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A Message from Jerry DiNoto
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Absalom, Absalom!
Vanity, lust, adultery, incest, fratricide and murder are elements of today’s featured scriptural passage from II Samuel. I must admit grinning that after we hear the reading of these horrific events, we faithfully respond, “Thanks be to God.” Really?
We can all relate to grief, in one form or another. Who among us has not experienced the death of a loved one or shared such grief in the lives of people we love? This common thread of grief and loss spoke to me as I reflected on the story of the death of Absalom. David, no doubt, remembers the prophet Nathan’s chiding words, “the sword shall never depart from your house …and will raise up trouble against you from within.” (II Samuel 12:10) One of the most heart wrenching passages in Scripture is when the news of Absalom’s end is brought to David. His anguish arises not only from the tragedy of Absalom’s rebellion and death, but also out of his own failure to be an effective father. “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son!” We can feel the pain, remorse and guilt in David’s words.
The story reminds me that we live in a world where brokenness has a way of encouraging even more brokenness. It is a dramatic reminder that sinful acts and moral compromise, like a pebble thrown into a still pond, can continue to ripple pain and distress. Like David, I have known an Absalom Moment, a time when pain has crashed in upon me because of decisions I have made that have long lasting effects on me and on others. Like our biblical ancestors of faith, I have rebelled against God in my life journey. So, once again I can see myself, even in this story.
Yet, I am uplifted by the words of St Paul to be an imitator of God, and to live in love. I am fortified with the understanding that no pain, remorse or guilt can hold hostage the power of God’s love. I am gifted and graced by the Christ, the eternal bread of life, hope, forgiveness and redemption.
This is truly Good News! Our broken and rebellious paths have brought us to the universal banquet where we are uplifted, fortified, gifted and graced. Can we truly turn our remorse and mourning into joyous hope and healing? Yes we can, with God’s help!
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John 6:35, 41-51
Jesus said to the people, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, `I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
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It is with great sadness that we inform the Parish that Larry Krauska died on the morning of August 6th. Larry was a regular attender to the 4 PM service and served on the Altar Guild for that service. Please pray for the repose of Larry’s soul and for God’s reassurance for Larry’s partner, Richard Jacobs.
No service scheduled at this time. Richard requests that no flowers or plants be sent.
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Help Others Beat the Heat
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Help Others Beat the Heat – St. Paul’s is sponsoring a ministry this summer to help our brothers and sisters in need find relief from the heat. Through the Social Justice Team, St. Paul’s will purchase and distribute free bus passes to clients of Well in the Desert, and others, so they can have access to the cooling center, showers, bingo and crafts workshops. If you would like to contribute, please make checks payable to Church of St. Paul in the Desert, with “bus passes/Social Justice” in the memo line. Or, place cash in an envelope identified in the same way.
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“Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café returns in The Chapel”
8/9 One cannot have too large a party – Jesus turns things over.
Led by Br. John Charles Westaway. Read about it here
8/23 When you say you ‘don’t see race,’ you’re ignoring racism,
not helping to solve it!
Led by Craig Ewing. Read about it here
8/30 If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
THERE WILL BE NO TUESDAY NIGHT SESSIONS
DURING JULY AND AUGUST
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Baked Goods Donations for
ROY’S DESERT RESOURCE CENTER
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St. Paul’s ongoing outreach to the homeless at Roy’s Desert Resource Center needs donations of cookies, cakes and other baked treats for our Monday night dessert service at the North Palm Springs facility. Homemade items are especially popular and appreciated. You can bring donations with you to church and leave them with an usher before the service. For more information, contact Chris Kelly – (760) 406-2978. Thanks for your help.
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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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REPORT MISCONDUCT
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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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
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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Copies of . . .
A CHURCH GROWS
IN THE DESERT,
Rev. Robert Semes’ history of the first 75 years of St. Paul in the Desert, are available at the Church Office during regular business hours. Rev. Semes is an accomplished historian and his richly illustrated book chronicles the life and times of the people and events that shaped the Church we are today. Cost of the book is $20.00.
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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 12th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Sunday’s coffee hour following the 8:00 am service is hosted by Mary Holmes.
There are several Sunday hospitality opportunities available through the end of the year. Please consider sponsoring a Coffee Hour after the 8:00 or 10:30 services with family or friends. Sign-up binders are on the large table on the right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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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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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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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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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