This coming Thursday, forty days after Easter, is the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord. So what happened to Jesus’ body? Well, I wasn’t there, but I do know that some people are still too busy staring up into the sky, when all we have to do is look around us. If we can’t get our minds around the idea of Jesus floating up through the clouds, maybe we should be more concerned with being His body here on earth. As He left the world, Jesus prayed not that we’d be taken out of this world, but that we would be agents of change in the world.

The Ascension helps us see what should be readily apparent – that Jesus is still among us. In two weeks, on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate Jesus giving us His Spirit to make His presence real and visible today and every week when we receive the Body of Christ, so that we may become the Body of Christ here on earth to do the work He asks of us. So, when the King of ALL Kings returns, whether in our life time or in the distant future, will we be prepared? Not knowing all the answers is no excuse for giving up on God, because it’s particularly Pentecost that reminds us Jesus really never left; and it’s the “cloudy” moments in our life when we hear Jesus say, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the ages.”

St. David’s Community Yard Sale: Saturday, May 21st from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Want to help? You can donate your gently used, clean, functioning items: Clothes, electronics, toys, furniture, and kitchen wares. Bring your items to St. David’s on Saturday, May 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm and Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Learn More Here: https://www.saintdavidsinthepines.org/2022/03/14/yardsale-may21-2022/

Choral Evensong for Pentecost is on Sunday, June 5 at 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Please bring a dish to share.

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.

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.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Maria Scher.

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.

Sunday school is in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: No service this week.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Sharon, Susan, Tracy, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Debra Gonzalez, Laura Lee Montross, Jordyn Beresford, John Webber. For anniversary celebration: Fr. Steven and Erin Thomas. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Sarah.

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

A girl came home from playing with a friend, a little later than expected, so her mother immediately said, “Honey, why are you late?” The girl replied, “I was walking home with Julie when she dropped her doll and it broke.” Oh, I see,” said her mother, “So you stopped to help Julie fix her doll?” “No,” said the daughter, “We couldn’t fix the doll, so I stayed and helped Julie cry!”

That’s called compassion; and the little girl probably got that from her mother. No doubt Jesus learned some things from His mother as we can too. Lest we ever think that God has forgotten us or cares about everyone else’s pain, His Blessed Mother is “in our corner” waiting to help us with her love and prayers, as she did for her own Son at His birth and His death. On this Mother’s Day weekend, as we remember our mothers, living and departed; don’t be afraid of loving the Blessed Mother too much, no one can love her more that Jesus did.

I’d like to share a favorite prayer written by a former Principal of my theological College in England.

O Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of life,
as you overshadowed Mary that she might
be the Mother of Jesus our Savior, so work
silently in my heart, to form within me the
fullness of his redeemed and redeeming
humanity. Give me his loving heart, to burn
with love for God and love for my neighbor;
give me a share of his joy and sorrow, his
weakness and his strength, his labor for the
world’s salvation. May Mary, blessed among
women, Mother of our Savior, pray for me,
that Christ may be formed in me, that I may
live in union of heart and will with Jesus
Christ, her Son, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
-Fr. Cheslyn Jones

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.

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.

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

St. David’s Community Yard Sale: Saturday, May 21st from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Want to help? You can donate your gently used, clean, functioning items: Clothes, electronics, toys, furniture, and kitchen wares. Bring your items to St. David’s on Saturday, May 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm and Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Learn More Here: https://www.saintdavidsinthepines.org/2022/03/14/yardsale-may21-2022/

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.

Sunday school is in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Sharon, Susan, Tracy, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Helena Bresnahan, Megan Muir, Michel Guillaume, Jacqueline Algood, George Pinnock. For anniversary celebration: Jacqueline and John Algood. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Sarah.

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

Who Moved The Stone is the title of a popular book written in 1930 by the English journalist Frank Morrison. It’s about his inner search for the real meaning of the resurrection. One of the messages which Easter teaches us is that God can redeem any failure, pain, hurt, or disappointment if we only let Him. Too often we let others set the agenda for us, define our identity, or control our future. Look at these famous people who have overcome adversity and obstacles:

“He didn’t talk until he was four years old and he didn’t start to read til he was seven. One of his teachers labeled him as “mentally slow, unsociable and adrift in his foolish dreams.” This was said about Albert Einstein.

“He’s too stupid to learn anything.” Said some of the teachers about Thomas Edison.

“He possesses minimal football knowledge and lacks motivation,” an expert said of the new coach named Vince Lombardi.

“He went bankrupt several times and was fired by the editor of a local newspaper because he apparently had a “lack of vision.” The man was Walt Disney.

”He failed the sixth grade and had a lifetime of setbacks and defeats.” As an older citizen, Winston Churchill helped lead the British people through one of their darkest moments.

“He was turned down for an acting role as President because he was told by a producer that he didn’t look “Presidential.” Ronald Reagan obviously didn’t give up hope.

Are our disappointments “Road Blocks or Stepping Stones? Pray that God will remove the stones from the Risen Life He wants us all to share.

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.

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.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Daughters of the King. Next Sunday, May 1 will be hosted by the Vestry.

St. David’s Community Yard Sale. Saturday, May 21st from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Want to help? You can donate your gently used, clean, functioning items: Clothes, electronics, toys, furniture, and kitchen wares. Learn More Here: https://www.saintdavidsinthepines.org/2022/03/14/yardsale-may21-2022/

Recycle those plastic Easter Eggs! There will be a box in the narthex this weekend for you to drop off your empties – thank you!

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.

Sunday school is in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

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

Tuesdays: No service this week
Wednesdays: No service this week

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Sharon, Susan, Tracy, Violet, William. For the departed: Kevin Brennan. For birthday celebrations: Francis Morlu, John Algood, Therese Guillaume, Janice Jacques. For anniversary celebration: Daryl and Shelby Walcher. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Sarah.

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

Today, April 1st, is of course, April Fool’s Day. What is the origin of this special day? There are several theories; one explanation focuses on the practice from ancient times of people in some parts of Europe celebrating the New Year on or around the Spring Equinox before the revised calendar which defined January 1 as the first day of the year. People who forgot about the change, or observed the old rules for other reasons became victims of various jokes. For example, pranksters would discreetly stick paper fish to their backs. In France, the victims of this prank were called Poisson d’Avril, April Fish, or as we call it, April Fools. Biblical theories about the origin point to Noah as the first “April Fool”. It is said that on April 1, Noah mistakenly sent the dove out to find dry land before the waters subsided. A second story tells that the day commemorates when Jesus was sent from Pontius Pilate to Herod and back again. “Sending a man from Pilate to Herod”, is an old term for sending someone on a fool’s errand. Ancient Romans and Celts celebrated a festival of practical joking around the time of the March equinox.

Regardless of the origins of April Fool’s Day, we’re all advised not to be foolish, but to be aware of those sins which separate us from the love of God, and our responsibility as Christians to promote the Gospel in thought, word and deed. Easter is only two weeks away, and ushers in a new era in which we make known the redeeming love of God. The late evangelist Billy Graham told the story about a time early on in his ministry when he visited a small town to preach. Wanting to mail a letter once he arrived, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, “Why don’t you come to the Baptist Church on Third Street this evening? I’ll be preaching about how to get to heaven.” The boy replied, “Thanks anyway, but I don’t think I’ll be there; you don’t even know your way to the post office!”

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” and He shows us the way by walking to Calvary, and ascending into heaven after the Resurrection. And that’s “no joke.” With only one more week before Palm Sunday, what more do we need to know? We are not Christians simply because we think Jesus rose from the dead, but because we think and hope that we will rise too.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday April 10
Procession and Reading of the Passion Gospel

Maundy Thursday April 14th 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday April 15th noon & 7:00 p.m.
Tomb Service April 16th 10:00 a.m.
Holy Saturday Vigil April 16th 7:00 p.m.
Easter April 17th 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt April 17th after 10am mass 11:15 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 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.

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. During Lent we will collect nonperishable food products for delivery at St. George’s. Publix have the weekly BOGO specials so why not donate your free item to the church during Lent. Bring your items to church with you or drop them off with your sandwiches to help others in need. Thank you.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Daughters of the King.

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.

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 have your request in by March 28th.

Parish Mission: One night parish mission, Saturday, April 9th, 6:00 p.m. As a ‘Prelude” to Holy Week, we’ll walk The Way of the Cross, followed by a short meditation and simple potluck dinner.

The Easter Vigil Champagne Reception will be after celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday night, April 16th. 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 10 a.m. Mass on Easter Sunday, April 17th. 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!

St. David’s Community Yard Sale. Saturday, May 21st from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Want to help? You can donate your gently used, clean, functioning items: Clothes, electronics, toys, furniture, and kitchen wares. Learn More Here: https://www.saintdavidsinthepines.org/2022/03/14/yardsale-may21-2022/

Sunday School is back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Sharon, Susan, Violet, William. For the departed: James Baldwin, Lester Walker and Steve Sagonas II. For birthday celebrations: Ann Chambers, Faubert Pierre-Paul, Eric Cohen, Laurette Bagley, Samuel Kalphat, Joe Mee, Lorna Lawrence. For anniversary celebration: Baldwin and Violet Henry. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Ryan.

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

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to the Irish and their descendants! But, not to be overlooked, is the Feast of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Our Lord on March 19th. I’m reminded of a story about a certain father desperate for a bit of peace and quiet one rainy Sunday afternoon. So, from his newspaper’s color supplement he tore out a picture of a map of the world. He took a pair of scissors and cut the map into small pieces and said to his children, “Here’s a project for you – put the world back together again.” After a bit of grumbling there were whispers and giggles, followed by a period of silent concentration. Finally, the youngsters said, “Here you are, we’ve done it.” Indeed they had, but the picture was not a map of the world; it was a photograph of a very happy looking family which had been on the reverse side of the map!

Our calling as Christians is not necessarily to make people “happy.” The happiest people are too busy to notice if they’re happy or not. Happiness is a byproduct of a life lived according to the Gospel of Christ. During this season of Lent, if we’re willing to unite our acts of self-denial and suffering with Our Lord’s, it can stretch our hearts to make room for greater joy and love. Accept your path, with its twists and turns. The adventure is in the journey, not the arriving. And yes, despite the violence which permeates our nation and our world, perhaps the world will become a happier place. As I’m fond of saying, life doesn’t come with a bow, but it’s still a gift because “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift – that’s why it’s called the Present.”

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.

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. During Lent we will collect nonperishable food products for delivery at St. George’s. Publix have the weekly BOGO specials so why not donate your free item to the church during Lent. Bring your items to church with you or drop them off with your sandwiches to help others in need. Thank you.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Daughters of the King.

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.

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 have your request in by March 28th.

Parish Mission: One night parish mission, Saturday, April 9th, 6:00 p.m. As a ‘Prelude” to Holy Week, we’ll walk The Way of the Cross, followed by a short meditation and simple potluck dinner.

The Easter Vigil Champagne Reception will be after celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday night, April 16th. 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 10 a.m. Mass on Easter Sunday, April 17th. 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!

St. David’s Community Yard Sale. Saturday, May 21st from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Want to help? You can donate your gently used, clean, functioning items: Clothes, electronics, toys, furniture, and kitchen wares. Bring your items to St. David’s on Saturday May 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday School is back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Anthony, Baldwin, Barbara, Bert, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Eric, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Lauren, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Rachel, Sharon, Susan, Tracy, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Alred Dyce, Matthew Hogan, Richard James, Meghan Schubert, Dexter Beresford, Austin LaBorde, Inara Elmquist. For anniversary celebration: Chris and Kati Erickson. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Ryan.

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