{"id":9386,"date":"2021-02-15T19:22:50","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T00:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=9386"},"modified":"2021-02-15T19:22:50","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T00:22:50","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-february-15-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-february-15-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"St Peter Newsletter February 15, 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Seventeenth Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee<\/h2>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Venerable Timothy of Symbola; Eustathios, Archbishop of Antioch; Zachariah, patriarch of Jerusalem; George, bishop of Amastris<\/h4>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/publican-pharisee-550x313.png\" alt=\"The Pharisee and the Publican\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The Publican and the Pharisee<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h4>What is a Publican and a Pharisee?<\/h4>\n<p>A Pharisee was an externally decent and righteous man of religion. The Publican was a sinful tax-collector who was cheating the people.<\/p>\n<p>Though the Pharisee was genuinely righteous under the Law, he boasted before God and was condemned. The Publican, although he was truly sinful, begged for mercy, received it, and was justified by God.<\/p>\n<p>The focus this Sunday is on the Gospel of Luke 18:10-14, in which two men went to the Temple to pray. On this Sunday in the preparation for Great Lent, we are to see that we have not the religious piety of the Pharisee, but the repentance of the Publican. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)<\/p>\n<p><em>Read more on the <a href=\"https:\/\/orthodoxwiki.org\/Sunday_of_the_Publican_and_Pharisee\">Orthdoxwiki website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 1em 1em\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/divider-2.png\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"float: left; margin: 0em 1em 1em 0;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/fr-thomas-hopko-the-publican-and-the-pharisee\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/hopko-speaking-logo.png\" alt=\"Click to listen\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p>To learn more about the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko&rsquo;s podcast on <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/fr-thomas-hopko-the-publican-and-the-pharisee\/\">the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Fr. Tom teaches on the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee as we prepare for the Lenten season.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Services this Week<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Wed Feb 17<\/strong> &mdash; THEODORE THE TYRO, GREAT MARTYR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Feb 19<\/strong> &mdash; PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Cafe of Life Ministry<\/h2>\n<p>Many wonderful things are happening here at St. Peter&rsquo;s and one of them is the making of sandwiches for the hungry and homeless at the Cafe of Life. This mission is possible due to your generous donations and support.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, &lsquo;You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.&rdquo;Deuteronomy 15:11<\/p>\n<p>Thank you and remember&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>IC XC NI KA<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Women&#8217;s Group Meets Tuesday February 23, 2021<\/h2>\n<p>Next Ladies Book Club meeting is on Tuesday, February 23rd at 5:00 pm in the Church social hall.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Brandon (Michael) Sovjani Home Security and More<\/h2>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sovjani-500x403-1.jpg\" alt=\"Brandon Sovjani Home Networking\" \/><\/div>\n<p>Brandon Sovjani (some of us know him as Michael) has started a home networking business (home security, home entertainment, and more). He is a Microsoft Certified Technician and a Certified Ubiquity Networking Agent. <\/p>\n<p>He sets up home security, home entertainment systems, anything that requires networking in your home or business. <\/p>\n<p>At. St. Peter&#8217;s we support our businesses, especially those just starting out!<\/p>\n<h2>Capital Campaign Update &mdash; February 8, 2021<\/h2>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/share-the-vision-st-peter-capital-campaign-for-a-new-church\/\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/campaign-youtube.jpg\" alt=\"Click to watch video\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p><em><strong>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 $621,599K. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>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<p>Our Capital Campaign is going well. To date we have collected $621,599 of the $750,000 we need to secure a mortgage to make a bid on the new Church property has been received. That&#8217;s over half of our goal!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Download a pledge form <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/share-the-vision-st-peter-capital-campaign-for-a-new-church\/\">on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Please remember, churches are hard to come by in Southwest Florida. This property meets our needs because:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>We can afford it (the mortgage will cost no more than what we currently pay in rent; it may even be a little less), <\/li>\n<li>It has buildings on site that are move-in ready,<\/li>\n<li>It can accommodate the growth we are experiencing and that will continue.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 1em 1em\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/divider-2.png\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church\" \/><\/div>\n<p>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<p>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&#8217;s parish. <\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Pledge &amp; Income Report &#8211; January 2021<\/h2>\n<p>Donations received in January $28,374.00<br \/>\nAmount of money needed to cover expenses: $19,732.00<br \/>\nWe are ahead by $8,642<\/p>\n<p>Please note that some people pay their stewardship for the year in advance in January.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Please note:<\/strong>Please continue your generous support. If you cannot make it to church please mail in your donation to:<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"float: left; margin: 0em 1em 0 0;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/check-150x114-1.jpg\" alt=\"Don't forget your pledge!\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>St. Peter Orthodox Church<br \/>\n24850 Old 41 Road Suite 6<br \/>\nBonita Springs, FL 34135<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p>You can also donate online (scroll to bottom of page):<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/donate-button-235x110.jpg\" alt=\"Click to donate\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Bishop NICHOLAS Offers a Weekly Live Stream<\/h2>\n<p><em>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&#8217;s worth tuning in. Get instructions <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/bp-nicholas-live-stream\/\">on the St. Peter website<\/a> on how to use the Band App on your phone or computer to participate.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/band.us\/@domse\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/bp-nicholas-live-stream-tile-500x607-1.jpg\" alt=\"Click image to join the Band group\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Calendar At A Glance<\/h2>\n<p><em>Calendar also available <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/calendar\/\">on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>FEBRUARY<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sun Feb 14<\/strong> &mdash; Orthros 8:30am \/ Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Feb 17<\/strong> &mdash; THEODORE THE TYRO, GREAT MARTYR Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Feb 19<\/strong> &mdash; PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sat Feb 20<\/strong> &mdash; St. Paisios Brotherhood Retreat in Venice FL<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sun Feb 21<\/strong> &mdash; Orthros 8:30am \/ Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wed Feb 24<\/strong> &mdash; FIRST AND SECOND FINDING OF THE VENERABLE HEAD OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Divine Liturgy 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fri Feb 26<\/strong> &mdash; PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS 9:30am LIVE STREAM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Wisdom From The Elders<\/h2>\n<p>All men, led by the light of fallen nature alienated from guidance of God&#8217;s light, will be enticed into submission to the seducer (antichrist). <strong>St Ignaty Brianchaninov<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many receive grace to begin with but very few get it back after losing it.&#8221; <strong>St. Silouan the Athonite<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\nFreedom from the passions is brought about by the crucifying of both the intellect and the flesh. This makes a man capable of contemplating God. The intellect is crucified when undean thoughts are driven out of it, and the body when the passions are uprooted. <strong>Venerable Isaac the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Therefore a Christian must always think and speak and do only what is good, for as the Lord says, &#8216;A house divided against itself shall not stand&#8217; (Matt. 12:25). <strong>Venerable Symeon the New Theologian<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is only through its divine-human power that Christianity is the &#8220;salt&#8221; of the earth, a salt which preserves humanity from decomposing into sin and evil. If, however, Christianity becomes decomposed into various humanistic elements, then it becomes lifeless, it becomes a &#8220;saltless&#8221; salt, which, according to the ever-true word of the Savior, &#8220;is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men&#8221; (Matth. 5:13). <strong>Venerable Justin (Popovic) of Chelije in Serbia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>However, to overcome and eradicate passions is not enough. In the place of eradicated passions it is necessary to firmly implant in the heart their opposite counterparts, the good dispositions of the soul that are called &#8220;virtues&#8221; by the Holy Fathers. <strong>AArchbishop Averky (Taushev)<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Remember in Your Prayers<\/h2>\n<p>The Prayer List has been revamped. To bring order to the list we will do the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Names will remain on the list for two months.<\/li>\n<li>If you would like to keep them on longer please mention it to Fr. Hans. We will keep the names on the list for as long as the person needs prayers.<\/li>\n<li>Names will include the person who requested the prayers and the month the name will be removed.<\/li>\n<li>The permanent list includes friends and members of St. Peter&#8217;s and others including shut-ins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Were names dropped that should have remained? Please mention it to Fr. Hans. He will add them back.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Current Prayer List<\/strong> (<em>Updated January 11 \/ Resets February 1<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p>\nKondylia (Chapekis 3\/21)<br \/>\nBrian (Colis 3\/210)<br \/>\nMaria(Colis 3\/210)<br \/>\nJohn (Jacobse 3\/21)<br \/>\nMary (Jacobse 3\/21)<br \/>\nHerman (Kerr 3\/21)<br \/>\nInnocent (Kerr 3\/21)<br \/>\nNickolas (Kerr 3\/21)<br \/>\nKerr Family (Kerr 3\/21)<br \/>\nBarbara (Dusckas 3\/21)<br \/>\nMaryann (Breitenbach 3\/21)<br \/>\nIrina (Jacobse 3\/21)<br \/>\nLee Joseph (Irina 3\/21)<br \/>\nPaola (Jacobse 3\/21><br \/>\nJohn (Katsigianopoulos 3\/21)<br \/>\nBryce (NA 3\/21)<br \/>\nDebbie (Breitenbach 2\/21)<br \/>\nMary (Marianthi 2\/21)<br \/>\nSarah (Wolffe 2\/21)<br \/>\nPauline (Jacobse 2\/21)<br \/>\nBenjamin (Jacobse 2\/21)<br \/>\nMarcie (Breitenbach 2\/21)<br \/>\nJo Ann (Breitenbach 2\/21)<br \/>\nAngela (Fred 12\/21)<br \/>\nRonald (Sovjani 2\/21)<br \/>\nKatherine (Dusckas 2\/21)<br \/>\nMarlene (Tewis 2\/21)<br \/>\nGail (Jacobse 1\/21)<br \/>\nRobert (Tewis 1\/21)<br \/>\nSergio (Mary Kazakos 1\/21)<br \/>\nMary (Semeretis 1\/21)<br \/>\nHeather (Waterman 1\/21)<br \/>\nZachary (Constantine 1\/21)<br \/>\nPeter (Foltz 1\/21)<br \/>\nAlexa (Buchanan 1\/21)<br \/>\nRebecca (Aguado 1\/2021)<br \/>\nJacob (Aguado 1\/2021)<br \/>\nBaby Mackenzie (Zafiris 12\/20<br \/>\nNolan (Zafiris 12\/20)\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Permanent Prayer List<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\nRae (Semeretis)<br \/>\nFran (Hansen)<br \/>\nNina (Krotov)<br \/>\nGeorge (Chapekis)<br \/>\nFranklin (Pyrrson)<br \/>\nGeorge (Chionis)<br \/>\nStamatia (Jacobse)<br \/>\nStamatia (Evelyn)<br \/>\nDemetrios (Kuchera)<br \/>\nTheodosios (Palis)<br \/>\nTheodora (Webb)<br \/>\nHelen (Rogers)<br \/>\nRobert (Smith)<br \/>\nRobert (Jarvis)<br \/>\nPresbytera Rosy (in Pakistan)<br \/>\nJames (Hord)<br \/>\nAnn (Rellis)<br \/>\nVassiliki (Kontinos)<br \/>\nVassiliki (Morekeas)\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Founders, Members, and Benefactors Departed this Life<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>John (Hansen)<br \/>\nAnatoly (Kurdsjuk)<br \/>\nThareni (Brooks)<br \/>\nMilan Evanoff<br \/>\nJean (Sam)<br \/>\nEleni (Pearson)<br \/>\nRichard (Pearson)<br \/>\nFr. Stephanos (Shagoury)<br \/>\nPanagiota (Bea Chionis)<br \/>\nAnthony (Mourgis)<br \/>\nAnthony (Mankus)<br \/>\nConstantine (Houpis)<br \/>\nConstantine (Joseph)<br \/>\nMary (Jarvis)<br \/>\nPanagiota Margarita (Palis)<br \/>\nMaria (Ninos)<br \/>\nJohn (Katsigianopoulos)<\/p>\n<p>How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names (first names are sufficient) and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.<\/p>\n<p><em>Add or remove names and print this list for easy reference during your prayer time <a href=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/prayer-list\/\">on the St. Peter website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h2>Sunday Readings<\/h2>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Search the Scriptures\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/pantokrator-blessing.png\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h4>EPISTLE<\/h4>\n<p>For Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican<\/p>\n<p>My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.<br \/>\nFor He hath regarded the humility of His servant.<\/p>\n<p>The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (3:10-15)<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Timothy my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my sufferings; and what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured; yet from them all, the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h4>GOSPEL<\/h4>\n<p>For Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican<\/p>\n<p>The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:10-14)<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>The Lord spoke this parable: &ldquo;Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, &lsquo;God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.&rsquo; But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, &lsquo;God, be merciful to me a sinner!&rsquo; I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 1em 1em\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/divider-2.png\" alt=\"St. Peter Orthodox Church\" \/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, Services this Week, Upcoming Events, more&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4365,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9386"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9386\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}