The Abundant Life – August 3, 2017

The Abundant Life

August 3, 2017                                       For Sunday, August 6th

From Jerry Di Noto

Leadership Development Coordinator

Moses Transfigured

Featured Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35

Growing up in the Northeast, I recall walking out on a winter morning and being overwhelmed by the sun’s rays reflecting off the new snow. It seemed like the whole of creation was reflecting the presence and beauty of God. I suspect that is what happened to Moses after he spoke with God. The strength of the glory of God was reflected by Moses’ very being, like the snow glistening in the sun.

Moses experienced the very presence of God and was visibly transformed. He descended Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant in his hands. Aaron and all the Israelites were overcome with the brilliance of Moses’ shining transfigured face, much like trying to look at the sun. The brightness was so intense that Moses had to veil his face after speaking to the Israelites. I suspect that after time away from the mountain, Moses’ transfigured aura wore off and he didn’t need the veil any more.

I believe that we are embraced by a loving God and our intense experience should manifest itself as a “shining.” Yet, as I reflect on this Moses account, I wonder what could cause me to veil that luster? What could veil my faith? Could it be an unkind word, thought or deed? As I experience life’s challenges, listen to world and domestic news and see the despair and hopelessness in people’s lives, does the shine diminish and fade? Perhaps at these times I too need to go to the mountain of the Lord. I too need the transforming reminder that I am called to reflect the light and love of God, that nothing can ever separate me from the radiance unless I shroud it.

Moses’ mountain experience with God was transformative. We too need experiences of transformation to recharge our souls and encounter God and God’s people. Like Moses, we may not at first realize that we reflect the radiance of God’s personal presence, but others will notice. Others will benefit from the divine radiant presence of healing, forgiveness, inclusion and wholeness that we bring.

Gathering together for worship we become reenergized and are nourished with of the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Spending time in the light of God’s presence will show in our hearts, lives and faces as we go forth and be the reflected light of God to a darkened world.

Jerry Di Noto

_____________________________________________

Featured Scripture

Luke (9:28-36) NRSV

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

________________________________________

Online Giving

If you donate to the Church of St. Paul through our on-line giving system, please check periodically to be sure that your account information is still current, including card expiration date, giving frequency and donation end date. If you have any questions, or need help updating your information, please call the office at 760-320-7488 and we will work with you to make sure the information is correct. 

_____________________________________________

Assistant Registrar

Rosanna Langley has been appointed as the Assistant Registrar for church records. She will be calling every member of the church to verify and collect information needed for our church records. She will not be asking for any information regarding your giving.

_____________________________________________

Hospitality Ministry

Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments.

Joanne Adair, Teri Whitmer, Bonnie Stroock & Ruth O. Martin are sponsoring the coffee hour after the 10:30 service.​

 Please consider sponsoring a coffee hour this summer!

______________________________________________

Communion at Windsor Court

The next communion service at Windsor Court is Wednesday, August 9th at 10:15 am. The priest and the residents are always happy to have parishioners attend.

______________________________________________

Palm Springs Tram Walk About and Dinner

St. Paul’s Campers are going up the tram on August 8th to explore and have dinner.  Come and join us and escape the heat up in the mountains.  Meet at the lower tram station at 3:30 pm. Several dinner choices are available.   Tram tickets are $26.  Please RSVP to Bonnie Stroock at Bcstroock@aol.com

______________________________________________

Summer Parish Potluck 

Our next Parish Potluck will be August 10, 2017.  Please bring your favorite dish to the Parish Hall beginning at 5:30 with dinner at 6:00. The objective of the evening will be to have fun, relax and enjoy good food and great companionship. Sign-up sheets are in the back of the church and in the Parish Hall.

We will be forming new circle supper potluck groups for this Fall which will run October through December and then will re-group for another set of diners from January through March and beyond. Signup sheets will be passed around at the August Parish Potluck and will also be at the back of the church and in the Parish Hall until after Labor Day when the groups will be formed.

______________________________________________

Parish Life Book Club

The Parish Life Book Club (PLBC) will not meet in August. You’ll want to join them at their next meeting on Tuesday, September 5th at 1 pm in the Parish Library to discuss Martha Hall Kelly’s debut novel “Lilac Girls.” Here’s what Lisa See had to say in her NY Times review, “Inspired by actual events and real people, Martha Hall Kelly has woven together the stories of three women during World War II that reveal the bravery, cowardice, and cruelty of those days.”

______________________________________________

FAITH BUILDING 2017

Sundays @ 9:15 am

AT ST. PAUL’S IN THE LIBRARY – The Episcopal Cafè                        

______________________________________________

Tuesdays @ 7PM

____________________________________________

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 incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, jseitman@pacbell.net, 858-793-4555 or the Rev. Janet Wheelock,  jwheelock@edsd.org, 952-240-8067.

______________________________________________

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday.  Friday office hours are 9 am – 11:30 am through summer. The office is closed on Mondays.

Should 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.

______________________________________________

Print a copy of The Abundant Life?

Click here

______________________________________________

Sunday Worship Childcare
 
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.

______________________________________________

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
 
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10 am-1 pm 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.

______________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________

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