Thoughts for the WeekWisdom of the Holy Fathers
"1. If the highest end of virtue is that which aims at the advancement of most, gentleness is the most lovely of all, which does not hurt even those whom it condemns, and usually renders those whom it condemns worthy of absolution. Moreover, it is the only virtue which has led to the increase of the Church which the Lord sought at the price of His own Blood, imitating the lovingkindness of heaven, and aiming at the redemption of all, seeks this end with a gentleness which the ears of men can endure, in presence of which their hearts do not sink, nor their spirits quail.
2. For he who endeavours to amend the faults of human weakness ought to bear this very weakness on his own shoulders, let it weigh upon himself, not cast it off. For we read that the Shepherd in the Gospel carried the weary sheep, and did not cast it off. And Solomon says: “Be not overmuch righteous;” for restraint should temper righteousness. For how shall he offer himself to you for healing whom you despise, who thinks that he will be an object of contempt, not of compassion, to his physician?"
(337 AD - 397 AD)
On Repentance, Book I., Chapter I.
Upcoming EventsSeveral feasts are dedicated to the Mother of God commemorating and celebrating her life. Next Wednesday evening we will celebrate Her entrance in to the Temple. In this feast we encounter the holiness of Mary as a small child separated from the world, brought to live in the Temple a life set apart, consecrated, and in a state of intimacy with God. “A deep mystery covers the earthly life of the Most-Holy Theotokos from her childhood to her repose. Her life in the Jerusalem Temple was concealed. ‘If you were to ask me,’ said the Blessed Jerome,’ how the Most-Holy Virgin passed the time of her youth, I would answer that this is known only to God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel detailed to protect her.’”(TTWH) We will celebrate this feast with Vespers on Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Thursday, November 21st at 9:30 a.m.
This is just a reminder that the Nativity Fast begins this week (November15th). 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 30) and Saint Nicholas Day (December 6) 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!
Thanksgiving morning (November 28th) we will offer a Molieben of Thanksgiving at 9:00 a.m. To be thankful (from the Greek eucharistia or thanksgiving) is a profound reality and a central practice of Orthodox Christians: “O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good….” Join us!
The parish office will be closed November 22nd - November 29th. Next Saturday evening (November 23rd) Father Deacon James will offer the Reader’s Vespers and Sunday (November 24th) Father Gregory Dudash will offer the Divine Liturgy.
For any parish emergencies or problems please call Father Deacon James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeff Kendall (302) 420-6600. Thank you!
His Eminence Archbishop MARK will be with us on Sunday December 1st to award Father Deacon James Carpenter the Double Orarion (orare means to pray). Deacon James celebrates the 5th anniversary of his ordination on Nov. 21st. We are thankful to God for Deacon James service to Christ’s Holy Altar and we look forward to Archbishop Mark’s visit. We will also have a special potluck luncheon following liturgy that day with a St. Barbara’s Day celebration. Join us!
On December 2nd, 3rd and 5th we will cook/serve dinner to local homeless families at St. Philips Lutheran Church 5320 Limestone Rd, Wilmington DE 19808. Please sign up on Family Promise board in the narthex to share our bounty, compassion and love to our less fortunate neighbors. See Ellen Gundersen for details.
Other AnnouncementsBe sure to check out a book or DVD during the Nativity fast! Remember that continued education in our faith is necessary for effective and enduring discipleship and stewardship.
We are beginning to compile our 2020 stewardship lists for coffee hour, candle duty, and church cleaning. As Julianne Peck mentioned in her email, we are looking for new volunteers to sign up for coffee hour and also candle duty and church cleaning. There will be a signup sheet in the Narthex for any new volunteers. If you wish to work as a team, please identify it on the sheet. Also, let us know if there are any other changes to last year’s list as this will be used as our starting point. Thank you in advance for your service.
At this time of year, as Nativity approaches, we begin buying gifts for our friends and family. This is just a reminder that if you purchase items from Amazon.com, St. Michael’s could benefit from your purchases. Amazon Smile will give St. Michael’s a small rebate for every purchase you make if you use the web address below. This address is specific to St. Michael’s, so it is easy to use. We have already been receiving benefits from this program. Just type the address into your web browser. http://smile.amazon.com/ch/05-0545881
Reader Schedule
| Date | 3rd Hour | 6th Hour | Epistle |
| Nov 21 | Entry of | the Theotokos | |
| Nov 24 | Skomorucha | Sulpizi | Lewis |
| Dec 1 | J. Peck | Peck | Peck |
| Dec 8 | D'Orazio (sub) | Skomorucha (sub) | Lewis (sub) |
| Dec 15 | Sulpizi | Skomorucha | Carey |
Service Schedule
| Date | Coffee Hour | Service Duty | Church Cleaner | Library |
| Nov 17 | Najemy / Kendall | Riley / Riley | Baldytchev / Shatley / Sylvest | Gundersen |
| Nov 24 | Pacienza / George / Grishin | Sulpizi / Finck | Suplizi | Farrell |
| Dec 1 | J. Peck / Weins | Hojnicki / Souder | Riley | Skomorucha |
| Dec 8 | Hojnicki / Flynn / Roberts | Telep / Baldytchev | Bunitsky / Finck | Maloney |
| Dec 15 | Gerassimakis / Bunitsky | Bunitsky / Morjana | Farrell | Gundersen |
News from the Orthodox Church in America
13 Nov 2019 at 3:56pm
2 Nov 2019 at 3:36pm
