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Relationship is Key
I have heard it said that when one is opening a restaurant or other business the key is “Location, Location, Location.” When it comes to understanding Jesus in John’s Gospel the key is Relationship, Relationship, Relationship.
First, an alert. I will be talking about people in relationship with one another and with God. I am specifically not using “in a relationship” as I would be if I were referring to marriage or courtship.
From the first chapter, Jesus is described in relationship with God (“the word was with God”) and Jesus came to be in relationship with the world that God created and loves (“the word became flesh and dwelt among us”). So it should not be a surprise that when Jesus is saying goodbye to his closest followers, he emphasizes relationship. The disciples want to know where he is going so they can follow. He emphasizes that their relationship with him is their path to the Father, where Jesus is going. Relationship with Jesus is their path to God.
Jesus weaves his relationship to the Father, his relationship to the disciples and their relationships to one another into a bond at that moment and into a promise of continued relationship. Relationship is the key.
When we look at the signs that Jesus performs in John’s Gospel it is easy to get side tracked by the miracle quality. Each sign has a relationship piece. When Lazarus is brought out of the tomb, his relationships are restored. When the man born blind is excluded from the synagogue as a result of his witness, Jesus invites him into a new relationship and fellowship. When the multitudes are fed, Jesus recasts all of their social relationships. Those who would ordinarily never dine together were gathered as one community and fed at Jesus’ hand.
The worship and service that we share at St. Paul’s is about relationship. We are a mixed group, but we praise God in one voice. We come from different places and with different needs, but we are fed by the same bread that gives life. The fellowship we share after worship and in service to the world is our way of living out the relationships that have been started by God in worship.
Join us this weekend as we share the Way, the Truth, and the Life with one another and the world Jesus loves.
Fr. Andrew
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John 14:1-14
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
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Camp Stevens Programs for
Families and Adults
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Camp Stevens Tour for Families and Adults
SUNDAY, 5/22, in the Parish Hall, join Bonnie Stroock at the Camp Stevens table. Sign up for a field trip and lunch at camp on June 4th, leaving P.S. at 9:30 a.m. and returning at 5:00 p.m. Cost is $35.00. Camp is not just for the kids.
Join this friendly, all-ages community for fellowship with their year-round programs including: ropes course and team building, environmental education, organic gardening workshops, cooking workshops, adult and family trips, backpacking trips and family camps. Eco tour vacations will be offered in Baja this September, and in Ecuador, next February. Contact http://www.campstevens.org.
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 “Sundays at 9:15”
A new, three week series, “Anglican/Episcopal Tradition” …what does it mean and from whence did we come? Begining on Sunday, May 22nd and continuing on Sunday’s through June 5th, we shall explore our origins and our history. We will use a series of video presentations followed by discussion, which will help us discover where this denomination of ours began and developed as an on-going, growing community of faith. We may not answer all the questions; however, we may increase our ability to live comfortably with ambiguity, led by the Rev’d Canon Victoria Hatch.
There is no need to sign-up for these classes, show up and discover.
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ATTENTION!!!
No “Sunday’s at 9:15” class on June 12th!
Instead we’ll join the Church’s Pentecost Birthday Party!
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 Continuing “Sundays at 9:15”
On June 19th, we’ll explore “The Story of St. Thomas.” Class begins with a DVD presentation led by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. She points out that the “doubting Thomas” label is an unfortunate misnomer. She will also explore with us three ancient texts attributed to St. Thomas which are receiving lots of attention today. Following the DVD, the Rev. Dr. David E. Abernethy-Deppe will lead us in discussion.
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 Continuing “Sundays at 9:15”
On June 26th, the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch will help us explore “The Story of Mary Magdalene.” Again, we begin with a DVD presentation by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. There are many myths and legends about this interesting woman, including that she may have been Jesus’ lover or wife. We will also want to explore her extended conversation with the resurrected Jesus in which, according to the Gospel of John, she is commissioned to be the “apostle to the apostles.” Come and see!
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“Thursdays at 7”
We are currently looking at “Paul, The Man and His Mission.” Each Thursday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Library, we will watch a half hour DVD presentation by Prof. Bart D. Ehrman, Chair of Religious Studies Dept, University of North Carolina, followed by a guided discussion.
May 19 Paul, the Man, the Mission and Way of Operating
May 26 Paul and the Crises of His Churches
June 2 Pauline Ethics.
It is not too late to join us – Bring a friend! This series will be facilitated by Jerry DiNoto.
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 Continuing “Thursdays at 7”
The Heartbeat of God: Finding the Sacred in the Middle of Everything – this book written by The Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori’s will be the topic of discussion offered Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. on June 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th. This series will be facilitated by The Rev’d Canon Victoria Hatch. The book is available from Amazon, both in hard copy and as a downloadable to your Kindle or Nook.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
Responds to Severe Storms and Tornado
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 Episcopal Relief and Development Responds to Severe Storms and Tornado – The severe storms and tornadoes that have overwhelmed five Southern states continue to disrupt the lives of all in the region. Over 350 people have died and thousands are now homeless.
Episcopal Relief and Development needs your support to reach the growing number of dioceses responding to those in distress. Help storm victims by donating to St. Paul’s and write in the comment, “storm relief”.
Pray for those who are at risk or who have suffered losses, for the families of those who have died, and for the rescue and relief teams who are working to save lives and address immediate needs.
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The population of men, women and children being cared for at Roy’s Resource Center has increased 30% this year. These clients are in need of the basic necessities of life. The SOS Fund needs YOUR support to continue to help our homeless friends who are trying to break the cycle of homelessness. Each month $300.00 comes from the fund to provide undergarments, socks and other necessities. If you are interested in supporting this outreach ministry, drop a check in the collection plate. Make the check payable to: St. Paul’s, and in the memo area, write: SOS Fund.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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 St. Paul’s SOS Dessert Ministry
NEEDS YOUR HELP!
We encourage our parishioners to get in the habit of buying an extra box of cookies, doughnuts, fruit, cheese or any other special treat when they do their weekly grocery shopping. This would assist us in providing dessert for the 90+ clients, many of them children, of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, every Monday evening. Parishioners can bring the item to church or deliver desserts before 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Place the parishable desserts in the Parish Hall refrigerator (labeled clearly “SOS”). Special thanks to this week’s servers: Tom Baxley, Chuck Marx, Michael Howard, Ron Shepherd, Fred Crawford, Steve Keller and Hap Blaisdell. They served 91 clients and several members of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) who attend occasionally to see the great work that is being accomplished at Roy’s. Several parishioners are regular dessert providers; please become one too! Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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A Holy Communion Service
Will be held, Wednesday,
May 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Premiere Health Care, presided over by Fr. Fred Myers. Fr. Fred always welcomes assistance at Communion.
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Notice – The Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Holy Communion service, held in the Library, has been closed for the summer.
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Coffee Hour
Dick and Anna Secrist and
Harvey and Suzanne Trackman are hosting the 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour.
The 2011 coffee hour sign-up sheets are posted on the north wall at Hogarth Hall. Find an empty slot and fill it with your name. For more information, call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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Family and
Children’s Ministry
THIS SUNDAY, 5/22, there is a meeting after the 10:30 service in the Godly Play room.
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Daughters of the King
The DOK will meet THIS Tuesday, May 24th at 1:00 p.m. in the condo at St. Paul’s. Newcomers are encouraged to join us. Contact Bonnie Stroock for information 760.324.7949.
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Gift Acknowledgements
St. Paul’s wishes to thank those who have provided gifts during the months of March and April.
To view the acknowledgement list of gifts for this period, click here.
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The Bishop’s Appeal
The Bishop’s Appeal supports the mission of the diocese through gifts that are used for support of our ongoing programs and ministries: congregational support and development, leadership development, pastoral care, ministry development, and Christian formation. 100% of your gift goes to supporting our ministries. To make a gift, to the secure website at http://www.edsd.org or mail to: Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
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Report Sexual Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please be reminded that our diocese values the tenet of our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of the way we live into that is to train people in the prevention of sexual misconduct. Another part that goes hand-in-hand with training is reporting incidences of sexual misconduct. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, takes reports seriously and investigates them thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact Bishop Mathes immediately: bishopmathes@edsd.org, 619-481-5450.
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NEWCOMERS
Are you receiving the latest mailings and the Abundant Lite weekly newsletter? If not, then we probably don’t have your correct mailing and/or email addresses. We want to make sure that you receive the invites to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. Please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give it to an usher, or send your contact information by email to valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
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Bullies Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we want to 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.
“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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