St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Sunday January 28, 2017 Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee. Weekly Schedule of Services/Events

Transcription

1 St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Sunday January 28, 2017 Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee The Monk Paul of Thebes Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:10-15 Gospel: Luke 18:10-14 Weekly Schedule of Services/Events Sunday, January 28 9:00AM Divine Liturgy Epistle: Subdeacon Chris Greenhill 10:30AM Church School Coffee: Montgomery Family FAST FREE WEEK Monday, January 29 7:00PM Choir Rehearsal Tuesday, January 30 12:00PM St. John's Seniors Thursday, February 1 7:00PM Board Meeting Sunday, February 4 9:00AM Divine Liturgy Epistle: Jenna Greenhill 10:30AM Church School Coffee: Karaffa Family From the Church Fathers... When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride. St. John Chrysostom CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century Service Schedule Divine Liturgy 9am Weekday Eve Service 7pm General Information Street Address: 384 Mill Hill Ave., Bridgeport, CT Mailing Address 40 Beaver Dam Road Stratford, CT Contact Information Fr. David Cochran H: C: pauldcochran@gmail.com Carol Feduik, President carolcfeduik@yahoo.com John Galpin, Choir Dir. choir@stjohnsmillhill.com Peter Adzima, Editor newsletter@snet.net Diocesan Online Resources Diocesan Website: Camp Nazareth: Facebook: acroddiocese Twitter: acrodnews You Tube: youtube.com/ acroddiocese

2 Weekly Announcements ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING: This is the first of three announcements for the upcoming annual meeting of our Church. It will take place on February 11, following Divine Liturgy. All members in good standing are encouraged to attend. FAST FREE WEEK: This week, following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, is a fast free week. All foods are allowed this week. FEBRUARY FOOD BANK: Will take place on February 25. Please be as generous as possible. Thank you. PRESENTATION: St. Dimitrie in Easton is offering a presentation by Dr. Albert Rossi of St. Vladimir s Seminary entitles Keeping the Faith in Turbulent Time on February 10. It begins with a light luncheon at Noon and the presentation at 12:30. DIOCESAN LENTEN RETREAT: The Diocese is holding its annual Eastern Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 24th, from 9am to 6:30 at St. Francis Center for Renewal in Bethlehem, PA. Please see flyer for info and registration. Scripture Readings for Sunday Epistle Reading The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Gospel Reading The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14 The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the

3 tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." The Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness. Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights. It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first. St. John Chrysostom AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

4 St. Paul of Thebes Saint Paul, first among hermits, was born about 227 in the Thebaid of Egypt. In 250 he fled into the wilderness because of the persecution raging at that time under Decius. Having lived a solitary life in a certain cave for ninety-one years, he reposed in 341, at the age of 114, and was buried by Anthony the Great, who had been directed thither by God several days before the Saint's repose. Kids... Congratulations to Nick and Will Fazekas! They both made the Dean s List at University of New Haven and Endicott University, respectively. Monthly Announcements and Events Lucky 52 Winners for January Fred Suhy #7 1/7 Dorothy Gilbert #14 1/14 Matushka Gayle #32 1/21 Don Semanchik #19 1/28 Rescue Mission Volunteers: February 11: Father David, Pani Andrea, Joanne Coffee Hour: 2/4 Karaffa Family 2/11 Annual Meeting 2/18 Pre-Lenten Breakfast 2/25 Moore Family Food Bank: February25th. Please give with your heart. School Supplies: As you are doing your Christmas, please remember to pick up some school supplies! The R Club will be collecting school supplies throughout the year. Please bring in any supplies that will help children succeed in school. We will be setting up kits next June to send to the IOCC. Supplies needed: pencils, crayons, markers, spiral notebooks, rulers, pens, etc. this is the time of year that these things are on sale.

5 Diocesan Distinguished Donor Program

6 January Memorial Service - February 24th 9am Joseph Shonda by the Shonda Family Parents: John & Anna Semanchik; Husband: William; Brothers: Joseph and Michael by Mrs. Helen Karabinos - AP Peter Bialko; Maria, Peter; Mary Kapisovsky by Mary Kapisovsky Matthew, Anna by the Fuks Family John & Patricia Cvanciger, Alex, Mary Cvanciger, Joseph & Annie Pallo; Mary DeGisco by the Cvanciger family Stephen, John, George Falat by Mrs. Mary Falat AP Simon, Catherine Jasenzak; Ann, Sonya Ehlert by Anna Ehlert Nicholas, Sophia Macura; Elizabeth, Anna, Joseph, Edward, Joseph, John, Anna, Mary by M&M John Macura - AP

7 Church Donations

8 Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthdays and Anniversaries Happy February Birthdays to: Mike Banik 3 Anthony Karaffa 3 Dawn Jenci 4 Luke Maltais 4 Juliana Rodriguez 6 Marie Guman 6 Eleanor Adzima 7 Judy Pirhalla 7 Lillian Jenci 9 Vera Semanchik 10 Harper Semanchik 10 Carol Jenci 11 Eleanor Dugan 14 Sara Mesavage 14 David Demchak 15 Olga Kach 15 Stella Jenci 16 Helen Chernak 17 Lauren Murphy 18 Dorothy Damonde 19 Johnny Duranko 19 Lynne Goetz 21 Liam Gerety 22 Margaret Moorer 22 Samantha Schilling 23 Daria Gerety 24 David Skirkanich 26 Ryan Karaffa 26 Bob Banik 26 May God grant you many more years! Please Alix your birthday or anniversary!!! amsdrs@optonline.net

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10 Summer Camp Information CAMP NAZARETH SUMMER CAMP 2018 The time for Summer Camp is Rapidly Approaching!!! The clock is ticking!! REGISTER ONLINE STARTING MAR. 1, 2018!!! ========================================================= Dates for the Summer Camping Program Week 1 -- July 15-21, 2018 New England, NY, NJ, Florida and Canada Deaneries Week 2 -- July 22 - July 28, 2018 Johnstown, Pocono, Southern Tier, Youngstown and Chicago Deaneries Week 3 -- July 29 - August 4, 2018 Pittsburgh, Mid-Atlantic, Tri-State and Washington D.C. Deaneries ========================================================= Register Online Starting March 1, 2018 Register at campnazareth.org From the Home Page, From the 2018 Summer Camp Icon, or From the Diocesan Summer Camp Tab found under the Summer Camp Tab and look for Camper Registration. If you are Clergy or a Volunteer go to the 2018 Summer Camp Icon on the Home Page or the Diocesan Summer Camp Tab found under the Summer Camp Tab and look for the paper forms under Clergy/Volunteers. ========================================================== $20 Early Bird Discount Per Child!!!! (one-time only, not per week) Register & pay by May 15, 2018!!!! Online Registration MUST be complete AND payment must be submitted by May 15 in order to qualify for the Early Bird Discount. Registrations after June 15 will incur an additional $20 late fee. When you register online please note that you will still need to submit a paper copy of the Medical Examination Form (i.e. Camper Physical) which must be filled out and signed by a licensed medical professional (licensed physician or physician s assistant). This form will be ed to you after you complete the online registration process. Payment by check, money order, or credit card is accepted. Checks and Money Orders are to be made payable to Camp Nazareth and sent to Camp Nazareth at 339 Pew Road, Mercer, PA

11 On Stewardship - Part 68 Acceptable Offering Part 1 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. (Genesis 4:3-4) Many of our Orthodox parishes and missions encourage the use of festivals, food sales, and lottery-type drawings for the purpose of raising funds for the needs of the parish or mission. These types of events are, of course, inventions of human minds (taken from the experience of the world) in order to secure means without sacrifice. What might the influence of such fundraising actions be on the youth of the Church? Seeing that such events (particularly the lottery or raffle-type events) are given approval and usage in the church, young minds might think this an interesting way to get money without work. Our young people are surrounded in temptations. Betting on bowling or football games (including the now very popular fantasy football that offers a million dollars a week to its winners) is surely enticing to a young mind. It seems an easier way to get money than by work. "Games like this (including lotteries or fundraising 50/50s or raffles) are used in the church. If it s o.k. for the church, it s got to be o.k. with me! I m going to help myself to this easy money. So goes the thinking of an uncritical young mind. So he or she invests what little money he or she has thinking it could bring in quite a sum. It will not take long for the truth to rise to the surface. But then, it might be too late. Why do the churches put a stamp of approval over these types of fundraising? The most common answer is: Well, the funds are being raised for the church. Must the churches resort to the ways of the world that cultivate the worst of human greed to support itself? One is reminded of the offering of Cain in Genesis 4. Cain s offering was not acceptable to God and his brother Abel s sacrifice was. Why? St. Ephrem the Syrian calls Cain s offering an offering of negligence. That means Cain s offering was not the best he had. Our offerings to God must be the best we have: offerings that come from the heart, from a willingness to sacrifice, from a desire to receive no gain through that offering. When churches approve of raising funds promising a return of any kind (that includes buy/sell as well as lottery/raffle or any kind of monetary or other reward for giving), such means must be carefully judged. (To be continued) This weekly series of brief thoughts on stewardship and Orthodox life is brought to you by your Diocesan Stewardship Commission.

12 Parish Prayer List Please pray for parish family and friends Charlie Banik Family Luke Annie Michael Susan Juliana Helen Shaun Mark David Sophie William Kevin Laura Alice Sandra Nicholas Glenn Leslie Bill Noreen Maggie Helen Janet Anne Nicholas Barbara- John Deborah Tom Nancy Jason David Michael Janice Adam John Frank Tom Margaret Paula Carol Bryrice- Kevin D.J. Margaret Breanna- Judy Carolyn Kevin Pappa Adam Ronald Jim Korie Mary Jane Michael Alexander Gary Anastasia Sean Margaret Larissa Matt Katie Mary Peter Mary Lauren Helen Joseph Pat Sarah John Galina Lorraine Ellen Gary Dan Craig Denise Anna Bernadette- Carl Bill Rebecca Cathy Connor Arleen Maggie John Melisa Addie Reenie Laura Angie Debby Roger Dave John Elizabeth O holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, who has sent Your Onlybegotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to heal all our ailments and deliver us from death: visit and heal these Your servants, granting them release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that they may give thanks unto You and bless Your holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever and forever. Amen.

13 Daily Scripture Readings for February 2018 Prayer before Reading Scripture Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are wellpleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. 1. Exodus 14, Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Deuteronomy 1-3 Memory Verse Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart - Psalm 119:2 * Reading plan courtesy of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

14 St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Sunday Divine Liturgy 9am Holy Day Divine Liturgy 9am Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Divine Liturgy 9 Epistle: J Greenhill Church School Souper Bowl of Caring collection Coffee: Karaffa Fam 11 Divine Liturgy 9am Epistle: G. Morrison EP Suchyak Family Annual Meeting Rescue Mission 18 Divine Liturgy 9am Epistle: J Morrison Church School Pre-Lenten Breakfast Forgiveness Vespers 4pm 25 Divine Liturgy 9am Epistle: L Gerety Food Bank Sunday of Orthodoxy St. Dimitre 4pm 5 FAST FREE WEEK 12 Prospect House 19 Great Lent Begins Canon of St. Andrew 7pm 26 6 St. John s Seniors 13 St. John s Seniors 20 St. John s Seniors Canon of St. Andrew 7pm 27 Lenten Service 11am St. John s Seniors February Board of Directors Soul Saturday 9am Confessions following 14 Meeting of our Lord Vespers 7pm 21 Confessions 6pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 7pm 28 Confessions 6pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 7pm 15 Meeting of our Lord Divine Liturgy 9am Pirohi Prep 10:00am Officers Meeting 22 Canon of St. Andrew 7pm 16 Pirohi 9am 23 Paraklis 7pm 1 2 Paraklis 7pm EL & AL Divine Liturgy 9am Evening Services 7pm Monthly Memorial Service 9am Confessions following 3