Colossians 3:1–11

The other day during a conversation with one of my grown sons, I noticed a familiar facial expression and gesture. It was a bit like looking in a mirror. How did he learn it? Was it DNA or imitation? Perhaps it was a little of both.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
COLOSSIANS 3:2
Living the Christian life is similar in one respect. There is a place for imitating Christ, but it is ultimately grounded in something much deeper. Christian living involves three important actions that are noted in Colossians 3: seeking, being, and doing.

In verse 1, Paul urges us to “set your heart on things above.” The Greek word means to “seek.” It is referring to our aspiration and pursuit, but it is not “pie in the sky.” This seeking is only possible because the Christian has been united with Christ in His death and resurrection (vv. 1, 3). Being and seeking lead to doing. The Christian seeks the things above by living in the power of the cross. We put to death “whatever belongs to your earthly nature” by saying no to those sinful impulses that were part of our former life (v. 5).

Our earthly nature, as Paul describes these sinful impulses, continues to assert itself even after we have been saved. Paul describes it almost as if it were an alien force. It may stir within us, but it is not who we are in Christ. Paul calls the Colossians (and us) to cast off the vestiges of the old self and walk in the new self (vv. 7–10). The change in life that Paul envisions for the Christian is not instantaneous. We are “being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (v. 10). The Greek verb is in the present tense. Our new life in Christ is a continuous and transforming experience.

Christians do not walk a certain way so that we can obtain new life. That life is already yours if you are in Christ! Now, what we need to do, is walk in it.

Pray with Us
Knowing we are already forgiven, we ask You for the strength and discipline to say no to our sins, especially those that have become ingrained. Help us choose the righteous path over the easy path.

BY DR. JOHN KOESSLER

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

We welcome The Rev. Todd Hoover to be our guest preacher and celebrant on Sunday.

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 8/19/2023. Total $3,300.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference ($-1,346.00)

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

Hospitality Hour is scheduled on Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the ECW. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Vestry. There are unclaimed dishes on the kitchen counter in the parish hall, so if you are missing a dish from home, please check to see if they are yours.

Bunco is scheduled on Saturday, August 26th at 6:00 p.m. Bring a dish to share – and we will have someone to watch the little ones. $10 per person, with 3 separate cash prizes – even if you lose! Honestly, where are you going to find that?! Hope to see you there!

ECW Meeting. The Episcopal Church Women will meet on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the parish hall. Details about lunch will follow soon. ALL women of the parish are considered members of ECW and are welcome to all events.

Youth Bible Study will be this Sunday, August 27, at 9:00am in the Sunday School room. All youth 6th through 12th grade are welcome to attend.

Bible Study on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. is now on recess until Sunday, October 1st.

The Women’s Bible Study on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. is now in recess until the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 10th.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old.  We would love to have new teachers in our Sunday school, if you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

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

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.

PLEASE PRAY. For the sick: Adrian, Alice, Annette, Barbara, Beatrice, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, Cynthia, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Emily, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Marjorie, Megan, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Pearl, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Shirley, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Karlene Kiminyo, Jon Elmquist. For anniversary celebrations: Linda and Jim McKeown, Alex and Clare Morales. For our expectant mother: Bethany.

Vestry Members: Howard Barrett – Senior Warden, Shelley Baranowski, Kenneth Barnett, Helena Bresnahan, John Webber – Junior Warden, Jenifer Elmore, Michel Guillaume, Matt Hogan, Chris LaBorde – Secretary, Linda McKeown, Joyce Parker, Dennis Wright – Treasurer.

Imagine you are sitting on the beach and a man, a farmer with a straw hat – comes toward you. He’s whistling a happy tune and flinging seeds right and left, without caring about where they are going.  “Hey!” you say, “That just went in my drink.” He just smiles and continues to toss the seeds about, as he replies, “No problem, I’ve got plenty.”  Children along the ocean’s edge run up to their parents and say, “That man is throwing seeds in the water and the sand– will they grow?”   You shake your head, puzzled, as you watch him walk away, throwing the seed – wasting the seeds – for no apparent purpose, except that “he’s got plenty.”

Now if that isn’t strange, I don’t know what is! If you are a gardener – you know not to waste seeds.

The gospel story of the Sower and the Seed, tells us of a strange and vivid story, but when we look a little bit deeper, it might not be so strange after all. Think about it – when we witness the birth of a child, accomplish a hard-earned goal, our favorite team wins, or we receive a birthday present that we are overjoyed about, aren’t we so happy that we are about to burst?

We’re just bubbling over and feel we have to share our good news with others. We just have to share our joy. We’re throwing joy everywhere with abandon—we’ve got plenty!

Isn’t that what the Sower in our parable is doing?

Let’s explore more.  See you Sunday!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 7/8/2023.    Total $3,305.00.  Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00.  The difference (-$1,341.00).

Boy’s Scout Parking Lot Renovation is scheduled on Saturday, July 22 and Saturday, July 29.  The scouts and their families will be working to repaint the lines and bumpers in our church parking lot.  ECW will provide pizza, drinks, and cookies for their lunch.

Sandwiches for St. George’s.  Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot on 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 Daughters of the King.   Next Sunday hosted by the ECW.

Bible Study is scheduled today at 9 a.m. in the school building. The study is open to anyone who is interested.  Please feel free to join us.

The Women’s Bible Study is now in recess until the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 10^th.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old.  We would love to have new teachers in our Sunday school, if you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

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

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.

PLEASE PRAY.   For the sick:  Adrian, Alice, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carmen, Carolyn, Chester, Cynthia, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Marjorie, Megan, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Pearl, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody.  For the departed:  Gloria Primavera.   For birthday celebrations:  Danielle Kiminyo, Dr. Estelle Beresford.  For anniversary celebrations:  Javier and Debra Gonzalez, Jill and Ryan Artim, Yvonne and Rohan Wolliston.  For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany.

WEEKLY MESSAGE – June 30^th – Fr. McManus

The Gospel this Sunday is summarized as follows:

“Jesus said, ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’”

Just so we get this straight: whoever welcomes you welcomes Jesus, and whoever welcomes your friend or neighbor or family member or work colleague or elected official or mother-in-law or next door neighbor or chatty seat companion on an airplane or vendor at the state fair or grocery checker or barber or the UPS driver or the kid who hit your new car with a soccer ball…and so on and so forth…welcomes God?

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me. And whoever welcomes any one of us welcomes Jesus, welcomes God.

Also in Matthew’s gospel from chapter 18 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me…” and from chapter 25 “The king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to me.’”

Questions: Who do you welcome?  At home? At church?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 6/24/2023.    Total $4,532.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00.  The difference (-$114)

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

Coffee Hour is scheduled immediately after the 8:00 a.m. service.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Vestry.  Next Sunday will be hosted by the Congregation with a cake to thank our treasurer, Dennis Wright, our counters of weekly offering and our bookkeeper, Val Rovnyak.  Please bring a dish to share.

Clean Up Day on Saturday, July 8 at 9 a.m.  Bring tools for building a rack on side of church for hurricane shutters and shovels for spreading topsoil and planting. Lunch will be provided at 12:00 noon.

Bible Study is today at 9 a.m. in the school building. The study is open to anyone who is interested.  Please feel free to join us.

The Women’s Bible Study is now in recess until the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 10^th.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old.  We would love to have new teachers in our Sunday school, if you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

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

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.

PLEASE PRAY.   For the sick:  Adrian, Alice, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Leo, Manuel, Marjorie, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Pearl, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody.   For birthday celebrations:  Rudolph Bernard, Lynda Rozzi, David Goya. For anniversary celebration:  Michel and Therese Guillaume.  For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany.

Where do you go to encounter God? Do you have a favorite place for divine inspiration? Some of you will instinctively think of going to church. Another way to phrase the question is, “Where do you go when you really need to think and make a decision?” Perhaps some of you embrace nature by going to the park. Others prefer being by a body of water such as a pond, lake, river, or ocean.

American theologian the Rev. Frederick Buechner wrote in his book Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

So, I challenge you to go to your favorite place and be with God for five minutes.

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 6/3/2023. Total $4,761.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference $115.00.

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

Coffee Hour is scheduled immediately after the 8:00 a.m. service. Coffee hour is in honor of Fr. Thomas and Erin.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Congregation. Please bring a dish to share. We will be honoring the people who arrange, deliver and donate to the flower ministry. There will be a cake to say thank you. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Daughters of the King.

St. David’s Summer Soiree. St. David’s Summer Soirée Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah located at 900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington. Tickets are now on sale after service. The cost is $75.00 per person in advance and $80.00 at the door. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing. It’s a great weekend for celebrating your Fathers too!

Bunco. Our Bunco party will be on Saturday, June 24th at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. If you haven’t played Bunco the St. David’s way, you’re missing out on big fun! Bring a dish to share – and we will have someone to watch the little ones. $10 per person, with 3 separate cash prizes – even if you lose! Honestly, where are you going to find that?! Hope to see you there!

No Bible Study this Sunday. Bible Study will resume on Sunday, June 18th at 9 a.m. in the school building. The study is open to anyone who is interested. Please feel free to join us.

The Women’s Bible Study is now in recess until the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 10th.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We would love to have new teachers in our Sunday school, if you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

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

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.

PLEASE PRAY. For the sick: Adrian, Alice, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, 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: Leila South, Sally Frenz, Shelley Baranowski, Jean Marshall, Jeff Anderson, Carmen Bersch. For anniversary celebration: Vince and Michele Bianco. For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany.

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

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the birth of the Church with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The Holy Spirit’s entrance into the Church made Jesus alive again in the Body of the Church. Just as the Holy Spirit entered into the Blessed Mother of Jesus the first time, so on Pentecost we remember the Spirit’s entry into the Body of Christ. Fifty days after Easter, it was time for God to be “born again” and pass life on to future generations. This Sunday, we will baptize five children who will grow into the grace and love of God, and spread the Good News just as the apostles did two millennia ago.
So, do we believe in a God who still works wonders today, who sets disciples on fire and changes the world? Or are we just the “Bland leading the Bland?” Perhaps we think that the problems of the world are too big for us. We think we cannot change our world or ourselves. Well, by ourselves, it probably would be challenging, but we are not in this world alone. However, it’s tempting to use that as an excuse to live with our problems. But Pentecost says that we’re all in this together. No part of the body is indispensable, we are all interrelated. There are a variety of gifts but the same spirit – a variety of ministries, but the same Lord.
In the Pentecost God comes again, not as a baby in a manger, but as Spirit in wind and fire. God works from the inside out – transforming us, and we too can give birth to the reality of God’s power & love among us. So. . . are we just full of “hot air,” or does the Spirit of God truly dwell within us?

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 5/20/2023. Total $4,231.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference ($415.00).

ECW Luncheon. ECW will meet for lunch at Butterfield’s restaurant in Royal Palm Beach at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. Email Irene Oknewski at ireneok1940@outlook.com by Thursday, June 1, if you would like to attend.

Father Thomas’ Retirement Brunch Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 4th at The Wanderers Club located at 1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P as soon as possible. If you wish to give a donation, please contact Laurie Cohen by email at lscohen520@gmail.com, text or call her at cell 561-252-9828 as soon as possible.

St. David’s Summer Soiree. St. David’s Summer Soirée Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah located at 900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington. Tickets are now on sale after service. The cost is $75.00 per person in advance and $80.00 at the door. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing. It’s a great weekend for celebrating your Fathers too!

Sunday Bible Study – There will be no bible study this Sunday, May 28th. The next meeting will be on Sunday, June 4th, when we will be discussing Chapter 3 of the Gospel of John.

Women’s Bible Study is scheduled each Sunday at 11:30 a.m. They will meet in the Mark Room. There is no Bible Study on Sunday, June 4th.

There will be no formal Sunday School this weekend so all the children can watch their friends being baptized. A special craft given out to the children.

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

Tuesdays:Holy Eucharist.

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.

PLEASE PRAY. For the sick: Adrian, Alice, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, 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: John M. Webber, Charles Sandell. For anniversary celebrations: Erin and Fr. Steven Thomas. For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany

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