Church Bulletin: May 14, 2023

[Fr. Ignatius Valentine]

Sunday May 14, 2023- Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Upcoming Services and Events

Christ is risen! Kristusaq Aglagikuk!  Chúa đã hồi sinh!

May 13, Saturday

        + Theological Discussion Group, 3:00pm

        + Great Vespers, 5:00pm

May 14, Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

        + Matins, 8:45am

        + Sunday School, 9:15am

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

May 15, Monday

        + Office Hours, 2:00-5:00pm

        + 9th Hour Prayers, 3:00pm

May 17, Wednesday

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

        + 6th Hour Prayers, 12:00pm

        + Akathist, 7:00pm

May 18, Thursday

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

        + 6th Hour Prayers, 12:00pm 

        + "On Social Justice" book discussion on Zoom, 7:00pm https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/4320014122

May 19, Friday

        + 3rd Hour Prayers, 9:00am

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

May 20, Saturday

        + Wedding of Demitri Likomitros and Lizzy Valentine, 1:00pm at St. George Church (3650 Cottage Grove Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids)

May 21, Sunday of the Blind Man

        + Matins, 8:45am

        + Sunday School, 9:15am

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

      

Newest Announcements  . 

Metropolitan Saba's Enthronement to be Live Streamed

        Beginning at 10am CDT, Metropolitan Saba will be enthroned in his cathedral in Brooklyn, New York.  This service will be live streamed on both the archdiocese's YouTube channel and Facebook page.  He will begin to be commemorated in the divine services this Saturday at vespers. 

Theological Discussion Group

        John Michalski will be leading us in part two of the discussion of ancient Syriac Christianity on Saturday, May 13 at 3pm.  This part of the presentation will be focusing on:

1. The Syriac theology of baptism, focused on the Theophany rather than the Pauline emphasis on Death/Resurrection 

2. The Sons and Daughters of the Covenant - the unique form of ascetic life in their tradition, and

3. The symbol-based nature of Syriac theology

Happy Mother's Day

        To all mothers, grandmothers and godmothers, may God grant you many years!

No Vespers on May 20

        Because of the wedding and reception of Demitri and Lizzy, there will be no vespers on May 20.

Matching Funds for Kitchen Campaign!

        A note from our treasurer Becky- Thanks to your generous support, we have $46,196.02 donated or pledged to our Feed His Sheep capital campaign leaving just $6,803.98 to go (does not include the matching amount so in reality only $4916.70 to go!!).  An anonymous donor is offering a matching pledge challenge to get us to our goal. Each new pledge, donation, or increase in pledge from now through December 31 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $6,500. Examples: If you donate $100, it becomes $200. If you had pledged $1,000 and increase it to $1,250, the total donation becomes $1,500. We are so close to completing our goal.  If you haven't donated or pledged, please consider doing so.

Meal Train for Becky Morey

        Becky is at home recovering from a recent injury.  We are helping her out by providing meals and organizing this effort through a meal train which can be found at this link.  https://mealtrain.com/9vddo6

Next Catholic Worker House Meal is May 13

        Thanks to your generosity and God's providence, we have all the menu items now provided for.  For those who are providing the food, please make sure it is dropped off at the Catholic Worker House (1414 Sycamore St., Iowa City) by 2:30pm on May 13. 

Next Sunday's Gospel Reading

        On Sunday May 21 we will hear about the healing by Jesus of the man born blind. John 9:1-38 https://www.antiochian.org/epistleliturgicday/3464

Food for Thought

        "Therefore I exhort first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."

I Timothy 2:1-2

        ________________________________

Recurring Announcements

"On Social Justice" Book Discussion Remaining Schedule

https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/4320014122

May 18- "I Will Tear Down My Barns" pp. 59-71

May 25- "In Time of Famine and Drought" pp. 73-88

June 1- "Against Those Who Lend at Interest" pp. 89-99

June 8- "On Mercy and Justice" pp. 101-108

No Fasting During Paschal Season

According to Antiochian custom, there is no fasting during the entire Paschal season which concludes with the Feast of the Lord's Ascension on May 25.

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.  

2023 Midwest Diocese Parish Life Conference, June 28-July 2

        Clergy and laity from our Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest gather annually at the Parish Life Conference.  This year, St. Mary Church in Palos Heights, IL is hosting the conference which will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton, in Oak Brook, IL on June 28- July 2.  Speakers include Fr. Jeremy Davis, Molly Sabourin, Mother Gabriella and others.  More information, and registration, can be found at: https://www.antiochianevents.org/events/diocese-of-toledo-and-the-midwest-2/

 

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