CALENDAR 2012

 

Published for the Orthodox ommunity of

      Christ the Savior in Saratoga County, NY

                      Vol. 24                No. 1

 

Forming JESUS CHRIST

within us!

 

Let us be mindful of the admonition of St. Paul  to Titus (3:8): “…that those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” And as for ourselves, God makes us  complete in every good work we do, for we do it by His Will which is within us through Jesus Christ, and it is pleasing in His sight (Heb. 13:21).

hodox Community of

     Christ the Savior in Saratoga County, NY

                      Vol. 23                No. 5

 

Forming JESUS CHRIST

within us!

 

Let us be mindful of the admonition of St. Paul to Titus (3:8): “…that those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” And as for ourselves, God makes us  complete in every good work we do, for we do it by His Will which is within us through Jesus Christ, and it is pleasing in His sight (Heb. 13:21).
 

 

MAJOR FEASTDAYS ARE TYPED

 IN CAPITAL LETTERS & HIGHLIGHTED.

 

Any changes will be announced in church.

 
 
 


 

 

                                                                      

                                   JANUARY

 

  21                 5 pm.                        Vespers/Adult Catechism

 

  22                32nd  Sunday after Pentecost

           9:30 am.                 Divine Liturgy

           11:15 am.               Sunday School

 

 28      5 pm.                       Vespers/Adult Catechism

    

       29      Zaccheus’ Sunday

    9: 30 am.               Divine Liturgy

                11: 15 am.             Sunday School

                              FEBRUARY

        2     PRESENTATION OF LORD TO TEMPLE –Bless candles

                9: 30 p.m.                Festal Divine Liturgy

 

        4      5 pm.                       Vespers/Adult Catechism

 

        5      Publican & Pharisee  SUNDAY

               9:30 am.                  Divine Liturgy

        11:15 am.                 Sunday School

 

     11     5 pm.                        Vespers/Adult Catechism

 

     12      Prodigal Son  SUNDAY

               9:30 am.                  Divine Liturgy/General Confession

        11:15 am.                 Sunday School

 

    Father Igor expects to be on vacation from Feb. 15-25

    19       Last Judgment  SUNDAY; Meat-fare

                9:30 am.                   Divine Liturgy

         11:15 am.                  Sunday School

        

       26      Cheese-fare SUNDAY

                             9:30 am.                 Divine Liturgy

                             11:15 am.               Sunday School

                             5 p.m.                     Brotherhood Mission (tba)

 

GREAT LENT BEGINS: For Orthodox Christians, this is a period set aside for spiritual renewal, prayer and self-discipline. It is highly recommended that every Orthodox should attend these services during the first week of Lent.

 

   27        6:30 pm.                Canon Reading I of St. Andrew of Crete

    28         6:30 pm.                Canon Reading II of St. Andrew of Crete

 29         6:30 pm.                Pre-Sanctified Liturgy:  Those who would receive Holy Communion are reminded that the appropriate fast period should be from noontime or as close to it as possible, just as it applies to any evening liturgy. A lite lunch should be eaten. Those receiving should be using this lenten time as it is intended and have or will be soon going to private confession.

                                                         MARCH

  1          6: 30 pm.               Canon Reading IV of St. Andrew of Crete

                                       

    2          6:30 pm.               Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

    3          5 pm.                    Vespers/Confession

 

       4           Orthodoxy Sunday

               9:30 am.               Divine Liturgy w/ icon procession:  All youngsters    are   asked  to bring an icon from home for the procession before the lirurgy.

      11:15 am.              Sunday School

       5  p.m.                  Brotherhood Mission St. Sophia’s (Albany)

 

        7         6:30 pm.               Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

 

 10         5 pm.                     Vespers/Confession

 

 11          2nd Sunday of Lent – St. Gregory Palaamas

                   9:30 am.               Divine Liturgy

                               11:15 am.             Sunday School

                               5  p.m.                  Brotherhood Mission( tba)

 

        14                    6:30 pm.              Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

 

       17        5 pm.                    Vespers/Confession

 

       18                    3rd   Sunday of Lent – Holy Cross

                     9:30 am.             Divine Liturgy

                             11:15 am.               Sunday School

         THANK YOU

+for the gift of prosphora and wine used at Divine services

+to the volunteers for maintaining our fellowship at Coffee Hour after services

+to all the volunteers who continue to develop and maintain our property

+to the volunteers and donors for our various projects and the Christmas flowers

RELIGIOUS ARTICLE CABINET

         Take note of our lit cabinet that holds religious and other  items for sale in the foyer of our church.  While our supplies are limited at this moment, take time to look and see what is available. If there is something you would like (i.e. a special cross), just ask and we will get it for you.

FATHER & MATUSHKA WILL BE AWAY…

         Will be away from Feb. 15th – 25th.  In case of emergency, contact Fr. Peter Olsen (273-6262), Fr. Terenty (369-2430) , or Fr. Manny (573-1884) . If absolutely necessary, you may call Fr. Igor on his cell phone (316-1247).

WINE NEEDED FOR THE SERVICES

         Through the generosity of members, the wine used in the services have been offered in the past. We are asking for this gift offering  as we begin the new Church Liturgical Year of services. Please see Fr.

  ADDRESS CHANGES/ADDITIONS/CORRECTION

        The corrections to our parish Directory are as follows:

    DUVAL, Michael & Katherina – 24 Grounds Place, Albany, NY 12205: 339-5587

     MUTKA, Phil – 5 Applegate Drive, Apt. 19, Ballston Lake, NY 12019: 889-3419

 

SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP HOUR SCHEDULE

In the hall is the new schedule for sponsoring our Sunday Fellowship Hour. Please pick up your copy and highlite your dates.

GENERAL CONFESSION REMINDER

To those who regularly receive the Holy Eucharist, one must follow the Church’s holy instruction. It includes a daily prayer life, keeping the fasting days, individual private confession at least, once a year, an honest (serious) effort to grow in the Faith and to, MONTHLY, take part in the General Confession rite. In our parish, General Confession is normally celebrated on (unless otherwise scheduled) the 2nd Sunday each month at 9:30 a.m.  If you have prepared to receive weekly of the Holy Gifts but, for some reason, missed a Sunday (thus breaking the “chain” of attendance), you are directed to come privately for absolution the following Sunday or wait until the General Confession is again celebrated.

 

SPECIAL NOTE TO WATCH:  PUSSYWILLOWS

        As the weather warms up, please WATCH your pussywillow trees so that they may be cut, trimmed and stored in a cool, dark, and dry place for our Palm Sunday service.

 

 

 

 

                                    SATURDAY ADULT EDUCATION

          We have adult Catechism instruction after 5 p.m. vespers as scheduled. Please check the calendar. We look forward to seeing you at these informative discussions.

LENTEN CONFESSIONS

           In the holy lenten season, it is normal and appropriate for all Orthodox Christians to come to private confession and communion. Doing so enables us to capture the full meaning of the Resurrection and enter in the continuing saving work of our Savior started in our personal baptism. In order to meet the needs of our parish membership and not to overload myself at any particular time, we have encouraged the following alphabetical schedule for the hearing of confessions. It has worked quite well in the past. I ask your cooperation in this matter. I do ask that if a Sunday confession is necessary, please contact me so as I may properly prepare myself. If special conditions occur, please call me.

 

            Friday,   Mar.  2                   6 p.m.                                     Letters   A – B

                Saturday,  Mar.  3                                4:30 p.m.                               Letter     C

            Sunday, Mar. 4                                     9 a.m.                                     Letters    A - C

            Wednesday, Mar. 7                             6 p.m.                                     Previous letters

            Saturday, Mar.10                                4:30 p.m.                               Letters    F - H

            Sunday,  Mar.11                                  9 a.m.                                     Letters    I  - J

            Wednesday,  Mar. 14                        6 p.m.                                       Letter      K

                Saturday, Mar. 17                               4:30 p.m.                               Letters     L - M

                Sunday,  Mar. 18                 9  a.m.                                    Previous letters

                Wednesday, Mar. 21                           6 p.m.                                     Letters   M – P

                Saturday. Mar. 24                               4:30 p.m.                              

Sunday, Mar. 25                                  9 a.m.                                     Letter        R

         Saturday, Mar. 31                               4:30 p.m.                               Letters    S - Z

                Sunday, Apr. 1                                     9 a.m.                                     By appt.

                Wednesday, Apr. 4                              6 p.m.                                     Previous letters

                Saturday, Apr. 7                  8:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.         By appt.

 

CALENDAR COMING EVENTS

Friday, March 30 – Church Lenten Fish Fry

Sunday, June 10 – Annual Church Picnic

Saturday, July 7 – Church Flea Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Dear Brothers and sisters;

           To be a Christian is to identify one’s self with Christ. How do we identify ourselves with Christ? St. Paul says that “all who have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ”. What does this mean?

           First of all, to identify one’s self with Christ means that we believe in Him as Lord and as King. We believe in Him as “He through whom all things were created”, as we pray in the Creed. There is an inner reassurance that keeps us comfortable in those habits- the expressions of faith that we carry out each and every day. What are those outward expressions?

           A widow was once asked by a pagan gentleman, “Tell me about your God?” She answered: “If you want to know about my God, watch me!” Her answer says it all. People know our God by how we live; by how we speak; by how we eat; by how we remember Him. If someone were to be watching us, and this person was searching for God, would they want to unite themselves with the God we represent to them? Do they see a person filled with yearning for Church – the place where we worship Him and partake of His Body and Blood regularly? Do they walk into our houses and often smell incense that burns before the holy icons? Do they see the priest visiting our house to bless it, to visit our sick ones, to spend time with us as a helpful guardian of our soul’s existence? Do they hear good words about the community with whom we gather to worship and praise Him in mutual love? Do they ever pass by the church and see members of the community making time to maintain what the Lord has given us? Do they hear about what the church is doing, OR do they hear about what a “certain group/persons” is/are doing? If they should happen into church on a Sunday, would they see empty pews?

           Do they see a people strong and filled with the Spirit of God, eager to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and live that liturgy inside and outside of the walls of the Church?

           It is the period after Christmas/Epiphany leading to and into Great Lent, and we are blessed with these special opportunities (and grace) to enter into them with joy and open eyes, making the sign of the Cross and to renew ourselves. Will these opportunities to better ourselves be passed by…again? The answer I believe is in the following story.

           A man planned to fool Jesus before all the people and make Him look silly. He planned to take a little bird, and holding it in his hands, he would ask Jesus whether the bird was alive or dead. If He said ‘alive’, the man would simply twist the bird’s neck and prove Jesus wrong. If Jesus said ‘dead’, he would simply open his hands and let the tiny bird fly away.

           He approached Jesus, who was teaching before the multitudes, and said: “Teacher, what do I have in my hands?” Jesus answered:” It is a bird, my son”. The man feeling confident of his ploy said:” Is it alive or dead?” Jesus replied gently: “The answer is in your hands”.

 

Exerpt from The Journey of the Mind to God

 

           Since happiness is nothing but the enjoyment of the Supreme Good, and since the Supreme Good is above us, we cannot reach above ourselves in our own strength, we must be helped by supernatural strength, lifted up by a higher power that stoops to raise us. However much we structure our inner lives and make progress, it does us no good unless our efforts are accompanied by help from above.

           Divine aid is available for those who seek it with a devout and humble heart; this is done by fervent prayer. Prayer is, therefore, the source and origin of every upward journey toward God. Let us each, then, turn to prayer and say to our Lord God: “Lead me, O Lord, on Thy path that I may walk in Thy Truth.”

 

 

OUR CHURCH WEBSITE: Take a look.      www.xcsavior.org

 

The Trustees are working to improve communication among our members and enhance outreach.  Christ the Savior Orthodox Church can now be found on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/xcsaviorchurch on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/xcsaviorchurch and on the web at: http://xcsavior.org/.  In addition, members and friends of Christ the Savior Church can receive weekly e-mail updates with service and event reminders.  If you or someone you know has not received a weekly e-mail update and would like to, please contact Lynne Macko at themackos@nycap.rr.com to be added to the distribution list.