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Is This a Test?
Moses has followed the the direction of God and guided the children of Israel through the wilderness. Their journey has brought them to the holy mountain where Moses has received and shared a sign of their covenant with God. Everything that has happened in the Exodus is related to this covenant – an agreement that defines and guides not only their relationship with God, but the relationships of the whole community.
Callie Plunket-Brewton is an instructor at the University of North Alabama at Florence. In her commentary at Working Preacher she invites the reader to understand this scripture as a critical part of the development of the people and God who rescued them from slavery in Egypt. It is a test. There have already been many tests for the people, but these 10 commandments articulate how God’s people relate to God and one another. They will test how the community of faith is built among them.
Of the ten commandments, 4 specifically define the relationship of the faithful to God and are defined positively. The other 6 offer some basic boundaries for life among the community of faith and 5 of them are prohibitions: “You shall not…” However, the 5th commandment – Honor your Father and Mother – is a bridge that connects both kinds of relationships. Simply, how we understand our relationship with God, guides our human interactions and our quality of human interactions reflects on the authenticity of connection to the divine.
The people who were delivered from Egypt and crossed the Red Sea have been tested at each stage of their journey and the test offered by this Covenant between God and them will define them as a people. It continues to define our relationships as a community of faith.
Like any good instructional test, we learn from what we miss. In our regular worship together, we set the tone for our outside interactions and and the priorities of our life. We don’t get all of it right every time, but we practice. There are three opportunities to practice at St. Paul’s this weekend; 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday. See you there.
Fr. Andrew
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Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
The Common English Bible (CEB)
Then God spoke all these words:
I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You must have no other gods before me.
Do not make an idol for yourself—no form whatsoever—of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.
Do not use the Lord your God’s name as if it were of no significance; the Lord won’t forgive anyone who uses his name that way.
Remember the Sabbath day and treat it as holy. Six days you may work and do all your tasks,
Honor your father and your mother so that your life will be long on the fertile land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Do not kill.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.
Do not desire your neighbor’s house. Do not desire and try to take your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox, donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the horn, and the mountain smoking, the people shook with fear and stood at a distance. They said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we’ll listen. But don’t let God speak to us, or we’ll die.”
Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, because God has come only to test you and to make sure you are always in awe of God so that you don’t sin.”
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St. Paul’s Foundation Fundraiser-Oct. 3rd: 6-8 pm
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St. Paul’s Foundation is globally committed to working for Women’s Development and Employment, HIV-aids Prevention and Education and projects to Build Sustainable Communities. Adult Faith Building and Social Justice invite you to a fund raiser honoring HIV-LGBT activist Maxensia Nakibuuka from Kampala, Uganda on Friday, October 3rd from 6 to 8 PM at the home of Scott Griffith & Gregg Fletcher- 815 N. Prescott Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. 760.325.7070 – residence, 330.329.7776 – mobile/Scott, 760.844.0110 – mobile/Greg. Tickets may be purchased for $25 during coffee hour on Sept. 28th or purchased on line at localhost:8882/.
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Our monthly Taize style meditation service is held on the 1st Thursday of each month. Our next Taize service will be held on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00. In a setting of icons, candles and low light, and, using short songs repeated again and again with a few words to express a basic reality of faith, this service of prayer and meditation becomes a way of listening to God. All are invited. To learn more, contact Nathan Ensign at: 760-320-7488 Ext. 225. We are also looking for a few volunteers to assist in setting up for the service.
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From:
The Social Justice Team and Music Department
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 The Social Justice Team and Music Department are excited to present Cornerstone Chorale and Brass, under the direction of Dr. Bruce Vantine, on Friday, October 17th at 7:30 p.m. This is their 26th year presenting concerts across the nation with a Christ-centered message of social justice and reconciliation, and one critic described it as “Lessons and Carols without the Christmas theme”. Donations will be gratefully accepted at the door and a reception will follow to meet our artists. A part of our responsibility is to provide housing for the singers and brass players. We need a total of 28 beds (can be two beds in a room but no shared beds) and hosts will need to serve breakfast on Saturday morning before they leave early for Arizona. If you can assist or for more information, please contact Nathan Ensign after services or at: 760-320-7488 Ext. 225.
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“HERE I AM” – A Call to Service
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 “Here I AM” – A Call to Service. for Chalice Bearers, Acolytes, Eucharistic Visitors, Ushers & Readers. St. Paul’s is in need of people who are willing to serve in worship on the Altar Guild, as Acolytes and Worship Coordinators, as Chalice Bearers, as Lay Eucharistic Visitors, as Ushers, as Readers, and Prayer Leaders. In the coming weeks we will be giving you more information regarding these opportunities and the schedule for training. Please listen to hear if God is calling you one of these ministries of worship. To express an interest please call the Parish Office 760.320.7488 and leave your name & contact information.
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 On Saturday, October 18, we will be participating in the 27th Desert AIDS Walk to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in our community. We’d love for you to join us that day in spreading the message that AIDS is not over, and that everyone should be tested as part of our ‘Get Tested Coachella Valley’ initiative. We will have a booth at Ruth Hardy Park where the walk steps off. Please consider walking with us or helping to maintain the booth!
Our booth will open at 7:30 am. The walk steps off at 9:00 am. You can sign up or donate at the table after each service in the parish hall. If you would like to help with sign up after services contact George Holliday at gholliday@dc.rr.com or call 760-534-1642.
What is ‘Get Tested Coachella Valley’? It is a 3-year region-wide campaign dedicated to dramatically reducing transmission of HIV . Why ‘Get Tested Coachella Valley?’
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53.3% of Coachella Valley residents have never been tested for HIV.
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately one in five people living with HIV do not know they are infected.
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In parts of our valley, the prevalence of HIV is estimated at three times the national average—putting everyone at greater risk.
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An international study, hailed by Science Magazine as the “2011 Breakthrough of the Year,” has proven it: If an individual who is HIV positive takes the right medications, he or she is 96% less likely to pass the virus to others.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
October
10/5 “What I Heard in Ferguson” Facilitator- Audrey Spencer
Click to read
10/12 “ISIS and the Crisis of Meaning” Facilitator – Craig Ewing
Click to read
10/19 “The Sacred Can Be Found in the Sound of Silence” Facilitator- Brother John Charles Westaway
Click to read
10/26 “The Rising Number of Homeless Gay Teens – Many from ‘Religious Families’” Facilitator- Alan Zimmerman
Click to read
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“Tuesdays at 7” In The Library
10/7, 10/14, 10/21 & 10/28 The God Problem- Alternatives to Fundamentalism by Nigel Leaves. Almost everyone has their own view of what they mean by God. Some claim that they are “atheists” primarily because they do not believe in what they think is popularly referred to as “God.” Nigel Leaves’ book, The God Problem looks at the reasons behind the waning of the Christian faith because of its continuing insistence on a supernatural God. This book will be available for sale at each of the sessions for $18. Put on your critical thinking hat and attend this four week discussion course led by Fr. Bob Semes.
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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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Piano Fund Update:
To date, the Church has received 64 donations totaling $14,765.
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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 October 8th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, Oct. 26th at 4:00 PM.
The Music Department hosts a concert of “Baroque Brilliants” (works by 17th and 18th Dutch and German masters) presented by eminent Dutch violinist, Jaap Schröder and harpsichordist Margaret Irwin-Brandon, playing on period instruments. A $20 donation is requested at the door. Contact Nathan Ensign at 760-320-7488 Ext. 225 for more info.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
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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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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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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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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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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