WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 23rd – Fr. Thomas.

Is anyone shocked watching the violent pictures coming out of Israel, and in the Middle East? What about other acts of violence on a daily basis closer to home – spousal or child abuse, murders, rapes. We watch on television or read daily news reports of people being killed thousands of miles away, as we help ourselves to a second helping of ice cream or pour another glass of wine. Are we so immune to violence that we simply turn a blind eye? Are we anesthetized to the violence that even our own culture seems to sanction? We’ve glorified violence in movies, rap music and videos: how about sports – football, boxing, hockey, NASCAR? Are you one of those folks who actually anticipates violent car crashes and bench-emptying brawls? And in different degrees, our own government sanctions the destruction of life: capital punishment, abortion, assisted suicide. And then we wonder how parents in Muslim countries can strap bombs onto their children.

The first ten chapters of Genesis are all about the disintegration of relationships: Adam and Eve’s falling out with God, Cain and Abel, a symbol of the disintegration of relationships within the family, the tower of Babel symbolic of the disenfranchisement of communities and nations. From the calling of Abraham and Sarah in chapter eleven, straight through to the restoration of all peoples in the final chapter of Revelation, the Bible is the story of God’s plan to rectify a situation that got out of hand.

With the polarization of our political life, the misunderstanding that exists between warring nations, and the subsequent abuse of the weakest members of society, doesn’t the Christian Gospel in general have something to say? Israel waited for God’s redemption for three millennia, and in the middle of the first century St. Paul told the Corinthian Christians that the world will know that we are Christians by our love and how we manifest the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. So maybe we don’t know what to do about starving refugees in Africa or the government imposed “gender selection” of children in China. However, you can say your prayers, faithfully receive the sacraments, study the scriptures, and live a life worthy of our calling as a Christian.

As we conclude the season of Easter, let us not be distracted by the indifference to the Christian Gospel. Ask for an extra dose of patience, as we await the final consummation of God’s justice and peace. During the uncertainly of our times, look for God’s presence in the “here and now” and remind yourself of those things of eternal value. Finally, remember the words of St. Francis, “You may be the only Gospel your neighbor ever reads.”

NOTICES:

Video Viewing Options for Sunday’s mass – there are three different ways to view our videos: 1) our church website; 2) our Facebook page; and 3) our YouTube channel.

Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at https://www.myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.

Please note that our Vestry voted at its most recent meeting to lift the requirement on wearing masks inside the church and parish hall, leaving it up to the discretion of each individual.

Graduations: Congratulations to our graduating high school and college students from St. David’s: Daniel Melton, Hannah Gardner, and Danielle Kiminyo. God bless them as they move on in their life of faith and service.

Sandwiches for St. George’s: Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot each Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.

ECW Raffle is ongoing. Please return completed ticket stubs with your check by May 30 for drawing. Tickets stubs can be placed in offering plates or mailed to the office. Prizes are $100, $200 and $300. Thanks for your support. Thanks. Linda

Shop with Scrip: Gift card fundraising is the best way to raise money. Start giving back to St. David’s the moment you buy a gift card with the RaiseRight mobile app today! You can join the program by downloading the app on your phone or go to https://www.ShopWithScrip.com on your computer. The enrollment code to set up your free family account is BB6656B177722. For more information, please pick up a flyer in the narthex, or email Kimberly Joy Castellotti-Ward at choiceplusrealestate@gmail.com

Altar Flowers and Candles: We have a bag on the credenza to collect all flower and candle donations for upcoming Sundays. If you would like to donate for altar flowers for memorials and celebrations, please put your check for $40 with a request showing the date you want altar flowers and the reason for your donation into the bag. If you want to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put flower and candle requests in offering plates.

Volunteers to Deliver Flowers: We are in need of volunteers to deliver flowers to our sick and shut-in members after our Sunday 10am services two to three times a year. It is such a nice ministry that brightens people’s lives and easy to do. Hope we can get more volunteers so we can continue this ministry. Please contact Linda McKeown if you are available at 561-254-3902, or email llmckeown51@comcast.net

Sunday School is still in operation with the necessary protocols in place. There will be no Sunday school on May 30th.

Forward Day by Day brochures for the next quarter are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 am.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 pm.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Ampy, Barbara, Beth, Danny, Donna, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kip, Max, Miguel, Mike. For the departed: Laurel Tarr. For birthday celebrations: Debra Gonzalez, Laura Lee Montross, Jordyn Beresford, John Webber. For wedding anniversary celebration: The Rev. Steven and Erin Thomas.