Church Bulletin: July 30, 2023

[Saint Raphael of Brooklyn Antiochian Orthodox Church]

Sunday July 30, 2023- 8th Sunday after Pentecost

Upcoming Services and Events

July 29, Saturday

        + Theology Discussion Group, 3:00pm

        + Great Vespers, 5:00pm

July 30, Sunday 

        + Matins, 8:45am

        + Divine Liturgy, 10:00am, followed by Coffee Hour

August 2, Wednesday

        + Paraklesis, 7:00pm

August 3, Thursday

        + "Modern Orthodox Thinkers" book discussion on Zoom, 7:00pm https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/4320014122

August 4, Friday

        + Paraklesis, 7:00pm

August 5, Saturday

        + Great Vespers, 5:00pm

August 6, Sunday, Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

        + Matins, 8:45am

        + Divine Liturgy, 10:00am, followed by Coffee Hour

      

Newest Announcements  .  

Farewell Letter from Fr. Ignatius

        Father's letter to the parish is attached.

"Sneak Preview" of our New Pastor, Fr. Symeon Kees

        Fr. Symeon will be serving vespers at 5pm on Saturday, July 29 and concelebrating with Fr. Ignatius on Sunday morning July 30.  Fr. Symeon's official welcome will be on his first Sunday as pastor of St. Raphael Church, August 6.  

Thank You

        Thank you to Christian and his helpers for cleaning out and repairing the gutters.  Thank you to Lucy and Elizabeth for grading, landscaping and planting along the eastern edge of the building.  Your efforts to maintain and beautify our building are so appreciated.  

All Hands on Deck! Two Upcoming Coffee Hour Potlucks!

        Please plan to attend Liturgy and coffee hour on Sunday, July 30 as we say farewell to Fr. Ignatius and Kh. Maria Valentine, and on Sunday, August 6 as we welcome Fr. Symeon and Kh. Jing Kees and their children to St. Raphael! Both coffee hours will be a parish-wide potluck; sign up sheets are posted in the narthex. Note that August 6 is the Feast of the Transfiguration, so even though it falls during the Dormition Fast, fish, wine, and oil are allowed.

We encourage everyone to attend both of these Sundays to provide a warm and loving send-off and welcome during our clergy transition. 

Congratulations!

        Congratulations to Demitri and Lizzy Likomitros who are expecting their first child this February.

Dormition Fast-

        The Dormition Fast begins on August 1 and lasts through August 14, in anticipation of and in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition which is on August 15.  On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the first two weeks of August, we will pray the Paraklesis service at 7pm (Aug. 2, 4, 7, 9, 11).  There will be Vesperal Liturgy for the Feast of the Dormition at 6:00pm on August 14.

Next Sunday's Gospel Reading

        On Sunday August 6 we will hear the account of the Lord's Transfiguration on top of the mountain in Matthew 17:1-9.  https://www.antiochian.org/epistleliturgicday/3541

Food for Thought

     When God at first made man,

Having a glass of blessings standing by;

Let us (said he) pour on him all we can;

Let the world’s riches, which dispersed lie,

     Contract into a span.

     So strength first made a way;

Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure:

When almost all was out, God made a stay,

Perceiving that alone of all his treasure

     Rest in the bottom lay.

     For if I should (said he)

Bestow this jewel also on my creature,

He would adore my gifts instead of me,

And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature;

    So both should losers be.

     Yet let him keep the rest,

But keeping them with repining restlessness:

Let him be rich and weary, that at least,

If goodness lead him not, yet weariness

     May toss him to my breast.

George Herbert, The Pulley

________________________________

Recurring Announcements

New Mailing Address for Fr. Ignatius and Kh. Maria

        As of August 1, their new mailing address will be:

214 Williamsburg Dr., Apt. 4

Thiensville, WI 53092

Their phone numbers and email addresses will stay the same.  

Next Catholic Worker House Meal, August 12

        We will be organizing to provide food for the guests of the Catholic Worker House.  The food will be dropped off during the afternoon of Saturday, August 12.  A sign-up sheet with menu items is now posted.

Young Adult Conference- Save the Date!

        The Connect Orthodox Young Adult Conference will be taking place in Minneapolis, MN September 29-October 1, 2023! This is a Pan-Orthodox conference bringing together young adults ages 21-39 from across the country. We’re excited to welcome Father Joshua Makoul, Father Seraphim Majmudar, Mother Macrena, and Dan Christopolous as our speakers! The conference will revolve around the theme of Refuge (Matthew 11:28). In addition to speaker presentations, we will have a service event, worship services, and social events. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connectorthodox or check the website connectorthodox.org for more information. Registration opens July 17th. Questions? Email in...@connectorthodox.org.

Theology Discussion Group Schedule

        Our newly established Theology Discussion Group has had strong attendance and lively participation recently!  Following are the dates for the rest of the summer.  Meetings begin at 3pm.

July 29- Why be a Christian?  What does Christianity have to offer? What is the promise of the Gospel?

August 12- To be determined

August 26- To be determined

Summertime Book Group! 

        Until the end of August, we are discussing Modern Orthodox Thinkers: From the Philokalia to the Present, by Fr. Andrew Louth. This a great chance to educate and edify ourselves by learning about Orthodox women and men who have responded to modernity with vigorous Christian thinking and action. Standalone chapters will make it easy to pop into book group as summer travels allow. All are welcome!

Copies are available in the church bookstore and on Amazon/Kindle. Discussions will be led by Fr. Lev Smith and Dr. Lori Peterson Branch. Meetings take place Thursdays from 7-8:15pm on Zoom (https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/4320014122 or Meeting ID 432 001 4122)

Our remaining schedule is the following:

August 3- Chps. 12 and 14

August 10- Chp. 13

August 17- Chp. 15-16

August 24- Chps. 17-18

August 31- Chps. 19-20

Updated Food Pantry Needs

         Attached, you will find a list of items that we are in need of in our food pantry.  Monetary donations are also welcome.  We have exceptional buying power through the HACAP food reservoir, so your dollars are able to purchase more this way, than you can at the grocery store.  Also, please check expiration dates before donating food items.  We can't put expired food on our shelves.  

Link to Church's Google Calendar

        https://www.raphaelchurch.org/calendar.html

Information on Prayers for the Departed, Flowers for the Departed and St. Raphael Prayer Chain

       https://www.raphaelchurch.org/recurring-announcements.html 

Pray for our Catechumens

        Please keep our catechumens Ilya Buchkin, Scott Dorr, Madison Frei, Merrick Dodge and Dan Pelc in your prayers as they prepare to be sacramentally joined to the Orthodox Church. 

[Saint Raphael of Brooklyn Antiochian Orthodox Church]