THIS WEEK S SERVICES March 12 March 19 Mon. Mar. 13 9:30am: Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children, followed by knitting & coffee fellowship 10:00-noon Tues. Mar. 14 Wed. Mar. 15, then Fri. Mar. 17 with Akathist to Theotokos Sat. Mar. 18 Vespers (confessions heard afterward) Sun. Mar. 19 9:00am: Orthros, then procession of the Cross Sun. Mar. 19 10:00am: Divine of St. Basil the Great 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. There will be much work on current and new musical pieces. SOUP SUPPER will follow Presanctified Liturgies. The cost will be $3/person or $12/family. Proceeds will go toward Dn. John s vestments. FOLK DANCE SOCIAL Monday nights from 6:00-7:30pm in our parish hall. Contact Kai West at (907)355-3742 if you have any questions. CONFESSIONS confessions will be heard following services on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and other times by appointments. If you plan on receiving Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday, please plan on confessing at least once during Great Lent. Confessions will not be heard during Holy Week, so please plan ahead to make time for confession. 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 2 nd Sunday of Lent: St. Gregory Palamas March 12, 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 V O Lord, Thou wilt preserve us and keep us from this generation. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man hath disappeared. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (1:10-2:3) In the beginning, Thou, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they will perish, but Thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will never end. But to what angel has He ever said, Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a stool for thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message, declared by angels, was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard Him. THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (2:1-12) At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. Now, some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone? And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins He said to the paralytic I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home. And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all. So that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this! SAINTS AND FEASTS OF THE DAY Commemoration of Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica; Venerable Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane; Gregory the Dialogist, pope of Rome; Venerable Simeon the New Theologian; Righteous Phineas, grandson of Aaron the High Priest A GOOD WORD VITAMINS FOR THE SOUL "The Lord came to send fire upon the earth (cf. Lk. 12:4, and through participation in this fire He makes divine not just the human substance which He assumed for our sake, but every person who is found worthy of communion with Him." St. Gregory Palamas "Even when your body does nothing, sin can be active in your mind. When your soul inwardly repulses the evil one's attack by means of prayer, attention, remembrance of death, godly sorrow and mourning, the body, too, takes its share of holiness, having acquired freedom from evil actions. This is what the Lord meant by saying that someone who cleans the outside of the cup has not cleansed it inside, but clean the inside and the whole cup will be clean (Mt. 23:25-26)." -- St. Gregory Palamas "A man does not possess all the gifts, lest he think that grace is nature." -- St. Gregory Palamas "... Christ said, 'Whoever shall say to his brother "You fool" shall be guilty enough to go to the hell of fire' (Mt. 5:22). If, then, you can eradicate this evil, calling down upon your soul the benediction of gentleness, then glorify Christ, the teacher and ministrant of every virtue, without whom, as we have been taught, we can do nothing good. But if you are unable to bridle your temper, censure yourself whenever you lose it, and repent before God and before anyone to whom you have spoken or have acted evilly. If you repent at the inception of sin you will not commit the sin itself; but if you feel no pang in committing minor offenses you will through them fall into major transgressions." -- St. Gregory Palamas It is pointless for someone to say that he has faith in God if he does not have the works which go with faith. What benefit were their lamps to the foolish virgins who had no oil (Mt. 25:1-13), namely, deeds of love and compassion? 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 with Canon of St. Andrew (Part 1) with Canon of St. Andrew (Part 2) followed by Soup Supper with Canon of St. Andrew (Part 4) with the Akathist Hymn (Part 1) Peace University (4 of : 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 followed by with the Akathist Hymn (Part 2) Peace University (5 of : wine & oil : wine & oil 12 St. Gregory Palamas 13 14 15 16 17 18 : wine & oil followed by with the Akathist Hymn (Part 3) Peace University (6 of : wine & oil 19 Veneration of the Holy Cross 20 21 22 23 24 25 ANNUNCIATION : Strict fast followed by Vespers with Litia and 4th Stasis of Akathist Hymn Peace University (7 of 9:00am: Festal Orthros 9:45am: Divine : fish, wine, & oil 26 St. John of the Ladder (Climacus) 27 28 29 30 31 Apr 1 : wine & oil with complete Canon of St. Andrew followed by with the complete Akathist Hymn Peace University (8 of : 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 with complete Canon of St. Andrew followed by with the complete Akathist Hymn Peace University (8 of : wine & oil 2 St. Mary of Egypt 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lazarus Saturday : wine & oil followed by 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 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 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 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 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 16 Apple products do you own? For every one deposit.25. Let s never tune out the 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 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 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 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 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
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.