Beloved in Christ,

Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.

THIS WEEK: December 15 – 23, 2024
This Week: The Advent Fast began on Nov 15 and continues through Dec 24.    
Sun, Dec 15 at 5:30 pm – Lord’s Diner
Mon, Dec 16 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis
Wed, Dec 18 at 6:00 pm – Daily Vespers
Thurs, Dec 19 at 5:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting
Fri, Dec 20 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis
Sat, Dec 21 – Scroll Deadline
Sat, Dec 21 at 4:30 pm – Confession
Sat, Dec 21 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
Sun, Dec 22 at 9:00 am – Matins
Sun, Dec 22 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy w/Installation of 2025 Parish Council
Sun, Dec 22 at 11:00 am – Church School
Sun, Dec 22 at 5:00 pm – Church School Christmas Program (see note and flyer below)
Mon, Dec 23 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis

Other Notes

(1)  ST MARY BOOKSTORE: Please consider stopping by the St Mary Bookstore as part of your Christmas shopping. This year, we have the Christmas Road Nativity game for families (see details below). In addition, the bookstore has many icons, books, crosses, and more for Orthodox Christians on your Christmas shopping list. The bookstore is located next to the main church hall/gymnasium. Nativity Board Game for Families. Appropriate for ages 7+ for 2-6 players. Role the dice and move your pawns across the board according to the dice to arrive at the manger where Baby Jesus is. Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manager. The three wise men arrived from afar bearing gifts. Now it’s your turn to travel to the cave, welcome the new baby, and offer him your commitment to Christian virtues as your gift. Joy and her brother Joe will be your guides. Along the way, you will have the chance to test your knowledge by answering questions on the trivia cards and have fun with surprise cards that pop up unexpectedly. The object of the game is to reach space #75 first. In addition to the trivia cards, there are also 8 Icon cards that will be used when prompted to.

(2) CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Our annual Church School Christmas Program & Potluck is Sunday, December 22, at 5:00 pm. See the flyer below for more details. Please be sure to bring a little extra than usual for the Potluck as St Michael parishioners have been invited to join us in fellowship that evening.

(3) HUMANITARIAN NATIVITY PROJECT: Our Humanitarian Ministry Team is sponsoring a Nativity project to help re-stock our food pantry that serves several hundred people per year. To learn more details about how you can help, please see the flyer here >

(4) CHURCH HALL OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS: Once again this year the Church Hall will be open for people to celebrate after Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, December 24. The parish will not be providing any food or beverage, but people are welcome to bring their own. As always, please be sure not to drink and drive and to shut the lights off if you are the last person to leave. Please also ensure the doors are locked behind and be sure to pick up any mess you make.

(5) TEXT MESSAGE UPDATE REMINDERS: If you would like to join the St Mary text message group to receive important updates/reminders, you may do so at any time by texting @stmaryict to 81010. Please note you must include the @ sign to be able to join the group. No one in the group will see your phone number or be able to send you a message except through the parish office. You also will not be able to text others in the group, but will receive messages from the office and can respond to the office.

(6) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week, His Eminence shares “The Nativity & Almsgiving – Part 1.” See the link to read it >

(7) 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.

(8) 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

Beloved in Christ,

PLEASE NOTE THE DAY AND TIME CHANGE FOR THE LITURGY OF THE BEHEADING OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST. IT HAS BEEN MOVED FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING TO THURSDAY MORNING.

Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.

THIS WEEK: August 26 – September 1, 2024

This Week: Regular Wed/Fri fasting; Thursday is also a fast day for the Beheading of St John the Baptist.   

Thurs, Aug 29 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John

Sat, Aug 31 at 4:30 pm – Confession

Sat, Aug 31 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers

Sun, Sept 1 at 9:00 am – Matins

Sun, Sept 1 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy

Sun, Sept 1 – Sun, Sept 8: FAMILY PROMISE HOST WEEK (see below)

Other Notes

(1) FAMILY PROMISE HOST WEEK: St. Mary is hosting families the week of September 1^st to September 8^th. To volunteer, click on the link below. Opportunities for those who would prefer to sign up in person will be available after liturgy on August 18^th and 25^th. Sign up includes providing food for breakfast and snacks, evening meals, a hot breakfast Saturday, transportation to and from the Day House, and spending the night at the church. Thanks for your support of this important ministry. Contact Vicki Jones, 650-0658, with any questions. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A49AAAF2BAAF94-50527273-fpstmary

(2) FELLOWSHIP GROUPS: As noted in a previous email to the parish, beginning in September, our Fellowship Groups will be using an opt-in system. If you wish to continue/start participating in the Fellowship Groups, please contact me by August 29 to receive a September group assignment. Once you opt-in, you will be assigned each month unless you opt-out for that specific month (I will be sending monthly reminders to opt-out, if needed, for the next month).

(3) ARCHIEPISCOPAL VICAR VISIT: Our new Archiepiscopal Vicar, Fr Calinic Berger, will make an official visit to our parish for our festal weekend. He plans to be with us on Saturday, September 7, for Great Vespers, followed by a meeting with the Parish Council. He will then be with us on Sunday, September 8, for Matins and Divine Liturgy, followed by our festal picnic at Edgemoor Park. Please mark your calendars for this festal weekend now–more details will be coming soon.

(4) DAILY VESPERS & BIBLE STUDY: As noted in the most recent issue of The Scroll, we will begin a Wednesday evening Daily Vespers (6:00 pm) and Bible Study (6:30 pm). We will begin with the Book of Genesis. All parishioners are encouraged to attend in person. For those unable to attend in person, we will offer a link to join the Bible Study virtually.

(5) BAPTISMS & CHRISMATIONS: On Saturday, September 7, at 4:00 pm we have scheduled two baptisms and four chrismations of current catechumens. We invite all of our parishioners to attend as we welcome these catechumens as official members of our parish. May God grant them many years!

(6) PARISH PICNIC: On Sunday, September 8, our parish’s feast day in honor of the Nativity (Birth) of the Mother of God, we will have a picnic at 12:00 pm at Edgemoor Park. We have reserved the Rec Center for the picnic in case there is inclement weather. The parish will provide fried chicken and water, but we ask parishioners to bring side dishes, desserts, and other beverages for yourself if you’d like. In addition, we encourage parishioners to bring equipment to play softball. There are also nearby pickleball courts and a skateboard park, for anyone interested.

(7)  METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares “Your Grace Transforms the Universe (Part 2).” See the link to read it.

(8) 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.

(9) 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

Beloved in Christ,

Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.

THIS WEEK: August 12 – 18, 2024
This Week: Dormition Fast August 1 – 14; regular Friday fast on 8/16.   
Mon, Aug 12 at 6:00 pm – Paraklesis Service
Wed, Aug 14 at 4:45 pm – Festal Matins ~ Dormition
Wed, Aug 14 at 6:00 pm – Divine Liturgy ~ Dormition
Thurs, Aug 15 at 5:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting
Thurs, Aug 15 at 7:00 pm – Ladies Bingo Night @ Central Standard Brewing
Sat, Aug 17 – SCROLL DEADLINE
Sat, Aug 17 at 4:30 pm – Confession
Sat, Aug 17 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
Sun, Aug 18 at 9:00 am – Matins
Sun, Aug 18 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Sun, Aug 18 at 5:30 pm – Lord’s Diner

Other Notes
(1) DORMITION FAST: The Dormition Fast, during which we prepare for the Falling Asleep (Dormition) and Translation Into Heaven of the Mother of God, began 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.

(2)  LORD’S DINER: On Sunday, August 18, we will need volunteers to serve with members of St George and St Mary at The Lord’s Diner from 5:15 – 7:45 pm. If you are interested in being added to the list of potential volunteers, please let me know. You will then receive the monthly email requesting volunteers for our joint service on the 3^rd Sunday of each month.

(3) TEEN SOYO PANCAKE FEED: Our teens have been active this summer, recently visiting Reconciliation Services in KC and volunteering to help them set up their new location. Before that, they visited Oceans/Worlds of Fun. We want them to be able to continue these types of enriching activities, which require them to occasionally host fundraisers. One such fundraiser will be the Pancake Feed on Sunday, August 25, at Coffee Hour. A free-will donation will be taken. Please be generous with your support of our teens!

(4) PLAYROOM MANAGER POSITION available at The Treehouse. Needs: bilingual (English and Spanish) individual, available 15 to 20 hours a week, Monday – Thursday, 2 years childcare experience. Please email references and resume to jaleen@wichitatreehouse.org.

(5) ARCHIEPISCOPAL VICAR VISIT: Our new Archiepiscopal Vicar, Fr Calinic Berger, will make an official visit to our parish for our festal weekend. He plans to be with us on Saturday, September 7, for Great Vespers, followed by a meeting with the Parish Council. He will then be with us on Sunday, September 8, for Matins and Divine Liturgy, followed by our festal picnic at Edgemoor Park. Please mark your calendars for this festal weekend now–more details will be coming soon.  

(6) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence shares on “The Christian Priest.” See the link to read it. He also shares the brief video (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America) of the translation of St Raphael’s relics, and an audio podcast (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America) speaking about the same event.

(7) 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.

(8) 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

~By Metropolitan Saba (Isper)

For Your Nativity, O Master, the world celebrates, homes and streets sparkle with lights, and cities put on joyful attire, as do the stores and malls.

For Your Nativity, my Master, people exchange gifts and wish each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
For Your Nativity, my Master, churches, organizations, and associations are busy with celebrations, concerts, bazaars, theatrical and scouting performances, and entertaining Christmas events.

For Your Nativity, my Master, everyone is busy and merry.
Indeed, everyone is busy and merry, my child, but not necessarily because of Me, the reason for the feast. Rather, they are occupied by what you generally call “Christmas.” Don’t you see that I am absent from almost everything people do for My birth?

Yes, Master. Most of us take the opportunity of your birthday to rejoice, not in You, but in what pleases him.

They replace Me, My child, with so many things, for those who have not experienced the joy and peace of My presence in their lives imagine that they can find them somewhere else.

People are still afraid of Your presence in them, because Your presence changes them. They fear change, O Lord.
I know, My child. However, I came only to be life for you—or rather, to give you the fullness of life. I rejoice when I see you joyful, especially when the outward manifestation of the festivities reflects the purity, love, and virtues that your souls carry.

I came to illumine your hearts and minds, not for you to settle for lighting up your streets.

I came, My child, to be the greatest gift to you, and how I wished you would offer yourselves to Me as gifts as you exchange presents on My birthday!

I came to give you the joy of My eternal presence among you and within you, as you try to find joy in everything through Me. Didn’t the angels proclaim to you through the shepherds, “I bring you great joy… a Savior was born for you?”

I came to give you steadfast peace, which none of the evils of the world will be able to shake. Yet you are still afraid of and forgetful of My peace, and I see that you are pursuing it everywhere except in My true presence in you.

I see you adorning your homes and yards immeasurably more than you adorn your souls, as is expected of you by the Gospel that I handed to you.

I did not come to become some kind of brand—even one that carries My name—or to increase the income of industry and trade. I came to you and shared My life with you to the point of death, so that you would share what you have with the needy and poor.

I filled the earth on which I walked with acts of love and tenderness, lest anyone among you might die of cold, lacking the warmth of love.

What is it that you are so concerned about, more and more, with all that keeps you away from the essentials and makes you settle for ephemera!

My child, you are afraid of change toward the better and the perfect! Don’t you want to be freed from your fragility, through which the storms of this life, however feeble, cast you right and left and toss you into sadness and despair!

On My feast, I want you to cleanse your hearts, My children, not just your homes. I want you to put Me on and become like Me: anointed ones who fill the earth with eternal joy, love, and peace. I want you to be pure and innocent, so that I can find a dwelling place with you. I want you to share with the poor, as I did when I was among you.

I want you to become apostles who continue My message.

What benefit do you get from glittering appearances if your hearts remain dark?

Do you spend money on external adornments, while you are stingy with the sweetness and beauty that come from within you, which are truly within you?

On this feast, while people are under pressure due to the deteriorating economy, environment, and climate, how I wish you would realize the importance of sharing the blessings you have, no matter how few; that you would spend on the poor and needy; that you would visit the sick, the elderly, and the forgotten; that you would comfort the bereaved, the miserable, and the depressed. How happy I am when I see you proclaim, through your behavior, My compassion and embrace of humanity.
I want your hands to deliver My gifts and your hearts to continue warming the world with My love. I want your actions to console the bereaved, give hope to those in despair, and offer My friendship to the forgotten.
I want you to continue My work, so that the world knows that I am with it.

Open your hearts to change, and don’t remain as you are. Make the memory of My birth a true birth for yourselves. Renew yourselves, purify yourselves, return to Me, and you will find life for yourselves.

Do not dig wells for yourselves that do not hold water and leave Me, the living spring.

Do not replace Me with rituals, for without Me they will keep you in death.

Do not forget that I am still standing, knocking at your doors, waiting for you to open them for Me, so I may enter and dine with you.