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Fire and Baptism
This is not the Jesus we are used to. In this week’s Gospel selection we hear all about brokenness and division and Jesus is igniting it! Jesus describes the times he is living in and the conflicts his very life will create. If I were one of the disciples to whom he was speaking, I bet my anxiety would be rising.
In all my years as a priest, I have never had anyone say to me, “Pastor, I need more conflict in your sermons. I just don’t have enough anxiety.” In fact, we clergy often hear the opposite. People experience plenty of conflict and anxiety – they are looking for healing and relief.
Yet in this passage, Jesus is reflecting his stress, as he shares the cost his vocation will bring to him and to his followers. This passage is set in a section that is defined by a journey. In chapter 9, Jesus has set his face towards Jerusalem. Everything that he says or does after that statement is influenced by the coming conflict that Jesus will have with the religious leaders and will lead to his death at the hands of the Romans.
Most of the time, Jesus is focused on his mission. We see his mission as about reconciliation and healing, and it is. However, his mission is not only about dealing with the brokenness of individual people, but with systems. This is where the conflict escalates. It is one thing to help a person, but another to challenge the systems that perpetuate their need. Dom Helder Camara, a Roman Catholic Archbishop in Brazil was quoted as saying, “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.”
From before his birth, it was clear that Jesus would not only heal the wounds of individual people, but would challenge the system that was not aligned with God’s justice. The “Magnificat,” which Mary sings, proclaims Jesus turning the world upside down.
In the weeks leading up to this reading, Jesus has been teaching about prayer, warning about greed, encouraging with hope, and focusing his disciples away from external piety to sincere spiritual practice. In this reading he is teaching openly about the cost of being a follower.
In our time, we are removed from Roman oppressors. We are not subject to scores of religious practices that dominate our daily life. However, we still encounter the poor and encounter systems that create poverty and inequality. This scripture reminds us to keep our eyes open to see the world around us and be ready to respond. It reminds us that following Jesus is still likely to be costly.
As we worship together this week, we pray for readiness to follow Jesus and willingness to support one another even when costly.
Fr. Andrew
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Luke 12:49-56
Jesus said, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, `It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
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F. Gillar Boyd, Jr.
3/15/28 -8/4/13
Gillar Boyd was a long time member of St. Paul’s who began attending when he was in Palm Springs High School.
He has served in almost every position possible in the parish and has been a leader for may years.
Gillar’s funeral will be on Saturday, September 7th at 10:00 am.
It will be a wonderful celebration of his life.
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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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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
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.
8/18 The Liturgical Challenge: Baptism and/or
Sitting on Santa’s Knee
8/25 The Missional Challenge: Who We Are in a Multi-Faith World
Marriage Equality: Where the Episcopal Church Stands, hosted by Craig Ewing
9/08 The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant
9/15 US Supreme Court Decisions on DOMA and Proposition 8
9/22 Bishop Mathes: “Same Sex Blessings and Marriages”
9/29 The Rector’s Reply: “The Blessing Ministry”
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
Movie Night on Tuesdays at 7pm in the Library
August Movie Nights’ theme is Royals or Royalty:
Kings and Queens
8/20 Henry V (1989) – Jerry Di Noto, host
8/27 The Queen (2006) – Jerry Di Noto, host
American Religious History—A Struggle for Peace & Justice, audio CD by Patrick N. Allitt, hosted by Victoria Hatch and Robert Hettinger
9/03 Major Features of American Religious History–
Diversity and Vitality
9/10 European Background–Reformation and Religious Separatists
9/17 Natives and New Comers–Similarities/Differences of Religious
Identities
9/24 Puritans–Struggles with Religious & Political Way of Life
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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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Report Misconduct.
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 incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Thomas Wilson at twilssdca@gmail.com or 619.518.4713.
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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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Desert Blind and
Handicapped
. . .has had a long relationship with St. Paul’s. This grassroots organization has been around for 40 years helping people stay in their homes when they no longer are able to drive. Recently one of our vehicles had to be replaced, and a donor lent $15,000 for a “new” vehicle, a silver Corolla often seen in the St. Paul’s parking lot. DBH needs your help to retire this loan ASAP. Any tax-deductible amount is welcome. Go to www.desertblind.org and click the “Donate” button on the left, call 760.778.8552 or see board members George Holliday, Bette Knutson, Harriet Yost or Mike Carson. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
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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. 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 September 11th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
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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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.
“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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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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