Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Forefeast of and Sunday before the Theophany of Christ
Holy Prophet Malachi; Martyr Gordios of Cappadocia; Venerable Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesbos;
Venerable Genevieve of Paris
Theophany (or Epiphany) means shining forth or manifestation. The feast is often called, as it is in the Orthodox service books, Theophany, which means the shining forth and manifestation of God. The emphasis in the present day celebration is on the appearance of Jesus as the human Messiah of Israel and the divine Son of God, One of the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Thus, in the baptism by John in the Jordan, Jesus identifies himself with sinners as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29), the “Beloved” of the Father whose messianic task it is to redeem men from their sins (Lk 3:21, Mk 1:35). And he is revealed as well as One of the Divine Trinity, testified to by the voice of the Father, and by the Spirit in the form of a dove. This is the central epiphany glorified in the main hymns of the feast:
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan the worship of the Trinity was made manifest! For the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee his Beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of his Word. O Christ our God, who hast revealed Thyself and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee (Troparion).
Read the entire article on the Orthodox Church of America website.
Services This Week
- Tue Dec 29 — THE HOLY INNOCENTS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 01 — CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST / ST. BASIL Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Cutting of the Vasilopita
The cutting of the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s bread) will take place on Sunday, January 3 following the Divine Liturgy.
Theophany Week Worship Schedule (January 3-9, 2020)
- Sun Jan 03 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 03 — CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA following Divine Liturgy LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ROYAL HOURS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ORTHROS 6:OOpm / THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY and GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jan 07 — CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST / ST. BASIL Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Blessing of the Waters (Outdoors at Imperial River) on Sunday, January 10, 2020
We will bless the waters at Imperial River on Sunday, January 10, 2021 following the Divine Liturgy.
Following we will hold a picnic in the park.
There will be no Social Hall since we are having the picnic.
Stewardship 2021
Two things determined our flourishing in the past year: God’s benevolence towards us and your faithfulness. Your support of St. Peter’s enables us to experience God’s benevolence.
People who follow Christ need to come together. Our parish offers that. Without a place to meet, there would be no Divine Liturgy, no Eucharist, no place for anointing when we are sick, no place where those who are seeking Christ can call home, no place to meet dear friends every week, no place for baptisms and weddings, no place where the children can grow up with their Church friends, and much more.
We are again in the season where we have to consider our financial commitment to St. Peter’s. Our budget is growing because the parish is growing. We estimate is that our budget will increase 19% in 2021.
Please click the image to read the full message and prayerfully consider your support of St. Peter’s for 2021.
Does Anyone Need A Desk?
Joe and Debbie Repya have this desk free for the taking. If you could use it, please contact Joe at (612) 270-4443
Capital Campaign Update
UPDATE: We are still accepting Capital Campaign Donations as we have not yet made our goal. Our goal is $750K and we now have $427K. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.
The Church now has set up a Brokerage account so if anyone wishes to donate stocks or bonds, the Church can accept them.
Our Capital Campaign is going well. So far $427,000 of the $750,000 we need to secure a mortgage to make a bid on the new Church property has been received. That’s over half of our goal!
Some parishioners may be under the impression that November 1 was a cut off date. It wasn’t. It was the date we hoped to receive all pledges. If you have still not pledged, you can still do so.
Download a pledge form on the St. Peter website.
Please remember, churches are hard to come by in Southwest Florida. This property meets our needs because:
- We can afford it (the mortgage will cost no more than what we currently pay in rent; it may even be a little less),
- It has buildings on site that are move-in ready,
- It can accommodate the growth we are experiencing and that will continue.
Many of you have seen our Capital Campaign video. Take a look at it again. It lays out our vision that has guided us to where we are and explains why a move is necessary now.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported our Capital Campaign. Thank you very much for your confidence and trust, and the hope you have in the flourishing of St. Peter’s parish.
Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Continue
Next class Sunday, January 3, 2020. Assignment: Chapters 15 and 16.
The class is required for seekers and catechumens and also open to any parishioner who would like to attend. The syllabus will be posted on the website at soon as it is completed and handed out the first day of class.
We will meet after social hall. Get some coffee, have some food and fellowship, and then we break for class.
St. Peter’s is Going Camping!
Get more information on the St. Peter website!
2021 DOMSE Virtual Winter Retreat — Save the Date
Pledge & Income Report – December 2020
Donations received in December $25,959.00
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
We are ahead by $7,792
Thank you for your generosity. Although we are ahead in December, most of the surplus were prepayments of 2021 pledges. When the prepayments are deducted from the December income, we are slight behind for the month.
Please note:Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:
St. Peter Orthodox Church
24850 Old 41 Road Suite 6
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
You can also donate online (scroll to bottom of page):
Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream
These are short thirty minute presentations where His Grace Bp. Nicholas speaks on one theme in Sunday readings for fifteen minutes followed by questions from the listeners. It’s worth tuning in. Get instructions on the St. Peter website on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.
Calendar At A Glance
Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.
DECEMBER / JANUARY
- Sun Dec 27 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Dec 27 — Catechism Class following Social Hall
- Tue Dec 29 — THE HOLY INNOCENTS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 01 — CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST / ST. BASIL Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
JANUARY
- Sun Jan 03 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 03 — CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA following Divine Liturgy LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ROYAL HOURS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Jan 05 — THEOPHANY ORTHROS 6:OOpm / THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY and GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS 7:00pm LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jan 07 — CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST / ST. BASIL Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 10 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 10 — Blessing of the Waters (Imperial River) following Divine Liturgy
- Mon Jan 11 — ST. THEODOSIOS THE GREAT Divine Liturgy LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 13 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 15 — PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 17 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jan 18 — ST. ATHANASIOS / CYRIL Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Jan 20 — RIGHTEOUS EUTHYMIOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jan 21 — ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Jan 24 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Mon Jan 25 — ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Jan 28 — RIGHTEOUS EPHRAIM AND ISAAC THE SYRIANS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Jan 29 — DOMSE Virtual Retreat
- Sat Jan 30 — DOMSE Virtual Retreat
Wisdom From The Elders
Watch your tongue as much as possible. Don’t engage in idle chatter or criticise others, but, while you are doing your obedience, try to say the prayer continuously. Elder Arsenios Galanopoulos, the Cave Dweller
Prove your love and zeal for wisdom in actual deeds. St. Callistus Xanthopoulos
A brother asked Abba Poemen, “If I see my brother sin, is it right to say nothing about it?” The old man replied, “whenever we cover our brother’s sin, God will cover ours; whenever we tell people about our brother’s guilt, God will do the same about ours.” Abba Poemen
If we call upon the saints with faith and love, then they will immediately hear us. The faith is the connecting element on our part, and love on theirs, as well as ours; for they are in God, and we are in God, Who is Love. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
And how can one work for God? You already know: you must pray and be vigilant over yourself, struggle with thoughts, not argue over trifles, humble yourself before others (even if this causes your work to suffer; afterwards you will gain all the more), make peace quickly, reveal your thoughts, partake more often of the Holy Mysteries, and so forth. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev
If you want to be a servant of Christ then you also ought to accept all that He suffered for our sakes— that is, scorn, abuse, humiliations, even spitting and hitting. If you endure all of that, then you carry a small cross and follow Christ. EElder Joseph the Hesychast
Remember in Your Prayers
The Prayer List has been revamped. To bring order to the list we will do the following:
- 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.
Current Prayer List (Updated December 14 / Resets January 1)
Mason (Dusckas 2/21)
Melissa (Dusckas 2/21)
DCM (Dusckas 2/21)
David (Dusckas 2/21)
T.R. (Dusckas 2/21)
Debbie (Breitenbach 2/21)
Barbara (Dusckas 2/21)
Mary (Marianthi 2/21)
Sarah (Wolffe 2/21)
Pauline (Jacobse 2/21)
Benjamin (Jacobse 2/21)
Marcie (Breitenbach 2/21)
Jo Ann (Breitenbach 2/21)
Angela (Fred 12/21)
Despina (Diveris 2/21)
Ronald (Sovjani 2/21)
Katherine (Dusckas 2/21)
Marlene (Tewis 2/21)
Gail (Jacobse 1/21)
Robert (Tewis 1/21)
Sergio (Mary Kazakos 1/21)
Rae (Semeretis 1/21)
Mary (Semeretis 1/21)
Heather (Waterman 1/21)
Zachary (Constantine 1/21)
Peter (Foltz 1/21)
Alexa (Buchanan 1/21)
Rebecca (Aguado 1/2021)
Jacob (Aguado 1/2021)
Baby Mackenzie (Zafiris 12/20
Weston (Teufel 12/20)
Nolan (Zafiris 12/20)
Permanent Prayer List
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
George (Chapekis)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Jacobse)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Helen (Rogers)
Robert (Smith)
Robert (Jarvis)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Ann (Rellis)
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)
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 Sunday before the Theophany of Christ
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord my God.
The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (4:5-8)
Timothy, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.
GOSPEL
For the Sunday before the Theophany of Christ
The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (1:1-8)
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes He Who is mightier than I, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”