Today’s readings are:

Romans 2:10-16 and Saint Matthew 4:18-23 (2nd Sunday after Pentecost)
II Corinthians 11:21-12:9 and Saint Matthew 16:13-19 (Ss Peter & Paul)

Weekly calendar:

Today:
coffee hour and special parish meeting

July 5 – Saturday:
— No Vespers in our parish

July 6 – Sunday:
9:00am – Divine Liturgy– Third Sunday after Pentecost
[Romans 5:1-10 and Saint Matthew 6:22-33]
coffee hour

With today’s feast of Saints Peter and Paul this year’s very brief Apostle’s Fast comes to an end.

THIRD OFFICIAL NOTICE: Following today’s Divine Liturgy there will be a special parish meeting for the purpose of considering the parish council proposal that we approve putting a new roof on our church at a cost of $134,000, and for the purpose of approving funding for this project. This third official notice is printed in today’s bulletin and announced aloud in church as required by our parish by-laws.

Matushka Lydia and Father Michael will be away on vacation beginning this Tuesday. There will be no Daily Vespers until July 24th, and no Saturday vespers in our parish until July 26th.

As always — in the event of any emergency: Call the rectory.
The phone will be tended and emergency needs will be addressed.

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INDEPENDENCE DAY—

The Fourth of July is always a time for celebration in our land. It is a chance for family and friends to gather together for barbecues, outdoor activities, and fireworks. On Independence Day, the cause of our celebration is freedom, freedom from a cruel, repressive government, and freedom from a tyrannical king. This freedom is not only about liberation “from,” but also liberation “to;” freedom to chart our own course, to work for our own goals, and to reap the fruits of our own labors.

While this civil holiday may not be found on our ecclesiastical calendars, we can certainly derive some spiritual food from it, right along with our hot dogs and ice-cold beverages! The Fourth of July can be an opportunity for us to recall that there is a spiritual struggle for independence that goes on in our lives every single day. The tyrannical king is the devil; his cruel government is this fallen world and death; the overwhelming tax burdens and the tax collectors are our sins along with the demons who tempt us in this life wait to accuse us at our death.

Nothing is better than spiritual freedom. The Lord Jesus Christ said: “If the Son (of God) therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36.) But in order to gain this freedom, this freedom which is in Christ, there needs to be a revolution, a revolution in us! Now the word “revolution” literally means to turn. Isn’t that what repentance is? A turn? A change of direction? A change of mind? Repentance is a spiritual struggle, a spiritual war against the tyranny of evil. Repentance is a noetic revolution and an ascetic strategy that employs spiritual armaments given to us by the grace of God. Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but have Divine power to pull down strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5.)

So, then, the Fourth can serve as a good reminder to us that we need to keep up the struggle and “Fight the good fight of faith” (I Tim. 6:12.) It’s only when we let our guard down, relax our efforts and our resolve, that we find ourselves slipping back into the clutches of our Adversary and the tyranny of his fallen order.

“Stand fast therefore” (says Saint Paul) “in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1.)

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• Daily scriptures, thoughts from the Fathers, and lives of the Saints of the day, delivered straight to your desktop. • Homilies from Fr. Thomas Hopko, commentary by Frederica Mathewes-Green, and stories for children to listen to at bedtime. • Reflections on the Lenten Gospels, meditations on living out the Orthodox faith, and interviews with Orthodox Christians from all walks of life.— These are just a few of the topics covered by the two dozen podcasts available to anyone with a computer and an internet connection at Ancient Faith Radio, found online at ancientfaith.com. Download talks, readings, or interviews to your MP3 player, or just listen while sitting at your desk. In addition, any time you like you can listen to liturgical music from the wide variety of musical traditions that make up our church. Ancient Faith Radio is a project of the Antiochian Archdiocese and Conciliar Press.

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Sunday, July 6, 2008– Third Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s readings are:

5:1-10 and Saint Matthew 6:22-33

Weekly calendar:

Today:
coffee hour

July 12 – Saturday:
— No Vespers in our parish

July 13 – Sunday:
9:00am – Divine Liturgy– Fourth Sunday after Pentecost / remembrance of the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils
[Romans 6:18-23 and Saint Matthew 8:5-13 (4th Sunday)
Hebrews 13:7-16 and Saint John 17:1-13 (Council Fathers)]
coffee hour

Father Timothy Lowe is serving with us today. We welcome Father Timothy and Matushka Lisa!

Building on the Foundations Laid by the North American Saints– Our parish is offering a summer seminar for children and young adults, August 4-8. The program begins each day promptly at 9am and ends at 1pm. Brochures, including a registration form, are on the tract rack near the candle desk. We encourage our parish young people to participate. The fee is $35.00 per student. Our Ladies Auxiliary is donating $25.00 per student for our parish youth. Speak to Susan Lickwar if you have questions- 387-4091.

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A Letter to Parents– (adapted from a text by Father Andrew Morbey)

Dear Parents,

We're trying, really. We're trying not to bore you or your children to tears as we celebrate the Liturgy and while we're preaching. But we know that on some Sundays we fail, especially for your children. This isn't our intent, and we'd really like to improve on this. But we need your help.

Participating in Liturgy does not usually ‘just happen’. It is a skill that is developed over a lifetime. Take the sermon for example. A person doesn't suddenly wake up one Sunday morning at the age of 17 with the ability to pay attention to even a brief 10 or 12-minute sermon. If a 17-year-old is able to connect to the preaching while sitting in the pew, it's usually because her parents taught her how to listen.

Maybe her parents talked about the sermon on the way home, pondering its meaning and message in such a way that made the child in the back seat realize that the sermon that day was stimulating to her parents' faith, and therefore could be to hers as well.

Maybe her parents looked ahead for the hymns and scripture readings for the next Sunday and then read and discussed them around the dinner table one night and invited the children's insights and questions, and in doing so prepared everyone to listen better on Sunday.

Maybe her parents bought her a little notebook and pen when she was learning how to read and write, and invited her to write down her favorite words from the Liturgy – including the sermon - in her book. Or asked her to draw a picture about the feast or the scripture readings.

Maybe her parents were joyful and attentive in worship and showed interest in the preaching, blessing themselves or even just nodding along. Maybe they nudged each other at certain points, or smiled, or wiped a tear.

We're in this together, as parents and pastors who long for the next generation to embrace the faith. We want to encourage you to do what you can to shape your children into hearers and doers of the Word. We also want to encourage you to contact us if you have ideas that may aid you in doing just that.

With love for all God's children,

Your Pastor

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A word about self-sufficiency– from Saint Nikon, Elder of Optina Monastery
We should think humbly about ourselves and begin each of our actions with humility; but we must drive far away false humility, displayed in excusing our laziness and unwillingness to struggle: “How can we sinners do that? Those people were saints….” That is what we hear from those who do not want to labor for their salvation. We must answer them: “Yes, that is true, but very often the saints were previously great sinners, and by struggling they became holy. Therefore, consider yourself a sinner, but force yourself to do good. There will be benefit from it.” Self-justification is the root of evil.

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Sunday, July 13, 2008 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost / remembrance of the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils

Today’s readings are:
Romans 6:18-23 and Saint Matthew 8:5-13 (4th Sunday)
Hebrews 13:7-16 and Saint John 17:1-13 (Council Fathers)

Weekly calendar:

Today:
coffee hour

July 19 – Saturday:
— No Vespers in our parish

July 20 – Sunday:
9:00am – Divine Liturgy– Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
[Romans 10:1-10 and Saint Matthew 8:28-9:1]
coffee hour
1:00pm – ‘R’ Club picnic at the home of Natasha Ronai

Welcome to Father Sergius Halvorsen, serving with us today, and welcome to Matushka Dina and their family.

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A Sermon of Saint Basil the Great On Death and Love–

Brethren, let us be afraid and terrified of death.... Brethren, hold nothing in higher esteem than boundless love. We commit many sins, every day, every night, every hour, every season. Let us, therefore, have love; for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. What gain do we have, children, if we acquire the whole world, but do not have the love that saves us? What use is it if someone makes a great banquet, and invites a king or a prince to come, and prepares all that is necessary in great abundance, but lacks salt? Would anyone wish to partake of such a feast? Is it not the same if a man has prepared a wealth of good things but finds himself ashamed before the guests who are invited? Likewise, my brethren, what profit is there in many labors, if they are cast to the wind, being without love?

For without love every deed is unclean. If anyone has virginity, or fasting, or vigils, or prayer, or hospitality, or offers gifts to God, or brings the fruits of his labor to the Church, or does anything else, but without love, it is all for naught in the sight of God, who has no need of our goods. Do not even think of ever doing anything good without love. If you say, I love Christ, but I do not wish to make peace with my brother, you will be found to be a liar. St John the Apostle himself will rebuke you; for the end of the commandment is charity. Great is the power of unconquerable love! Great is the power of unlimited love! There is nothing greater than love, either in heaven or on earth. This holy love is the chiefest of virtues; love is the sign of any virtue; love is as salt to everything. Charity is not puffed up; it is the fulfilling of the law. It dwelt in the heart of Abel. It assisted the Patriarchs, and therefore they held it fast. It abode with the Prophets. It made David a home of the Holy Spirit. It also strengthened Job. What more can I say? Only this: It brought the Son of God down to us from heaven. Because of love all that is good has appeared. By it death was put to death, Hades was taken captive and Adam was made new. Because of love angels and men were made one flock.

Because of love paradise was opened. Because of love the kingdom of heaven was proclaimed. It made the wilderness a city. It made fishermen wise. It filled mountains and caves with hymnody. It taught men and women to walk along the narrow way of afflictions. I will not stop at this in speaking about love. Not even the angels can tell all that love has accomplished in the virtues of the blessed. It is love that brings about every good work.

Blessed is the man who has acquired true and sincere love. As the Master said: Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his neighbor. The Apostle Paul had this love, and he said: Love works no ill to his neighbor. Let none render evil for evil unto any man, nor slander for slander. When you have acquired this love, despise not any man, neither envy him, nor murmur, nor hate your brother at any time. Do not love only those who love you, but love even those who hate you.

The Protomartyr Stephen possessed this holy love, and therefore he prayed to God for those who were stoning him, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Blessed is the man who acquires this love and holds it higher than all else. His reward grows from day to day; a crown is prepared for him; all the angels bless him; and God will never leave him. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Everything is through love. To our God be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

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Sunday, July 20, 2008 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost / Holy Prophet Elijah

Today’s readings are:
Romans 10:1-10 and Saint Matthew 8:28-9:1

Weekly calendar:

Today:
coffee hour
1:00pm – ‘R’ Club picnic at the home of Natasha Ronai

July 24 – Thursday:
5:30 – Daily Vespers

July 25 – Friday:
5:30 – Daily Vespers

July 26 – Saturday:
4:30 – choir rehearsal
5:00pm – Great Vespers – with Confessions afterward

July 27 – Sunday:
9:00am – Divine Liturgy– Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
[Romans 12:6-14 and Saint Matthew 9:1-8]
coffee hour

We again welcome Matushka Lisa and Father Timothy Lowe- who is serving with us today.

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Christ the Good Shepherd– from a sermon by Saint Gregory the Great (+604)

I am the good shepherd, I know my own– by which I mean, I love them– and my own know me. In plain words, those who love me are willing to follow me, for anyone who does not love the truth has not yet come to know it.
My dear brethren, you have heard the test we pastors have to undergo. Turn now to consider how these words of our Lord imply a test for yourselves also. Ask yourselves whether you belong to his flock, whether you know him, whether the light of his truth shines in your minds. I assure you that it is not by faith that you will come to know him, but by love; not by mere conviction but by action. John the evangelist is my authority for this statement. He tells us that anyone who claims to know God without keeping his commandments is a liar.

Consequently, the Lord immediately adds: As the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. Clearly he means that laying down his life for his sheep gives evidence of his knowledge of the Father and the Father’s knowledge of him. In other words, by the love with which he dies for his sheep he shows how greatly he loves his Father.

Again he says: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, they follow me, and I give them eternal life. Shortly before this he had declared: If anyone enters the sheepfold through me he shall be saved; he shall go freely in and out and shall find good pasture. He will enter into a life of faith; from faith he will go out to vision, from belief to contemplation, and will graze in the good pastures of everlasting life.

So our Lord’s sheep will finally reach their grazing ground where all who follow him in simplicity of heart will feed on the green pastures of eternity. These pastures are the spiritual joys of heaven. There the elect look upon the face of God with unclouded vision and feast at the banquet of life forever more.

Beloved brethren, let us set out for these pastures where we shall feel joyful festival with so many of our fellow citizens. May the thought of their happiness urge us on! Let us stir up our hearts, rekindle our faith, and long eagerly for what heaven has in store for us. To love thus is to be already on our way. No matter what obstacles we encounter, we must not allow them to turn us aside from the joy of that heavenly feast. Anyone who is determined to reach his destination is not deterred by the roughness of the road that leads to it. Nor must we allow the charm of success to seduce us, or we shall be like a foolish traveler who is so distracted by the pleasant meadows through which he is passing that he forgets where he is going.

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When fulfilling the commandments of God we must have humility, and if the power of the commandments weakens in us, then humility will intercede for us. But when we do good works and want to be assured that we are being saved, and see salvation in the palm of our hand, then we are very much mistaken. We should do good works without noticing them, and credit our correction to God and his help, and truly humbly ourselves, not falsely.
– Saint Macarius, Elder of Optina Monastery