Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church The Fisherman’s Net
Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2016
A special thank “This is the message which we have you to all of you who have, and heard from Him [Jesus Christ] and continue, to proclaim to you, that God is light, and sponsor The Fisherman’s Net in Him is no darkness at all. If we say May God Grant we have communion with Him while You Many Years we walk in darkness, we lie, and do not live according to the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the Church Council John Parker- light, we have communion with one President another, and the blood of Jesus his Son Tedd Tripp- VP cleanses us from all sin. If we say we Roy Peckham- Treasurer have no sin, we deceive ourselves and Beverly Parker- the truth is not in us. If we confess our Secretary sins, he is faithful and just and will Andrew Mihaly- Financial forgive our sins and cleanse us from Secretary all unrighteousness. If we say we have Trustees: not sinned, we make him a liar, and Carol Bodwalk His word is not in us. I am writing this John Buckeye to you so that you may not sin. But if Ann DeMelfi JoAnn Hanna any one does sin, we have an advocate Mary Maholick with the Father, Jesus Christ the Nikki Ann Roll Righteous, and he is the expiation for Karen Price our sins, and not for ours only, but also Thomas Macri for the sins of the whole world”(I John 1:5-2:2). PARISH HAPPENINGS
Birthdays in February- Zachary Beckley- February 5 Kathy Kessler-February 10 Gloria Kundrat- February 20 Mary Hinkle- February 23 Hannah Kessler- February 24
Anniversaries in February- John and Bev Parker- February 13 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Remember in your Prayers: Archbishop Nikon, Archimandrite Athanasy, Priest Emilian, Priest John, Priest Nicholas, Priest Fred, Mary, Roland, David, Cayden, Kathryn, Larraine, Jennifer, Rose, Maria, Effie, Christina, Donna, Emalee, John, Christine, Matthew, Ivy Elizabeth, Yvette, Tyler, David, Marie, Jenny, Paul, Paul, Annie, Erin, Clare, John, Dianne, Joe, Kevin, Bryce, Luke, Melanie, Larry, David, Anna, Boyd, Stavro, Thomas, Ethan, Benjamin, Emmitt, Mary, Jack, James, Alaina, Jewel, Kyle, William, Donna, Ron, Elizabeth, Christina, Missy, Bob, Carol, Leadeth, Linda, Korey, Cathy, Nathan, Tamie, Maggie, Tom, Mike, Artem, Jane, Linda, Laura, Antonina, Elaine, Cali, Mariah, James, John, Barbara, Tom, George, David, Charlie, Joseph, Heather, Leyla, Betty, Elizabeth, Emerson, Michelle, Nick, Sam, Mark, Jean, Andy, Nicole, Ally, Reagan, Tara, Sam, Ray, Diane, Nicholas, Bill, Julia, Hannah, Edward, Rick, Roy, Mary, Michael, Taylor, Mat. Catherine, Natalia. HALO The annual Winter Fiesta dinner was held on Sunday, January 31. Those in attendance will agree that a good time was had by all!
Church Council
John Parker served recently as our delegate to the 52nd Diocesan Assembly of Philadelphia and Eastern PA. One of the highlights of the assembly was the approval of the by-laws. It was also agreed that parishes will now compensate the diocese based on a percentage of their operating income not a per person assessment as was used in the past. Our parishioners will soon receive a letter explaining this and what they need to do to meet the financial needs of our parish. Much of this was discussed at our annual meeting. This letter should clarify some issues.
Check out our new parish web-site at orthodoxberwick.org The Orthodox Church in America DIOCESE OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA The Most Rev. Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania
November 3, 2015
Scriptural Precepts of Offerings
Christ is in our midst! As we continue our study on Biblical Giving, there are several passages in Genesis which make mention of offerings, which are simply to honor the Lord and an expression of repentance, gratitude and thankfulness. There are even times nothing is said about why the person is making an offering. The first one of these types is found in Genesis chapters 6-9, which speaks of Noah and the flood. After the waters of the food had abated, in chapter 8, verse 16 ff, the Lord instructed Noah to bring every living thing out of the ark, both clean and unclean. In verse 20, we are told that Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
The idea of a burnt offering literally means to “let ascend”, as in the smoke. The whole animal was offered to God as an act of atonement for sin and to renew one’s relationship with God. As we look at this passage, it is unclear whether Noah is making an offering to atone for the sins of mankind prior to the flood or as an act of gratitude for the Lord’s saving action in preserving Noah and his family. Yet, we know it is not God who needs man’s offerings or sacrifices it is mankind who feels the need to offer something to God in times of repentance or as an expression of gratitude for His saving acts. Mankind needs something tangible to offer to God in order to grasp God’s mercy and grace. Yet what can we truly offer to God that is not already His?
The concept of offering something tangible or even costly, to express repentance, love or gratitude is often found in our own interpersonal relationships. If a couple has an argument does not the ‘party which was wrong’ often offer some type of gift to sooth the wounds? Perhaps, the peace offering is dinner at a nice restaurant, a piece of jewelry, flowers, chocolates, or in extreme situations a trip? In our human relations, the weight of the matter is more on the gesture, than the gift itself. Yet, the value or quality of the gift may also be perceived as an expression of one’s sincerity or insincerity. The gift and attitude of the giver is also a reflection of how valuable the relationship itself is to the giver.
Your unworthy father in Christ,
Archbishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania
"If you find that you have no love—but desire to have it—do the works of love—and the Lord will see your desire and effort—and put love in your heart..."
†Saint Ambrose of Optina† Orthodoxy 101 Wednesday following vespers at 6:30 Bible study following Sunday Divine Liturgy The Book of Genesis Adult ed: Topics and Questions Last Sunday of the Month during fellowship
Book Club
Book Club is starting again. We will be finishing Beginning to Pray by Anthony Bloom. We will meet in on Sunday February 14th for discussion. The proposed 2016 Lenten Mission Services are scheduled to be:
Sunday of Orthodoxy … Wilkes-Barre Cathedral …. Father Chad Hatfield will be the Guest Homilist
Saint Gregory … All Saint’s in Olyphant.
Sunday of the Cross … Holy Trinity in Wilkes-Barre.
Saint John Climacus …. Saint John in Dundaff.
A Wednesday Preseanctified Liturgy … Saint John in Edwardsville
Saint Mary of Egypt …. Holy Trinity in Stroudsburg.
Palm Sunday … Wilkes-Barre Cathedral.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake Saturday, March 19, 2015
The church school would like to participate in this event. All interested kids can see Heather Tripp or Matushka Catherine to register. We will take up a collection of March 6 and 13.
Thank you for your support!