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From Jerry DiNoto
Seeking the more
Although many centuries apart, there is a connection between the message of the prophet Amos and the story Mary and Martha in Bethany. A message we again need to hear today.
Amos decried the political abuse and social injustice of his time and that it would cause the ruin of the nation. Amos’ call to prophesy came when God showed him a bowl of beautiful summer fruit. The full and bountiful image contained the truth that ripe fruit reaching its peak will then rot. The image was that of Israel- God’s very own “fruit” – rotting because of its greed and neglected abuse of the poor. Amos spoke out against the false gods of self-absorption, greed and desire for power and position that had taken over Israel. He told the people, as he tells us today, that the endless striving for these things will only produce emptiness, futility, insecurity and disaster. Having power, position and bounty feed our egos and bodies, but never our souls.
Mary, in the story from Luke’s gospel, also knew this emptiness when Jesus came to spend time and eat with her and her sister Martha. Rather than obsessing in the kitchen like Martha, Mary had the wisdom to pay attention to the hunger of her soul by sitting and listening at Jesus’ feet. Martha’s hospitality was not unimportant, nor her efforts wasted. But when Martha reprimanded Mary for not helping her, she imposed on Mary her own anxiety over mundane concerns that Mary had laid aside in order to be filled with spiritual nourishment.
The common thread that binds the Amos passage with the visit of Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha, is the emptiness that Amos decries and that Mary shares with Israel. But at Jesus’ feet, she received into her poverty of spirit the fullness of God. That divine fulfilling presence also spurs our present commitment to live out our Baptismal Covenant, “To strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.”
Our worshipping together and sharing the common table unites us in our willingness to sit at the Master’s feet and be filled and empowered with the presence of God – to be witnesses of divine love to a wounded world.
Blessings!
Jerrry DiNoto
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Featured Scripture
Amos 8:1-12
This is what the Lord God showed me– a basket of summer fruit. He said, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the Lord said to me,
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
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Stand With Innocent Victims –
All of Them
Many leaders are responding to the news of two more black men killed by police officers. Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile are their names. And last night to the shooting of 12 police officers, and the killing of 5. Brent Thompson and Patrick Zamrippa were among the first Dallas police officers killed in the line of duty since 1989, and theirs among the only names released at the time I am writing this.
Many others will publish their reflections as Friday unfolds. Everyone will be encouraged to offer their “thoughts and prayers.” Thoughts and prayers are good, but are not enough. They need to lead to action that makes each of us a part of the solution. I need to live out in my decisions and actions which acknowledge that black lives matter as much as white lives. I need to support our police officers in their often dangerous and complex calling to serve and protect our communities. God needs us to act.
This weekend we will hear the story from Luke’s Gospel of the “Good Samaritan.” Canon Victoria will be preaching, but I want to offer one thought. I am sure that the leaders who saw the man lying beaten on the side of the road, who passed by on the other side, would have texted their thoughts and prayers for him had the technology been available. However, only one character in this story took action, the action that was required to bring healing and wellness. No one expected it would be the Samaritan. Except Jesus. He expects us to do the same.
Along with our thoughts and prayers, may we be the people who take the actions that lead to healing and wellness.
Fr. Andrew
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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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Dick Secrist Celebration of Life
 On Friday, July 29th, there will be a “Celebration of Life” for Richard (Dick) Secrist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham, Washington.
On Saturday, July 30th, Christopher & Nancy Secrist will host a celebration of the 90th birthday of Anna Secrist. Cards may be mailed to: Anna Secrist, Orchard Park Assisted Living, 844 W. Orchard Dr., Bellingham, WA 98225, or phone 360.671.5770. For further details, contact Nancy at 1771 Academy Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226; 360.733.5457.
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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
7/17 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.
 When Tuesdays @ 7 pm returns in September, we will be reading and studying John Dominic Crossan’s book, “How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis to Revelation.” The book is available on Amazon in paperback after July 26 (pre-orders only before that date). The paperback edition costs $11; hardcopy is $22. It also available on Kindle for 14.99. Please call the office to reserve your space and to let us know that you’re purchasing your book.
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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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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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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, August 10th 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.
Please consider hosting an upcoming Coffee Hour. There are no sponsors for Sunday’s coffe hour, and 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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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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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 incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, jseitman@pacbell.net, 858-793-4555 or the Rev. Janet Wheelock, jwheelock@edsd.org, 952-240-8067.
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