Weekly Bulletin Sunday, February 10th, 2019

Transcription

1 Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church 5640 Jay Road, Boulder, CO Office: Reverend Father Jordan Brown Weekly Bulletin Sunday, February 10th, 2019 Welcome To Sts. Peter & Paul! We welcome visitors worshipping with us today. Please introduce yourself to our priest and members of our community. Thank you for joining us this morning for prayer and fellowship. Sts Peter and Paul is a Greek Orthodox Church. We are proud of our cultural heritage, but please do not think that one must be Greek, Arab or Russian to be part of the Orthodox Church. The foundation of the Orthodox Church are the teachings and Holy Tradition of Jesus Christ. We follow the first Christians who began to worship Jesus Christ after the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Please join us for our fellowship after services in the parish hall. We invite you to visit our bookstore which is located in the parish hall. Our diverse church family encompasses many converts to the Orthodox Christian Faith, as well as Greek, Arab, Romanian, Serbian and Russian Orthodox Christians. If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please visit with our priest, Fr. Jordan (see contact info above) The sacrament of Holy Communion is reserved only for baptized and / or chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by prayer, fasting and confession. The Orthodox Church understands the reception of Holy Communion to be the highest expression of our faith. Everyone is invited at the end of the Divine Liturgy to receive the blessed bread antidoro.

2 Service Schedule & Parish Activities Week of February 10th, 2019 Wednesday, February 13 Paraclesis Service 6 pm Orthodox Spirituality Class 7 pm Saturday, February 16 Great Vespers 5 pm Hosts & Volunteers Fellowship Host Ushers Myrrhbearers Epistle Reader Pam Torrance Jim Zissimos Demetra, Sophie, Cassie Niko Offertory Prayer O Lord our God, You created us and brought us into this life. You showed us the way to salvation and have granted us the revelation of the heavenly mysteries. Accept our Stewardship Offering as an acceptable sacrifice and in return send down upon us the grace of your Holy Spirit. Look down on us, O Lord, and accept our Stewardship Commitment as You accepted the gifts of Abel, the offerings of Noah, the burnt offerings of Abraham, the priestly sacrifices of Moses and Aaron and the peace offerings of Samuel. Accept also now, in your goodness, O Lord, these gifts from the hands of us sinners, making us worthy of the reward of the faithful and wise stewards on the fearful day of Your just judgment. For You are the God of mercy, love and salvation and we glorify You, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

3 6 Modern Miracles of St. Haralambos The following miracles are told by the nuns of St. Stephen's Monastery at Meteora of Thessaly, which houses the holy skull of St. Haralambos. 1. Epidemic On Mount Athos Saint Haralambos has a special gift of healing pestilential diseases, and has often halted epidemics of typhus, cholera and the plague. In 1908 a deadly epidemic reached Mt. Athos, and the holy skull of the saint was taken from St. Stephen's on Meteora to the Protaton on Mt. Athos, where an all-night vigil was served. The epidemic halted immediately, and since then, each year, the monasteries celebrate an all-night vigil honoring St. Haralambos - the only saint besides the Mother of God to be so honored by the entire population of the Holy Mountain. 2. Maria's Child In 1950, Maria Nairi's four-year-old daughter became paralyzed. Unable to help her, the doctors could do nothing for the child and sent her home to die. After many nights of prayer, Maria saw St. Haralambos in a dream, and borrowing an icon of him from her church, kept it in her home for forty days with a lamp lit before it. On the eve of the Feast of the Holy Apostles (June 30), the saint appeared to the child and healed her. The room was filled with an indescribable fragrance and sweetsmelling myrrh flowed from the icon. 3. A Year Without Speech On the west coast of Greece there is a church dedicated to the saint in thanksgiving for saving the town from a typhoid epidemic. One year St. Haralambos' feast fell in the week before Great Lent. In Greece, as in other parts of the world, this week is often celebrated with a secular carnival. A couple, who were passing by the church on the eve of the saint's feast, heard the singing for the vigil. The wife wanted to go in for the service, but the husband blasphemed the saint and said that he would go to the carnival instead. He was immediately stricken dumb. His wife took him into the church where he knelt and repented, and he regained his speech exactly a year later, on the feast of St. Haralambos. 4. Endurance For Christ A man with an incurable and extremely painful disease prayed to St. Haralambos frequently and fervently to heal him. Finally one night the saint appeared and told him that his sufferings were much less than those endured by Christ and that it would be better for him to bear his illness patiently than to have it cured, because it had been sent by God to help him work out his salvation. 5. The Twins In January 1995, a woman came to visit the monastery from the town of Trikala and told the sisters that she had been childless for the first nineteen years of her marriage, and that doctors had told her she would never conceive. At the beginning of 1994, she began praying to St. Haralambos, who appeared to her one night in a dream and said not "You will have a child," but "You will have children." Two months later the woman conceived and at the end of the year gave birth to twin boys. She comes often now to visit the monastery with her little sons.

4 6 Modern Miracles of St. Haralambos 6. The "Monastery Priest" In the early 1990's, a young man from the village in the area came to St. Stephen's Monastery with the intent to commit suicide by throwing himself off the bridge that connects the pinnacle of the rock to the road. He was standing on the bridge looking down into the chasm and preparing to jump, when an old priest came up and introduced himself as the spiritual father of the monastery. Although they had never met before, he began speaking to the young man about his life and trials, and encouraged him not to despair, promising him that God would help him. The young man felt an inner joy and peace. Going back to his home he began to attend Divine Liturgy regularly. A few weeks later he went to the monastery again and asked to speak to the old priest. The sister whom he met at the door told him there was no priest living there, that priests only came occasionally from the outside to serve Divine Liturgy, nor had there been any priest there on the day he mentioned. She asked him what the old priest had looked like, and he described in detail - St. Haralambos. News & Events Welcome Father Christodoulos Papadeas Father Jordan is serving at the College Retreat this weekend Fellowship Hour Today s Fellowship Sponsored by Pam Torrance. Donations offered during the fellowship hour will go directly to the Sunday School Ministry. Orthodox Spirituality: Spiritual Awakening - Wednesday, February 13, 7 pm We will be discussing chapter 4, Actions with Prudence and Love, and chapter 1 (part 2) The Good Fight. It is not too late to join the class. If you any questions, please visit with Father Jordan. We have a few books available ($30). Senior Adult Ministry - Monday, February 18, 11:30 am The Seniors are an integral part of our parish family. We want to honor you with providing a monthly fellowship activity. Please join us for our next luncheon fellowship scheduled Monday, February 18th. (We moved the day from Tuesday to Monday. A number of our seniors suggested Monday would be a better day). A delicious lunch will be provided. The fellowship will take place at Sts. Peter & Paul. If you have any questions, please contact Dena Tinsley (724) We need a few parishioners to help with picking up seniors unable to drive. OCF College Ministry - Sunday, February 24, 5 pm Attention college students, please join us on the CU Campus for dinner and fellowship. We will meet for dinner at the St. Thomas Student Center located at 15th & Euclid. If you are new to Boulder, please contact Father Jordan.

5 Hymns for Sunday Resurrection Hymn (4th Tone, p Green Hymnal) When the tidings of the resurrection from the glorious angel was proclaimed unto the women disciples and our ancestral sentence also had been abolished to the Apostles with boasting did they proclaim that death is vanquished evermore and Christ our God has risen from the dead and granted to the world His great mercy. Hymn for St Haralambos A pillar unshakable are you in Christ s holy Church, and, as your own name denotes, an ever radiant lamp, all-blessed Haralambos, shining throughout the whole world by your feats as a martyr, driving away the darkness of the worship of idols. With confidence, therefore, pray to Christ, entreating Him to save our souls. Hymn for Saints Peter and Paul O leaders of the Apostles, and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all that He may grant peace unto the world, and to our souls His great mercy. Kontakion Hymn A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our holy Maker, unwavering, reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin; instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: hasten to intercede, and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos for those who honor you. Epistle Reading St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2: 1-10 The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord. Verse: Oh God, hear my cry. Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

6 Sunday of the Canaanite The Gospel According to Matthew 15: At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. St. Haralambos As a Model for Our Lives By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas (Commemorated February 10 th ) Saint Haralambos came from Magnesia in Asia Minor. Born in the late first century he was martyred at the age of 113. When persecution broke out against the Christians during the reign of Septimius Severus, certain spiritual children of Saint Haralambos tried to persuade him to escape, so as not to be caught. He, of course, refused, because it is impossible for a good shepherd to abandon his flock in time of danger and because he was ready at every moment to give his confession and be martyred. He was arrested and tortured inhumanly, but faced the horrific torture with admirable bravery, after boldly confessing his faith. Several soldiers, among those ordered to torture the elder priest, seeing him endure inhumane torture with such bravery, but also with incredible tranquility, as well as the wonders that came about due to his prayers, believed in Christ and confessed Him as their Lord and God. The prefect was alarmed by the change in the group and ordered that he be set free. Later, the same Severus, unable to endure the boldness and the bravery of the elder, ordered for his beheading. Taking cue from the life and deeds of Saint Haralambos, we would like to highlight the following: First, the name Haralambos is complex. It consists of the noun hara (χαρά = joy) and the verb lambo (λάμπω = shine). Truly, Saint Haralambos had a face that shined and radiated perfect joy. "Perfect joy resides in humility, while the joy of beginners is not free of the imagination" (Saint Diadochos of Photiki). He had a peaceful, serene and cheerful disposition, even during the time of his horrible torture. Joy is not a mere sentiment or feeling, but the fruit of the Holy Spirit, given to those who with the sacramental life and asceticism purified their nous and heart from the passions and the joy of the St. Haralambos As a Model for Our Lives Holy Spirit came to dwell within them. Joy is closely linked with humility and repentance. When a person repents and returns to God, then all of heaven rejoices, Saints and Angels. "There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Lk. 15:7). And when the same repents sincerely, they receive the forgiveness of their sins and taste the grace of the Holy Spirit, according to their receptivity. Joy is associated with selfless love, which is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, spoken by Christ, we clearly see how joy is closely associated with true love. When the prodigal son returns to his familial home (the Church), his father (the Holy Triune God) runs to meet him with open arms. He dresses him in the brilliant outfit of Divine Grace, gives him the ring of sonship, sacrifices the fatted calf (His Only-begotten Son), and they rejoice and are glad. When a person is dominated by their passions, and especially the ill-fated passion of pride, they cannot truly rejoice in their life. Saint Silouan the Athonite would say that a person will suffer in this life until they acquire humility. The older brother, of the parable which we discussed, could not rejoice with his father and brother, because he did not truly love. His love was false and passionate, as he was dominated by the passion of pride and envy. Second, Saint Haralambos did not abandon his flock in the time of danger. So it is with the genuine disciples of Christ. They do not sacrifice others that they may live, but they are sacrificed for their flock, for whom, moreover, they toil daily with great selflessness and willingness. The Saints face many and great temptations in their life, and they mourn for their passions and sins. But they do not feel measureless sadness and despair, nor is their rejoicing measureless, but they are temperate in their joy and their sadness, because they know very well that "much sadness leads the soul to despair, as much joy leads it to pride. The intermediate state between sadness and joy is hope" (Saint Diadochos of Photiki). Then the Grace of God consoles and gladdens the soul that is humbled and mourns for its sins. Many times "when we constantly think about the future, we lose the present and do not truly rejoice in our life" (Saint Nektarios). Confidence in God's love drives away agonizing care and anxiety, that literally darkens our life and does not allow us to truly rejoice. Usually we complain that the society in which we live does not allow us to truly enjoy our life, as if it is to blame for our passions, mistakes and failures. Whether our life is heaven or hell, others are not to blame, but ourselves, because our fellowmen are not our hell, as the atheist existentialists say, but they are our joy. Saint Seraphim of Sarov, when he met certain people, called them his joy. Instead of another greeting, he would say to them: "Christ is Risen, my joy." Perfect joy cannot exist without humility and love. Besides, our salvation takes place within humility, repentance and selfless love towards others, the least of the brethren of Christ.

7 News & Events Stewardship Social - Saturday, February 23, 7 pm The Home of Aaron & Viktoria Wall (11757 Eaton Court, Westminster) We invite stewards living in the Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, and Lafayette areas to join us for an evening of fellowship. This will be a great time to connect with your church neighbors. If you are able to bring an appetizer, dessert, or wine, please contact Viktoria via txt. msg. or phone; (720) Stewardship Social - Saturday, March 2, 7 pm The Home of Paul & Jan Swiszcz Marose (2153 Summerlin Lane, Longmont) We invite stewards living in the Longmont, Niwot and Boulder area to join us for and evening of fellowship. This will be a great time to connect with your church neighbors. If you are able to bring an appetizer, dessert or wine, please contact Jan via txt. msg or (303) Upcoming Youth Events GOYA lunch w/ Father Jordan, February 24 Parent Youth Ministry Meeting, March 3 Prepare Meals for Shut-ins, March 9 Parish Oratorical Festival, Sunday, March 10 GOYA lunch w/ Father Jordan, March 31 Saturday of Lazarus Retreat, April 20 Summer Camp (Junior GOYA, 6th - 8th grade) June 9 15 Summer Camp (Senior GOYA, 9th - 12th grade) June Parish Photo Directory Work is beginning on a new photo directory for the parish! Jim Powers will be taking photos outside on Sundays (weather permitting). Please find Jim after Liturgy to have your photo taken. Families will have their photos taken together. Please also give Jim the correct spelling of all the individuals in the photo. Look for the new directory to be published in the spring! Welcome Committee Needs You! We are looking for 8 people who would like to be part of the Welcome Committee. The Welcome Committee is one of the most vital ministries in the church as well as being a lot of fun. Tasks include welcoming people before and after services, and/or accompanying visitors to coffee in the hall. There is a commitment of one Sunday each month. Please contact Nick Karis for more information; ; nickandsandy77@gmail.com Fundraising Help Do you have marketing skills? Are you good with data? Several exciting new fundraisers are in the works for 2019 and we need your help to make them successful. See Nick Karis for specifics and to offer your time toward this important job today.