St. Peter Newsletter November 26, 2019

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Fourteenth Sunday of Luke

The Holy Prophet Nahum; Venerable Philaret the Almsgiver of Amnia; Martyr Ananias the Persian; Theoklitos, Archbishop of Lakedaemonia

Righteous Philaret the Almsgiver

Who Was Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor?

Righteous Philaret the Merciful, son of George and Anna, was raised in piety and the fear of God. He lived during the eighth century in the village of Amnia in the Paphlagonian district of Asia Minor. His wife, Theoseba, was from a rich and illustrious family, and they had three children: a son John, and daughters Hypatia and Evanthia.

Philaret was a rich and illustrious dignitary, but he did not hoard his wealth. Knowing that many people suffered from poverty, he remembered the words of the Savior about the dread Last Judgment and about “these least ones” (Mt. 25:40); the Apostle Paul’s reminder that we will take nothing with us from this world (1 Tim 6:7); and the assertion of King David that the righteous would not be forsaken (Ps 36/37:25). Philaret, whose name means “lover of virtue,” was famed for his love for the poor.

Read more on the Orthodox Church in America website.

ATTN PARENTS: St. Nicholas Divine Liturgy and Children’s Program, on Thursday, December 5, at 5:30pm

We will hold our annual St. Nicholas Program on Thursday, December 5 starting with the Divine Liturgy at 5:30pm. The program for children follows. Please mark you calendar.

• PROGRAM: Fr. Hans and his Elves
• FOOD: Pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate, cookies
• PRIZES: Come and find out!

Please RSVP by December 2, 2019. Call Mary Copeland at 239-498-1331.

Why aren’t we holding it on Friday? Because no organizer was available that evening so we moved it to a day earlier.

Parents, bring your kids! They will learn about how the real Santa Claus is.

Lenten Cookbook by Tabita Valentine Available

Tabit Valentine has compiled a cookbook of Lenten recipes available to our parishioners and for sale in our bookstore.

The recipies are good. Many of you have sampled her work during Social Hall and special events and will agree that what she makes tastes great and topped with a good dose of healthy!

Suggested donation is $15 with all proceeds going to the building fund.

Dr. Zannos and Julia Are Going to be Married and You Are Invited

We are pleased to announce the marriage of Zannos and Julia to be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 in the afternoon. They have invited all members of the parish to attend.

If you would like to come, please RSVP to Julia by December 14, 2019.

Nativity Fast Continues 2019

The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. The 2nd period is December 20th through 24th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period. Here are the guidelines:

The Purpose of Fasting

The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things that are above, the Kingdom of God. It is a means of putting on virtue in reality, here and now. Through it we are freed from dependence on worldly things. We fast faithfully and in secret, not judging others, and not holding ourselves up as an example.

• Fasting in itself is not a means of pleasing God. Fasting is not a punishment for our sins. Nor is fasting a means of suffering and pain to be undertaken as some kind of atonement. Christ already redeemed us on His Cross. Salvation is a gift from God that is not bought by our hunger or thirst.
• We fast to be delivered from carnal passions so that God’s gift of Salvation may bear fruit in us.
• We fast and turn our eyes toward God in His Holy Church. Fasting and prayer go together.
• Fasting is not irrelevant. Fasting is not obsolete, and it is not something for someone else. Fasting is from God, for us, right here and right now.
• Most of all, we should not devour each other. We ask God to “set a watch and keep the door of our lips.”

Diocese of Miami Winter Retreat

Bible Studies

Please note: Bible Studies have been postoned until January, 2020.

November

• Wed Nov 27 — CANCELLED Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy held instead) 7:00pm
• No Bible Studies in December

The Community Bible Study is for the entire community.

The Men’s and Women’s Bible Study are separate studies but held concurrently.

This Sunday Last Day to Donate to Toys for Tots!

At St. Peter’s we help the poor and disadvantaged. It is part of our mission. Organizations we support include Interfaith Charities, NAAMI, and Toys for Tots. Our third annual Toys for Tots drive has begun!

Please bring an unwrapped toy and put it in the box.

Sunday School Holiday Food Drive

Our Sunday School children would like to make Thanksgiving and Christmas a little happier for those in need.

Towards that effort, they are asking our parishioners to donate Holiday food items such as:

• Stuffing
• Cranberry Sauce
• Instant Potatoes
• Canned Vegetables
• Rice
• Beans
• Pie Shells/Cake Fillings
• Cake Mixes

The food will be donated to Interfaith Charities.

A collection basket will be placed outside the Sunday School classroom.

The collection begins this Sunday.

Whatever you can do will be appreciated!

Upcoming Liturgies

Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 6:30pm

St. Nicholas Christmas Liturgy and Program, Thursday, December 5, 5:30pm

St. Spyridon Divine Liturgy, Thursday, December 12, 9:30am

St. Ignatios of Antioch Divine Liturgy, Friday, December 20, 9:30pm

Nativity Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 6:30pm

Synaxis of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at 9:30am

St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 9:30am

Pledge & Income Report – October 2019

In October we took in $17,201 in total donations. Our monthly goal is $16,777.00 leaving us $424 above our monthly expenses for.

These are very good numbers for September.

Please continue giving and thank you for it. We are on track to meet all of our 2019 expenses.

Interfaith Charities Needs More Food Items

They need:

• Ramen noodles
• Canned tuna
• Vegetables
• Beans
• Soups

Please note: Interfaith Charities is no longer accepting clothing or household items so we won’t be accepting them at St. Peter’s either.

Bring the food items to church and we will get them to Interfaith Charities. Interfaith Charities is a coalition of local churches helping the poor in our immediate community. See more on their website.

Calendar At A Glance

November

• Wed Nov 27 — CANCELLED Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
• Wed Nov 27 — Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy 6:30pm

December

• Thu Dec 5 — St. Nicholas Divine Liturgy and Program starting at 5:30pm
• Thu Dec 12 — St. Spyridon Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Fri Dec 20 — St. Ignatius of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Fri Dec 20 — Parish Council Meeting 3:00pm
• Tue Dec 24 — Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Divine Liturgy 6:30pm
• Thu Dec 26 — Synaxis of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Fri Dec 27 — St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am

Please note the extra remaining liturgies scheduled for November/December:

• Wed Nov 27 — Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy 6:30pm
• Thu Dec 5 — St. Nicholas Divine Liturgy and Children’s Program, 5:30pm
• Thu Dec 12 — St. Spyridon Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Fri Dec 20 — St. Ignatius of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Tue Dec 24 — Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Divine Liturgy 6:30pm
• Thu Dec 26 — Synaxis of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Fri Dec 27 — St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am

Wisdom From The Elders

If you bear your weakness constantly in mind, you will not overstep the bounds of caution.
St. Isaac the Syrian

If a person could realize at once the rising of his pride and say: ‘My God, I have nothing of my own and I am full of pride; forgive me!’ the compassionate hands of God will take hold of him immediately and set him down gently, without making his fall noticeable. St. Paisios of Mount Athos

It is an indubitable truth that the highest Divine Providence arranges all of creation. God considers all things beforehand and takes care for all things. This is the Divine fatherly care of which the blessed apostle Peter speaks: “Cast all of your cares upon Him, because He is concerned for you.” (I Pet. 5:7) St. Elias Minjatios

Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower. St. John Chrysostom

Remember in Your Prayers

Diomidis (Kanellos)

Anastasia (Ann Constan)
Ben (Ben)
Thomas (Ben)
Irene (C. Diveris)
Vasiliki (C.Diveris)
Efrosini (C. diveris)
Charles (Oberg)
Christine (Kouzes)
Nina (Kovalev)
Hugh (Jacquie)
Violet (Jacquie Mom)
Tammie (Jacquie friend)
Phillip
Baby Luke
George
Priest Kyprianos
Savannah (Jonson)
Bud
Silvana
Nicole
Evan
Megan
Bill R.
Pat R.
Aglaia
George
Hieromonk Serapion
Priest Kyprianos
Athanasia
Alexandra
Constantina
Maryanne (E)
Ron (E)
Tim
Robert (J)
Mary (J)
Patricia
Gregory
Andreas
Sofia Tešanovic
Paul
Dennis H. and Family
Victor Evan
Ann
James
Vasiliki
Efstratia
Alexandra
Nikos
Georgia
Ioannis
Costandino
Jeffrey
Vaso
Dave
Dimitri – Presbyter
Vassiliki
Octavio
Tom
Carl
Rena
Nikolay (5 year old boy in Bulgaria whose parents asked us to pray)
David
Rosie
Kathryn
Jeremy
Constantine
Robert
Jane
Theodora
David
Gina
Micheal
Haralambos
Lillian
Presbytera Rosy
Valentina
Eva W.
Barbara
Angela
Carol Ann
Matthew
Chrysostom
Tim
Pat
Christina
Maria Louise
Maximos
Marian
Photini
Nicholas
Sarah
Constantine Houpis
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Katerina
Mary Kassis
Baby Maximus
Christine
Maria
Annette Star
Claire Livaditis
Eva Chandilles
Baby Dani
Scott Nedoff
James Hord

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 Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

The Lord will give strength to His people.
Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of God, ascribe to the Lord honor and glory.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (2:14-22)

Brethren, Christ is our peace, Who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the Cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And He came and preached peace to you, who were far off, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in Whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in Whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Gospel

For the Fourteenth Sunday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:35-43)

At that time, when Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.