{"id":7358,"date":"2019-01-08T05:00:24","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T10:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7358"},"modified":"2019-01-08T05:00:24","modified_gmt":"2019-01-08T10:00:24","slug":"st-peter-orthodox-church-newsletter-january-8-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-orthodox-church-newsletter-january-8-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter January 8, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Sunday After Epiphany<\/h2>\n<h4>Martyrs Hermylos and Stratonikos of Belgrade; Martyrs Pachomios and Papyrinos of Greece; Venerable Maximos Kafsokalyvitis of Athos; Venerable Eleazar of Anzersk Island; Hilarion, bishop of Poitiers<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5665\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5665\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/theophany-500x622.jpg\" alt=\"The Baptism of Christ\" width=\"500\" height=\"622\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5665\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5665\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Baptism of Christ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>New Year Celebration on Saturday, January 12, 2019 for a New Years lamb and chicken dinner! This will be good!<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/lamb-platter-500x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"234\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7341\" \/><\/p>\n<p>At St. Peter&#8217;s we are always a bit late ringing in the New Year. So, in keeping with that tradition join us on Saturday, January 12, 2019 starting at 5:00pm for the roasting of a lamb on a spit along with grilled chicken. <\/p>\n<p>The lamb and chicken are provided but please bring one of the following if you can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Side dishes<\/li>\n<li>Salad<\/li>\n<li>Desert<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you can help defray the cost of the lamb and chicken, please give a donation to one of the Parish Council members.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Vassilopita on Sunday, January 13, 2019<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/vassilopita-thumb-150x150.png\" alt=\"Vasilopita\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-4172\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We will cut the Vassilopita (St. Basil&rsquo;s bread) on Sunday January 13 following the Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Our Stewardship to St. Peter&#8217;s: The Tree Must Bear Fruit<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/apple-tree-500x389.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"389\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7322\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Please return your Stewardship Support of St. Peter&#8217;s for 2019.<\/p>\n<p>We are responsible to increase what God has given us. In the Parable of the Talents, the master gave his servants talents that they are expected to nurture and grow. This is a responsibility we cannot avoid.<\/p>\n<p>The Church is both a place where the increase begins on the inside of us, and to which we much give some our increase. This too is a responsibility we must take on.<\/p>\n<p>A contribution form will be included in the letter you receive. Our goal this year is $200,000. We must meet this goal to avoid using our reserves. If we spend our reserves, we will not be able to obtain a mortgage to buy or build when the time comes to do so (and it will come sooner than later). <\/p>\n<p>All of us may have to squeeze a bit to meet this goal. But if give, the Church flourishes and that flourishing spills over into our lives as well and the lives of our families. <\/p>\n<p>We must increase what we have been given by God.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Please Help on Church Directory Updates<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/man-at-computer-500x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"150\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7321\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A lot of work has been done behind the scenes updating our record keeping, parish lists, and financial tracking. <\/p>\n<p>One area that has been improved is record keeping of our members.<\/p>\n<p>To bring everything up to date we need current information. Please fill in the <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/directory-update-form\/\">form on the website<\/a>, fill in a paper form at Church, or complete the stewardship form you will be receiving shortly.<\/p>\n<p>You can fill in the <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/directory-update-form\/\">form on the website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>What&#8217;s Coming in 2019?<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/bible-study-tile-500x204.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"204\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7343\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>New classes and bible studies are starting!<\/h2>\n<p>Cathechumen\/New Member class start on Monday, January 14 at 7:00pm. Catechumens are required to attend but anyone seeking a better understanding of the Orthodox faith is encouraged to attend as well. <\/p>\n<p>General and Mens Bible studies on alternating Wednesdays beginning on Wednesday, January 16. The Mens Study will not begin until February 6 because Fr. Hans will be out of town on January 23 attending the Miami Diocese Retreat in Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p>St. Demetrios Brotherhood meetings (for young men) moved to Thursdays beginning January 17.<\/p>\n<h2>Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n<p><strong>JANUARY<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Saturday, January 12<\/strong> &mdash; New Years Lamb and Chicken Dinner Celebration at 5:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sunday, January 13<\/strong> &mdash; Cutting of the Vassilopita following Divine Liturgy<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, January 14<\/strong> &mdash; Catechumen\/New Member Class at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wednesday, January 16<\/strong> &mdash; Community Bible Study at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thursday, January 17<\/strong> &mdash; St. Demetrios Brotherhood at 7:00pm (NOTE DAY CHANGE)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, January 21<\/strong> &mdash; Catechumen\/New Member Class at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wednesday, January 16<\/strong> &mdash; Community Bible Study at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thursday, January 17<\/strong> &mdash; St. Demetrios Brotherhood at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>January 22-26, 2019<\/strong> &mdash; Fr. Hans attends Miami Diocese Winter Retreat in Atlanta<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wednesday, January 23<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED Mens Bible Study at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thursday, January 24<\/strong> &mdash; CANCELLED St. Demetrios Brotherhood at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, January 28<\/strong> &mdash; Catechumen\/New Member Class at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wednesday, January 30<\/strong> &mdash; Community Bible Study at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thursday, January 31<\/strong> &mdash; St. Demetrios Brotherhood at 7:00pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Wisdom From The Elders<\/h2>\n<p>Out of the greatest sinners God makes righteous men. <strong>Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Very few men can accurately recognize all their own faults; indeed, only those can do this whose intellect is never torn away from the remembrance of God. <strong>St. Diadochos of Photiki<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When God recedes in order to educate us, this brings great sadness, humility and even some measure of despair to the soul. The purpose of this is to humble the souls tendency to vanity and self-glory, for the heart at once is filled with fear of God, tears of thankfulness, and great longing for the beauty of silence. <strong>St. Diadochus of Photiki<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Reading, vigils and prayer &mdash; these are the things that lend stability to the wandering mind. <strong>Evagrius of Pontus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prayer that rises up in someone&#8217;s heart serves to open up for us the door of heaven: that person stands in converse with the Divinity and gives pleasure to the Son of God. <strong>Venerable Ephraim the Syrian<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h2>Remember in Your Prayers<\/h2>\n<p>\nAthanasia<br \/>\nAlexandra<br \/>\nConstantina<br \/>\nMaryanne (E)<br \/>\nRon (E)<br \/> <br \/>\nTim<br \/>\nRobert (J)<br \/>\nMary (J)<br \/>\nHelen (Rogers)<br \/>\nDoug Spencer<br \/>\nKathy Spencer<br \/>\nKathy D<br \/>\nAndreas<br \/>\nSofia Te\u0161anovic<br \/>\nPaul<br \/>\nDennis H. and Family<br \/>\nVictor Evan<br \/>\nAnn<br \/>\nJames<br \/>\nVasiliki<br \/>\nEfstratia<br \/>\nAlexandra<br \/>\nNikos<br \/>\nGeorgia<br \/>\nIoannis<br \/>\nCostandino<br \/>\nJeffrey<br \/>\nVaso<br \/>\nDave<br \/>\nDimitri &#8211; Presbyter<br \/>\nVassiliki<br \/>\nOctavio<br \/>\nTom<br \/>\nCarl<br \/>\nRena<br \/>\nNikolay (5 year old boy in Bulgaria whose parents asked us to pray)<br \/>\nDavid<br \/>\nEva K.<br \/>\nRosie<br \/>\nKathryn <br \/>\nJeremy<br \/> <br \/>\nConstantine<br \/>\nRobert<br \/>\nJane<br \/>\nTheodora<br \/>\nDavid<br \/>\nGina<br \/>\nMicheal<br \/>\nHaralambos<br \/>\nLillian<br \/>\nPresbytera Rosy<br \/>\nValentina<br \/>\nEva W.<br \/>\nBarbara<br \/>\nAngela<br \/>\nCarol Ann<br \/>\nMatthew<br \/>\nChrysostom<br \/>\nTim<br \/>\nPat<br \/>\nChristina<br \/>\nMaria Louise<br \/>\nMaximos<br \/>\nMarian<br \/>\nPhotini<br \/>\nNicholas<br \/>\nSarah<br \/>\nConstantine Houpis<br \/>\nAnna Marie Smith Baker<br \/>\nRon Chromulak<br \/>\nBeverly Chromulak<br \/>\nKaterina<br \/>\nMary Kassis<br \/>\nBaby Maximus<br \/>\nChristine<br \/>\nMaria<br \/>\nAnnette Star<br \/>\nClaire Livaditis<br \/>\nEva Chandilles<br \/>\nBaby Dani<br \/>\nScott Nedoff<br \/>\nJames Hord<br \/>\nTom<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><em>Add or remove names and print this list for easy reference during your prayer time <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/prayer-list\/\">on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Sunday Readings<\/h2>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/pantokrator-blessing.png\" alt=\"Christ Giving Blessing\" width=\"500\" height=\"275\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3509\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h4>Epistle<\/h4>\n<p>For the Sunday after Theophany of Christ<\/p>\n<p>Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.<br \/>\nRejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.<\/p>\n<p>The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (4:7-13)<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Brethren, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ&rsquo;s gift. Therefore, it is said, &ldquo;When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.&rdquo; (In saying, &ldquo;He ascended,&rdquo; what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is He who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h4>Gospel<\/h4>\n<p>For the Sunday after Theophany of Christ<\/p>\n<p>The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (4:12-17)<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: &ldquo;The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.&rdquo; From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, &ldquo;Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 1em 1em\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/divider-2.png\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church\" \/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sunday after Theophany, Lamb Dinner New Year Celebration, Cutting of the Vasilopita, Catechumen and Bible Studies starting&#8230;more<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5667,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7358"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7358\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}