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From the Rector
Seeing God in Unlikeliest Places
Here we have a nameless Israelite captive servant girl advising a leprosy cure for the great Aramean general Naaman; Elisha’s servant who advises a sevenfold dip into the Jordan River for healing, and servants who calm and convince the angry general to go along with the Jordan dipping for the healing. We also have an ego-driven general too proud to accept another’s command, a king who oversteps a prophet and attempts to buy a cure for his general, and another king who panics and rips his clothing before seeking divine assistance.
I find it interesting that in this story all the great men are fools, while the servants are wise. Both kings misconstrue the simple solution of a man’s disease. The king of Aram demanded the cure be made by his royal Israelite counterpart, when the servant girl clearly stated that only the prophet could do such a thing. Then there is the Israelite king, who seemingly forgets the great prophet in his own city, and performs outlandish actions of the deepest mourning, convinced that the Arameans are using Naaman’s leprosy as a ruse to foment war. Naaman himself is an arrogant man, refusing to perform the tiniest request that could lead to his cleansing.
Indeed, the servant girl starts the story, the servant of Elisha delivers the command, and the servants of Naaman save the day, urging their arrogant master to do what he must to find a cure. In this story, the cleansing actions of God are found in the unlikeliest of places and people.
Is it possible that we also tend to look for God in all the wrong places?
As we celebrate this July 4th weekend, we retell the story of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Perhaps it is also an opportunity for us to reaffirm the belief that our true life, liberty and happiness lies only in God. Let us look for God in the faces of the unlikely- the marginalized masses both here and yearning to be here. I pray that we do not see our national identity through the mind of Naaman’s pride and arrogance. Rather, to see our identity as servants of God, reaching out, healing, including, and forgiving.
As we gather, we celebrate and partake of our eternal life, liberty and happiness in the Lord.
Blessings!
Jerry DiNoto
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Featured Scripture
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, “Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.”
He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.”
But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, `Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
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Help Answer Gun Violence
In the wake of the Orlando shootings, St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee is looking for some new faces to assist in its continuing program to combat the scourge of gun violence. The Committee is currently planning educational programs on gun safety and violence prevention, as well as opportunities for advocacy and prophetic witness for a more peaceful society. Contact Chris Kelly at cwklly615@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out what you can do to help.
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Welcome Seminarian
Patricia Horkey
St. Paul’s is honored to have Episcopal Church seminarian Patricia Horkey with us during the month of July. Patricia will assist at our services and may participate in other activities and programs. Patricia is a nominee for ordination at our sister parish in Idyllwild, St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church. Patricia is the leader of St. Hugh’s Precious Elder Ministry. Welcome Patricia!
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Ron Thomas deceased
Ron Thomas, beloved spouse of Jerry Di Noto, died on July 2nd. A lifelong Christian Scientist, he attended services at St. Paul’s to support Jerry’s faith tradition. As per his request and in conformity with his religious beliefs there will be no funeral service. Our healing prayers and condolences to Jerry and the family.
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Altar and Narthex (church lobby) Flower Sponsorships
Sponsoring flowers for the Altar or Narthex is a distinctive way to remember loved ones or commemorate special occasions, like birthdays and anniversaries. RESERVE YOUR SPECIAL DATE NOW by completing the sponsor sign-up form in the Flower Sponsorship Binder. You’ll find the binder on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Library
Check it out
July
7/3 Yearning to Breathe Free
Led by Br. John Charles
7/10 Have We Fruit? A Reflection on Col. 1: 1-14
Led by Patricia Horkey
7/17 Lessons for the Episcopal Church in the “Book of Mormon.”
Led by Craig Ewing
7/24 A Scandalous Love – Mary Magdalene
Led by Audrey Spencer.
7/31 Weeds and All
Led by Gary Scott
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
There will be no Tuesday sessions in July or August.
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Baked Goods and Fruit
for Roy’s
With the snowbirds flown, St. Paul’s Monday night outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center needs your support to help get through the summer doldrums. Home-made or store bought baked desserts, cakes and cookies, as well as fresh fruit, are urgently needed. Simply bring your donation to church on Saturday or Sunday and leave it with the ushers. Contact Chris Kelly at (760) 406-2978 for further information.
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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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Announcements
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CHURCH SUMMER
OFFICE HOURS
Effective May 31 through Sept 6, our summer office hours will be 9:00- 4:30 Tuesday through Thursday: and Friday 9:00 – noon.
Should you call on Monday when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
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SERVING CHRIST IN OTHERS
If you’re interested in getting to know your fellow parishioners at a more social or personal level, the St. Paul Parish Life Committee may have something just for you! This new endeavor is looking for ways for St. Paul’s members to socialize and have fun together, with programs starting gradually this summer and expanding in the fall. If you have thoughts on how social and recreational activities could be developed and sustained, please contact Fred Ross and/or Gary Hiatt at 760-325-1542, or email Fred at fredeross@comcast.net or Gary at ghiatt@comcast.net. Gary and Fred look forward to hearing from you.
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Sunday Childcare Change
Sunday worship childcare for 8:00 am services will be suspended for the summer, from July 3 through September 4, resuming on Sunday, September 11. Childcare will be available for 10:30 Sunday services, beginning at 10:00 am, throughout the summer.
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Closing the Gap
We began the year anticipating a significant gap between our income and expenses. As of June 23rd we have closed the gap by $68,023.00 through reductions in expenses and by increased giving. We only need $17,513 in new
“Gap” contributions to meet our goal. Join us. Every additional contribution will help.
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Giving Made Easier
St. Paul’s has a new system for online giving and we encourage you to use it (see the right hand column on this web page.)
If you have any questions, please contact the office. Our online system makes it easy to direct your donation to a specific fund.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13th at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship.
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Hospitality
Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments. Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests.
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service is sponsored by Barry Hagenbuch & Robert Wood. Roger Allen & Taylor Baird are hosts of the Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service.
Please consider hosting an upcoming Coffee Hour. We have no sponsors yet for the month of August! The sign-up book is on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on
Wednesday’s from 10 am-1 pm 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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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 because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
“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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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