WEEKLY MESSAGE – February 23, 2024

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WEEKLY MESSAGE – February 23rd – Fr. Cederberg

What don’t you know?  That’s a big question, but one we don’t think enough about.  Psychologists tell us that our brains can only hold a certain amount of information, so the only way we can really function in today’s world is to make big guesses.  We have to cut to the chase.  Yet, that means that even in the best of cases we are right only about 85% of the time.  Usually 40-60%.  The rest of the time we’re winging it, and trying to sell what we think might be right to others around us – whether family members, friends or clients.
That’s why Jesus goes for the jugular when talking about the truth.  It’s nothing to play around with.  For us, the truth isn’t some abstract principle out there in the universe, or the residue in the bottom of a test tube.  For us, truth is HIM!  Though often misquoted, Jesus puts it clearly.  “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”   (John 8:31, 32)
The season of Lent is a great time to become ruthlessly honest with ourselves.  What do we really know?  What are we just guessing at, just because we have to get through the day?  Instead, we can relax.  We don’t have to find the truth.  The Truth has found us!  Let us devote ourselves to knowing more about him, and through him to know more about the world and about other people who are made in his image.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Debt Reduction:  Total Debt: $94,000.00.  Total Balance:  $3,925.00.

Gardening and Grounds Clean Up on Saturday, February 24th at 9 am – 12 noon.  We need volunteers to come and help.  Wear long sleeves and gardening gloves.  We could use a chain saw if anyone has one.  Pizza and salad will be served for lunch.

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 by ECW.  Next week will be hosted by the Vestry.

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

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

Youth Group Bible Study is scheduled on Sunday, March 3rd at 9:00 a.m.

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

ECW Deanery Spring Meeting is scheduled on Saturday, March 9th.  A light breakfast is at 9:00 a.m. followed by a service with Eucharist at 10:00 a.m.  Lunch follows immediately after service in the Parish Hall.  If you plan to attend and stay for lunch, please contact Beatrice Deshommes at bdsauerbier@aol.com no later than Tuesday, March 5th.
First Communion will be held on March 24th at the 10 a.m. service. Please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com for more details. Families need to be registered by this Sunday.

Bunco is scheduled on Saturday, February 24th 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!

Daughters of the King discernment and preparation for admission is scheduled on the 3rd and 4th Sundays at 9:00 a.m. for study guide starting February through May in the Mark Room.

Choral Evensong – Feast of Saint David’s of Wales is scheduled on Sunday, March 3rd at 4:00 p.m.  A reception to follow in the parish hall.
St. David’s Annual Picnic is scheduled on Sunday, March 17th immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service.  For more information or to volunteer please text Matt Hogan at 865-406-5978.

Prayer Shawl Group.  If anyone is interested in starting it back up, we need people who can knit, crochet and people to deliver completed and blessed shawls to recipients.  For further information, please contact Kimberly Gardner at kimfgardner@comcast.net or her cell (561) 596-9020.

Forward Day by Day Brochures for the next quarter is 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:  Audley, Bishop Curry, Carol, Dennis, Diana, Dorothy, Dudley, Emily, Grace, Heather, Jameson, Jim, Kerrie, Lloyd, Marjorie, Megan, Michael, Pearl, Phyllis, Predrag, Robin, Ronald, Shelley, Shirley, Tanner, Violet.  For birthday celebrations: Katie Waters, Kati Erickson, Anne Guillaume, Sue Ashe.  For anniversary celebration:  Dennis and Yvonne Wright.    For our expectant mother:  Shay. For our search committee Howard Barrett, Jenifer Elmore, Janice Jacques, Kristi Lee, Sera Peat, Yvonne Wolliston, Cecil Wray.

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.