WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – Sept. 30th – Fr. Thomas

/in /by

Next Tuesday is the beginning of the most holy day in the year for Jews, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. As people of God, we live with the expectation that God will fulfill the promises He’s made. The hope which springs from a relationship with Him is sustained by the constant prayer within the community He has founded, first to the people of Abraham, and to us Christians through Jesus Christ and His Church. Faith is an ongoing process. We can’t go it alone; we need God’s sacramental grace.

Elie Wiesel, author, Holocaust survivor and Nobel peace prize winner, says, “To love and praise God – this is Jewish. To be angry and confront God – this too is Jewish. To be apathetic toward God – this is not Jewish.” Even when God appeared to be silent and distant, the community of Israel remained faithful throughout history. When the Allied forced liberated Cologne, Germany at the end of WWII, they found etched in the cellar wall of a bombed out house, these words written by a refugee, “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God, even when He is silent.” So, if God seems distant, who moved?

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.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Vestry. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Congregation. Please bring a dish to share.

Women’s Bible Study will be held today at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

Caribbean Sunday Service: Please join us for our Caribbean Sunday service on October 23rd at 10:00 a.m. We will have steel pan music with a Caribbean reception following the mass.

Altar Flowers and Candles: We will have a bag on the credenza to collect all flower and candle donations for upcoming Sundays. If you would like to donate for altar flowers for memorials and celebrations, please put your check for $40 with a request showing the date you want altar flowers and the reason for your donation into the bag. If you want to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put flower and candle requests in offering plates.

Vases needed for flower delivery. If you are able to donate vases, please put them under counter in the ladies room. Thank you. Linda

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Ed, Edna, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jean, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Pearl, Predrag, Rachel, Rosie, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Timothy, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Windell. For birthday celebrations: Bonnie Mershon, Gavin Elmquist, Diana Myrie, Julian Belden, Evelyn Bartley, Tim Sauerbier, Douglas Richardson. For our expectant mothers: Sarah and Rebecca.

Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL