Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church

130 North Saint Francis Cabrini Avenue Scranton, PA 18504

Rev. Protodeacon Michael Jolly
Administrator pro tempore
570-213-9344

Reader Michael Simon Parish Office 570-343-6092

E-Mail: Web: Webmaster:

scrantonmelkite@yahoo.com http://melkitescranton.org Sal Zaydon

December 4, 2011 Tone 8 and Orthros Gospel 3 Liturgy Schedule: Saturday Vespers 4pm Compline Weds 8:30PM

01th Sunday After The Holy Cross Sunday Orthros 8:55 am Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Liturgy Intentions:
December 4, 2011 In thanksgiving for the Health and Healing of the servants of God, the members of our parish. December 11, 2011 Living and deceased members of Saint Josephs Ladies Society

Parish Notes:

Welcome back Father Jerome Wolfort who serves liturgy today . The Qurban used in todays liturgy was baked by Sal Zaydon Childrens Saint Nicholas and Barbara Party today after Divine Liturgy. All are welcome. Ladies Society Holiday Luncheon will be held at 1PM on December 11 at La Trattatoria Restaurant on Moosic Street. Decorating the Sanctuary for the feast of the Nativity after Divine Liturgy December 18th For Melkites, the Nativity Fast begins Saturday December 10.

Todays Icon: The Great Martyr Barbara

THE BISHOPS APPEAL: Our beloved Saint Nicholas whose feast we celebrate
with joy is the Patron Saint of charity and the inspiration for all images of Father Christmas and Santa Claus throughout the world. St. Nicholas is also the Patron of our Eparchy! Let us imitate his loving generosity by making a special gift to the Bishops Appeal for the support of our Melkite Eparchy. Please give an end-of-year, tax-deductible gift to the Melkite Church in America and help produce SOPHIA magazine, assist in faith formation and spiritual renewal, support the training of new priests and deacons, help expand our missions and start new ones, give support to our elderly priests. Please give generously so that all these vital works can continue and grow. May God bless you for your generosity.

The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

Antiphons:
First Antiphon Through the prayers of the Mother of God Second Antiphon O Son of God, Who are risen from the dead Hymn of incarnation Third Antiphon Tone 2 Tone 2 Tone 4 Tone 8 Tone 8 Tone 8 Tone 8

Hymns:
Resurrectional Troparion Troparion of St. Barbara Troparion of St. John of Damascus
Let us praise the most honorable Barbara: she thwarted the enemys power, and through the might and strength of the Cross, she was made free in her flight to God. Guide of Orthodoxy,teacher of piety and holiness, star of the universe, glory of monks, wise John, inspired by God. By your teachings you enlightened all of us O harp of the spirit. Intercede with Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Troparion of St. Joseph Kontakion for the Preparation for the Nativity of Our Lord

Tone 2 Tone 3

Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth to the Eternal Word of God in an ineffable manner. Rejoice, therefore, O universe when you hear this news, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds, Him who shall appear as a Child being God from all eternity

Prokiemenon

(Tone 4) Ps. 67:36,27

Awesome in His saints is God, the God of Israel. Stichon: In the churches, bless God, the Lord of Israels wellsprings.

Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians 3:23-4:5

BRETHREN, before the faith came, we were kept imprisoned under the Law, shut up from the faith that was to be revealed. Therefore the Law has been our tutor unto Christ that we might be made holy by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all Gods children through faith in Christ Jesus. For all you who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor freeman; there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christs, then you are Abrahams offspring, heirs according to the promise. (4: 1) Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the master of all; but he is under guardians and tutors until the time set by his father. So we too, when we were children, were enslaved under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, that he might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Alleluia Ps.39:2,3
I have waited, waited for the Lord, and He stooped toward me and heard my cry. Stichon: He set my feet upon a rock; He made firm my steps.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

13:10-17

At that time Jesus was teaching in one of their synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent over and utterly unable to look upwards. When Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, Woman, you are delivered from your infirmity. And He laid His hands upon her, and instantly she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, addressed the crowd, saying, There are six days in which one ought to work; on these therefore come and be cured, and not on the Sabbath. But the Lord answered him and said, Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or ass from the manger, and lead it out to water? And this woman, daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound, lo, for eighteen years, ought not she to be released from this bond on the Sabbath? And as He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and the entire crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by Him.

Our Adoption as Sons of the Father

The process of entrusting us to Christ is called adoption. Paul stated, Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (Galatians 4:1-5). The martyrs of the Church over the ages have illustrated this by their lives in being obedient even to a horrible death. By their free choice, they accepted their lot, and they were shown to be men and women of God, and not children, even though they may not have had much instruction in the Faith, like the Martyr Barbara.

Clement of Alexandria asserted that those under grace are equal and spiritual, and have free choice. By adopting us To illustrate where this leads, Clement of Alexandria also as sons, He has conferred manhood on us, which requires spoke of degrees of glory in heaven, in proportion to ones faith and works. As we follow the path of responsibility on our part. righteousness, humbly submitting to the trials and tortures Do you not hear that we are no longer under that Law, of this life, we move from one mansion to a greater one in which was accompanied with fear, but under the Word, our reward. Even unbelievers have this opportunity, the master of free choice? There are not, then, in the same through philosophy and the worship of the heavenly Word some illuminated and some natural men; but all bodies, if they respond to the Word of God in these who have abandoned the desires of the flesh are equal and things. Barbara and Catherine were able to find their spiritual before the Lord. place in the Kingdom of God, even though they were not In the adoption of sons, He has admitted that those, who born into it. are under fear and sins, are children; but has conferred And other sheep there are also, which are not of this manhood on those who are under faith, by calling them fold (John 10:16), but are deemed worthy of another fold sons, in contradistinction from the children that are under and mansion, in proportion to their faith. My sheep hear the Law. For you are no more a servant, he says, but a My voice (John 10:27); that is, understand the son; and if a son, then an heir through God (Galatians commandments. And this is to be taken in a worthy 4:7). acceptance, accompanied by works. So that when we Clement continued that when we were babies, even though heirs, we were kept under guard by the elements of the world. Even philosophers are like this unless Christ makes them adults; without Christ, they are unable to consume solid food and can only consume milk like a baby. Some worship the elements, the air by Diogenes, the water by Thales, the fire by Hippasus; those who suppose that atoms are the first principles of things arrogantly claim the name of philosophers, but are wretched creatures devoted to pleasure. This I pray, Paul says, that your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and in all discernment, that ye may approve things that are excellent (Philippians 1:9-10). When we were children, he says, we were kept in bondage under hear, Your faith has saved you (Mark 5:34), we do not understand Him to say absolutely that those who have believed in any way whatever shall be saved, unless works follow also. It was to the Jews alone that He spoke this, those who kept the Law and lived blamelessly, who wanted faith in the Lord. No one, then, can be a believer and at the same time be licentious; he must put off the passions, so as to be capable of reaching his own mansion. Now to know is more than to believe, as to be dignified with honor after being saved is a greater thing than being saved. Accordingly the believer, through great discipline, divests himself of the passions, and passes to a mansion, which is better than the former one.

the elements of the world. And the child, though heir, does not differ at all from a slave, until the time appointed by the father (Galatians 4:1-3). Philosophers, then, are children, unless Christ has made them men. For if the son of the bond woman shall not be heir with the son of the free (Genesis 21:10, Galatians 4:30), at least he is the seed of Abraham, though not of promise, and receives what belongs to him by free gift. But solid food belongs to those that are of full age, that is, those who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness; for he is a baby (Hebrews 5:13), and not yet acquainted with the word. He has believed and does good works, but is not able to give a reason from himself when asked. Prove all things, the Apostle says, and hold fast that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21), speaking to spiritual men, who judge what is said according to truth, to determine whether it truly holds by the truth.

For instance, Solomon, calling those wise who understand, speaks of those who admire the dignity of his mansion. For they shall see the end of the wise, and to what a degree the Lord has established him (Wisdom 4:17). And of his glory they will say at the Judgment, This was he, whom we once held up to derision; fools that we were! We thought his life madness, and his end dishonorable. Now is he reckoned among the sons of God, and his inheritance is among the saints (Wisdom 5:3-5) Not only then the believer, but also the heathen, is judged most righteously. For since God knew, because of His omniscience, that he would not believe, He nevertheless, in order that he might receive his own perfection gave him philosophy, but gave it to him prior to faith. And He gave the sun, and the moon, and the stars to be worshipped. God made these for the nations, the Law says, that they might not become altogether atheistic13, and so utterly perish (Deuteronomy 4:19). But they have become devoid of sense, in spite of this commandment, and addicted themselves to graven images; they are judged unless they repent. Some of them, though able, would not believe God; others, though willing, did not take the necessary pains to become believers. There were also those who, from the worship of the heavenly bodies, did not return to the Maker of them. For this was the way given to the nations to rise up to God, by means of the worship of the heavenly bodies. But those who would not abide by those heavenly bodies assigned to them, but fell away from them to wood and stones, were counted, it is said, as small dust and as a drop in a bucket (Isaiah 40:15), beyond salvation, cast away from the body. Basil listed a number of blessings that we have through the Holy Spirit, including adoption as sons and daughters. Yet these are just the down payment and we see their grace dimly by reflection as if they were already established in fullness. Some people, who have been martyred, have undergone a special test by the Holy Spirit by being baptized in their own blood. Through the Holy Spirit comes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Our restoration to Paradise, Our ascension into the kingdom of heaven, Our return to the adoption of sons, Our liberty to call God our Father, Our being made partakers of the grace of Christ, Our being called children of light,

7. 8.

Our sharing in eternal glory, and Our being brought into a state of all fullness of blessing, (Romans 15:29)

both in this world and in the world to come. Of all the good gifts that are in store for us, by promise, through faith, we behold the reflection of their grace as though they were already present, and we await the full enjoyment. If this is the down payment, how much more is the perfection! If this is the first fruit, how much more is the complete fulfillment! Furthermore, from this too we may apprehend the difference between the grace that comes from the Spirit and the baptism by water: John baptized with water, but our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. I baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Here He calls the trial at the judgment the baptism of fire, as the apostle says, The fire shall test every mans work, of what sort it is. The day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13). There have been some who, in their championship of the true Faith, have undergone death for Christs sake, not in mere similitude, but in actual fact. They have needed none of the outward signs of water for their salvation, because they were baptized in their own blood.

Emmanuel Moleben and Concert

Sunday Decemeber 11 3-6PM Byzantine Franciscans, Holy Dormition Friary, Sybertsville 18251 Emmanuel Moleben is a prayer service for the fast time preparing for Christmas, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Emmanuel means God-with-us. While every child is a blessing, the Christ child was literally the presence of God among us. Prepare for Christmas with prayer and a concert of traditional Christmas music in English and Slavonic by the Cantors of Northeast Pennsylvania. Freewill offering. Reception following. For more information, call 570-788-1212.

Among Today s Saints

Saint John of Damascus was born about the year 680 at Damascus, Syria into a Christian family. His father, Sergius Mansur, was a treasurer at the court of the caliph. John had also a foster brother, the orphaned child Cosmas (October 14), whom Sergius had taken into his own home. When the children were growing up, Sergius saw that they received a good education. At the Damascus slave market he ransomed the learned monk Cosmas of Calabria from captivity and entrusted to him the teaching of his children. The boys displayed uncommon ability and readily mastered their courses of the secular and spiritual sciences. After the death of his father, John occupied ministerial posts at court and became the city prefect. In Constantinople at that time, the heresy of Iconoclasm had arisen and quickly spread, supported by the emperor Leo III the Isaurian (717-741). Rising up in defense of the Orthodox veneration of icons [Iconodoulia], St John wrote three treatises entitled, "Against Those who Revile the Holy Icons." The wise and God-inspired writings of St John enraged the emperor. But since the author was not a Byzantine subject, the emperor was unable to lock him up in prison, or to execute him. The emperor then resorted to slander. A forged letter to the emperor was produced, supposedly from John, in which the Damascus official was supposed to have offered his help to Leo in conquering the Syrian capital. This letter and another hypocritically flattering note were sent to the Saracen caliph by Leo the Isaurian. The caliph immediately ordered that St John be removed from his post, that his right hand be cut off, and that he be led through the city in chains. That same evening, they returned the severed hand to St John. The saint pressed it to his wrist and prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos to heal him so that he could defend the Orthodox Faith and write once again in praise of the Most Pure Virgin and Her Son. After a time, he fell asleep before the icon of the Mother of God. He heard Her voice telling him that he had been healed, and commanding him to toil unceasingly with his restored hand. Upon awakening, he found that his hand had been attached to his arm once more. Only a small red mark around his wrist remained as a sign of the miracle.

commemorated on June 28 and July 12. When he learned of the miracle, which demonstrated John's innocence, the caliph asked his forgiveness and wanted to restore him to his former office, but the saint refused. He gave away his riches to the poor, and went to Jerusalem with his stepbrother and fellow-student, Cosmas. There he entered the monastery of St Sava the Sanctified as a simple novice. It was not easy for him to find a spiritual guide, because all the monks were daunted by his great learning and by his former rank. Only one very experienced Elder, who had the skill to foster the spirit of obedience and humility in a student, would consent to do this. The Elder forbade John to do anything at all according to his own will. He also instructed him to offer to God all his labors and supplications as a perfect sacrifice, and to shed tears which would wash away the sins of his former life. Once, he sent the novice to Damascus to sell baskets made at the monastery, and commanded him to sell them at a certain inflated price, far above their actual value. He undertook the long journey under the searing sun, dressed in rags. No one in the city recognized the former official of Damascus, for his appearance had been changed by prolonged fasting and ascetic labors. However, St John was recognized by his former house steward, who bought all the baskets at the asking price, showing compassion on him for his apparent poverty.

One of the monks happened to die, and his brother begged St John to compose something consoling for the burial service. St John refused for a long time, but out of pity he yielded to the petition of the grief-stricken monk, and wrote his renowned funeral troparia ("What earthly delight," "All human vanity," and others). For this disobedience the Elder banished him from his cell. John fell at his feet and asked to be forgiven, but the Elder remained unyielding. All the monks began to plead for him to allow John to return, but he refused. Then one of the monks asked the Elder to impose a penance on John, and to forgive him if he fulfilled it. The Later, in thanksgiving for being healed, St John had a silver Elder said, "If John wishes to be forgiven, let him wash out model of his hand attached to the icon, which became known all the chamber pots in the lavra, and clean the monastery as "Of the Three Hands." Some unlearned painters have given latrines with his bare hands." the Mother of God three hands instead of depicting the silver model of St John's hand. The Icon "Of the Three Hands" is John rejoiced and eagerly ran to accomplish his shameful

task. After a certain while, the Elder was commanded in a vision by the All-Pure and Most Holy Theotokos to allow St John to write again. When the Patriarch of Jerusalem heard of St John, he ordained him priest and made him a preacher at his cathedral. But StJohn soon returned to the Lavra of St Sava, where he spent the rest of his life writing spiritual books and church hymns. He left the monastery only to denounce the iconoclasts at the Constantinople Council of 754. They subjected him to imprisonment and torture, but he endured everything, and through the mercy of God he remained alive. He died in about the year 780, more than 100 years old. St John of Damascus was a theologian and a zealous defender of Orthodoxy. His most important book is the Fount of Knowledge. The third section of this work, "On the Orthodox Faith," is a summary of Orthodox doctrine and a refutation of heresy. Since he was known as a hymnographer, we pray to St John for help in the study of church singing.

Saint Joseph Ladies Society

Annual Holiday Luncheon December 11 1PM La Trattoria Restaurant
Moosic Street

Annual

Saint Barbara Saint Nicholas

Celebration Today After divine liturgy
Fun, snacks, carols, games

Striving for Parish Unity

Every calling has a code of conduct written or unwritten which sets out the principles for functioning ethically in that vocation. Some professional standards set limits to govern the practitioners exercise of his or her craft while others outline directions or indicate ideals to which the professional should aspire. As Christians we have general standards of behavior, such as the Ten Commandments, and standards of belief, such as the Nicene Creed. We also have particular norms for believers in specific circumstances, such as clergy or spouses. In the Epistle to the Ephesians St Paul indicates a basic norm for a Christian community: the first rule for living as Church. To be worthy of the calling with which you were called (Eph 4:1), a Christian group must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3). Mutual Submission Preserving this unity takes work we must endeavor or strive to attain this goal. It cannot simply be assumed. People are often astonished to find that someone has left their congregation. After all, we stood or knelt together, we lined up for the Eucharist or to kiss the cross together. We were one werent we? Communal practices ritual gestures, using offering envelopes or pledging in fundraising campaigns do afford us a measure of unity, but while people may be united in these practices they may be divided in other fundamental ways.

relationships in the Church to God or the saints but living in the Body of Christ involves horizontal relationships as well to fellow parishioners, those in our eparchy and in the wider Church. Horizontal relationships in a Christian community, Paul writes, should be characterized by two main qualities: humility and long-suffering. Humility in this sense is expressed in lowliness and gentleness (Eph 4:2), a virtue continually acclaimed in the New Testament. In the Canticle of the Theotokos (Lk 1:46-56), sung daily at orthros, God is extolled for regarding the lowliness of His handmaiden (v. 48) and praised as the One who puts down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the lowly (v. 52). Christ Himself confronted the relationships of believers in Israel. He criticized the Pharisees for loving the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues (Matt 23:6) and counseled guests to take the last place rather than the first before the host gives their place to another. When we are tempted to seek preferential treatment or control of even small things in Church, we might well reflect on these passages. Long term relationships in a parish also demands that we be long-suffering, bearing with one another in love (Eph 4:3). Some people are simply not going to change. They cannot or will not see that their behavior might offend others. We must simply bear with them if we value unity with them, warts and all. Diversity in Unity

Paul goes on to say that those who strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the Church do St Paul (writing before there were pledge cards or well to recognize and respect the variety and parish newsletters) indicates that the quality of the purpose of the Spirits gifts in the Church. In Eph 4: interpersonal relationships in a community is the 11 he indicates that there are various levels of first basis for its unity. If I sense that you ignore me leadership such as apostles, pastors and teachers. or look down on me, will I want to exchange signs They have these gifts, not to occupy the best places of communion with you? Kissing an icon or at feasts, but for the equipping of the saints for the worshipping at the Liturgy express our vertical work of ministry (Eph 4:12).

There have always been a number of ministries in our Church exercised by laypeople: in worship (as chanters and readers), in education (as teachers of children and youth), in the arts (as builders and iconographers) and in administration (on community and administrative councils). In times when the clergy may have been the only literate members of the community they often exercised these ministries as well as those proper to their orders. However in our world today this is no longer appropriate. With sufficient training Church members are capable of exercising all these traditional ministries as well as modern ones such as parish web masters. Ignoring the gifts of parishioners is another way to destroy peoples commitment to their Church.

and teachers the bishop and his presbyters who are called to provide more specialized training, equipping people to be clergy or catechists in local parishes. The emergence of on-line courses from seminaries and diocesan ministries can make distance learning an option for training in these roles.

True unity in the local Church as envisioned in this epistle presumes that the saints do what is necessary to assume the service to which they are called. It also demands that they respect the gifts and ministries given to others. Higher clergy should not infringe on the roles of one another; rather they should provide the training necessary to improve the quality of their service. Professional teachers build unity, not by boycotting the classes of inexperienced catechists, but It is the role of the clergy, according to St. Paul, to see by offering their services as master teachers. that their believers are afforded the training necessary for service. Ministry of one form or another is the Twice at each Divine Liturgy the priest prays that the calling of all the faithful, but responsible exercise of holy gifts be given to us for the communion of the ministry presumes that the faithful are willing to be Holy Spirit. By coming forward to share in the trained and that the pastors and teachers provide the Eucharist we are expressing our desire to deepen our necessary training. communion with God, but also with one another. We are echoing the priests prayer in the Liturgy of St In some cases local clergy can personally equip the Basil, Unite all of us who share the one Bread and saints in their parish for works of ministry. A pastor the one Cup to one another in the communion of the or deacon, for example, may train young men to serve Holy Spirit. By the mutual respect we show one at the altar. They may engage the services of an another and by our commitment to serve the Church experienced chanter to train people in church singing in ministry we back up our prayer with action. or an effective youth worker to train others in this work. In other cases it is the wider circle of pastors

Devotions and Readings for this week

Mon 12/5 Tues 12/6 Weds 12/7 Thurs 12/8 Fri 12/9 Sat 12/10 Sabbas the Sanctified Nicholas the Wonderworker Ambrose of Milan Patapios of Thebes Conception of the Theotokos by St. Anna Martrys Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphios Gal 5:22-6:2 1 Tim 1:1-7 Heb 13:17-21 1 Tim 1:8-14 1 Tim 1:18-20, 2:8-15 1 Tim 3:1-13 Gal 4:22-27 1 Tim 4:4-8, 16 Gal 3:8-12 Mt. 11:27-30 Lk 20:27-44 Lk. 6:17-23 Lk 21:12-19 Lk. 21:5-8,10-11,2024 Lk 21:28-33 Lk 8:16-21 Lk 21:37-22:8 Lk 13:19-29

Glory to God in all Things!

Once a pastor visited his sick parishioner in a psychiatric hospital. There one of the patients, who apparently had a period of mental clarity, approached the pastor and asked him, "Do you ever thank God for your reasoning ability?" This unexpected question took the pastor by surprise. It never occurred to him to thank God for such an obvious ability. Only here in the hospital, surrounded by many mental patients, he realized how fortunate he was. Upon leaving the hospital the pastor vowed that he would daily thank God for the mental and physical health He gave him. This short story reflects our common habit of taking for granted all the benefits of life. Only when we lose something, do we realize that it was God's gift. Our entire life is a long chain of gifts from our merciful Father! He created our body, which is better than any mechanism or computer. He breathed into us an immortal soul, adorned us with His image, predestined for eternal happiness. He endowed us with intelligence and with free will, thanks to which we can grow intellectually and spiritually, become more perfect and be useful to others. He gave us feelings through which we can enjoy His physical and spiritual gifts and find happiness and joy in life. "Wherever I look with my inner vision," writes St. John of Kronstadt, "inside of me or on the outside, I see an opportunity to thank God for His many blessings!" But, sadly, seldom do people thank Him who constantly cares for them and endows them with many material and spiritual benefits. Although God is invisible to our physical eyes, a sensitive heart feels His constant providence, His paternal love, His guiding and caring hand. God blesses us with sunshine and rain, and with different foods He feeds us. By His will, mountains and valleys, seas and rivers, trees and rocks, birds and fish, earth and air, all serve us for our enjoyment. His godly strength supports us continuously and protects our lives from evil and danger. In the words of an ancient writer, "In him we live and move and have our being." Every instant of our life is a gift from His never ending blessings, every breath we take is a gift of His fatherly goodwill, every beat of our heart is a deed of His gracious love and mercy. But that is not all! When we disobeyed God's commandments and became unworthy of life and Divine blessings, God the Father did not destroy us or abandon us to perdition. On the contrary, because of His endless love,

He sent, "His only begotten Son, so that all who believe in him, will not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The Son of God, taking pity on us, the prodigal children, came to our world and assumed our human flesh. In the words of Saint Paul, "He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbled himself becoming obedient unto death, even the death on a cross" (Phil. 2:7-8 ). Going from town to town and from village to village, He taught us how to live righteously to attain the Kingdom of Heaven. He took upon Himself our sins and, with them, the necessary punishment; He suffered for us humiliation, was spit upon, scourged, endured the pain of crucifixion and a disgraceful death at the hands of ungodly soldiers. Spilling His precious blood, He gave up His spirit so that "through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage" (Hebrews 2:14-15). The Holy Spirit, consubstantial with the Father and His Son, because of the redeeming sufferings of Jesus Christ, bestows His Divine gifts upon us, cleansing our conscience of shameful deeds. He brings life and light to our lives, endowing us with His Divine power, so essential for righteous living. He makes us worthy to be called children of God. In spite of all this, we often forget God, responding to His mercies with our stubbornness, hardheadedness and malice. And still God not only refrains from destroying us but also continues to forgive and have mercy on us, patiently waiting for our reform. In spite of our frequent falls, He guides us with great care and wisdom towards salvation, towards never ending joy and the heavenly habitation. Seldom do people ponder over the many obstacles we create for God to save us. St. John of Kronstadt shares with us his experiences regarding God's assistance in difficult times. "How often death entered my heart, then to my body, innumerable times. Yet from all the near death experiences God preserved me." Feelings of overflowing mercies of God evoked from the psalmist the following inspirational words: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed ... The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy" (Psalm 103:1-8). In times of trials many become depressed and grumble. But we must understand that the Lord sometimes allows misfortune and suffering not because He has forgotten us or wishes to punish us. No! He allows them as bitter but necessary medicine, healing us from different passions like pride, light-headedness, self sufficiency, egotism and others. Remembering that, the great Saint John Chrysostom in the twilight of his days said, "Thank God for all, and especially for suffering!" We, who are Orthodox Christians, must be especially grateful to God who deemed us worthy to be children of His true One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which by the grace of the Holy Spirit holds the Evangelical teaching in its original purity and which blesses and sanctifies us with its holy Sacraments and Divine services. This is the same Church to which belonged the most holy Virgin Mary, the prophets, the apostles, the innumerable martyrs, all the saints and which has as its head our Lord Jesus Christ. Although they now reside in Heaven, they still belong to the Church, because the Church of Christ is an universal organization, God's one great family, encompassing both Heaven and Earth (Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 4:4-6, 5:25-27; 1 Tim. 3:15; Hebr. 3:6). We are taught by the Scriptures that all the saints, surrounding the throne of God, continuously pray for us, their younger brothers (Hebr. 12:22-23; Rev. 5:8-14). It is the Church in which we partake of the life-giving communion of the Body and Blood of our Savior, granting us immortality. We shouldn't consider thanksgiving as just a duty toward God, but rather as something that should naturally flow from the bottom our heart. As the Sun does not need the sunflower, but rather the sunflower needs the Sun which warms it with its rays, so God does not need our thankfulness, but rather our soul needs God from Whom it receives its health and strength. On the other hand, by reminding ourselves to thank God, we help ourselves. Thanksgiving is similar to the sunflower turning its head toward the Sun. Indeed, when we remind ourselves how much God loves us, and how many are His material and spiritual blessings, these thoughts enlighten our reason and help us to see much clearer the purpose of our earthly existence. This allows us to differentiate between the important and the unimportant, what should be our primary goal and what should be kept in the background. In addition, thankfulness to God disperses despondency, decreases sadness, and returns to us courage and cheerfulness. We all would be much happier if we thanked God more often.

What kind of Holidays do you want?

The "holiday season" is often so frantic, there isn't time to think about why we are celebrating, what we are celebrating, and how we are celebrating. As the Nativity fast begins, sit down with your spouse and/or family and discuss what you expect, and what you would like to emphasize, then plan accordingly. Which of the following are most important to you? The Holidays are a time best spent with spouse and children a time to renew ties with relatives and friends a time for parties and entertaining a time for traditions (old or new) a time to shop, shop, shop! a time for charity, both in action and monetary donation a time to cook a time to decorate a time to travel a time to stay at home for a change a time for rest and reflection a time for building memories a time to celebrate the birth of Christ

Prayer Requests

Rev. Father Philip Azoon Rev. Deacon John Karam Rev. Seraphim Michalenko Rev. Basil Samra Rev. Peter Boutros Rev. Deacon Bryan McNiel Rev. Deacon Irenaeus Dionne Rev. Father David White

Parish Calendar
December 4 Childrens Saint Nicholas and Saint Barbara Celebration after Liturgy 9 Conception of the Theotokos by Saint Anne 11 Ladies Society Holiday Luncheon 1PM La Trattoria Restaurant

Marie Abda Marie Abda Marie Barron Joseph Barron Mary Sue Betress Chris Carey Nikki Boudreaux Dr. Frances Colie John Colie Ann Coury

Margaret Dillenburg Mark Dillman Karen Kane Niko Mayashairo Mary McNeilly Marie Patchoski Joanna Simon William Simon Dr. Thomas Zaydon
Candles Weekly Monthly Holyday Sacrificial Giving 11/27/2011 $ 14.00 $ 660.00 $ 10.00 $ 45.00

All those Serving in our Armed Forces The Christian Community in the Middle East

The Weekly Quiz

When Jesus left the synagogue in Capernaum, he entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Who was healed there? Simon's wife. Simon's wife's mother. The woman with the issue of blood. Jairus' daughter.
Last Weeks Answer Q. What creepy creature did Solomon write about, that is even in King's palaces? A. spiders