Announcements for August 2007 - 08/01/07

Prayers for the Sick

Our sister, Elisabeth Chisholm, continues her recovery.  She was recently able to stand and put weight on her right leg.  We remember that for a time, until she received the Mystery of Holy Unction, she was in danger of losing the leg.  Please keep her in your prayers.  She and Don live at Riderwood Village.  Betty is currently staying in the Renaissance Gardens nursing home of Riderwood.  She would like to have visitors.  You can call her at 301-572-6797.

Continue to remember in prayer Andrew, father of Elizabeth and father-in-law of Edmund Sweet.  His recovery from his heart operation is positively progressing.  Also, continue to remember in prayer Dyonisia Ryan who has been battling cancer.  We received a note from her that her latest reports have been very good.  Father George heard her confession, administered Holy Unction and gave her Holy Communion before she started chemotherapy.  A Missionary Visitor – Archbishop Hilarion of Australia and New Zealand recently accepted under his mantle Indonesian converts to Orthodoxy.  Archimandrite Father Daniel Byantoro, who can be viewed as an apostle to Indonesia, continues to be with us to lead us in a study of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians and inspire us in our own mission work at Holy Apostles.  We look forward to continuing to help him as we can.   When we gather for his talks, let us respond to his great missionary work with generosity.  If anyone knows of a church that would like to host Fr. Daniel to speak, please let him or Fr. George know.
 Parish Groups and Activities – Holy Apostles welcomes participants in a number of groups and activities.  Please see the leader or coordinator listed for more information.  Choir – Christopher Johnson, Director Sunday School and other catechesis – Father George Wednesday evening class – Father George St. Joseph the All-Comely Young Adults – Christopher Johnson – see below

Fasting – Wednesdays and Fridays are to be observed as fast days by Orthodox Christians in commemoration of our Lord’s suffering and death.  A wall calendar with fasting indications can be gotten at the back of the church for $3.  Here is a brief indication of the meaning of the colors and symbols in the calendar.

Days shaded in pink with no other symbol indicate a vegan diet (no animal products permitted except shell fish) and no use of wine (any alcohol) as a beverage or in cooking, and no use of olive oil in cooking or as dressing.

Days shaded in pink with a grape cluster are the same as above regarding animal products, but the use of wine and olive oil is permitted.

Days shaded in pink with a fish are as above, except consumption of vertebrate fish is permitted, along with wine and olive oil.

This month, one of the four extended fasting periods is kept, that is, the two weeks prior to the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, starting on 8/14 with the commemoration of the Precious Cross and the Holy Maccabees.
 Confession – It is right and good that we should want to receive Holy Communion and prepare for it through repentance and confession.  The best time for this is on Saturday evening, not only because there is plenty of time, but because attendance at Saturday evening Vigil is a traditional part of preparation.  If, however, because of distance or other considerations (pre-arranged with Father George), it is necessary to confess on Sunday morning before the Liturgy, we should arrive at church for this purpose no later than 9:15.  Also, it is necessary if one is unable to attend vigil, that Saturday evening be spent quietly and prayerfully, preparing for confession and reading the pre-Communion prayers.  We should do our best to preserve the traditions of our Church and to be considerate of others by not causing a delay in the beginning of Divine Liturgy.  Purchase of Candles, Prosphora and Other Items – Please remember when buying anything from the church to record the item, quantity, and $ amount on the columned paper at the candle stand.  Also indicate on the check memo line, or on a slip of paper with your name attached to cash, what a donation is for.  By so doing, you will be helping our Treasurer immensely in his accounting.  Volunteer needed to run the Candlestand.  See above….  Please speak to Fr. George if you would like to help out with the candlestand.

Cleaning the church – We are trying a new method of asking folks to help clean every Sunday after the Liturgy.  Please volunteer to help out with cleaning the church.

Flower volunteer needed – would you like to help with beautifying the church with flowers?  Please let Fr. George know if you are interested.

St. Joseph the All-Comely Young Adults Group – Please contact Christopher Johnson if you would like to find out more about this group which was founded for young adult Orthodox Christians, approximately ages 18-35.  The group meets during the agape meal on the last Sunday of each month, and plans other scheduled activities periodically.   Recently they sponsored Fr. Daniel Byantoro’s talk, The Great Mandate of Evangelism, and the Holy Trinity.

Announcements for July 2007 - 07/01/07

Prayers for the Sick and the Traveling

Our sister, Elisabeth Chisholm, continues her recovery. Please keep her in your prayers. God willing, we plan to bring her to church once a month via medical transport. She and Don live at Riderwood Village. Betty is currently staying in the Renaissance Gardens nursing home of Riderwood. She would like to have visitors. You can call her at 301-572-6797.

Continue to remember in prayer Andrew, father of Elizabeth and father-in-law of Edmund Sweet. His recovery from his heart operation is positively progressing. Also, continue to remember in prayer Dyonisia Ryan who has been battling cancer. We received a note from her that her latest reports have been very good. Father George heard her confession, administered Holy Unction and gave her Holy Communion before she started chemotherapy.

John Swenson has been traveling in Spain and Russia and we anticipate his return on the 10th right before the parish feast. Welcome home, John!

A Missionary Visitor – Archbishop Hilarion of Australia and New Zealand recently accepted under his mantle Indonesian converts to Orthodoxy. Archimandrite Father Daniel Byantoro, who can be viewed as an apostle to Indonesia, has been with us several times to tell his story and inspire us in our own work at Holy Apostles. So far, we have scheduled two Monday evenings when he will lead us in a study of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. He will also give a repeat of his talk that he gave at the rectory in June, The Great Mandate of Evangelism and the Holy Trinity. We look forward to continuing to help him as we can. Let us all respond to this great missionary work of his with generosity. We have also been able to help him to schedule a weekend in Atlanta at St. Mary of Egypt parish. If anyone knows of a church that would like to host Fr. Daniel to speak, please let him or Fr. George know.

Parish Groups and Activities – Holy Apostles welcomes participants in a number of groups and activities. Please see the leader or coordinator listed for more information. Choir – Christopher Johnson, Director Sunday School and other catechesis – Father George Wednesday evening class – Father George St. Joseph the All-Comely Young Adults – Christopher Johnson

In our Bookstore – How to Life a Holy Life, by Metropolitan Gregory of St. Petersburg (1784 – 1860). Here is a sample from this wonderful book. It is the first of 6 instructions on How to Conduct Ourselves when People Praise Us:

“When people praise you, be very circumspect, because then you are in a dangerous situation. Many people do not know the true value of things and of actions, and therefore they value and praise things that in the sight of the Lord God and of sensible people are worth nothing. And because praise is pleasing to our self-esteem and vainglory, and self-esteem and vainglory are gullible, we eagerly accept another’s false praise as true praise, put a halt to seeking perfection, become more imperfect, die unreformed, and perish. Therefore, consider as impartially as possible whether what others praise in you deserves praise from the Lord and from prudent people, because only that which is worthy of praise from the Lord God and from people devoted to Him should be important for us. What does praise from people matter, when we are unworthy of praise from the Lord God?”

Bishop’s Visit Delayed – Unfortunately, Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan, who planned to visit and serve with us the weekend of July 28th and 29th had to cancel. As can be seen from the ROCOR website, his good offices are required in South America. He hopes to be able to come sometime this fall.

Fasting – Wednesdays and Fridays are to be observed as fast days by Orthodox Christians in commemoration of our Lord’s suffering and death. A wall calendar with fasting indications can be gotten at the back of the church for $3. Here is a brief indication of the meaning of the colors and symbols in the calendar.

Days shaded in pink with no other symbol indicate a vegan diet (no animal products permitted except shell fish) and no use of wine (any alcohol) as a beverage or in cooking, and no use of olive oil in cooking or as dressing.

Days shaded in pink with a grape cluster are the same as above regarding animal products, but the use of wine and olive oil is permitted.

Days shaded in pink with a fish are as above, except consumption of vertebrate fish is permitted, along with wine and olive oil. On all other days, we abstain from vertebrate fish, wine and olive oil.

Confession – It is right and good that we should want to receive Holy Communion and prepare for it through repentance and confession. The best time for this is on Saturday evening, not only because there is plenty of time, but because attendance at Saturday evening Vigil is a traditional part of preparation. If, however, because of distance or other considerations (pre-arranged with Father George), it is necessary to confess on Sunday morning before the Liturgy, we should arrive at church for this purpose no later than 9:15. Also, it is necessary if one is unable to attend vigil, that Saturday evening be spent quietly and prayerfully, preparing for confession and reading the pre-Communion prayers. We should do our best to preserve the traditions of our Church and to be considerate of others by not causing a delay in the beginning of Divine Liturgy.

Purchase of Candles, Prosphora and Other Items – Please remember when buying anything from the church to record the item, quantity, and $ amount on the columned paper at the candle stand. Also indicate on the check memo line, or on a slip of paper with your name attached to cash, what a donation is for. You will be helping our Treasurer immensely in his accounting.

Volunteer needed to run the Candlestand. See above…. Please speak to Fr. George if you would like to help out with the candlestand.

Cleaning the church – We are trying a new method of asking folks to help clean every Sunday after the Liturgy. Please volunteer to help out with cleaning the church.

Flower volunteer needed – would you like to help with beautifying the church with flowers? Please let Fr. George know if you are interested.

St. Joseph the All-Comely Young Adults Group – Please contact Christopher Johnson if you would like to find out more about this group which was founded for young adult Orthodox Christians, approximately ages 18-35. The group meets during the agape meal on the last Sunday of each month, and plans other scheduled activities periodically. Recently they sponsored Fr. Daniel Byantoro’s talk, The Great Mandate of Evangelism, and the Holy Trinity.

Good Stewards, Good Neighbors – Membership at Holy Apostles – A standard element of the Orthodox Christian life is membership in an Orthodox parish. Parish membership is the way to demonstrate the seriousness of our commitment to maintain not only our individual or household Orthodox life, but to maintain our mutual Orthodox life as a parish community, or, as the Holy Apostle puts it, to “bear… one another’s burdens.” By committing to keeping the parish supplied and in place, we are instruments of God’s providence. At the same time that we give of our substance, we provide the proper circumstances to supply each other’s spiritual needs. If you regularly attend services, please consider also that being one of the living stones that St. Peter speaks of entails material contribution. We read in the Acts of the Holy Apostles, that time when the spiritual temperature of the new-born Church was at its height, that the members gave very generously of their substance, in fact, they gave everything. While we do not live in their circumstances and are not now called upon to pool everything for the sake of physical survival, we do live in a time of great spiritual incoherence and hostility. We each need, therefore, to do all we can to secure, maintain and grow our parish so that it may continue to serve as a harbor for those who seek spiritual peace and refuge from the stormy sea of this life. As has been repeatedly pointed out, a good foundation for giving is 10% of income. Some of us are doing this already. Those who so give can testify that God takes care of such benefactors. First of all, they are remembered in prayer at every Divine Service. Let all who read this be stimulated to become one among the choir of benefactors. To become a member of the parish, please see our Treasurer, Damian Dantinne.

Our Building Fund – we have a building fund. We hope and pray, that one day with God’s help, we will build a beautiful church dedicated to our patron saints, the Holy Apostles, to the glory of God. To this end, we ask that our parishioners and friends keep this prayer in their daily prayers. According to His will, may God grant us to see the day of the dedication of the new church.

Old Regular News Updates

The Sick
"I was sick and you visited me." We have petitions for the sick during the Liturgy and every Wednesday at our prayer service before the icon of the Mother of God, "Queen of All;" so, if you or someone you know is sick and needs prayer or would like a visit, please let Father George know.

Our Choir
New members for the choir are always welcome. You are encouraged to take this opportunity to beautifully enhance the services of the Church. If you are able to do so, please speak to our choir director, Christopher Johnson. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7 PM.

Our Sunday School
A class for our very young children is being taught by Christopher Johnson and Dorothy Dillon in the library after Trapeza. Father George is teaching a class for older youngsters on an occasional basis. (He would be glad to make it regular!) Let us please keep our Sunday School in our prayers because such instruction is a foundational element in parish life. If you would like to help with the program, please speak to Fr. George. Also, coming up soon, we will embark on a common reading and study of a modern classic in the tradition of the Fathers, “Orthodox Dogmatic Theology.” This work by Father Michael Pomazansky is beloved by those who know it, and this is an opportunity for others to experience its richness. More will be said in the November bulletin.

Our Bookstore
Please see and use our bookstore. As well as books, music service books, icons, CD’s, Pascha egg pendants and other items are available. There is more than one source for the items in our store. When you buy something, please put the following into the donation box, together with the payment (in full, thanks – no future payments or IOU’s): the item name (“book” won’t do) and the dollar ($) amount of the payment. There are note-sized pieces of paper for your use for this purpose on the candle stand. This information will enable us to keep our book-keeping straight. Thank you for supporting the Parish Bookstore. Thanks to Katya Renko for the new seasonal items.

St. Juliana Sisterhood
All women are welcome to be members of our Sisterhood. To become one, please contact Katia Renko before the next Sisterhood meeting. Membership dues range from $2-$5 per month. An excellent opportunity open to both men and women to help maintain the beauty, warmth and hospitable atmosphere of our parish is to take your place on the Church Cleaning Schedule, which is on the bulletin board next to the refrigerator.

Prayer for the sick - 05/01/07

Our sister, Elizabeth Chisolm, continues with her recovery from her broken leg. She is still in the rehabilitation facility in Riderwood Village where she and Don live and hopes to return to their home soon.

Remember Andrew, father of Elizabeth and father-in-law of Edmund Sweet. His heart surgery was postponed.

Remember Dyonisia Ryan who is grievously ill with cancer and undergoing treatment at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore. She received Holy Unction from Father George on Tuesday, 4/24, prior to the beginning of her chemotherapy.

Fr. George in Moscow - 05/14/07

From May 17 through 21, Father George will be among the pilgrims accompanying the ROCOR clergy delegatoin and choir on their trip to Moscow. He wil have the opportunity to be present at the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion, and to serve in Christ the Savior Cathedral. Please keep him in your prayers for a safe trip and an inspiring sojourn.

The Sick - 11/01/06

"I was sick, and you visited me." We have petitions for the sick during the Liturgy and every Wednesday at our prayer service before the icon of the Mother of God, "Queen of All;" so, if you or someone you know is sick and needs prayer or would like a visit, please let Father George know. Of your kindness and charity, please remember before the Lord our parishioner, Betty Chisholm and her husband, Don. Betty suffered a recent fall and her recovery is slow and painful. Her husband, Don, is in a rehabilitation center in D.C. recovering from recent back surgery.

St. Joseph the All-Comely Orthodox Young Adults Group - 11/01/06

In recognition of the increasing number of young single people in the parish, we have founded a group that will welcome as members Orthodox young adults from college age through the early 30’s. It is established in order to nurture Christian fellowship and encourage mutual prayer. The patronage of the Holy Patriarch Joseph the All-Comely is sought to bolster awareness of the need to maintain a holy witness in today’s world. TPlease see Claire Mendis or Father George for more information about the group and its activities.

The Nativity Fast - 11/01/06

The Nativity Fast starts on Tuesday, 11/28, and concludes on Saturday, 1/6. So that we may prepare, here are the fasting regulations governing this period. The rules for this fast are somewhat lighter than those for the Great Fast anticipating Pascha. The basis of all our fasting periods is the avoidance of the use of animal products, oil and wine, and the consumption of less food generally. Here are the exceptions.

On all Saturdays, Sundays, and on these dates: 12/4, 12/18, 12/19, 12/25 and 12/26, fish, wine and oil may be used.

On all other Tuesdays, Thursdays, and on these dates: 11/29, 12/8, 12/13 and 12/22, wine and oil may be used.

We need to remember, too, that the fasting period is not primarily for the keeping of a diet. We keep this regimen to better enable our prayer.

Departure of the Mulligan-Norton Family - 11/01/06

Sunday, 11/26, will be the last Sunday that Natasha, Luke and Alexander will be with us. As most of you know, they are moving to Southern California, partly for easing the care of Natasha’s aging mother, Julie, whom it has also been our pleasure to know, and partly for entering fresh fields of endeavor in a more conducive environment. We pray for God’s guidance for them in their new life there. They will always be a part of the fabric of our life here because of what they have done here. They have opened their house to us; Natasha has served as our Treasurer; she and Luke have been pillars of our choir, Natasha also ably serving as occasional choir director; Alexander has been of immense help with his reverent, skilled and smooth altar service. Natasha, Luke, Alexander: you will be missed. We thank God that you have been here. We trust that He will continue to care for you as you remain close to Him, and thereby to us. Please keep us in your prayers. While we breathe, you all will continue in ours, together with your father Donald of happy memory.

Our Parish Thanksgiving Meal - 11/01/06

As we do each year, so this year we will gather as a body to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with the traditional festive meal. Since some are out of town on the weekend following, the Thanksgiving trapeza will take place after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 11/19. The meal is being coordinated by Katya Renko with the St. Juliana Sisterhood. Please let her know what you would like to contribute to the meal.

A New Class for Everyone - 11/01/06

As part of our Nativity Fast increased devotion, beginning Wednesday, 11/29, after our regular moleben, we will have a class wherein we study together the book “Orthodox Dogmatic Theology” by Father Michael Pomazansky. Class members will read about 30 pages per week. At the Wednesday session, Father George will lead a discussion of what was read. Copies of the book will be obtained and made available to class members for $20 (very, very well worth it). Please contact Father George or Matushka Deborah if you would like to be a part of the class so that we are sure to get enough copies.

2006 St. Romanos Music Seminar - 06/14/06

Metropolitan Laurus served the Evening Vigil and Divine Liturgy at our parish.