Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Seventh Sunday Of Matthew
Who Was the Prophet Ezekiel Who Is Commemorated On Sunday?
The prophet Ezekiel was a contemporary of Jeremiah. He lived during the time of the fall of Jerusalem and was among those who were exiled to Babylon. He was exiled in 597 BC, eleven years before Jerusalem fell, and his prophetic ministry took place in the context of the exile. Ezekiel was from a priestly line, and much of his ministry centered on issues concerning the temple.
He spent much of his time telling the exiles that Jerusalem would indeed fall (as it did in 586 BC), and so they should not expect a quick return to their land. Instead, they should focus their energies on living in their new exilic context in obedience to God. In the end, however, in a memorable vision of dry bones coming to life, Ezekiel prophesied that temple would be restored and the people would return to the land.
Read more about the Prophet Ezekiel on the Orthodox Church in Americawebsite.
Save the Date! – Lucas Teufel Baptism on August 19
All of St. Peter’s family is invited to attend the baptism of Lucas James Teufel, grandson of Anthea Teufel.
The baptism will be held Saturday, August 19, at 2:30pm.
Appetizers and refreshments will be served in the Social Hall following the baptism.
Everyone is invited but please RSVP to Anthea at 239-994-6975 (text preferred) or sign up in the Social Hall following the Divine Liturgy this Sunday.
Orthodox Nursing Home Opens in Clearwater, Florida
From Most Holy Theotokos Rescuer of the Perishing:
Recently, a pan-Orthodox group banded together and started Most Holy Theotokos Rescuer of the Perishing. It is a house of prayer and repentance which ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of Orthodox elderly in the Tampa Bay area. We are located just south of downtown Clearwater and less than a quarter mile from the largest hospital in the area, Morton Plant.
The board of directors is pan-Orthodox representing every major Orthodox jurisdiction currently serving in the area. We have priests serving on the board from the Antiochian Archdiocese, the Moscow Patriarchate, the Serbian Diocese of North America, the OCA, and a layman from the Greek Archdiocese.
Presently, we have a collaborative agreement with the owner of Magnolia Manor (where Most Holy Theotokos Rescuer of the Perishing is located). Magnolia Manor will continue to look after the physical needs of the residents while we will minister to the spiritual needs of the Orthodox residents. We will hold services, including Divine Liturgies, at the residence and have a full schedule of daily services for the residents’ spiritual edification.
We are now accepting applications from prospective Orthodox residents who would like to join us. We are seeking those who desire to live a more intense spiritual life in an Orthodox atmosphere of love and community. While we are located in the Tampa Bay area, we are pleased to welcome Orthodox residents from other parts of the country.
Please visit our website to learn more.
Fr. Hans is the Antiochian representative of this endeavor.
Interfaith Charities Reaches Out to St. Peter’s
Interfaith Charities reached out to us last week to provide peanut butter, jelly, and Ramen noodles to feed hungry kids in our area this summer. When school gets out, the need gets greater.
Please bring these items to church and we will get them to Interfaith Charities. St. Peter’s is committed to meeting the needs of people locally and Interfaith Charities is one way we fulfill that commission.
Learn more about Interfaith Charities on their website.
Coming in September: Through the Bible in One Year
Would you like to read the entire bible? Would you like to take on this challenge with friends for encouragement and support?
On September 1, the start of the new Church Year, St. Peter’s will start a program to read the bible in one year. Information will be posted on the website in August.
Start thinking about it now.
Calendar At A Glance
- July 17-31, 2017 Fr. Hans in Greece
Wisdom From The Elders
But for one who is praying it should make no difference if he is on the train or in the cave or on the road; it should be the same for him. God has made each one of us into a small temple, and we can always have it with us wherever we go.
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
Satan dwells morally in a man when the man becomes a door of the devil’s will. It was in this way that Satan entered into Judas Iscariot (John 13:27), that is, he controlled his reason and will, and became one with him in spirit.
St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
Experience of the Lord’s gift engenders hope; he who is without experience remains in doubt.
St. John Climacus
When someone stops facing things in a worldly manner, he finds himself at ease.
SSt. Paisios of Mount Athos
Wealth can be very destructive for man when it is not distributed to the poor for the benefit of our soul and for the souls of our departed. Giving alms to people who are suffering, widows, orphans and so on is also very helpful for the repose of the souls of those who have passed away.
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
Remember in Your Prayers
Katherine
Douglas
Corwin
Jim
Tracy
John
Eva W.
John Dusckas
Barbara
Melissa
David
Lisa
Nancy
Bob
Angela
James L.
Anthony
Marcie
Michele
Sonya
Kenneth
Carol Ann
Matthew
Gerhard
Valerie
Chrysostom
Tim
Ron
Ivy-Jean
Pat
Christina
Baby Samuel
Jennie
Mary
Baby Kyriake
Maximos
Marian
Photini
Nicholas
Brad William
Ryan
Sarah
Robert Jarvis
Petronia (Wife of Phil Pappas)
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Iris Kuring (Bettina Zifiris' mother)
Constantine Houpis
Ron Chromulak
Beverly Chromulak
Katerina
Dianne
Loucine Kassis
Mary Kassis
Baby Maximus
Annette Star
Christine
Maria
Claire Livaditis
Eva Chandilles
Baby Dani
Scott Nedoff
Anthony Mourgis
John Hansen
James Hord
Bob Smith
Tom and Jean
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 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance.
Until Thee will I cry, O Lord my God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. (15:1-7)
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Gospel
For the Seventh Sunday of Matthew
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (9:27-35)
At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud: “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When He entered the house, the blind men came to Him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.”
But they went away and spread His fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to Him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.