Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Venerable Theodora of Alexandria; Righteous Euphrosynos the Cook
Following the Divine Liturgy we will celebrate the Elevation of the Cross (moved from September 14 to this Sunday).
We will also read the catechism prayers for three of our new seekers.
Services This Week
- SUN Sep 18 — SUNDAY AFTER THE ELEVATION OF THE CROSS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Fr. Hans Out of Town Sept 5-14, 2022
Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos
Fr. Hans will be taking a vacation week from Sept 5 to 14, 2022 to lead a group of twelve men to Mt. Athos and the holy and historical sites of Thessaloniki, Greece. He leaves on the afternoon of Sunday, September 4. Men from St. Peter’s going along include Jeremiah Tewis, Hunder Kerr, Everett Ker, Qaeden Kerr, Morgan Waterman, Cliff Tewis, Chase Mudd, Will Schwarz, Jonathan Price and several more men from California, Texas, and Georgia. They will be staying at Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos.
In case of pastoral emergencies when Fr. Hans is out of town please call Fr. Paul Girgis of St. Paul Antiochian Church at 509-845-4540.
We Are In Our Summer Lean Time So We Sent Out a Letter…
One of the most encouraging things to witness is the love and support the members of St. Peter’s offer to the parish and each other. Every year we have a lean period during the summer and we send out a letter to remind everyone to remain current with their giving and give a little extra if they can so that our budget stays on track and so we can pay are bills as they come due. It always works out. Our parishioners respond and St. Peter’s gets back to full health and stability.
Take a look at the letter you will receive this week and please catch-up on your pledge and give what you can.
Fr. Hans and the Parish Council of St. Peter’s.
Some Services Moved to Evenings
Fr. Hans has been asked to move some of the services to the evening to accommodate people who would like to attend worship but cannot because of work. Please note the times of services carefully. Some have been moved to the evening so that more people can attend.
We Need Pictures for a New Website
We are building out a “seekers’ website for St. Peter. It will be a place where people learn ‘just the facts’ about Orthodox Christianity and St. Peter’s.
Do you have any pictures? If so, please send them too Anna Tsikitas at anna.tsikitas@gmail.com
Starting Soon – Orthodoxy 101
Starting soon St. Peter’s offers a study of the Orthodox Basics (less philosophical, more factual and practical) of such things as worship, history, theology and more. This is for anyone and everyone who wants to understand our Orthodox faith and practice more thoroughly.
Dates will be determined but Saturday morning from 9:00am to 10:00 class time followed by a half hour optional discussion seems to work best for many people. Please let Fr. Hans know what works for you. We will begin when the summer starts and everyone’s schedule is more flexible.
In the meantime check out the videos on the website Welcome to the Orthodox Church by Frederica Mathews-Green to prepare.
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 Depends on St Peter’s to Feed the Hungry
The Cafe of Life depends on donations like St. Peter’s to feed the hungry and homeless. So please keep so donations coming in and remember…
God wants us to be cheerful, generous givers with humble hearts. He asks us to give as a response to His grace in our lives — even if what we have to offer is all that we have.
Thank you and IC XC NI KA!
Pledge & Income Report – July 2022
Contributions received in July: $18,706.
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
We are behind by $5,408.
Every year we need an extra push in the summer to keep our income current. Please keep up with you pledge so we can keep current with our bills.
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!
September
- TOM HALEY
- Marlene Haley
- Cheryl Morse
- Tim Morse
- Diana Najjar
- Deb Repya
- Elaine Seremetis
- Greogry Seremetis
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.
SEPTEMBER
- SUN Sep 11 — SUNDAY BEFORE THE ELEVATION OF THE CROSS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- SUN Sep 18 — SUNDAY AFTER THE ELEVATION OF THE CROSS Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- SUN Sep 25 — FIRST SUNDAY OF LUKE Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
With sincere Christians prayer is continual, because we continually sin; gratitude is perpetual, because every day, every moment we receive fresh mercies from God, besides the old mercies which are numberless. Praise is also perpetual, because we perpetually see the glory of our God’s works in ourselves and in the world, especially the glory of His infinite love to us. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
The soul came forth from God, and to God may it ever ascend through prayer. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
The basic thing is for man to take care not to lose the Grace of God, so as to have divine enlightenment. For, everything is in vain if there is no divine enlightenment. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
Troops protected by armour, when attacked by adversaries with bows and arrows, hear the twang of the bow and actually see most of the missiles that are shot at them; yet they are not wounded, because of the strength of their armour. Just as they are undefeated because they are protected by iron, so we can break through the black ranks of the demons if, because of our good works, we are protected by the armour of divine light and the helmet of salvation. St. Diadochus, bishop of Photike in Epirus
I constantly think of those who lived a wretched life and are now struggling; I love and cherish them more than those who do not suffer from passions. Even a shepherd will be more compassionate with the injured or sickly sheep and will give it more attentive care until it gets back on its feet again. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
Parents must be very careful not to reprimand their children in the evening, because, at that time, when the children having nothing to distract them from their troubles, the darkness of the night will make their troubles darker still. Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
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 June 4 / Resets Sep 1.
Current Prayer List
Christina (Chapekis 12/22)
John (12/22)
Priest Anthony (Karbo 11/22)
Archpriest Dionysius (Valentine 9/12)
Anthony Presbyter (Kerr 10/22)
Angel (Ghanem 10/22)
Abott Tryphon (Jacobse 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)
Alberta (Dusckas 8/22)
Connie (Dusckas 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)
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 Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
O Lord, how manifold are Thy works.
In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (2:16-20)
Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh Ilive by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
GOSPEL
For the Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1)
The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.
