Update for the week Friday, April 12, through Thursday, April 18, 2013
THIS WEEK
BIBLE STUDY – Our Bible Study meets every other Thursday and is sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine. Join us this evening – Thursday, April 11 – in the church library, for a discussion about Bible manuscripts (http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/bible-manuscripts-part-3) and the Septuagint (http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/the-septuagint). For more information contact Greg Patrick (greg@dailytradealert.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com).
AKATHIST and Learning In Lent – On the first five Fridays of Lent we pray the Akathist to the Theotokos at 7:00 pm. The first four of these are followed by the Fellowship of St John the Divine’s annual lecture series, Learning in Lent. This Friday, April 12, will be the final lecture. Three speakers will talk about Growing Up Orthodox: Alex Orlovsky, who grew up in the Russian church, Lewis Patsavos from the Greek church, Charlie Marge from the Antiochian church.
ADULT LENTEN RETREAT – There will be a Lenten retreat for adults at St. Michael Church, Cotuit, on Saturday, April 13. Protopresbyter Alexander Veronis will speak on Living in Tradition & Mission. $20 covers retreat & luncheon. See Registration Forms on our Church Bulletin Board, or call Lorraine Reiley at 508-240-2412 for more information. See their flyer at http://www.stmichaelcotuit.org/assets/files/Retreat%204-2013.pdf
PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY and Lenten Potlucks
– Every Wednesday during Lent there is a Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30
pm, followed by a Potluck Supper sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John
the Divine. Do plan to come and bring something to share. Any Lenten
fare is welcome: main courses, sides, salads, desserts, as well as
beverages and snacks. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship
during Lent, plus we get to sample each other's Lenten recipes.
FSJD coordinator for the potluck on Wednesday, April 17 is Josh Cole (joshualexandercole@gmail.com)
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
HELP SUBDEACON STEVE – Subdeacon Steve Walker is currently recuperating from heart surgery at the home of Dn. Jeff & Natasha Smith. Natasha will be out of town Monday through Saturday, April 15-20, so please visit https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/702605 and sign up to provide dinner one of those days. Other ways to help will also be posted there.
HOW CAN THE BIBLE BE "TRUE" IF IT SAYS THE EARTH IS FLAT? – This is just one example of the kind of questions we address in our Bible Study here at St. Mary's. For more examples, look for the handout on the bengarri. Our Bible Study meets every other Thursday and is sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine. If you'd like to join us, our next meeting will be Thursday, April 25. For more information contact Greg Patrick (greg@dailytradealert.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com).
LAZARUS SATURDAY – Please come and bring your friends and family on Saturday, April 27, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy (Matins 8:00 am; Liturgy 9:00 am), and enjoy a Communion Breakfast at 10:15 presented by the Women’s Club and offered by Selma Winstanley in loving memory of brother, Mitchell Mabardi. Following the Communion Breakfast, there will be a Church Clean-Up in preparation for Pascha. Everyone is encouraged to bring some rags, cleaning supplies, small buckets, brown paper bags, irons and extension cords for wax removal, etc. The Fellowship of St. John the Divine will coordinate this activity. Please come and lend a hand in preparing God’s House for the Feast of Feasts.
PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER – The Fellowship of St. John the Divine invites you to their annual Palm Sunday Fish Dinner on Sunday, April 28, after Liturgy, donated by Ed and Lisa Brylczyk. Spend Palm Sunday with your family and friends at Church and let us do the cooking!
ROOMMATE WANTED – Jerred Endsley and Tom Perkins are looking for a roommate to move in in June. Nice three bedroom apt, 2 baths, spacious kitchen, fireplace. Near BC and on the T line in Brighton. Call Jerred @ 317-938-3543 if interested or if you know someone who might be. Thank you.
OCMC AGAPE CANISTER PROGRAM – The is an Orthodox non-profit development program of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. It is dedicated to meeting the needs of children, families, and communities throughout the world, regardless of race, color, or creed. All funds collected by the Agape Canister Program are earmarked for medical care and clinics, water wells, agricultural development, food and clothing, support personnel (e.g. doctors, nurses, teachers), the construction of schools, and the education of indigenous people in their own communities. Please contribute each Sunday—a clear plastic box is on the Bengarri.
REMINDERS
vonHOLZHAUSEN LECTURE – The annual Father John von Holzhausen lecture, sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, will be held Saturday, April 20, at 7:00 pm (not 6:30 as originally announced. Vespers is at 5:00 pm, dinner at 6:00.) This year’s speaker will be Dr. Tiffany Ann Conroy Moore, who will talk about Performing Faith: Can you be God’s Actor? Dr.
Moore currently teaches literature, writing, public speaking and film
at several New England colleges, and has also been working as a
professional actor for over twenty-five years in film, television,
print, internet media and theater, with a specialization in
Shakespeare.
Her presentation will consider the relationships between creativity
and spirituality; in particular, the spirituality of the performing arts
from the point of view of an Orthodox Christian. What are the gifts
and costs for an actor in the pursuit of a spiritually-rich life? How
can the models provided by the spiritual path of actors, performers, or
other creative artists, contribute to the spiritual growth of every
Christian? This presentation will consider the practical and the
metaphysical, combining research, Scripture, theology, literature,
personal experience, and, hopefully, the audience members’ points of
view as well in a discussion to follow the lecture.
This event is open to the public – free-will donations to The Fellowship of Saint John the Divine are welcome.
PASCHA BAKE SALE – The Women’s Club’s Pascha Bake Sale is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, the Sunday before Palm Sunday. Plan on purchasing all your Pascha/Easter desserts, pastries and goodies! If you can help bake or bring something for us to sell, please call Priscilla Goss at 781-762-1527.
NEW ENGLAND’S GOT TASTE AND TALENT – Attention All
Talents & Chefs!! If you have a hidden talent or can cook an award
winning appetizer, showcase your talent at this year's New England's Got Taste and Talent
event hosted by Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church - Lowell, held
on Friday, May 17 at 6:00 pm at our sister Parish in Dedham, MA!
Download the document and please review our rules and details of the
event on the website: http://www.saintgeorgelowell.org. If you are interested in signing up for either a chef or as a talent, please e-mail Soraya at LowellPLC2013@gmail.com; deadline to register is April 22!
Everyone – get your tickets for New England's Got Taste and Talent by Friday, May 10.
Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. They are $20 for Adults and $10
for Children under 12. Please send in the ticket purchase form along
with your checks; you can find this form at the end of the New England's
Got Taste and Talent Document located on the Saint George Lowell
website.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – You are urged during this season of prayer, self-discipline and fasting, to be very generous in your contribution to the Food for Hungry People program of our Archdiocese . Money Boxes for collecting alms at home will be on the Bengarri; please pick one or two up and place them throughout your home, fill them up, and return them on Palm Sunday, April 28. Please be generous!
DONATIONS FOR HOLY WEEK – For the special services of Holy Week, the Church needs donations of olive oil for the Unction Service (Wednesday), flowers for the tomb of Christ (Friday), flowers to distribute on Great and Holy Friday, rose water to anoint the faithful (Friday), incense, Paschal lilies and other flowers, and candles. Deadline is Palm Sunday, April 28. Please use the donation form in the Bulletin.
THANK YOU TO THE CHURCH SCHOOL KIDS – The Prosphora (holy bread) we will be using in Divine Liturgy for the next several weeks was made by the Church School students at the recent Liturgy Workshop.
SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS – The Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association announces its 47th annual Scholastic Achievement Awards, a program to encourage and support the education of students of Arabic speaking backgrounds. High school seniors can obtain an application with instructions by visiting the web page at: www.stjohnd.org/ngberam (note corrected website address) or by contacting our Church Office. All applications must be postmarked no later than June 1, 2013.
CROSS†ROAD – CrossRoad is a summer institute for high school juniors and seniors on the campus of Hellenic College/Holy Cross. Participants take part in daily classes, visit neighboring Orthodox parishes and participate in service activities. CrossRoad now offers two sessions this coming year (2013): CrossRoad June: June 22-July 1 AND CrossRoad July: July 8-18. Download an application and view a video clip at www.crossroad.hchc.edu
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE SUMMER CAMP – Summer Camp registration for 2013 is now open. For information see http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/summercamp.html To register see http://antiochianvillage.org/camp/programs/registration.html. Please don't wait to register - camp fills up very quickly. Please note that you are not registered until you have paid the $100 deposit and receive a confirmation email. Scholarships are available – contact Fr. Antony.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – The 2013 Parish Life Conference for our diocese will be held June 27 – 30, 2013,
at the Wyndam Hotel in Andover, MA, hosted by St. George Church,
Lowell. Room Rate is just $99.00 per night – this special price ends May 30. Book your hotel rooms at: http://www.wyndham.com/groupevents2013/BOSAM_STGEORGE/main.wnt.
For Registration, please go too: https://www.antiochianevents.org/event/96, or go to St. George’s site: http://www.saintgeorgelowell.org. Please feel free to e-mail the Chairperson, Soraya or Co-Chair, +Rt. Rev. Fr. Leonard at: LowellPLC2013@gmail.com.
ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION – The 2013 national convention of the Antiochian Archdiocese will be held July 21-28 in Houston TX, hosted by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. For information and registration see http://www.achouston2013.com.
ORTHODOX MISSION TEAMS – The Orthodox Mission Center
has announced their 2013 Mission Teams. Mission teams will be heading
to 10 locations around the globe to share the teachings of the faith and
offer the gift of service through hands-on experience. For more
information call the OCMC at 877-463-6784 or e-mail teams@ocmc.org, or see
http://www.ocmc.org/about/open_teams.aspx. Note that the July mission to Albania is led by our own Panayiotis and Shannon Sakellariou.
REGULAR REMINDERS
DONATE VIA eGIVE – Did you know that you can make your
donations to St. Mary through eGive, and have no more envelopes or
checks to worry about? If you have not yet set up an account, you can
do it at www.egive-usa.com, or contact Charlie Marge (marge@alum.mit.edu) for help. The Recipient Organization is “St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.”
If you missed the opportunity to contribute to some of the special
collections held recently, you can still do so online – Special
Categories have been set up in eGive for these one-time donations.
Parishioners can also use their credit cards to make one-time donations on our website: https://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/contact/donate.php Just type the donation target (e.g. Hurricane Sandy) in the Additional Notes area.
STREAMING VIDEO – St. Mary’s Church services are broadcast live each week through an internet video stream. If you can't attend a service in person or want to share this ministry with a friend or loved one, the live stream can be viewed at www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/live during regularly scheduled service times (see the schedule of services below or online). If you have questions or comments about this ministry please contact us at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org.
PRISION MINISTRY – If you would like to find out more about Prison Ministry at St. Mary’s Church, please subscribe to our mailing list at http://groups.google.com/group/ocpm-concord.
"As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me," says our Lord.
If you are interested joining the Prison Ministry, there will be an
upcoming training. Training is required if you would like to come into
prison to volunteer. Please see Deacon Jeff or Father Anthony if you
have questions or would like to join, and are not already a member of
the OCPM online listserv.
PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES – Please do not leave valuables unattended in the Church Hall or Coat Room.
CONFESSIONS – Confessions are heard each Saturday evening before and after Vespers, which start at 5:00 pm, or by appointment.
PARKING – The parish Council reminds all parishioners that there is no
parishioner parking in the church parking lot Monday through Friday
until after 6:00 pm. Our parking lot is rented to others during the day.
If you park in the Church parking lot on Sunday morning, you need to
plan on remaining until after the Coffee Hour or other church function.
Do not park in the Church parking lot if you need to leave immediately after church.
Additionally, do not park beyond the sign that prohibits parking at
the corner of Inman Street and Bishop Allen Drive. (That No Parking area
is now being marked with orange cones.) It is difficult for large
vehicles to turn the corner if cars are parked there. Failure to heed
this warning may result in the City preventing parishioners from parking
on Inman Street. Your cooperation is appreciated.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE
There are a number of ways you can help the Church, your fellow worshippers and those in need. Consider serving in one of these ways:
BECOME A GREETER – If you do not sing in the choir, or chant, serve in the Altar or at the Bengarri, and are not a Church School teacher, please consider serving the Church as a GREETER! Greeters arrive at 9:45 am., get a Greeter Name Tag from the Bengarri, pin it on and greet visitors/parishioners at the Church Entrance and direct them upstairs to the Church, or to the CloakRoom or RestRooms. Greeting time ends when Communion starts. Send your name and e-mail address to Buddy Mabardy: buddymabardy@cjmabardy.com or phone him 781-729-6303.
LITURGICAL SERVICE – Each Sunday, members of the congregation are needed to read the Epistle and assist during Communion by holding the Communion Cloths and Holy Bread Baskets. All Orthodox Christians in the Parish are welcome and encouraged to participate. We usually need one Epistle and six people to hold cloths and baskets. If you would like to read the Epistle or assist during Communion, please contact Jeff Wasilko, 781-820-0882, jeffw@smoe.org.
COFFEE HOUR – People are needed every week to provide coffee, juice and cookies, or more if desired, and set it up Sunday morning. To sign up for an available Sunday, please put your name on the new signup sheet on the bulletin board outside the Hall or call Marilyn Robbat in the Parish Office and she will write your name in. If you need any help with figuring out what to bring or do, check the list below the signup sheet (also printed in the Bulletin), or ask Marilyn at secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or 617-547-1234.
PRISON MINISTRY – If you would like to find out more about Prison Ministry at St. Mary’s Church, please subscribe to our mailing list at http://groups.google.com/group/ocpm-concord.
Also - please donate unwanted past issues of Orthodox magazines such as
The Word, OCMC or other periodicals to our prison ministry to hand out
to inmates. Please remove any personal mailing address for security
purposes and give them to Mitrophan Chin.
"As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me," says our Lord.
THIS SUNDAY'S VOLUNTEERS
GREETER: Richard Robbat
COFFEE HOUR: Diana Yousef and Sabastian Martinek
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Friday, April 12: Akathist (Madayeh) Service 7:00 pm, followed by final Learning in Lent lecture
Saturday, April 13: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 14, Commemoration of St. John of the Ladder (St. John Climacus): Orthros 8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; No Church School
SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday, April 14:
Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20
Brethren, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one
greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will
bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured,
obtained the promise. … We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of
the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain,
where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high
priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Gospel: Mark 9:17-31
At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I
brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes
him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes
rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not
able." … but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And
Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who
believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I
believe; help my unbelief!" … And when he had entered the house, his
disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he
said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and
fasting."
Wednesday, April 10: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm, followed by Pot Luck Supper
LOOKING AHEAD
Wednesday, April 17: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm, followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, April 19: Akathist (Madayeh) Service 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 20: FSJD von Holzhausen lecture
Sunday, April 21: Orthros 8:45 am; Enquirers’ Class 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; Church School Lesson 21
Saturday, April 27, Lazarus Saturday: Matins 8:00 am, Divine Liturgy 9:00 am, Communion Breakfast 10:15 am, followed by Church Cleanup and choir rehearsal; Great Vespers 4:00 pm
Sunday, April 28, Palm Sunday: Matins 8:45 am; Divine Liturgy 10:00 am; followed by FSJD annual Fish Dinner. Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm
Holy Monday, April 29: Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 am; Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm
Holy Tuesday, April 30: Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 am; Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm
Holy Wednesday, May 1: Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 am; Holy Unction 7:00 pm
Holy Thursday, May 2: Vesperal Liturgy 7:00 am; Washing of the Feet 6:45 pm and Twelve Gospels 7:00 pm
Holy Friday, May 3: Children’s Retreat 9:30 am; Royal Hours 1:00 pm; Unnailing Vespers 3:00 pm; Lamentations 7:15 pm with Procession to Central Square; Teen Vigil overnight
Holy Saturday, May 4: Vesperal Liturgy 9:00 am, followed by coffee hour/reception
Saturday-Sunday, May 4-5: Vigil/Rush Service 10:00 pm; Resurrection Matins 11:00 pm; Great and Holy Pascha Divine Liturgy 12 midnight; Paschal Festivities in the Church Hall following
Sunday, May 5: Joint Agape Vespers (Baouth) 11:00 am at St. John Church, Dedham, with reception following
REFLECTION
An unbridled tongue can in a short while waste the fruit of many labors.
- St. John Climacus
To judge others is a shameless arrogation of the Divine prerogative; to condemn is the ruin of one's soul.
- St. John Climacus
He shows humility who does not lessen his love for others when reproached by them, and not he who engages in self-reproach.
- St. John Climacus
When those who praise us, or rather seduce us, start to praise us, let
us recall our many sins, then we shall find that we are not worthy of
what they say or do to honor us.
- St. John Climacus
This deceiver and corrupter of souls has often driven many out of their
mind. No other thought is so difficult to tell in confession as this.
That is why it often remains with many to the very end of their lives.
For nothing gives the demons and bad thoughts such power over us as
nourishing and hiding them in our heart unconfessed.
- St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent - Step 23: On … Unclean Blasphemous Thoughts
Remembrance of wrongs comes as the final point of anger. It is a keeper
of sins. It hates a just way of life. It is the ruin of virtues, the
poison of the soul, a worm in the mind. It is the shame of prayer, a
cutting off of supplication, a turning away from love, a nail piercing
the soul. It is a pleasureless feeling cherished in the sweetness of
bitterness. It is a never-ending sin, an unsleeping wrong, rancor by the
hour.
- St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent - Step 9: On Remembrance of Wrongs