WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – April 7th – Fr. Thomas
We all know that Sunday in our Western calendar is the first day of the week because that’s the day on which Jesus rose from the dead. For Jews, as you are aware, Saturday is the Sabbath Day when God “rested” from His six days of creation. The message here is that Jesus’ resurrection “re-creates” life in various forms when we realize that conversion involves a fresh start from the past; leaving behind the sins, doubts, faults of the past and waking henceforth into that new life of Jesus’ Resurrection. In the words of the 19th c. English Cardinal John Henry Newman, “Fear not that your life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning.” In other words, having walked the “Way of the Cross” during Holy Week, are we now willing to “Go the distance in the way that leads to everlasting life?”
What looked like a terminal situation on a Friday, became Good News early on Sunday. “O Death, where is thy sting; O grave, where is thy victory?” We are Christians not simply because we believe that Jesus rose from the dead, but because we believe that we shall rise too. For those who love God never meet for the last time. This is the hope we hold onto; the hope we offer to a world hungry for some good news. And there is no other message worth preaching in cancer hostels and funeral homes. If we don’t have this hope, then what are we putting into our spiritual IRA? What are we betting our life on? For in Thee O Lord, life is changed, not ended. Yet even at the grave we make our song, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLEUIA. CHRIST HAS DIED, CHRIST IS RISEN, CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.
NOTICES:
Sandwiches for St. George’s. Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot each Wednesday 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 Vestry. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Daughters of the King.
Coffee hour is scheduled after the 8:00 a.m. service the first Sunday of each month.
No Sunday school this Sunday.
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: Adrian, Alice, Amanda, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Dorothy, 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 birthday celebrations: Dale Pugliese, Gabriel Falco. For anniversary celebration: Matthew and Marie Hogan. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor and Bethany.
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
