Page 1 Vol 1 Issue 9. November. Newsletter

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Augusta Fisher
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1 Page 1 Vol 1 Issue November Newsletter

2 Table of Contents A Word from St. Mark s Priests... 3 Spiritual Word... 4 Expansion Update... 6 Church News... 7 Kids Corner... 8 Calendar Arabic Section... 11

Page 3 Dear St. Mark s family, We the Fathers, wish you a blessed Thanksgiving and pray that all of us will meditate upon the wonders of Christ and His amazing work in our lives.

3 Page 3 Dear St. Mark s family, We the Fathers, wish you a blessed Thanksgiving and pray that all of us will meditate upon the wonders of Christ and His amazing work in our lives. The Lord says, My Father has been working until now, and I have been working (John 5:17). He is always working for our salvation and working to restore God s image in us through His Spirit. As we reflect this month on His faithfulness in our lives, let us convert our hearts and lives to reflect those things for which we pray. When we ask for peace, let us pursue the ways of peace, as those who are called sons of God. When we ask for joy, let us turn ourselves from the paths that lead to emptiness and enjoy the presence of Him Who desires to give us the fullness of joy. We are thankful for all of you, and make mention of you all in our prayers and upon the altar in every liturgy. Pray for us your servants that Christ may give us the wisdom to serve the Lord in righteousness and purity. In Christ, The Priests of St Mark s Harmony in Prayer The Strong Abba Moses Abba Moses once said to Abba Poemen, If a man s deeds are not in harmony with his prayer, he labors in vain. That brother said, What is this harmony between practice and prayer? The old man said, We should no longer do those things against which we pray. For when a man gives up his own will, then God is reconciled with him and accepts his prayers. The brother asked, In all the affliction which the monk gives himself, what helps him? The old man said, It is written, God is our refuge and our strength, a help in afflictions that severely befall us Psalm 45:1

Spiritual Word A Spirit of Thankfulness Page 4 The life of thankfulness is an introduction to get to heaven. Thankfulness is one s joyful expression to God or trusting in God.

4 Spiritual Word A Spirit of Thankfulness Page 4 The life of thankfulness is an introduction to get to heaven. Thankfulness is one s joyful expression to God or trusting in God. Thankfulness gives us joy because God takes care of us despite our weaknesses. We ought to give thanks at the beginning of every day and for a new chance for repentance. Others did not get a new chance to see a new day. We ought to thank God for providing for us even if we do not understand His plan. We ought to thank God for health and for sickness that helps us to get closer to God. We thank God for forgiving our sins (Fr. Dawoud Lamei). The Holy Bible teaches us to give thanks in the book of Psalms saying, Let the people thank You, God! Let all the people thank You! (Psalm 67:3). In Psalm 107:1, David says, Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. In Daniel we hear the Prophet give thanks in his prayer saying, I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You (Daniel 2:23). Our Lord Jesus also teaches us to give thanks at all times. When He stood by Lazarus tomb, He prayed saying, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me (John 11:41-42). Our Lord Jesus teaches us to give thanks at all times. He teaches us to give thanks to God for listening to our prayers even if the answer was no or later. God alone knows the appropriate time for everything in our life and what is best for us.

Our Lord Jesus also prayed saying, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes (Matthew 11:25).

Paul the Apostle teaches us about giving thanks saying, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).

Page 5 Therefore, it is God s will that we give thanks at all times for everything.

John the Beloved heard the angels, the 24 priests, and the 4 living creatures praising God saying, Amen!

Then, we learn the life of thanksgiving here on earth so that we may continue living it in heaven with the angels and saints.

5 Our Lord Jesus also prayed saying, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes (Matthew 11:25). Hence, we thank God, for getting to Him is not conditional; based on having wisdom or understanding, but just to have a pure heart. St. Paul the Apostle teaches us about giving thanks saying, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20). Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15). Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2). Page 5 Therefore, it is God s will that we give thanks at all times for everything. Thanksgiving is a part of prayer, and God has commanded us to pray without ceasing, so we must give thanks without ceasing. St. John the Beloved heard the angels, the 24 priests, and the 4 living creatures praising God saying, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen (Revelation 7:12). Then, we learn the life of thanksgiving here on earth so that we may continue living it in heaven with the angels and saints. The church also teaches us to give thanks at the beginning of every day and at the beginning of every prayer or liturgy. We praise the second canticle (hoos) in the midnight praises which is full of giving thanks to God for His gifts and mercy. St. Anthony the Great says, In the beginning of everything, you must pray without boredom and give thanks to God for everything that is brought onto you. St. Isaac the Syrian says, There is no gift without multiplying unless it is without thanksgiving. Let us take the opportunity of the thanksgiving holiday to start a life of thanksgiving in everything, at all times, and for every circumstance. May our Lord help us Amen. v

Page 6 Expansion Project Update Here is what we can expect to see over the next month: The old priests offices, conference room, and finance office demolition will be completed Removal of the

curtain wall that has been added to the gym to separate the altar from the rest of the gym will be completed Here is how you will be impacted: Work on Braddock Road will continue, so please obey

liturgies will now be prayed every week in the gym *Please visit the website & the App for updated times/schedule changes* What we ask of you: During the weekdays (Monday Friday), PLEASE ONLY PARK ON

6 Page 6 Expansion Project Update Here is what we can expect to see over the next month: The old priests offices, conference room, and finance office demolition will be completed Removal of the reception roof will begin in preparation for the new dome skylight Excavation of the area where the basement will be will begin Construction and repairs to the main sanctuary will continue The curtain wall that has been added to the gym to separate the altar from the rest of the gym will be completed Here is how you will be impacted: Work on Braddock Road will continue, so please obey signs and drive carefully Chapel was offline for the last few weeks because the connection to the chapel was removed due to the excavation Chapel streaming will return in the next week Saturday liturgies will now be prayed every week in the gym *Please visit the website & the App for updated times/schedule changes* What we ask of you: During the weekdays (Monday Friday), PLEASE ONLY PARK ON THE CHURCH SIDE and do not park near the chapel. The Chapel parking lot is a construction zone and is unsafe to park in. Please do not park on Braddock Road Please do not park on any marked crosswalk locations (White path in the parking lot) Reminder to please be safe, watch your children, obey signs, parking volunteers, and ushers You can follow the expansion progress and make donations at churchexpansion.stmarkdc.org Please pray for the expansion!

Church News Spotlight: St Mark s Church Gala On Sunday, October 22, 2017, our church family and friends gathered to celebrate how much God has blessed our church over the last 40 years and to come

Mark throughout the years and looking into the future with where we hope to go, expanding not only our building, but our ministries as well.

Cosmetic Dentistry, Samaan Realty, Eye Specialists & Surgeons of Northern Virginia, Sam Said Realtor, and Healing Hearts VA.

7 Church News Spotlight: St Mark s Church Gala On Sunday, October 22, 2017, our church family and friends gathered to celebrate how much God has blessed our church over the last 40 years and to come together in unity to support our historic expansion project. Over 430 family and friends enjoyed a nice evening looking back at St. Mark throughout the years and looking into the future with where we hope to go, expanding not only our building, but our ministries as well. We would like to say a special thank you to all our generous Gala donors and to our event sponsors: The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, Little Flock Christian School, Lake Center Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Samaan Realty, Eye Specialists & Surgeons of Northern Virginia, Sam Said Realtor, and Healing Hearts VA. A special thank you to Mike Guirguis Photography for capturing amazing pictures! Page 7 If you would like to be a part of this historic project, we invite you to support our expansion through a tax-deductible contribution by visiting: or Please continue to pray for our church and the expansion project. Let us Rejoice We would like to congratulate Freddy and Sherry Fahim on the baptism of their son John. He was baptized on 10/07/2017 with the name Mina. We welcome him to the Body of Christ and pray for a life filled with His love and joy!

Page 8 Corner Fill in the blanks and memorize The

cent and God, the Father of our Lord, God, and

For He has covered us, us, guarded us, us to

hour. Let us also Him, the Lord our God, the, to

our. O Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the of

You for, concerning everything, and in everything.

8 Page 8 Corner Fill in the blanks and memorize The Prayer of Thanksgiving Let us give to the Bene cent and God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, us, guarded us, us to Himself, spared us, us, and brought us to this hour. Let us also Him, the Lord our God, the, to guard us in all this Holy day and all the days of our. O Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, we thank You for, concerning everything, and in everything. Word Bank: Merciful Father Savior Pantocrator accepted peace thanks ask helped life everything supported

9 Page 9 Create a thankful, thanksgiving turkey. Complete and color each feather. Cut and glue together on a piece of paper

10 ! Page 10 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday November a Liturgy (Chapel) a Liturgy (Gym) 7p Vespers (Chapel) 6a 1st Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a Kids Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a 2nd Liturgy (Chapel) 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/Arabic Meeting a Liturgy (Chapel) 7:30p Spiritual meeting(chapel) 8a Liturgy (Gym) 11a-5p Upright Faith- Spiritual Day 7p Vespers (Chapel) a 1st Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a Kids Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a 2nd Liturgy (Chapel) 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/Arabic Meeting 5a Liturgy (Chapel) 7:30p Spiritual meeting(chapel) 8a Liturgy (Gym) 7p Vespers (Chapel) a 1st Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a Kids Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a 2nd Liturgy (Chapel) 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/Arabic Meeting 5a Liturgy (Chapel) 7:30p Thanksgiving Prayer meeting (Gym) THANKS- GIVING DAY 8a Liturgy (Gym) a Liturgy (Gym) 7p Vespers (Chapel) 6a 1st Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a Kids Liturgy (Gym) 8:45a 2nd Liturgy (Chapel) 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/Arabic Meeting 5a Liturgy (Chapel) 7:30p Spiritual meeting(chapel)

اا الشكر Page 11 حياة الشكر هي مقدمة لدخول السماء. الشكر هو تعبير عن فرح ا النسان بربنا أو ثقة ا النسان بربنا. الشكر يعطينا الفرح ألن هللا ي بي بينا ضي اعفاتنا.

نشكر هللا على الصحة وعلى المرض الذي يؤدي االى ا القبراب من الرب. نشكر هللا على ضفرانه لخطايانا. )أبونا داود لمعي(.

ودانيال النبي شكر في صالته قائالا " ااياك يا االه اابائي احمد واسبح الذي اعطاني الحكمة والقوة واعلمني ا الن ما طلبناه منك" دانيال. ٢:٢٣ و بنا يسوع ايضا علمنا ان نشكر في كل حين.

11 اا الشكر Page 11 حياة الشكر هي مقدمة لدخول السماء. الشكر هو تعبير عن فرح ا النسان بربنا أو ثقة ا النسان بربنا. الشكر يعطينا الفرح ألن هللا ي بي بينا ضي اعفاتنا. يأ أن نشكر على بداية يوم جديد وفرصة ٱخرى للبوبة ف ناك ٱخرون لي تشرق علي ي الشمس. ونشكر من أجل تدبير هللا في حياتنا حبى و اان لي نكن نف مه. نشكر هللا على الصحة وعلى المرض الذي يؤدي االى ا القبراب من الرب. نشكر هللا على ضفرانه لخطايانا. )أبونا داود لمعي(. الكباب المقدس يعلمنا أن نشكر في سفر المزامير فنقول "يحمدك الشعوب يا هللا يحمدك الشعوب كل ي." مز ٦٧: ٣. ونقول " ااحمدوا الرب النه صالح لان االى ا البد حمبه" مزمو ١٠٧:١. ودانيال النبي شكر في صالته قائالا " ااياك يا االه اابائي احمد واسبح الذي اعطاني الحكمة والقوة واعلمني ا الن ما طلبناه منك" دانيال. ٢:٢٣ و بنا يسوع ايضا علمنا ان نشكر في كل حين. عندما كان واقفا امام قبر لعاز صلى قائالا "ااي ا ا الب اشكرك النك سمعت لي وانا علمت اانك في كل حين تسمع لي ولكن لاجل هذا الأمع الواقف قلت ليؤمنوا اانك ا سلبني." يوحنا ٤١-٤٢. ١١: فيعلمنا ان نشكر في كل الاحوال وان نشكر لسماع هللا االى طلباتنا حبى و اان كانت ا الجابة بالنفي او بالبأجيل. فاهلل هو من يعرف الازمنة المناسبة لكل شئ في حياتنا وما يفيدنا اكثر مننا. وايضا صلى بنا يسوع قائالا " اااحمدك اي ا ا الب ب السماء وال ض النك اخفيت هذه عن الحكماء والف ماء واعلنب ا لالاطفال" مبى ٢٥. ١١: فنشكر هللا الن الوصول االيه ضير مشبرط على حكمة او ف ي بل على نقاوة القل. والقديس بولس الرسول يعلمنا عن الشكر قائالا "شاكرين كل حين على كل شئ في ااسي بنا يسوع المسيح هلل وا الب." افسس ٢٠. ٥: ويقول "كونوا شاكرين" كولوسي ٣:١٥. ويقول "شكراا هلل على عطيبه البي ل يعبر عن ا" ٢ كو نثوس ٩:١٥. "واظبوا على الصالة ساهرين في ا بالشكر." كولوسي ٤:٢. "ل ت بموا بشئ بل في كل شئ بالصالة والدعاء مع الشكر لبعلي طلباتكي لدي هللا" فيلبي ٤:٦. ويقول " اافرحوا كل حين. صلوا بال اانقطاع. ااشكروا في كل شئ لان هذه هي مشيئة هللا في المسيح يسوع من ج بكي." ١ تسالونيكي ٥:١٦-١٨. فاان مشيئة هللا هي ان نشكر في كل حين على كل شئ وبما اانه اوصانا ان نصلي بال اانقطاع والشكر جزء من الصالة فالبد لنا ان نشكر كل حين. والقديس يوحنا الحبي سمع المالئكة والا بعة والعشرون قسيساا والا بعة حيوانات يسبحون هللا قائلين " اامين! البركة والمأد والحكمة والشكر والكرامة والقد ة والقوة الل نا االى اابد ا البدين اامين!" ؤيا ٧:١٢. ااذاا فااننا نبعلي حياة الشكر هنا على ال ض حبى نكمل ا هناك في السماء مع المالئكة والقديسين. والكنيسة تعلمنا ان نشكر في مقدمة كل يوم وفي مقدمة كل الصلوات والقداسات ونصلي ال وس الثاني في البسبحة وهو مملوء شكر هلل على ااحساناته ومراحمه. ويقول الانبا انطونيوس الكبير " اان اول كل شئ هو ان تصلي بال ملل وتشكر هللا على كل ما يأتي عليك." ويقول القديس اثناسيوس الرسولي "وما هي هذه الخدمة اال الصالة الدائمة هلل والشكر المسبمر. فغير الشاكرين البعيدين عن هذا هي بالحق محرومون عن الفرح النابع من هذا لان الفرح والب أة منزوعان عن افواه ي" ويقول "لكن خدام هللا الامناء الحقيقيون ل يكفوا عن تمأيد هللا ااذ يعرفون ان هللا يح الشاكرين وهي يقدمون له الشكر في وقت الضيق كما يقدمون في وقت الفرح والبسبيح هلل بشكر ضير مبالين ب ذه ا المو الزمنية سواء كان الوقت حزن او فرح بل مبعبدين هلل االه كل الازمنة" ويقول القديس ضريغو يوس الناطق با الل يات "شكرنا اهي من تنفسنا لكل شئ وقت ولكن الشكر في كل وقت" ويقول القديس ما ااسحق السرياني "ليست عطية بال زيادة اال البي بال شكر" ويقول المبنيح الانبا مكا ي اسقف سيناء " اان الشكر في البأربة يعين على الخالص من ا" ويقول ابونا بيشوي كامل " ااخبفاء الشكر من حياة المسيحي هو فشل في المحبة وكثرة الشكوى والبذمر هو حالة مراية في المحبة" فلننب ز فرصة عيد الشكر ونببدئ في ا حياة الشكر على كل شئ وفي كل وقت وعلى كل حال. وليعيينا المسيح اال نا. مين

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And of their taking Riba though indeed they were forbidden it... ( 4: 161)

And of their taking Riba though indeed they were forbidden it... ( 4: 161) و م ا ا ت ي ت م من رب ا لي ر ب و ف ي أ م و ال ال ناس ف ل ا ی ر ب و ع ند ال له و م ا ا ت ي ت م من ز آ اة ت ر ید ون و ج ه ال ل ه ف ا و ل ي ك ه م ال م ض ع ف ون And whatever ye lay out as Riba, so that it