Colossians 3:1–11

The other day during a conversation with one of my grown sons, I noticed a familiar facial expression and gesture. It was a bit like looking in a mirror. How did he learn it? Was it DNA or imitation? Perhaps it was a little of both.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
COLOSSIANS 3:2
Living the Christian life is similar in one respect. There is a place for imitating Christ, but it is ultimately grounded in something much deeper. Christian living involves three important actions that are noted in Colossians 3: seeking, being, and doing.

In verse 1, Paul urges us to “set your heart on things above.” The Greek word means to “seek.” It is referring to our aspiration and pursuit, but it is not “pie in the sky.” This seeking is only possible because the Christian has been united with Christ in His death and resurrection (vv. 1, 3). Being and seeking lead to doing. The Christian seeks the things above by living in the power of the cross. We put to death “whatever belongs to your earthly nature” by saying no to those sinful impulses that were part of our former life (v. 5).

Our earthly nature, as Paul describes these sinful impulses, continues to assert itself even after we have been saved. Paul describes it almost as if it were an alien force. It may stir within us, but it is not who we are in Christ. Paul calls the Colossians (and us) to cast off the vestiges of the old self and walk in the new self (vv. 7–10). The change in life that Paul envisions for the Christian is not instantaneous. We are “being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (v. 10). The Greek verb is in the present tense. Our new life in Christ is a continuous and transforming experience.

Christians do not walk a certain way so that we can obtain new life. That life is already yours if you are in Christ! Now, what we need to do, is walk in it.

Pray with Us
Knowing we are already forgiven, we ask You for the strength and discipline to say no to our sins, especially those that have become ingrained. Help us choose the righteous path over the easy path.

BY DR. JOHN KOESSLER

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

We welcome The Rev. Todd Hoover to be our guest preacher and celebrant on Sunday.

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 8/19/2023. Total $3,300.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference ($-1,346.00)

Sandwiches for St. George’s.  Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot on Wednesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled on Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the ECW. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Vestry. There are unclaimed dishes on the kitchen counter in the parish hall, so if you are missing a dish from home, please check to see if they are yours.

Bunco is scheduled on Saturday, August 26th at 6:00 p.m. 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!

ECW Meeting. The Episcopal Church Women will meet on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the parish hall. Details about lunch will follow soon. ALL women of the parish are considered members of ECW and are welcome to all events.

Youth Bible Study will be this Sunday, August 27, at 9:00am in the Sunday School room. All youth 6th through 12th grade are welcome to attend.

Bible Study on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. is now on recess until Sunday, October 1st.

The Women’s Bible Study on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. is now in recess until the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 10th.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old.  We would love to have new teachers in our Sunday school, if you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

Forward Day by Day brochures are now available in the narthex.  Donation $3.00.

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, Beatrice, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, Cynthia, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Emily, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Marjorie, Megan, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Pearl, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Shirley, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Karlene Kiminyo, Jon Elmquist. For anniversary celebrations: Linda and Jim McKeown, Alex and Clare Morales. For our expectant mother: Bethany.

Vestry Members: Howard Barrett – Senior Warden, Shelley Baranowski, Kenneth Barnett, Helena Bresnahan, John Webber – Junior Warden, Jenifer Elmore, Michel Guillaume, Matt Hogan, Chris LaBorde – Secretary, Linda McKeown, Joyce Parker, Dennis Wright – Treasurer.

“Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! -PSALM 30:10-12 ESV

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 8/12/2023. Total $2,951.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference (-$1,695.00).

Sandwiches for St. George’s.  Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot on 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 Daughters of the King.   Next Sunday hosted by the ECW.

School Supply Drive. We will be collecting for school supplies on Sunday, August 20th. We gratefully accept cash, checks and credit cards. If you can’t make it to church, please mail your check payable to St. David’s, to Joyce Parker, 104 Locust Lane, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411.

Youth Group Lunch. We are kicking off Youth Group with a Meet and Greet lunch that will be held ton Sunday, August 20th in the Sunday school classroom immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service. You will have the opportunity to grab a bite, connect with each other, and find out more information about the upcoming studies and activities. Our youth, our future!

Bunco is scheduled on Saturday, August 26th at 6:00 p.m. 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!

ECW Meeting. The Episcopal Church Women will meet on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the parish hall. Details about lunch will follow soon. ALL women of the parish are considered members of ECW and are welcome to all events.

Bible Study on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. is now on recess until Sunday, October 1st.

The Women’s Bible Study on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. is now in recess until the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 10th.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old.  We would love to have new teachers in our Sunday school, if you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

Forward Day by Day brochures are now available in the narthex.  Donation $3.00.

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, Beatrice, Beth, Carol, Carmen, Carolyn, Chester, Cynthia, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Emily, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kane, Kenzie, Manuel, Marjorie, Megan, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Pearl, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Shirley, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For the departed: Carmen Johnson. For birthday celebrations: Dawn Duquesnay, Janet Michaels, James Belden Jr., Dorrett Barnett, Cindy Hernandez. For anniversary celebration: Tim and Beatrice Sauerbier. For our expectant mother: Bethany.

Vestry Members: Howard Barrett – Senior Warden, Shelley Baranowski, Kenneth Barnett, Helena Bresnahan, John Webber – Junior Warden, Jenifer Elmore, Michel Guillaume, Matt Hogan, Chris LaBorde – Secretary, Linda McKeown, Joyce Parker, Dennis Wright – Treasurer.