WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – February 17th – Fr. Thomas
There are only five more days left in our Epiphany Season. Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) is next Tuesday. The observance reflects the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the Lenten season of sacrifice and fasting begins the next day. In countries like the United Kingdom, Mardi Gras is more usually known as Pancake Day or (traditionally) Shrove Tuesday, derived from the word shrive, meaning “to administer the sacrament of confession and to absolve.”
Ok, so maybe you can’t visit New Orleans this year, but our annual Pancake Supper Tuesday night, and two masses on Wednesday are available to all in recognition of this holy beginning to the traditional season of fasting, in preparation for our celebration of Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 9. (Here’s a trivia question for you: What was the only street that wasn’t flooded in Hurricane Katrina in 2005? Bourbon Street! True, no joke!)
Lent was originally thirty- six days -one tenth, or a tithe of the year. Someone, however, had the bright idea of adding four days to make it commensurate with Jesus’ time in the wilderness following his baptism, and the forty years the Jews wandered in the wilderness. Incidentally, Sundays are not included in the forty day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Note that they are called Sundays in Lent, not of Lent. Nonetheless, Lent is our journey home, and Easter is the arrival; so here’s wishing you a blessed Lent.
NOTICES:
Bunco. Back by popular demand, our next Bunco party will be Saturday, March 4th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and $10 per person. There will be someone to watch the little ones so they can have fun, too! Bring a friend – the more the merrier!
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.
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.”
Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Congregation. Please bring a dish to share. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Daughters of the King.
Cleaning of Church. Washing of windows on the inside of the church on Saturday, February 18th at 9:00 a.m. If you are able to help, please bring window washing supplies if you have some. Paper towels, cleaner, newspapers, squeegees.
St. David’s Family Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, February 19th after the 10:00 a.m. service. Please join us for what we hope to be the start of our annual church picnic for all parishioners and the community. There will be food and games for all.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is on February 21st at 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Please join us for pancakes, sausages and beverages. Tickets will be sold on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Sundays after service. Adults $7.00 and $3.50 for kids 10 years and under. Please wear your mask.
“Souper Bowl” Score – Chiefs 38 and Eagles 41. Thanks for your support. Linda McKeown.
Gardening and Grounds. We need volunteers on February 11th and March 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon to help with trimming of plants and shrubs and to get grounds in shape for Easter Sunday. Bring tools to trim, gardening gloves, rakes, pruning shears, etc. lunch served at noon.
Candles: We will have a bag on the credenza to collect all candle donations for the Altar and Mary Shrine for upcoming Sundays in Lent. If you would like to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put candle requests in offering plates.
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.
Women’s Bible Study weekly meeting resumes on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.
Forward Day by Day brochures for next quarter are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.
Tuesdays: No service this week.
Ash Wednesday: February 22nd at 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.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.
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 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, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Donna, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For the departed: Diana Firestone, Ron Davidson. For birthday celebrations: Dawn LaBorde, Jedidiah Kalphat, Dennis Wright, Howard Barrett, Anne Guillaume. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor and Abby.
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
