{"id":7732,"date":"2019-06-18T14:36:04","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T18:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7732"},"modified":"2019-06-18T14:36:04","modified_gmt":"2019-06-18T18:36:04","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-june-18-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-june-18-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter June 18, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

First Sunday after Pentecost<\/h2>\n

All Saints Sunday<\/h2>\n
\"Synaxis
Synaxis of All Saints<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first Sunday after the Feast of Holy Pentecost is observed by the Orthodox Church as the Sunday of All Saints. This day has been designated as a commemoration of all of the Saints, all the Righteous, the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Shepherds, Teachers, and Holy Monastics, both men and women alike, known and unknown, who have been added to the choirs of the Saints and shall be added, from the time of Adam until the end of the world, who have been perfected in piety and have glorified God by their holy lives<\/p>\n

Background<\/strong><\/p>\n

Honoring the friends of God with much reverence, the Prophet-King David says, “But to me, exceedingly honorable are Thy friends, O Lord” (Ps. 138:16). And the Apostle Paul, recounting the achievements of the Saints, and setting forth their memorial as an example that we might turn away from earthly things and from sin, and emulate their patience and courage in the struggles for virtue, says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every burden, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).<\/p>\n

This commemoration began as the Sunday (Synaxis) of All Martyrs; to them were added all the ranks of Saints who bore witness (the meaning of “Martyr” in Greek) to Christ in manifold ways, even if occasion did not require the shedding of their blood.<\/p>\n

Therefore, guided by the teaching of the Divine Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, we honor all the Saints, the friends of God, for they are keepers of God’s commandments, shining examples of virtue, and benefactors of mankind. Of course, we honor the known Saints especially on their own day of the year, as is evident in the Menologion. But since many Saints are unknown, and their number has increased with time, and will continue to increase until the end of time, the Church has appointed that once a year a common commemoration be made of all the Saints. This is the feast that we celebrate today.<\/p>\n

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

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Bishop Nicholas Attending Sts. Peter and Paul Feast Day Liturgy on Friday, June 28, 2019<\/h2>\n
\"Sts.
Sts. Peter and Paul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As is our custom, we get together with St. Paul Orthodox Church to celebrate our Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul. This year St. Peter’s will host.<\/p>\n

Bishop Nicholas will be attending this important day. I encourage everyone to make every effort to attend. It is important to welcome our Bishop, our Brothers and Sisters in Christ from St. Paul’s, to honor the Great Apostles Peter and Paul, and most important to worship Christ in the Divine Liturgy. When we worship, we invite God to enter our lives.<\/p>\n

Orthros begins at 6:00pm and Divine Liturgy at 7:00pm. The minimum preparation should be a light lunch and no food following until after the Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n

Refreshments will be served following the Liturgy. <\/p>\n

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Thank you Tom and Marlene Haley and the Barbecue Crew!<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hats off to Tom and Marlene Haley and their entire barbecue crew for the Father’s Day Barbecue they gave us last Sunday on Father’s Day! <\/p>\n

What a great time it was. The energy was high, the fellowship rich, the joy deep, and the food good. We are blessed!<\/p>\n

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make last Sunday the success it turned out to be.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Liturgies for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, St. John of San Francisco (Maximovitch), and St. Paisios of Athos<\/h2>\n
\"Nativity
Nativity of St. John the Baptist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Monday, June 24 at 9:30am we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist<\/strong>. Why? Because we we worship God and honor the Saints we draw ourselves closer to God and thus draw heaven closer to us. Worshiping God attracts grace. When we hold these extra liturgies, God and His Saints are more active among us.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, July 2 at 9:30am we will celebrate the Liturgy commemorating St. John of San Francisco (Maximovitch)<\/strong>. Why? Because St. John has quietly worked miracles for some of the families in our parish. God is glorified through His Saints.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

On Friday, July 12 at 9:30am we will celebrate the Liturgy commemorating St. Paisios of Athos<\/strong>. Why? Because St. Paisios has also worked miracles for some of the families in our parish. God is glorified through His Saints.<\/p>\n

Please note these are morning Liturgies starting at 9:30am.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Pledge Report – May 2019<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In order to meet our operating Budget goal for 2019 we need to take in $16,666.00 each month.<\/p>\n

Please pledge in order to meet our goal. Pledge forms are available on the table in the narthex.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

\"Interfaith<\/p>\n

Interfaith Charities, the local agency St. Peter’s partners with to help working poor families in our immediate area needs these items:<\/p>\n