{"id":2907,"date":"2014-11-15T12:00:07","date_gmt":"2014-11-15T17:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=2907"},"modified":"2014-11-15T12:00:07","modified_gmt":"2014-11-15T17:00:07","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-november-15-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-november-15-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter — November 15, 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pray with Perseverance<\/h2>\n
\"Prayer\"<\/div>\n

When you pray, think about the words you are praying (assuming you are reading the prayers of the Church – the written ones). It may be a struggle (prayer often is), but it is within the struggle that the good happens. Just stay with it.<\/p>\n

The fruit of that struggle will manifest itself throughout the day. The day will be filled with more light no matter what the tasks and difficulties that day might bring.<\/p>\n

\"St.<\/div>\n

Don’t worry if you don’t feel much during prayer (joy, elation, even peace sometimes). Just persevere. A race is won only through perseverance. But you are created to win. Don’t forget that.<\/p>\n

\"St.<\/div>\n

If you struggle through the prayers of the Church, you will find that the struggle jump starts your own prayers as well.<\/p>\n

\"St.<\/div>\n

People will come to your mind. Pray for them. When you bring their name to God and ask for his blessing on them, the storehouses of heaven open in ways hard to comprehend but often easy to see.<\/p>\n

\"St.<\/div>\n

If you are suffering and praying for others, especially when you pray through the pain of your suffering, your prayers are especially strong. They reach God with particular resonance and clarity that has great effect towards the people you are praying for.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Parish Christmas Card<\/h2>\n
\"Icon<\/div>\n

Sign up for the parish Christmas Card. It is a great way to send Christmas greetings to all parishioners in one easy swoop. It is a great way to support your Church too.<\/p>\n

Kindly download and print the information form here<\/a>. Fill it in and bring it to Church.<\/p>\n

Or if you prefer you can fill out the form and make your donation online.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Reverence When We enter the Church<\/h2>\n
\"St.<\/div>\n

Soon when you enter the Church on Sunday you will notice something different. You will hear the Hours being read.<\/p>\n

The Hours are Psalms and Prayers that are read throughout the day. The Orthodox discipline which is followed daily in monasteries and some Orthodox follow in privately is to read the First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth hour prayers throughout the day.<\/p>\n