St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Monthly Newsletter

Transcription

1 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Monthly Newsletter Diocese of Toledo - Orthodox Church in America 2143 S. Center Road Burton, Michigan Served by: Fr. Matthew-Peter Butrie Protodeacon Kerry Luke Gonser stnicholastburtonmi@gmail.com Website: Church Office: Services: Wednesday- 9:30 am Adult Education-11:15 am Saturday followed by Confessions Sunday - 9:30 a.m. Third Hour 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Holydays, Vigil and Vespers as announced But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. St. Jude 1:20 SEPTEMBER 2018 Since we don t deal with our wickednesses, since we don t weep over our dead selves, we can do absolutely nothing to put ourselves to rights and so we re constantly concerned with our neighbours. And nothing angers God more, nothing strips us bare so completely and makes us feel abandoned as do gossip, criticism and condemnation of our neighbour. St. Dorotheos of Gaza We have to respect other people, whether they make mistakes or not. We shouldn t destroy them, shouldn t wound them and berate them. Because what love requires is this: to exculpate them, to love them and to take all the blame ourselves. - Abbess Theosemni Only God and the conscience know the hidden things of the heart. This is why each of us should correct ourselves by listening to these two voices: those of God and the conscience. - St. Mark the Ascetic An Elder recounted the following: When I was once living in the remotest part of the desert, I was visited by a brother from a monastery. I asked him: How are the Fathers faring? He replied, Well, by your prayers. I then asked about a certain brother who had a bad reputation, and he answered: Believe me, Father, he has not freed himself from that reputation. When I heard this, I said, Ugh! As soon as I said this, I was overcome by sleep and fell into ecstasy. I saw myself standing before Golgotha and our Lord Jesus Christ crucified between the two thieves. I started forward to worship Him, but when I came close, He turned to the Holy Angels who were standing by and said in a loud voice: Cast him out, since, as far as I am concerned, he is an antichrist; for before I could pass judgment, he himself has condemned his brother. As I was being chased out of that place, my rason (outer wide-sleeved garment worn over the cassock) suddenly got caught in the door; leaving it there, I departed and awoke from sleep. Pondering on the things that I had seen, I told the visiting brother: This has been a bad day for me. He asked, Why so, Father? I then related to him what I had seen, and I said: I was deprived of my rason, which represents God s protection. "From that time hence I spent seven years in the desert regions, in the sight of the Lord of Glory, neither tasting bread, nor living under a roof, nor encountering any man, until I once more saw my Lord on Golgotha giving permission for my rason to be returned to me. A brother asked Avva Joseph: What am I to do, since I can neither endure hardship nor can I work and give alms? The Elder replied to him: If you cannot do even one of these things, at least guard your conscience from thinking any evil of your neighbor, or denigrating him, and you will be saved.

2 the Lord Illustration from the ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008 Crossway Bibles FROM FATHER S DESK THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD (EXODUS 24 and following) After the Lord led Moses and the people from slavery in Egypt, He commanded Moses to make a place for Him, the Lord, to dwell among the people. In the diagram above you can see how the Lord was precise in His directions to Moses about how the portable tent was to be built: what types of wood, metal, thread, animal skins were to be used, the arrangement of everything within it, etc. These details begin in Exodus chapter 24 and continue all the way to chapter 30. When all was completed, the Lord commanded Moses to set it all in place and then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the Glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34). The English word for this dwelling of the Lord is Tabernacle. Tabernacle comes from the Greek meaning tent. In the Greek version of the Old Testament used by the Orthodox Church, the Septuagint, the

3 word used when the Lord comes to dwell in the Tabernacle is from the same word as Tabernacle itself. So it is said that the Lord tabernacles in the Tabernacle. Why does any of this matter? In the gospel we read on Pascha, John 1:1-17, we read the beautiful words, And the Word was made flesh and tabernacled among us. (v. 14) The Greek does not use the word dwelled and, indeed, there are words to say precisely that. Rather, the Evangelist uses the same word as found in the Old Testament. St. John is identifying the Word of God who takes flesh from the Virgin with the Lord whose glory filled the Tabernacle in the wilderness. It is the same Lord: the one who spoke to Moses and the one who is born of Mary. He comes to dwell not in a Tabernacle made by human hands, but to tabernacle in the very human flesh which he created at the beginning. The same Person Who fashioned the first humans and commanded Moses to fashion a tabernacle for Him now takes up the very flesh He created so that He can live and move among us. In the new translation of the Liturgy that will be printed, we will hear this word tabernacle used in the prayer Heavenly King come and tabernacle in us. The prayer uses the same word tabernacle as is found in the Old Testament and in the gospel of Saint John. Here the word is used as our prayer asking the Holy Spirit to make us His tabernacle, His sanctuary where He lives. It is for this reason that the Son of God took flesh for us, so that as He made our flesh His temple, we ourselves may become living tabernacles, living sanctuaries of the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the great wonder of our salvation. That we, sinners that we are, are called to the fullness of our humanity by Christ and that fullness is nothing less than to become the habitation of God as the Tabernacle was in the Old Testament, as Christ Jesus tabernacled among us in the flesh, as we, though in the flesh, are called to become living tabernacles of the All-Holy Spirit. With love in Christ, Heavenly king, comforter, Spirit of the Truth Who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of good things and giver of life, come and tabernacle in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. The Simonopetra Ieratikon

4 Third Hour Schedule September October November 2 Angelo 7 Calvin 4 Angelo 9 Lucy 14 Angelo 11 Lucy 16 Calvin 21 Lucy 18 Calvin 23 Angelo 28 Calvin 25 Angelo 30 Lucy If you are unable to make your assigned reading date, you must find a replacement. Reader Schedule September October November 2 Taras 7 Amir 4 Amir 9 Amir 14 Angelo 11 Angelo 16 Angelo 21 Johnny 18 Johnny 23 Johnny 28 Taras 25 Taras 30 Taras If you are unable to make your assigned reading date, you must find a replacement. COFFEE HOUR volunteers are needed. There is a sign-up list outside of the kitchen. Please commit to helping out so that we can continue having this social time together. MEMORY ETERNAL! CHRIST IS RISEN! Dimitar Jimmy Todorovsky, husband of Diane, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, July 23. Funeral was from church on July 26 and interment at Evergreen Cemetery. God grant him rest among the saints and comfort to his family. Bog da prosti. Christ is risen! Goldie Johnson fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, August 9. Funeral was from church on August 16 with burial at Evergreen Cemetery. God grant her rest among the saints and comfort to her family. Bog da prosti. Christ is risen! Helen Koski fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, August 15. Funeral was from church on August 21 with burial at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. God grant her rest among the saints and comfort to her family. Bog da prosti. Christ is risen! Adelaida Sivergina, mother of Irina Sivergina, fell asleep in the Lord in Russia on July 19. God grant her rest among the saints and comfort to her family. Bog da prosti. Christ is risen! GARAGE SALE LEFTOVERS? Donate your rummage sale remains & gently used items to Catholic Charities Community Closet. They provide free clothing, bedding, towels, furniture, appliances, & household goods. For more information call Donations can be dropped off Mon-Fri at 812 Root St, Flint. WORK READY ROOM Catholic Charities Work Ready Room wants your new & gently used career clothes to help individuals in need! i.e. Khakis, Scrubs, Shoes, Work Boots, Dress Pants & Collared Shirts. For more information call Donations can be dropped off Mon-Fri at 812 Root St, Flint. HOPE IN A BOX September Toothpaste/ Toothbrushes October Socks November Blankets & Coats PARKING LOT RE-PAVING The proceeds from last year and this year s Macedonian Open will go towards the re-paving of the entire parking lot which will cost over $100,000. With capital improvement funds and other funds on hand, that leaves a shortfall of $35,000. If anyone would like to donate or dedicate a memorial fund or make an anonymous donation, please contact the office. If we do not raise the rest of the funds, we will be required to take a loan in order to complete the project.

5 CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS Church School will begin on Sunday, September 9. The New Year will begin with prayers during the Liturgy for the teachers and students and a blessing after Communion for them as they go to class. See you then! NORTH END SOUP KITCHEN Please come & minister to Christ with our brothers & sisters September 6 (North End Soup Kitchen) and September 25 (St. George at North End Soup Kitchen) from 9am-12:30pm. Assumption will be at the Center for Hope 517 E. Fifth Avenue, Flint on September 19 from 11 am to 1 pm. ORTHODOX BOOK CLUB Father Deacon Michael Bassett hasn t made a final decision (at the time of this printing) whether or not to continue the book club this fall. Updates to follow. CONGRATULATIONS and God s blessings to Tom & Christy Panoff on the birth of their daughter Anna Christina on June 14 th. She was a healthy 7 lbs., 3 oz. She & her parents are home with big sister Ellie and big brother Andrew. Proud grandparents are Angelo & Christine Panoff. SEPTEMBER NAMESDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES 3 George & Sherry Brown 4 Scott & Georgiana Adkisson 11 Thomas & Nancy Krigner 19 Dennis & Sharon Jernigan 20 Jerry & Christine Brucksch 26 George & Julie Jonascu 27 Jeremy & Jami Fisher BIRTHDAYS 3 Gregory Oginsky 4 John Nastos 5 Germanos Batcos 6 Roseanne Bagale Anastasia Butrie 10 Cathy Steiner 12 Brandon Conover Ciera Conover Joseph Neely 14 Matthew Batzos Amani Helal 20 Noah Gonser Peter Economou Taras-Michael Butrie Nick Sfetkidis 25 Jo Sredich 26 John Goodman 28 Kathy Swanigan 29 Angela Panoff Georgiana Adkisson NAMESDAYS 1 Athena Adkisson Joshua Brucksch Joshua Vuckovich 5 Betty Nicevski Caitlyn Elizabeth Nicole Rittman Lisa Pray Ressa Ann Borkovich Quin Elizabeth Gerzevske 9 Anita Glusica Anna Zubovich Cortney Anne Batzos Kelly Anne Panoff Megan Ann Krigner Nancy Ann Krigner Nancy Borkovich Peggy Ann Russell 13 Amy Sfetkidis (St. Amatus) Cheryl Ellis (St. Amatus) Corey Treloar (St. Cornelius) 16 Lucy (Ludmilla) Hogg 17 Luba Todorovsky Luba Yosheff Sophia Batzos Sophia Treloar Madi Lu Fisher 18 Ariana Loomis Arinn Alexandra Pray Ashley Goodman 20 Oleg Dashevsky Oleg Zubovich If your name is missing or has the incorrect information in the birthday, anniversary or namesday list please call or the office. (810) ; stnicholasburtonmi@gmail.com

6 MACEDONIAN OPEN ~the committee would like to thank everyone who helped make this year s event a huge success. Whether you golfed, bought a sign, sold a sign, made a donation, joined us for dinner, or volunteered. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. We are happy and proud to announce that this year s event brought in the biggest profit EVER! The proceeds will be used for the re-paving of the parking lot. God Bless all of you, we could not have done it without you! The Macedonian Open Committee CONTACT INFORMATION Please contact the church office with any updates to your mailing address, address or telephone number(s) whenever you have a change. Thank you! KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS still come to St. Nicholas if you give them our NPO # They send a check to St. Nicholas for a portion of everything participants spend in their stores. VISITATION TO THE SICK Fr. Matthew brings Holy Communion to the shut-ins on Mondays. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact the office. Presently, those receiving weekly visits are: Helen Ashmun, Paul Ellis, Fred Oginsky. Monthly Fr. Matthew visits Larry Bladecki (Bay City) and Peter and Olga Samaras (Caro). DAILY INTERCESSION FOR OUR SICK AND HOMEBOUND The following are our brothers and sisters of St. Nicholas who are currently homebound, suffering from chronic illness, in recovery or in need of special prayers. Please remember them in your prayers and reach out to them with a card, a phone call or a visit! Please call the office to schedule a visit for Holy Communion. Larry Bladecki Deacon John Bocek Anna Branoff Linda Branoff Gladys Edwards Paul Ellis JoAnn Havens Bill Haw Mary Karayanis Nick Karayanis Macy Lemmen Fred Oginsky Ron Salhany Olga Samaras Peter Samaras Bill Tadrick Wendy Tadrick To aid in your outreach, here is a listing of the addresses and phone numbers of our Homebound: Helen Ashmun 4436 Beecher Rd. Flint, MI Larry Bladecki th Street Bay City, MI Nick & Marge Butrie 30 E. Bertsch St. #12 Lansford, PA Gladys Edwards 2 Harbor Dr. St. Clair, MO Paul Ellis 2360 Stonebridge Dr. Flint, MI Pete & Olga Samaras 1285 Cleaver Rd. Caro, MI Janice Jackson 2315 Costa Verde Blvd. Jacksonville Beach, FL PAN-ORTHODOX SERVICES SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2018 September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos at our church September 13 for the Elevation of the Cross 6:30 pm Vespers & Liturgy at St Mary Magdalene November 20 for the Entry of the Theotokos 6 pm Vespers & Liturgy at St. George December 5 for St Nicholas 6 pm Vespers & Liturgy at our church

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8 $36.00 Single Space for 6 months $50.00 Double Space for 6 months $65.00 Triple Space for 6 months

9 SEPTEMBER 2018 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church 2143 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI Website: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Fast Dairy Permitted (no meat) Wine & Oil Permitted (no meat) Fish Permitted (no other meat) All times and dates are tentative :15 am Adult Ed. 6 9:am to 12:30 pm North End Soup Kitchen 7 8 Nativity of the Theotokos at St. Nicholas 9 Church School Begins 16 Church School 23 Conception of St. John the Baptist 30 Rib Dinner Father in Toledo Father in Toledo 11 6:30 pm Parish Council Communion Calls to Bay City & Caro 9 am to 12:30 pm St. George Church at North End Soup Kitchen 12 Leavetaking Nativity of the Theotokos 11:15 am Adult Ed. Deadline For Newsletter 13 6:30 pm Vespers & Liturgy at St. Mary Magdalene 14 Elevation of the Cross :30 am Liturgy No Adult Ed. 11 am to 1 pm Assumption at Center for Hope Diocesan Clergy Retreat at Dormition Monastery September 19, 20, 21 & Repose of St John the Theologian 11:15 am Adult Ed. 6:30 pm Konevets Quartet

10 OCTOBER 2018 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church 2143 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI Website: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Protection of the Mother of God :15 am Adult Ed 4 9:am to 12:30 pm North End Soup Kitchen Church School 8 Father in Toledo 9 6:30 pm Parish Council 10 11:15 am Adult Ed Church School 15 Communion Calls to Bay City & Caro 16 Father in Toledo 17 11:15 am Adult Ed St. Demetrios 27 Church School 9:am to 12:30 pm St. George Church at North End Soup Kitchen 11:15 am Adult Ed 28 Church School Father in Toledo 31 11:15 am Adult Ed Fast Dairy Permitted (no meat) Wine & Oil Permitted (no meat) Fish Permitted (no other meat)