Thoughts for the WeekWisdom of the Holy Fathers
"It is sinful to give up to sadness. We are exiles on earth. Exiles do not wonder at insult and injury. We are under God’s penance and a penance consists of privations and difficulties. We are ill in soul and body and bitter medicine is useful for the ill.”
†St Theophil of the Kiev Caves
“Inasmuch as you pray with all your soul for the one who has slandered you, so much will God reveal the truth to them who have believed the slander”
†St. Maximus the Confessor
“It’s not an abundance of words that supplicate God, but a pure soul which manifests good deeds.”
†St. John Chrysostom
“God loves us more that a father, mother, friend, or any else could love, and even more than we are able to love ourselves.”
†St. John Chrysostom
“If from one burning lamp someone lights another, then another from that one, and so on in succession, he has light continuously. In the same way, through the Apostles ordaining their successors, and these successors ordaining others, and so on, the grace of the Holy Spirit is handed down through all generations and enlightens all who obey their spiritual shepherds and teachers.
†St. Gregory Palamas
“God permits tribulations and adversities to befall people - even the saintly - so that hey may persist in humility. But if we harden our hearts against adversities and tribulations, he also hardens these tribulations against us. On the other hand if we accept them in humility and with a contrite heart, God will mingle tribulation with mercy.”
†St. Isaac the Syrian
Upcoming EventsOur book study on The Life of Moses, by St. Gregory of Nyssa will have its last meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:30 p.m. We will meet on Zoom, and all are welcome to participate.
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St. Michael’s parish family has an opportunity to serve again by making meals for families who are in need and being helped by Family Promise.
We have committed to prepare a meal on the following days:
1. Monday, November 30th
2. Tuesday, December 1st
3. Thursday, December 3rd
If you would like to sign up as an individual or in a group and prepare a simple dinner meal on any of the above days, please respond back with your date selection to either Ellen Gundersen at ellengundersen5@gmail.com or Susan Skomorucha at skomorucha@aol.com.
Please RSVP your interest by November 9th. More information to those who sign up to make a meal will follow.
Thank you for your consideration and for your help.
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We will hold our annual parish meeting on Sunday, Dec 6th, 2020. We will have options for both in person and streaming participation. We will email the annual budget and parish reports the week prior to the meeting. We ask continued patience going forward. Please pray for our Parish Council as we navigate the pandemic safely.
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This is just a reminder that the Nativity Fast is now upon us (November 15th). The fast continues until the Nativity of our Lord (December 25th). The celebration of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the Orthodox Church is patterned after the celebration of the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. A fast of forty days precedes the feast, with special preparatory days announcing the approaching birth of the Savior. Thus, on Saint Andrew’s Day (November 30th) and Saint Nicholas Day (December 6th) songs are sung to announce the coming birthday of the Lord: ‘Adorn yourself, O Cavern. Make ready, O Manger. O Shepherds and wisemen, bring your gifts and bear witness. For the Virgin is coming bearing Christ in her womb’ (Vesperal Hymn of Saint Nicholas Day). Please try and make an effort!
Other AnnouncementsWelcome to our newest member Edward (John) Jones. Edward (John) was welcomed into the Church prior to Liturgy this morning (Sunday, November 22nd) by the sacrament of Chrismation. May our Lord grant the newly Chrismated John Many Blessed Years!
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We are currently looking for people to help with live streaming services. Please see Thaddeus (Scott) Lewis if you are willing to help.
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Recognizing the need for many to quarantine due to the deadliness of the pandemic, Fr. Barnabas is available to meet individually on Wednesdays and Fridays to offer Confession and Communion for those still at home. Fr. Barnabas is also willing to meet in other creative ways , like on your porch, to assure everyone remains connected. Please email or call the office to set up a time for the Sacraments.
Reader Schedule
| Date | 3rd Hour | 6th Hour | Epistle |
| Nov 29 | Peck | Peck |
Lewis |
| Dec 6 | Skomorucha | Bunitsky |
Peck |
| Dec 13 | Lewis | D'Orazio |
Lewis |
Service Schedule
| Date | Coffee Hour | Service Duty | Church Cleaners |
| Nov 29 | Outdoor Social Hour | Bunitsky / Morjana | Clause / Whalen |
| Dec 6 | Outdoor Social Hour | Riley / Riley | Skomorucha / M Kiflemarian |
News from the Orthodox Church in America
20 Nov 2020 at 1:54pm
His Holiness Patriarch Irenej
Deacon Stephen Muse
16 Nov 2020 at 10:42am
