The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and baptism, and the end, where we will have fought the good fight and finished the course. Readings for the Sunday before Theophany explained.

The Sunday before Theophany (the baptism of Jesus Christ), we read from Mark about the “beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and about the baptism of John, which is a vivid type of Christian Baptism. The entire selection, form Mark 1:1-8 us explained, and especially how John’s baptism (of repentance) is different (and the same) as Christian baptism. It is also appropriate on this day to think about the eventual fruit of baptism, which is human perfection and union with God, and the passage of 2Timothy 4:5-8 presents us with a beautiful “after” picture. This is our destiny, if we accept baptism and work to attain it.

Electronic Newsletter January 2/15

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter January 2/15  Sunday before Theophany Announcements "Mighty Mites" Collection Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Announcements In addition to St. Seraphim of Sarov, we celebrated St. Juliana of Lazarevo, the patron of our sisterhood, today. St. Juliana is… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter January 2/15

Newsletter December 26 / January 8 Sunday after Nativity

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter December 26 / January 8  Sunday after Nativity Announcements "Mighty Mites" Collection Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Announcements Services were Nativity were beautiful and well attended. Thank you to everyone who participated! As Father Seraphim said in… Continue reading Newsletter December 26 / January 8 Sunday after Nativity

We worship Thy Nativity, O Christ, Show us also Thy divine Theophany Nativity of Jesus Christ, Eve of Nativity. Text/Audio.

Today, brothers and sisters, on this pre feast of Nativity, we hear so much about the humility and the lowliness of Christ. Many things that are not befitting of a king are happening. Now, we just read from St. Luke’s account about the Nativity that Mary kept all these things conjecturing them in her heart. We should follow that example. That is what the services really do. All of our services are this conjecturing in our heart, this thinking about holy things and rephrasing the dogmas of our faith in ways that touch us. If you listen to the services carefully, you will see things or hear things every day that are striking to you, that are amazing to you, that cut you to the core. And you should conjecture on them in your heart.

Now, today in the ninth hour there is this solemn troparion that is sung. It’s sung three times in the middle of the church. It is very beautiful, very profound, and you do prostrations afterwards. And its meaning is something that you should conjecture in your heart because it ends in this very solemn and profound way: “We worship Thy Nativity, O, Christ. We worship Thy Nativity, O Christ. Show us also Thy divine Theophany.” ….

Newsletter December 19 / January 1 Sunday before Nativity

  St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter December 19 / January 1  Sunday before Nativity Announcements "Mighty Mites" Collection Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Announcements The Nativity of our Lord falls on Saturday, January 7th. We will have many services on the 6th,… Continue reading Newsletter December 19 / January 1 Sunday before Nativity

Newsletter December 12 / 25 28th Sunday after Pentecost

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter December 12 / 25  28th Sunday after Pentecost Announcements "Mighty Mites" Collection Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Announcements The Nativity of our Lord falls on Saturday, January 7th. We will have many services on the 6th, and… Continue reading Newsletter December 12 / 25 28th Sunday after Pentecost

Prison Ministry Pastoral Letter. The Jesus Prayer. A short and eclectic teaching about baptism

Prison Ministry pastoral letter.
The Jesus Prayer.
You must pray for those you have bad feelings about.
Prayer ropes for everyone.
A short and eclectic teaching about baptism
Baptism ? to immerse
Scripture and baptism
An Entry into the Church
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Sacrament (Mystery) of Christian Baptism – St Cyprian of Carthage
Address at the Baptism of Anna Elizabeth Park
After baptism ….
Dec 11/24 2011 Eve of St Herman and St Spyridon, and for some, the Nativity of our Lord.

Electronic Newsletter December 5/ 18 27th Sunday after Pentecost

  St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter December 5/ 18  27th Sunday after Pentecost Announcements Happenings in the Past Week "Mighty Mites" Collection Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Announcements The Nativity of our Lord falls on Saturday, January 7th. We will have many… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter December 5/ 18 27th Sunday after Pentecost

Newsletter November 28/ December 1 26th Sunday after Pentecost

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter November 28/ December 1  26th Sunday after Pentecost Announcements Special Collection Scripture Memory Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Homilies and Spiritual Reading Announcements The Feast of St. Nicholas, the patron and protector of our parish, falls on… Continue reading Newsletter November 28/ December 1 26th Sunday after Pentecost