Saint John's Eastern Orthodox Church

1101 Bell Street, Amarillo, Texas, 79106                            (806) 355-0683

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Message from Father David

..."the stone the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone"....
Psalm 18:22

    In being in the ministry of "every other week and major feasts" for St John the Forerunner over these last 12 years, much has been accomplished in "living the way of Christ".  Although it may seem that we have reached a difficult low point, we have actually moved incrementally not dramatically in keeping with what God has given us to do. Persons who were with us in 2006 have moved on either to fuller opportunity or in keeping with the natural demands of "being alive in Christ'.  Our numbers have diminished yet the quality and quantity of our giving of ourselves and our treasure have in these, these last 8 months given signs of gradual improvement.  We as well have welcomed many persons, a modest number of converts...,families; looking for a community that offers friendly embrace.

   As the world around us presents challenges to all of us we have consistently

presented ourselves to God in celebrating our thanksgiving to Him for His presence in our lives.  Our study of Scripture on Sundays, when I your priest am absent, maintains itself as a core of our understanding and our capacity to understand God's revelation to us. To remind us all: the study begins with prayer at 11am and follows with conversation and reflection upon His words and those of His disciples.  As many of you are aware the parish council in deliberate action has managed

our resources well over these last 12 years. Yet we find ourselves as I mentioned above making modest advances in improving our financial 'bottom line". I would ask each of us to consider the "unseen benefits" that have appeared and manifested in our lives. How God through His ministry has allowed us the strength to meet adverse happenings and a sense of elation and joy for the "newness of life" that He has offered us in His mercy, In helping us all.

 We can respond by our commitment to to His Church.  Let us all reflect, as we read this, to increase our giving a modest amount of $25 or $50 a month, if we are able.  Through Christ we have overcome the fear of death.  With Him we can and do overcome our anxieties, doubts, and confusion. He answers our prayer and sees our fasting. He resolves for us and gives us a sense of proper relationship in our families, for our education, our vocation, our decisions! He grants grace and balm to our hurt feelings, our moral dilemma, and our weakening hope.  He is the stone upon which the Church is founded and renewed repeatedly in all ages as each Church is consecrated in God's time.  Let us  in joy and hope and awe......

......Be renewed, be renewed, O Jerusalem because your Light has shown, and the Glory of the Lord is upon you
This house has been founded by the Father...
This house has been made by the Son....
This house has been renewed by the Holy Spirit...
Which illumines, supports and hallows our Souls..
Blessed are we of St John’s...Glory be Him!

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News Letter

Schedule:

Jan19 Saturday Vespers 6pm
Jan20 Sunday Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy 10am
Parish council following Divine Liturgy
Jan21 Martin Luther King Day

Jan27 Sunday Bible Study 11am

Febuary1 Friday Vespers 6pm
February 2 Saturday Orthros 9a Divine Liturgy10a
Presentation of Christ in the Temple,Prophetess
Vespers 6p
February 3 Sunday Orthros 9a Divine Liturgy 10a

Fr David and Prebytera Vasiliki visit Metropolitan Feb 4/5

February10 Bible Study 11am

February16 Saturday Vespers 6p
February 17 Sunday Orhtros 9a Divine Liturgy 10
 Triodion Begins
Sunday of Publican and Pharisee

February 24 Bible Study 11am Sunday of the Prodigal Son

March1 Friday Vespers 6p
March 2 Saturday Orthros 9a Divinne Liturgy10
First Saturday of Souls
Please give FrDavid list of departed for memorial service !!

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