March 16, 2015 Holy Nativity of the Lord www.OrthodoxChristians.org Divine Liturgy for March 9th (Sunday’s Readings & Hymns) Tone 8 Troparion Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One! Thou didst accept the three day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to thee! Tone 4 Kontakion The Lord truly set thee on the heights of abstinence, to be a guiding star, showing the way to the universe, O our father and teacher John. Tone 6 Prokeimenon Pray and make your vows before the Lord our God! (Ps 75/76:11) Epistle: Hebrews 46:13-20 Gospel: Mark 9:17-31
Transcript
March 16, 2015
Holy Nativity of the Lord
www.OrthodoxChristians.org
Divine Liturgy for March 9th (Sunday’s Readings & Hymns)
Tone 8 Troparion
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One! Thou didst accept the three day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to thee!
Tone 4 Kontakion
The Lord truly set thee on the heights of abstinence, to be a guiding star, showing the way to the universe, O our father and teacher John.
Tone 6 Prokeimenon
Pray and make your vows before the Lord our God! (Ps 75/76:11)
Choir Practice, 3:45 Great Vespers , Foster’s House 5:00
Fast
Divine Liturgy St. Barksdale 10:00
Youth Girls-‐
‘Painting with Krystal’ @ Krystals House, 3:00
Weekly Service Schedule
Service A reminder to those who serve Holy Nativity this week. Your service is greatly
appreicated!
Coffee Hour – Olya Brigham
and Prosphora wil l be taken care of by Angela Cory
Choir
Choir Practice (For Pascha) Saturday 3:45
Long Practice scheduled for March 26, 5:00-‐8:00 @ Fr.
Jason’s Office
St. Emilia’s Society (Ladies Group) will be meeting March 19th at 6:30, Shanes on Youree Dr.
We will fellowship and Ruth Taylor will briefly discuss how to put together a Traditional Pascha (Easter) Basket.
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Mark the date! Summer Youth Camp, June 28th-‐ July 3 Per the request from Abbot Gerasim, Holy Nativity (with the help from the surrounded Orthodox churches) will be putting together a new camp for the Orthodox youth this year. The Camp will offer daily Orthos, break-‐out sessions, monastery visit, daily vespers and daily planned activities. *Cost, scholarships, & transportation are still being reviewed. Location: Ledbetter, Texas
http://www.cooperfarm.org/
Climate Controlled Cabins Swim in pool: slides, water volleyball Gaga Pit Nature Trails Kayaking/Canoeing Blob pond Fishing High ropes course Low ropes course Horseshoes Volleyball Basketball Hayride Other organized events for free time
*Please let us know if you would like to volunteer as a Camp Counselor (Chaperones)!
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The lessening of evil breeds abstinence from evil; and abstinence from evil is the beginning of repentance; and the beginning of repentance is the beginning of salvation; and the beginning of salvation is a good resolve; and a good resolve is the mother of labors. And the beginning of labors is the virtues; and the beginning of the virtues is a flowering, and the flowering of virtue is the beginning of activity. And the offspring of virtue is perseverance; and the fruit and offspring of persevering practice is habit, and the child of habit is character. And good character is the mother of fear; and fear gives birth to the keeping of commandments in which I include both Heavenly and earthly. And the keeping of the commandments is a sign of love; and the beginning of love is an abundance of humility; and an abundance of humility is the daughter of dispassion; and the acquisition of the latter is the fullness of love, that is to say, the perfect indwelling of God in those who through dispassion are pure in heart, for they shall see God. And to Him the glory for all eternity. Amen.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent: Feast of Our
Righteous Father John (Climacus) of Sinai,
Author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit.
O righteous Father, thou heardest the voice of
the Gospel and forsook the world, riches, and
glory, counting them as naught. Wherefore, thou
didst cry unto all: love God, and ye will find
eternal favor. Put nothing above His love, that
when He cometh in His glory ye may find rest
with all the saints. Wherefore, by their
intercessions, O Christ God, preserve and save
our souls.
Listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko on St. John of the Ladder. Click for here to
be linked.
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Annunciation Celebration!! Next week, March 25th
Men’s Lunch Friday at
12:00
Shanes in Bossier
ASCETIC STRUGGLE Living our lives in total commitment
Christianity is a religion of asceticism, instructing us to store up our treasures in heaven, where the benefits have eternal value. Throughout the New Testament we read of the importance of struggle, where focus on the acquisition of a humble and contrite heart is paramount to what it means to be a Christian. The Lord Jesus Christ tells us that if we are to be worthy of Him, we must be willing to take up our cross and follow Him. We are to be a people whose true homeland is Christ's Kingdom, which is within. Christ Himself calls us to holiness, and this change of heart can only be brought about through struggle. Our world places a great deal of emphasis on being comfortable, and we tend to avoid anything that does not bring pleasure. If being open about our Christian faith invites ridicule, we remain silent. If keeping the fasting rules of the Church prevents us from enjoying evenings out with our friends, we ignore the fast. If voicing disapproval when hearing our Christian faith being trashed, makes us appear less cool, we choose to go the route of the politically correct. Is it any wonder we are therefore unprepared to stand firm when faced with real trials that come our way, having avoided the very things that would transform us into strong, committed Christians? If we embrace Christianity with dedication of heart and mind, we will receive the power to live in this world, filled as it is, with temptations and disappointments, yet remaining true to our vocation as a holy people. Committing ourselves to being full time Christians, empowers us to live our lives in such a way that we give glory and witness to the very Christ Whom we worship. If, however, we avoid ascetic struggle, and choose to keep our Christian faith sidelined, and rejecting real commitment, we will ultimately have become Christian in name only. For those who, out of laziness or personal selfishness, choose to relegate fasting, private prayer, and even church attendance, as something done only when we feel "in the mood", we will stand before the Throne of God, in the end, with a darkened heart that can not withstand the power of God, and eternity will be for us, a lake of fire. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon
Holy Nativity of the Lord Mission Rev. Fr. Jason Foster, Pastor Visit or contact us at: 5490 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City (Barksdale Federal Credit Union) Email: [email protected],318-‐455-‐4219
Are you ready for Great Lent? To give you a boost, Be the Bee has made a playlist of all the "Be the Bee" episodes on fasting and prayer! These videos are great for youth and adults. May God give us strength. Be the Bee - Fasting Playlist http://goo.gl/6Lt9x5
To our Catechumens As a tool to extend and deepen your Christian
education, check out these podcast on Ancient Faith. This is actually a 3-‐year diploma program provided by
the Antiochian Archdiocese of the British Isles, however anyone may access the lectures for free. Click
