WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 26th – Fr. Thomas
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the birth of the Church with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The Holy Spirit’s entrance into the Church made Jesus alive again in the Body of the Church. Just as the Holy Spirit entered into the Blessed Mother of Jesus the first time, so on Pentecost we remember the Spirit’s entry into the Body of Christ. Fifty days after Easter, it was time for God to be “born again” and pass life on to future generations. This Sunday, we will baptize five children who will grow into the grace and love of God, and spread the Good News just as the apostles did two millennia ago.
So, do we believe in a God who still works wonders today, who sets disciples on fire and changes the world? Or are we just the “Bland leading the Bland?” Perhaps we think that the problems of the world are too big for us. We think we cannot change our world or ourselves. Well, by ourselves, it probably would be challenging, but we are not in this world alone. However, it’s tempting to use that as an excuse to live with our problems. But Pentecost says that we’re all in this together. No part of the body is indispensable, we are all interrelated. There are a variety of gifts but the same spirit – a variety of ministries, but the same Lord.
In the Pentecost God comes again, not as a baby in a manger, but as Spirit in wind and fire. God works from the inside out – transforming us, and we too can give birth to the reality of God’s power & love among us. So. . . are we just full of “hot air,” or does the Spirit of God truly dwell within us?
Weekly Offering for Week Ending 5/20/2023. Total $4,231.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference ($415.00).
ECW Luncheon. ECW will meet for lunch at Butterfield’s restaurant in Royal Palm Beach at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. Email Irene Oknewski at ireneok1940@outlook.com by Thursday, June 1, if you would like to attend.
Father Thomas’ Retirement Brunch Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 4th at The Wanderers Club located at 1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P as soon as possible. If you wish to give a donation, please contact Laurie Cohen by email at lscohen520@gmail.com, text or call her at cell 561-252-9828 as soon as possible.
St. David’s Summer Soiree. St. David’s Summer Soirée Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah located at 900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington. Tickets are now on sale after service. The cost is $75.00 per person in advance and $80.00 at the door. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing. It’s a great weekend for celebrating your Fathers too!
Sunday Bible Study – There will be no bible study this Sunday, May 28th. The next meeting will be on Sunday, June 4th, when we will be discussing Chapter 3 of the Gospel of John.
Women’s Bible Study is scheduled each Sunday at 11:30 a.m. They will meet in the Mark Room. There is no Bible Study on Sunday, June 4th.
There will be no formal Sunday School this weekend so all the children can watch their friends being baptized. A special craft given out to the children.
Forward Day by Day brochures for the next quarter are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.
Tuesdays:Holy Eucharist.
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, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, 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: John M. Webber, Charles Sandell. For anniversary celebrations: Erin and Fr. Steven Thomas. For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 17th – Fr. Thomas
“If it feels good, do it – who’s it going to hurt, anyway?” so says our secular culture. This is not news to anyone, but it became abundantly clear to me while teaching theology to high school students back in the 80’s. In the minds of many people, of all ages, whatever you do, for good or bad, is acceptable as long as you don’t get “caught.” Call it “Moral Relativism,” but the prevailing belief is that morality is entirely a matter of one’s personal opinion and choice. Clearly, the freedom to think should leave some space for respectful and intelligent debate, but are there no moral “absolutes” anymore?
Yes, it’s one thing to live a decent and moral life, but it’s another to live out and commend the Faith that is in us. What we as Christians must do is encourage people, young and old alike, to progress from a conviction of “doing the right thing because I ought to do it” to “Doing the right because I want to do it, and understand why.”
This coming Sunday is the Sunday after the Ascension of our Lord. Let us reflect on the responsibility which all Christians have to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God, and its transformative effect on life at every level. In the words of the 19th c. Bishop Phillips Brooks, “Duty makes us do things well, Love makes us do things beautifully.”
NOTICES:
Weekly Offering for Week Ending 5/17/2023.Total $5,277.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference $631.00.
Raffle Tickets. The drawing is on Sunday immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service at the Coffee Hour. Tickets are still available and you can pick them up on the credenza in the narthex or see one of the ushers. Thank you and good luck.
Car Wash – Jackson Eubanks (son of Marie and Matt Hogan) will be completing his Eagle Scout Project for St. David’s which is a parking lot renovation in July. You can purchase tickets to his Car Wash fundraiser in advance for $10 from Marie or pay day of. The car wash will be held on May 27th from 12-4pm. Please come and support the youth of our parish and Jackson as he completes his final walk to Eagle Scout.
Father Thomas’ Retirement Brunch Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 4th at The Wanderers Club located at 1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P by Friday, May 26th. If you wish to give a donation, please contact Laurie Cohen by email at lscohen520@gmail.com, text or call her at cell 561-252-9828 as soon as possible.
St. David’s Summer Soiree. St. David’s Summer Soirée Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah located at 900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington. Tickets are now on sale after service. The cost is $75.00 per person in advance and $80.00 at the door. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing. It’s a great weekend for celebrating your Fathers too!
Bible Study – Each Sunday at 9 a.m. in the school building. The study is open to anyone who is interested. Please feel free to join us.
Women’s Bible Study is scheduled each Sunday at 11:30 a.m. They will meet in the Mark Room.
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.
Forward Day by Day brochures for the next quarter are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.
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, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Marjorie, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Virginia Barley-Brabham, Debra Gonzalez, Jordyn Beresford. For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 12th – Fr. Thomas
Happy Mother’s Day Weekend! Many may not be aware that the holiday originated in a small Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. It was 1876, and the nation still mourned the Civil War dead. While teaching a Memorial Day lesson, Mrs. Anna Reeves Jarvis thought of mothers who had lost their sons. She prayed that one day there could be a “Memorial Day” for mothers. The prayer made a deep impression on one of Mrs. Jarvis’ eleven children. Young Anna had seen her mother’s efforts to hold the war-split community and church together. As she grew into adulthood, the younger woman kept Mrs. Jarvis’ dream in her heart. On the day of her mother’s death, Anna was determined to establish Mother’s Day in her honor.
Well, God bless our mothers for all they do, have done, and will continue to do over time. A fifteen-year-old boy came bounding into the house and found his mom in bed. He asked if she was sick. The mom replied, “As a matter of fact, I don’t feel too well.” The son replied, “Well, don’t worry a bit about dinner; I’ll be happy to carry you down to the stove.”
The old spiritual song says, “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, a long way from home,” but Jesus says “I will not leave you as orphans.” So, no matter how alone we sometimes feel, we are not alone. We are members of the family of Christ, protected eternally by the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises us a place at the heavenly table; and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are carried “up” to the heavenly table. We have a “Reservation,” but we must RSVP and make the effort to arrive there. Just as Jesus offers us a place in His family, so we can’t leave others orphaned on the outside looking in. As Jesus said, “What you do for the least of these, you do for Me”.
NOTICES:
Weekly Offering for Week Ending 5/6/2023. Total $4,325.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference ($321.00).
Bunco. Our post-Easter Bunco party will be on May 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. If you haven’t played Bunco the St. David’s way, you’re missing out on big fun! Bring a dish to share – and we will have someone to watch the little ones. $10 per person, with 3 separate cash prizes – even if you lose! Honestly, where are you going to find that?! Hope to see you there!
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.
Prayer Books. There are large print Prayer Books in the narthex for your use during church service. Please return them after service.
Women’s Bible Study is scheduled each Sunday at 11:30 a.m. They will meet in the Mark Room.
A Senior Citizen Luncheon is scheduled on Saturday, May 20th at 12:00 noon. This is a free event for those who would like to have some social time and fellowship. We will have a couple of games. A sign-up sheet will be on the credenza in the narthex or call Linda McKeown at 561-254-3902 to reserve your spot.
Raffle Tickets. Please pick up your raffle tickets on the table in the narthex. Drawing will be held on Sunday, May 21st.
Car Wash Fundraiser : Jackson Eubanks (son of Marie and Matt Hogan) will be completing his Eagle Scout Project for St. David’s which is a parking lot renovation in July. You can purchase tickets to his Car Wash fundraiser in advance for $10 from Marie or pay day of. The car wash will be held on May 27th from 12-4pm. Please come and support the youth of our parish and Jackson as he completes his final walk to Eagle Scout.
Father Thomas’ Brunch Celebration is scheduled immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 4th at the Wanderers Club located at 1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington. If you wish to give a donation, please contact Laurie Cohen at her email lscohen520@gmail.com or text or call her cell 561-252-9828.
St. David’s Summer Soiree. SAVE THE DATE! St. David’s Summer Soirée Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah located at 900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington. Tickets are on sale after service. The cost is $75.00 per person in advance and $80.00 at the door. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing. It’s a great weekend for celebrating your Fathers too!
Bible Study – Sunday 9 a.m. in the school building. This past Sunday we began our study of the Gospel of John with Chapter 1, verses 1-18 (‘The Magnificent Prologue”.) This Sunday we will complete Chapter 1, which introduces John the Baptist and Jesus calling his disciples. The study is open to anyone who is interested. Please feel free to join us.
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.
Forward Day by Day brochures for the next quarter are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.
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, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, 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: Chris LaBorde, James Belden, Sr., Andrew Elmore, Denise Wilson. For anniversary celebration: Wally and Cindy Hernandez, Irwin and Laurie Cohen, James and Erika Belden. For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 5th – Fr. Thomas
Tomorrow, the first Saturday in May, is of course, the running of the 149th Kentucky Derby. As a Kentucky native, I believe that should be a national holiday in the calendar! A woman at the Derby sat by herself in the front row. After a couple races, the man sitting behind her asked, “I noticed the seat next to you is empty.” The woman said, “That belonged to my late husband.” The man asked, “Couldn’t you find anyone else to sit there?” To which the woman replied, “They all chose to attend the funeral instead.”
Bucking the trend of “stay at home bettors,” attendance each year at the Derby proves the critics wrong again. Cynics in both the racing industry and in the Church rightly ask, “Where is everyone the week after the Derby (or Easter Sunday?) What does it take to lure them back?” For those of us in the Church, it’s quality worship and engaging activities and ministries that make a difference in the lives of people who serve and are served. As long as we are serious about the Great Commission to go out and evangelize the world and the Great Commandment to love one another, God will not let His Church be deficient of the gifts necessary to do what He asks us to do. In past generations, The Episcopal Church used to leave it to the Baptists to evangelize people, while we did a pretty fair job of “sacramentalizing” them. But, today it’s a different world out there, and it’s now up to every Church to evangelize the world around them. However, if we’re sloppy about our worship and ambiguous about our basic core beliefs then our ancient rituals will have little impact on the people that need them the most.
Finding creative and effective ways of spreading the good news in a rapidly changing environment might mean survival of the fittest: not unlike some race tracks these days that are adding casinos, retail and entertainment centers to boost attendance and revenue. Yet this is only a short term solution. This is not a call for doing the “same old things in the same old ways.” Certainly one must adapt and be flexible, but trying to be something we are not won’t be effective in the long run. It’s been said, “Ministry is not a fifty yard dash, but a long distance relay race,” with successive generations picking up the baton and carrying forth with the same grace and power which ignited disciples both past and present. We can enrich the heritage of the past while adapting to our technologically advanced world.
Before the experts write the obituary for the Episcopal Church and thoroughbred racing, perhaps they should take a look at places like Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Saratoga, and Santa Anita; flagships within an industry whose history is more glorious than its present. Do what we do well despite our differences on the non-essential issues, and look at the congregations who maintain a traditional style, but who utilize technology to market themselves in modern ways. God bless and “May the Horse be with you.”
NOTICES:
Weekly Offering for Week Ending4/29/2023. Total $3,992.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference ($654.00)
Bible Study. We will begin a Bible Study this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. that is open to everyone of all ages. So please stay after the 8 a.m. service or come early before the 10:00 a.m. service and join us as we dive into John’s words and discuss what they mean to us today. If you have any questions, please contact Jay Webber at jwebber@comcast.net.
Bunco. Our post-Easter Bunco party will be on May 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. If you haven’t played Bunco the St. David’s way, you’re missing out on big fun! Bring a dish to share – and we will have someone to watch the little ones. $10 per person, with 3 separate cash prizes – even if you lose! Honestly, where are you going to find that?! Hope to see you there!
A Coffee Hour is scheduled this Sunday immediately after the 8 a.m. service. Come join us for a time of fellowship.
Hospitality Hour is scheduled immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Vestry. Next week will be hosted by the Congregation. We will be recognizing the faithful service of our greeters and ushers with a cake.
A Senior Citizen Luncheon is scheduled on Saturday, May 20th at 12:00 noon. A sign-up sheet will be on the credenza in the narthex or call Linda McKeown at 561-254-3902 to reserve your spot.
Father Thomas’ Brunch Celebration is scheduled immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 4th at the Wanderers Club located at 1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington. If you wish to give a donation, please contact Laurie Cohen at her email lscohen520@gmail.com or text or call her cell 561-252-9828.
St. David’s Summer Soiree. SAVE THE DATE! St. David’s Summer Soirée will be held on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah located at 900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington. Tickets will be on sale this Sunday. $75.00 per person in advance and $80.00 per person at the door. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing. It’s a great weekend for celebrating your Fathers too! More details to come!
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.
Raffle Tickets. Please pick up your raffle tickets on the table in the narthex. Drawing will be held on Sunday, May 21st.
Mug Sunday! We collected 78 mugs last Sunday. Thanks to all who participated.
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.
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 thesick: Adrian, Alice, Amanda, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, 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: Helena Bresnahan, Megan Muir, Michel Guillaume, Jacqueline Algood, George Pinnock. For anniversary celebration: Jackie and John Algood. For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL