St. Peter News October 26, 2021

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Fifth Sunday of Luke

Apostles Stachios, Apellos, Amplias, Urban, Aristoboulos and Narcissos of the Seventy; Martyr Epimachos of Alexandria; New-martyr Nicholas of Chios

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Stachyios is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Andrew ordained St. Stachys bishop in Byzantium, where he governed his flock with faith and zeal for sixteen years. He reposed peacefully in the Lord. His feast day is October 31.

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Apelles (also Apellos) is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Apelles was bishop of Heraclea in Trachis. His feast day is October 31.

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Amplias is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Andrew ordained St. Amplias bishop in Lydda of Odyssopolis (Diospolis) in Judea. He died a martyr, and his feast day is October 31.

The holy, glorious, all-laudible Apostle Urban is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Andrew ordained Urban bishop in Macedonia. He died a martyr, and his feast day is October 31.

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Aristobulus (also Aristovoulos) is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Aristobulus was also the brother of the Apostle Barnabas. He preached the Gospel in Britain as its first bishop and there he reposed peacefully in the Lord. His feast days are celebrated on March 15, on October 31 with Amplias, Apelles, Stachys, Urban, and Narcissus, and on January 4 with the Seventy.

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Narcissus is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. The Apostle Philip ordained St. Narcissus bishop of Athens. His feast day is October 31.

Services This Week

• Sun Oct 24 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Oct 26 — Divine Liturgy St. Demetrios LIVE STREAM
• Thu Oct 28 — Divine Liturgy Protection of the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Services Next Week

• Sun Oct 31 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Nov 01 — Divine Liturgy Sts. Kosmas and Dimianos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 03 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 05 — Divine Liturgy St. Raphael of Brooklyn 6:00pm LIVE STREAM

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Capital Campaign Progress Report

Soon the contributors to our Capital Campaign (which made the purchase of our new location possible) will be receiving a letter with a gentle reminder that we are approaching the due date of our next contribution.

The money being raised through our Capital Campaign has helped us with our initial down payment on the purchase of our new church building and property and it helped us make the significant improvements and renovations that you see every Sunday. In addition, all remaining contributions pledged are necessary to pay off our $120K Second Mortgage. Your continued and generous support is greatly appreciated.

If you have not previously participated in our Capital Campaign but you would like to do so nowover the next 2 years, please fill out a Capital Campaign Pledge form and return with your contribution OR send a check marked “Capital Campaign” on the memo line of your check. The Capital Campaign Pledge forms are available on the counter in the church Narthex OR you can download the form from the church website.

Life at St. Peter’s

Memorial Prayers for John and Mary Spiropoulos.

Mark Your Calendar! Parish Assembly Meeting November 14, 2021

We will hold our Parish Assembly Meeting following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 14, 2021 in the Social Hall.

This meeting will discuss 2022 goals, approve the 2022 budget, reports from the Parish Council and Fr. Hans, and other business. We will keep the meeting short and to the point.

Cafe of Life Ministry Update

Taking sides is an unsettling trend in our country these days. Our political affiliations and where we stand on issues has never been so divisive.

But here at St. Peter’s, through your generous donations, we try to help families and children in the surrounding community by providing sandwiches and a fruit. From reading the Holy Book we know Jesus cared deeply about the poor and the downtrodden, demonstrating his compassion in tangible ways: giving sight to the blind, touching the leper, healing the sick.

But he also preached the good news of God’s love and salvation. So caring for people in this way signals whose side you’re on — the side of our God, who desperately loves all people.

Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!

Work to Be Done At St. Peter’s

This is some of what remains to do with our building:

INSIDE CHURCH:

• REPLACE MISSING CARPET STRIP BETWEEN CHOIR & ALTAR
• RELOCATE FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN NARTHEX
• ORDER BISHOP CHAIR/2 ICON STANDS – ORDERED
• NEW CANDLE STAND FOR NARTHEX
• UPGRADE ELECTRICAL PANEL –WORK TO BE SCHEDULED
• REPLACE CEILING TILE & ADD LED LIGHTS INSIDE HANDICAP AREA HALLWAY
• ADD CARPET STRIP IN SACRASTY, STEP INTO REAR OF ALTAR

OUTSIDE CHURCH:

• REPLACE FLAT ROOF ASAP ($30K estimate)
• NEW SIGNS-STATUS?
• REPLACE EXTERIOR METAL DOOR
• GET ESTIMATE TO SEAL COAT PARKING LOT & RE-STRIPE LINES
• PAINT CURBING IN PARKING LOT
• UPGRADE LANDSCAPING

SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOMS:

• REPLACE SUNDAY SCHOOL WINDOWS

…but check the website to see what has already been done!

Pledge & Income Report – September 2021

Donations received in September: $21,018.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $22,760.
We are behind by $1,742.

These numbers reflect the operating costs of the the Hickory Drive property.

St. Peter Orthodox Church
7470 Hickory Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967

You can also donate online:

The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!

October 3 – October 26

• Barbara Dionysopoulos
• Marianthi Kazakos
• Niki Locklear
• Ray Locklear
• Carol Palantine
• Margie Zimmerman

November 7 – November 28

• Olga Bilych
• Pavlo Bilych
• Bonnie Joseph
• Al Joseph
• Sandy Krotov
• Leon Dephkalion
• Nader Sahawneh

December 5 – December 26

• Marlene Haley
• Tom Haley
• Cheryl Morse
• Elaine Semeretis
• Gregory Semeretis
• Anna Tsikitas

Procedures for Hospitality

Please note: If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.

1. On most Sundays we will serve lighter refreshments like coffee, sweets, hummus, olives, feta, pita and similar items. Please continue bringing these items. Even though we have a range (unlike our former facility), we appreciate items that are “ready to be served.”
2. Please do not donate coffee. We have a space age coffee brewer that we acquired at no cost if we buy our coffee from one supplier. If you bring in coffee, we can’t use it.
3. We cannot continue preparing meals for Memorials, Name Days, Anniversaries, and other celebrations. We don’t have the appliances or manpower to do it well. We do, however, have the name of two catering companies that can prepare and deliver the food if you would like to sponsor a celebration. Please call Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 for details and to make arrangements.
4. If you would like to bring in your own prepared food, please contact Tom Haley at 239-887-0753 a week before the upcoming Sunday. That way we know not to prepare any food for Sunday.

The Safest Way to Come to Church

US 41 is a busy highway and the intersection at Hickory Drive does not have a stop light. We recommend turning on Sanibel Boulevard and following Coconut Road instead.

Calendar At A Glance

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

OCTOBER

• Sun Oct 24 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sun Oct 24 — John and Mary Spiropoulos Memorial 11:00am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Oct 26 — Divine Liturgy St. Demetrios LIVE STREAM
• Thu Oct 28 — Divine Liturgy Protection of the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER

Nativity Fast Begins November 15 through December 24, 2022

• Sun Oct 31 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Nov 01 — Divine Liturgy Sts. Kosmas and Dimianos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 03 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 05 — Divine Liturgy St. Raphael of Brooklyn 6:00pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Nov 07 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Mon Nov 08 — Divine Liturgy Synaxis of the Archangel Michael 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 09 — Divine Liturgy St. Nectarios of Aegina 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 13 — Divine Liturgy St. John Chrysostom 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• Sun Nov 14 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Sun Nov 14 — PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING following Divine Liturgy in the Social Hall
• Tue Nov 16 — Divine Liturgy St. Matthew the Apostle 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Fri Nov 19 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am LIVE STREAM

• Sun Nov 21 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Wed Nov 24 — Divine Liturgy St. Katherine / Thanksgiving 6:00pm LIVE STREAM

• Sun Nov 28 — SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGY – Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Tue Nov 30 — Divine Liturgy St. Andrew the First Called 9:30am LIVE STREAM
• Thu Dec 02 — Divine Liturgy St. Porphorios 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Wisdom From The Elders

There is no greater love than that a man lays down his life for his neighbor. When you hear someone complaining and you struggle with yourself and do not answer him back with complaints; when you are hurt and bear it patiently, not looking for revenge; then you are laying down your life for your neighbor. Abba Poemen

I constantly advise repentance and confession, so that the devil will lose his rights over us and the external demonic influences will be stopped. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

Be indulgent to others in that in which you yourself sin. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

How speedily God hears the prayer of two or three praying together with the whole heart! Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

It goes without saying that good works are essential for success in the spiritual life, for they demonstrate the presence of good will in us, without which there is no moving forward; in turn, good works themselves strengthen, develop, and deepen this good will. Archbishop Averky (Taushev)

Fleeing the cross is equivalent to fleeing from the glory of God. Metropolitan Saba (Esber)

Remember in Your Prayers

List has been updated. If you want some names restored, please mention it to Fr. Hans.

• Names will remain on the list for two months.
• If you would like to keep them on longer please mention it to Fr. Hans. We will keep the names on the list for as long as the person needs prayers.
• Names will include the person who requested the prayers and the month the name will be removed.
• The permanent list includes friends and members of St. Peter’s and others including shut-ins.

Were names dropped that should have remained? Please mention it to Fr. Hans. He will add them back.

Updated October 23 / Resets November 1.

Current Prayer List

Maria (Dusckas 12/21)
Aggie (Dusckas 12/21)
Fr. Thomas (Forderhase 12/21)
Emily (Forderhase 12/21)
Sean (Breitenbach 12/21)
David (Zafiris 12/21
Robin (Zafiris 12/21
Dana (Zafiris 12/21
Mackenzie (Zafiris 12/21
Harry (Zafiris 12/21
Bettina (Zafiris 12/21
Harry James (Zafiris 12/21
Anastasia (Protopapadakis 12/21)
Barbara (Dusckas 11/21)
Dave (Dusckas 11/21)
Elizabeth (Wolfe 11/21)
Catherine (Breitenbach 11/21)
Maggie (Jacobse 10/21)
Georgia D. (Repya 10/21)
Colleen R. (Repya 10/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 9/21)
Anne (Breitenbach 9/21)
Robert (Tewis 9/21)
Lydia (Irena 9/21)
Lee (Irena 9/21)
Demetrios (Karras 8/21)

Permanent Prayer List

John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Maria and her unborn child Iakovos (Diveris)
Sophia (D. Constantine)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)

Sergio (Kazakos)
Rae (Semeretis)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)

Founders, Members, and Benefactors Departed this Life

John (Hansen)
Anatoly (Kurdsjuk)
Thareni (Brooks)
Milan Evanoff
Jean (Sam)
Eleni (Pearson)
Richard (Pearson)
Fr. Stephanos (Shagoury)
Panagiota (Bea Chionis)
Anthony (Mourgis)
Anthony (Mankus)
Constantine (Houpis)
Constantine (Joseph)
Mary (Jarvis)
Panagiota Margarita (Palis)
Maria (Ninos)
John (Katsigianopoulos)
George (Chionis)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K)

How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names (first names are sufficient) and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.

Add or remove names and print this list for easy reference during your prayer time on the St. Peter website.

Sunday Readings

EPISTLE

For the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Lord is my strength and my song.
The Lord has chastened me severely.

The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (11:31-12:9)

Brethren, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who is blessed for evermore, knows that I do not lie. In Damascus, the governor under Arétas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, willing to seize me, and through a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

I must boast, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows—who was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which no person is allowed to utter.

On behalf of this one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my infirmities. For if I would desire to boast, I shall not be foolish, for I shall speak the truth. But I refrain from it, lest anyone should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or hears from me. And to keep me from being exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me, to keep me from being exalted above measure. For this thing I beseeched the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

GOSPEL

For the Fifth Sunday of Luke)

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (16:19-31)

The Lord said, “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’

But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’

And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”