Report on Finding a Permanent Site for St. Peter's
Progress is being made on looking for a permanent site for our parish. We know that this is the next step because it will provide us the stability that we need to continue our growth. We are looking at several locations and when the Parish Council makes a decision they will offer their report to the parish.
We have several things to remember. The goal and focus of St. Peter's is to establish a worshiping community where we pray for and help each other. We are open to anyone seeking Christ. We will accept anyone who the Lord brings to us. He already has done that and will continue to do so.
Second, we will be prudent in all decisions we make about our growing community, especially financial decisions. We are moving ahead cautiously. It is better to live modestly and succeed than have poor decisions force delays in meeting our mission.
Third, a permanent location will enable us to do more — social events, catechetical classes, and so forth.
Finally, our location will likely be an inconvenience for most everyone but we will need to adapt to it. If we encounter God through our worship at St. Peter's and if our work there brings us closer to Him and each other — and then spills over into our regular lives adding meaning, purpose, value and other constituents of life in Christ to it, then the sacrifice is worth it.
Fr. Hans on Ancient Faith Radio
I was one of three Orthodox priests that gave talks at Acton University several weeks ago. Acton University is a one week ecumenical gathering of serious Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians that draws about 900 participants from 85 countries.
You can find our lectures on Ancient Faith Radio.
Quotes from St. Symeon the New Theologian
Unless we become dead to the world and the things in the world (1 John 2:15), how shall we live the "life that is hid in Christ" (Col. 3:3) when we have not died for the sake of God? How, as holy Symeon [the Studite] said, shall we contemplate God dwelling is us as light?
"When a man walks in the fear of God he knows no fear, even if he were to be surrounded by wicked men. He has the fear of God within him and wears the invincible armor of faith. This makes him strong and able to take on anything, even things which seem difficult or impossible to most people. Such a man is like a giant surrounded by monkeys, or a roaring lion among dogs and foxes. He goes forward trusting in the Lord and the constancy of his will to strike and paralyze his foes. He wields the blazing club of the Word in wisdom."
Sunday Scripture Readings
Epistle
I Corinthians 4:9-16 (Twelve Apostles)
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God
The Reading is from the First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off scouring of all things.
I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For, I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Gospel
Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30 (All Saints Sunday)
The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
The Lord saith to his disciples: So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?"
Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on his twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands; for my name's sake, will receive manifold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.