Sunday School Program Has Begun
We look forward to a strong Sunday School program this year. Grades
1 and up is being taught taught by Newman Abuissa and Amy Jongeling. They
meet weekly at 9:15AM on Sundays and end at 10AM. Ages 3-5 meet weekly for
about 15 minutes immediately after receiving Communion during Liturgy.
Hannah and Lizzy Valentine are teaching this class. It's never too late to
get your children involved!
Parish Council Meeting
The September Parish Council meeting will be Monday, September 21
at 7PM. All are welcome to attend. The parish council meets with Bishop
MARK this Thursday at 8:30AM for breakfast.
OCF Dinner With Bishop MARK
All interested college-aged students are invited to have dinner with
Bishop MARK this Tuesday, September 22 at 7PM. This free dinner will be
graciously hosted by Nana and Irakli Tskhakaia at their home (819 Timber
Ct., Coralville) Please RSVP to OCF student president Andy Awad at
andrew-awad@uiowa.edu or 563-349-0851.
Bishop MARK Visits Parish This Wednesday
Come be with our bishop as we will have a Vesperal liturgy for St.
Thekla at 6PM on September 23 with His Grace, followed by a potluck meal.
He will also bless the new icons on our iconostasis. A sign-up sheet is
posted for our potluck. Sign-up and plan to bring a fasting-friendly dish.
Since this is Wednesday, no meat, or dairy, or eggs please.
Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest Fall Gathering
Clergy and laypeople from around the diocese will be gathering in
Cleveland, OH October 8-12 to worship and pray together, to learn together,
and to fellowship together. Seminars include several having to do with
icons and iconography. For more information, see attached flier.
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church Greek Fall Dinner
On Sunday, October 11 from 11AM-7PM, St. John the Baptist Greek
Orthodox Church in Cedar Rapids is hosting their Greek Fall Dinner. If you
are interested in purchasing tickets, please contact Bogdana Rus at
319-400-2016 or bogdanarus@yahoo.com.
Back to School Clothing and Winter Outerwear Collection
The local Consultation of Religious Communities will be having their
annual "Back-to-School Clothing and Winter Outerwear Distribution" on
October 17. From now until then, we will be collecting at church, new and
gently used clothing appropriate for school from pre-school (including
infant wear) through high school, as well as winter outerwear (coats,
jackets, hats, scarves, mittens, boots) for all ages. All clothing should
be clean and in good repair (no tears, missing buttons, broken zippers,
etc.). Please leave clothing in bags next to the candlebox in the narthex.
Word Magazine Subscriptions
If you or anyone in your household is a member of St. Raphael
Church, you should be receiving a free subscription to the monthly
Antiochian Archdiocese magazine, *The Word. *If you do not receive this
magazine and would like to, please let Fr. Ignatius know, and he will
forward your address information on to the right office in the Archdiocese
so that you can begin receiving it.
Epistle Readers Wanted
We are always interested in having more volunteers to read the
Epistle reading on Sundays. No special training is necessary. We need
English readers and always welcome the Epistle to be read in another foreign
language as well. Please talk with Todd Wiblin if you are interested.
Do You Have a Prayer Request?
Please give it to Fr. Ignatius and he will distribute it by email to
all those on the Prayer Chain. If you wish to join the Prayer Chain, please
let Fr. Ignatius know.
Holy Bread and Coffee Hour
On Sunday, September 27, the Van Dinter family will provide the holy
bread. We still need a volunteer to provide the food for coffee hour.
Anybody who would like to host the coffee hour or bake the holy bread can
sign up to do so.
Food For Thought
Forgive a wrong done you by your neighbor; then your sins will be pardoned
when you pray. Can a man preserve wrath against his neighbor and still seek
healing from the Lord? Can he show no mercy toward a man like himself and
still beg God for mercy for himself?
Wisdom of Sirach 28:2-4
