![\"The](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/prodigal-son-panorama-500x371.png\")
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The Sunday of the Prodigal Son is the second Sunday of pre-Lent, the weeks of preparation preceding Great Lent. It is the Sunday after the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee and Sunday before Meatfare Sunday. This pre-Lent is the start of the Easter cycle of worship in the Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n
On this Sunday in the preparation for Great Lent, Orthodox Christians are read Christ’s parable about God’s loving<\/p>\n
forgiveness (Luke 15:11-24). They are to see themselves as being in a foreign country far from the Father’s house and to make the movement of return to God, where we truly belong. The parable gives assurance that the Father will receive them with joy and gladness in their journey through Great Lent, their journey home.<\/p>\n
When we take one step towards God, He takes 10 steps toward us.<\/em><\/p>\n Menu<\/strong> You are invited to join your St. Peter’s friends for lunch and fellowship at 12 noon on Thursday, March 7, at 12:00pm. <\/p>\n Barbara Dionysopoulos and friends are preparing a delicious meal for all our members. Come and join us to enjoy some good food and the company of your friends. Make some new friends too and get to know other parishioners.<\/p>\n Reservations are required!<\/em> Please call Barbara at 239-826-1655 or sign up in the Social Hall after Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n The cost is $5 per person. After food expenses all donations benefit the St. Peter building fund.<\/p>\n Click the image to view and print. Copies will also be available at Church.<\/p>\n Following the Presanctified Liturgies on Wednesday evenings during Great Lent, we share in a Lenten supper. During the supper a short program will be held. This year’s theme is “Orthodox Saints” and it is being organized by Nancy Forderhase.<\/p>\n Thank you ladies!<\/em><\/p>\n Cathechumen\/New Member class on Mondays 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 General and Mens Bible studies on alternating Wednesdays. See schedule below.<\/p>\n St. Demetrios Brotherhood meetings (for young men) moved to Thursdays at 7:00pm.<\/p>\n Please return your Stewardship Support of St. Peter’s for 2019.<\/p>\n 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 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 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 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 We must increase what we have been given by God.<\/p>\n Our sister parish of St. Paul’s in Naples is holding their Founder’s Day Brunch on Sunday, March 3, 2019 following their Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Bishop Nicholas will be attending.<\/p>\n The brunch will be held at the Quail Creek Country Club (get map and directions<\/a>). If you plan to attend, leave soon after liturgy.<\/p>\n This is a good way to support our sister parish. So far about 10 people are committed to going including our Parish Council Members and Fr. Hans. If you plan to attend, please contact the number listed on the flyer.<\/p>\n![\"Bp.](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/ware-youtube.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\nSt. Peter’s Community Luncheon on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 12:00pm<\/h2>\n
![\"Community](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/community-dinner-500x145.png\")
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\nHomemade Pastichio
\nGreek Salad with Feta Cheese and Kalamata Olives
\nBread, Dessert, Beverage<\/p>\n <\/div>\nLent and Holy Week Schedule Posted<\/h2>\n
![\"Click](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/lent-schedule-tile-500x270.png\")
<\/p>\n <\/div>\nLenten Supper Schedule<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/lentil-soup-200x200.png\")
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<\/div>\nNew Member Classes and Bible Studies Continue<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/bible-study-tile-500x204.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/div>\nOur Stewardship to St. Peter’s: The Tree Must Bear Fruit<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/apple-tree-500x389.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/div>\nSt. Paul’s Founders Day Brunch, Sunday, March 3, 2019<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/founders-day-2019.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/convention-flyer-489x863.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Christ](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/pantokrator-blessing.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"St.](\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/divider-2.png\")
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