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Habits of the Heart
The story of the Good Samaritan is one of the most loved of all the parables that Jesus tells. I believe it is so popular because we identify with it so easily; however, I believe we sometimes miss the point. The dialogue that Jesus has with the lawyer brings to bear the timeless question, “Who is my Neighbor?” We live in troubling times where the NIMBY reality is probably a 21st century representation of the travelers on the road in Jesus’ parable. We think treatment centers, or halfway houses, or shelters are a good idea, but not in our backyard. We walk with our eyes down so we don’t see the homeless or destitute in our midst.
At some level, we are all the travelers, the ones with envy who take what belongs to another; or have a great deal and want to keep it that way, not sharing what we have and thinking we can take it with us; or, the Good Samaritan who’s premise in life is to say what is mine is yours and I will share it with you. It is a continuum; and, it is about the habits of the heart.
The lawyer is asked, “What is written the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” It begins with the heart, what are your priorities? How do you feel about yourself? The whole dialogue begins with the lawyer asking what he must do to inherit eternal life, and that is about the habits of his heart. It is not about wealth, or credentials, or background, or even intellect. It is about the habits of our heart. Opening our hearts to the wideness of God’s mercy, to the love offered to all of creation; and that oldest of all adages, ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Or as Thumper says in that classic film BAMBI, ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!’ We always want the last word, particularly if it’s a put down of the other, NOT a good habit of the heart.
Join us this weekend as we are asked to answer the question, “And who is my neighbor?”
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Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
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Bishop James Mathes has issued a
Statement on Same Sex Marriage
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Click here to read the Bishop’s message.
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Peace & Justice Team invites you to a discussion on Thursday, July 11th at 7pm in St. Paul’s Library to form the Peace and Justice Ministry. Please be prepared to share local, national, and global issues that interest and concern you. On tap are lively conversation and yummy goodies. Please contact Audrey Spencer at 760.835.5506 or Jerry DiNoto at 760.416.7710 for more information.
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SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 12, 2013 – 5:00 PM!
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SAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT DATE!
You won’t want to miss this wonderful event.
We will kick off St. Paul’s 75th Anniversary
in a grand way!
Remember – SAVE THIS DATE: 10/12/13!!
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. . . on the Older Adult Committee trip to Balboa Park in San Diego on Monday, August 12th, departing St Paul’s parking lot at 7:15am and returning to Palm Springs before 6:00pm. $45 per person (cash or check only). Cardiff Luxury Bus with restroom, coffee with light breakfast before we board. Wine, soft drinks and snack on the way home. Lunch and museums on your own. Balboa Park info at www.balboapark.org. Click for wheel chair/scooter rentals. Tickets available at Parish Office now and after services on July 14 & 21. Limited seating – buy your seat now.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Evolution of the Word;
Exploring Marcus Borg’s book on the chronological New Testament,
led by Fr. Jonathan
7/14 An Overview & Paul’s letters: 1 Thess. & Galatians
7/21 Paul’s Letters: 1 Corinthians, Philemon, Philippians
7/28 Paul’s Letters: 2 Corinthians and Romans
Why Did Jesus, Moses, The Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road?
During August Victoria Hatch will lead us in a discussion of this new book by Brian McLaren that addresses the issue of Christian identity in a multi-faith world and focuses on how Christians are to engage with those of other faiths.
8/04 The Crisis of Christian Identity
8/11 The Doctrinal Challenge: Promoting Harmony and Unity
8/18 The Liturgical Challenge: Baptism and/or
Sitting on Santa’s Knee
8/25 The Missional Challenge: Who We Are in a Multi-Faith World
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
Movie Night on Tuesdays at 7pm in the Library
The July theme is Relationship & Marriage
7/16 Steel Magnolias (1989)
7/23 My Favorite Wife (1940)
7/30 Reinas (Queens) (2005)
August Movie Nights’ theme is Royals or Royalty:
Kings and Queens
8/06 Private Lives of Henry VIII (1933) – Craig Ewing, host
8/13 Elizabeth (1998) – Jerry Di Noto, host
8/20 Henry V (1989) – Jerry Di Noto, host
8/27 The Queen (2006) – Jerry Di Noto, host
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center is an outreach of St. Paul’s that serves the homeless by providing clothing and desserts on Monday evening served by our volunteers. You can help by contributing desserts, donating to our SOS Fund, adding to our donation baskets in the Narthex or joining our volunteers on Monday evening. For more information, call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726.
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“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”
Ministry!
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Pau’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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We Need Volunteers
. . . to assist with Name Badge organization. Please contact Mike Funke at 760-409-0986 or: mike.funke@yahoo.com if you can help.
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At the
Church of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. 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.
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Your Giving Matters
See a snap shot of our latest financial information by clicking here.
This is an important update and your attention is needed.
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Children’s Sunday School continues through the summer (although not the Godly Play program) with stories, artwork, and music during the 10:30 service.
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Come camping in August
Camperships for Camp Stevens raised $341.45 last Sunday. A big thanks for helping out kids who can’t afford a week of camp. You may still send a check to St. Paul”s noting Camp Stevens Camperships on the bottom. Also our parishioner, Noah Baker Aidukus is attending camp this summer. Yeah for Noah!
Donors are invited to visit camp in the fall for a picnic. Also see pictures from our St. Paul’s Campers trips. A few spots are still open for August 23-25 reservations at Idyllwild County Park. Call Ron Shepherd at 760.832.4709 to reserve.
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Movie Night!
Tuesday Nights in
July and August
See the schedule in the Faith Building section
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Holy Communion Service for
Local Care Facilities
Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of each month at Windsor Court. The next service will be August 14th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour Hosts are still needed for many Sundays throughout the rest of 2013.
Hosts are needed for many Sundays throughout the rest of 2013. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
. . . meets every Wednesday from 10 am – 1 pm in the Parish Hall. This peace-filled stitching circle gives members fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need of prayer. For more details contact Valerie Ferguson at 760.799.5927, Barbara Hawkins Villani at 760.322.3987, or Audrey Spencermorris at 760.835.5506.
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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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Report Sexual Misconduct.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please remember 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 and to encourage all to report any misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Canon Suzann V. Holding immediately: sholding@edsd.org
or 619-481-5452.
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Episcopalians Against
Gun Violence
. . . is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, click here.
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