{"id":8062,"date":"2019-12-17T05:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T10:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=8062"},"modified":"2019-12-17T05:00:53","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T10:00:53","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-december-17-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-december-17-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter December 17, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forefeast of the Nativity
Sunday before the Nativity of Christ (The Genealogy) <\/h2>\n

Great-martyr Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions and her Teacher the Martyr Chrysogonos<\/h4>\n
\n\"The<\/p>\n

The Geneology of Christ according to St. Luke<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Geneology of Christ<\/h2>\n

The genealogies in the gospels of Saints Matthew and Luke are made to and from Joseph. This is not to give the impression that Jesus came from Joseph’s seed. Both gospels are absolutely clear on this point. Jesus is born from the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. The point is rather that Joseph is Jesus’ father according to the law, and it is from the father that one’s lawful descent is to be traced. Jesus’ legal father is “Joseph, son of David,” the legal husband of Mary (Mt 1:20).<\/p>\n

One other important point is made in listing the human generations which led to the birth of Jesus. This is the fact that God is faithful to His promises even though His chosen people are often not faithful. Among the people from whom Jesus came are both sinners and heathens. In a word, Jesus comes not only from the righteous and holy, but from the wicked and sinful. And He comes not only from Jews, but from Gentiles. The names of the four women specifically mentioned in St. Matthew’s list— Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and the wife of Uriah (Bathsheba)— were noted, not to say notorious, Gentiles, including one of David’s own wives, the mother of Solomon. The point to be seen here is one beautifully made in an early Christian hymn quoted in the Bible in the second letter to Timothy:<\/p>\n

If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him;<\/p>\n

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;<\/p>\n

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;<\/p>\n

If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself. (2 Tim 2:11-13)<\/p>\n

This is the wonderful witness of the genealogies of Jesus: If we are faithless, the Lord God remains faithful— for he cannot deny Himself!<\/p>\n

Source: Antiochian Archdiocese Website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Our Stewardship to St. Peter’s<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\"Stewardship\"
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Click to view the letter<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The letter for Stewardship Support of St. Peter’s in 2020 has been sent.<\/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 $217,000.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Lenten Cookbook by Tabita Valentine Available<\/h2>\n
\n\"Lenten\n<\/div>\n

Tabit Valentine has compiled a cookbook of Lenten recipes available to our parishioners and for sale in our bookstore.<\/p>\n

The recipes are good. Many of you have sampled her work during Social Hall and special events and will agree that what she makes tastes great and topped with a good dose of healthy!<\/p>\n

Suggested donation is $15 with all proceeds going to the building fund.<\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Dr. Zannos and Julia Are Going to be Married and You Are Invited<\/h2>\n
\n\"Wedding\n<\/div>\n

We are pleased to announce the marriage of Zannos and Julia to be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 in the afternoon. They have invited all members of the parish to attend. <\/p>\n

If you plan to attend, please RSVP online to Julia (click here)<\/a> or mention it to her in person by December 14, 2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Nativity Fast Continues 2019<\/h2>\n

The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. The 2nd period is December 20th through 24th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period. Here are the guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Meat<\/strong><\/td>\nDairy<\/strong><\/td>\nFish<\/strong><\/td>\nWine<\/strong><\/td>\nOil<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
beef, chicken, pork, turkey, elk, veal, lamb, deer, rabbit, buffalo, and so forth<\/td>\nmilk, eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, and so forth<\/td>\nfish with a backbone (not including shrimp, octopus, shellfish, squid, or other seafood.<\/td>\n(some include all types of alcohol in this category)<\/td>\n(some include all types of oil in this category)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Abstain.<\/strong><\/td>\nAbstain.<\/strong><\/td>\nPermitted<\/strong> only on Saturdays and Sundays before December 20. (some permit fish Tuesdays and Thursdays also)<\/td>\nPermitted<\/strong> only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays before December 20.<\/td>\nPermitted<\/strong> only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays before December 20.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Purpose of Fasting<\/h4>\n

The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things that are above, the Kingdom of God. It is a means of putting on virtue in reality, here and now. Through it we are freed from dependence on worldly things. We fast faithfully and in secret, not judging others, and not holding ourselves up as an example.<\/p>\n