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From The Rector
Interpret the Present Time
Thanks to Jerry DiNoto for his thoughtful reflections in my absence and for the reflections he regularly shares with me.
This week’s Gospel Reading is certainly a different aspect of Jesus’ interaction with his followers and the crowds than we usually see. We are still reading of his journey to Jerusalem and Jesus forcefully reminds us that he is not part of the “status quo.” He makes a prophetic challenge to the system. That challenge will cost him and will divide his followers, even from their families. Then he reminds them that they should be able to see the stormy fallout of his challenge, just as they are able to understand that the wind from different directions is followed by predictable weather.
This passage is very rooted in the situation faced by the first generation of Jesus’ followers, which – despite our current political divisions in the United States and around the world – is different from ours. However, it makes me think.
Jesus’ baptism and his response to God’s call will lead to his death, but his resurrection will lead to our baptism and call to follow God. Christians are still experiencing conflict when they challenge the “status quo.” And we are still expected to interpret the present time.
How do we do that?
We need to listen.
Christians are grounded in Scripture, and need to read and listen. Not just to favorite verses or the verses that we turn to when we want to justify what we already think. If I were picking sections of Luke’s Gospel to read on Sundays, I would never pick this one, with the angry Jesus. I would choose passages where Jesus is healing, forgiving, and loving the ones we’re most comfortable with. For the sake of our spiritual growth, it is lucky I don’t get to pick. I would not have us miss bringing the core intensity of Jesus’ baptism experience to our faith community and to our perilous world at this present time.
For us to be able to interpret the times, we need to be deeply nourished by Scripture, by our worship, and by listening to and learning from one another. That is why we gather, that is why all are welcome, and that is how – together – we will learn what these times mean for the community of faith. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Luke 12:49-56(CEB)
“I came to cast fire upon the earth. How I wish that it was already ablaze! I have a baptism I must experience. How I am distressed until it’s completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, I have come instead to bring division. From now on, a household of five will be divided—three against two and two against three. Father will square off against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud forming in the west, you immediately say, ‘It’s going to rain.’ And indeed it does. And when a south wind blows, you say, ‘A heat wave is coming.’ And it does. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret conditions on earth and in the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret the present time?
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Parish Life News
It’s less than a week away…sign up before it’s too late for the “Summer Doldrums Potluck” to be held on Thursday, August 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall! All the cool kids will be there—even the Vestry changed its meeting date so they wouldn’t miss it! Sign-up sheets are in the parish hall and in the narthex. There are also sheets for you to indicate what type of dish you plan on bringing. While a dinner of all desserts seems appealing, maybe a little meat and veggies aren’t a bad idea! See you there! Contact Fred Ross (fredeross@comcast.net, 760-325-1542) or Gary Hiatt (ghiatt@comcast.net, 760-325-1542) for more information or to volunteer your assistance. And plates and cutlery are provided—just bring you and your dish to share.
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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
August
8/14 Pope Francis says;
“Church should apologize for discriminating against gays.”
Led by Craig Ewing
8/21 Speaking to the Soul: It’s hard to say goodbye.
Led by Gary Scott
8/28 Message in a Bottle- God Paints Backwards.
Led by Audrey Spencer
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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. 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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Sunday Childcare Change
Sunday worship childcare for 8:00 am services will resume on Sunday, September 11. Childcare is available for 10:30 Sunday services, beginning at 10:00 am, throughout the summer.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th 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 Mary Holmes. Sandi Scardino hosts Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service.
Please consider hosting an upcoming Coffee Hour. There are 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 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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