WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – January 16th – Fr. Thomas

A billboard once seen in New England read, “Pray, it works.” That’s a pragmatic point of view, but what if the prayers don’t “work?” Do we stop praying? Get mad at God? If prayer is merely a way of getting what we want, then how does one feel about God when we don’t get everything we think we deserve in life? Perhaps a better alternative would be “Pray – Period!” If prayer keeps us connected with God, then it is successful. To quote the Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well, you just might find, you get what you need.”

St. Paul writes, “Pray without ceasing.” God is not like the persistent woman in the parable who kept harassing the judge until he finally relented. God wants us to remain in a relationship with Him, but perhaps more importantly, the purpose of a close prayerful relationship is to change us, not to change God’s mind. Everyone thinks of changing humanity; but few think of changing themselves. However, change does not happen automatically, or without work and prayer on our end. Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Russian prisoner of war, succinctly said back in 1985 that “Men have forgotten God. That’s why all this has happened.” Amen!!

So, pray to God, but keep rowing to the shore, because God promises a safe landing, not a smooth passage. And remember, contentment doesn’t mean getting all you want, but enjoying what you have – because it’s not what they take from you that counts, it’s what you do with what you have left!

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Sunday’s Worship – We are open for live worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. We also “live-stream” our 10 a.m. service.

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. See the links listed below.

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.

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

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Congregation. Please bring a dish or dessert to share.

The Annual Parish Meeting is postponed until Sunday, January 16th at 9 a.m. in the parish hall. New Vestry members will be elected, financial information for this past year will be presented and reports from various ministries will be presented.

Bunco continues on Saturday, January 29th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Loads of fun and super easy for newcomers! The more the merrier, so please bring a friend, a bite to share, and your favorite beverage! Cash prizes awarded – even if you lose! $10 per person.

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 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 will 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.

Sunday School is back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doug, Edna, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Julian, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Patricia, Sharon, Steve, Susan, Violet, William. For the departed: Carmen Fahey. For birthday celebrations: Steve Roca, Barbara Hastings-Griffin. For our expectant mothers: Ana, Priya and Ryan.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A