Family Ministry Minute – February 15, 2021
Family Ministry Minute – February 15, 2021 Read More »
Christmas Message from Fr. George
Christ is born – ولد ألمسيـح
GLORIFY HIM! – فمجد وه
I greet you and your loved ones with the joy that filled the universe on the night our Lord was born, “Do not be afraid,” said the angel to the shepherd. “I bring great tidings of joy to you tonight; for in the city of David, a Savior is born, our Emanuel,” which means God is with us.
This Christmas will be unlike any other year. Many families will not be reunited due to the corona pandemic, but keep in mind that Christmas is more than a Christmas tree and gifts. Christmas is YOU. For God, Who loves us, became man so you and I will live the calling of God in our daily lives.
Remember, you are the manger where Jesus was born, not only on Christmas Eve, but every day for the rest of your life. You are the only icon of the Nativity. The world has forgotten that Christmas is the season of hope and our hope centers on Christ. The whole world is looking for hope.
I understand that many are tired and worn out by the pandemic. We have loved ones contracting the coronavirus. Many families are grieving over the death of a loved one and for these reasons, many of us are filled with anxiety and stress.
If we are to remain in Christ, we are to exchange the greeting of this Holy day—Christ is born. We are to glorify Him. He is here on earth. Do not forget to receive Him. He came from heaven to raise you up on an eagle’s wing and invite you to the celebration.
Nouhad and I, our children and grandchildren celebrate 49 years with you and for that we are forever grateful; for gratitude is the song of the heart. We also thank you for your generous response to the needs of the church during this pandemic.
On behalf of Fr. Jim and Audrey, the clergy, the Parish Council, Elie Akel, Chairman, and all church organizations, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Yours in His Service,
Fr. George and Nouhad Shalhoub
PS: If you are able, please join us for Christmas Eve Liturgy beginning at 8:00pm.
Please watch the Hymn of the Nativity in English and Arabic, sung by Fr. George Shalhoub and Fr. Chris Holwey.
Christmas Message from Fr. George Read More »
Thanksgiving Reflection by Fr. Jim
“Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:20-21
We greet you during the start of this season of the Nativity and encourage you to stay focused this Thanksgiving day on the many things for which we can be thankful. It’s important now more than ever to look ahead and stay focused on our Orthodox Christian faith and the hope that it brings to us, even during these unprecedented times that we are currently experiencing.
Thanksgiving Day 2020 will always be remembered as the day many families choose not to be together due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has altered life as we know it. The virus has created a sense of hopelessness, confusion, anger, fear, and frustration which has left our society feeling anxious and nervous about our health, our livelihood, our emotional well-being, and about how we interact and relate to other people, including our own family. These are difficult times. These are scary times. And these are times of much uncertainty.
Scripture tells us that we are called to be thankful to God always and for all things. And the prayers of our Holy Church remind us that at all times we are to call upon the name of the Lord and glorify His Holy name. This season of Thanksgiving may leave many of us feeling as if there isn’t much for which to be thankful.
However, despite the condition of the world around us today, we implore you to remain steadfast in your thanksgiving to God. Because, even during these difficult times of separation, illness, isolation, and fear, it’s more important right now, than ever before, to remember all the things for which we can be thankful.
- Remember this Thanksgiving Day to thank God for sending His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this fallen and broken world to save us, and to redeem us, and to lead us to everlasting life.
- Remember this Thanksgiving to thank God for your family and for the people God has placed in your life.
- Remember this Thanksgiving to thank God for those who are on the front lines of this pandemic: the doctors, the nurses, the first responders, and all the frontline workers.
- Remember this Thanksgiving to thank God for our civil leaders who are leading us through this battle with the Coronavirus.
- And most importantly, remember this Thanksgiving to thank God in prayer.
“O Christ our God, Who at all times and in every hour, in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified, Who are long-suffering, merciful and compassionate, Who loves the just and shows mercy upon the sinner, Who calls all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come: O Lord, in this hour, receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds, and deliver us from all tribulation, evil and distress. Encompass us with Your holy angels, that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory, for You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.“
On behalf of Fr. George and Kh. Nouhad Shalhoub, the clergy, Mr. Elie Akel (Parish Council Chairman) and all parish council members, we wish you and your family a blessed Nativity Fast and happy Thanksgiving.
With Love in Christ,
Fr. Jim and Kh. Audrey King
Thanksgiving Reflection by Fr. Jim Read More »
2020 Easter Message
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
With this proclamation, we send you our prayers and love from hearts full of concern for you and your family’s well-being. With never ceasing prayers I offer on your behalf to assure you that the Lord is at hand.
This Easter is unlike any we have enjoyed in the past. It is not about colored eggs or chocolate. It is not about a basket of candy or bunnies. It is about an empty tomb as our families and nation suffer from the coronavirus, forced into isolation and self-imposed imprisonment. We are denied the hugging of one another or comforting each other.
Easter is about the assurance of the empty tomb. It is about life over death. It is about Jesus fulfilling a promise. It is about victory over death. Hell has been destroyed and this Light shall always shine from the empty tomb. Remember, after the crucifixion, after the crown of thorns, after the sponge of vinegar, after the spear, after the giving up of His life, after the burial, there is an empty tomb. As the angel said, “He is not here. He is Risen.”
This Holy Week we are crucified with Him, but on Easter Sunday we will be glorified with Him. We died with Him, but on Easter Sunday we become alive with Him. During Holy Week, we are buried with Him and on Easter Sunday, He will raise us up with Him. The spirit of Easter calls us to a sense of renewal and hope; that as our Redeemer lived, we shall all live.
On behalf of Fr. Jim and Audrey King, the Deacons, the Parish Council; Elie Akel, Chairman and all church organizations, we wish you a Blessed Holy Pascha.
Al Masih Qam! Hakan Qam!
Yours in the Risen Lord,
Fr. George and Nouhad Shalhoub and family
2020 Easter Message Read More »
Palm Sunday Reflection
(from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians)
Beloved,
Faith and peace from our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, as I write to you, in the midst, of our Palm Sunday commemoration. Even though we are practicing social distancing, you are always close to my heart as I practice spiritual prayer for your sake.
Don’t let Palm Sunday go by without making a statement of faith. Dress you and your children as if you are going to church. Light their candles and walk around the house, shouting as the children of old, “Welcome, Christ, to Jerusalem. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth is full of Your glory. Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of our Lord, our Savior.”
I thank God, with joy, every time I remember you in my supplications. For God is my witness how I long for you and your children. I pray that you stay strong in one spirit, fighting without being tired in everything that will oppose you. Consider, in humility, others better than yourself so you will always be blameless and children of the most-high God.
Do not be anxious about anything. Christ is still our light and comfort. “Nothing can separate us from Christ. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow”. (Romans 8:38) Every one of us is experiencing, especially during these difficult times, what makes us healers – when we love one another. Rejoice in the Lord so you may become blameless and harmless to shine for Christ and your family.
Beloved, my love for you is forever and therein lies my true joy and my real crown. In your prayers and supplications, do not forget to give thanks when you give your request to God. God will supply us, sooner than many people think, with recovery from this coronavirus. Let us not forget to pray for all those in the medical field, our first responders and those who supply us with all our needs.
In Christ Jesus, always remember to desire God’s peace; for only His peace will surpass human understanding. Guard your hearts and minds with confidence in the Lord. The Lord is at hand. Rejoice in the Lord.
On behalf of Fr. Jim, the clergy and all church organizations, Blessed Palm Sunday.
Your Servants and Shepherd,
Fr. George and Nouhad Shalhoub
Palm Sunday Reflection Read More »