The Abundant Life – July 26, 2018

The Abundant Life

July 26, 2018                                                For Sunday, July 29th

Reflections From Victoria Hatch

Probably one of the most iconic stories of Jesus’ earthly ministry is the story of feeding the 5,000. (All four gospels include feeding stories; Matthew and Mark also include feedings of 4,000.) It is clearly an important vignette reflecting Jesus’ care, concern, nurture and compassion for the people.

It is an interesting transition that we make from the gospel of Mark to the gospel of John. Mark’s gospel tends to be a bit like a newspaper report of the events of Jesus’ life. The gospel of John, on the other hand, is full of nuances, theological implications and references to light and darkness and our place in the midst of it all. In this story we see “the four-fold action of the Eucharist” unfolding before us.

Jesus takes what is offered; he blesses (gives thanks), breaks (as his body will be broken) and shares with all, and there is an abundance of leftovers. The theology of abundance is clearly stated; there is plenty for all present plus 12 baskets of leftovers – clearly more than enough. We tend to live in a world that proclaims scarcity, which sees the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Being a follower of Jesus means being counter cultural. It means recognizing that the sharing of our abundance is synonymous with following Jesus.

The feeding of the 5,000 is iconic because the young boy who has two fish and five barley loaves is from the fringes of society – a child, not a power person at all. We all need to be fed, we all need to eat. But what is most important is recognizing the need each one of us has to feed others and to be fed by others. The importance of scripture for me is that it feeds my soul and strengthens my very being! The Eucharist, or Great Thanksgiving, is what we do, Sunday after Sunday. We are fed, physically and spiritually, and we feed one another. The invitation is issued week after week: “The gifts of God for the people of God!”

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Featured Scripture

John 6:1-21

Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

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FAITH BUILDING

Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library

The Episcopal Cafè                        

July

Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Library

GUN VIOLENCE AND PREVENTION INFORMATION

According to the Mass Shooting Tracker there have been 220 Mass Shootings as of July 9, 2018, which has resulted in the death of 280 people and 803 injured. On an average, that’s 3 killed and 8 injured every other day in a mass shooting and 96 people are killed every day with a gun. Over 30,000 people die each year from gun violence. You can help end this atrocity by supporting any one of a variety of gun violence prevention organizations and supporting political candidates that advocate for gun violence prevention.

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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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Fun, Folic, Fellowship and Fishing

Camping may be far from your idea of fun, but that’s just what the St. Paul’s Campers did over the weekend of July 13th – 15th at Hurkey Creek Campground. In all, there were 17 of us who enjoyed balmy weather and temperatures that were 25 degrees cooler than Palm Springs. Everyone loved the little corner of the campground where we had 3 campsites. The weekend festivities included great fellowship, divine food (especially the big dinner on Saturday), worship and some fishing. The water of Lake Hemet was hard to resist so the kids, and some adults, went to the water park. This was our first camp outing at Hurkey Creek and it won’t be our last!

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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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Buy Your Tickets for Godspell and Benefit Refugees

St. Luke’s North Park is proud to present a special one-night performance of the musical “Godspell” as its inaugural Refugee Benefit Concert on Friday, September 7 at 7:00 PM at St. Paul’s Cathedral (2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego). All proceeds from this event will benefit St. Luke’s job development work with the Sudanese and Congolese refugee communities of San Diego. Based on the Gospel according to Matthew, “Godspell” is the first musical theatre offering from composer Stephen Schwartz who went on to write such well-known hits as Wicked, Pippin, and Children of Eden. (You can buy your tickets online at stlukesnorthpark.org/godspell.) Purchase includes a $50 tax-deductible donation to St. Luke’s.  Read more here

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Save the Date!

Saturday, September 15th, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

St. Phillip’s Lemon Grove & The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego invite you to the 3rd Annual Latino/Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Church, located at 2660 Hardy Drive, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. There will be cuisine, games, La Loteria Electoral (raffle), bounce house, Aztec Dancers, Mariachi, Art Displays, Carousels and a DJ. For more information, contact Joe Gamboa at gamboa2@cox.net.

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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