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ST.MICHAEL'S HOLY GOSPEL, SERMON AND EPISTLE READING

His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York

and Metropolitan of all North America

His Grace Bishop THOMAS, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of

Charleston, Oakland and the Middle Atlantic

Archpriest John Nosal, Pastor

Divine Liturgy Every Sunday at 10:00am
CLICK HERE to view the St. Michael's calander

Our mission...

...is to tend to the flock of our Lord Jesus Christ and to spread the Good News of Christ to those outside the flock.  The mission is to be accomplished by:

• Living a full and liturgical and sacramental life
• Proclaiming the Orthodox Christian Faith to all people
• Providing effective charitable and social programs
• Establishing strong spiritual leadership and educational resources

The mission of the members of St Michael’s Orthodox Church is to become completely loving people.

(Luke 10:27)   This will occur by the Grace of God as we strive to live holy lives, using the tools He has given us for this endeavor: prayer, fasting, charitable works, and the constant remembrance of death.

THE BEST BUFFET EVER! EVCHARISTO!

1. The headline may be a tad hyperbolic and may draw from the personal experience of only one person, but nevertheless, there were a few things that made last Sunday’s Buffet, our big, annual, food event, unique in the thirty year experience of the one person writing this blurb.

1) Not one visitor complaint was heard regarding the food or service they experienced here last Sunday. In fact, it seemed that the appreciation for our homemade food and the excellent manner in which it was prepared and served has increased to a point that will be hard to top next year. Soooooo goooood!

2) The serving line volunteers had such “happy-to-be-here” faces and attitudes, that the food almost became secondary to the beautiful, welcoming experience our guests had as they went through the line.

3) From a prayerful beginning with Fr. John in the kitchen, to our record breaking “done-by-6 PM” clean up, our work force did a phenomenal job! KUDOS all around! (Special recognition to all the outdoor crew for cheerfully working (maybe with some singing) in the rain!)

4) The “sign garden” was aesthetically appealing and very profitable.

5) And, yes, we exceeded the $$$ totals for the day, compared to last year.

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL!

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ,

             “You crown the year with Your goodness,

             And Your paths drip with abundance.” — Psalm 65:11

I greet each of you in the name of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ as we embark upon a new church year. The Lord grants us to see the dawn of another new year for our repentance, nothing else. It is not given carelessly or frivolously and because it is God’s gift to us; we will have to give an account of how we spend the gift freely given to us.

We mark the passage of time primarily in one of two ways: 1) according to the secular calendar or 2) according to the church’s cycle of fasts and feasts, the commemoration of saints, and the great feasts of the Lord. If we mark our time according to the secular calendar, we will find little time for God and the spiritual life. Our lives will pass rapidly (this in and of itself should give us pause) and our days will be passed with work responsibilities, family responsibilities, and holidays. There is nothing wrong with any of these things in and of themselves. However, when these responsibilities crowd out the spiritual life we begin to adopt a secular or worldly attitude about life and death.

The Orthodox Christian’s ultimate goal is theosis, or union with God. That union with God can only be accomplished through the time-tested method of purification and illumination in which the nous becomes purified of the passions and is able to experience God’s love and forgiveness. The processes of purification and illumination presuppose a life in the church. Prayer and fasting are prerequisites in the process of purification and illumination.

A life that revolves around the life of the church calendar is a good place to start. No one can expect success in overcoming the passions without a deep and intimate connection to the life of the church. This means regular attendance at the majority of church services, a daily prayer rule, frequent communication with one’s spiritual father, keeping the prescribed fasts, and confession as deemed appropriate by a spiritual father.

If we haven’t been doing these things, the new year is a good time to consider a new start.  We should be more concerned for eternal life than this earthly life. I listened to an interview of a famous person recently and he was asked if he would return to a practice of his faith. He responded that he wanted to wait until the end of his life to do that! The problem with his response is that we don’t know when the end will occur. None of us are promised tomorrow. We have today and that is for our repentance. As we approach a new church year, let us begin by taking the words of our Lord Jesus Christ seriously: “Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand!”

Yours in Christ,

Rt. Rev. Bishop THOMAS (Joseph)

Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Oakland, Charleston, and the Mid-Atlantic

”The Mission

of St Michael’s Orthodox Church members

is to become completely loving people.”

“Jesus answered and said, ’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” - Luke 10:27

“Loving” is a word that is just as startlingly impossible for us to wrestle with as was the “completely” before it. While the lawyer quoting the Law in St. Luke’s Gospel account is able to quote the letter of the law and the primacy of the commandments to love God and neighbor, he, like most of us, falls woefully short of truly comprehending, let alone living, those commandments. Yet we may discover that the simplicity of the reality is as stark as our inability to live it.

Without using any of the words we might expect regarding love, in this Bulletin I’ll use just one — BIG. Starting from the God end of things, we might say that God is BIG. He is BIGger than anything imaginable. He is BIGger than anything unimaginable. His BIGness ‘beyond measure’ makes perfectly good sense as God ‘exists,’ God IS, before anything else IS. Anything that He creates is within Him Who occupies and fills every corner of infinite space and time, even before space and time exist, and is, therefore, ‘smaller’ than Him. (All these words are totally inadequate to this little writing about God, as are any other of the representational tools to which we humans have access.)

So maybe the ‘loving’ we’re called to become in our mission statement might well be described in the words of a hymn that many of us learned as children — “He’s got the whole world in His hands. He’s got the whole, wide world, in His hands. He’s got the whole world in His hands. He’s got the whole world in His hands.” And as He made the whole thing, which means everything that exists, His BIGness is His love and Love is all that He is, as revealed in the pre-eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As no thing does not fit in His hands, as no thing is outside of His hands, then His BIGness is the love that embraces everyone and everything all the time, even when some of the everyones, made to be BIG like Him, decide to play small. >>>=====>       >>>=====>       >>>=====>         >>>=====>         >>>=====>     “Playing small” could be a definition of what it means to be fallen and sinful, a status we arrived at in the Fall of Mankind in the Garden of Eden. When we play small we abandon the BIGness endowed by God to us in our creation. We bury our BIGness, a formidable accomplishment, under an ever-thickening, yet illusory, mantle of smallness, exchanging the BIGness in us for our own self-designed, scaled down version of humanity. We no longer see ourselves as BIG (Godlike/loving), but small (petty, self-centered, hateful, legends in our own minds, abandoned, fending for ourselves at each others’ expense).

So, how do we regain our BIGness? How do we fix ourselves and become completely loving people? We don’t. We can’t. We don’t need to. Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, the BIG God and the BIG Man has done that for us. He has dug into the depths of our tiny, fallen souls, and restored the BIGness that was lying hidden and dormant under the façade and lie of smallness.

Yes, that is BIG of Him — to restore in us who follow Him, His BIGness which He gave to us in our creation and He now restores in us through the waters of the baptismal font and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But we have a dilemma. Our fear that we really are small continues to nag and haunt us and tempts us to fall back into the lie that we are small.

We need not worry. God continues to give us every opportunity to once again experience His BIGness in ourselves — to become, by His Grace — as BIG as He is. He does this by including in the flow of life challenges that give us opportunities to exercise our BIGness against our seeming smallness. Our egos must be wrestled with. Our self-interest must be battled. Our pride must brought to its knees. And this is just the kind of warfare we’re built for. Let us give Him a BIG “Thank You” and promise to fight to let His BIGness be known wherever we go through our BIGness.

God made us BIG.

We forgot and got small.

Get BIG Again!

(How? We’ll take a look at that in next week’s Bulletin.)

On Tuesday, October 2nd the Antiochian MEN will prepare a free meal for the benefit of people in our community. There are at least two ways in which you may participate in this charitable activity. The first is to come and help with the planning and execution. The second is to support the event financially. Donation may be given to Gus Flizanes. Anyone who would like to support “Food on the Hill” in whatever capacity you would like should contact Gus Flizanes.

Those who attend our “Food on the Hill” luncheon are also the same people who make use of the generous donations made to “Caleb’s Cupboard,” (which is located at the front entrance of the church). If everyone brought in one item of canned food, or a paper or hygiene product, it would keep Caleb’s Cupboard full so that there is something for those who attend “Food on the Hill” each month. The participants are most grateful for the continuous generosity of food, fellowship and donations. Thank you to the parishioners who consistently give of their time, their culinary skills, their financial and material donations to make these ministries possible.

"Food On The Hill" WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY - When weather causes Hempfield or Greensburg Salem School District to close for the day; "Food On The Hill" will NOT serve lunch that day! Please refer to TV & Radio Newscasts when in doubt. Thank You!

St. Michael’s Financial Summary

Year to Date as of June 30, 2018

                      This Year            Last Year             Budget

Income        $112,203.22*     $115,732.67       $104,539.94

Expenses    $144,603.75       $120,793.29       $145,388.64

Net Loss      $ (32,400.53)    $   (5,060.62)    $(40,848.70)

*Does not include bequest 107.718.33

Address questions to Christian Sam or Jeff Curry.

THANK YOU to those who have donated time and money toward the completion of some items on our “needs” list, namely our 1) kitchen renovation and equipment upgrade, 2) the men’s room renovation, 3) the ceiling repairs in the altar server room and 4) the parking lot lighting upgrade.

His Grace, the Right Reverend Thomas (Joseph) is a bishop of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, serving in the Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic. READ MORE

CLICK HERE to learn about who St. Michael is...

WELCOME TO
ST. MICHAEL'S
STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Check out our new social networks...for...

PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES

CLICK HERE for August 21 2018 Parish Council Mimutes

CLICK HERE for June 19th 2018 Parish Council Minutes

CLICK HERE for March 27th 2018 Parish Council Minutes

CLICK HERE for Church Audit Report

CLICK HERE for January 23rd 2018 Parish Council Minutes

CLICK HERE for January 28th 2018 Parish Council Minutes 

CLICK HERE for March 1st February Parish Council Minutes

http://www.beanandbaguette.com/

Saturday Morning, October 13th at 9:00am is the next AMEN meeting at Bean & Baguette!

Coffee/Fellowship Hour 

As is true in many Orthodox churches, food is an important part of our St. Michael parish family life. Whether it’s the weekly Prosphora (communion bread), Koliva for a memorial service, grilled lamb for the Mediterranean Buffet, or pastries for the Holiday Bake Sale, there are many hands that minister to us, throughout the year, by making food.

One of the ongoing parish ministries that involves feeding people is the weekly coffee hour which allows all of us to enjoy food and fellowship together after the Divine Liturgy. With the start of the new liturgical year on September 1^st, we would like to ask all members of St. Michael’s to prayerfully consider committing to participate in this important ministry. Our intention is to organize a weekly rotation, of three people each, who will be responsible for all aspects of coffee hour for their designated Sunday (bringing food, set-up, and clean-up).

Remember that “Many hands make light work.” This doesn’t need to be complicated. After all, we feed ourselves every single day. Simple fare is welcome and cooking is not required.

We have approximately 150 adult members of our parish. So if every adult participates, each member will only need to plan on hosting coffee hour once between September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2019. Not only is this a great opportunity for service to one another, it’s also a good way to actually get to know some new people by working alongside each other.

If you wish to be involved in this ministry, please sign up during coffee hour today. Any questions should be directed to Barli Ross. The best way to reach Barli, outside of church, is on her cell phone 410.924.6284. She prefers a text message, but also has voicemail, and will return your call.

 A schedule for the entire year will be created this week, and provided to all involved, as well as printed, monthly, in the bulletin. If you are not able to work on your assigned Sunday, please make your own arrangements to switch with another person.

The Fellowship Hour Schedule
is posted on the bulletin board in the
Fellowship Hall and we are in need of volunteers
to sign up to take a turn to provide refreshments
following Divine Liturgy each week.

We provide the coffee and you provide
whatever you feel you want to contribute
to St. Michael’s community.

      Please sign up to host Fellowship Hour.

Antiochian Village Adult Camp

Register online: https://avcamp.org/other-programs/adult-camp/

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF REMINDERS,

DATES AND EVENTS

  +++

Friday thru Sunday, September 14-17

Antiochian Village Adult Camp

Registration is open online:

https://avcamp.org/other-programs/adult-camp/

+++

Saturday, September 15

Order of St. Ignatius Dinner

Saturday, September 15, 2018, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

St. George Orthodox Cathedral

3400 Dawson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Hosted by: Archpriest Joshua Makoul

Roger David (Order Chair),

Evelyn Koury (Order Ambassador),

and Order Members of St. George Cathedral

Benefits: 1) construction of new cabins

at Antiochian Village

       2) Retired Clergy Housing Allowance Fund

Questions?: Evelyn Koury - (412) 489-5239 or

Zlata Ryan (Order Admin. Assistant)

(724) 238-2677 x410

+++

23rd Annual

Fall Festival

Sunday, Sept. 30

12 noon to 6 pm

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church

Mary St., Belle Vernon

Halupki, Haluchki, Pierogies, Beef Strganoff,
Potato Pancakes and more.

Homemade Bread & Pastries

www.hrocbv.org

Love & Marriage, But No Baby Carriage:

New Reproductive Technologies in Light of

Orthodox Christian Beliefs and Ethics

7:00 PM, September 27

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

8290 Thompson Run Road, Pgh 15237

sanocpgh.org

FOCUS Pittsburgh

(Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United for Service)

FOCUS Pittsburgh is collecting clothes (clean and in good condition, please) for the very, very needy people (many homeless) in the Hill District neighborhood of the city. Clothing including coats, jackets, sweaters, trousers, shirts, blouses and other tops, shoes, handbags, gloves, scarves, etc., are all gratefully received and appreciated.  

There is a drop-off area at the top of the stairs at the main entrance for those who would contribute. The contact person for this project are Marilyn Elias.

We are seeking new members who would be interested in learning how to prepare the Memorial Wheat. We have a group of women who currently fulfill this important function and are willing to teach anyone who may be interested in becoming part of this ministry team. For more information, contact Val Flizanes or call the church office.

CALEB’S CUPBOARD

The big chest you see as you come through the main entrance of our church, is a simple way to help our hungry neighbors. Just bring in a few cans of food or other unperishables when you come to church and you will making a difference for someone.

Please check that the goods you bring are “reasonably” close in time to the expiration date. (While we know the food lasts longer than that date, it is not always easy to tell how much longer.)

       I.nternational
O.rthodox
C.hristian
C.harities

IOCC SYRIAN RELIEF UPDATE

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Syrian Relief Dinner back on March 4.   Net proceeds of $37,129 were sent to IOCC which mean the Syrian people received $260,000 in leveraged aid through this effort.

For information on IOCC and how to become part of the worthwhile work being done, visit www.iocc.org.

Please CLICK HERE for the form to provide us with your information. Or, see the form on the new back page of the weekly bulletin. We want to serve you better and we need your help. Please understand that we will protect yur privacy from the standpoint of the church. We will not show or distribute your email address!

 CLICK HERE For Daily and Other Special Orthodox Prayers and More

CLICK HERE for phone and email information of your parish council members

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