www.stmarysorthodox.org!
VOL. 2 ISSUE 9 - JANUARY 2015
monthly
NEWSLETTER
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St. Mark the Evangelist begins his gospel account with the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Unlike St. Matthew and St.
Luke, who begin with Christ's Nativity and the visitation of Gabriel to Mary, or St. John's Gospel which emphasizes
Christ's pre-existence, St. Mark starts with Chris's baptism in the Jordan river by John the Forerunner. St. Mark states
his purpose in writing his Gospel account in the first few verses, "The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” From that
point he immediately lunches into the baptism story of Jesus and Christ's ministry begins. First things are first. We also
begin our lives in Christ with New Birth in Baptism. It is as St. John states, "...unless one is born of water (baptism) and
the Spirit (Chrismation) he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) !
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I have come to appreciate that the New Civil year begins with first things: The Baptism of Christ. People often
start the New Year with much reflection and attempt to construct meaningful resolutions, but often the reflection does not
fully encounter the First Thing: our own baptism, which is Christ's Baptism. It is quite unfortunate that so many
Orthodox Christians fail to fully incorporate the Feast of Theophany into their lives at the beginning of the year and in
their rushed schedules. For Christ's ministry and public life begins with His baptism and our advancement in healthy
Christian spirituality must also continually encounter Christ's baptism and His life . !
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While all the gospel accounts treat the baptism of Christ with great dignity (St. John's Account is not direct), it is
St. Mark that pushes it forward. Can we not do so ourselves? The feast of Theophany is often poorly attended; the great
blessing of water is often missed with its rich prayers and intercessions; the feast goes unnoticed. This phenomena quite
strange for once upon a time it was Theophany, not Christmas, that was the church’s emphasis. For while the Incarnation
of Jesus Christ in the Flesh (Christmas) is vital and a beautiful celebration, it is Theophany that re-attaches us to our own
spiritual rebirth and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity.!
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In this new Civil Year of 2015 let us reflect on first things ~ as does St. Mark the Evangelist: Christ's Baptism.
Should we not look at the New Year through
the lens of Christ's Baptism and reexamine our
JANUARY PARISH
own baptism which really should be central to
PRAYERS
11: Jack Wilson, birth
o u r l i v e s i n C h r i s t ? Fo r d o w e n o t s i n g
17: Sandy Coblantz,
together..."as many of you have been baptized
chrismation
1: Ron Dove, nameday (Basil
20: Ron Dove, birth
into Christ...have put on Christ.” We cannot
the Great)
21: Joshua Elliott, birth
afford to take this blessed mystery for granted.!
2: Barbara Colford, nameday
25: Yvonna Carrington, birth
(Seraphim of Sarov)
!
In the reading for Theophany, Jan. 6,
27: Connie Bickel, birth
3: Genevieve Elliott,
St. Pa u l r e m i n d s u s i n Ti t u s 3 t ha t o u r
29: Fr. Matthew Wade, birth
nameday
(Genevieve
of
Paris)
salvation is a gift of mercy and love. For Christ
31: Bob Lantz, birth
8: Justin, Rachel, Ezekiel, &
is revealed at His baptism and we are saved
Ean Shoopman, chrismation
according to His Mercy.." (Titus 3:4, 5) !
(Continued on Page 2)!
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ST. MARY’S ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Phone: 574.642.3312 | Address: 65159 CR 33, Goshen, IN 46528 | Email: [email protected]!
His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and
Metropolitan of all North America
His Grace the Right Reverend ANTHONY, Bishop of Toledo and the Diocese of the Midwest
The Reverend Father Matthew Wade, Priest of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church
Subdeacons John Bickel, Matthew Cochran, Ambrose Bussard
Readers Matthew Whirledge, Adrian Sharp
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www.stmarysorthodox.org! !
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REGULAR SERVICES!
Sunday Orthros (Morning Prayers): 8:45 a.m.!
Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m.!
Sunday School: Directly following Communion!
Saturday Vespers (Evening Prayers): 6 p.m. !
Wednesday Prayers: 8:30 a.m.!
Compline & Bible Study/Catechism: Wednesdays 6 p.m.!
Catechism: Sundays: 6 p.m.!
SUNDAY GOSPEL READINGS!
January 4: Mark 1:1-8!
January 11: Matthew 4:12-17 !
January 18: Luke 17:12-19 !
January 25: Luke 19:1-10!
ADD TO YOUR GOD PLEASING PRAYERS!
Military: Midshipman Anna Wade, Captain Nicholas Bell,
Chief Officer Jeremy Rearden, Sergeant Derek Wilson, Major Erik
Luca, Petty Officer Matthew Geczy, Airman Samantha Trupia,
Specialist Tiffany Beachy, Alex Miller-Martinez, Private Becky
Snavely, Tyler Beachy!
Please bring special requests needing prayer and attention to
one of the Subdeacons during the service prior to the Great
Entrance. !
COFFEE HOUR & CARRY-IN SCHEDULE !
Please check the sign-up sheet for the schedule. We need
more folks to sign up for coffee hours in the future. Please see the
schedule on the bulletin board or on the coffee hour table to signup. Or, please bring cookies, snacks, etc. to fill the “coffee hour”
cabinet in the kitchen. These items will be used when there is no
one signed up.!
The monthly carry-in is Jan. 18.!
PROSPHORA SCHEDULE!
A New Year is upon us and everyone is encouraged to take
part in making of the Eucharist Bread. Can you help? There are a
few spaces to be filled for January.!
January schedule is as follows: Jan 4: Myrna / 11: Deacon
Gerasimus / 18: ? / 25: Gloria!
February needs three people to make bread. Gloria has the
schedule so please see her to choose your dates of bread making.
There is an extra stamp. Please see Myrna if you need to borrow
it.!
DECEMBER GIVING!
The church is $5,533.51 above its budgeted expenses for the
month of December. Year To Date: The church is $7,174.90 above
its budgeted expenses for the year.!
DECEMBER ATTENDANCE!
The December average is 79 and the yearly average is 64. !
JANUARY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE!
The deadline for February’s newsletter is Tuesday, Jan. 27. It
will be released on Sunday, Feb. 1. News or suggestions for
upcoming newsletters: contact Rebekah at (574) 536-7400 or
[email protected].!
SAINTS ALIVE!
Saints Alive will be starting soon. Group leaders should be
contacting people in their region - start-up could be yet this
month. Discussion will be centered on the delightful book
“Everyday Saints.”!
CHANGE TO VESPERS TIME!
Starting in this month, Vespers on Saturdays will be held at 6
p.m. This is a beautiful service in preparation for the Divine
Liturgy and Holy Communion on Sundays. Hope to see you all
there at this new time!!
WOMEN’S NEWS!
There will be a women’s group meeting on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Keep bringing cans for the window and our own church pantry.
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VOL. 2 ISSUE 9 - JANUARY 2015
There is a new sign up sheet for flowers and coffee hour for 2015 please sign up!!
FATHER MATTHEW’S NOTE, CONTINUED!
…However in the same passage in chapter 3 St. Paul reminds
us that while salvation is a gift, baptism like all the other
sacraments must be intentionally appropriated. St. Paul exhorts
all Christians to "maintain good works." In this New Year let us
re-evaluate our priorities in view of Christ's Baptism always
refocusing on His blessed appearing and His Baptism which is our
own. Let us also not only make resolutions for ourselves but take
up the holy task of maintaining charitable deeds for others. Father Matthew!
HOUSE BLESSINGS!
House blessings started Jan. 6 and will end at the beginning
of the Triodion. Triodion begins Feb. 1, Forgiveness Vespers are
Feb 22 and on Feb. 23, the Great Fast begins.!
A NOTE ABOUT FEASTS!
When is the next major Feast? Feb. 2: The Meeting of our
Lord (40 days after His Birth).!
Eight great feasts are in honor of Jesus Christ, and four great
feasts honor the Virgin Mar y — the Theotokos. They are
September 8, the Nativity of the Theotokos; September 14, the
Exaltation of the Cross; November 21, the Presentation of the
Theotokos; December 25, the Nativity of Christ/Christmas;
January 6, the Baptism of Christ — Theophany, also called
Epiphany; February 2, the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple;
March 25, the Annunciation; The Sunday before Pascha (Easter) —
the Entry into Jerusalem or Flowery/Willow/Palm Sunday; Forty
Days after Pascha (Easter) — the Ascension of Christ; Fifty Days
after Pascha (Easter) — Pentecost; August 6, the Transfiguration;
August 15, the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos.!
Besides the Twelve Great Feasts, the Orthodox Church
knows five other feasts that rank as great feasts, yet without being
numbered among the twelve. They are: the Circumcision of Christ
(January 1), the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24), the Feast
of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29), the Beheading of St John the
Baptist (August 29), and the Protecting Veil of the Theotokos
(October 1).!
What to bring at feasts and fasts: One can always bring food
for the pantry of St. Mary's. Or at each feast consider bringing an
extra offering for the less fortunate ~ designate a special offering
for such. At the feast of the Transfiguration, bring grapes to be
blessed. At Pascha bring offerings for the Archdiocese and the
money boxes for food, also bring hand bells to be rung just after
the procession (after the priest knocks on the doors) during
Pascha. Remember to help with carr y-in-dinners by bring
something and help clean up! lease do not get caught sitting
around while others attend to people's needs! Periodically the
Subdn's will ask for olive oil and money for wine. We use quite a
bit through the year. Extra offerings at all major feasts and funds
designated for such can help. Or just purchase a gallon of olive oil:
ask Subdn Matthew which to purchase. At the Great Sunday of
Orthodoxy bring your saint's icon and encourage children to do
so...weather permitting we process outdoors. During all fasts
increase the desire to give alms! !
POINSETTIA MEMORIALS!
Thank you to those who donated poinsettias: Gabriela (in
memory of Maria, Pavel, Ana, Ion, Nicolae); Wilsons (George,
Mary, George, Parachiva, Octavian, Pauline, Jack, Elizabeth, Val);
Lantzs (Roberta, Paul Gladys, Bill, Shawn); Wellingtons (Stephen,
Michael, Lloyd, Nedra, Emily); Wades (Irma, Jonathan, Steven);
Bickels (Paul, Alene, Max, Margaret, John, Michael); Joan (Sbd.
John Hockman); Burgs (Audra Kay, Ora, Marjorie, Paul, Marion,
Helen, Denzil, Millard, Evelyn); Elsie Minier (Richard, Michael)!
!!
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