Welcome, and thank you for visiting St. Mary Orthodox Church online. We hope that our website highlights the wide variety of worship, fellowship, ministery and education opportunities available. Please feel free to read more about our church on this site, or come join with us in prayer. We would love to greet you and share with you our love for Jesus Christ and for you, our neighbor.
files/Bulletin-May-29-2022.pdf (3000kb)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christ is Risen!
This past week, nineteen students and two teachers were killed in a fourth grade classroom at Robb Elementary School in Uvaldea, Texas, in what is yet another in a line of senseless shootings we struggle to come to terms with. How do we understand what has happened and what is our response?
As Christians we are to exhibit God’s love, grace, and forgiveness here on earth. Though we can’t understand why this happened and why God allows this to happen, we are faced with the challenge to forgive those who carry out these evil acts by remaining in God’s love. We are called to pray for God’s love to be poured out on those who carry out these evil acts. We are also called to pray for those who have been victims of this shooting as well as their loved ones. Pray for peace and comfort for all who have been affected by this tragedy.
When we face situations like these where we see injustice, we are comforted only through the peace of Christ that is poured out to us. Christ Himself had to suffer injustice while he lived on this earth. But his suffering brought us hope because his death has conquered death for us. Through him, we are given a hope and peace that is beyond our understanding.
Our God is a God of forgiveness, mercy, justice, wisdom, truth and love.
NOTES:
** Attached to this email is The Weekly Bulletin. Please take a few minutes to read through it.
** The church would like to recognize students graduating this year on Sunday, June 12th. If you have a child or a loved one graduating from Elementary, Middle, High School, College or Graduate School, please give Fr. Peter their names and where they are graduating from by Wednesday, June 8th. We will offer their names in prayer on June 12th, and host a Coffee Hour in their honor.
** Please join us in prayer this coming week:
Sunday, May 29th: Matins begins at 8:45 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.
Wednesday, June 1st: We will celebrate the Feast of Ascension with a Vesperal Divine Liturgy at 6:30 PM.
In conclusion, some words by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
Be safe this Memorial Day Weekend. Let us not forget the men and women who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy.
In the Risen Lord,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-May-22-2022.pdf (10129kb)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christ is Risen!
This week, I came across the following words by +Saint Issac the Syrian that I would like to share with you.
"God is greater! Greater than your illness whatever it may be. Greater than your deepest disappointment. Greater than your greatest worry. Greater than your worst enemy. Greater than your most difficult problem. Greater than life. Greater than death. God is greater! Believe it! Live by it! Affirm it! Claim it by faith and use it as a pillow to rest your weary soul. God is greater! If your God is not greater, then the God you believe in is too small. He is not the God the Church believes in." + St Isaac the Syrian
NOTES:
- Attached is The Weekly Bulletin for May 22nd.
- 'Family Movie Night' is this coming Saturday, May 21st, at 6:00 PM. Donation is $5.00 per person to cover food costs. The movie is 'Wish Man,' a true story about Frank Shankwitz, an Arizona motorcycle cop with a troubled past, survives a near-fatal accidentwhich leads to the creation of the Make-A-Wish foundation.
- This coming Sunday, May 22nd, is the last day of Sunday School until August. Thank you to all the parents who have faithfully brought their children, and the teachers who have volunteered.
- Join in prayer this coming week:
Sunday, May 22nd: Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. A Memorial (Trisagion) Service will be offered by Fr. Elia and Odette Shalhoub in memory of his newly departed sister Hooda Shalhoub. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow.
Wednesday, May 25th: Vespers Service at 6:30 PM. 'Ask Abouna' will follow the service.
I look forward to seeing you in church this coming Sunday.
In the Risen Lord,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-May-15-2022.pdf (9862kb)
Beloved in Christ,