So, another year is upon us. For most folks, 2021 is a year we won’t forget. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could simply hit the “pause” or “re-wind” button in our life? Start off with a clean slate. The Good News is that God has provided a way to start over. St. Paul writes to the Corinthians that “Those who are in Christ are a new creation.” He goes on to say, “I haven’t already achieved perfection but I keep working toward that day and strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which Jesus calls us to heaven.”

January 6th was the Feast of the Epiphany. The Wise Men who visited Bethlehem must have been surprised to find the new-born king not in a palace but in a stable! Following stars and finding stables are common occurrences in life. Who hasn’t at some time fixed his or her gaze on some lofty star that leads us in a totally unexpected direction? A college graduate leaves school full of dreams and expectations only to wake up one day and discover a life of drudgery which they promised to avoid. A recent retiree discovers that life without work isn’t what it’s “cracked up” to be. What enables people of every age to turn their “stables” into sanctuaries? All share one thing in common; they looked for God in the stable. Who would have faulted the Wise Men if they’d turned around in disappointment and went back to their comfortable lives in Persia? And yet, their lives were transformed forever. Nothing would ever be the same, as their faith made them return by “another road.”

2022 will probably provide its share of joys and disappointments. If we look for God’s purpose in life and give our best efforts to God, we might find that we too are led in a new direction. As we journey forth on a daily basis, let us go by another way, because the saints in every age found the faith to turn the world upside down when they followed a star and found a stable.

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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 Thursday 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 or dessert to share.

The Annual Parish Meeting is postponed until Sunday, January 16th at 9 a.m. in the parish hall. New Vestry members will be elected, financial information for this past year will be presented and reports from various ministries will be presented.

Shop with Scrip: Gift card fundraising is the best way to raise money. Start giving back to St. David’s the moment you buy a gift card with the RaiseRight mobile app today! You can join the program by downloading the app on your phone or go to www.ShopWithScrip.com on your computer. The enrollment code to set up your free family account is BB6656B177722. For more information, please pick up a flyer in the narthex, or email Kimberly Joy Castellotti-Ward at choiceplusrealestate@gmail.com

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 – no Sunday School this week.

No weekday mass next week.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doug, Edna, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Julian, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Patricia, Sharon, Susan, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Tracy Jackowski, Marie Hogan, David Whiting, Glenn Bresnahan, Linda McKeown, Franklin Montross IV, Tiffany Owen, Theodore L’Abbe, Alexandria Philistin, Margie Sandell. For our expectant mothers: Ana, Priya and Ryan.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A

During the Pandemic, I suspect that people are staying at home more than before, and watching more television to pass the time away. Having said that, I’ll share a paraphrase borrowed from an anonymous writer.

The TV is my shepherd, I shall not want.
It makes me lie down on the sofa. It ravishes my soul.
It leads me away from the Scriptures, for the sponsor’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of my responsibilities, there will be no interruptions; for the TV is with me.
It’s cable and it’s remote control they comfort me,
It prepares a commercial before me in the presence of my worldliness.
It plants lies within my mind. It anoints my head with materialism.
My coveting runneth over.
Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I shall dwell in the house of TV forever.

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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 Thursday 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 Daughters of the King.

The Live Nativity, one of our oldest traditions at St. David’s, will be held tonight, Dec 17th at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and see the display this evening.

Church cleaning and decorating. We need volunteers from the men of the church to help set up the Christmas trees and get decorations out of the attic starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th. We also need volunteers from the women to clean and decorate for Christmas from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th. Please contact Linda McKeown at 561-254-3902

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.
Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 25: Christmas Day 10:00 a.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doug, Edna, Ginny, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Max, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Patricia, Sharon, Susan, William. For the departed: Michael Simpson, Angel Diaz. For birthday celebrations: Elyssa Beresford, Eli Carter, Neville Tinglin, Marilyn Perakos, Sherry Richardson, William Jackowski III, Allison Owen, Megan Jacques. For our expectant mothers: Ana, Meghan, Priya and Ryan.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A

We learn something new every day! A Canadian scientist explains why geese flying South for the winter fly in a “V” formation. As each bird flaps his or her wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following it. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock can fly at least 71% farther than if on its own. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it feels the resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation.

When the goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies on the point. It pays to take turns doing hard jobs for the group. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front. Finally, (get this!) when a goose weakens or is wounded and falls out of the formation, two geese fall out and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is able to fly no longer, at which point the two geese set out on their own and join another formation.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will work with others who are going the same way as we are. Encouraging, standing by, and taking our turn at the difficult jobs are all part of what it takes to make a winning team. Even though we have fewer activities and group meetings during the Pandemic, as we approach this Christmas season, we are encouraged to show our gratitude and $upport of St. David’s ministries. God only expects us to do what we can: “For without Him we cannot, and without us, He will not.”

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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 Thursday 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 Vestry.

Stockings for Stars Christmas Project: We are collecting cash and checks for the Stockings for Stars gift cards each Sunday. For more information, please contact Joyce Parker at 561-312-2719.

Christmas Flowers: We are collecting donations of $25.00 for Christmas flowers starting this week. Please fill in a form, and leave it in the plate. The deadline is December 15th.

Bunco continues on Saturday, December 11th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Loads of fun and super easy for newcomers! The more the merrier, so please bring a friend, a bite to share, and your favorite beverage! Cash prizes awarded – even if you lose! $10 per person.

Church cleaning and decorating. We need volunteers from the men of the church to help set up the Christmas trees and get decorations out of the attic starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 11th. We also need volunteers from the women to clean and decorate for Christmas from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th. Please contact Linda McKeown at 561-254-3902

The Live Nativity, one of our oldest traditions at St. David’s, will be held on Sunday, December 19th, at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and see the display that evening, but we also need volunteers of all ages to be in the display. To volunteer or get more information, call or text Jenifer Elmore at 561-601-3346 at your earliest opportunity.

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

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

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Assad, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doug, Ginny, Grace, Jacob, Jayden, Jeanne, Norma Jo-Jo, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Max, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Patricia, Susan, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Hanna Gardner, Nicholas Webber. For our expectant mothers: Ana, Meghan, Priya and Ryan.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A

This past Thursday was, of course, Veteran’s Day, marking the conclusion of military action in Western Europe at the end of WW I. Coincidentally, in the liturgical calendar, it is also the commemoration of St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of soldiers. Martin was originally from what we now know as Hungary; he served in the Roman army in the 4th c. and then settled in France and became a monk. The story is told that while early on in his Christian faith, Martin was approached by a beggar. Martin removed his cloak, cut it in two pieces, and gave half to the poor man. The following night Jesus appeared to Martin in a vision wearing the same torn piece of cloth, and acknowledged his generous act. Later on he reluctantly accepted the position of Bishop of Tours, (Southwest of Paris,) in 372 AD and went on to become a popular and respected leader of the Church. He also sent missionary bishops to England; hence the popularity of his name amongst a number of Anglican parish churches.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of Jesus’ words, “What you did for the least of these my brothers, you did it unto Me.” Martin’s immense faith and humility is an example for all leaders in our social, political, and ecclesiastical life – all of whom need our continuous prayers. As we remember with fondness those members of the military who have gone on in the peace of Christ, and those who continue the pilgrimage with us, we offer this prayer –

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP, p. 823

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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 paring lot each Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. mass – Hosted by the Congregation. Please bring a dish and or dessert to share.

Bunco continues on Saturday, November 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Loads of fun and super easy for newcomers! The more the merrier, so please bring a friend, a bite to share, and your favorite beverage! Cash prizes awarded – even if you lose! $10 per person.

Shop with Scrip: Gift card fundraising is the best way to raise money. Start giving back to St. David’s the moment you buy a gift card with the RaiseRight mobile app today! You can join the program by downloading the app on your phone or go to www.ShopWithScrip.com on your computer. The enrollment code to set up your free family account is BB6656B177722. For more information, please pick up a flyer in the narthex, or email Kimberly Joy Castellotti-Ward at choiceplusrealestate@gmail.com

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 for Flowers: The flower delivery ministry is in need of vases to be used weekly to put flowers in to be delivered to people. If anyone has any medium to large size vases, please bring in and place in Ladies Room of the church. Thanks. Linda McKeown.

Sunday School is still in operation with the necessary protocol in place.

Forward Day by Day brochures for the 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, Assad, Barbara, Baldwin, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doug, Grace, Jacob, Jayden, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Max, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Norma Jo-Jo, Parker, Susan, William. For birthday celebrations: Yashieka Blount, Elizabeth Philistin, Jan Dwyer, Kimberly Gardner, Claudette Wray, Predrag Maksimovic, Oliver Schubert, Yvonne Elliott, Jerry Frenz. For our expectant mothers: Ana, Meghan and Priya, Ryan.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A

Charlie was a regular visitor at the racetrack. One afternoon he noticed an unusual sight. Right before the first race, a Catholic priest visited one of the horses in the paddock area and gave it a blessing. Charlie watched the horse race very carefully, and sure enough the blessed horse came in 1st! Charlie followed the priest before the next race, again the priest went to the paddock and performed a similar procedure. Charlie played a hunch and put a couple of dollars on the blessed horse. Sure enough, the blessed horse came in by two lengths, and Charlie won close to fifty bucks!

The priest continued the same procedure through the next few races and Charlie won each time. He was now ahead $1,000 so between races Charlie left the track and went to the bank and withdrew his life’s savings, $20,000. The feature race of the day was next. Charlie followed the priest and watched carefully which horse he blessed. He then went to the betting window and put his whole $21,000 bundle of cash on that horse to win. Then Charlie went down to the finish line to watch the race. Down the stretch they came. The horse he bet on broke first from the gate and led for a couple of furlongs, then all of a sudden he started to fade. One by one each horse passed him and finally the jockey pulled up the favorite and gently guided him off the track. Charlie was dumbfounded and crushed. He went to the paddock, found the priest and told him that he had been watching him bless the horses all day and they all won except the last horse on which he had bet his life savings. Charlie then asked, “What happened to the last horse which you blessed? Why didn’t it win like the others?” “That’s the trouble with you Protestants,” the priest sighed, “You can’t tell the difference between a blessing and Last Rites.”

So what does it mean to be blessed? “Blessed” in Greek means joy – and the side effects are peace and tranquility. It’s related to the word “bliss,” which was used by the ancient Greeks to describe a life free of anxiety, an untroubled state of perfect harmony and calm. The Greek word conveys a message something like, “Oh, you lucky person!” So Jesus said in effect, “How lucky are the unlucky!” So, if following the Beatitudes makes one happy with an internal joy regardless of our circumstances, do we receive rewards only in this life, or in the next? REJOICE and BE GLAD! For Christ has called you out of the world! Take joy, you who are poor in spirit –you will see heaven. Take joy, you who mourn – God will comfort you. Take joy, you who are meek – the earth is given to you. Take joy, you who are desperate for righteousness – the Spirit will guide you. Take joy, you who show mercy – for those in God will receive no condemnation. Take joy, you who have been given pure hearts – one day your eyes will see God. Take joy, you who seek peace – God is your Father. Take joy, even in trials – for your reward is great in heaven. Remember, it’s not what they take from you that counts: it’s what you do with what you have left.

—-

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 paring lot each Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

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

Bunco continues on Saturday, November 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Loads of fun and super easy for newcomers! The more the merrier, so please bring a friend, a bite to share, and your favorite beverage! Cash prizes awarded – even if you lose! $10 per person.

Shop with Scrip: Gift card fundraising is the best way to raise money. Start giving back to St. David’s the moment you buy a gift card with the RaiseRight mobile app today! You can join the program by downloading the app on your phone or go to www.ShopWithScrip.com on your computer. The enrollment code to set up your free family account is BB6656B177722. For more information, please pick up a flyer in the narthex, or email Kimberly Joy Castellotti-Ward at choiceplusrealestate@gmail.com

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 for Flowers: The flower delivery ministry is in need of vases to be used weekly to put flowers in to be delivered to people. If anyone has any medium to large size vases, please bring in and place in Ladies Room of the church. Thanks. Linda McKeown.

Sunday School is still in operation with the necessary protocol in place.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Eucharistic Adoration at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Assad, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Donna, Doug, Jacob, Jayden, Jeanne, Joaquin, Manuel, Max, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Susan. For the departed: Jim Wigglesworth, Melba Vlahakis. For birthday celebrations: Zoe Chung, Julie Skinner, Jean-Rene Guillaume, The Rev. Steven Thomas, Trevor Carter. For anniversary celebration: Jim and Sherry Richardson. For our expectant mothers: Ana, Meghan, Priya and Ryan.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A