Annual Voters' Meeting Results-
Thank you to all who stayed for our Annual Voters'
Meeting or who arranged to vote by proxy. Alli Rockwell was elected to
the parish council for a three year term and Meghan Carter has appointed
to the parish council for a three year term. Our 2012 budget was
approved and good discussion was had on other subjects.
St. Nicholas Day Liturgy- We will celebrate the life of St. Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker, with Vesperal Liturgy at 6PM on Monday, December 5. Free Lunch Program Volunteering- We are scheduled to volunteer at the Free Lunch Program on Tuesday, December 6 from 11:30AM-1:30PM. If you are able to assist, please let Fr. Ignatius know. Thank You-
Thank you to Matt and Tania Van Dinter for the
donation of a new, larger refrigerator for the church. This is very
appreciated.
"Catering Clergy" Fundraiser for Charity-
The Iowa Orthodox Christian Clergy Association
(IOCCA) has created a fun way to raise money for local charities (to be
determined). "Catering Clergy: Served by Servants" allows one winner to
invite up to 7 guests to their home for a meal prepared and served by
the local Orthodox clergy, including, yours truly. This is a
raffle-style fundraiser with single tickets selling for $35, two tickets
selling for $30 each and four or more tickets selling for $25 each. If
you would like the chance to have the clergy from St. John the Baptist
Church in Cedar Rapids, St. George Church in Cedar Rapids and St.
Raphael Church come to your home to cook and serve a meal for (up to)
eight, then see Fr. Ignatius for tickets. The clergy are available to
serve the meal on one of two days: February 9 or 10. The drawing will
be held at St. Raphael Church on Saturday, January 7 following
vespers.
Orthodox Mission of Davenport to Host Speaker-
The Davenport Orthodox mission invites you to join
us on Saturday, December 17th, at 3:00, for a talk by John Maddex, CEO
of Conciliar Media Ministries, a publishing-and-radio outreach operating
both Ancient Faith Radio and Conciliar Press. As many as you know, John
and his wife Tonya, are the founders of the Orthodox internet station,
Ancient Faith Radio, and converts to the Orthodox faith. Over the last
40 years, John served at the Moody Bible Institute and Focus on the
Family. He was responsible for Moody’s 35 owned-and-operated radio
stations for much of that time. John serves on the boards of the
Fellowship of St. James, which publishes Touchstone and Salvo magazines,
and has served on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters.
John will be sharing about his conversion to the Orthodox faith. The
event will be held at the Bettendorf Public library 2950 Learning Campus
Drive. If you have any questions, you can contact Jared or Beth Johnson
at 563.514.1941.
Decorating Church for Christmas-
In order to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, we will be decorating the church on December 18, after
Liturgy. We depend on individual donations in order to do this. We
will accept poinsetta plants and evergreen boughs for the nave. If you
would like to provide any of these items, please bring them on Sunday,
December 18, or make other arrangements with Fr. Ignatius. We already
have a tree which will go in the narthex.
Our Bishop is Coming!-
If all goes according to plan regarding the December episcopal consecrations of the three new auxiliary bishops for our Archdiocese, we are scheduled to receive our new bishop, Bishop Anthony for a parish visit January 6-8. Bishop (elect) Anthony would like to spend some time teaching us while he is here with a talk on a subject yet to be determined, in addition to presiding at the outdoor Blessing of the Waters which we will host, and our regularly scheduled weekend services. Pre-Nativity Fast- In order to prepare our hearts for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, we have entered into a period of fasting which ends on December 24. During this fast, we abstain from meat, dairy, eggs, wine and oil. Fish, wine and oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, and wine and oil are allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the feast days of certain great saints. For a visual explanation of what each daily expectation for fasting is, look at our Novermber/December church calendars, printed up and available in the narthex. During this Advent season, we will replace our regularly scheduled Wednesday Akathist with the Nativity Paraklesis service. Fasting and repentance go hand in hand. With this Advent season, we are preparing ourselves for the coming of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ. Confessions, as always, can be heard following vespers on Saturdays, immediately before Liturgy, and by appointment. Giving New Meaning to "Bringing Christ to the World"- http://www.rferl.org/content/portable_churches_go_on_sale_in_serbia/24407432.html
Non-Perishable Food Collection Reminder- We collect non-perishable food year-round to pass along to the Crisis Center which runs the local food pantry. The donation box is located in the narthex underneath one of the tables. During this season leading up to the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, would you consider bringing some cans or boxes of food for the hungry in our community? 2012 Annual Calendars Now Available-
Each year, our church provides us with annual calendars which show the daily Scripture readings, the saints of the day and the feasts and fasts of the church year. The 2012 calendars are now avaialble for pick up in the narthex. Take several to your homes or places of work, in order to stay tuned in to the liturgical rhythms of the Church. Time for House Blessings Is Approaching-
From Theophany (January 6) until the beginning of
Lent (February 27) is the traditional time for the priest to come around
and bless parshioners homes. If you would like Fr. Ignatius to come
and bless your home during this time, please look for the sign-up sheet
which will be posted at church soon. Write your name and a suggested
date and time down, and Father will get back to you to confirm it.
Daily Orthodox Study Bible Readings for the Week- Following are the readings for this week: Dec. 4- 1 Kingdoms 2:18- 4:22; Psalms 78; Proverbs 16:26-31; Luke 8:1-25 Dec. 5- 1 Kingdoms 5-7; Psalms 79; Proverbs 17:1-5; Luke 8:26-56
Dec. 6- 1 Kingdoms 8:1-10:16; Psalms 80; Proverbs 17:6-10; Luke 9:1-17
Dec. 7- 1 Kingdoms 10:17-13:22; Psalms 81; Proverbs 17:11-15; Luke 9:18-36
Dec. 8- 1 Kingdoms 14:1-15:9; Psalms 82; Proverbs 17:16-20; Luke 9:37-62
Dec. 9- 1 Kingdoms 15:10-17:30; Psalms 83; Proverbs 17:21-25; Luke 10:1-24
Dec. 10- 1 Kingdoms 18:1-21:1; Psalms 84; Proverbs 17:26-30; Luke 10:25-42
Dec. 11- 1 Kingdoms 21:2-23:28; Psalms 85; Proverbs 18:1-5; Luke 11:1-28
Evening in the East- Feb. 16, 2012- Save the Date!- Coffee Hour-
On Sunday December 11, the food for coffee hour and the cleaning of the fellowship hall will be provided by the St. Raphael team. Church Cleaning- During the week following Sunday December 4, the cleaning of the nave, narthex, bookstore/library, stairs, nursery and bathrooms will be provided by the St. Nina team. Choir Leadership- On Saturday December 10 and Sunday December 11, Matthew Arndt will lead the choir. Food for Thought- If a king wanted to take possession of his
enemy’s city, he would begin by cutting off the water and the food, and
so his enemies, dying
of hunger, would submit to him. It is the same with the passions of the flesh: if a man goes about fasting and hungry, the enemies of his soul grow weak. - Abba John the Dwarf |
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Weekly Bulletin >
From the Weekly Bulletin (week of December 4, 2011)posted Dec 4, 2011 10:33 PM by ilya buchkin |