Beloved in Christ,

Many thanks to all who contributed to our Humanitarian Ministry Team Christmas Project. Please remember that tonight we have our annual Christmas Program and Potluck. Everyone is invited.

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

THIS WEEK: Dec 17 – 24, 2023
This Week: The Advent Fast began on Wednesday, November 15, and runs through the Divine Liturgy for Christmas.      

• Sun, Dec 17 at 5:00 pm – Christmas Program & Potluck (see flyer)
• Wed, Dec 20 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis
• Fri, Dec 22 at 8:00 am – Royal Hours ~ Christmas/Nativity
• Scroll Deadline (see note below)
• Sat, Dec 23 at 4:30 pm – Confession
• Sat, Dec 23 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
• Sun, Dec 24 – Sun, Dec 31: Family Promise Host Week (see note below)
• Sun, Dec 24 at 9:00 am – Matins
• Sun, Dec 24 – NO Church School
• Sun, Dec 24 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
• Sun, Dec 24 at 8:00 pm – Festal Matins ~ Christmas/Nativity
• Sun, Dec 24 at 9:15 pm – Divine Liturgy ~ Christmas/Nativity

Other Notes
(1) SCROLL CONTACT INFO UPDATE: We welcome Brett Parrott as the new chair of The Scroll Ministry Team. If you’d like to submit any items for consideration, please contact him at parrott.brett.117@gmail.com.

(2) FAMILY PROMISE HOST WEEK: Our host week for Family Promise is coming up soon. This year we only hosted three times total (compared to the normal four), in large part because we have one of the most difficult—yet special—times of the year to host: Christmas. Please consider sharing with our hosted families during this holy season. To volunteer, follow the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A49AAAF2BAAF94-46363079-family#/. Sign up includes providing food for breakfast and snacks, evening meals, 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.

(3) CHURCH HALL OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS: Once again this year the Church Hall will be open for people to celebrate after Divine Liturgy on Sunday evening, 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 you and you pick up any mess that you make.

(4) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence teaches us about “The Saints and Us.” You can read it online here: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/1863.

(5) 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: https://tmts.transistor.fm/.

(6) 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: Dec 4 – 11, 2023
This Week: The Advent Fast began on Wednesday, November 15, and runs through the Divine Liturgy for Christmas.      

• Wed, Dec 6 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ St Nicholas
• Sat, Dec 9 at 4:00 pm – Men’s Prayer Group
• Sat, Dec 9 at 4:30 pm – Confession
• Sat, Dec 9 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
• Sun, Dec 10 – Choir/Chanter Appreciation Sunday
• Sun, Dec 10 at 9:00 am – Matins
• Sun, Dec 10 at 9:00 am – Church School
• Sun, Dec 10 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
• Mon, Dec 11 at 6:00 pm – Belles Christmas Party (see linked flyer)

Other Notes
(1) BELLES CHRISTMAS PARTY: See the linked flyer for details regarding the Belles Christmas Party on Monday, December 11, including the contest for most festive Christmas attire, which I expect to win!
(2) ADVENT FAST/SERVICES: The Advent Fast, which helps us prepare for the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas), began on Wednesday, November 15. During the Advent Fast we refrain from meat, dairy, fish, and wine. However, on Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun during this fast, fish and wine are allowed. We will also celebrate the Advent Paraklesis supplication service each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm during this fasting season.
(3) CHURCH HALL OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS: Once again this year the Church Hall will be open for people to celebrate after Divine Liturgy on Sunday evening, 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 you and you pick up any mess that you make.
(4) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence teaches us about St Saba the Sanctified (his patron saint, commemorated on December 5). read more >
(5) 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: https://tmts.transistor.fm/.

(6) 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,

In addition to Metropolitan Saba’s weekly teaching, this week I am including another publication from the Archdiocese discussing how the Archdiocese serves our parishes. I hope you find the interview with Fr Thomas Zain of the Department of Liturgics to be useful. I will begin sharing all of these with you as well, whenever they are sent out.

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

THIS WEEK: Nov 13 – 20, 2023

This Week: The Advent Fast begins on Wednesday, November 15, and runs through the Divine Liturgy for Christmas.      

• Mon, Nov 20 at 6:00 pm – Divine Liturgy ~ The Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple
• Wed, Nov 22 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis Supplication Service
• Thurs, Nov 23 – Fri, Nov 24: HAPPY THANKSGIVING (Office Closed)
• Sat, Nov 25 at 4:30 pm – Confession
• Sat, Nov 25 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
• Sun, Nov 26 at 9:00 am – Matins
• Sun, Nov 26 – NO CHURCH SCHOOL
• Sun, Nov 26 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy

Other Notes

(1) COLLECTION FOR JERUSALEM: From Sunday, November 12, through Sunday, December 3, we will be taking a collection for the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to help them fund relief efforts in Gaza and the surrounding region. This collection is being taken throughout every Archdiocese in the Antiochian Patriarchate, as was decided at the most recent Holy Synod meeting. If you would like to make a contribution, you can put cash in the designated tray or you may write a check to St Mary, earmarked: Jerusalem.

(2) ADVENT FAST/SERVICES: The Advent Fast, which helps us prepare for the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas), began on Wednesday, November 15. During the Advent Fast we refrain from meat, dairy, fish, and wine. However, on Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun during this fast, fish and wine are allowed. We will also celebrate the Advent Paraklesis supplication service each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm during this fasting season.

(3) PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS: All voting members of our parish should have received in the mail ballots for this year’s Parish Council election. Please note that all ballots will be counted immediately following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 26, so be sure to turn your ballot in by placing it in the designated box in the foyer or mailing it to the office before that date.

(4) BELLES CHRISTMAS PARTY: See the linked flyer for details regarding the Belles Christmas Party on Monday, December 11, including the contest for most festive Christmas attire, which I expect to win!

(5) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week His Eminence teaches us about the spirit of the Nativity Fast. He also shares an interview about the Department of Liturgics.

(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: https://tmts.transistor.fm/.

(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

 

Beloved in Christ,

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

THIS WEEK: Nov 5 – 13, 2023
This Week: Regular Wed/Fri fasting.      

• Sun, Nov 5 at 6:00 pm – 20/40 Fellowship Group @ Sophie Jacobs’ (2722 E 101st St N, Valley Center)
• Wed, Nov 8 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ The Archangels
• Fri, Nov 10 – Sat, Nov 11: St George Women’s Retreat (see attached flyer)
• Sat, Nov 11 at 3:30 pm – Women’s Book Study
• Sat, Nov 11 at 4:30 pm – Confession
• Sat, Nov 11 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
• Sun, Nov 12 at 9:00 am – Matins
• Sun, Nov 12 at 9:00 am – Church School
• Sun, Nov 12 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
• Sun, Nov 12 at 10:30 am – Catechism Class
• Mon, Nov 13 at 8:00 am – Divine Liturgy ~ St John Chrysostom
• Mon, Nov 13 at 6:30 pm – Belles Meeting @ St Mary

Other Notes
(1) 20/40 FELLOWSHIP GROUP: Our 20/40 Fellowship Group (for everyone ages 20 – 40 something) will meet at Sophia Jacobs’s home (2722 E 101st St N, Valley Center) on Sunday, November 5, at 6:00 pm. Everyone in that age group is invited and welcome to attend.

(2) COLLECTION FOR JERUSALEM: From Sunday, November 12, through Sunday, December 3, we will be taking a collection for the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to help them fund relief efforts in Gaza and the surrounding region. This collection is being taken throughout every Archdiocese in the Antiochian Patriarchate, as was decided at the most recent Holy Synod meeting. If you would like to make a contribution, you can put cash in the designated tray or you may write a check to St Mary, earmarked: Jerusalem.

(3) ADVENT FAST/SERVICES: The Advent Fast, which helps us prepare for the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas), begins on Wednesday, November 15. During the Advent Fast we refrain from meat, dairy, fish, and wine. However, on Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun during this fast, fish and wine are allowed. We will also celebrate the Advent Paraklesis supplication service each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm during this fasting season.

(4) 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: https://tmts.transistor.fm/.

(5) 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: October 23 – 29, 2023

This Week: Regular Wed/Fri fasting.      

• Wed, Oct 25 at 6:00 pm – Divine Liturgy ~ St Demetrios
• Fri, Oct 27 – Scroll on Website
• Sat, Oct 28 at 3:30 pm – Women’s Book Study
• Sat, Oct 28 at 4:30 pm – Confession
• Sat, Oct 28 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
• Sun, Oct 29 – Scroll in Foyer
• Sun, Oct 29 at 9:00 am – Matins
• Sun, Oct 29 at 9:00 am – Church School
• Sun, Oct 29 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
• Sun, Oct 29 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm: Fall Festival (see below)

Other Notes

(1) FALL FESTIVAL: Our annual festival, which serves as a fundraiser for the Church School, is coming up on Sunday, October 29, from 5-7 pm. Please see the linked flyer for more details, including how you can help.

(2) ANNUAL MEETING: Our parish’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 5, immediately following Divine Liturgy. Childcare will be available during the meeting in the Teen Center downstairs. In addition, the parish will be providing pizza for coffee hour. We encourage all members to stay for this meeting as we review our annual financials and budget, as well as learn about some opportunities to serve in our local community.

(3) SEMINARY COLLECTION: Each year, the Antiochian Archdiocese takes a collection in October from all our parishes to help support our Orthodox seminaries in the US. If you would like to contribute, please send a check to St Mary or drop it in the donation box by the choir loft. Checks should be made to St Mary, earmarked: Seminaries.

(4) 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: https://tmts.transistor.fm/.

(5) 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