WEEKLY MESSAGE – March 8, 2024 – Saint David's in the Pines

WEEKLY MESSAGE – March 8^th – Fr. Cederberg

If you were to look on a liturgical calendar (yes, there is such a thing!), you would see that this coming Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, “laetare” being the Latin word for rejoice. It always falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, similar to Gaudete (which also means rejoice) or Rose Sunday in Advent.

It is interesting that those who designed the calendar with penitential seasons also included days of celebration. Why is that? Why not just be penitential all the time?

Wisely they understood that with all of the disciplines of the Church there must always be an undergirding of joy. They knew that it made no sense to live a life of discipline for its own sake. Discipline exists for the sake of joy. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus “for the joy set before him endured the cross”. The joy made it worth the suffering. And what was that joy? It was us! With his eye fixed on us, he was willing to endure whatever it took. The joy gave him courage.

And so it is for us. We don’t take on the disciplines of prayer, fasting, generosity, etc., for their own sakes. We take them on because they allow us to be more free. To be able to love more effectively. To be able to become more like Jesus. To be filled with his joy.

So, when you’re tempted to grumble about the disciplines of Lent or all of the hard work it takes to become a person of character in this world, don’t forget the joy that lies before you. It will give you the courage to do what needs to be done.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Debt Reduction: Total Debt: $94,000.00. Total Balance: $0. Thank you to everyone who donated to pay off the debt in four months and for your many prayers.

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

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by Congregation. A special Thank You to ECW for their service to the parish and to those who gave a lovely St. David’s Day coffee hour and to the choir for the Evensong reception. Next week will be hosted by the Daughters of the King.

ECW Deanery Spring Meeting is scheduled this Saturday, March 9^th. A light breakfast is at 9:00 a.m. followed by a service with Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. Lunch is immediately after service in the Parish Hall.

Church Grounds Clean Up on Saturday, March 16^th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Please bring a rake if you have one. Lunch will be provided. Thanks. Linda.

The Episcopal Cursillo Weekend for both men and women is scheduled for May 16th -19th at the beautiful Duncan Center in Delray Beach, FL. Please contact Evelyn Medcalf Evelyn.medcalf@gmail.com or Ken Barnett Kenbar333@bellsouth.net for registration and information.

St. David’s Annual Picnic is scheduled on Sunday, March 17^th immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service.

Easter Flowers: We are collecting donations for Easter Lilies. Cost of flowers is $25. Please fill in a form and place it in the bag on the credenza or mail it to the office. Please return completed form by Friday, March 22^nd.

Bunco is scheduled on Saturday, March 23^rd 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!

First Communion will be held on Sunday, March 24^th at the 10am service. For more information please contact Katiewaters@hotmail.com.

Stations of the Cross: Fridays in Lent at 6:30 p.m. March 15, 22.

Stations of the Cross. Good Friday, March 29^th at 7:00 p.m. led by the Youth.

Daughters of the King discernment and preparation for admission is scheduled on the 3^rd and 4^th Sundays at 9:00 a.m. for study guide starting February through May in the Mark Room.

Prayer Shawl Group. If anyone is interested in starting it back up, we need people who can knit, crochet and people to deliver completed and blessed shawls to recipients. For further information, please contact Kimberly Gardner at kimfgardner@comcast.net or her cell (561) 596-9020.

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

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

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist at 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 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: Audley, Bishop Curry, Carol, Dennis, Diana, Dorothy, Dudley, Emily, Frances, Heather, Jameson, Lloyd, Marjorie, Megan, Michael, Pearl, Peggy, Phyllis, Predrag, Robin, Ronald, Shelley, Shirley, Tanner, Violet. For birthday celebrations: Jackson Falco, Lincoln Elliott, Leroy Williams. For anniversary celebration: Jerry and Sally Frenz. For our expectant mother: Shay. For our search committee Howard Barrett, Jenifer Elmore, Janice Jacques, Kristi Lee, Sera Peat, Yvonne Wolliston, Cecil Wray.

Vestry Members: Howard Barrett – Senior Warden, Laurette Bagley, Kenneth Barnett, John Webber – Junior Warden, Jenifer Elmore, Matthew Hogan, Karlene Kiminyo, Chris LaBorde – Secretary, Linda McKeown, Irene Oknewski, Joyce Parker, Dennis Wright – Treasurer.