Bible Study St. Mary UOC (Pokrova) 9 November 2016 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy) Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. […]
Bible Study 6: Cain & Abel, the Nephilim, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel
November 2, 2016 By
Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy) Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all […]
Homily Notes: A Thorn in the Flesh
October 30, 2016 By
The Balance of Mystery and Persecution 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9 (Epistle) The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. [In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let […]
Bible Study 5: Genesis One – Resting… and Falling
October 27, 2016 By
Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy) Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all […]
Homily Notes: The Law of (Joyfully) Sowing and Reaping
October 23, 2016 By
A Universal Law (cause and effect): Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly; whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6) Explain metaphor. What is sowing? What is reaping? What are WE supposed to sow? Ourselves. The Gospel. (same thing) What are we going to reap (what is a bounty? What will we really enjoy?!) […]
Bible Study 4: Genesis One – Image and Likeness
October 12, 2016 By
Bible Study 4: Genesis One – Image and Likeness St. Mary (Покрова) Cathedral Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy) Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. […]
Homily Notes: the high calling of the royal priesthood
October 10, 2016 By
Luke 5:1-11 The calling of the Apostles: be fishers of men! [a note on the purpose of the homily; it convicts, but does not accuse. We don’t give the “Devil’s Homily”.] Why? Why is the Gospel so important? [explain] Profound claim: “it is no longer I who live but Christ (GOD!!!!) who lives in me!” […]
Spiritual Speaking: “Why can’t women go into the altar?”
October 10, 2016 By
Spiritually Speaking (weekly adult education series) The Big Question (and Third Rail): “Why can’t women go into the altar?” The short answer; “they can”. The longer answer; “it’s complicated”. Introduction: what is going on in the altar and what is it for? Look at our ritual and how we treat sacred space (and especially the […]
Bible Study 3 – The First Four Days of (Functional) Creation
October 5, 2016 By
Bible Study 3: Genesis One – Creation as Liturgy 05 October 2016 St. Mary (Покрова) Cathedral Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy) Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message […]
Homily Notes: Christianity is not a change of uniform, but a change of heart
October 2, 2016 By
Galatians 2:16-20 St. Matthew 22:45-46; St. Mark 8:34-9:1 Today, Christ tells us that the most important commandment is; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Is this even possible? It may not be. After all, Christ also said that; It is easier […]
