{"id":8282,"date":"2020-03-18T11:45:08","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T15:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=8282"},"modified":"2020-03-18T11:45:08","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T15:45:08","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-march-18-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-march-18-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter March 18, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Third Sunday of Great Lent
\nVeneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross <\/h2>\n
\"St.<\/div>\n

Although many of us will not be able to attend the Liturgy this Sunday, we will keep up with information about the importance of each Sunday nonetheless.<\/em><\/p>\n

We will live stream the Divine Liturgy on the St. Peter Facebook page<\/a> beginning at 9:30am. <\/em><\/p>\n

PLEASE NOTE:<\/strong> Although most of us cannot attend Church, our bills still need to be paid. We are on a sound financial footing, but this will continue only if we maintain our giving to the Church. Please mail your contributions to the church or, if you prefer, donate online by clicking the donate button on the St. Peter’s website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"St.<\/div>\n

Hieromartyr Basil of Ancyra; Martyr Kallinika of Rome; and Venerable-martyr Euthymios of Prodromou Skete on Athos<\/h4>\n
\"Elevation<\/p>\n

Elevation of the Precious and Life Giving Cross<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme. This Sunday’s theme is that in the cross of Christ crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor 1:24). On this Sunday in the middle of the Lenten season, the cross stands in the middle of the church, not merely to remind the faithful of Christ’s redemption and for them to keep the goal of their Lenten efforts, but also as a reminder: “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38).<\/p>\n

Historical theme<\/strong><\/p>\n

The historical theme, as seen in the hymnology, is the victory and joy of the cross, not the suffering. The Church fathers equate the life-giving cross with the tree of life and plant it in the middle of the Lenten pilgrimage. It was the tree that was planted in Paradise; it is to remind the faithful of both Adam’s bliss and how he was deprived from it.<\/p>\n

Personal theme<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the catechumens of the early church, and the faithful preparing for Pascha today, the spiritual theme starts to change from personal faith, and personal effort, to Christ. The Church teaches that it is Christ’s cross that saves. One cannot take up his own cross and follow Christ unless one has Christ’s cross which he took up to save mankind. Partaking of this tree, one will no longer die, but will be kept alive.<\/p>\n

This is done to refresh, reassure and to encourage those participating in Great Lent. The Church equates the appearance of the cross at this time to the banners and symbols that precede the return of a victorious king. The Epistle reading is from Hebrews 4:14-5:6 and explains Christ’s priesthood, and the Gospel lesson from Mark 8:34-9:1 ends with And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”<\/p>\n

From Orthodoxwiki website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/div>\n

Fr. Thomas Hopko on “Taking Up Your Cross”<\/h2>\n
\"Fr.<\/div>\n

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Listen here:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Met. Joseph Issues Directives on Worship and Church Activities<\/h2>\n
 <\/div>\n
\n\"Met.\n<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n

Metropolitan Joseph has issued a directive for Worship and non-liturgical activities during the coronavirus pandemic. You can read the entire directive on the St. Peter website<\/a>. The main points are listed below.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. No non-liturgical parish activities will be held. This means that we will cancel Social Hall, Community Luncheons, Sunday School, Greek School (already cancelled), Bible Studies or any other kind of social activity until further notice.<\/li>\n
  2. Sunday and Orthodox Liturgies will continue but only with the Priest, Deacon, Altar Servers, and Chanter(s). No more than 10 parishioners can attend. We will see if can set up a live stream for parishioners who remain at home.<\/li>\n
  3. Presanctified Liturgies are cancelled.<\/li>\n
  4. Friday Akathists will continue.<\/li>\n
  5. The Divine Liturgy of Annunciation on March 25 will held.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These measures are to conform to the instructions of the public health officials that we maintain social distancing in order to limit the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n

    You are encouraged to continue your services at home. These are called “Readers Services,” the same service held in a Church if a priest cannot be present. You can find the services on the Archdiocese website (here)<\/a>. This is important. Don’t ignore the prayer. It will keep you strong.<\/p>\n

    Read the entire message sent out to parishioners on Tuesday, March 18, 2020 on the St. Peter’s website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Schedule for Lenten Suppers Following Presanctified Liturgies on Wednesday<\/h2>\n

    Presanctified Liturgies, and therefore the Lenten Suppers, are cancelled until further notice.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Annunciation Liturgy on Monday, March 25 at 6:30pm<\/h2>\n
     <\/div>\n
    \n\"The\n<\/div>\n
     <\/div>\n

    The Divine Liturgy of the Annunciation will be held. Vespers on the night before has been cancelled. We are working on live streaming the Liturgy for those who cannot attend.<\/em><\/p>\n

    The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on March 25 each year. The Feast commemorates the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would become incarnate and enter into this world through her womb.<\/p>\n

    Fr. Thomas Hopko on The Annunciation<\/h4>\n
    \"Fr.<\/div>\n

    On March 25, exactly 9 months before Nativity, the Church celebrates the Annunciation to the Theotokos that she will be the Mother of God. God’s declaration through the angel Gabriel, however, had a contingency attached.<\/p>\n

    Listen to find out what it was.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

     <\/div>\n

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

    PLEASE NOTE:<\/strong> Although most of us cannot attend Church, our bills still need to be paid. We are on a sound financial footing, but this will continue only if we maintain our giving to the Church. Please mail your contributions to the church or, if you prefer, donate online by clicking the donate button on the St. Peter’s website<\/a>.<\/em><\/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

    Pledge & Income Report – January 2020<\/h2>\n

    Giving in January was $26,846.00. Our monthly goal to make our 2020 budget is $18,167.00. This leaves a surplus of $8,679.00. While this is good, we have to remember that we always have a good January because some people fulfill their yearly stewardship early.<\/p>\n

    We have received $140,000.00 in pledges towards our budget goal of $217,000. It’s not too late to sign a pledge card. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex or on St. Peter’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Thank you to all of you who support Saint Peter’s.<\/p>\n

     <\/div>\n

    Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n

    March<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Greek School classes cancelled.<\/em><\/p>\n

    March Lenten Service Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sunday March 15 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas<\/strong><\/p>\n