{"id":10809,"date":"2022-03-01T08:30:31","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T13:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=10809"},"modified":"2022-03-01T08:30:31","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T13:30:31","slug":"st-peter-news-march-1-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-news-march-1-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter News March 1, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Sunday of Forgiveness, the last of the preparatory Sundays before Great Lent, has two themes: it commemorates Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, and it accentuates our need for forgiveness. There are obvious reasons why these two things should be brought to our attention as we stand on the threshold of Great Lent.<\/p>\n
One of the primary images in the Triodion is that of the return to Paradise. Lent is a time when we weep with Adam and Eve before the closed gate of Eden, repenting with them for the sins that have deprived us of our free communion with God. But Lent is also a time when we are preparing to celebrate the saving event of Christ’s death and rising, which has reopened Paradise to us once more (Luke 23:43). So sorrow for our exile in sin is tempered by hope of our re-entry into Paradise.<\/p>\n
The second theme, that of forgiveness, is emphasized in the Gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 6:14-21) and in the special ceremony of mutual forgiveness at the end of the Vespers on Sunday evening. Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. <\/p>\n
A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. We do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family. Our asceticism and fasting should not separate us from others, but should link us to them with ever-stronger bonds.<\/p>\n
Read more on the Greek Orthodox website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Following the Social Hall, we will hold Forgiveness Vespers, a short service followed by the asking of forgiveness of each other to prepare us for Lent. All parishioners are encouraged to attend.<\/p>\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 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 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 Every Wednesday after Presanctified Liturgy on the Wednesdays during Lent, we gather for fellowship over a simple Lenten supper.<\/p>\n Thank you to Marjorie Zimmerman will be organizing the suppers.<\/p>\n Click to enlarge and print<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Due to the parking lot being resealed this week, please part on the grass.<\/em><\/p>\n 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 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 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 Click the image to get more information on how to participate from the St. Peter’s website<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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 One of the greatest enemies of our spiritual freedom is the cancer of greed. The quickest way to become slaves to our selfishness is to fail to actively develop the spiritual discipline of generosity. We all know that generosity is the eternal truth that what we have been given must be given away if we are ever going to enjoy what we’ve been given. <\/p>\n Let us look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others.<\/p>\n So please be generous with your tax- deductible check for the impoverished and you will be enriched in every way.<\/p>\n Thank you, God bless and IC XC NI KA!<\/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 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 Learn more on the DOMSE website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Donations received in January: $25,767. St. Peter Orthodox Church You can also donate online:<\/p>\nForgiveness Vespers follows Social Hour This Sunday<\/h2>\n
Services This Week<\/h2>\n
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Journey through Lent Retreat Following Saturday of the Souls Liturgy on March 5, 2022<\/h2>\n
Stewardship 2022<\/h2>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\nPresanctified Lenten Suppers<\/h2>\n
Journey to Pascha<\/h2>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\nLiturgical Greek Language School Continues<\/h2>\n
St. Peter’s Adult Education Continues. Mark Your Calendars!<\/h2>\n
2) Journey through Lent. Saturday March 5, 2022 following the Saturday of the Souls Liturgy<\/h4>\n
3) St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat. Saturday March 26, 2022 at 9:00am<\/h4>\n
Let’s Pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos Daily<\/h2>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\nCafe of Life: A Cure for Greed and Avarice<\/h2>\n
Man of God (St. Nektarios) Movie Coming to Fort Myers\/Naples on Monday March 21, 2022<\/h2>\n
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\n Prado Stadium<\/td>\n 25251 Chamber of Commerce Dr<\/td>\n Bonita Spring<\/td>\n FL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Regal Coconut Point<\/td>\n 8021 Cinema Way<\/td>\n Estero<\/td>\n FL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Regal Belltower<\/td>\n 13499 Belltower Drive<\/td>\n Fort Myers<\/td>\n FL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Regal Gulf Coast Town Center<\/td>\n 10028 Gulf Center Drive<\/td>\n Fort Myers<\/td>\n FL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Regal Hollywood<\/td>\n 6006 Hollywood Drive<\/td>\n Naples<\/td>\n FL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n Save the Date! DOMSE Parish Life Conference June 15-18, 2022<\/h2>\n
Pledge & Income Report – January 2022<\/h2>\n
\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $24,114.
\nWe are ahead by $1,653.<\/p>\n
\n7470 Hickory Drive
\nFort Myers, FL 33967<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\nSign up the the Monthly DOMSE Newsletter on the DOMSE (Diocese of Miami and the Southeast) Website!<\/h2>\n
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