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Reflections: From Jerry Di Noto
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When trouble hits, where do you turn?
In our scripture reading, with its many intriguing characters, Hagar’s encounter with God is a powerful lesson for me.
The friction between Hagar and Sarah is resolved by the birth of Isaac and God’s covenant choice of him over Ishmael, Hagar’s son. Since there could not be competitive sons as heir of the covenant, Abraham banishes Hagar. It’s not difficult for us today to imagine Hagar’s life, a single mother with her only son, being forced to leave home to a place and future unknown. In Hebrew, Hagar means “wandering,” and confers little or no dignity as a person; she is a slave with low value and status. Yet in God’s eyes all are created in divine image and entitled equal worth and dignity. Ultimately God helped Hagar. God’s promises to Hagar and Ishmael are epic and enable them to overcome trouble and lead settled lives. The promises are eternal to bless, protect and rescue all of us. Our God who is Love will never discriminate or abandon us because of social status, marital status, family status or identity.
Troubles appear in life, in different forms and with different causes. Yet the direst moment could be the moment of opportunity, for it may be the time that we realize the presence of God to establish and provide a new vision and alternatives. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46).
When trouble and stress seem unbearable we may be tempted to give up and lose faith. Let’s remember that God is a living God who is our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. God’s ways are the ways of mercy and grace, of patience and faithfulness. With faith, we are able to experience divine love in every troubled moment. So don’t be afraid to “Let go and let God.”
May our week be filled with the realization of God’s constant presence, love and promise.
Jerry DiNoto
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Genesis 21:8-21
The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.” The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she
departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
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 Beverly Zwach died the weekend of June 8, while traveling with her son. She didn’t feel well so they stopped in Palmdale at the hospital where she had a heart-attack and died. The family is planning a memorial service at St. Paul’s at the end of September. They had been planning a 92nd birthday party for her birthday in October.
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 The piano rebuilding fund continues to grow slowly and steadily. This next week, the piano is to be taken to Pasadena to be worked on over the summer. Some people have asked about the various examples we gave for donations — this was simply a marketing tool that we thought might be a fun way for some to donate. Gifts of all sizes are truly appreciated as work begins on this much needed renovation after 91 years of service. Remember that no gift is too large or too small! Please see our Director of Music, Nathan Ensign, after services or contact him at 760.320.7488, x.225.
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Camp Stevens needs our help!
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It is the Resident camp in beautiful Julian, California for the San Diego and LA Dioceses. In March the staff discovered a sharp decrease in their water well productivity. After hiring dousers to find the best spot for a new well, the area was blessed and is now being dug so the summer program and future campers can have sufficient H20. June 22nd will be Camp Stevens Sunday at church when contributions will be collected to help finance this project. You may also send a donation to www.campstevens.org/well .
Thanks very much for your support.
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As you know, Fr. Andrew has left on well earned annual vacation and 3 month sabbatical, his second after 25 years as Rector. It is a time for him (and Susan part of the time) to relax, grow and renew so that he can return refreshed for the next chapter of his ministry with us. It is a part of Episcopal tradition to give the members and friends of the parish an opportunity to contribute to a Sabbatical Fund to assist in an extended and meaningful time away. It’s still not too late to be a part of this effort and we invite you to write a tax-deductible check payable to “St. Paul in the Desert” noted for the Sabbatical Fund and either place it in the offering plate or send it to the Parish Office. It is through this fund that Fr. Andrew will be able to submit appropriate expenses through our usual business expense reimbursement procedure.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
American Religious Movements:
Presentation & discussion on some of the American-founded, Christian-based denominations.
6/22 Christian Science: Led by Jerry Di Noto
6/29 Seventh Day Adventists: Led by Rick Tinsley
July – Welcome to The Episcopal Café’ Discussion Group! Sessions held in Parish Hall Chapel.
These discussion-sharing sessions are based on online topics from Episcopal websites.
Participants can pre-read discussion articles on the sites indicated. The Episcopal Café discussion group topics and websites are:
July 13 Reverence For God. Facilitator Jerry Di Noto
Click to read
July 20 Is the internet really killing religion in the US?
Click to read
July 27 What Needs to Die in the Church. Facilitator: Victoria Hatch Click to read
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In The Library
“A Grief Observed”, by C.S. Lewis.
Book study facilitated by Craig Ewing.
A discussion of this short, yet powerful exploration into one man’s response to great personal loss. Twelve books will be available at the first session for $10 each or may be purchased on Amazon.
6/24 Grace, patience, and moving forward.
July is movie month on Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Library!
The theme for the month of July is “Care/Caregiving”.
7/1 Movie: Dominick and Eugene
7/8 Movie: Tea with Mussolini
7/15 Movie: Philadelphia
7/22 Movie: Mask
7/29 Movie: Secret Life of Bees
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Volunteers Needed – Roy’s Desert Resource Center!
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St. Paul’s is expanding its outreach to the men, women and children of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, one of the Coachella Valley’s largest transitional living facilities for the homeless. New volunteers are needed to assist in our continuing Monday night dessert service to Roy’s residents as are baked goods, used clothing and donations to our Roy’s “S.O.S” fund. We are also looking for new volunteers willing to assist residents as they visit the on-site “God’s Closet” used clothing repository. We encourage everyone with a little time to spare to join us in this opportunity for service and fellowship. For more information, please contact Chris Kelly at 760.406.2978. We would love to hear from you!
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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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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Taizé Services
will be on
vacation until
October 2, 2014
See You Then!
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on July 9th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Marcia Araujo will host this morning’s Coffee Hour following the 8:00 AM service.
Please consider signing up to host a Coffee Hour in 2014. A binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall indicates available Sundays throughout the year. There are several Sundays available through the end of the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Is on vacation for the Summer! Check back with us in September!
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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
. . . continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, (or view and print), to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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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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A
WELCOMING,
EMPOWERING,
SUPPORTIVE
COMMUNITY
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Paul’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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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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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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