Newsletter
of
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
285 French Hill Road
Wayne, NJ 07470-3976
Telephone: (973) 696-6572
Web Page: www.heisrisen.org

February 2012

When You Fast

Dear Ones,

We are again approaching the time of Great Lent.  It is the special time devoted to preparing us for celebrating Pascha, the Resurrection of our Lord.

If you seriously study each of the Gospel readings that are associated with each of the weeks of Pre-Lent and Great Lent, you will discover themes very much related to your everyday life. Some readings identify the problems we face.  Others reveal the way out.  In every case, if we approach with an open heart, we will experience enlightenment and understanding.

This effort, however, will have a limited effect if it is not accompanied with prayer and fasting.  Fasting from certain foods—particularly meat and dairy products—is the proven and time honored way to discipline our body.  (Personally, it always teaches me how much “King Stomach” is in control of my life).  The same is true of regular prayer. All prayer must begin with a desire to come closer to Christ. He is always present in our lives, but only a disciplined prayer life can take the scales off our spiritual eyes so that we can see Christ. In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches his disciples—and us—with the following words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Unless our prayer is intertwined with our keeping of a fast, our mind will wander as we pray. (For me, it is like having gerbils running on a wheel in my mind).

An open heart, a desire to improve our spiritual consciousness, and our willingness to seriously focus this year on fasting and prayer as “two sides of the same coin,” offers hope to all who are downtrodden and troubled.

An open heart and mind can give hope and peace from above, sustaining us, enlightening us, and bring us to greater spiritual maturity.

May Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer, link our personal and corporate efforts devoted to increased prayer and fasting, and receive it as a spiritual offering elevated to his throne in the heavens.

With gratitude,
Father Paul

REMEMBERING THE DEPARTED

The Church calls us to remember those who have departed this life before us in the hope of the resurrection. This serves to remind us that Jesus “is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” (Luke 20:38)  The Orthodox Study Bible notes explain it in this way. “Since God is not the God of the dead but of the living, both those who are physically alive and those who are deceased, all live in Him.”

During this month of February, a General Memorial Service will be held on Saturday the 25th at 4:30 p.m. prior to the 5:00 p.m. Vespers.  

During the month of March, Memorial Divine Liturgies will be celebrated on Saturday the 10th and 17th. The Liturgy will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Enclosed in this NEWSLETTER is a Memorial Commemoration Form.  You are welcome to complete it and return it to the church.  You are encouraged as well to participate in these three services as an integral part of your Lenten journey.

COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE

February 5th – Diane Heiser, Eric and Allison Martinez, Sasha Robinson, Trish Vichiconti
February 12th – Len Berdy, Lou Anne Kapura, Eleanor Race, Tanya Reese
February 19th – Greg and Claudia Cuca, Lily Helgiu, Lori Van Vliet
February 26th – Melanie Ferrari, Olga McCaffery, Kelly Tracy, Letty Tracy, Jennifer Uchanow
March 4th – John and Daria Chasse’, Susan Klein, Nina Sharrock

“SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY”

The parish youth group asks you to join in on Sunday February 4th for “Souper Bowl Sunday.”  You are invited to participate by bringing a can of Progresso soup to vote for the Giants or a can of Campbell’s soup to vote for the Patriots. You may cast as many votes as you wish with your soup. Our collection will then be donated to the WIN food pantry.  May the best team win!

NEW PARISHIONERS

We welcome Anthony, Allyson, and Logan Grillo to our parish family.  The Grillos reside in Wayne.

SCOUT SUNDAY

On Sunday, February 5th, Scouts all over the United States will celebrate National Scout Sunday.  The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the Americas has designated this also as Orthodox Scout Sunday.  Scouts are invited to wear their uniforms to church so that we can recognize that they participate in the scouting movement.

CHILI COOKOFF

The parish’s Second Annual Chili Cook-off will take place on Sunday, February 19th.  Chili will be judged in several categories:  traditional, vegetarian, alternative, best overall.  In addition, we need a few people who are willing to provide the “sides” to go with the meal such as cooked rice, cornbread, crackers, etc.  There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule.  Last year the competition was fierce – bring it on!

ALTAR SERVERS RETREAT

The second annual Diocesan Altar Servers Retreat will take place at St. Basil Academy, Garrison, NY from February 24 - 26, 2012.  There is no charge to attend this retreat.  All information (permission slip/waiver, schedule, etc.) is available on the diocesan website at http://www.nynjoca.org/news_120118_1.html

Please let Fr. Paul know ASAP if you'd be interested in attending.  Once we have a head count, perhaps we can arrange for carpooling, etc.

SUNDAY MORNING DISCUSSIONS

You are invited to join in the Sunday Morning Discussions.  They are held weekly at 9:00 a.m. in the church.  Deacon Timothy Yates will coordinate the discussions.  Attention each week will be focused on the Scripture Readings to be read at the Divine Liturgy that follows.

Improve your knowledge of the New Testament Scriptures by participating in the Sunday Morning Discussions.

LENTEN SUPPERS

It has been a parish tradition to have a communal Lenten Supper following the weekly Presanctified Liturgy service during Lent.  In order to continue this tradition, we are asking if you would consider bringing soup or side dish to share during one of the Wednesday night suppers.  Also, there is always need for a person or two to clean up.  There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule. 

INTERNATIONAL BOUTIQUE

There will be a fantastic sale (25%!) on Sunday, February 19th.  (The sale excludes fine jewelry and pendants).

OUR LIBRARY

Great Lent is a wonderful time to substitute reading of appropriate Lenten literature rather than viewing television, etc.  The change could make a real difference in your life.  Many books associated with the season are available for loan from our expansive collection of library materials.

If you decide to borrow a book, please be sure to sign it out.  Please return it or renew it after two weeks so that we can keep our materials in good order.  The library is always open on Sundays following the Divine Liturgy.

TUESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

The Tuesday evening Bible Study class will resume on February 28th.  The class begins at 7:00 p.m. and meets in the parish center.  Dates and topics are as follows:

February 28  Jesus the Messiah  Mark 8:27 -38
March 6  The Lord’s Supper  Mark 14:12-26
March 13  Gethsemane   Mark 14:32-42 
March 20  Jesus Before Pilate  Mark 15:1-20
March 27  The Crucifixion  Mark 15:22-41
April 3   The Resurrection  Matthew 28:1-20

 
PLEDGE FORMS

You should have received your pledge forms for 2012.  Please take the time to prayerfully consider your pledge for the upcoming year.  It would be helpful if you would return one copy to the parish office as soon as possible.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Burk at office@heisrisen.org or (973) 696-6572.

ICE SKATING

Everyone is invited for fun, fellowship (and lots of hot chocolate!).  The gathering will begin at Ss. Peter & Paul Church, 98 West 28th Street, Bayonne.  Ice skating will be at the indoor Korpi Ice Rink located at Avenue A and 29th Street.  A social will follow back at the church hall.  The cost for skating, skate rental and social is $12/adult and $10/child.  If you just want to attend the social, the cost is $7/adult and $5/child.  For more information, please contact Marge Kovach (732) 815-9765 or mjkovach@aol.com.

YEAR-END STATEMENTS

To assist you with your tax preparation, the 2011 calendar year-end statements of giving have been mailed to your homes.  Please contact the parish office if you have any questions regarding your statement.  

Please help us to ensure that you receive proper credit for your donations in 2012 by using the envelope system.  If you do not place your offering in an envelope, your donation is not included in your statement, even if it is a check.  If you forget your envelope, there are extras at the candle desk.

 CHURCH SCHOOL

February is shaping up to be a busy month for the church school students.  On February 12th, there will be an ice cream social for the children during coffee hour to mark the beginning of Lent.  

Our pre-kindergarten class will have class on Sunday, February 19th.

February 19th begins the Lenten Reading Program where we ask the church school children to spend less time watching television, playing video games and listening to music and more time in quiet pursuits such as reading.

The teen group had a fun and successful event on January 21st following Vespers.  Several teens from our neighboring church in Clifton joined the festivities.