|
From The Rector
How We Use Wealth Matters
Jesus is using a parable to get his disciples to focus.
He has been talking to them about counting the cost of being his followers. He has identified that his mission and theirs is to seek everyone who is lost. Now he wants them to focus on a serious working plan. He chooses to do this with a dramatic story about the dealings of a rich man, his manager who is “wasting his estate,” and those who owe the rich man goods. Neither the rich man nor the manager is attractive, and it is unlikely any of the disciples would identify with either because Jesus identifies the disciples with “people of the light” rather than with those who “belong to this world.”
What focus does Jesus want to have come out of this story? Scholars have lots of reflections about this parable. Some investigate first century business customs to show that what seems preposterous actually is reasonable – “clever.” For instance, by reducing the amount of oil or wheat owed, the manager was simply eliminating his commission and putting the customers in his debt. He was not “stealing” from his patron, and the rich man has grudging admiration for the manager’s resourcefulness.
What resourcefulness would I have to save my future, my family’s livelihood, or my privilege? I think that what is happening in the story sounds no different from some of the ways we allow businesses to operate, with their network of jobs and needed products that build the fabric of a community. Jesus is sighting parallels to help the disciples plan. He is not asking the disciples to cheat their way into God’s reign, but he is asking them to use whatever tools are at their disposal for God’s mission. They are to have the same resourcefulness, willingness to take risk, and the single-minded focus displayed by the shrewd manager. Like the manager, the disciples of Jesus are to turn the tables on the status quo, but by being faithful, honest, and trustworthy – perhaps clever – with God’s “true riches.”
Throughout the Gospel of Luke, the story line and Jesus’ own teaching have been about the reversal of high and low, the first and the last, and the insider and the marginalized. This reversal is different than the usual story of a revolution where the powerful are tossed aside and new players take over. In God’s reign, the powerful lose position, but are still loved and saved. Resources are shared, not simply taken away. Enemies become part of the disciples’ community. All are welcome at the same table, and there is clarity that the disciples are to use wealth and any resources they have to serve God and restore relationships.
Join us in worship as we serve God by seeking the lost and restoring the wellness of our community.
Fr. Andrew
________________________________________________
|
|
Featured Scripture
Luke 16:1-13 (CEB)
Jesus also said to the disciples, “A certain rich man heard that his household manager was wasting his estate. He called the manager in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.’
“The household manager said to himself, What will I do now that my master is firing me as his manager? I’m not strong enough to dig and too proud to beg. I know what I’ll do so that, when I am removed from my management position, people will welcome me into their houses.
“One by one, the manager sent for each person who owed his master money. He said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil.’ The manager said to him, ‘Take your contract, sit down quickly, and write four hundred fifty gallons.’ Then the manager said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘One thousand bushels of wheat.’ He said, ‘Take your contract and write eight hundred.’
“The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted cleverly. People who belong to this world are more clever in dealing with their peers than are people who belong to the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it’s gone, you will be welcomed into the eternal homes.
“Whoever is faithful with little is also faithful with much, and the one who is dishonest with little is also dishonest with much. If you haven’t been faithful with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? If you haven’t been faithful with someone else’s property, who will give you your own? No household servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
________________________________________________
|
|
2016 Desert AIDS Walk
 Join the 2016 Desert AIDS Walk Team, now! The 2016 Desert AIDS Walk is Saturday Oct. 22nd. Members of St. Paul’s have participated in every walk since the first one in 1989. Sign up to walk. Get sponsorships. Help support people in the Coachella Valley with HIV/AIDS. We are recruiting Walkers and Sponsors after each service. Look for the AIDS Walk Table on the walkway near the west entrances to the church. You can also join the team at desertaidswalk.org. Our Team name is St. Paul in the Desert. Please make donation checks payable to Desert AIDS Project.
________________________________________________
|
|
Diocesan Convention
The 43rd Annual Diocesan Convention takes place right in our own backyard this year, at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. Don’t miss the opportunity to take part! Registration is being handled online only at http://www.edsd.org. Convention dates are Friday and Saturday, November 11-12. New at Convention this year – Youth Genius Bar. Do you need help navigating Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Youth from all over the diocese will come together to answer tech questions on Friday afternoon and evening during Convention.
________________________________________________
|
|
Accepting God’s
Gift of Faith Program 2016
 Are you worshipping with our community and ready to take a further step to become an Episcopalian through Baptism and/or Confirmation? Already an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect? Confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church? Then our Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program is for you! The program will consist of eight weekly sessions in preparation for Adult Baptism/Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation by Bishop Mathes on Sunday, December 4th. Sessions will be on Tuesdays at 6:00pm, starting on October 11th. Sessions begin promptly with dinner at 6pm and end by 8pm. This group journey will lead participants through their own spiritual life story as well as through the history, theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. It is an opportunity to spiritually grow in and through the community of faith at St. Paul’s. Please RSVP your interest in attending by calling the Office by September 30th at 760.320.7488, ext. 0.
________________________________________________
|
|
A Call for Confirmation Class Sponsors.
Are you interested in accompanying a member of the Confirmation class on their spiritual journey? This is an opportunity to make new spiritual friendships that will last well beyond the confirmation experience. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call Br. John Charles at 415-279-6340
________________________________________________
|
|
The Altar Guild and Altar Ministry Kickoff
 . . . will be held at Rick’s Desert Grill on Sunday, September 18th at 5 PM. We will hold a business meeting in which we will discuss the Altar Guild and Altar Ministry calendar for the remainder of the year, followed by a no-host dinner. All members of the Altar Guild, all Altar Ministers and anyone interested in either Ministry are invited to attend. Please call the office to RSVP. For questions or comments, please call Kathy Kilmer at 760.774.8233 or Br. John Westaway at 415.279.6340.
________________________________________________
|
|
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. There are many dates still available to sponsor an arrangement this year. RESERVE YOUR DATE NOW by completing the sponsor sign-up form in the binder on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
________________________________________________
|
|
Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Library
Check it out
September
9/18 Five Myths about Sharia Law.
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
9/25 Who Do You Love?
Led by Alan Zimmerman
October
10/2 Finding God and Faith on TV.
Led by Jerry Di Noto
10/9 Attitude of Gratitude- 10 Lepers (Lk.17:11-19)
Led by Br. John Charles
_________________________________________________
|
|
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
Book Study – “How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis to Revelation,” by John Dominic Crossan. Led by Br. John Charles.
9/20 Part III: Covenant (cont’d.)
9/27 Part IV: Community
10/4 Part IV: Community (cont’d.)
_________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Announcements
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Giving Made Easier
We encourage you to use our new system for online giving.
Pay your pledge, make a donation to St. Paul’s or support select ministries.
More information in the column to the right of this publication.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
End of GAP Campaign
The Vestry of St. Paul’s has decided to end our “Close the Gap” campaign. A brief note has been prepared to highlight where the campaign stands as we begin the Fall and look to 2017. Please click here to view it.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Adult Choir Returns
We welcome the choir back on Sunday – and it’s not too late for you to join. Our first rehearsal is this Wednesday night at 7:00 in the choir room.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Taize Services Resume
On Thursday, October 6th we will resume our monthly Taize services at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. This quiet service of silence, psalm and meditation through singing Taize chants is offered for all in a setting of Liturgical art and candlelight. Contact Nathan Ensign for more details at: 760-320-7488 Ext. 225.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
St. Paul’s 101: Welcome!
If you want to Join St. Paul’s or learn more about the Parish, come to St. Paul’s 101. The next single session class with Fr. Andrew will be Sun. Sept. 25 at 9:15 in the Chapel in the Parish Hall. You will learn about St. Paul’s, ask questions about the Parish, and join.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12 at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.
Sunday’s Coffee Hours following both the 8:00 and the 10:30 services are sponsored by John and Lucinda Hampson, celebrating the birthdays of Alan and Matthew.
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests. There are several Coffee Hours without sponsors throughout the year. Please consider signing up to be a host.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
Baked Goods and Fruit
for Roy’s
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.
|
|
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.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|
|
|
