecting on this scripture account leads me to ponder, “What have I done with that which is divinely given to me?” “Have I seized the opportunity to use what I possess to make decisions that reflect me as an image of God?”
Never loose heart! If we fall short, we should find amazing assurance, abundant grace, and enormous hope in this biblical narrative. This swindler, charlatan, self-serving Jacob, who in no way seems to deserve God’s favor, in fact receives God’s greatest blessing and is key to God’s grand design. This should give us confidence when we feel our questionable decisions and actions have separated us from God. We can look through Jacob, clever trickster extraordinaire, to see the hand of God, whose penetrating mercy and abounding grace outdo even our wildest wiles and poorest decisions and who wins our hearts in the end.
Making any decisions this week? Perhaps start with, “What would Jesus do?”
May your decisions have blessed results.
Jerry DiNoto
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Genesis 25:19-34
These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is to be this way, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples born of you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the elder shall serve the younger.”
When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!” (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
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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 52 donations totaling $6,295. Donations are still needed and remember that no gift is too large or too small!
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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
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
– – –
August 3 “Is Christian Unity Anything More Than a Pious Aspiration?”
Click to read
August 10 “Spreading the word – A Liberal Response”
Click to read
August 17 “So Am I A Christian or Not?”
Click to read
August 24 “There’s No Such Thing As An Atheist Baby”
Click to read
August 31 NO SESSION Labor Day Weekend Holiday
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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”.
7/15 Movie: Philadelphia Facillitator: Br. John Charles
7/22 Movie: Mask Facillitator: Craig Ewing
7/29 Movie: Secret Life of Bees Facillitator: Audry Spencer
8/5 Movie: Tuesday with Morrie Facillitator: Jerry DiNoto
8/12 Movie: Driving Miss Daisy Facillitator: Audry Spencer
8/19 Movie: Rain Man Facillitator: Craig Ewing
8/26 Movie: Nebraska Facillitator: Jerry DiNoto
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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 August 13, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Roger Allen and Taylor Baird will host Coffee Hour after Sunday’s 10:30 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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