WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – July 24th – Fr. Thomas
There was a small Oklahoma town that had two Baptist churches and one distillery. Members of both churches complained that the distillery was giving the community a bad image. And to make matters worse, the owner of the distillery was an out spoken atheist. The church people had tried unsuccessfully for years to shut down the distillery. So finally they decided to hold a joint Saturday night prayer meeting. They asked God to intervene and settle the matter. As the church folks gathered that night, there was a horrible thunderstorm raging outside and to the delight of the church members, lightening hit that old distillery and it burned to the ground.
The next morning the sermons that were preached in both churches were on the power of prayer. But the insurance adjusters promptly notified the distillery owner that they were not going to pay for the damages because the fire was an act of God and that was an exclusion in the policy. The distillery owner was furious and he sued both churches claiming that they had conspired with God to destroy his business. But the churches denied that they had anything to do with the cause of the fire. The presiding judge opened the trial with these words: “I find one thing in this case most perplexing-we have a situation here where the plaintiff, an atheist is professing his belief in the power of prayer, and the defendants all faithful church members are denying the very same power.”
In other words, we don’t believe only when it’s expedient, but at all times and places. So, I’ll give the late Quaker theologian and author, Elton Trueblood, the final word: “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.”
St. David’s Island Dinner Dance Saturday, August 13th, from 6:00p.m. – 11:00 p.m., at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Wellington. Tickets $75.00 per person. Live music by Kool Vibes, a cash bar, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets will be on sale after Mass.
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 Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
St. George’s Center has asked if St. David’s could provide lunch and dinner once a month to the community. If anyone is interested in helping out, please contact Joyce Parker at 561-312-2719
Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by Claudette Wray. Next Sunday will be hosted by Maria Scher.
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 in operation with the necessary protocols in place.
Forward Day by Day brochures for next quarter 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, Doris, Doug, Edna, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Rosie, Sharon, Steve, Sue, Susan, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Jackson Eubanks, Theda Aiken, Annemarie Elmquist, Nellie Falco. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Sarah.
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
Learn more about the Island Dinner Dance – https://www.facebook.com/events/738513864070490
