Consecration of the Pantocrator
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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March 23, 2020 Reflection by Fr. Jim King
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In an attempt to continue our communication with all of you during this time of uncertainty, Fr. George and I will be sending reflections and words of encouragement to you remotely a couple times each week. It’s important during this time of isolation and social distancing to stay connected as a parish family. So, to keep connected with you and equip you with ways for you and your family to stay focused on your spiritual well-being at this time, we will be sharing our thoughts with you.
Today, I wanted to pass along a nice prayer that came from a friend of mine, Fr. Elias Villas, who shared it on Facebook. I found it to be very helpful and comforting, so I wanted to pass it along to you. Please incorporate it into your daily prayer routine. May God continue to bless you at this time and may He keep you all safe and healthy.
With love in Christ,
+Fr. Jim
20 Prayers to Pray During this Pandemic:
1. For the sick and infected: Lord God, heal and help. Sustain bodies and spirits. Contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
2. For our vulnerable populations: Lord God, protect our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially the uninsured.
3. For the young and the strong: Lord God, give them the necessary caution to keep them from unwittingly spreading this disease. Inspire them to help.
4. For our local, state, and federal governments: Lord God, help our elected officials as they allocate the necessary resources for combatting this pandemic. Help them to provide more tests.
5. For our scientific community, leading the charge to understand the disease and communicate its gravity: Lord God, give them knowledge, wisdom, and a persuasive voice.
6. For the media, committed to providing up-to-date information: Lord God, help them to communicate with appropriate seriousness without causing panic.
7. For consumers of media, looking to be well-informed: Lord God, help us find the most helpful local information to equip us to be good neighbors. Keep us from anxiety and panic, and enable us to implement the recommended strategies, even at a cost to ourselves.
8. For those with mental health challenges who feel isolated, anxious, and helpless: Lord God, provide them every necessary support.
9. For the homeless, unable to practice the protocols of social distancing in the shelter system: Lord God, Protect them from disease and provide isolation shelters in every city.
10. For international travelers stuck in foreign countries: Lord God, help them return home safely and quickly.
11. For Christian missionaries throughout the world, especially in areas with high rates of infection: Lord God, provide them with words of hope, and equip them to love and serve those around them.
12. For workers in a variety of industries facing layoffs and financial hardship: Lord God, keep them from panic and inspire your church to generously support them.
13. For families with young children at home for the foreseeable future: Lord God, help mothers and fathers to partner together creatively for the care and flourishing of their children. For single mothers and fathers, grow their networks of support.
14. For parents who cannot stay home from work but must find care for their children: Lord God, present them with creative solutions.
15. For those in need of regular therapies and treatments that must now be postponed: Lord God, help them to stay patient and positive.
16. For business leaders making difficult decisions that affect the lives of their employees: Lord God, give these women and men wisdom, and help them to lead self-sacrificially.
17. For pastors and church leaders faced with the challenges of social distancing: Lord God, help them to creatively pastor their congregants and minister to their cities well.
18. For college and university students, whose courses of study are changing, whose placements are cancelled, whose graduation is uncertain: Lord God, show them that while life is uncertain, their trust is in You.
19. For Christians in every neighborhood, community, and city: Lord God, May your Holy Spirit inspire us to pray, to give, to love, to serve, and to proclaim the gospel, that the name of Jesus Christ might be glorified around the world.
20. For frontline health care workers, we thank You for their vocational call to serve us. We also pray:
Lord our God, keep them safe and healthy. Keep their families safe and healthy. Lord our God, help them to be knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, as well as the changing protocols.
Lord our God, help them to stay clear-minded in the midst of the surrounding panic. Lord our God, deliver them from anxiety for their own loved ones (aging parents, children, spouses, roommates).
Lord our God, give them compassion for every patient in their care.
Lord our God, provide for them financially, especially if they fall ill and are unable to work.
Lord our God, help Christians in health care to exhibit extraordinary peace, so that many ask about the reason for their hope. Give them opportunities to proclaim the gospel.
Lord our God, we trust that You are good and do good. Teach us to be Your faithful people in this time of global crisis. Help us to follow in the footsteps of our faithful shepherd, Jesus Christ Your Eternal Son, who laid down His life for the sake of love. Glorify His name as you equip us with everything needed to do Your will. Amen. (Composed by: Jen Pollock Michel)
March 23, 2020 Reflection by Fr. Jim King Read More »