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From The Rector
Release Sabbath
As a rule, Christians don’t seem to think about the Sabbath very much. We often mistakenly understand it as a Jewish artifact that Jesus ignores. It is not uncommon for people to think of the Sabbath Day as Sunday. The Sabbath Day is the seventh day of the week, on which God rested from the work of creation. Sunday, for Christians, the Lord’s Day, is the first day of the week, when we believe Jesus was raised from death.
In Jerusalem, there are three Holy Days: Friday for Muslims, Saturday for Jews, and Sunday for Christians. For each faith, their day is a time of prayer and gathering of the community.
One of the most delightful experiences that I have is the opportunity to join with the congregation at Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs on Friday evening to welcome the Sabbath – Kabbalat Shabbat. It is a time of gathering, reflection, and giving thanks to God. It is a time of release. All are welcome. There is a lot of Hebrew sung and spoken, but often the tunes are familiar to chants that many Christians sing. Non-Jews are graciously welcomed.
In the story from Luke we read this weekend, Jesus is at a Synagogue on the Sabbath and releases a woman from her infirmity. He restored her to health and to life with her community. There was the typical controversy we have come to expect between the leader of a synagogue and Jesus. The controversy allows Jesus to interpret his action in a larger context.
An aspect of Sabbath observance is refraining from “work.” There was some obvious work that was to be avoided, but there was abundant debate that extended the prohibition and also made exceptions. There are emergencies that require action, and there are everyday situations that become exceptions.
The experience of Jesus and the woman who could not stand demonstrates two things the author of Luke thought important. Jesus’ very presence draws out the people who are in need of Sabbath refreshment. They are drawn to him as he is the agent of God’s redemption. He also likens his ministry of healing and reconciliation as an extension of God’s Sabbath, not a violation. The Sabbath is a time for being set free and for being restored.
Each of us can share in this aspect of Sabbath renewal. We can bring the bound parts of our lives to God and experience release. We can also be God’s agents of release when we engage with the sick and marginalized – many of whom have been bound for years – offering love and welcome.
Join us as we praise and thank God together each week, for the release that has taken place, and prepare to be God’s agents in the healing to come.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Luke 13:10-17
Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
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Mark Thompson Dies at 63
Author-activist Mark Thompson died at his home in Palm Springs last week of unknown causes. He was an occasional worshiper at St. Paul’s this past year. Mark is best known for his influential trilogy of books dealing with gay spirituality. He was preceded in death by his husband, The Rev. Malcolm Boyd, last year.
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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
8/21 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
September
9/4 The Religious Ring inside the Political Circus.
Led by Gary Scott
9/11 How Should WE Respond to “Evil”?
Led by Craig Ewing
9/18 Five Myths about Sharia Law.
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
9/25 Who Do You Love?
Led by Alan Zimmerman
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
There will be no Tuesday sessions in 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 Barry Hagenbuch & Robert Woods. Ted Barajas and Family host today’s Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service.
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests. There are several Coffee Hours without sponsors in August and September. Please consider signing up to be a host.
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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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