Do you watch so called “Reality Shows?” Like the actors who portray “real people” on television, do we act differently when the camera is not running, when no one appears to be watching? Lent is a time when we try to emulate, albeit to a much lesser degree, Jesus’ wilderness experience of fasting, trial and temptation. However, let’s be clear: Jesus did not escape from reality by going into the wilderness. In fact, He told us He was truly moving into a place that was quite real, not to mention challenging.

Whatever we might think of as an “escape clause” in Christianity, the “wilderness” is not one of them. The wilderness is hardly a place of escape, it’s a place to which we go and encounter that which is most real: our feelings, convictions, hopes, and concerns that might not be able to find a home in any other area of society. Far from a “retreat” from the real world, Lent is the time when we address those parts of the “real world” which we often try to avoid.

Death is real, but so is the resurrected life promised to those who follow Jesus’ path. As we approach the end of this Lenten season, I hope you’ll take advantage of the many liturgical services to share in the journey and events of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and glorious Resurrection. Let’s not take these moments and opportunities of grace for granted, but rather work to make this Easter like none other.

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NOTICES:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 3/81/2023. Total $6,413.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference +$1,767.00.

Stations of the Cross. Fridays at 6:30 p.m. during Lent.

Holy Week
• Maundy Thursday April 6th 7:00 p.m. (Followed by an all-night Vigil)
• Good Friday April 7th 12 noon – 3:00 p.m.
• Stations of the Cross April 7th 7:00 p.m. led by the Youth
• Tomb Service April 8th 10:00 a.m.
• Holy Saturday Vigil April 8th 7:00 p.m.
• Easter April 9th 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
• Easter Egg Hunt April 9th after 10am mass 11:15 a.m.

There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for the Maundy Thursday Prayer Vigil April 6th, which starts after the Mass Thursday night until noon on Good Friday. Sign up to pray for one hour and keep company with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

The Easter Vigil Champagne Reception will be after celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday night, April 8th. Sign up after Mass this Sunday to bring an hors d’oeuvre, sweet or beverage and to volunteer to help set up or clean up after the reception!

The Great Easter Egg Hunt will be after the 10AM Mass on Easter Sunday, April 9th. We are collecting plastic eggs in the decorated box in the narthex for the next few weeks. Eggs can be empty or filled, but if they are filled, please no chocolate or gum. Thank you for your support!

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

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the ECW. Next Sunday is Congregation Sunday in honor of our parish administrators – Yvonne Elliott and Father Thomas. Please bring a dish to share.

Beginning April 2nd, Coffee hour is scheduled the first Sunday of each month immediately after the 8:00 a.m. service.

Easter Flowers: We are collecting donations for Easter Lilies. Cost of flowers is $25. Please fill in a form and place it in the bag on the credenza or mail it to the office. Please return completed form by Tuesday, March 28th.

ECW will meet at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, in the parish hall. After the business meeting, we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant. All women of St. David’s are encouraged to attend. Contact Irene Oknewski at ireneok1940@outlook.com or Jenifer Elmore at Jenifer_Elmore@pba.edu for more information.

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.

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.

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  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, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Inara Elmquist, Ann Chambers, Eric Cohen, Laurette Bagley, Samuel Kalphat, Joe Mee. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor, Abby and Bethany. In Thanksgiving for the healthy birth of Bria Luna Fernandez to Rebecca & Christopher.

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

Blessed St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick was a fifth century Bishop and Missionary in Ireland who is universally remembered for his use of a three leaf clover as an illustration to teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Not to be overlooked, however, is the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and patron saint of fathers, whose commemoration is March 19th. As Christians, we believe in the Incarnation, the Word made flesh; not simply God in man, but God as man. If you believe in the unique vocation of Mary as the Mother of Our Lord, then you’ll respect her husband as a model of fidelity to God and to Mary as well.

Even though our fathers are not always perfect, we can still learn something from them. Joseph had a vocation too. There’s no record of his having any spoken parts in the Gospels, but he did show up when necessary. In other words, “Real Men” show up (and know when to “shut up.”) At the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the aged prophet Simeon told Mary that, “A sword will pierce your own soul also.” So Joseph led Mary and Baby Jesus into Egypt to evade Herod and his henchmen.

True love costs something. Joseph loved his wife and his Son. He took his commitment seriously, to protect his beloved wife and their Son, while remaining humble and loyal. So God bless our fathers, who sometimes in spite of themselves, teach us to “do the right thing,” and ask for the prayers of St. Joseph, and the Blessed Virgin to help us walk in the way of holiness.

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NOTICES:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 3/11/2023. Total $3,985.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference (-$661.00).

Stations of the Cross. Fridays at 6:30 p.m. during Lent.

Holy Week
• Maundy Thursday April 6th 7:00 p.m. (Followed by an all-night Vigil)
• Good Friday April 7th 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
• Tomb Service April 8th 10:00 a.m.
• Holy Saturday Vigil April 8th 7:00 p.m.
• Easter April 9th 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
• Easter Egg Hunt April 9th after 10am mass 11:15 a.m.

There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for the Maundy Thursday Prayer Vigil April 6th, which starts after the Mass Thursday night until noon on Good Friday. Sign up to pray for one hour and keep company with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

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

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

ECW will meet at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, in the parish hall. After the business meeting, we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant. All women of St. David’s are encouraged to attend. Contact Irene Oknewski at ireneok1940@outlook.com or Jenifer Elmore at Jenifer_Elmore@pba.edu for more information.

Men’s Bible Study. If anyone is interested in joining a Men’s Bible study after the 8:00 a.m. service on Sundays, please contact Ken Barnett at 561- 339-3625 today/

Easter Flowers. We are collecting donations for Easter Lilies. Cost of flowers is $25. Please fill in a form and place it in the plate or mail it to the office. Please return completed form by Sunday, March 26th.

Altar Flowers. We are in need of flower donations for June 18 through August 20 and October and November also. If you can help with a $40 donation, please email Linda McKeown at llmckeown51@comcast.net with names and occasion you would like remembered. Thank you. Linda McKeown.

Candles: We will have a bag on the credenza to collect all candle donations for the Altar and Mary Shrine for upcoming Sundays in Lent. If you would like to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put candle requests in offering plates.

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.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.

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  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: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Stuart Cohen, Alfred Dyce, Matthew Hogan, Richard James, Dexter Beresford, Austin LaBorde. For anniversary celebrations: Chris and Kati Erickson. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor, Abby and Bethany.

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

Have you ever noticed how fruit which has been detached from its vine grows old and disintegrates more quickly than fruit which remains on the vine? There’s a parallel here with our Christian faith and discipleship. The message of Pentecost is that we’re all in this together; but it’s a message that we need to hear all throughout the year. For example, when we say the Lord’s Prayer we say, “Our Father. . .give us this day our daily bread. Our fortitude is maintained by virtue of our common life, worship, and witness in our parish.

During this Lenten season, we’re all in this together, praying for the common good, as we march forward to our observance of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection: and thanks to all who provide leadership in our various ministries to “Welcome Seekers, Form Disciples and Send Apostles.”

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NOTICES:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 3/4/2023. Total $4,927.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference +$281.

Stations of the Cross. Fridays at 6:30 p.m. during Lent.

Daylight Savings is Sunday, March 12th. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour.

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

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

Facebook Page.  Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”

Men’s Bible Study. If anyone is interested in joining a Men’s Bible study after the 8:00 a.m. service on Sundays, please contact Ken Barnett at 561- 339-3625 by March 19

Easter Flowers. We are collecting donations for Easter Lilies. Cost of flowers is $25. Please fill in a form and place it in the plate or mail it to the office. Please return completed form by Sunday, March 26th.

Altar Flowers. We are in need of flower donations for June 18 through August 20 and October and November also. If you can help with a $40 donation, please email Linda McKeown at llmckeown51@comcast.net with names and occasion you would like remembered. Thank you. Linda McKeown.

Candles: We will have a bag on the credenza to collect all candle donations for the Altar and Mary Shrine for upcoming Sundays in Lent. If you would like to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put candle requests in offering plates.

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.

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

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.

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  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: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Lincoln Elliott, Leroy Williams, Evelyn Medcalf, Daniel Melton. For anniversary celebrations: Jerry and Sally Frenz, David and Jackie Whiting. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor and Abby.

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

Sometimes families leave cut flowers or planters after the funeral at church. Beautiful cut flowers last a week or so in their watered vase. But by contrast, if one puts the plant with water into the pot, exposed to sunlight, it will likely grow and be more vivacious. What’s the difference? It’s the root, not the fruit, that gives life. Jesus is our “root” who gives us life; not simply the “fruit” of our good deeds.

Occasionally, I’ll hear, “I’m not giving up anything for Lent; I’m taking on something.” Well, if we’re talking about spending more time in prayer and study, then we will be giving up something – the time spent on something less important! The main point is transformation. Every one of us needs to be “thinned out”. The garden of the soul needs pruning from time to time. Otherwise, we become overwhelmed by non -essential things – stuck in the mud, spiritually. Lent coincides with springtime for a reason. It’s the time to clear away the “dead” wood and pull up the weeds. God wants spiritual fruits, not “religious nuts,” and the fruit of Silence is Prayer. The fruit of Prayer is Faith. The fruit of Faith is Love. And the fruit of Love is Service.

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NOTICES:

Bunco. Back by popular demand, our next Bunco party will be Saturday, March 4th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and $10 per person. There will be someone to watch the little ones so they can have fun, too! Bring a friend – the more the merrier!

Evensong for the Feast of St. David of Wales, our patron Saint. This Sunday, March 5th at 4:00 p.m. Please join us for a reception in the Parish Hall.

Stations of the Cross. Fridays at 6:30 p.m. during Lent.

Daylight Savings is Sunday, March 12th. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour.

Holy Communion. Two options are available to receive Holy Communion. One is to have the Eucharistic Minister dip the host in the chalice and place the host directly in the mouth of the recipient; or the communicant can simply receive only the host in their hands. Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity is fully present in the host either way.

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

Facebook Page.  Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”

 

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

Gardening and Grounds. We need volunteers on March 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon to help with trimming of plants and shrubs and to get grounds in shape for Easter Sunday. Bring tools to trim, gardening gloves, rakes, pruning shears, etc. lunch served at noon.

Men’s Bible Study. If anyone is interested in joining a Men’s Bible study after the 8:00 a.m. service on Sundays, please contact Ken Barnett at 561- 339-3625 by Sunday, March 19th.

Candles: We will have a bag on the credenza to collect all candle donations for the Altar and Mary Shrine for upcoming Sundays in Lent. If you would like to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put candle requests in offering plates.

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.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.

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  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: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Jackie Whiting, Pat Bernard, Jackson Falco. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor and Abby.

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