WEEKLY MESSAGE – January 19, 2024

The lessons this time of year all have to do with responding to the call of Jesus. Fishermen are cleaning their nets by the side of the water. Jesus comes by and calls them, and they leave them behind to follow him. Extraordinary! Why would someone who is living an ordinary, seemingly productive and happy life, leave it all behind to follow a roaming preacher like Jesus? They must have seen something that made it worth the surrender, worth the risk. Something tugged at them from the inside.

And what about us? Why do we choose to follow Jesus? There are plenty of other things that could keep us busy. I could play more golf or tennis. I could spend more time with friends. Why do we choose to surrender some things to follow him? What is the tug inside me? Where does my heart lead me? Does it lead me to do more? All good questions to be pondering this season of the year.

Debt Reduction: Total debt: $94,000.00. Total balance: $39,663.00.

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

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted Daughters of the King. Next week will be hosted by the ECW.

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

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

DOK Meet and Greet Luncheon is scheduled on Saturday, January 20th at 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Youth Group Bible Study is scheduled on Sunday, January 21st at 9:00 a.m.

Church Grounds Clean Up is scheduled on Saturday, January 27th at 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon followed with lunch.

Bunco is scheduled on Saturday, January 27th 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!

Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled on Sunday, January 28th after the 10:00 a.m. service. Reports of parish ministries and programs, and presentation of 2023 financial statements.

Blood Drive: OneBlood will be at St. David’s on Sunday, February 4th. Please eat a good breakfast and drink lots of water and plan to donate. There is a nationwide blood shortage emergency. Your donation is critically important. Thank you. Joyce Parker 561-312-2719.

ECW Trip on Saturday, February 3rd to the Morakami Museum & Gardens orchid workshop and lunch.

Souper Bowl and St. Jude’s Bike-A-Thon. We are collecting donations on February 4th.

A Memorial Service for Laurie Cohen’s Father Samuel James “Jim” Stilwell will be held on Saturday, February 17th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church located at 3395 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. If you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m.

Forward Day by Day Brochures for the next quarter is available in the narthex. Large print is also available. 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: Audley, Carol, Dennis, Diana, Donna, Dorothy, Dudley, Emily, Heather, Jameson, Jim, Lloyd, Marjorie, Megan, Michael, Pearl, Phyllis, Predrag, Robin, Ronald, Shelley, Shirley, Tanner, Violet. For birthday celebrations: Sera Peat, Caleb Brown, Carly LaBorde, Dennis Amiel, Tanya Low, Maksim Goya. For our expectant mother: Shay.

Vestry Members: Howard Barrett – Senior Warden, Laurette Bagley, Kenneth Barnett, John Webber – Junior Warden, Jenifer Elmore, Matthew Hogan, Karlene Kiminyo, Chris LaBorde – Secretary, Linda McKeown, Irene Oknewski, Joyce Parker, Dennis Wright – Treasurer.