October 2024
Here we are already in October, with over three-quarters of the year behind us, and we will be coming up to some very important Feasts in these last few months.
We know that the history of the Orthodox Christian Church begins in the Acts of the Holy Apostles, with the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at Pentecost, it says; When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).
We are all called as Orthodox Christians to understand the true essence of the faith. The receiving of the Holy Spirit helps us to receive the true teachings of the church. The Holy Spirit is our helper, Christ says; If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-–the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
The church provides us with all the teaching that is necessary to receive the true essence of the faith, but we still have to implement it in our lives. When we come to church to worship Christ and to be able to draw closer to Him, we should leave all our earthly cares behind, and truly focus on the prayers that are being said and sung. Even at home we should clear our minds before we do our prayers or read the Gospel and Epistle for the day, and always try to remember Christ through out the day.
Orthodox Christianity is a way of life, but in this day and age, Christianity comes in all different shapes and sizes, and is often looked on as an obstacle or an intrusion to the way “I” want to live. But we know, as Orthodox Christians, that our life in Christ is necessary for our soul. Many people are looking for the Truth of the Gospel, and we should always be open to sharing the Gospel with others. We should be sure that we are fulfilling what Christ has commanded us to do, and that is to go out and tell of the good news of the Gospel. We should try, during the rest of the year, to share that good news with someone and invite them to the church. May the good Lord help us in the building up of His church.
Fr. Mikel
Regular Services
Saturday: Vespers, 5:00 pm
Sunday: Divine Liturgy, 9:00 am
Address
1614 E. Monte Vista Rd.
Phoenix, Az 85006
Phone / Email
Fr. Mikel: 907-444-8545
Church: 602-253-9515
Directions To Saints Peter & Paul
This Week...
October 5, 2024
This Weds Oct 9th Bible study will begin at 6pm in the church hall.
Please be sure to fill out a contact form! David Bieber and Jonah Anderson are in the process of putting together a current contact list. Forms are available in the Church Hall at Coffee hour. There is a box in the narthex and one in the hall to put them in, or you can turn them into David or Jonah. Everyone should fill them out and return the form.
Collections for Project Mexico are on the 1st Sunday of the month, next collection will be tomorrow October 6th.
Foca is having the Tailgate Party on October 27th.
On October 29th St John the Evangelist is having their 2nd Annual Gala and Auction. Please see the flier.
In July of 2025 Phoenix will host the All American Council for the OCA. Dcn John Weiss is the clergy delegate and Lydia Osolinsky is the lay delegate. They will be asking people to fill positions on different local committees from all the local OCA parishes. The AAC is a large undertaking and will take somewhere in the range of 40 - 50 people to fill all the spots. All the OCA Bishops and clergy will be here as well as lay delegates and observers from each church. If you would like more information please see Dcn John or Lydia.
Whittier School Christmas Gift Outreach: We are very thankful to have Christine Sanchez and Shayla Felix volunteer to be Co-Coordinators of our Whittier School Christmas Outreach this year! We will be kicking off this outreach beginning in October with more detailed information to follow on how each of you can participate in making Christmas brighter for many children and families in our local community.
We should always remember to tithe, as this is very important to keep the church running, and it is also an offering to God.
The OCA clergy wives have taken on the responsibility of purchasing a reliquary for the Canonization of Mat. Olga. The goal is to reach $10,000 to purchase the reliquary, The Myrrbearers here at St P & P are taking collections to assist.
If you want to attain salvation, learn and keep in your heart all that the holy Church teaches and, receiving heavenly power from the mysteries of the Church, walk the path of Christ's commandments, under the direction of lawful pastors, and you will undoubtedly attain the Heavenly Kingdom and be saved. All of this is naturally necessary in the matter of salvation, necessary in its entirety and for all.
St. Theophan the Recluse
