St. Mary e-Newsletter for Friday, June 12, 2020
PRAYER AND WORSHIP
Every Sunday Orthros is at 8:45am, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00am. Both services are live-streamed - please join us by clicking the live broadcasts button on the church website: http://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org. They can also be seen at facebook.com/stmarycambridge or youtube.com/stmarycambridge or https://bit.ly/stmarylive If you LIKE St. Mary on Facebook you’ll get advance notice of live-streamed services.
After Divine Liturgy every Sunday the Young Adult Ministry invites you to a virtual coffee hour. Please use this link to join it: https://zoom.us/j/392596633
Password: 0815
Monday–Saturday Morning Prayer on Zoom with James & Brooke Wilcox who write: We simply read the Trisagion Prayers, a Psalm, the NT reading for the day, we honor the Theotokos and the Saints of the day, and then say a prayer “waking from sleep,” followed by prayers for the sick and the reposed (with names given from Orthodox parishioners and friends). And finally we close with “The Angel Cried.” If anyone would like to join, we start at 8:45 each morning, Monday through Saturday, and go for about 10-12 minutes. The link to join is:
https://zoom.us/j/377381275.
Password: 28052020
Tuesday, June 16, at 7:30pm, and every other Tuesday evening thereafter, Paraklesis to the Theotokos will be held in the church. The Paraklesis service is traditionally sung during times of great distress.
This is the text for the service:
http://ww1.antiochian.org/sites/default/files/paraklesis_little-with_music.pdf
To attend in person, you must register on EventBrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paraclesis-to-the-theotokos-tickets-108687047886
Password: "0815"
There are 20 distinct pew spots for family units/households. Each household only needs 1 ticket. The site will automatically suggest the closest pew. To change the selection, go to the map, deselect the ticket chosen and click on the pew number you would like instead.
Arrive between 7:15pm and 7:45pm.
The links for the remainder of the month are as follows:
Tuesday, 6/23/20:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paraclesis-to-the-theotokos-tickets-108687800136
Tuesday, 6/30/20:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paraclesis-to-the-theotokos-tickets-108688207354
As always, the service will also be livestreamed.
Thursday evenings at 7:00pm there is an Adult Education program with Subdeacon James: https://mit.zoom.us/j/92020118216 (new Zoom link)
New Password: 0611
Also, you can pray the liturgical services at home - The Archdiocese has published online instructions for reader services (services without a priest present). You can find them at the Online Liturgical Guide. Look at the list of services on the right side of the page and click on the ones marked ‘Reader Service’.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you haven’t already done so, please take our live broadcasting survey
We are asking that every parishioner take the following survey about our Live Broadcasting ministry. Your feedback is essential to help us improve what we are offering, both those who are tuning in and those who are not! It should take you less than 10 minutes to complete. To get started, please go to: https://forms.gle/RxYxq76znb1a3Usz5
People Helping People
A number of parishioners have made known their desire to help people who need assistance. The church office is keeping a list of volunteers. As of this writing we have 8 volunteers. Call the office if you would like your name added to the list of volunteers. There can’t be too many.
If you know of anyone who needs any sort of help call the church office (617) 547-1234 to make the connection. Remember, many people are ashamed/afraid to ask for help. Keep your eyes and ears open and ask about needs in a kind way.
REFLECTION
Faith comes not through pondering but through action. Not words and speculation but experience teaches us what God is. To let in fresh air we have to open a window; to get tanned we must go out into the sunshine. Achieving faith is no different; we never reach a goal by just sitting in comfort and waiting, say the Holy Fathers. Let the Prodigal Son be our example. He "arose and came" (Luke 15:20).
- Tito Colliander, The Way of the Ascetics
And just as tools without the workmen and the workmen without tools are unable to do anything, just so neither is faith without the fulfillment of the commandments, nor the fulfillment of the commandments without faith able to renew and re-create us, nor make us new men from the old. But, whenever we do possess both within a heart free of doubt, then we shall become the Master's vessels, be made fit for the reception of the spiritual myrrh.
- St. Symeon the New Theologian
The Holy Spirit accomplishes all wonders and miracles. By the same Spirit power is given to one, and to another works of power. You have only to speak with faith, and need have no anxiety as to the fulfillment of the word; the Holy Spirit will care for this.
- St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ