Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Second Sunday of Luke
Hieromartyr Cyprian the Confessor & Virgin-martyr Justina
Saint Justina who was from Damascus, lived in virginity for the sake of Christ. Saint Cyprian, who was from Antioch, began as an initiate of magic and worshipper of the demons. A certain foolish young man who had been smitten with Justina’s beauty hired Cyprian to draw her to love him; when Cyprian had wed every demonic device he knew, and had failed, being repulsed by the power of Christ Whom Justina invoked, he understood the weakness of the demons and came to know the truth.
Delivered from demonic delusion, he came to Christ and burned all his books of magic, was baptized, and later ascended the episcopal throne in his country. Later, he and Justina were arrested by the Count of Damascus, and having endured many torments at his hands, they were sent finally to Diocletian in Nicomedia, where they were beheaded about the year 304.
Read the full story on the Orthodox Church in America website.
May Their Memory Be Eternal
Upcoming Memorials at St. Peter’s include:
- Sunday, October 2: Forty day Memorial for Maria Karela, relative of Joan Simon. The Fellowship Hour is sponsored by John and Joan Simon in honor of Maria.
- Sunday, October 16: One year Memorial for Mary Spiropoulos, mother of Joan Simon. Luncheon sponsored by John and Joan Simon immediately following Liturgy in Fellowship Hall in honor of Mary.
Get To Know Your Neighbor
St. Peter’s is growing, so much so that there are new members we might not know? Get to know each other! Make sure to let others know they are welcome? How can we do this? Sit at a different table at Social Hall or extend your hand and introduce yourself. Go out of your way and the blessings will come.
In particular plan on attending our New Member Potluck on Saturday, October 22 at 6:00pm in the Social Hall. This will be a great chance to get to know new members in our parish and for the new member to get to know others.
Our pot lucks are great, by the way. You’ll like it. St. Peter’s puts a premium on food and fellowship!
Fr. Hans Out of Town Monday through Wednesday
Fr. Hans will be in Washington, DC from Monday through Wednesday, October 3-5, 2016. He will be available by cell phone.
In case of pastoral emergency please call Fr. Stephanos at 239-810-9520.
Women’s Group Meets
The first St. Peter’s Women’s Group meeting was held on Thursday, September 22 and it was a resounding success with over 15 women in attendance. Much discussion ensued about the purpose and goals of the group, particularly how to serve Christ, His Church, and others.
Some tentative goals include:
- Establishing a ministry to the hospitals and nursing homes to aid Fr. Hans,
- Charity and service work including Cafe of Life, Interfaith Charities, and NAMI,
- Establishing a parish library.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 6:00pm in the Social Hall.
Interfaith Ministries Needs Canned Fruit – One More Week
Interfaith Ministries needs canned peaches, pears, mandarin oranges, and apple sauce.
We help Interfaith Ministries when they run low on items to help the poor, especially working poor families.
Please bring the food to Church on Sunday.
Events This Fall
As we enter into the new Ecclesiastical Year, St. Peter’s will hold at least one monthly parish social event. Please mark you calendars.
- October 22 (Saturday, 6pm) New Members Welcome pot luck.
- November 12-13 (Saturday and Sunday) Christmas Lent Retreat with Fr. Gregory Jensen on “Building an Intentional Community.” Fr. Gregory will speak on our calling and vocation as Christians and how to live it especially in the Church.
- December 3 (Saturday – 6pm) Christmas pot luck
More details as we move closer to the dates.
No Choir Practice on Wednesday, October 4, 2016
Fr. Hans will be in Washington, DC.
There will be Choir Practice this Wednesday, September 27 at 6:00pm.
No Bible Study on Wednesday, October 4, 2016
Bible study also this Wednesday, September 21.
Fr. Hans will be in Washington, DC.
There will be Bible Study this Wednesday, September 27 at 7:00pm.
Calendar At A Glance
Choir Practice at 6pm and Bible Study at 7pm every Wednesday unless cancelled as noted below.
Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 9:30. Extra services noted below.
October 2 Sunday – Mary Karelis Memorial
October 5 Wednesday 6:00pm – Bible Study CANCELLED
October 12 Wednesday 6:00pm – Choir Practice CANCELLED
October 22 Saturday 6:00pm – New Members Welcome Pot Luck
October 23 Sunday – Mary Spiropoulos Memorial
November 23-24 Saturday/Sunday – Christmas Lent Retreat
December 3 Saturday – Christmas Pot Luck
Wisdom From The Elders
There is a monastic principle that I think has application to married life: “Your cell will teach you to pray.” By staying in marriage and praying for our spouse and children, we learn how to pray. We cannot change others, but God can. And much more important than changing others, God can change us. While marriage reveals sin, it also reveals graciousness. As we pray for our loved ones and focus on our own repentance, married life can become–at least at moments–filled with Grace. And Grace is a little bit of Heaven on earth.
—Unknown author
A manifest sign of love for God is a heartfelt gladness in God, for we rejoice in what we love. Likewise love of God cannot exist without joy, and whenever a man feels the sweetness of the love of God within his heart, he rejoices in God. For so sweet a virtue as love cannot be felt without joy.
As honey sweetens our throat when we taste of it, so the love of God makes our heart glad when we taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Such joy in God is found in many places in Holy Scriptures, and is portrayed most of all in the holy Psalms. This joy is spiritual and heavenly, and is a foretaste of the sweetness of eternal life.
—St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
The goal is to rise spiritually, not simply to avoid sin.
—Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
Remember in Your Prayers
Robert Jarvis
Petronia (Wife of Phil Pappas)
Anna Marie Smith Baker
Harry Zifiris
Iris Kuring (Bettina Zifiris’ mother)
Constantine Houpis
Gerhard Kuring (Bettina Zifiris’ father)
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
Constandina James
James Hord
Bob Smith
Tom and Jean, parents of Patty and Jerry.
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 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
Unto Thee have I cried, O Lord my God.
The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (4:6-15)
Brethren, it is the God Who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that He Who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Gospel
For the Second Sunday of Luke
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (6:31-36)
The Lord said: “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”