Monthly Archives: October 2017

October 29, 2017 · 3:33 pm

THE CHILDREN’S WORD…When we are hurt or sick

Can you think of a time you got hurt? Maybe your father or mother gave you a hug and you felt better! In today’s Gospel reading, we hear about how Jesus touched people – and they felt better too! We hear about two miracles that our Lord did to heal people. In the first story, a girl had even died. Her father found Jesus and said, “Come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” Our Lord did just that. He touched the girl, and she did live. He made her better. In the other miracle, a woman had been sick for 12 years. She looked for Jesus too and said, “If I only touch His cloak, I will be made well.” And Jesus made her better too! When we read the Bible, we can find lots of other miracles that our Lord did. Lots of times, he touched the sick person, and healed him or her. He touched them, and they got better.

God wants us to get close to Him. He lets us touch Him and taste even His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. When we receive Holy Communion, we can get better too. Jesus can make us better when our bodies are sick. Our Lord can also make us better when we feel like we are far away from Him, and when we do the wrong thing. God wants to help us and heal us. Let’s come close to Christ, just like the two people in the miracle stories today!

Presvytera Alexandra Houck, myocn

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October 29, 2017 · 2:49 pm

Sunday Homily: 7th Sunday of Luke

Luke 8:41-56

Ask any particular person, “When do you pray?’’ Often the answer will be, ‘”when I have a problem”. This is well and good for Jesus wants us to turn to God in prayer. However, often we miss out on many other opportunities to turn towards the Lord for help. This is due, on one hand, to our own ignorance and doubt or on the other hand to the prodding influence of other people. Continue reading →

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October 29, 2017 · 2:42 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 22 – 29 OCTOBER 2017

SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER
† 6th Sunday of Luke | Luke 8: 26-39
†  Seven Youths of Ephesus
• 7.30 – 11.00am  Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am  Sunday School Classes

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR ALL AGES!
(A free voluntary program organised by the Church)
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. We have classes for ages ranging from 5yrs to teenage years. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.

This week’s readings:

Continue reading →

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October 21, 2017 · 9:24 pm

6th Sunday of Luke: The Gadarene Demoniac

Luke 8:26-39

The Lord’s entry into the country of the Gadarenes was a testimony that He came into this world, to seek and save the darkened and fallen nature of humanity, because the situation cannot remain like this. Humans should not live with a fearful and darkened heart, but in joy, in love and in the light. Continue reading →

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October 21, 2017 · 9:20 pm

THE CHILDREN’S WORD…How to be a good friend: St Nestor and St Demetrios

Do you have a good friend? This week we will celebrate one great saint, and the day after, we will celebrate the nameday of his good friend. Long ago, in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Christians were not allowed to be Christians. Well, they could be Christians, but they had to do it in secret or they could be hurt or killed.

St. Demetrios was a Christian soldier. He was sent to prison because he wouldn’t worship idols. He said he would only worship our one, true God… the same God that you and I worship! The general, who was in charge of that whole land, held a cruel game sometimes – he would send Christians into a stadium to fight a huge, strong man named Lyaeus.

Another Christian, named Nestor, decided to fight him, even though he wasn’t even close to Lyaeus’s size! Nestor wanted to show that God was on his side. He visited his friend, St. Demetrios, in prison, and asked if he should. St. Demetrios gave him his blessing, and told his friend, Nestor, to always love God.

What wonderful friends St.Demetrios and St. Nestor are! They knew that the best thing they could do was to help each other love God. Can you help your friends do that, too?

Presvytera Alexandra Houck, myocn

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October 21, 2017 · 9:03 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 15 – 22 OCTOBER 2017

SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER
† 4th Sunday of Luke | Luke 8: 5-15
†  Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
• 7.30 – 11.00am  Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am  Sunday School Classes

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR ALL AGES!
(A free voluntary program organised by the Church)
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. We have classes for ages ranging from 5yrs to teenage years. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.

This week’s readings:

Continue reading →

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October 15, 2017 · 12:36 pm

Stay Focused and Bear Fruit

Homily for the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council and the 4th Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church – Luke 8:5-15

I am sure that we all waste our time and energy now and then. Of course, sometimes we need a diversion from our usual cares and there is nothing wrong with taking a rest from time to time. The problem, however, is when we find excuses not to do what needs to be done. We do not want to look back on our day, our lives, or our relationships and be saddened because we failed to give attention to what is truly important.

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October 15, 2017 · 12:32 pm

THE CHILDREN’S WORD…Are you listening?

How many times has somebody—a teacher, your mother or father, or even a friend— told you to LISTEN? Sometimes we DO hear something, but that doesn’t mean we are really listening!

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear a story about somebody who goes out to the field to plant seeds. Some seeds never sprout at all. Some seeds sprout at first and then die. But some seeds fall onto good dirt, and they do sprout. They grow and grow and give a good crop.

This story shows how we should hear God’s teachings. The Gospel explains that the seeds that are in the good dirt are the ones who, “hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart.” They hold onto it, because the word of God is something precious!
So it’s easy to hear the word, but we also have to listen. That means in church, or in church school, or when we read our Bibles, or when our parents tell us about Jesus Christ, we listen. We try to take these words about God and put them into our hearts. We try to live the words, and not just hear them. We hold them fast in an honest and good heart.

Presvytera Alexandra Houck, myocn

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October 15, 2017 · 12:22 pm

WEEKLY PROGRAM | 8 – 15 OCTOBER 2017

SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER
† 3rd Sunday After Luke | Luke 7: 11-16
† St Pelagia of Antioch, St. Pelagia Virgin-Martyr
• 7.30 – 11.00am  Orthros and Divine Liturgy
• 10.30 – 11.00am  Sunday School Classes

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR ALL AGES!
(A free voluntary program organised by the Church)
Lessons take place in the building behind the church and begin at the time of Holy Communion until Church dismissal. We have classes for ages ranging from 5yrs to teenage years. Lessons are taught in a relaxed, friendly environment. Please bring your children along to learn of their rich Orthodox faith and come close to God and His Love.

This week’s readings:

Continue reading →

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October 7, 2017 · 8:41 pm

Homily for 3rd Sunday of St. Luke

Luke 7:11-16

Good Grief
“Do not weep!” This is what Jesus said to the widow of Nain, whose son had died as she was processing with his body to the place of burial. Can you imagine her predicament? We learn from today’s Gospel reading (Third Sunday of Luke 7:11-16) that she previously lost her husband (v.12) and that this was her only child or at least her only son (v.12). Can you imagine her pain? And Jesus says to her “Do not weep” (v.13). It reminds me of adults who say to crying children, “Knock it off, stop crying.” Now we know this was not Jesus’ intent, for the gospel also tells us that “He had compassion upon her” (v.13), and we know He had something in mind when He said, “Do not weep.” We’ll get to that later. Continue reading →

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