WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – October 25th – Fr. Thomas.
WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – October 25th – Fr. Thomas.
Only one more week until the end of this year’s political campaign – thank goodness. What happened to honesty and civility in our country? Not just in political life, but in sports, entertainment, and our culture in general? Several years ago the National Football League banned helmet to helmet tackling because of the long term consequential brain damage inflicted on the players. Some defensive players complained, (maybe they should have saved the complaining for their neurologists!) Professional football is not alone in excesses of abusive behavior – hockey and kick boxing immediately come to mind.
What happened to courtesy and manners in society? I don’t mean the correct use of cutlery or proper wine pairings; I mean treating people, even those with whom we disagree, with respect and decency. A recent survey revealed something that’s not news to anyone in South Florida: among all the drivers in America, (yes, you guessed it) Southeast Florida leads the country in rudest drivers! If political candidates want to invoke religion on the one hand, or diminish its influence in personal or public life, perhaps they should listen to Abraham Lincoln (Kentucky boy who made good) who said, “I’m not as concerned about God being on my side, as I am knowing that I am on His side.”
I encourage you to use this prayer from our Prayer Book, page 820, written by The Rev. Lyman Locke, one time Rector of St. Michael’s Church in Bristol, R.I. (where I served my first three years as a new priest.)
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
NOTICES:
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 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.
Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!
School Supply Drive Outreach Project – August usually finds our parishioners looking for bargains on backpacks and other school supplies. For obvious reasons, that did not happen in 2020. I have spoken with the principal of Wynnebrook Elementary School and she has requested any help we can provide. In order to keep our parishioners safe and still help the students and teachers, we will be providing items in bulk to the school. If you wish to help, please send a check to me and I will order requested items in bulk and have them shipped directly to the school. Thank you for any donation you are able to make! 💖 Joyce
Make checks payable to: St. David’s in the Pines
Write: School Supplies in the Memo area
Mail checks to: Joyce Parker
104 Locust Lane
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Questions? Call me at 561-312-2719
Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2020
Holy Eucharist:
Sundays: 8 am & 10 am
Tuesdays: 8:30 am
Wednesdays: 6:30 pm
Please Pray – For the sick: Ashlyn, Charlotte, Donna, Iliana, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Kim.
For birthday celebrations: Henry Marshall, Callie Hawk, Fay Ishmael, Iann McCree.
For our expectant mother: Mayoli.
