{"id":6446,"date":"2018-01-23T04:00:52","date_gmt":"2018-01-23T09:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=6446"},"modified":"2018-01-23T04:00:52","modified_gmt":"2018-01-23T09:00:52","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-january-22-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-january-22-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter January 22, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee<\/h2>\n

God-bearing Fathers Ephraim and Isaac the Syrians; Venerable Palladios of Antioch;
\nMartyr Charita; Venerable Theodosios of Totma in Vologda<\/h4>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

What is a Publican and a Pharisee?<\/h2>\n

A Pharisee was an externally decent and righteous man of religion. The publican was a sinful tax-collector who was cheating the people.<\/p>\n

Though the Pharisee was genuinely righteous under the Law, he boasted before God and was condemned. The publican, although he was truly sinful, begged for mercy, received it, and was justified by God.<\/p>\n

The focus this Sunday is on the Gospel of Luke 18:10-14, in which two men went to the Temple to pray. On this Sunday in the preparation for Great Lent, we are to see that we have not the religious piety of the Pharisee, but the repentance of the publican. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)<\/p>\n

Read more on the Orthdoxwiki website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

To learn more about the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko’s podcast on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fr. Tom teaches on the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee as we prepare for the Lenten season.<\/p>\n

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Living the Orthodox Faith Class Continues Wednesday, January 24 at 7:00pm<\/h2>\n

“Living the Orthodox Faith” will look at why our Church does things the way it does, and how to do it properly. We will learn about the sign up the cross, how to enter the Church properly (candles and veneration), how to make a home altar, and more. This is a very practical class, not theological as much as how to live the Orthodox life as an Orthodox Christian.<\/p>\n

Can’t make the class? Join in on Facebook Live<\/a>! You can also view last week’s class too. (We’ve switched the page from St. Peter’s to Fr. Hans’ page since the reach is much broader.)<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Presentation of the Lord in the Temple Divine Liturgy, February 1, 2018 at 6:30pm<\/h2>\n
\"Presentation
Presentation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Thursday February 1, 2017 at 6:30pm we will celebrate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple on the eve of this important feast day.<\/p>\n

Forty days after Christ was born He was presented to God in the Jerusalem Temple according to the Mosaic Law. At this time as well His mother Mary underwent the ritual purification and offered the sacrifices as prescribed in the Law. Thus, forty days after Christmas, on the second of February, the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation called the Meeting (or Presentation or Reception) of the Lord.<\/p>\n

Learn more on the Orthodox Church in America website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sign up for House Blessings<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fr. Hans will be blessing homes and businesses during the Theophany season. Please sign up after Liturgy or email Fr. Hans<\/a> with a few times that work for you. He will contact you to finalize date and time. <\/p>\n

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Fr. Hans Out of Town January 25-27<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He will be attending the Diocese of Miami Winter Retreat in Atlanta. He will be available by cell phone.<\/p>\n

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St. Peter’s General Assembly Meeting, Next Sunday, January 28<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

St. Peter’s will hold it first annual General Assembly meeting on Sunday, January 28, 2018 following the Divine Liturgy. St. Peter’s is growing and we are establishing our systems and procedures for greater stability in the long term.<\/p>\n

We will discuss vision, budgets and other necessary items for long term planning. Of significant importance is what to do in the immediate future as space is our present facility is limited and our lease runs out at the end of 2018.<\/p>\n

Be sure to attend. Your contribution is important to help formulate where we are going and how to get there.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

New Dentistry Office Opens<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

At St. Peter’s we are pro-business especially towards the businesses of our parishioners. Stable incomes contribute to stable families, and when the business grows and can employ others even more stability is created. We ask God to bless businesses and offer prosperity for this reason.<\/p>\n

Two other reasons that businesses are blessed is so that the poor can be helped (you can’t give to the poor if you have nothing to give) and also for the support of the Church.<\/p>\n

Recently St. Peter’s parishioners Dr. Sorina Ilie and her husband Christian opened at dental office not far from the Church. If you need a dentist or know anyone who does, consider visiting or recommending them.<\/p>\n

Dr. Sorina Ilie graduated from the New York University, School of Dentistry. Dr. Ilie worked in a number of offices in New York and New Jersey before moving to Florida, where she currently resides. Dr. Sorina Ilie is an accomplished general dentist with over 15 years of experience.<\/p>\n

Visit the Sorina Dental website<\/a> for more information.<\/em><\/p>\n

St. Paul Founder’s Day Brunch<\/h2>\n

St. Paul’ Antiochian Church, our sister parish, is holding a brunch following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at the Olde Cypress Country Club.<\/p>\n

This will be the first visit or our new Bishop Nicholas to the Naples-Fort Myers area. It would be good if some of us could attend to support St. Paul’s and welcome Bp. Nicholas. <\/p>\n

\n\"St.\n<\/div>\n

To order tickets please call the number on the flyer. Deadline for ordering tickets is February 1.<\/p>\n

The brunch will be held at the Olde Cypress Country Club,7165 Treeline Dr, Naples, FL 34119 (view their website<\/a> or get directions<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Since St. Paul’s will be celebrating a hierarchical liturgy that Sunday there should be enough time for St. Peter’s parishioners to get to Olde Cypress before the brunch begins.<\/p>\n

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Interfaith Charities Needs Our Help!<\/h2>\n

\"Interfaith<\/p>\n

Interfaith Charities has asked us to help supply:<\/p>\n