THIS WEEK S SERVICES March 5 March 12 Mon. Mar. 6 9:30am: Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children, followed by knitting & coffee fellowship 10:00am-noon Tues. Mar. 7 Compline Wed. Mar. 8, then soup supper Fri. Mar. 10 Compline with Akathist to Theotokos Sat. Mar. 11 Vespers (confessions heard afterward) Sun. Mar. 12 9:00am: Orthros Sun. Mar. 12 10:00am: Divine PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS WELCOME to all who are visiting with us today! We hope you will feel at home here and, if you do not already have a church home, will consider becoming a part of the Saint Herman Church community. CHOIR PRACTICE BEGINNING IN LENT Choir practice will be held for 30 minutes following Great Vespers on Saturday nights during Lent. If you would like to stand in the choir section on Sundays and at other services, we ask that you please come to choir practice. There will be much work on current and new musical pieces. SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY VESPERS will be today March 5 at 4:00pm at St. Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage. SOUP SUPPER will follow Presanctified Liturgies. The cost will be $3/person or $12/family. Proceeds will go toward Dn. John s vestments. TEEN FOLK DANCE SOCIAL The teenagers are invited to come Monday nights from 6:00-7:30pm in our parish hall for folk dancing. Contact Kai West at (907)355-3742 if you have any questions. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ON BREAK DURING LENT SAINT HERMAN ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West PRIMATE and DIOCESAN HIERARCH His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan JOSEPH PASTOR Rev. Fr. Matthew Howell DEACON Rev. Dn. Thomas Ross Contact Information 6988 N. En Dove Road Wasilla, Alaska 99654 Pastor s Phone: (907)373-5254 priest@sainthermanwasilla.org www.sainthermanwasilla.org 1 st Sunday of Lent - Sunday of Orthodoxy March 5, 2017 A NOTE REGARDING HOLY COMMUNION Welcome! In the Orthodox Church, reception of the Holy Eucharist is reserved for baptized, chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared by prayer, fasting and a recent confession. If you are visiting from a non- Orthodox church or otherwise are not prepared to commune today, you are welcome to receive some of the unconsecrated, blessed bread which the acolytes are holding. We pray for all to be united in the Body and Blood of Christ! If you would like to learn how you can enter into communion with the Orthodox Church, please speak with our clergy.
THE EPISTLE Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers. V For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (11:24-26, 32-40) Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets; who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated of whom the world was not worthy wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (1:43-51) At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And He found Philip and said to him, Follow Me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, We have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael said to Jesus, How do you know me? Jesus answered him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered Him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel! Jesus answered him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these. And Jesus said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. SAINTS AND FEASTS OF THE DAY First Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of Orthodoxy); Hieromartyr Konon of Isauria; Martyrs Archelaos and his 152 companions in Egypt; New-martyr John the Bulgarian A GOOD WORD VITAMINS FOR THE SOUL Enduring his tortures at the age of 113, the Hieromartyr Charalampus said to the emperor s soldiers, Thank you, my brethren, for in scraping my old body you renew my spirit for a new eternal life. "Let your prayers be simple, for both the Publican and the Prodigal Son were reconciled to God by a single phrase." -- St. John Climacus "We must renew our commitment to personal prayer and liturgical participation, to keeping the fasts of the Church, to giving our time and financial resources to the ministries of the Church, and, most especially, to being healed through selfexamination and Confession." -- His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH "What can I say to those people who, in the Church, neither stand in silence, nor join in the singing, but instead meet one another and mix our reasonable worship of God with worldly chatter? They do not listen themselves to the divinely inspired words, and prevent others who want to listen from doing so. 'How long do you halt between two opinions?' as Elijah the Tishbite would say (I Kgs. 18:21). You want simultaneously to come together for prayer and for worldly, ill-timed words. Of course you succeed in neither purpose, because you destroy the one with the other, or rather, they destroy each other. How long before you stop talking idly in this place? You make this house of prayer into a place of business or impassioned speech (cf. Lk. 19:46). In this house the words of eternal life are both spoken and heard, on the one hand by us, as we beseech God for eternal life with unashamed hope, and on the other hand by God, as He gives eternal life to those who ask with their whole heart and mind. But He will not give it to those who do not even apply their whole tongue, as it were, to asking." -- St. Gregory Palamas
Monthly Calendar Page 1 of 1 SAINT HERMAN OF ALASKA ORTHODOX CHURCH 6988 N En Dove Rd - Wasilla, AK 99654 Reverend Matthew Howell, Pastor (907)373-5254 MARCH 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Feb 26 Forgiveness Sunday Feb 27 Feb 28 1 2 3 4 9:00am Matins 12:15pm Forgiveness Vespers Compline with Canon of St. Andrew (Part 1) Compline with Canon of St. Andrew (Part 2) followed by Soup Supper Compline with Canon of St. Andrew (Part 4) Compline with the Akathist Hymn (Part 1) Peace University (4 of 6:45pm Choir Practice : wine & oil Cheesefare Sunday : dairy, fish, wine, & oil allowed 5 Sunday of Orthodoxy 6 7 8 9 10 11 4:00pm Sunday of Orthodoxy Service at St. Innocent Cathedral Compline followed by soup supper Compline with the Akathist Hymn (Part 2) Peace University (5 of 6:45pm Choir Practice : wine & oil : wine & oil 12 St. Gregory Palamas 13 14 15 16 17 18 : wine & oil Compline followed by soup supper Compline with the Akathist Hymn (Part 3) Peace University (6 of 6:45pm Choir Practice : wine & oil 19 Veneration of the Holy Cross 20 21 22 23 24 25 ANNUNCIATION : Strict fast Compline followed by soup supper Vespers with Litia and 4th Stasis of Akathist Hymn Peace University (7 of 9:00am: Festal Orthros 9:45am: Divine 6:45pm Choir Practice : fish, wine, & oil 26 St. John of the Ladder (Climacus) 27 28 29 30 31 Apr 1 : wine & oil Compline Compline with complete Canon of St. Andrew followed by soup supper Compline with the complete Akathist Hymn Peace University (8 of 6:45pm Choir Practice : wine & oil Please consult the Sunday bulletin for changes to the monthly calendar. Confessions heard after Vespers and by appointment.
Monthly Calendar Page 1 of 2 SAINT HERMAN OF ALASKA ORTHODOX CHURCH 6988 N En Dove Rd - Wasilla, AK 99654 Reverend Matthew Howell, Pastor (907)373-5254 APRIL 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Mar 26 St. John of the Ladder (Climacus) Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 30 Mar 31 1 : wine & oil Compline Compline with complete Canon of St. Andrew followed by soup supper Compline with the complete Akathist Hymn Peace University (8 of 6:45pm Choir Practice : wine & oil 2 St. Mary of Egypt 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lazarus Saturday : wine & oil Compline followed by soup supper Compline with Canon for St. Lazarus Peace University (9 of Orthros 9:00am 9:45am with Litia 7:00pm Choir Practice : wine & oil 9 PALM SUNDAY 10 11 12 13 14 15 9:00am Matins 6:30pm: Bridegroom Matins : fish, wine, & oil 8:00am: Presanctified 6:00pm: Bridegroom Matins 8:00am: Presanctified 6:00pm: Bridegroom Matins 8:00am: Presanctified 6:00pm: Holy Unction 8:00am: Vespersal of St. Basil the Great for the Mystical Supper 6:00pm: Holy Friday Matins with the 12 Passion Gospels 9:00am: Royal Hours 3:00pm: Great Vespers with the unnailing 6:00pm: Holy Saturday Matins with Lamentations followed by all-night vigil 9:00am: Vesperal 11:00pm: Midnight Office, Rush Procession, Paschal Matins and of St. John Chrysostom 16 PASCHA 17 18 19 20 21 22 3:00pm: Agape Vespers followed by Feast free until Ascension 23 Thomas Sunday free free free 24 25 26 free 27 28 free free 29 30 Myrrh-bearing Women, St. Joseph of Arimethea and St. Nicodemus free May 1 May 2 May 3 free May 4 May 5 May 6 free free
Food for Hungry People 2017 43 RD Anniversary Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday FEBRUARY 27 clocks do you have in your home? Deposit.15 for each in your Food for Hungry People Box because "time" is running out for those who are starving. 28 "Put a little love in your heart," get FFHP off to a good start. Put in a dime for all the "loves" in your life. MARCH 1 Count the number of Bibles in your home and deposit.35 for each, because Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me food." 2 Count the number of soda cans or water bottles in your home. Put in.10 each, because Jesus said, "I was thirsty and you gave me drink." 3 tablets do you own? Deposit.20 each. Tablets can be a means of communication. Let's communicate our love for the hungry. 4 Count the number of steps (inside and outside) of your home. Pay.05 for each step. Help the hungry "step" into a new future. 5 mirrors are in your home? Pay.15 for each. Let your "mirror" reflect the image of one who cares. 6 Count the locks in your home. Pay.20 for each lock. Let's "unlock" the door that gives hope to the hungry. 7 rings do you have? Deposit.15 per ring. This will help us b"ring" food to the hungry! 8 eggs are in your refrigerator? Pay.10 for each. Hungry people have to "scramble" for their food. 9 doors does your home have? Pay.10 for each. Help open a "door" to a better future for the world's hungry. 10 Have everyone in the family deposit all the loose change they have in their pockets or purses. It makes "cents" to help the hungry 11 electrical outlets are in your kitchen and living room? Pay.10 each. You'll get a "charge" out of feeding the hungry. 12 "Button up your overcoat" - so simple to do. They are not only hungry but very cold too. Deposit.50 for each coat in your home. 13 For every cellphone in your home, pay.25. It is "long distance" to hungry areas in most parts of the world. Let's make it a toll free number. 14 extension cords do you have in your home? Pay.20 for each. Let's "extend" a helping hand to those who need it. 15 For each pie or cake in your home, deposit.30. We should never "dessert" the hungry. 16 Apple products do you own? For every one deposit.25. Let s never tune out the hungry. 17 For every salt and pepper shaker, pay.20. Let's all "sprinkle" their lives with a little seasoning. 18 For every TV show that was watched today pay.25. TV helps us see around the world, this money will help us feed the hungry around the world. 19 computers do you own? Pay.25 for each. Let s take a byte out of hunger! 20 pictures do you have on your walls? Just "picture" yourself without food & deposit.10 for each picture. 21 Pay.25 for each pair of contacts or eyeglasses you have. This will help us "see" clearly the need of caring for the hungry. 22 Do you have musical instruments in your home? Pay.75 for each. This is a "key" to sharing and caring. 23 phone chargers can you find in your home? Pay.25 for each. You ll get a charge out of helping the hungry. 24 Count your tea or coffee cups and deposit.05 each. Our "cup" runneth over, so let's fill theirs. 25 "I've got my love to keep me warm," that's true, but the hungry have only you. Pay.10 for each blanket in your home. 26 cars are in your family? You can't "Dodge" the hungry, but you can af"ford" to pay.50 for each car. 27 "Day by day," from dawn till night, Hunger knows no hour - nor if it's day or night. Pay.20 for each lamp in your home. 28 cameras do you have? Pay.25 for each. This will help us make all "negatives" positives. 29 Pick up all the loose change laying around the house. Put it in your FFHP Box. This will help make a "change" in the world! 30 Count the scissors you have in your home and pay.25 for each pair. Let's "cut-out" the hunger in hunger-y! 31 members are in your family? Pay.10 for each. The hungry have families to feed also; let's make this a real "family affair!" APRIL 1 towels are in your home? If you pay.05 for each towel, this may help us "wipe out" hunger for all people.
Food for Hungry People 2017 43 RD Anniversary 2 "Hey Big Spender" drop a coin in the slot - give unto others what they haven't got! Put in a coin or bill of your choice. 3 heads of lettuce are in your refrigerator? Pay.25 for each. "Lettuce" show the hungry that we care. 4 Count the cans in your cupboard. Pay.03 for each. Don't let their cupboards be like "Old Mother Hubbard s!" 5 friends do you have on Facebook? Pay.05 for each friend. Let s be- friend those in need. 6 sweaters do you have? Pay.05 for each. Sweaters keep you warm. This is one time they won't mind if we "pull the wool over their eyes." 7 chairs are in your home? Pay.10 per chair. We can't just "sit" around when so many people are hungry. 8 cookbooks do you own? Pay.20 for each. We will be able to "cook up" a better recipe for the hungry to live by. 9 eggs are you going to color for Pascha? Pay.05 for each. Let's help "color" their world with love! 10 "Brother can you spare a dime?" or maybe two? The FFHP program really depends on you. Put your dimes in the box. 11 songs are on your playlist? Pay.03 for each song. Let's make this a "record- breaking" year for FFHP!!! 12 songs have you listened to today? Pay.15 for each. Let s stay in tune with the hungry. 13 crosses do you have? Pay.15 each. Crosses remind us of Christ's suffering, let's not make the hungry suffer anymore. 14 "A dream is a wish your heart makes," and our dream is for hunger to stop. For the wish that we are wishing, is for FFHP program to go over the top! 15 We pray you have been generous in your almsgiving. "For inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto ME!" 16 PASCHA Christ Is Risen!
His Eminence The Most Reverend Metropolitan JOSEPH Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE OF NORTH AMERICA Great, 2017 TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT AND PRINTED IN THE BULLETIN Let those of us who have wisely finished the course of fasting and who celebrate with love the beginning of the suffering of the Passion of the Lord, let us all, my brothers, zealously imitate the purity of self-controlled Joseph; Let us fear the sterility of the fig tree; Let us dry up through almsgiving the sweetness of passion. In order that we may joyously anticipate the Resurrection, let us procure like myrrh pardon from on high because the eye that never sleeps observes all things. ---St Romanos the Melodist Beloved in the Lord: Blessings and greetings in the name of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that you and your families are enjoying good health as we prepare to begin another Lenten journey that culminates in the death and resurrection of our Lord. As we begin our journey to Pascha, we enter into a time of increased prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. To that end, we write to you today to usher in a program that has become synonymous with this holy period, the Food for Hungry Program. This program, under the guidance of Miss Robin Nicholas, has helped countless numbers of people for decades. What I love about this program is that much of the money that is raised comes from the pennies, nickels, and dimes of the faithful adults and children of our parishes. It is amazing to think how our spare change can add up to so much! As we begin a new fast, let us continue to strive to help those in need. As we abstain from foods and curtail our eating habits, let us set aside the extra money we would have spent on food and give it to the poor; this will make our fasting complete. As we increase our prayer, both private and in the Church, let us set aside those extra dollars we would have spent at the movies, going out with our friends, socializing, etc.; this will help put our prayer into action. As we strive to control our passions, let us help those whose only passion is to have a small meal to eat, a glass of clean water to drink, or a warm place to rest; this will enable us to see Christ in these, the least of our brethren. Wishing you all a fruitful and spiritually rewarding fast, I remain, Your Father in Christ, +JOSEPH Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11: 26) 358 Mountain Road, P.O. Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 (201) 871-1355 T Archdiocese@antiochian.org (201) 871-7954 F
Food For Hungry People 2017 This year we celebrate 43 years of raising funds for our FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE program. Through your generosity, over $5 million has been distributed to the hungry poor in the United States and around the World. Every year, we are able to help more unfortunate men, women and children. The 43nd Anniversary FFHP packet will be sent to every family on THE WORD mailing list. The packet will include a brochure and a return envelope. The FFHP Collection Boxes will be sent directly to every Parish this week. Please distribute one to every family. If you need more boxes, contact us immediately. Please see 4 attachments: Metropolitan JOSEPH s message to be printed in your bulletin and read from the pulpit. FFHP Calendar. Bulletin Inserts. Fundraising Ideas. Let s make this 43nd year the best ever!!! Last year we collected over $200,000. With just a little extra effort from every parish we can reach our new goal of $225,000. His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH determines where the money is sent. Following the Feast of the Resurrection, please send one check for the total amount collected, payable to: Food For Hungry People c/o Robin Lynn Nicholas 4237 Dundee Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027 Please read Sayidna s letter (attached) from the pulpit and print in your bulletin.
2017 FFHP Sunday Bulletin Inserts We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill The merciful person is he who gives to others what he has himself received from God, whether it be money, food, strength, a helpful word, prayer or anything else that he has through which he can express his compassion for those in need. At the same time he considers himself a debtor since he has received more than he is asked to give. St. Peter of Damascus Prove yourself a god to the unfortunate by imitating the mercy of God. There is nothing so godly in human beings as to do good works. St. Gregory the Theologian Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything; prayer is the force of everything; prayer is also the director of everything. If prayer is right, everything is right. For prayer will not allow anything to go wrong. St. theophany the Recluse God is Love. And if we call upon God in our life as the Holy Fathers teach us, then we are calling upon Love. If we know and believe that He is present everywhere at all times and if we are united with Him in our hearts, He will teach us how to love our neighbor. Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica When giving, give magnanimously with a look of kindness on your face, and give more than what is asked of you. St. Isaac the Syrian You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing the LORD your God shall bless you in all your works, and in all that you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. Proverbs 3:27 Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. Mother Teresa I slept and I dreamed of that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service, I served and I saw that service is joy. Kahlil Gibran For it is in the giving that we receive. Francis of Assisi If man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13 He who is kind to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. Proverbs 28:27 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Mathew 5:42 When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Mathew 6:3-4 He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy, he will crush the oppressor. Psalms 72:4 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Psalms 112:5 He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. Proverbs 19:17 He that feeds the hungry also feeds God. Unknown You cannot show a kindness too soon, because you never know how soon it will be too late. Unknown Hunger is one of the world s most pressing problems affecting over 1 billion people. It is an intensely personal problem as well. Behind the grim statistics are children and families loved by God, who are deprived of their right to a full life because they don t have enough to eat. Unknown
2017 FFHP Sunday Bulletin Inserts Vigils and fast and acts of mercy are the methods advocated by the saints to attain the spiritual life. But they must not stand alone, not must the Christian put his trust in them. Humility must have faith for its principle, and fasting be combined with charity, that is, feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked. St. Basil the Great Share what you have, lest you lose what you have. Spend what you possess on the needs of others in order to keep what you possess. St. John Chrysostom A holy soul cares for his neighbors, either close at hand or far away. He cares where the homeless will spend the night, how the hungry will be fed, with what the naked will be clothed. He cares and he prays for the salvation of his neighbors: that their hearts may be filled with love towards God, that their minds may be directed towards God, that the wicked may turn from the paths of wickedness, that the hesitant may be confirmed in the Faith, that the firm may persevere, that the departed may behold the Face of God, that the living may be written in the Book of Life in the Kingdom of Light. St. Nicholas Velimirovich It is not right or proper for the rich to keep excess wealth when there are many poor people in need of the means of existence, of necessary clothing and proper dwellings, for we have nothing of our own; everything belongs to God! St. John of Kronstadt Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy (Mt 5:7). The merciful is he who gives to others what he himself received from God. Whether it is money, food, strength, a helpful word, a prayer, or anything else that he has through which he can express his compassion for those in need. At the same time he considers himself a debtor, since he has received more than he is asked to give by Christ s grace, both in the present and in the world to come, before the whole of creation he is called merciful, just as God is called merciful. St. Peter of Damascus If you give something to someone who is in need, then let a cheerful face precede your gift, along with kind words and encouragement for his suffering. St. Isaac the Syrian A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. St. Basil the Great Give us this day. Why do we beseech God for bread only today? Because we know that we are not the masters of our lives, but our Creator is. Also that it might startle us from the accumulation of wealth for the uncertain tomorrow, while letting our brothers go hungry today. Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked. No one gathering more than what is needed, out of the fear of what tomorrow will bring, is able to fulfill these commandments of God. St. Nicholas Velimirovich
2017 FFHP Sunday Bulletin Inserts Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice. Let the feet fast by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful. Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip. Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers and sisters? May He who came to the world to save sinners strengthen us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us. St. John Chrysostom The bread you do not use is the bread of the hungry. The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of the person who is naked. The shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot. The money you keep locked away is the money of the poor. The acts of charity you do not perform are the injustices you commit. St. Basil the Great Whoever gives a hand to help his neighbor is helped by God s own hand. St. Isaac the Syrian Do not neglect the Forty Days; it constitutes an imitation of Christ s way of life. St. Ignatius the God-bearer The merciful person is he who gives to others what he himself received from God, whether it be money, or food, or strength, a helpful word, a prayer, or anything else he has through which he can express his compassion for those in need. St. Peter of Damascus Prayer, together with almsgiving, can furnish us with countless good things from above. They can quench the fire of sin in our souls and can give us great freedom. Cornelius had recourse to these two virtues and sent his prayers up to heaven. Because of these two virtues he heard the angel say: Thy prayers and thy alms have gone up and been remembered in the sight of God. St. John Chrysostom There are three things, my brethren, by which Faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting, and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, mercy, and fasting: these three are one, and they give life to each other. St. Peter Chrysologus of Ravenna One must inspire the children themselves to good deeds. At first one must guide them into doing good deeds. The most ordinary good deeds in this regard are: almsgiving, compassion, mercifulness, yielding to others, and patience. It is not difficult to train them to do these things. Opportunities for them occur every minute; one has only to use them. St. Theophan the Recluse
2017 FFHP Sunday Bulletin Inserts Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. St. Augustine You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. Mother Teresa Share your seed and watch it grow, then you ll know the joy of giving. Share yourself and your whole life, then you ll know the joy of living. Joyce C. Lock We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Sir Winston Churchill If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13 He who is kind to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. Proverbs 28:27 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Matthew 5:42 He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. Proverbs 19:17 When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:3-4 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. Proverbs 22:9 He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy, he will crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:4 Material treasures will serve us for a time and fade away. It is sharing ourselves and our time that creates authentic value; it enriches life with lasting expressions of gratitude and indelible memories. Giving opens our spiritual eyes to the many small blessings before us each moment. Steve Brunkhorst He who oppresses the poor man insults his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors Him. Proverbs 14:31 Send your treasures to the heavenly storage room. Deposit your wealth in God s bank, distributing to the poor, the orphans and the widows so that you can receive a million times more in the Second Coming of Christ. Elder Joseph the Hesychast Become a good manager of those things given to you by God. St. John Chrysostom ing is wonderful because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed. St. John Chrysostom Prayer for others which is made gently and with deep love is selfless and has great spiritual benefit. St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia
YOU CAN HELP SAINT HERMAN ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH EARN DONATIONS JUST BY SHOPPING WITH YOUR FRED MEYER REWARDS CARD! Fred Meyer is donating $2.5 million per year to non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, based on where their customers tell them to give. Here s how the program works: Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Saint Herman Antiochian Orthodox Church at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You can search for us by our name or by our non-profit number (9137. Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping (nonprofit) earn a donation! You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today. If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store. For more information, please visit www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards.