PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.) 2006-2007 WINTER-SPRING SESSION

Session 125

 

GUEST SPEAKER – 2  

FR. MICHAEL SHUSTER – “THE CARPATHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH”

Friday, November 17, 2006


 

 

OPENING PRAYER: PSALM 55 (RSV, SEPTUAGINT 54)

 
[1] Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication! [2] Attend to me, and answer me; I am overcome by my trouble. I am distraught [3] by the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me. [4] My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me. [5] Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. [6] And I say, "O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; [7] yea, I would wander afar, I would lodge in the wilderness, [8] I would haste to find me a shelter from the raging wind and tempest." [9] Destroy their plans, O Lord, confuse their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city. [10] Day and night they go around it on its walls; and mischief and trouble are within it, [11] ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its market place. [12] It is not an enemy who taunts me -- then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me -- then I could hide from him. [13] But it is you, my equal, my companion,   my familiar friend. [14] We used to hold sweet converse together; within God's house we walked in fellowship. [15] Let death come upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive; let them go away in terror into their graves. [16] But I call upon God; and the Lord will save me. [17] Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice. [18] He will deliver my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. [19] God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God. [20] My companion stretched out his hand against his friends, he violated his covenant. [21] His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. [22] Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. [23] But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee.
 

I BIBLICAL REFLECTION:

  Last Week’s Memory Verses Psalm 52 (51)

a) “Behold, God is my helper’”;

b) “I will give thanks to thy name, O Lord.”

  Messages  for our Life in Christ drawn from Psalm 55 (Septuagint 54)   Selection of Memory Verse.

 

II GUEST SPEAKER – FR. MICHAEL SHUSTER,

    PASTOR, HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH, SPRING HILL, FL.

 

III. MAP OF CARPATIAN MOUNTAIN AREA

 

 

IV SUMMARY OF FR. MICHAEL SHUSTER’S PRESENTATION

The Carpathian Orthodox Church

-Where do the people of the Carpathian Church come from?

-What they believed in.

-The influence of Saint Cyril and Methodios.

-The start of a new church and new language.

-Customs, traditions and Orthodoxy.  Can they be merged?

-Who do we belong to?

-The move to America.

-The start of a new era for Orthodoxy and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

-The time to change, which caused even more problems.

-As the years went by . . .

-Today, tomorrow and forever forward and heavenward.

 

V PRESENTATION OF ICON OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST AT THE TEMPLE TO FR. SHUSTER

 

CLOSING PRAYER From Day Before Nativity Vespers

  “Behold, the time of our salvation draws near: let the cave be ready, for the Virgin is about to give birth; and you, Bethlehem of Judah, rejoice and be glad, for the Lord will soon shine forth from your midst. Listen, all you mountains and you hills, and all you country of Judah: Christ is coming to save human beings, His creation, for He loves humankind.” Amen.     

      

Next Week- Friday, November 24, Thanksgiving Recess – No P.E.P.

Next Session- Friday, December 1 –Liturgical & Feast Day Text: St. Nicholas Video & Hymns of St. Andrew and St. Nicholas

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