Church Bulletin: June 18, 2023

[Fr. Ignatius Valentine]

Sunday June 18, 2023- 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Upcoming Services and Events

June 18, Sunday (2nd Sunday after Pentecost)

        + Matins, 8:45am

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

June 19, Monday

        + Office Hours, 2:00pm-5:00pm

        + 9th Hour Prayers, 3:00pm

June 21, Wednesday

        + Office Hours, 11:00am-2:00pm

        + 6th Hour Prayers, 12:00pm

        + Akathist, 7:00pm

June 22, Thursday

        + Office Hours, 11:00am-2:00pm

        + 6th Hour Prayers, 12:00pm 

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

June 23, Friday

        + 3rd Hour Prayers, 9:00am

        + Office Hours, 9:15am-12:00pm

June 24, Saturday

        + Great Vespers, 5:00pm

June 25, Sunday, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

        + Matins, 8:45am

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

      

Newest Announcements  . 

Happy Father's Day

        Happy Father's Day to all fathers, grandfathers and godfathers.  May God grant you many years!

All Hands on Deck! Two Upcoming Coffee Hour Potlucks!

        Please mark your calendars and 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. 

Do You Think of Tithing as a Privilege? 

        From Trail of the Tithe: The paying of the tithe was first and foremost an act of worship, not merely a duty.... Rather than a nagging debt to be settled over and over again, year after year, the payment of the tithe was seen to be a privilege—an act of worship, a reasonable sacrifice, a giving back to God of a portion of that which He has given to His people.

Read more at http://ww1.antiochian.org/trail-tithe.

Apostles' Fast

        Beginning June 12, we entered into the fasting season known as the Apostles' Fast.  This season lasts through June 28, the eve of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.  We abstain from meat, dairy and eggs.  Fish, oil and wine are allowed except on Wednesdays and Fridays.  This fast commemorates the time of preparation that the Apostles experienced, before they embarked on their apostolic journeys to spread the Gospel.

Update on Earthquake Relief

        The earthquakes that devastated parts of northern Syria and southern Turkey have largely been forgotten about by most of the world.  But for the people directly affected, the trauma and heartache caused by those quakes will not soon be forgotten.  To date, the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America has sent $2 million to Patriarch John to distribute through the Patriarchate's relief arm to those in need. 

New Summertime Book Group! 

        From June 15 through the end of August, we will discuss 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).

St. Maria Food Pantry Dedication Service

        On Sunday, June 18, following liturgy, we will have a brief dedication prayer and icon-hanging ceremony to dedicate our recently improved Food Pantry space.  St. Maria of Paris will be dedicated as the patroness of our pantry.  

Parish Council Meeting Minutes Approved

        The approved May Parish Council Meeting minutes are attached.

Next Sunday's Gospel Reading

        On Sunday June 25  we will hear a portion of the Lord's teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.  Matthew 6:22-33 https://www.antiochian.org/epistleliturgicday/3499 

Food for Thought

        The goal of human freedom is not in freedom itself, nor is it in man, but in God. By giving man freedom, God has yielded to man a piece of His divine authority, but with the intention that man himself would voluntarily bring it as a sacrifice to God, a most perfect offering. 

- St. Theophan the Recluse

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Recurring Announcements

St. Raphael Lending Library

        Did you know we have a lending library of several hundred books?  It was recently moved out of Father's office and into our fellowship hall so as to be more accessible.  There is not currently a formal system for checking a book out.  If you see a book that you are interested in, take it on the honors system, and return it when you are done.  Thank you to Alli, Austin, Evren and Taras for helping with the move.

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, James Stockdale and Merrick Dodge in your prayers as they prepare to be sacramentally joined to the Orthodox Church.