WEEKLY MESSAGE – September 22nd – Fr. Cederberg

I can’t believe it. I just looked at my calendar and saw that this Saturday is the first day of fall! Incredible! In so many ways I don’t feel ready for the changes that the fall brings.

Generally, I have to say, I don’t like change. I like having a routine that is predictable and stable. Yet, change seems to happen whether I like it or not, or whether it has my permission or not. Ironically, change is one of the unchanging principles of life.

I am pleased to be with you all during this season of change. In my retirement it feels good to be part of a worshipping community again. And it is comforting to know that, in this world of change, we worship a Creator who does not. Throughout the seasons, in times of celebration and heartache, good and bad, his love remains constant and ever fresh. He is passionately in love with us and gives us the courage to face new times with boldness and creativity. We know, whatever the circumstances tell us, that we are secure in his hands, and empowered to move into a new day.

So, let’s celebrate and stretch ourselves. Who knows? In the process we might even have fun!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 9/16/2023. Total $3,996.07. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference (-$649.93).

Episcopal Relief Fund. Thanks to all who responded to the relief fund. Your generosity makes a big difference.

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 today immediately after the 8:00 a.m. service.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Vestry. Please join us in welcoming Father Todd Cederberg as our Priest-in-Residence. Please bring a dish and or beverage to share. Next week Sunday will be hosted by the ECW.

Youth Group/Bible Study is available for 6th – 12th grade students. We will be having Bible Study today at 9:00 a.m. in the school classroom. The Youth Group will have a sign-up sheet to participate in an upcoming Youth Run Mass in November. To find out more, get involved, or to sign up, please contact Alison Buechner at abuechner360@gmail.com

The Blessing of the Animals and Episcopal Schools Sunday is scheduled on Sunday, October 1st. Episcopal Schools Sunday is an annual observance held nationwide during October. St. David’s Episcopal School is one of the top private schools in Palm Beach County, so we have much to celebrate. We will welcome all faculty, staff, and families from the day school to worship with us at the 10 a.m. service. The faculty and staff of the school will be recognized during the service, and children from our Sunday school and the day school will perform a special song together. The celebration will continue with our annual Blessing of the Animals following the 10 a.m. service. This tradition honors St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. All pets are welcome to receive a blessing. Animals must be on leashes or in crates, and they should remain outdoors and supervised at all times. If you cannot supervise your pet during the service, consider returning home to get your pet immediately after the service and coming back for the blessing.

ECW Fall Food Drive is scheduled on Sundays, October 8th and 15th. CROS Charity is asking for mac and cheese, peanut butter and cans of meat. Please drop off your donations in the car outside on your way into church.

Caribbean Sunday is scheduled on Sunday, October 22nd at the 10:00 a.m. service. The Venerable Hal Hurley, Archdeacon at the Diocesan Office will be our guest preacher, and The Rev. Sonley Joseph will be our celebrant. We will have a Caribbean reception immediately after the service.

Bible Study on Sundays is scheduled at 9:00 a.m. in the Sunday school classroom.

Women’s Bible Study is scheduled on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

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.

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, Bonnie, 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: Barry Bersch, Jack Erickson, Tanya Lee Jackson, Gabrielle Kiminyo, Lucy Smith, Roxan Carty, Jeanne Champagne, Ray Walter. For anniversary celebrations: Howard and Jem Barrett, Lincoln and Yvonne Elliott, Kenneth and Dorrett Barnett. 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 9/2/2023. Total $4,953.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference $307.

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 Congregation. We are honoring our music director, Joseph Brabham and members of the choir. There will a cake to say Thank You. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Vestry.

Vestry Meeting scheduled on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. in the Sunday school classroom.

ECW Meeting. The Episcopal Church Women will meet on Saturday, September 9th, at 11:30 a.m. in the parish hall. Lunch will be at Ocean One Bar & Grille located at 11111 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL (Southern Palms Crossing Center) immediately after the meeting. ALL women of the parish are considered members of ECW and are welcome to all events.

Youth Group/Bible Study is available for 6th – 12th grade students. We will be having Bible Study on Sunday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m. in the school classroom. The Youth Group will also be doing a beach clean-up mid-September, and we will have a sign-up sheet to participate in an upcoming Youth Run Mass in November. To find out more, get involved, or to sign up, please contact Alison Buechner at abuechner360@gmail.com.

Episcopal School Sunday and the Blessing of the Animals is scheduled for Sunday, October 1st at the 10am service.

Caribbean Sunday is scheduled on Sunday, October 22nd at the 10:00 a.m. service.

Bible Study is scheduled on Sunday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m. in the school building.

Women’s Bible Study is scheduled on Sunday, September 10th at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

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: Connie Hanson, Vivienne Gonzalez, Charles Elmore, Doreen Garrett, Anthony Ward, John Webber. 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.

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.