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The Abundant Life
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July 5, 2018 For Sunday, July 8th
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Reflection from Jerry DiNoto
Stand Up!
Ezekiel, the prophet, was told in a vision from God that the “chosen people of Israel” were no longer any better than the Goyim—the Gentiles. They were a rebellious, transgressing and obstinate people who fell out of God’s favor.
What would Ezekiel say to us today? Would he declare that we have become rebellious, transgressing, obstinate, charmed by materialism, secularism and narcissism? Would he declare that we share responsibility for the growing financial disparity between the haves and the have-nots, for blind nationalism and xenophobic behaviors? Perhaps he would!
As I reflect on this biblical account, what struck me was that Ezekiel was asked to stand up and hear the voice of the Lord. I believe that God also invites us, like Ezekiel, to stand and be filled with the presence of the spirit of God. Although we may feel fallen, broken, discouraged and helpless, we are called to stand up and realize God’s power, glory, healing and forgiveness. In the face of what seems to be the enormity of the world’s division, suffering, violence, and conflict, we are told to stand up and speak truth to power. In the face of personal struggles, we are told to stand up and be not dismayed. God is ever present to lift, enable and empower us to heal whatever the world dishes out, since with God anything is possible!
I’m grateful for a faith that leads me to know that when I fall short, God is there to lift me up – “As a mother has compassion on her children so the Lord has compassion on those who love him.”
Ezekiel reminds us of our brokenness. We also need to be reminded that God is the Master Handyperson able to repair and restore. The prophets remain crucial for us, because along with the call to turn to God and the promise that God will respond with healing, they also make clear the consequences of not turning. Turn to God or remain entangled with injustice, with trust in things rather than God and with giving allegiance to the practitioners of worldly values. The choice is ours to make!
As we gather we choose to bring our lives, our own brokenness and our wholeness. We ask to be transformed by God’s nourishing and life-giving help, to stand up and be the Good News of hope, healing and reparation to a broken world.
Jerry DiNoto
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Please Note:
Fr. Andrew will be away until the 14th of July, representing the Diocese at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Members of the Vestry will respond to the after hours emergency number – (760) 323-4028. If needed, they will make referrals to appropriate clergy.
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Featured Scripture
Ezekiel 2:1-5
The Lord said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
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FAITH BUILDING
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library
The Episcopal Cafè
July
7/8 Am I Boasting or Conceited? Reflection on 2 Cor. 12:1-10
Led by Alan Zimmerman Read about it
7/15 Prophetic Pains and Plumb Lines: Reflection on Amos 7:7-15.
Led by Jerry Di Noto Read about it
7/22 Broken Walls, Crossed Borders: Reflection on Eph. 2:12-22.
7/29 Praying for Power: Reflection on Ephesians 3: 14-21.
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Tuesdays — Accepting God’s Gift of Faith
Tuesdays @ 7PM in Library:
July
“Call the Midwife”
A BBC Series: A nursing convent in a poor East London 1950 community is home to a small order of Anglican nuns and lay nurses, who work as midwives as they minister to physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the women and families they serve. We’ll watch four episodes which offer gripping moral and ethical insights into birth, life and death for us to ponder and discuss.
7/10 Episode One – Led by Jerry Di Noto
7/17 Episode Two – Led by Alan Zimmerman
7/24 Episode Three – Led by Gary Scott
7/31 Episode Four – Led by Audrey Spencer
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Hospitality Ministry
We hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall after either service on Sunday.
There are many upcoming opportunities for you to sponsor a Sunday Coffee Hour after either the 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM service. The sign-up notebook is on the table as you enter the Parish Hall.
WANTED:
Parish Life Hospitality Coordinators – If you enjoy planning and managing social events, we’d like to talk to you! We’re currently seeking volunteers to help coordinate our after-service hospitality on Sundays. Partnering with the Sexton, volunteers will provide oversight to ensure adequate host presence and suitable refreshments following the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services. Questions? Please contact Fred Ross at (415) 710-9180 or email Fredeross@comcast.net. (NOTE TO ALL: Donated food items suitable for Sunday hospitality are always welcome. Please deliver your contributions to the Parish Hall kitchen.)
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Thank you for your Support
Scholarships for Refugee Children
Thirty six St. Paul parishioners and friends donated $5,500 to fund scholarships so that refugee children in the diocese can attend a full week at Camp Stevens. St. Paul’s was able to contribute over 10% of the $45,000 needed for this important campaign. Your generosity and commitment to the children of the Diocese of San Diego is appreciated and is another example of St. Paul’s as a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.
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St. Luke’s San Diego North Park Thanks You!
Your gifts help us to live into our mission to create gracious spaces for life-changing relationships with God and each other across lines of privilege and prejudice. We’re slowly launching regular small discipleship group gatherings in English, Arabic and Swahili and have registered over 100 parishioners for our all-parish retreat at Camp Stevens in September. Construction on our commercial kitchen will begin in July, and we hope to have a public shower, washer, and dryer installed by the end of the year to serve the many unhoused neighbors who frequent Uptown Community Services Center on Campus.
See more by clicking here! And even more here!
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A Theological Gem in Our Own Backyard
Our diocese has a local theological training program in Ocean Beach open to all adult learners. Anyone can take classes on subjects ranging from Hebrew and Christian scriptures to world religion, spirituality, ethics, and others. While these courses are graduate level, and prepare future deacons and priests for ordination, they are accessible, interactive and relevant to modern day ministry. The fall semester begins on September 21. Classes are $400 each, and may be audited for $150 each. An informational discernment day will take place on Saturday, July 21, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the school. Learn more
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SUMMER OUTDOOR POTLUCK IN IDYLLWILD
 Escape the heat! Wednesday, August 1st, Noon to 2:00 PM at the Quiet Creek Inn, 26345 Delano Dr., Idyllwild, CA 92549 – (951) 468-4208. Attendees bring food, beverages and serving utensils. Our generous hosts, Nathan De Petris and Marc Kassoof, owners of the Inn, will supply the plates and cutlery. Parking at the Inn is limited and reserved for the registered guests. However, there is ample street parking located on Delano Dr. and Four Chimneys Road. Please sign up in the Narthex or Parish Hall or call the office at (760) 320-7488 to confirm your attendance. Also, please indicate if you need a ride or are willing to use your vehicle for carpooling.
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Report Clergy 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 John Seitman, 858-793-4555 or Equilla Luke, 760-583-0485.
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Compassionate Care Task Force
Our diocesan task force on compassionate care for victims of clergy sexual misconduct seeks to connect with those who have experienced misconduct. If you have reported clergy sexual misconduct and have information about the reporting or post-reporting experience that could be helpful to their work, please refer to the task force members, all of whom are listed on the diocesan website: Task-Force. Information on how to report misconduct is available here.
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Church Office Hours
The Parish Office hours have changed for the summer. From Memorial Day, the Parish Office will be closed on Friday afternoons, beginning at 11:30 AM and will be unavailable for walk-in business. These hours will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend.
If 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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Print a copy of The Abundant Life?
Print a copy
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Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
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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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    The Church of St. Paul in the Desert
Local: 760.320.7488 // Fax: 760.416.2441
Email: clergy@stpaulsps.org Website: http://www.stpaulsps.org
125 West El Alameda
Palm Springs, California 92262
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