WEEKLY MESSAGE – September 22, 2023

WEEKLY MESSAGE – September 22nd – Fr. Cederberg

I can’t believe it. I just looked at my calendar and saw that this Saturday is the first day of fall! Incredible! In so many ways I don’t feel ready for the changes that the fall brings.

Generally, I have to say, I don’t like change. I like having a routine that is predictable and stable. Yet, change seems to happen whether I like it or not, or whether it has my permission or not. Ironically, change is one of the unchanging principles of life.

I am pleased to be with you all during this season of change. In my retirement it feels good to be part of a worshipping community again. And it is comforting to know that, in this world of change, we worship a Creator who does not. Throughout the seasons, in times of celebration and heartache, good and bad, his love remains constant and ever fresh. He is passionately in love with us and gives us the courage to face new times with boldness and creativity. We know, whatever the circumstances tell us, that we are secure in his hands, and empowered to move into a new day.

So, let’s celebrate and stretch ourselves. Who knows? In the process we might even have fun!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 9/16/2023. Total $3,996.07. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference (-$649.93).

Episcopal Relief Fund. Thanks to all who responded to the relief fund. Your generosity makes a big difference.

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.

Coffee Hour is scheduled today immediately after the 8:00 a.m. service.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Vestry. Please join us in welcoming Father Todd Cederberg as our Priest-in-Residence. Please bring a dish and or beverage to share. Next week Sunday will be hosted by the ECW.

Youth Group/Bible Study is available for 6th – 12th grade students. We will be having Bible Study today at 9:00 a.m. in the school classroom. The Youth Group will have a sign-up sheet to participate in an upcoming Youth Run Mass in November. To find out more, get involved, or to sign up, please contact Alison Buechner at abuechner360@gmail.com

The Blessing of the Animals and Episcopal Schools Sunday is scheduled on Sunday, October 1st. Episcopal Schools Sunday is an annual observance held nationwide during October. St. David’s Episcopal School is one of the top private schools in Palm Beach County, so we have much to celebrate. We will welcome all faculty, staff, and families from the day school to worship with us at the 10 a.m. service. The faculty and staff of the school will be recognized during the service, and children from our Sunday school and the day school will perform a special song together. The celebration will continue with our annual Blessing of the Animals following the 10 a.m. service. This tradition honors St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. All pets are welcome to receive a blessing. Animals must be on leashes or in crates, and they should remain outdoors and supervised at all times. If you cannot supervise your pet during the service, consider returning home to get your pet immediately after the service and coming back for the blessing.

ECW Fall Food Drive is scheduled on Sundays, October 8th and 15th. CROS Charity is asking for mac and cheese, peanut butter and cans of meat. Please drop off your donations in the car outside on your way into church.

Caribbean Sunday is scheduled on Sunday, October 22nd at the 10:00 a.m. service. The Venerable Hal Hurley, Archdeacon at the Diocesan Office will be our guest preacher, and The Rev. Sonley Joseph will be our celebrant. We will have a Caribbean reception immediately after the service.

Bible Study on Sundays is scheduled at 9:00 a.m. in the Sunday school classroom.

Women’s Bible Study is scheduled on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

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.

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, Bonnie, 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: Barry Bersch, Jack Erickson, Tanya Lee Jackson, Gabrielle Kiminyo, Lucy Smith, Roxan Carty, Jeanne Champagne, Ray Walter. For anniversary celebrations: Howard and Jem Barrett, Lincoln and Yvonne Elliott, Kenneth and Dorrett Barnett. 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.