St. Peter Newsletter November 6, 2019

The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
The Eighth Sunday of Luke

Apostles Olympas, Rodion, Sosipater, Tertios, Erastos and Quartos of the Seventy;
Great-martyr Orestes of Cappadocia; Venerable Theostiriktos of Symbola;
Nonnus, bishop of Heliopolis

Who were the Apostles Olympas, Rodion, Sosipater, Tertios, Erastos and Quartos of the Seventy?

Of these Saints, Olympas and Rodion became disciples of Peter, the chief Apostle, and came to Rome, where they were beheaded by Nero. The others reposed in peace, having become bishops: Sosipater of Iconium, Quartus of Beirut, and Erastus of Paneas, or Paneias (which was also called Caesarea of Philippi); Saint Erastus had been chamberlain of the city of Corinth (Rom.16:23).

Source: The Orthodox Church in America website.

Synaxis of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael Divine Liturgy, Friday, November 8 at 9:30am

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, – sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation – (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12).

In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honoring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name.

The name Michael means “Who is like God?” and Gabriel means “God is mighty.” The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

Read the entire essay on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.

St. Nektarios Divine Liturgy, Saturday, November 9 at 9:30am

St. Nectarios: Living Life as a Christian

Christians, have we understood the great responsibility that we have taken on before God through baptism?

Have we come to know that we must conduct ourselves as children of God, that we must align our will with the will of God, that we must remain free from sin, that we must love God with all our hearts and always patiently await union with Him?

Have we thought about the fact that our heart should be so filled with love that it should overflow to our neighbor?

Do we have the feeling that we must become holy and perfect, children of God and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven?

We must struggle for this, so that we may not be shown unworthy and rejected. Let none of us lose our boldness, nor neglect our duties, nor be afraid of the difficulties of spiritual struggle.

For we have God as a helper, who strengthens us in the difficult path of virtue.

Community Luncheon on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 12:00pm

Please note the Community Luncheon is held on the second Thursday this month.

Our next Community Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 14.

Menu
Mousaka
Vegetable
Greek Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives
Dessert

Barbara Dionysopoulos and friends are preparing a delicious meal for all our members. Come and join us to enjoy some good food and the company of your friends. Make some new friends too and get to know other parishioners.

Reservations are required! Please call Barbara at 239-826-1655 or sign up in the Social Hall after Divine Liturgy.

Please: Don’t sign up if you cannot attend. The food is prepared for the numbers who sign up.

Donations are accepted. Proceeds benefit the building fund.

Diocese of Miami Winter Retreat

Bible Studies

November

• Wed Nov 6 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
• Wed Nov 13 — Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
• Wed Nov 20 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
• Wed Nov 27 — CANCELLED Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy held instead) 7:00pm

The Community Bible Study is for the entire community.

The Men’s and Women’s Bible Study are separate studies but held concurrently.

Third Annual Toys for Tots Drive Coming

At St. Peter’s we help the poor and disadvantaged. It is part of our mission. Organizations we support include Interfaith Charities, NAAMI, and Toys for Tots. Our third annual Toys for Tots drive begins in a few weeks! Watch for details.

Pledge & Income Report – September 2019

In August we took in $16,445 in total donations. Our monthly goal is $16,777.00 leaving us $323 short for August.

These are very good numbers for September.

Thank you for your generosity. This year is much better than last but we are still behind in our numbers.

It is not too late to pledge. Pledge forms are available on the table in the narthex.

Interfaith Charities Needs More Food Items

They need:

• Ramen noodles
• Canned tuna
• Vegetables
• Beans
• Soups

Please note: Interfaith Charities is no longer accepting clothing or household items so we won’t be accepting them at St. Peter’s either.

Bring the food items to church and we will get them to Interfaith Charities. Interfaith Charities is a coalition of local churches helping the poor in our immediate community. See more on their website.

Calendar At A Glance

OCTOBER

• Wed Oct 30 — Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm

November

• Wed Nov 6 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
• Fri Nov 8 — Archangel Michael and Gabriel Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Sat Nov 9 — St. Nektarios Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Wed Nov 13 — St. John Chrysostom Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Wed Nov 13 — Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
• Thu Nov 14 — Community Luncheon 12pm
• Thu Nov 15 — NATIVITY FAST BEGINS
• Wed Nov 20 — Community Bible Study 7:00pm
• Thu Nov 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Mon Nov 25 — St. Katherine Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Wed Nov 27 — CANCELLED Men’s & Women’s Bible Study (Held separately) 7:00pm
• Wed Nov 27 — Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy 6:30pm

Please note the extra liturgies scheduled for November:

• Fri Nov 8 — Archangel Michael and Gabriel Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Sat Nov 9 — St. Nektarios Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Wed Nov 13 — St. John Chrysostom Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Thu Nov 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Mon Nov 25 — St. Katherine Divine Liturgy 9:30am
• Wed Nov 27 — Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy 6:30pm

Wisdom From The Elders

Turn your face toward light, o son of light. The Father of light calls you with a fiery love. Missionary Letters of Saint Nikolai Velimirovich

To mock and to joke – therein lie a subtle manifestation of vainglory! Archbishop Seraphim (Sobolev) of Bogucharsk

Some persons ask: What is the use of mentioning the names of the departed or living in prayer for them? God, being omniscient Himself, knows their names and the needs of each one. But those who speak thus forget, or do not know, the importance of prayer, do not know the importance of every word said from the whole heart. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Those who go to attend the Divine service after having eaten much, voluntarily lay upon themselves an unnecessary and injurious burden, and deaden their hearts beforehand to prayer, obstructing the access of holy thoughts and feelings to it. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Value highly, and always preserve Christian meekness and kindness, mutual peace and love, crushing by every possible means the impulses of self-love, malice, irritability, and disturbance. Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Man is a Christian only if he thinks through Christ, believes, feels, and desires through Christ (cf. Phil. 2: 5). Venerable Justin (Popovic)

Remember in Your Prayers

Diomidis (Kanellos)

Anastacia (Ann Constan)
Ben (Ben)
Thomas (Ben)
Irene (C. Diveris)
Vasiliki (C.Diveris)
Efrosini (C. diveris)
Charles (Oberg)
Christine (Kouzes)
Nina (Kovalev)
Hugh (Jacquie)
Violet (Jacquie Mom)
Tammie (Jacquie friend)
Phillip
Baby Luke
George
Priest Kyprianos
Savannah (Jonson)
Bud
Silvana
Nicole
Evan
Megan
Bill R.
Pat R.
Aglaia
George
Hieromonk Serapion
Priest Kyprianos
Athanasia
Alexandra
Constantina
Maryanne (E)
Ron (E)
Tim
Robert (J)
Mary (J)
Patricia
Gregory
Andreas
Sofia Tešanovic
Paul
Dennis H. and Family
Victor Evan
Ann
James
Vasiliki
Efstratia
Alexandra
Nikos
Georgia
Ioannis
Costandino
Jeffrey
Vaso
Dave
Dimitri – Presbyter
Vassiliki
Octavio
Tom
Carl
Rena
Nikolay (5 year old boy in Bulgaria whose parents asked us to pray)
David
Rosie
Kathryn
Jeremy
Constantine
Robert
Jane
Theodora
David
Gina
Micheal
Haralambos
Lillian
Presbytera Rosy
Valentina
Eva W.
Barbara
Angela
Carol Ann
Matthew
Chrysostom
Tim
Pat
Christina
Maria Louise
Maximos
Marian
Photini
Nicholas
Sarah
Constantine Houpis
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Katerina
Mary Kassis
Baby Maximus
Christine
Maria
Annette Star
Claire Livaditis
Eva Chandilles
Baby Dani
Scott Nedoff
James Hord

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-first Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord, how magnified 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 I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Gospel

For the Eighth Sunday of Luke

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:25-37)

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read?” And the lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”

But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The lawyer said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”