Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Ninth Sunday of Luke
After-feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
Apostles Philemon, Apphia, Archippos and Onesimos of the Seventy; Clement, bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of Bulgaria; Martyr Cecilia of Rome and those with her; Venerable Kallistos Xanthopoulos of Athos; Martyr Michael, prince of Tver; Venerable Iakovos of Evia
Who Were Archippus the Apostle, Philemon the Apostle and his wife, Apphia, Onesimos the Disciple of Paul?
Philemon, who was from Colossae, a city of Phrygia, was a man both wealthy and noble; Apphia was his wife. Archippus became Bishop of the Church in Colossae. All three were disciples of the Apostle Paul.
Onesimus, who was formerly an unbeliever and slave of Philemon, stole certain of his vessels and fled to Rome. However, on finding him there, the Apostle Paul guided him onto the path of virtue and the knowledge of the truth, and sent him back to his master Philemon, to whom he wrote an epistle (this is one of the fourteen epistles of Saint Paul). In this epistle, Paul commended Onesimus to his master and reconciled the two. Onesimus was later made a bishop; in Greece he is honored as the patron Saint of the imprisoned.
All these Saints received their end by martyrdom, when they were stoned to death by the idolaters. Saint Onesimus is also
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
Liturgies and Services This Week
Paraklesis (Supplications) to the Theotokos Wednesday November 18, 2020 at 9:30am
Prayers for the intercession of the Theotokos to her Son for the protection of our country and our parish.
Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, Saturday November 21, 2020 at 9:30
Nativity Fast Continues
November 15 is the beginning of the Nativity Fast, one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ.
In the weeks between now and December 25, Orthodox Christians prepare themselves to celebrate the birth in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin the fast, we encourage both believing Orthodox and inquirers to review the reflections and resources in the special Nativity section on the Antiochian Archdiocese website.
For additional general resources on the Orthodox Christian tradition of feasting and fasting, visit the Feasts and Fasts section of Discover Orthodox Christianity.
St. Peter General Assembly Sunday November 22, 2020
St. Peter’s will hold their yearly General Assembly on Sunday, November 22 after Divine Liturgy following a very brief Social Hall. The General Assembly will review past year events, goals and forecasts for 2021, and review progress on the aquisition of the new property.
Do You Need Some Furniture?
Marjorie Zimmerman is giving away a Jacuzzi bathtub and Sleep Number bed. If you could use these items please shoot Marjorie at text at (239) 595-4592.
The Jacuzzi bathtub measures at 59″ x 31″. The Sleep Number bed is a split king (heads rise independently, bottom in unison) adjustable bed. Both items will be available when the replacements are delivered. There is no charge.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Thanksgiving Liturgy on Wednesday, November 25, 2029 at 6:30pm (St. Katherine)
Thanksgiving is about the only American Civil Holiday left that has not be completely secularized (de-Christianized), and we celebrate it to keep the Christian founding of America alive. The Orthodox missionary imperative is to affirm the good wherever you find it and build on it, even if the good is not yet complete. For that reason we celebrate Thanksgiving every year with a Divine Liturgy, most often, but not exclusively, on the eve of the holiday.
The Saint we commemorate in the Divine Liturgy is St. Katherine.
Capital Campaign Update
Our Capital Campaign is going well. So far $400,000 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, November 15, 2020. Assignment: Chapters 7 and 8.
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!
Byzantine Chant Workshop – Weekly on Tuesday at 7:00pm at St. Paul’s
Led by Dn. Nicholas Reid, participants will learn the basics of the tone of the week — its characteristics, scale, and various forms — and will get a chance to participate in group practice.
No prior chanting experience is required.
This will also be an opportunity to deepen our Orthodox faith by better understanding the role each tone plays in liturgical worship so that we can apply them more fruitfully in our parish life as well as in the worship of the “little church” – our own homes.
Questions? Contact Dn. Nick (nick.reid.11@gmail.com)
Pledge & Income Report -October 2020
Donations received in September $16,989.00
Amount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
We are behind by $1,178.00
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.
NOVEMBER
The Christmas Fasting Period begins on November 15.
- Sun Nov 15 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 15 — Catechism Class following Social Hall
- Sun Nov 15 – DEC 24 — CHRISTMAS FAST BEGINS
- Mon Nov 16 — ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Tue Nov 17 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 18 — Paraklesis to the Theotokos 9:30am
- Sat Nov 21 — ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 22 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 01 — CANCELLED Catechism Class following Social Hall
- Sun Nov 22 — General Assembly following the Divine Liturgy
- Tue Nov 24 — Byzantine Chant Workshop at St. Paul’s 7:00pm
- Wed Nov 25 — ST. KATHERINE THE GREAT MARTYR Divine Liturgy 6:30am LIVE STREAM
- Thu Nov 26 — THANKSGIVING DAY
- Sun Nov 29 — Orthros 8:30am / Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Sun Nov 01 — Catechism Class following Social Hall
- Mon Nov 30 — ST. ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Wed Dec 02 — ST. PORPHYRIOS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
- Fri Dec 04 — ST. BARBARA / ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM
Wisdom From The Elders
In people in their ordinary state, the spirit, struck by the fall, sleeps an unwakable sleep identical with death. St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea
The truth of Christ’s Mysteries is vouched for by Christ Himself. The truth is further proved by the visible and invisible worlds, created and upheld in their existence by Him, by the cleansing from sins, and by the peace and joy of heart that we experience after communion. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Christians leading an un-Christian like life are the dry branches on the shoots coming from the root—Christ; and “every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away. . . and cast them into the fire.” Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
If a person fantasizes, he is immediately caught in the net cast by the evil spirits. The devil then tells him, “See, you are like me now!” Elder Thaddeus(Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
Thoughts are salvation for us, if we realize that they are bad, battle against them and don’t bring them to fulfillment. Elder Anatole of Optina
Holiness and intelligence of soul are to be recognized from a man’s eye, walk, voice, laugh, the way he spends his time and the company he keeps. Everything is transformed and reflects an inner beauty. For the intellect which enjoys the love of God is a watchful gate-keeper and bars entry to evil and defiling thoughts. Venerable and Godbearing Father Anthony the Great
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 November 12 / Resets December 1)
Marlene (Tewis 1/21)
Kelly (Dusckas 1/21)
Gail (Jacobse 1/21)
David (Dusckas 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)
Lori (Dusckas 12/2020)
Baby Mackenzie (Zafiris 12/20
Weston (Teufel 12/20)
Michelle (Leone/Evanoff 12/20)
Nolan (Zafiris 12/20)
Christos (Eleni 11/20)
Lucy Marie (Eleni 11/20)
Pantelis (Tsikitas 11/20)
Patricia (Evanoff 11/20)
Barbara (Dusckas 11/20)
Brendan (Wolffe 11/20)
Permanent Prayer List
Fran (Hansen)
Nina (Krotov)
George (Chapekis)
Franklin (Pyrrson)
George (Chionis)
Stamatia (Jacobse)
Stamatia (Evelyn)
Demetrios (Kuchera)
Margaret (Palis)
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)
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 Ninth Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (12:16-21)
The Lord spoke this parable: “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” As He said this, Jesus called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”