Looking Ahead at St Mary (July 28 – August 5)
Beloved in Christ,
Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.
THIS WEEK: July 28 – August 5, 2024
This Week: Fasting on Wed, July 31; Dormition Fast August 1 – 14.
Sun, July 28 at 5:00 pm – Game Night (Bring Your Own Game) and Potluck
Thurs, Aug 1 through Wed, Aug 14: Dormition Fast
Thurs, Aug 1 at 6:00 pm – Paraklesis Service
Sat, Aug 3 at 4:30 pm – Confession
Sat, Aug 3 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
Sun, Aug 4 at 9:00 am – Matins
Sun, Aug 4 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Sun, Aug 4 at 11:30 am – Potluck Coffee Hour
Mon, Aug 5 – Fri, Aug 9: VBS @ St Michael (see link below for details)
Mon, Aug 5 at 4:45 pm – Festal Matins ~ Transfiguration
Mon, Aug 5 at 6:00 pm – Divine Liturgy ~ Transfiguration
Other Notes
(1) OCPM SUNDAY: Sunday was Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) Sunday in all US Orthodox Christian parishes. Many of you are aware that OCPM has helped me and some of our parishioners as prison ministers/former inmates. This is a vital ministry of our church, and we take a collection to help monetarily support this agency. If you wish to make a direct contribution to OCPM or learn more about their work, you can do so here: Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry – Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (theocpm.org)
(2) DORMITION FAST AROUND THE CORNER: The Dormition Fast, during which we prepare for the Falling Asleep (Dormition) and Translation Into Heaven of the Mother of God, begins on August 1 and ends each year on August 15. This year, in addition to fasting from meat and dairy products and increasing our almsgiving, we will also celebrate the beautiful Paraklesis Supplication Service the following dates during the fast (at 6:00 pm each date): Thursday, August 1; Wednesday, August 7; Friday, August 9; and Monday, August 12. The fast will conclude with the celebration of Festal Matins (4:45 pm) and Divine Liturgy (6:00 pm) on Wednesday, August 14.
(3) ST MICHAEL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Our sister parish, St Michael the Archangel in Park City has invited our children to join their Vacation Bible School August 5 – 9. Details can be found on the linked flyer. Please contact Sally Buxton (sallybuxtonwks@gmail.com) to register ASAP.
(4) COLLECTION FOR BOSRA-HAURAN: Metropolitan Saba has asked parishes of our diocese to again take a collection for the Archdiocese of Bosra-Hauran in Syria. We will do that on Sunday, August 5.
(5) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares “On the Ministry of the Diaconate, Part 2.” See the link to read it.
(6) TEACH ME THY STATUTES PODCAST: If you would like to listen to this week’s Teach Me Thy Statutes podcast (with Fr Aaron & Jason Ewertt), you can find it here: Teach Me Thy Statutes.
(7) PASTORAL VISITS: If you would like a pastoral visit for any reason, or if you know of a family member/parishioner who needs a visit, please feel free to contact me via cell phone at 204-6725.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Aaron
