St. Peter News December 6, 2022

Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ

Venerable Daniel the Stylite; Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon

The Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ

Sermon on the Sunday of the Forefathers

By Fr. Thaddeus Hardenbrook

On the second Sunday before Nativity, the Gospel reading leaves off its progression based on Pentecost and aligns itself with the approaching Nativity. This is a sign for us; a message of urgency regarding what is about to happen. Worries, distractions, and cares must now be set aside for the sake of not missing out on the greatest of the Father’s gifts to us, which is His Son in human flesh. Every other mystical and sacred gift is secondary to the Incarnation.

We have been preparing for the feast by fasting. And now that we have moved past the midpoint of the fast, the pace quickens in anticipation of Christ’s birth. We commemorate the Holy Forefathers who were part of mankind’s preparation for the Messiah. Without them, there would be no God-man, no Christ, for prophecy foretold His birth from their lineage. Therefore their flesh, their prophecies, and their piety prepared the way for the coming of Christ.

Without the Incarnation, there is no salvation as we know it, there is no Cross, there is no Resurrection, there is no partaking in the divine energies of God and no deification. Even paradise and immortality submit to the mystical superiority of the Incarnation. For both paradise and immortality were given to man before the fall. Without the Incarnation, Paradise and eternal life only result in being perfectly and eternally joined to God as His servants.

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Read the rest of the sermon here.

Services This Week

SUN Dec 04 — ST, BARABARA THE GREAT MARTYR Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Tue Dec 06 — St. Nicholas of Myra Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 08 — St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra Divine Liturgy, Tuesday December 6, 2021 at 9:30am

St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy (St. Patapios) on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 9:30am

Adult Education: “The Winter Pascha” Series via ZOOM Continues December 8, 2022 at 7:00pm

To join the class via ZOOM Click this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86843640679?pwd=Y1d2NkYwczF6WkljUUpKOVZNcmJSZz09.

As part of our continuing adult education, Fr. Hans will hold a book study on “The Winter Pascha” by Fr. Thomas Hopko during Christmas Lent. The study begins Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 7:00pm and will run every Thursday through January 12 (seven weeks). The talks will be held through ZOOM and last one hour.

“The Winter Pascha” is a modern minor classic that explains very well the season from Christmas Lent through Theophany (the baptism of Christ).

Click the image or link to order from Amazon.

You can also order the book through St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press

How does ZOOM work? A link will be included in the newsletter and on the calendar on the website to log in to the session. Just click it and follow the prompts. If you don’t have ZOOM installed, you will be asked if you want to install it. Just reply yes.

Some Pictures from Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day we held dinner at the Church for anyone not having anywhere to go. It was a huge success and the food was superb. Over 45 people attended. Thank you to the great crew who gave such time and work to make this day a special day of Thanksgiving to our Lord. Their work provided His blessing.

This is the crew that did the work and made the dinner possible. Thank you to all!

Catechumen Classes Continue Following the Divine Liturgy on Sundays

This will be an Orthodoxy 101 class covering the basics and fundamentals of our Orthodox faith. All catechumens are required to attend but the class is great for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of our Orthodox faith and Church. Anyone may attend. Plan on staying for an hour.

The classes will be held following the Divine Liturgy. Get your coffee, take a short break, then begin the class.

The text we will use is Fr. Spyridon Bailey’s “Small Steps in the Kingdom.” It’s a good introduction to the Orthodox faith. Please order your copy and bring it to class. You can also download a free copy on your Kindle from Amazon. A syllabus and outline of classes will be provided at the first class.

Click the image or link to order from Amazon.

Please note: Books will not be available for purchase at Church.

Can You Adopt a Dog for Two or Three Weeks?

Barbara Dusckas needs someone to take care of Aggie for two to three weeks while she recovers from hip surgery. Aggie is a small, well trained, indoor dog who is very easy to care for. Her care would be little more than feeding, taking her on a short walk twice a day, and giving her a little attention here and there.

If you could help Barbara by taking care of Aggie until Barbara’s recovery is complete, please call her at 239-220-7383.

Furniture Available — Just Haul It Away

Joe and Debbie Repya are moving and have furniture to give away. All you need to do is haul it away. Everything needs to be out this week. First come, first served. Interested? Please give Joe a call at 612-270-4443.

Wanted: Men to Do Some Necessary Work Around the Church

We need able bodied men to help with the maintenance needs at Saint Peter’s Orthodox Church. Please consider volunteering. We will meet the 2nd Thursday of every month at Noon to perform the maintenance needed to be completed. Our first meeting will be December 8, 2022 at 12:00 pm. See you there!

Mark Your Calendar: St. Peter Valentine’s Day Pot Luck on February 11 at 5:00pm

Join us for a pre-Lenten Valentine’s Day pot-luck on Saturday, February 11 starting at 5:00pm.

More details coming!

Reading the Psalms During Christmas Lent

St. John Chrysostom was asked once, “Is it good to lay aside the Psalter?” He replied, “it would be better for the sun to fall from its orbit, than to neglect reading the Psalter, for it is of great benefit to study the psalms, and to read the Psalter diligently. For all spiritual books are profitable for us, and grieve the demons, but there is NONE LIKE THE PSALTER”

Those are powerful words from a great Saint and teacher. At St. Peter’s we read the Psalter completely through during Christmas Lent. If you would like to join a group you will be assigned which kathismata (sections of Psalms, usually 6 to 8 each day) to read. So far 28 people are participating.

The complete instructions are posted on the website, including the kathismata. To be assigned to a group please contact John Diveris at 219-263-8849 or jdiveris@icloud.com. John will add you to a group.

This is a great way to “strengthen the inner man” as St. Paul teaches and draw closer to Christ and more deeply into His Church.

Helping the People of Ukraine Keep Warm This Winter

Gaylena Seabrook, a member of St. Peter’s and very active in relief work for the suffering people of Ukraine requests our support for aiding Ukranians through the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America.

From their website:

The looming winter in Ukraine promises to be “the worst winter since the independence of Ukraine,” according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In response to this challenge, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America has launched a new fundraising initiative, “Keep Ukraine Warm,” to raise $500,000 for winter relief items (clothes, blankets, sleeping bags), wood-burning stoves, and window repairs in Ukrainian homes.

Click the image or here to learn more.

For more information contact Gaylena at 267-991-4101.

Register for Winter Camp Ages 12-17

Click the image of go here for more information.

Leaving a Legacy – Remembering St. Peter’s in Our Estate Planning

The growth and success of St. Peter’s is certainly inspiring. Through it we see the benevolent work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the commitment, generosity, and fortitude of our members and friends who worked and contributed to the growth of our parish. St. Paul says that we are to become “co-laborers with Christ” and our support of St. Peter’s is one way that happens.

Several people have asked how they can leave a legacy for St. Peter’s. Thanks to the good work of Joe and Debbie Repya, St. Peter’s has developed a guide for anyone who would like to consider a gift to the parish in their estate planning.

Our vision at St. Peter’s is to become a church where anyone who is seeking Christ can find him. It happens when Christ calls them. But it also haappens because there is a parish to which our Lord and Savior can bring them. That’s our part of the work.

That work can continue long after our work on this earth is completed. Through planned giving today, we can leave a legacy that helps ensure the good work of St. Peter’s in the future.

For more information including an informational packet that answers many questions please see Fr. Hans.

Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily

Click the image to get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website

Our goal at St. Peter’s is to have one person or family pray the Parakelsis to the Theotokos for at least one day of every month. For each day of the month, individuals or even an entire family can sign up to pray the Paraklesis in their homes on the day/s which they select.

Get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website.

Cafe of Life – The Spiritual Discipline of Generosity

One of the greatest enemies of our spiritual freedom is the cancer of greed and materialism. The quickest way to become slaves to our selfishness is to fail to actively develop the spiritual discipline of generosity.

We all know that generosity is the eternal truth that what we have been given must be given away if we are ever going to enjoy what we’ve been given. So during this Winter Pascha celebration let us look to the interests of others by being generous with our tax- deductible check for the less fortunate and impoverished.

Thank you and IC XC NI KA!

Pledge & Income Report – October 2022

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

You can also donate online:

Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!

Visit the DOMSE Website (scroll to the bottom, fill in the form on the left side) to sign up for “The Light” Newsletter and DOMSE emails.

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

DECEMBER

TOM HALEY
Marlene Haley
Cheryl Morse
Tim Morse
Diana Najjar
Deb Repya
Elaine Semeretis
Gregory Semeretis

JANUARY

BARBARA DIONYSOPOULOS
Al Joseph
Bonnie Joseph
Marianthi Kazakos
Sandy Krotov
Niki Locklear
Ray Locklear
Eleni Moran
Koula Ormanidou

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.

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.”
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.
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.
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.

Helping Our Seniors With Parking

With the church growing the parking lot is close to full every Sunday. Younger parishioners, could you park in the grass lot even if spaces are open in the paved area? That way our seniors can park closer to the entrance and avoid the grassy area where it is easier to stumble and fall.

Calendar also available on the St. Peter website.

NOVEMBER

Christmas Lent and Fasting Starts November 15.

DECEMBER

SUN Dec 04 — ST, BARABARA THE GREAT MARTYR Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Tue Dec 06 — St. Nicholas of Myra Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 08 — St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 08 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
Fri Dec 09 — Men of St. Paisios following the Divine Liturgy (8:00pm) Social Hall

SUN Dec 11 — THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 15 — St Eleutherios / St. Nicholas Academy Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 15 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
Fri Dec 16 — Men of St. Paisios following the Divine Liturgy (8:00pm) Social Hall
Sat Dec 17 — Parish Council Meeting 10:00am

SUN Dec 18 — THE SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Tue Dec 20 — St. Ignatios of Antioch Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 22 — CANCELLED ~~St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am~~
Thu Dec 22 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
Fri Dec 23 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall
Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Royal Hours 9:00am LIVE STREAM
Sat Dec 24 — Nativity Great Vespers 6:00pm LIVE STREAM

SUN Dec 25 — THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Mon Dec 26 — Synaxis of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Tue Dec 27 — St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wed Dec 28 — The 20.000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Burned Alive Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 29 — The Holy Innocents Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Thu Dec 29 — CANCELLED ~~St. Nicholas Academy 9:30am~~
Thu Dec 29 — “The Winter Pascha” Adult Education 7:00pm on ZOOM
Fri Dec 30 — Men of St. Paisios 7:00pm Social Hall

Progress in the spiritual life is measured more by a progressive detachment than by glorious personal acquisitions. Elder Sergei of Vanves

How simple spiritual life is! If one comes to love God, if one comes to recognize His great sacrifice and His good works, and if one exerts himself, with discernment, in imitation of the saints, he will be quickly sanctified. It is enough that he be humbled, that he be conscious of his own wretchedness and his tremendous ingratitude towards God. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

If there is any rest for us in this world, then it consists only in purity of the conscience and patience. This is a harbor for us who sail upon the sea of life… St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

To grieve excessively (over one’s sins) and to become despondent is a sign not of humility, but of pride. We must feel contrition and regret for offending the Lord with our sins, ask His pardon and try not to repeat them. Abbot Nikon Vorobiev

If we wage war against the passions by a consistent repentance and gentle obedience, the purification provided by the grace of the Holy Trinity will become our ally and aid in their defeat. Bishop Irenei Steenberg

And do not suppose that you can pay proper attention to a single Lord, have mercy. Your prayer is bound to be divided and scattered: you are, indeed, human. Only in heaven the angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:10) Tito Colliander

PLEASE NOTE: The names list in “The Current Prayer List listed to be removed after September 1 have been taken of the list. If you would like someone added back please send a text to Fr. Hans or send the name through website here.

Names will remain on the list for three 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 Oct 24 / Resets Dec 1.

Current Prayer List

Irene and unborn baby (Tsikitas 1/23)
Linda (Pappas 1/23)
Ekaterina (Chapekis 1/23)
Mikaela and unborn baby (Irena 1/23)
Lee (Hurley 1/23)
Emmanuel (Kalousdis 1/23)
Katherine (Dusckas 1/23)
Vassiliki (Diveris 1/23)
Zena Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Lamia Touma (Contorelli 1/23
Matthew (Contorelli 1/23
Emmanuel (Kaloudis 1/23)
Nicholas
Marlene (Tewis 12/22)
Tina (Johnson 12/22)
Nicholas (De Lorenzo 12/22)
Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
Angel (Ghanem 10/22)
Edgar (Chapekis 9/22)
Evthriki (Jacobse 9/22)
Christos (Johnson 8/22)
Jon Paul (Andrew 8/22)
William (Brubaker 8/22)
Peter (Tewis 8/22)
The People of Ukraine and People of Russia and all those who are suffering in the war

Permanent Prayer List

Katheryn (Tolkkinen)
Markisia (Long)
Angela (Long)
Marina (Long)
Eleni (Long)
Raphaella (Long)
Joanne (Haley)
Francine (Anton)
Corwin (Dusckas)
Corgette (Troutman)
Irina (Irina)
Seraphim (Irina)
Lidia (Irina)
Sarina (Ghanem)
Debbie (Breitenbach)
Kathy (Breitenbach)
Hope (Isadore)
John (Long)
Pantelis (Tsikita)
Marisa (Tsikita)
Barbara (Dionysopoulos)
Patricia (Evanoff)
Gabriel (Mankus)
Baby Dani (Repya)
Despina (Diversis)b
Fredericos (Diveris)
Makrina (Kerr)
Herman (Kerr)
Innocent (Kerr)
Nicholas (Kerr)
Paola (Jacobse)
Gregory (Yankopolos)
Soterios (Ninos)
Pauline (Poulos)
Sergio (Kazakos)
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Theodosios (Palis)
Theodora (Webb)
Robert (Smith)
Presbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)
James (Hord)
Vassiliki (Kontinos)
Vassiliki (Morekeas)
Vassilike (Hord)

Founders, Members, Benefactors and Friends 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)
Mary (Spiropoulos)
Gregory (Pappas)
Angela (Coran K
Eugene (Rust)
Robert (Jarvis)
George (Corey)

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.

EPISTLE

For the Holy Forefathers

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (3:4-11)

Brethren, when Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

GOSPEL