WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – February 16th – Fr. Thomas

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Today, of course, is Valentine’s Day. Who was St. Valentine? We don’t know much about him historically except that he was a martyred priest in ancient Rome who ministered to Christian prisoners, and that he was buried north of the city on February 14th, in the mid- 3rd century. It is also uncertain if the name “Valentine” is associated with one person, or more saints of the same name. His popularity likely spread in response to a pagan custom where boys wrote down girl’s names on cards as part of their petition to honor the Roman fertility gods. Another custom associated with this date is in recognition of a medieval belief that birds choose their mates at this time of year. Nonetheless, because of the lack of firm evidence, his liturgical commemoration was never included in the official list of saints in the Western Church; although, he is still venerated by florists, greeting card companies and candy makers!

Valentine’s Day can be a lonely day for some people- even couples, but it’s never a bad idea to pray for all couples, and particularly that their relationships manifest the same grace and love of Christ for His Church, even to the point of offering his own life for those he loves. In the Eastern Church, there’s a tradition that both the bride and groom wear a crown on their wedding day. But over time, crowns give way to curlers, and a man’s majesty gives way when “the king” can’t find his socks! Maybe that’s why we consider marriage a sacrament in the Church; it’s a journey which, if entered into realistically and nurtured by God’s grace, can indeed grow into an “outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace,” as the Prayer Book catechism defines it. Marriage is like the journey of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus following the Resurrection, who only gradually recognize Jesus in their midst as a companion on the way; through the discoveries and disappointments, the Good Fridays and the Easter Sundays. As has been said, “Marriage is not simply gazing adoringly into each other’s eyes; but looking together in the same direction.”

This Week at St. David’s

Bunco – Saturday, February 15th 6:00 p.m. – $10pp – 3 winners – potluck

Youth Group – meets Sunday, February 16th, at 11:15 a.m. in the big schoolroom

Hospitality Hour – Daughters of the King

Women’s Bible Study – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

Holy Eucharist – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

M000en’s Bible Study – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist And Rosary – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Rummage Sale sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women – Saturday February 22nd & Sunday February 23rd

Pancake Supper – Shrove Tuesday – February 25th, 5:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday – February 26th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Evensong – St. David’s Feast Day, Sunday March 1st, 4:00 pm

Parish Picnic – Sunday March 8th, 1-4pm, Pavilion #3 at Village Park on Pierson Road

Stations of the Cross – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m.

Please Pray – For the sick: Steve, Bob, Tania, Michelle, Toni, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Dawn LaBorde, Jedidiah Kalphat, Dennis Wright, Howard Barrett. For our expectant mother: Sofia. For the faithful departed: Larry Saifman

Flower & Candles – dates are available for designation of altar flowers for $40.00

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – February 9th – Fr. Thomas

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You may have seen episodes of a television series, Undercover Boss.  It’s a program about corporate CEO’s who disguise themselves and work alongside of the company employees, particularly in factories, restaurants, and sales departments.  Whether it’s “staged” or totally spontaneous, it reveals how employees at the “ground level” feel about their jobs, and their customers, for good or bad.

I remember many years ago a priest in our diocese, while on sabbatical, dressed up in a vagrant’s outfit, grew a beard, and totally changed his appearance.  He visited his own parish one Sunday incognito, and was sad to find that he was completely ignored, and in some cases, people even went out of their way to avoid him – totally oblivious to his true identity!

So, I remind all of us again, to welcome the stranger as if we were welcoming Christ Himself.  Make the effort to extend a hand and simply say, “Hello,” to those whom we may not know by name or face. If it helps, here are a list of things not to say to a visitor.

  1. You can’t sit in that pew, it belongs to the Doe family.
  2. We’d like you to wear this red bull’s eye on your forehead so everyone will know that you’re visiting.
  3. OH, we’re so glad that you’re here; our offerings are down this year.
  4. Would you like to teach Vacation Bible School?  It won’t take much of your time.
  5. The bathroom?  Just down the hallway on the right, take a left at the stairs, go down two flights, third door on the left.
  6. A nursery?  Maybe someday if we have enough children.
  7. The Hispanic/Asian/African-American church is just down the street.
  8. Oh, thank God – fresh blood.
  9. Here’s what you’ll need for the service:  our leaflet, the readings, the prayer book, hymnal, supplemental text, song sheet, and notices.
  10. Have you ever been on a vestry – we need a new Property Committee Chairman?

THIS WEEK AT ST. DAVID’S

ECW Sunday – Feb. 9th – As a token of our appreciation to the parishioners for their support throughout the year, we will be giving a red carnation to each household after the 8am and 10am masses today.

Blood Drive – sponsored by Outreach – today, Sunday, February 9th, 8:30am-12noon

Hospitality Hour – St. David’s Men’s Organization

Women’s Bible Study – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

Holy Eucharist – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist & Rosary – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Cursillo Reunion– Sunday, February 9th, 12:00- 3:00 in the parish hall

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) – Meeting  Friday, Feb. 14th  11:00 a.m. Lunch follow the meeting.  Nancy Schroeder (561)792-0244 or e-mail schroeder.nancy@gmail.com.  All ladies are welcome to join us!

Bunco – Saturday, February 15th 6:00 p.m. – $10pp – 3 winners – potluck

Youth Group – meets next Sunday, February 16th, at 11:15 a.m. in the big schoolroom

Rummage Sale – sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women – Saturday February 22nd & Sunday February 23rd

Pancake Supper for Shrove Tuesday – February 25th, 5:30 p.m. – sponsored by the St. David’s Men’s Organization

Ash Wednesday – February 26th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Evensong – St. David’s Feast Day, Sunday March 1st, 4:00 pm

Parish Picnic – Sunday March 8th 1-4 p.m. Pavilion #3 at Village Park on Pierson Road

Stations of the Cross – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m.

Please pray – For the sick: Steve, Bob, Tania, Michelle, Toni, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Rohan Wolliston, Jim McKeown, Ralph Robinson, Britney LaBorde. For wedding anniversaries: Desmond & Ann Chambers. For our expectant mother: Sofia. In thanksgiving for life at the birth of Joseph W. to Megan Taylor & Joey Piconcelli.

Flowers & Candles – dates are available for designation of altar flowers for $40.00

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE –  February 2nd – Fr. Thomas

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This Sunday evening there will be over 100,000 fans attending the Super Bowl in Miami and over 200 million more watching on television.  That’s almost two out of every three citizens.  (If I’m not mistaken, the final episode of MASH drew a larger audience!)  Even though not all will be fanatically rooting for either the 49ers or the Chiefs, that doesn’t deny the fact that sports fans share some common tendencies.  They are faithful and like to identify with a particular team:  sink or swim, it’s still their team!  Fans will spend money on their teams and will travel hours to attend a game, and they will not give up until the last second has ticked off the clock.

Image result for christian team work imagesNow, speaking as a Christian, are we equally as loyal to Christ and His Church?  In the spiritual battles of our daily life, we need to remember that it’s a team effort.  We’re in the last quarter and are joined by a lineup of saints in the heavenly realm – the heavenly “Hall of Fame,” like the Blessed Virgin Mary, the apostles, martyrs, and all those who have given their all in the service of the Gospel of Christ.

I like to tell the story about a duchess who once toured her large estate.  She came across one of her many servants and questioned him about his duties.  “What exactly is it that you do?”  “I take care of the dog,” he replied. The duchess said, “But the dog died twenty years ago.”  “Well, Madam, is there anything else I can do for you?”  Jesus asks us daily to get in the game and not passively observe from the sidelines.  There are no second string players in the Kingdom of God; so what is God asking you to do?  To quote St. Teresa of Calcutta, “We may not be able to do great things; but we can do even little things with great love.”

THIS WEEK AT ST. DAVID’S

HOSPITALITY HOUR – Congregation

Image result for youth group imagesYOUTH GROUP – All middle and high school students are invited to attend the first Youth Meeting and Christian Studies this Sunday immediately after the 10 am service. We will meet in the large Sunday School room and PIZZA, soda, and dessert will be served! These meetings will be held twice a month, and the lessons will involve ways that younger Christians can live out their faith in their daily lives.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

EVENSONG –Presentation of our Lord – Sunday, February 2nd 4:00 p.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

DAVID’S MEN’S ORGANIZATION – Tuesday, February 4th, 8:00 p.m.

ADORATION – Wednesday, Feb. 5th, 6:00 p.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST AND ROSARY – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SOUPER-BOWL – Palanca Pantry, a feeding program in Lake Worth, is collecting SOUPS (canned, bagged, boxed, wrapped) 1/26, 2-02. Leave cans in the designated boxes in the foyer.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES – have started for children ages six and up begin Wednesdays, at 5:00 p.m. and continue each Wednesday through February 19th.  Contact the office to enroll your child.

BLOOD DRIVE – sponsored by OUTREACH – Sunday, February 9th, 8:30am-12noon

CURSILLO REUNION – Sunday, February 9th, 12:00- 3:00 in the parish hall

BUNCO – Saturday, February 15th 6:00 p.m. – $10pp – 3 winners – potluck

RUMMAGE SALE sponsored by the EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN – 22nd 8am-1pm & Sunday February 23rd 8am-noon. Donation items accepted Friday, February 21st 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm.

PANCAKE SUPPER – SHROVE TUESDAY – February 25th, 5:30 p.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY – February 26th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

EVENSONG – St. David’s Feast Day, Sunday March 1st, 4:00 pm

PARISH PICNIC – Sunday March 8th      1-4pm Pavilion #3 Village Park on Pierson Road

STATIONS of the CROSS – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Carl, Bob, Tania, Marianne, Michelle, Rudy, Toni, Emily, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Pat Lorde, Laurel Westerholt, Jenifer Elmore, Maeve Blodgett, Kevan Bennett, Yvonne Wright. For our expectant mothers: Megan, Sofia. For the faithful departed:  Andrea Followel and Carl Bagley.

FLOWER & CANDLES – dates are available for designation of altar flowers for $40.00

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – January 26th

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WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE –  January 26th – Fr. Thomas

There was a little girl who had a very large collection of dolls heaped on her bed. A guest in her room one day asked her “Do you love dolls?” Then with tender loving care she spread out the whole collection for the guest to inspect and admire. The guest asked her, “Which doll do you love the most?” She hesitated, then said, “Promise not to laugh if I tell you.” He promised. She picked a ragged doll with a broken nose whose hair had mostly come off, and one arm and leg were missing. “This is the one.” “Why?” the visitor asked.” “Because if I didn’t love this one, nobody else would.”

Jesus calls us to love the ones in this world that nobody else will love. Jesus calls us to reach out to the lonely, to the hun

gry, to the sick, to the ones in prison, to the disabled, to the forsaken, to the needy, to all of those people who need to hear that someone indeed does love them; and that someone is Jesus Christ.

Love will find a way, but indifference will find an excuse.  When we show kindness to those who can repay us, it’s called networking.  When we show kindness with no thought of repayment, it’s called love.

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. DAVID’S

HOSPITALITY HOUR – Episcopal Church Women

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

BUNCO – Saturday, January 25th, 6:00 p.m. – $10pp – 3 winners – potluck

SOUPER-BOWL – Palanca Pantry, a feeding program in Lake Worth, is collecting SOUPS (canned, bagged, boxed, wrapped) 1/26, 2-02. Leave cans in the designated boxes in the foyer.

DAVID’S MEN’S ORGANIZATION – Tuesday, February 4th, 8:00 p.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST AND ROSARY – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES – for children ages six and up begin Wednesday, January 29th at 5:00 p.m. and continue each Wednesday through February 19th.  Contact the office to enroll your child.

EVENSONG –Presentation of our Lord – Sunday, February 2nd 4:00 p.m.

BLOOD DRIVE – sponsored by OUTREACH – Sunday, February 9th, 8:30am-12noon

CURSILLO REUNION – Sunday, February 9th, 12:00- 3:00 in the parish hall

RUMMAGE SALE sponsored by the EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN – Saturday, February 22nd & Sunday, February 23rd

PANCAKE SUPPER – SHROVE TUESDAY – February 25th, 5:30 p.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY – February 26th, Holy Eucharist, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

EVENSONG – St. David’s Feast Day, Sunday March 1st, 4:00 pm

PARISH PICNIC – Sunday March 8th      1-4pm Pavilion #3 at Village Park on Pierson Road

STATIONS of the CROSS – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m. begins February 28th

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Carl, Bob, Tania, Marianne, Kelly, Michelle, Rudy, Toni, Emily, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Dennis Amiel, Tanya Low, Diana Firestone, Carly LaBorde, Millicant Thompson, David Blazek, Shelley Blodgett, Win Blodgett, Tom Parker. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Kelley & Janice Alford, Dick & Virginia Elliott, Tom & Joyce Parker. For our expectant mothers: Megan, Sofia.

FLOWER & CANDLES – dates are available for designation of altar flowers for $40.00

2019 CHARITY CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS – available upon request for $250.00 and over; call or email parish office

 

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – January 19th – Fr. Thomas

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WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – January 19th – Fr. Thomas

Eboo Patel, the distinguished author and commentator, in his book, Sacred Ground tells a story about visiting Berea College in Kentucky. Prior to a scheduled speech in the college chapel he was asked by a college official if he wanted the cross removed from its prominent place in the church. The question was an attempt to be sensitive to Patel’s deep Muslim faith. Patel’s response was somewhat surprising. Rather than consenting to the cross’ removal, he replied: “I don’t want them to cover the cross or remove it. I don’t want them to hide their Christian Faith; I want them to tell the story of how that cross inspired them to build an interracial college in pre-Civil War Kentucky. I want them to share how that cross moves them to admit Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Hindus from India, and have them in classes and volunteer activities with Christians from Appalachia. I want them to tell the world, ‘This is what it means to be a Christian.”

The Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on January 18, the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter and concludes on January 25, the Conversion of St. Paul. Next Monday is also the national observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaking personally, if we are not true to our own faith tradition, or ask our ecumenical partners, or ourselves, to be something less than who we or they are; we do each party a great disservice. In past generations, perhaps Christians of different denominations were not as familiar with each other’s traditions and practices. Now we have no excuse for ignoring the simple truth that we have much more in common than what divides us. “Before we can love one another, we must understand one another, and before we can understand one another, we need to meet one another.”

Next Thursday, we have been invited once again to join with other Christians to worship together at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Seminary in Boynton Beach at 7:30 p.m. for a special Taize service, followed by a reception. Carpooling begins at 6:45 p.m. from our church parking lot. The world is too strong for a divided Christianity. On the most important night of his earthly life, Jesus prayed that his disciples would all be one; not necessarily “alike” but at least able to come to the same table together. We still have a way to go before that becomes a reality so it’s up to all Christians to do what we can until there is truly One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism, under the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord.

THIS WEEK AT ST. DAVID’S

HOSPITALITY HOUR – Daughters of the King

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST AND ROSARY – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

OUTREACH SUNDAY – donations accepted today for the feeding of the homeless in Riviera Beach at St. George’s Church, Wednesday, January 22nd, at 5:00 p.m.

SOUPER-BOWL – Palanca Pantry is collecting SOUPS (canned, bagged, boxed, wrapped) Jan. 26th and Feb. 2nd.

VESTRY – Sunday, January 19th, 11:15 a.m. in Church

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY – Tuesday, January 21st 7:00 p.m. Mark Room

ECUMENICAL SERVICE – to mark the Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, St. Vincent DePaul Seminary, Boynton Beach, Thursday, January 23, 7:30 p.m. Reception to follow.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES – for children ages six and up begin Wednesday, January 29th at 5:00 p.m. and continue each Wednesday through February 19th. Contact the office to enroll your child.

EVENSONG –Presentation of our Lord – Sunday, February 2nd 4:00 p.m.

BLOOD DRIVE – sponsored by OUTREACH – Sunday, February 9th, 8:30am-12noon

CURSILLO REUNION – Sunday, February 9th, 12:00- 3:00 in the parish hall

RUMMAGE SALE sponsored by the EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN – Saturday February 22nd & Sunday February 23rd

PANCAKE SUPPER – SHROVE TUESDAY – February 25th, 5:30 p.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY – February 26th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Irwin, Tania, Marianne, Kelly, Michelle, Mark, Rudy, Toni, Emily, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Jamie Murray, Ethan Douglas, Donald McCree. For our expectant mothers: Megan, Sofia.

2019 CHARITY CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS – available upon request for $250.00 and over; call or email parish office

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – January 12th, 2020 – Fr. Thomas

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Several years ago, the movie  God’s not dead, with two subsequent sequels, tells the story about an atheist philosophy professor who told his students on the first day of class to write down, “God is dead” to ensure  a passing grade for each student.  One student, however, a practicing Christian, had a problem with that and agreed to debate the professor over God’s existence.  Although you’ll have to see the film for yourself to learn how it ends, there’s nothing novel about “debating” God’s existence or seeking a way to reconcile what the mind thinks and what the heart feels, (sometimes the longest distance to  travel.)

Historically, there have been five different propositions offered up to “prove” God’s existence.  Of course, we know that one can’t “prove” God’s existence like proving a scientific or arithmetic experiment, but generally, taken together as a whole, they present a reasonable argument supporting the likelihood of a “higher power.”

The first argument is the Cosmological Argument.  Every effect has a cause.  Somewhere there must be a “First Cause.”  God is the unmoved Prime Mover. The Moral Argument recognizes that humans have a conscience, a sense of what is right and wrong.  Civilizations may disagree on  what is right and wrong, but minimally, there is some sort of “moral yardstick.”  This sense of right and wrong is instilled by a Supreme Being.  The Teleological Argument claims that everything in the universe, from galaxies to electrons, shows purpose and design.  God is the One who designed it all.  Someone has suggested that if the world was randomly originated without any purpose or design, it would be like throwing a basketball out of a plane going full speed at thirty five thousand feet up in the air and having the ball land in a trash can on the first attempt.  The argument from Universal Consent acknowledges that all people in different lands and times, have worshiped some sort of Supreme Being, albeit with varying personalities or attributes.  Finally, the Ontological Argument claims that God is the highest entity that we can imagine or conceive.  The presumption is that there must be something or someone above what we as mere mortals can conceive of (It’s a theoretical argument, so don’t reflect on it too much!)

Of course, the best argument is a life guided and fulfilled by God:  a life of self-sacrifice and generous love.  As I’m fond of saying, “I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one any day. I’d rather one should walk with me, than merely show the way.”

THIS WEEK AT ST. DAVID’S

HOSPITALITY HOUR – St. David’s Men’s Organization

DAUGHTERS of the KING – meet Sunday, January 12 th, 8:45am Parish Hall.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.
HOLY EUCHARIST – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
HOLY EUCHARIST AND ROSARY – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN – meet Friday, January 10 th, 11:00 a.m.

MEET & GREET – sponsored by the Daughters of the King – Saturday, January 18 th for 11:30am-2:00pm Parish Hall

VESTRY – Sunday, January 19 th, 11:15 a.m. in Church

ECUMENICAL SERVICE – to mark the Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, St. Vincent DePaul Seminary, Boynton Beach, Thursday, January 23, 7:30 p.m. Reception to follow.

EVENSONG –Presentation of our Lord – Sunday, February 2 nd 4:00 p.m.

BLOOD DRIVE – Sunday, February 9 th, 8:30am-12noon.

SOUPER-BOWL – Palanca Pantry is collecting SOUPS (canned, bagged, boxed, wrapped) Jan. 26 th and Feb. 2 nd.

PANCAKE SUPPER – SHROVE TUESDAY – February 25 th, 5:30 p.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY – February 26 th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Kelly, Michelle, Mark, Rudy, Toni, Emily, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Glenn Bresnahan, Tiffany Owen, Theodore L’Abbe, Franklin Montross, Linda McKeown, Margie Sandell, Alexandria Philistin, Steve Roca, Barbara Hastings-Griffin. For our expectant mothers: Megan, Sofia, Claire.
FLOWER & CANDLES – open and all dates are available for designation of altar flowers for your $40.00 donation; in honor, celebration or in loving memory of someone. Please use the fill-in form with your pre-payment.
2019 CHARITY CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS – available upon request for $250.00 and over – call or email parish office