WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – December 2nd – Fr. Thomas
Some years ago, I remember someone telling me that a race track was being built in Royal Palm Beach. WOW, I thought with excitement; until I learned that it was a gas station, not a thoroughbred racing venue. Moral of the story. . . what we hear and think is not always was is “reality.”
The shepherds in the fields, the Wise Men on the road to Bethlehem, the women who went to the tomb early on the first Easter Sunday, were not expecting to find what they thought they were looking for. How many times in our lives do we experience the same situations? God likes to surprise us, but only with good things. We meet our life long partner, find the perfect job, home, school . . .
Accept your path, with its twists and turns. The adventure is in the journey, not the arriving. Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. And when we lose hope and think it’s the end, God says, “Relax, it’s just a bend, not the end.” The Good News is that the task ahead is never greater than the Power behind us.
So, in this season of giving, remember that what we are is God’s gift to us; and what we become is our gift to God.
NOTICES:
THERE WILL BE OPENINGS FOR FIVE NEW VESTRY MEMBERS FOR 2023. INTERESTED PARISHIONERS CAN CONTACT FATHER THOMAS OR ANY VESTRY MEMBER.
First Communion. Congratulations and blessings to Lydia Waters, Matthew Hogan, Alice Valderama, and Vitor Megathlim who will be receiving this Sunday at the 10:00 a.m. mass.
Facebook Page. Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”
ECW will hold a regular meeting Saturday, December 3rd, at 11:15 a.m. in the parish hall, followed by lunch at Los Agaves in Royal Palm Beach.
ECW is hosting a Christmas-themed decorative craft workshop at Board and Brush in Wellington on Saturday, December 10th from 1-3p.m. Cost is $35 per person and includes all supplies to make a lovely and durable Christmas craft to decorate your home or give as a gift. Participants need to register online using a link and password because you need to choose your personal project and pay your $35 by December 7th. Contact Linda McKeown at llmckeown51@comcast.net or call 561-254-3902 to get the link emailed to you. All women of the church and their friends and neighbors are invited to this event. Thanks. Linda
Church cleaning and decorating. We need volunteers from the men of the church to help set up the Christmas trees and get decorations out of the attic starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10th. All members welcome to come clean and decorate church for Christmas on Saturday, December 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Men will set up crèche for Live Nativity at 9 a.m. Please contact Linda McKeown at 561-254-3902.
Christmas Flowers. We are collecting donations of $25.00 for Christmas flowers starting this week. Please fill in a form and leave it in the bag on the credenza or put it in the plate. The deadline is December 14th.
St. David’s Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 18th at 4:00 p.m. Please join us for our joyous holiday concert! Enjoy musical performances. We hope to see you there. A reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Suggested donation of $20.00
The Live Nativity, one of our oldest traditions at St. David’s, will be held on Wednesday, December 21st, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and see the display that evening, but we also need volunteers of all ages to be in the display. To volunteer or get more information, call or text Jenifer Elmore at 561-601-3346 at your earliest opportunity.
Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.
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.
Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Vestry. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Congregation. Please bring a dish to share.
Women’s Bible Study weekly meeting will be held today at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.
Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
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.
PLEASE PRAY. For the sick: Alice, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Diana, Donna, Doris, Doug, Ed, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Ron, Rosie, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Hannah Gardner, Connie Hunter, Nicholas Webber. For our expectant mother: Rebecca.
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
