{"id":9272,"date":"2021-01-05T14:57:31","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T19:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=9272"},"modified":"2021-01-05T14:57:31","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T19:57:31","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-january-5-2021-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-january-5-2021-2\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter January 5, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
On January 10 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we continue to celebrate the Theophany of Christ, and we commemorate our Father among the Saints Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa.<\/p>\n
The brother of St. Basil the Great, Gregory was at first a married priest; but when his wife, the blessed Theosevia, died, he was chosen and consecrated as Bishop of Nyssa. He was distinguished by great secular learning and spiritual experience, and was a great preacher, a translator of the Scriptures and a theologian. As a result of his opposition to the Arians, they did everything in their power to crush him, regarding him as their chief enemy. They were so successful in this that, in the reign of the Emperor Valens, their ally, they managed to depose Gregory from his episcopal throne and drive him into exile in 376. <\/p>\n
The holy Father spent several years in patient exile, enduring poverty and humiliation. In 381, Gregory took part in the Second Ecumenical Council, where he formulated the final part of the Creed concerning the Holy Spirit. Finally, finishing his life at a great age in about the year 395, Gregory entered into the Kingdom of God and has been commemorated through all succeeding ages as a great light in the Church. On this day, we also commemorate Marcian the priest of Constantinople; Dometian, bishop of Melitene; Venerable Paul of Obnora and Makarios of Pisma; and Bishop Theophan the Recluse.<\/p>\n
NOTE: Bring bring lawn chairs.<\/em><\/p>\n We will bless the waters at Imperial River on Sunday, January 10, 2021 following the Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n Following we will hold a picnic in the park. Bring desert or beverages if you can. Food will be provided.<\/p>\n There will be no Social Hall since we are having the picnic.<\/p>\n Two things determined our flourishing in the past year: God’s benevolence towards us and your faithfulness. Your support of St. Peter’s enables us to experience God’s benevolence. <\/p>\n People who follow Christ need to come together. Our parish offers that. Without a place to meet, there would be no Divine Liturgy, no Eucharist, no place for anointing when we are sick, no place where those who are seeking Christ can call home, no place to meet dear friends every week, no place for baptisms and weddings, no place where the children can grow up with their Church friends, and much more. <\/p>\n We are again in the season where we have to consider our financial commitment to St. Peter’s. Our budget is growing because the parish is growing. We estimate is that our budget will increase 19% in 2021. <\/p>\n Please click the image to read the full message and prayerfully consider your support of St. Peter’s for 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n Joe and Debbie Repya have this desk free for the taking. If you could use it, please contact Joe at (612) 270-4443<\/p>\n To sign up for house blessings please text Fr. Hans at 239-248-4775 with some available dates and times that work, or send an email to info@stpeterorthodoxchurch.com<\/a>, or sign up in the Social Hall. Fr. Hans will call you to set up the appointment.<\/p>\n If you call there is a good chance I cannot pick up, and if I am in the car I cannot write down the information anyway. That’s why texting is preferred.<\/em><\/p>\n UPDATE:<\/strong> We are still accepting Capital Campaign Donations as we have not yet made our goal. Our goal is $750K and we now have $482K. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.<\/em><\/p>\n The Church now has set up a Brokerage account so if anyone wishes to donate stocks or bonds, the Church can accept them.<\/em><\/p>\n Our Capital Campaign is going well. So far $482,000 of the $750,000 we need to secure a mortgage to make a bid on the new Church property has been received. That’s over half of our goal!<\/p>\n Download a pledge form on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Please remember, churches are hard to come by in Southwest Florida. This property meets our needs because:<\/p>\n Many of you have seen our Capital Campaign video. Take a look at it again. It lays out our vision that has guided us to where we are and explains why a move is necessary now.<\/p>\n We are grateful to everyone who has supported our Capital Campaign. Thank you very much for your confidence and trust, and the hope you have in the flourishing of St. Peter’s parish. <\/p>\n Next class Sunday, January 17, 2021. Assignment: Chapters 17 and 18.<\/em><\/p>\n The class is required for seekers and catechumens and also open to any parishioner who would like to attend. The syllabus will be posted on the website at soon as it is completed and handed out the first day of class.<\/p>\n We will meet after social hall. Get some coffee, have some food and fellowship, and then we break for class.<\/p>\n Get more information on the St. Peter website<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n Donations received in December $25,959.00 Thank you for your generosity. Although we are ahead in December, most of the surplus were prepayments of 2021 pledges. When the prepayments are deducted from the December income, we are slight behind for the month.<\/p>\n Please note:<\/strong>Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:<\/em><\/p>\n St. Peter Orthodox Church You can also donate online (scroll to bottom of page):<\/p>\n These are short thirty minute presentations where His Grace Bp. Nicholas speaks on one theme in Sunday readings for fifteen minutes followed by questions from the listeners. It’s worth tuning in. Get instructions on the St. Peter website<\/a> on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.<\/em><\/p>\nStewardship 2021<\/h2>\n
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Does Anyone Need A Desk?<\/h2>\n
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It Is Time For House Blessings!<\/h2>\n
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Capital Campaign Update — January 3, 2021<\/h2>\n
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Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Resume Sunday, January 17, 2020<\/h2>\n
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St. Peter’s is Going Camping!<\/h2>\n
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2021 DOMSE Virtual Winter Retreat — Save the Date<\/h2>\n
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Pledge & Income Report – December 2020<\/h2>\n
\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $18,167.00
\nWe are ahead by $7,792<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n24850 Old 41 Road Suite 6
\nBonita Springs, FL 34135<\/p>\n
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Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream<\/h2>\n
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