Update for the week Friday, November 27, through Thursday, December 3, 2015
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY'S
SATURDAY, 11/28 – There will be no Vespers at St. Mary until further notice.
SUNDAY, 11/29 – Adult catechism 9:00; Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00; No Church School
+ Angel Tree gifts are due. Wrapped gifts should be left in the box in the church hall. Please don't forget to attach the yellow Angel Tree sticker to the gift. Thank you to all who sponsored a child! Please see or email Kate Arnold (katherine.arnold@gordon.edu) or Linda Arnold (mmarmee52@aol.com) if you can help deliver the gifts or have questions. Thank you for helping with this important ministry!
+ Messiah concert at Symphony Hall 3:00 pm, preceded by lunch at Pho & I @ 1:15 pm. Note – some additional tickets have become available. Contact Shannon Sakellariou srsakellariou@gmail.com (mailto:srsakellariou@gmail.com) if you'd like to go.
WEDNESDAY, 12/2– The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 pm, at the church.
THURSDAY, 12/3 – The Bible Study group will meet again on Thursday, December 3, at 7:00 pm in the church library. Our discussion will conclude an introduction to the prophets and begin exploring the prophecies of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection in Isaiah 53, using the podcasts at http://stmaryorthodoxchurch.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c7ec555a0307da19a44d8db4&id=2e9b52abab&e=11838ad739 and http://stmaryorthodoxchurch.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c7ec555a0307da19a44d8db4&id=44615664c3&e=11838ad739
The Bible Study at St. Mary meets every other Thursday, and is based on a very interesting course originally broadcast on Ancient Faith Radio, entitled Search the Scriptures. For more information contact Marianna Sayeg (mailto:mksayeg@gmail.com ) or Fr. Antony (mailto:mksayeg@gmail.com ). New members are always welcome.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY – A new Young Adult Ministry (for ages 19-35) is being established in our Archdiocese. The mission of the Young Adult Ministry is to aid in the spiritual growth of the young adults between the ages of 19-35 within the Archdiocese, bringing them to a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To accomplish this mission we will foster a balance between the following areas of living the Orthodox faith in Christ, through:
Worship through the full life-cycle of the Church including attending weekday services together, gathering at a local parish for its Feast Day, and the combined services at Diocese and Archdiocese gatherings.
Spiritual Renewal and Education through retreats, conferences, speaker series, pilgrimages, and Bible studies which are aimed at the needs of our young adults.
Service through short-term mission trips and volunteer activities on a local level.
Fellowship through social outings, conferences, and gatherings.
We are looking for dedicated and energetic Young Adults to take on leadership and coordinating roles with our Diocese Young Adults. All interested Young Adults are encouraged to attend a planning meeting to be held at the Diocese Chancery (2 Lydias Path, Westborough, MA) on Sunday December 20 at 7:30 pm. At this meeting, we will hear a vision for the Young Adult Ministry in our Diocese from His Grace Bishop JOHN and from Fr. Nicholas Belcher (newDiocese Spiritual Advisor for the Young Adults). Please join us for our this opportunity to gather together with Young Adults from throughout our Diocese as we begin to develop this new ministry in our Diocese. For more information, please contact Fr. Nicholas Belcher (nbelcher@hchc.edu (mailto:nbelcher@hchc.edu) ), Brendan Ferguson (Diocese Fellowship President brendanferguson76@gmail.com (mailto:-brendanferguson76@gmail.com) ) or Khalil Samara (NAC Fellowship President khalilsamara@yahoo.com (mailto:khalilsamara@yahoo.com) ).
REMINDERS
DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS CONCERT - A Christmas Concert, sung by the combined choirs and chanters of the Diocese of Worcester and New England, will be held on Saturday, December 5 at 6:00 pm at St. George Cathedral in Worcester immediately following Vespers, and on Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 pm at St. John of Damascus in Dedham. Mark Haddad, choir director at St. John’s, will be conducting the Diocesan Choir with Charles Marge of St. Mary’s conducting the Diocesan Chanters. This will be a beautiful event open to parishioners, families, and friends, as well as the public. Net proceeds will benefit IOCC's Syrian Relief Fund. Please plan on joining us! For more information or questions, please contact: Mark Haddad at mhh42@me.com (mailto:mhh42@me.com) or Charlie Marge at marge@alum.mit.edu (mailto:marge@alum.mit.edu) .
CHRISTMAS POPS AND SING-ALONG - You're invited to a Christmas Pops and Sing Along with the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, to benefit St. John of Damascus, Dedham, on Saturday, December 5, 6:00-9:00 pm. Cocktail hour and hors D’oeuvres, coffee and pastry, $15 Adult, $5 Children. Purchase tickets online at www.stjohnd.org/pops.
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD - Save yourself time, let us do the work and have all proceeds benefit the Antiochian Women Project 2015-2016: Help Feed Hungry Children Home and Abroad. Let the Women’s Club send a lovely Christmas card on your behalf to our parishioners. You will receive this card with the names of parishioners, like yourself, who are wishing a Blessed Nativity and a Merry Christmas to all. Please use the form in the Sunday Bulletin – deadline is Sunday, December 6.
CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - If your child is interested in participating in the Christmas Pageant, please see Sarah Byrne-Martelli or e-mail her at sarahebyrne@gmail.com (mailto:sarahebyrne@gmail.com) . We also need parents to assist at all rehearsals, which will take place Sunday, December 6 during coffee hour; Sunday, December 13 during coffee hour; and Saturday, December 19, 2:30 – 4:30pm (dress rehearsal). The Pageant will be on Sunday, December 20 after liturgy.
WOMEN'S CLUB DINNER - The St. Mary Women’s Club will be going out to the Cheesecake Factory in Chestnut Hill for a holiday dinner meeting on Monday, December 7, at 7:00. We welcome all women of the parish to join us! Any woman interested in going out, please call Marilyn Robbat (781-729-3033) or the church office (617-547-123
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON – The Syrian-Lebanese Women's Club is sponsoring a Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 12 at noon at St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham. Donation: $25, with all proceeds going to the Scholarship Fund. Come and join us for an elegant afternoon of fine food, pastries and fellowship. Reservations and questions: Carolyn Ganim, 781-329-0830, or Norma Janvrin, 781-326-5131. Tables of 8 may be reserved.
DONATIONS FOR THE HOLY NATIVITY - If you would like to donate toward the Poinsettias and Nativity decorations for the Nativity services please use the form printed in the Sunday bulletin. Deadline is December 14, 2015. Please pass it in with your check at the Bengarri on Sundays or mail to: St. Mary Church, 8 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139-2407. Donations will be printed in the December 20 bulletin.
NATIVITY FAST - The Nativity Fast, also known as the season of Advent, continues until December 25. This is the forty days of fasting and prayer in preparation for the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Once again St. Mary's is holding its annual Canned Food Drive: October through December 31, 2015. Since 1984, we have collected over 3,281,200 pounds of food. Please bring in canned goods ONLY and place them in the plastic bins in the room outside the kitchen. They will be distributed to food pantries in our area.
WOMEN'S CLUB MEETING - The next meeting of the Women's Club will be Monday, January 11, at 7:30, at the church.
ANNUAL MEETING – The Annual Meeting of St. Mary's Parish will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2016 (snow date: January 31.) At this time we will vote on the budget for 2016, among other things. It is important that all members of St. Mary’s Church attend this meeting. Note: Only members of the parish may vote. If you are a parishioner but not yet a member, please consider becoming a member and pledging. See Fr. Antony, Deno Takles or Barbara Shoop for a Member Packet or if you have any questions. Member packets are also available on the wall to the right of the Bengarri.
FAMILY SHELTER - The Women’s Club provides the Cambridge YWCA Family Shelter with baskets filled with household goods, to help residents ready to move to their own apartments. We ask for your help by providing monetary donations to offset the cost of the items. Please give your donation to Marilyn Robbat or Barbara Shoop or mail it to the Church office c/o the Woman’s Club.
COFFEE HOUR MADE EASY! - To make sponsoring a Coffee Hour a little bit easier, St. Mary’s will be offering a delivery service through “Instacart”, for the basic foods necessary to host a Coffee hour. Simply select a date, mail a check to the office and we will order the food and have it delivered to the church on that Sunday between 9:00 and 10:00 am. You will need to be at the church to accept the order and you will be required to set up for the coffee hour and clean up both the kitchen and hall at the end of the coffee hour. Two menus will be offered. Menu one will include: bagels, mini muffins, fruit, hummus/Syrian bread, juice and coffee for $160. Menu two will include: bagels, juice and coffee for $70. Prices DO NOT include a 20% tip for delivery and are subject to change based on current market pricing of items. Cream cheese, peanut butter, jam and coffee creamer are included with each menu. As usual, St. Mary’s will provide the plates, cups, napkins, utensils, serving
platters, and sweetener for coffee. If you are interested in taking advantage of this service and signing up for a coffee hour please contact the office at 617-547-1234 or e-mail secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org (mailto:secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org) .
THIS WEEK'S VOLUNTEERS
Greeter: Azeb Mitiku
Liturgical Service:
Epistle: Daniel McCabe
Procession: Saron Nebiye, Nathan Nebiye, Selina Nebiye, Nazret S. & Nebiye W.
Communion: Teva Regule, Aura Brosnan, Linda Arnold, Lea Crea, Diana Iovan and TBD
Coffee Hour: Please join us for Coffee Hour following Liturgy
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY
Epistle:
Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ...Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- Ephesians 5:8-19
Gospel:
At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
- Luke 18:18-27
REFLECTION
The property of the wealthy holds them in chains . . . which shackle their courage and choke their faith and hamper their judgment and throttle their souls. They think of themselves as owners, whereas it is they rather who are owned: enslaved as they are to their own property, they are not the masters of their money but its slaves.
- Cyprian, 300 A.D.
Instead of the tithes which the law commanded, the Lord said to divide everything we have with the poor. And he said to love not only our neighbors but also our enemies, and to be givers and sharers not only with the good but also to be liberal givers toward those who take away our possessions.
- Irenaeus, 130-200 AD
Share everything with your brother. Do not say, "It is private property." If you share what is everlasting, you should be that much more willing to share things which do not last.
- The Didache
When you are weary of praying and do not receive, consider how often you have heard a poor man calling, and have not listened to him.
- John Chrysostom, 347-407
Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it. But I'm afraid He would ask me the same question.
– Anonymous