The bread of heaven
1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51
This Sunday we can enjoy comparisons between a reading from the Gospel of John and a reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians. Neither of these readings, we need to appreciate, was definitely written by the reported author. In
an odd way at makes interpretation easier; we worry less, then, about adhering to the particular theology and doctrine ordinarily applied to either author.
One highly charged comparison between these two readings is their treatment of members of the Jewish faith. The Gospel of John is considered the least friendly of the four Gospels toward Jews. In Sunday's reading the hesitancy to accept Jesus' claim to be the bread which came from heaven is attributed to "the Jews." By the time the fourth Gospel was written Jewish-Christian divisions had been established. The writer of the fourth Gospel appears ever ready to identify by their religion those who resisted Jesus' holy status.
Conversely, by the time the letter to the Ephesians was written Paul (or his followers) were intent on eradicating divisions among those who would follow Jesus. Whether Jew or Gentile, all are encouraged to live their lives in a manner that would make them "imitators of God." The description of appropriate Christian living in the epistle reading is especially noteworthy. The reading describes for the Christians what the lifestyle of one who had consumed and believed in the bread of heaven would involve. Forgiveness, honesty and love are recommended by Paul (or his followers) and stand in sharp contrast to the ethnic and faith divisions highlighted in the fourth Gospel.
A Remedy for a Rough Week
This will be short and to the point. It has been a rough week. Lots of stress at work and that carries over in to outside work life. So, when I got to church yesterday I 
was in a bad place. I was as they say, under a black cloud, and getting up and off to church was a bit of a struggle.
Then we reached the point in the service for the "Prayers of the People." When that portion of the service began I was little better. After all, I was doing something!
As parishioners began to share their thoughts, thanksgivings and intercessions, the cloud began to dissipate. What do you know! When the Prayers had ended that black cloud was gone.
That is a lot of power coming from that small gathering sharing at the 8:00. I couldn't have predicted it, but wow, I am sure grateful for that experience. So I just want to give thanks for that. MY message: You never know what can happen when you pray, so "Try it, you'll like it."
--Warden Pete Bedrossian
This week at St. Paul's
Dates from our August calendar
3 Vacation Bible School 6-8 pm
4 Vacation Bible School 6-8 pm
5 12:15 pm Healing Service; 2 pm River Valley Care Center ; Vacation Bible School 6-8 pm
6 Vacation Bible School 6-8 pm
7 Vacation Bible School 6-8 pm
9 8am Rite I; 8:45 am Bible study;10 am Rite II, Sunday school; 11:30 coffee hour
