Sometimes families leave cut flowers or planters after the funeral at church. Beautiful cut flowers last a week or so in their watered vase. But by contrast, if one puts the plant with water into the pot, exposed to sunlight, it will likely grow and be more vivacious. What’s the difference? It’s the root, not the fruit, that gives life. Jesus is our “root” who gives us life; not simply the “fruit” of our good deeds.

Occasionally, I’ll hear, “I’m not giving up anything for Lent; I’m taking on something.” Well, if we’re talking about spending more time in prayer and study, then we will be giving up something – the time spent on something less important! The main point is transformation. Every one of us needs to be “thinned out”. The garden of the soul needs pruning from time to time. Otherwise, we become overwhelmed by non -essential things – stuck in the mud, spiritually. Lent coincides with springtime for a reason. It’s the time to clear away the “dead” wood and pull up the weeds. God wants spiritual fruits, not “religious nuts,” and the fruit of Silence is Prayer. The fruit of Prayer is Faith. The fruit of Faith is Love. And the fruit of Love is Service.

NOTICES:

Bunco. Back by popular demand, our next Bunco party will be Saturday, March 4th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and $10 per person. There will be someone to watch the little ones so they can have fun, too! Bring a friend – the more the merrier!

Evensong for the Feast of St. David of Wales, our patron Saint. This Sunday, March 5th at 4:00 p.m. Please join us for a reception in the Parish Hall.

Stations of the Cross. Fridays at 6:30 p.m. during Lent.

Daylight Savings is Sunday, March 12th. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour.

Holy Communion. Two options are available to receive Holy Communion. One is to have the Eucharistic Minister dip the host in the chalice and place the host directly in the mouth of the recipient; or the communicant can simply receive only the host in their hands. Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity is fully present in the host either way.

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.

Facebook Page.  Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”

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

Gardening and Grounds. We need volunteers on March 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon to help with trimming of plants and shrubs and to get grounds in shape for Easter Sunday. Bring tools to trim, gardening gloves, rakes, pruning shears, etc. lunch served at noon.

Men’s Bible Study. If anyone is interested in joining a Men’s Bible study after the 8:00 a.m. service on Sundays, please contact Ken Barnett at 561- 339-3625 by Sunday, March 19th.

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.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 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  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: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, 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, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Jackie Whiting, Pat Bernard, Jackson Falco. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor and Abby.

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

There are only five more days left in our Epiphany Season. Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) is next Tuesday. The observance reflects the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the Lenten season of sacrifice and fasting begins the next day. In countries like the United Kingdom, Mardi Gras is more usually known as Pancake Day or (traditionally) Shrove Tuesday, derived from the word shrive, meaning “to administer the sacrament of confession and to absolve.”

Ok, so maybe you can’t visit New Orleans this year, but our annual Pancake Supper Tuesday night, and two masses on Wednesday are available to all in recognition of this holy beginning to the traditional season of fasting, in preparation for our celebration of Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 9. (Here’s a trivia question for you: What was the only street that wasn’t flooded in Hurricane Katrina in 2005? Bourbon Street! True, no joke!)

Lent was originally thirty- six days -one tenth, or a tithe of the year. Someone, however, had the bright idea of adding four days to make it commensurate with Jesus’ time in the wilderness following his baptism, and the forty years the Jews wandered in the wilderness. Incidentally, Sundays are not included in the forty day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Note that they are called Sundays in Lent, not of Lent. Nonetheless, Lent is our journey home, and Easter is the arrival; so here’s wishing you a blessed Lent.

NOTICES:

Bunco. Back by popular demand, our next Bunco party will be Saturday, March 4th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and $10 per person. There will be someone to watch the little ones so they can have fun, too! Bring a friend – the more the merrier!

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.

Facebook Page.  Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”

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

Cleaning of Church. Washing of windows on the inside of the church on Saturday, February 18th at 9:00 a.m. If you are able to help, please bring window washing supplies if you have some. Paper towels, cleaner, newspapers, squeegees.

St. David’s Family Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, February 19th after the 10:00 a.m. service. Please join us for what we hope to be the start of our annual church picnic for all parishioners and the community. There will be food and games for all.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is on February 21st at 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Please join us for pancakes, sausages and beverages. Tickets will be sold on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Sundays after service. Adults $7.00 and $3.50 for kids 10 years and under. Please wear your mask.

“Souper Bowl” Score – Chiefs 38 and Eagles 41. Thanks for your support. Linda McKeown.

Gardening and Grounds. We need volunteers on February 11th and March 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon to help with trimming of plants and shrubs and to get grounds in shape for Easter Sunday. Bring tools to trim, gardening gloves, rakes, pruning shears, etc. lunch served at noon.

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.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.

Women’s Bible Study weekly meeting resumes on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

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

Tuesdays: No service this week.

Ash Wednesday: February 22nd at 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.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.

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  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: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Donna, 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 the departed: Diana Firestone, Ron Davidson. For birthday celebrations: Dawn LaBorde, Jedidiah Kalphat, Dennis Wright, Howard Barrett, Anne Guillaume. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor and Abby.

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

Life as we know it is full of “Ups and Downs.” But success only comes when we move forward, leaving life’s disappointments behind. There is no shortage of examples in our secular world of those who overcame obstacles to reach success.

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

“He’s too stupid to learn anything,” said some of the teachers of a young boy named Thomas Edison.

“He possess minimal football knowledge and lacks motivation,” an expert said of a beginning 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 ideas.” The man fired was Walt Disney.

He failed the sixth grade and had a lifetime of setbacks and defeats. Finally, as a senior citizen he became the Prime Minister of England. The man was Winston Churchill.

As Christians, we know that despite the obstacles and setbacks, we too can be faithful disciples of Our Lord, not unlike those Saints (Thomas and Peter for example) who in Jesus’ time overcame shortcomings and moments of doubt to become faithful and effective agents of God’s mercy and grace. Failure is not the falling down, but the staying down. So remember: God doesn’t love us because we’re good; God makes us good because He loves us.

NOTICES:

Welcome to 2023! Did you make a resolution to have fun and support the church this year?! Well, we’ve made it easy for you to keep both resolutions – BUNKO is on Saturday, February 4th, at 6:00 p.m., in the Parish Hall! Not a problem if you’ve never played – super easy to learn – and loads of fun! You can win cash, even if you lose! Seriously, where can you find that?! Just bring a dish to share, $10 per person, and your resolutions will take root!! Remember, the more the merrier – bring a friend or two!

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.

Facebook Page.  Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”

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

Gardening and Grounds. We need volunteers on February 11th and March 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon to help with trimming of plants and shrubs and to get grounds in shape for Easter Sunday. Bring tools to trim, gardening gloves, rakes, pruning shears, etc. lunch served at noon.

“Souper Bowl” is on Sunday, February 12th. We are collecting cans of soup starting next Sunday the 5th. Support your favorite team by donating cans or packages of soup or other non-perishable food for the team of your choice. Thanks for your support. Linda McKeown.

St. David’s Family Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, February 19th after the 10:00 a.m. service. Please join us for what we hope to be the start of our annual church picnic for all parishioners and the community. There will be food, a bounce house, balloon animals, face painting and other games. We are looking for volunteers to help make this event a success. For more information, please contact Matt Hogan at 865-406-5978

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is on February 21st at 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Please join us for pancakes, sausages and beverages. Tickets will be sold on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Sundays after service. Adults $7.00 and $3.50 for kids 10 years and under. Please wear your mask.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.

Women’s Bible Study weekly meeting resumes on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.

Ash Wednesday: February 22nd at 7:00 p.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.

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  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: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Doris, Doug, Ed, Elston, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Maeve Blodgett, Kevan Bennett, Yvonne Wright, James McKeown, Rohan Wolliston. For anniversary celebration: Desmond and Ann Chambers. For our expectant mothers: Alexandra and Taylor.

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

Eboo Patel, the distinguished author and commentator, in his book, Sacred Ground tells the story about visiting Berea College in south central Kentucky. Prior to a scheduled speech in the college chapel, he was asked by a college official if he wanted the cross removed from its prominent place in the church. The question was an attempt to be sensitive to Patel’s deep Muslim faith. Patel’s response was somewhat surprising. Rather than consent to the cross’ removal, he replied: “I don’t want them to cover the cross. I don’t want them to hide their faith; I want them to tell the story of how that cross inspired them to build an interracial college in pre-Civil War Kentucky. I want them to tell the world: “This is what it means to be Christian.” I want them to share how the cross moves them to admit Buddhists from Sir Lanka and Hindus from India, and have them in classes and volunteer activities with Christians from Appalachia.” (Speaking personally, I attended youth camp in my teens at our diocesan retreat center in the Appalachian hills nearby, where it was so “backwater” that even Episcopalians were handling snakes!)

The Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began on January 18th, The Feast of the Confession of St. Peter, (who was the first to acknowledge Christ as the Lord,) and concludes on the 25th, The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. And, as you know, last Monday was the national observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. who dedicated his life to teaching us about harmony among all people. Speaking personally, after over thirty years of observing and evaluating ecumenical dialogue, if we are not true to our own faith tradition, or if we ask our ecumenical partners or ourselves, to be something less than we are, we do each party a great disservice. In past generations, there would have been much to divide us, but in the past fifty years or so, we’ve come to much agreement on various, but not all, issues regarding our worship and theology. Now we have no excuse in ignoring the simple truth that we have much more in common than that which divides us. Nonetheless, we labor on because the world is too strong for a divided Christianity.

NOTICES:

Facebook Page.  Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the ECW. Next Sunday will be hosted by Maria Scher.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 22nd at 11:15 a.m. in the parish hall. Five new Vestry members will be elected, financial information for this past year will be presented and reports from various ministries will be presented.

St. David’s Family Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, February 19th after the 10:00 a.m. service. Please join us for what we hope to be the start of our annual church picnic for all parishioners and the community. There will be food, a bounce house, balloon animals, face painting and other games. We are looking for volunteers to help make this event a success. For more information, please contact Matt Hogan at 865-406-5978.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.

Women’s Bible Study weekly meeting resumes on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 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  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: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Doris, Doug, Ed, Elston, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Harold, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For the departed: Craig Barnes. For birthday celebrations: Carly LaBorde, Dennis Amiel, Diana Firestone, Tanya Low, Millicent Thompson. For anniversary celebration: Tom and Joyce Parker. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca and Alexandra.

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