{"id":10797,"date":"2022-02-21T18:47:28","date_gmt":"2022-02-21T23:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=10797"},"modified":"2022-02-21T18:47:28","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T23:47:28","slug":"st-peter-news-february-22-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-february-22-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News February 22, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meat Fare) <\/h2>\n

Venerable Prokopios the Confessor of Decapolis; Thalelaeus, hermit of Gabala in Syria<\/h4>\n
\n\"The<\/p>\n

The Last Judgment<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The parable of the Last Judgment is about Christian love. Not all of us are called to work for “humanity,” yet each one of us has received the gift and the grace of Christ’s love.<\/p>\n

We know that all persons ultimately need this personal love—the recognition in them of their unique soul in which the beauty of the whole creation is reflected in a unique way.<\/p>\n

We also know that people are in prison and are sick and thirsty and hungry because that personal love has been denied them.<\/p>\n

And, finally, we know that however narrow and limited the framework of our personal existence, each one of us has been made responsible for a tiny part of the Kingdom of God, made responsible by that very gift of Christ’s love. Thus, on whether or not we have accepted this responsibility, on whether we have loved or refused to love, shall we be judged.<\/p>\n

Read more on the Greek Orthodox<\/a> website.<\/p>\n

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Services This Week<\/h2>\n

Fr. Hans is attending the Clergy Conference and Winter Retreat this week. No services are scheduled.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Stewardship 2022<\/h2>\n

Stewardship letters have been mailed out. God has blessed St. Peter’s. Please fill in your pledge so the work that we have been called to do will continue.<\/p>\n

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\n\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

Click the image to download and print the form<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

You can also print and download the form on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Lent is Coming So How Do We Prepare?<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website has good information on Lent. Click the image above.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Preparation begins with a resolution in the heart to do better this year than we did last year. Lent requires more of us but the requirement is never a demand but an invitation because God is not coercive. He freely gives so that we may freely receive.<\/p>\n

But God is what the scripture calls a “jealous God.” This does not mean that God is jealous, but that the requirements for salvation, the things that are necessary to experience His salvation do not change. For us Americans it might be easier to understand it this way: God’s directives are not subject to negotiation or compromise.<\/p>\n

More is expected from us. The Sunday services will be longer because we perform the Liturgy of St. Basil instead of St. John Chrysostom. The prayers are longer and we will pray them all because we don’t negotiate or compromise with what the Fathers have handed down to us.<\/p>\n

We are expected to fast from certain foods during Lent. Why? Because bodily discipline is necessary for the healing of the soul.<\/p>\n

We are expected to attend more services. Why? Because prayer and worship are necessary to draw us closer to God. When we draw closer to God, He draws closer to us St. Paul teaches. <\/p>\n

We are expected to aid the poor more. Why? Because he who cares for the poor finds honor from his maker. <\/p>\n

We Americans don’t like being told what to do. We naturally resist any statement that begins with “We are expected…” We reflexively equate obedience with servitude and we don’t like servitude.<\/p>\n

Remember though that God gives freely and we are to receive freely. God does not force obedience. If He did obedience would be coercion and not freely given.<\/p>\n

At the same time, we don’t change the Church and its practices to fit our idea of how things should be. Through the Church we learn how to conform ourselves to Christ. We don’t conform the Church into our own image. <\/p>\n

Finally please note: This year the Paschal service will be scheduled where it should be, near midnight (time to be determined). This is Orthodox practice. Metropolitan Joseph has been gently urging the parishes to conform closer to Orthodox practice. (In many areas, including Southwest Florida, the practices were relaxed.) The same will happen with the Nativity liturgy in December, 2022.<\/p>\n

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We Need a Volunteer to Organize Lenten Suppers<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Lenten\n<\/div>\n
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Every Wednesday after Presanctified Liturgy on the Wednesdays during Lent, we gather for fellowship over a simple Lenten supper.<\/p>\n

We need a volunteer to take on organizing it. Basically it consists of finding other volunteers to prepare the supper. If you can do this please contact Fr. Hans.<\/p>\n

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Journey to Pascha<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

Click to enlarge and print<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Liturgical Greek Language School Continues<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Sts.\n<\/div>\n

Due to the parking lot being resealed this week, please part on the grass.<\/em><\/p>\n

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St. Peter’s has begun classes on the Greek language for the children of the parish. Their parents requested the classes so that their children can be exposed to liturgical Greek, the language of scripture and theology. Classes meet on Thursdays at 3:30pm in the Sunday School room. <\/p>\n

Parents are responsible for the instruction of their children. St. Peter’s do will everything possible to help them. <\/p>\n

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St. Peter’s Adult Education Continues. Mark Your Calendars!<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Holy\n<\/div>\n
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2) Journey through Lent. Saturday March 5, 2022 following the Saturday of the Souls Liturgy<\/h4>\n

This talk will explain the general outline of Lent and Holy Week so that we can understand the structure, meaning, and importance of this season more deeply. Leaarn why<\/em> we do the things that we do. It follows the Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy held that morning (talk begins about 11:30am and will be over by 1:00pm).<\/p>\n

3) St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat. Saturday March 26, 2022 at 9:00am<\/h4>\n

The tentative title is “All About Prayer” led by Presbytera Susan. Coffee at 9:00am, retreat begins at 9:30am and concludes with Vespers. More details forthcoming.<\/p>\n

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Church Parking Lot Closed February 23-26, 2022 (Wednesday through Friday)<\/h2>\n
\n\"Restriping\n<\/div>\n

The parking lot will be resealed and striped. After Wednesday you can park on the grass and walk into the church.<\/p>\n

Helping Our Seniors With Parking<\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Keeping the Handicap Area Nearest the Front Door Open<\/h4>\n

The handicap areas nearest the front door have wider access. If you park in the handicap area but don’t need wider access, please avoid the space nearest the front door. These spots are exclusively for those parishioners who need wheelchair access, which for now is one parishioner.<\/p>\n

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Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

Click the image to get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, we will reach our goal of collectively praying for the intercessions of the Theotokos every day of every month. That way the supplications to the Theotokos will be offered for our parish, the larger world and those in need such as the people on our prayer list.<\/p>\n

Also, you will come to know and love this beautiful hymn and learn more about the Theotokos and her benevolence and power towards us. We supplicate the Theotokos who responds in mercy, and she supplicates her son on behalf of the parish and its people.<\/p>\n

Get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Cafe of Life— If You Do Good, Do It For Christ<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Cafe\n<\/div>\n
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We want to thank all those who donated so far to help feed the less fortunate in our community. Please be mindful that the Cafe of Life depends on donations like St. Peter\u2019s to feed the hungry and homeless. So please keep so donations coming in and never forget:<\/p>\n

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If you do good, you must do it only for God. For this reason you must pay no attention to the ingratitude of people. Expect a reward not here, but from the Lord in heaven. If you expect it here \u2014 it will be in vain and you will endure deprivation (St. Ambrose of Optina, quoted from Living Without Hypocrisy: Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!<\/p>\n

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Man of God (St. Nektarios) Movie Coming to Fort Myers\/Naples on Monday March 21, 2022<\/h2>\n
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\n\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

Click to view the trailer<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A special showing of “Man of God,” an award winning feature film about the life of St. Nektarios is coming to Southwest Florida on Monday, March 21, 2022. Fr. Hans has already seen the film and gives it five stars. It is very good.<\/p>\n

We can go view the film as a parish. Locations include:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Prado Stadium<\/td>\n25251 Chamber of Commerce Dr<\/td>\nBonita Spring<\/td>\nFL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Regal Coconut Point<\/td>\n8021 Cinema Way<\/td>\nEstero<\/td>\nFL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Regal Belltower<\/td>\n13499 Belltower Drive<\/td>\nFort Myers<\/td>\nFL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Regal Gulf Coast Town Center<\/td>\n10028 Gulf Center Drive<\/td>\nFort Myers<\/td>\nFL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Regal Hollywood<\/td>\n6006 Hollywood Drive<\/td>\nNaples<\/td>\nFL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

This movie was supported by St. Maxim the Greek Institute and Vatopedi Monastery for the spiritual enrichment of Orthodox Christians and all of humanity. The 2021 #1 movie in Greece, “Man of God” depicts the life of St. Nektarios, his struggles, his deep faith in God and his unwavering compassion for all people.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that St. Nektarios has performed miracles in our parish including the healing of cancer and other maladies. <\/p>\n

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Save the Date! DOMSE Parish Life Conference June 15-18, 2022<\/h2>\n
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\n\"DOMSE\n<\/div>\n
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Learn more on the DOMSE website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Pledge & Income Report – January 2022<\/h2>\n

Donations received in January: $25,767.
\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
\nWe are ahead by $1,653.<\/p>\n

\n\"Don't\n<\/div>\n

St. Peter Orthodox Church
\n7470 Hickory Drive
\nFort Myers, FL 33967<\/p>\n

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You can also donate online:<\/p>\n

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\n\"Click<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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Sign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!<\/h2>\n
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Visit the DOMSE Website<\/a> (scroll to the bottom, fill in the form on the left side) to sign up for “The Light” Newsletter and DOMSE emails.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\n\"Social\n<\/div>\n
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The Social Hall All Stars are the men and women that make St. Peter’s Social Hall happen. Thank you All Stars!<\/em><\/p>\n

February 6 – February 27<\/p>\n