Items from April 2008 newsletter

Crossing Over the Line

The great Moses once drew a line. In a world gone mad with sin, self-indulgence, and idolatrous rebellion against God, he cried out, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!” (Ex. 32:26) He drew a metaphorical line in the sand, and called for the courageous to defy all that was going on around them and step over it. Many did, and that was when the fun really began. (You can read all about in Exodus 32.)

In Christ, God once again draws a line, and for two thousand years the Church has been calling for the courageous from the world to step over it. That is the essence of the catechumenate. A catechumen is not simply one who is receiving instruction—he (or she) is also one who is crossing over the line, leaving the side of the world and coming over to God’s side. (We see this spiritual defection from the world expressed liturgically when the catechumen-to-be spits on the devil, and then turns around and prostrates himself before Lord.)

The Christians are the people who have abandoned the world, renounced sin, self-indulgence and the idolatry of self, and taken their stand with Jesus Christ, our King and our God. And we find that as soon as we take this stand, the fun really begins.

The Christian life, therefore, calls for valiant hearts, an adventurous spirit, a two-edged sword in our hands and the high praises of God in our throats (Ps. 149:6). Pascha proclaims that the final victory is assured. Until that day of victory, we stand together, and march as one, in a mighty Paschal procession through the centuries. In the age to come, there will be time enough to strip our sleeves and display our wounds to the wondering eyes of angels. Now is the time to stand with Christ our King, to endure the heat of battle and to win the crown—“we few, we happy few, we band of brothers”.

Yours in the Lord,

Fr. Lawrence


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CONFESSIONS
Confessions are normally done after vespers or, if that is impossible, by appointment. After liturgy is NOT generally an appropriate or practical time. Unless it is an emergency, please avoid asking for confession after liturgy. In such a case, Fr. Lawrence will ask you to wait till after the community meal so that he can spend time with both our own members and our visitors.
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The BELLS of
ST HERMAN’s
The tower and bells may not look quite like this graphic— but they will ring to announce the beginning of services, starting NEXT SUNDAY APRIL 6th!!!
Please be there for the BLESSING OF THE BELLS at the end of Matins before Liturgy
begins at 10 a.m.
More info and photos HERE

APRIL SPECIAL EVENTS
Lenten Services continue on Wed. & Fri as per attached calendar.

Special note:

Wed. April 9 – 7.00 pm – Great Canon and Life of St. Mary of Egypt

Fri. April 11 – 7.00 pm – Akathist to the Most-holy Theotokos
These above two services are non-Eucharistic, so will not require fasting from noon; there will be NO MEAL afterwards.

SUN. April 6 10 a.m. —BLESSING OF BELLS and ringing for the first time!

PRE-PASCHAL CLEANING BEE!!!

Lazarus Saturday
Sat. April 19 – 10.00 am – Matins and church clean-up. Please bring along some cleaning supplies & Lenten lunch to share.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Week nights— all at 7 p.m.
MON. Apr. 21— Bridegroom Matins
TUES. Apr. 22— Bridegroom Matins
WED. Apr. 23— Presanctified Liturgy (Fast from noon, bring food to share)
THURS. Apr. 24— Twelve Gospel Readings
FRI. Apr. 25— Veneration & Procession w. Shroud

HOLY SATURDAY Apr. 26:
10. AM— Liturgy of St. Basil

10. PM— Baptism & Chrismation

11:30 PM—Nocturnes, Procession, Paschal Liturgy
Blessing of Baskets in hall afterward

HOLY PASCHA SUNDAY Apr. 27:
NO MORNING SERVICE THIS SUNDAY ONLY!

4 p.m. Paschal Vespers & Parish Barbecue