St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas
Electronic Newsletter
October 24/ November 6 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Announcements
Prayer Requests
Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week
Fasting in the Coming week
Links related to the coming week
Announcements
This weekend we "fall back." Please remember to set your clocks back one hour before retiring on Saturday night.
Dn. Nicholas is looking for volunteers to help do some work on the upkeep of our church's storage areas. We could do a lot to maximize the utility of our small church by having better storage solutions. We actually have quite a bit of space that could be used for storage if we can get it properly furnished. Please tell Fr. Nicholas if you are willing to help — probably on a Saturday sometime in the next several weeks.
The parish council is beginning to start the process of putting together a budget proposal for 2012. In that vein, we can use everybody's help in two ways:
1. If you have not yet turned in an updated estimate of your expected monthly contributions, please do so ASAP. You can also just send an email to Fr. Nicholas – npark153@gmail.com
2. Parish members who have input with regard to budgetary priorities you'd like to see in place are encouraged to send a message to Fr. Nicholas. We'll try to work your input into the proposal. The final budget decision will be made at the annual parish meeting in February, but the proposal will be put together at the next two council meetings.
As Fr. Seraphim announced last week, he has made the decision, with the strong encouragement of the parish council, to reduce his "day job" workload from 26 to 14 hours per week, by stopping work on Monday, while still working on Tuesday.
This is a great boon to the parish as it will free up more of his time to attend to parish matters and pastoral work. It is also a strain on his family, so we should all keep this in mind as we reflect on our own contributions to the parish. We have been giving Father an 8% annual "raise" in an attempt to eventually provide a reasonable level of support for his ministry (he is currently given $860 per month toward his housing costs). An additional increase in 2012 would be very helpful if we are able to do so.
The goal is for him to stop working in his nursing job to have more time for ever expanding ministry concerns and for a bit more recuperation time. If our parish income increases enough, it will happen.
Prayer Requests
For the Health and Salvation.
- Alexandra (4 y/o girl wih brain cancer)
- Priests Jean and Grégoire and all the faithful and suffering of Haiti, and our sponsored household: Catherine
- The suffering people of East Japan.
For a more complete listing, please see our parish prayer list. Anyone can make requests.
Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week
Saturday 11/5.
- 4:00PM Confession
- 5:00PM Vigil
Sunday 11/6
- 10AM Divine Liturgy
- 12:45PM Church School after Trapeza (Elementary and Middle School)
Monday 11/7
- 7:30PM Moleben
Wednesday 11/9
- 7:00PM Vespers
Thursday 11/10
- 9:00AM Liturgy
Saturday 11/12.
- 4:00PM Confession
- 5:00PM Vigil
Sunday 11/13
- 10AM Divine Liturgy
- 12:45PM Church School after Trapeza (Elementary and Adult)
Fasting in the Coming week
Normal fasting rules apply.Wednesday and Friday are fast days. AS ALWAYS, consult Fr Seraphim if you have any questions, problems, etc.
Links related to the coming week
Homilies which reference the Epistle read this Sunday, Galatians 2:16-20
15th Sunday of Pentecost (mp3 format)
Sunday After The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross
2 Corinthians 4:6-15, Galatians 2:16-20, Mark 8:34-9:1
2008
21st Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
The Parable of the Sower
We can only be good ground if we are crucified with Christ.
Galatians 2:16-20 Luke 8:5-15
2008
You can watch this sermon on the following video platforms: Yahoo, MySpace, Metacafe, Google, AOL Video, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Veoh
21st Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
Christian Justification
Galatians 2:16-20
2010
SYNOPSIS:Galatians was written to a group of Gentiles that had been infected with Judiazing teachings; they had been taught that they were required to fulfil the rituals of the Jewish law (circumcision, washings, dietary laws, etc) to be saved. All of Galatians refutes this heresy, and teaches why Christians must be moral. This passage particularly highlights the differences between Jewish justification (which was only an external declaration) and Christian Justification, which is also a declaration, but also involves the inner man becoming righteous – that is, the obliteration of sin (not just forgiveness), and eventual perfection. Why should we care about the difference between the Jewish view and the Christian reality? Because almost everyone, to a greater or lesser degree often lives and thinks as the Jews did.
Exaltation of the Cross (mp3 format)
Sunday After The Exaltation
Galatians 2:16-20 Mark 8:34-9:1
2009
Exaltation of the Cross (mp3 format)
Sunday After The Exaltation
Two Identical Definitions of Christianity. What is the way of the Cross? Important questions we must answer.
Galatians 2:16-20, Mark 8:34-9:1
2010
SYNOPSIS:The Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross both contain identical 'definitions' of Christianity. They both involve the cross, which is an instrument of death and of life. All Christians must voluntarily be crucified with Christ, and take up their cross. This is explained by our Lord's instruction that we must 'lose' our life to save it, and His questions: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? We must understand this if we are to truly live the Christian life and know Christ.
· Exaltation of the Cross (mp3 format)
Sunday After The Exaltation
Christ Liveth In Me
Galatians 2:16-20 Mark 8:4-9:1
2011
Homilies about this Sunday’s Gospel, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
22nd Sunday after Pentecost (HTML format)
The Rich Man And Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
1996
Also in Format: Word DOC
22nd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
The Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus
2002
22nd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Be a good steward.
Luke 16:19-31
2008
22nd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus
A Important Principle Is Taught
Luke 16:19-31
2009
22nd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus Summary
Concerning Parables And True Salvation
Luke 16-19-31, Ephesians 2-14-22
2010
22nd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus Summary
Concerning Parables And True Salvation
Luke 16:19-31, Ephesians 2:14-22
2010
SYNOPSIS:A short summary of the main points of the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus. This was part of a short after liturgy talk, because the parable was not the subject of the homily after the Gospel at liturgy.