Brothers and Sisters,
This coming Sunday, October 29, we will have our next Safety and Security Rehearsal. This rehearsal will be for a medical emergency, so we will simply evacuate both buildings and walk to the Rally Signs on the parking lots. However, now that the weather is a bit cooler, we will also be taking a head count, so please plan on being patient with that portion of the process.
Since this Sunday is also a Fifth Sunday, we will enjoy our final 5th Sunday Potluck of 2023. Our Kitchen Queen, Misty Sophia, has let us know that our potlucks have now outgrown our kitchen, so just like Pascha, our food in our cars until after Safety and Security Rehearsal is over. We will then set up tables, and paper and pen will be provided, so that you can label what you have brought (Special points for those who include common allergens on their labels! Please remember that we strive to make St. John's a nut free zone—with the exception of Matt Halsey, of course). Bring a picnic blanket, enjoy the food and fellowship—and live music!
That’s right, our Fifth Sunday Potlucks now feature music! (If you want to be considered for future dates, please speak to Rigel.)
Our Calendar
Fasting Days
Wednesday, October 25, and Friday, October 27
Daily Services
Monday October 23--Friday, October 27: Orthros 5am; Vespers 5pm (in general, if you plan on attending the in-person services, it’s always a good idea to check the day before and make sure the regular schedule will be observed). Also, Seth Hart and friends will be at the online chanter’s stand, offering the First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours this week: 1st hour: 6:45 a.m.; 3rd hour: 8:45 a.m.; 6th hour: 11:45 a.m. 9th hour: 3:45 p.m.
Fr. Andrew, Seth Hart, and Matthew Groh and many other folks continue to broadcast daily readings from spiritual books online. They are now reading Face to Face by Father Stephen Freeman. The schedule is as follows: M-F at 12pm.
Also, our online team will now be reading the Daily Synaxarion on Discord. Just look for this channel: #synaxarion
Tuesday, October 24
The Parish Council 7pm This group will meet in the parish house
Orthodoxy 101 7pm This group will meet in the Long Hall; you can also access the group on Discord
Wednesday, October 25
The Fall Theological Seminar 7pm (you can also access the group on Discord)
Thursday, October 26
The Bible Study, Old Testament Edition 7pm (on Discord)
Saturday, October 28
Youth Church School 4pm
St Thomas School 4pm
Great Vespers 6pm
Sunday, October 29: The Seventh Sunday of St Luke
Orthros 8am
Divine Liturgy 10am
Fifth Sunday Potluck and Music Noon
St Thomas School
On Saturday, October 28, Chris S. will be leading discussion on the second chapter of Volume IV, “Formation of the Daily Liturgical Cycle”. Online access is available on Discord; like to participate online, you still need to sign-up ahead of time. Just send an email to remote.meetings@theforerunner.org by Thursday, October 26, to reserve your spot.
Coming Up
On Saturday, November 4, St Thomas School will offer a Practical Class on Prosphora Baking. The group will meet between 10am and 2pm; Mary K. will be teaching, and a light lunch will be served while the loaves are baking. If you would like to get in on the class, just send a note to Mary or Benedict H.
The Nativity Fast will begin on Wednesday, November 15. This fasting season is divided into two periods: (A) November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil) is observed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with a blessing for wine and olive oil (some also permit fish) on Tuesday and Thursday, and for fish, wine, and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday, and (B) the period of the Forefeast, December 20th through 24th, when the traditional fasting discipline is observed Monday through Friday, with a blessing for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday. The eve of the feast, December 24th is a strict fast day. December 25th through January 4th is fast-free. Many American Christians ask for a blessing and take a day off from the fast on Thanksgiving Day, but, if you need to modify the fast in any way, please check with your spiritual father as soon as possible.
During the Nativity Fast, we always offer the Nativity Paraclesis on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. This year, there will be six of those services—on November 15,22,29 and December 6,13,20—so all of us should be able to make at least one of them. So please go ahead and note on you calendar the services in which you will be able to participate.
The Archdiocese expects us all to make our confession at least once during Nativity Lent. In our community, confession is offered on Saturday evenings after Great Vespers, or just about any other time by appointment. We will not be hearing confessions on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, but, between now and the end of December, all you need to do is show up on Saturday night or contact one of our priests to arrange a specific time to participate in this Holy Mystery.
Our Moment of Grace and Courtesy
We now have an official, liturgical ending to Fellowship Hour: The choir will be singing a Closing Prayer in several locations on the property—in the Long Hall, on the playground, at the picnic tables. It is our tradition to stand during Blessings and Prayers, so, when you hear the choir, please rise and pause your visiting and eating until the hymn is over.
an unworthy priest
aidan & andrew