{"id":8327,"date":"2020-03-24T15:22:55","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T19:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=8327"},"modified":"2020-03-24T15:22:55","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T19:22:55","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-march-24-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-march-24-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter March 24, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"
St. John of the Ladder (Climacus)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Our venerable and God-bearing Father John Climacus (ca. 579 – 649), also known as John of the Ladder, John Scholasticus, and John Sinaites, was a seventh century monk at St. Catherine’s monastery<\/a> at the base of Mount Sinai.<\/p>\n He came to the monastery and became a novice when he was about 16 years old, and when he died in 649 he was the monastery’s abbot. He wrote a number of instructive books, the most famous of which is The Ladder of Divine Ascent. (It is because of this book that John is known as “Climacus,” which means “of the ladder”.)<\/p>\n It describes how to raise one’s soul to God, as if on a ladder. This book is one of the most widely read among Eastern Orthodox Christians, especially during the season of Great Lent which immediately precedes Pascha (Easter), and on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent he is especially commemorated.<\/p>\n Read more on the Orthodoxwiki website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Originally broadcast on March 11, 2008<\/p>\n It is at this point in our Lenten journey that the Church contemplates the instruction of St. John Climacus and his Ladder of Divine Ascent.<\/p>\n Fr. Tom takes us step by step through this treasure and makes it practical for us non-monastics!<\/p>\n Listen here:<\/strong><\/p>\n This liturgy will be live-streamed on Facebook. Go to the St. Peter Facebook page<\/a>. Scroll down to “posts” (use the navigation bar on the left). You do not need a Facebook account to view.<\/em><\/p>\n The Divine Liturgy of the Annunciation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 preceded by Orthros at 5:30pm.<\/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 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 Listen here:<\/p>\n If any seniors need help during the shut-down like buying groceries or anything else that might come up, please call or text Fr. Hans (text preferred but not necessary) at 239-248-4775.<\/p>\n If anyone could help our seniors if something comes up, please call or text Fr. Hans (text preferred but not necessary) at 239-248-4775. We will set up a list of volunteers.<\/p>\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 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 Presanctified Liturgies, and therefore the Lenten Suppers, are cancelled until further notice.<\/em><\/p>\n Donations received in February: $15,511.00 Thank you for your continued support. As you can see, we are behind in our February numbers. And due to our current situation, I am sure that March will be significantly behind, too. <\/p>\n Since our attendance at weekly services we are not collecting weekly donations yet our expenses still need to be paid. You can remain current in your stewardship by donating online by clicking the donate button on the St. Peter’s website<\/a>, or by mailing your check to the church at:<\/p>\n St Peter Orthodox Church Thank you to all of you who support Saint Peter’s.<\/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 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 Live Streamed Services This Week<\/strong><\/p>\n To Live Stream a service: Go to the St. Peter Facebook page<\/a>. Scroll down to “posts” (use the navigation bar on the left). You do not need a Facebook account to view.<\/em><\/p>\n All Sunday Services are live streamed as well.<\/p>\n Greek School classes cancelled.<\/em><\/p>\n Sunday March 22 Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross<\/strong> LIVE STREAM<\/p>\n Sunday March 29\tSunday of St. John of the Ladder<\/strong> LIVE STREAM<\/p>\n Undetermined. Since this is the last week before Holy Week, we will wait for clarification on what to do for this final week and Holy Week.<\/em><\/p>\n Sunday April 5\tSunday of St. Mary of Egypt<\/strong><\/p>\nQuotes from St. John<\/h4>\n
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Fr. Thomas Hopko on “St. John of the Ladder”<\/h2>\n
Annunciation Liturgy on Monday, March 25 at 6:30pm Preceded by Orthros at 5:30pm<\/h2>\n
Fr. Thomas Hopko on The Annunciation<\/h4>\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\nDo Any Of Our Seniors Need Help During the Shut-Down?<\/h2>\n
Met. Joseph Issues Directives on Worship and Church Activities<\/h2>\n
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Schedule for Lenten Suppers Following Presanctified Liturgies on Wednesday<\/h2>\n
Pledge & Income Report – February 2020<\/h2>\n
\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,121.00
\nSHORTFALL: $2,610.00<\/p>\n
\n24850 Old 41 Road, Ste. 6
\nBonita Springs, FL 34135<\/p>\nOur Stewardship to St. Peter’s<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/a><\/p>\nCalendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n
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Great Compline 6:30pm<\/del> CANCELLED<\/li>\nAnnunciation Vespers 6:30pm<\/del> CANCELLED<\/li>\nAnnunciation Orthros 5:30pm<\/del><\/li>\n\n
Great Compline 6:30pm<\/del> CANCELLED<\/li>\nPresanctified Liturgy 6:30pm<\/del> CANCELLED<\/li>\n\n