Holy Bread (Prosphora) and Coffee Hour are offered by: Laura Stanley

Orthodox servants of God, that they may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation: Laura, AND Nick, Kay, Megan, Calvin, Diane, Marilyn, Rodney, Heidi, Will.

The Orthodox servants of God departed this life in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal: Connie, Mitchell, Elias AND Marlene, Roland, Ken, Herb, Sue, Kyle, Robert.

Trisagion Prayers of Mercy: will be offered today for the repose of the souls of the Servants of God, Virginia Bohannon.

May their memories be eternal!

Your prayers are requested:

Nadia Abdelmaseh, Joan Aboud, George Augst, Kh. Cindy Baize, Dawneen Banks, Karl Beal, Dn. Stephen Beasley, Brenda Bertog, Anita Bourgerie, Dennis Bourgerie, Jim Buckler, Teresa C., Deana Carothers, Roy Clark, George Cochran, Elisabeth Esquivel, Maria Greene, Weine Habtemariam, Jacqueline Howk, Edwin Kerley & family, Mary Ann Khoury, Michael and Robin Khoury and family, Marlo and Sue Kinsey, Sean and Valerie Lehl & family, Matthew and Erica Lockwood, Linda Love, Donna Namee, Robbie Namee, Barbara Nassif, Ken Shaheen, Annalise Shearer, Brian Smith, Bonita Somerhalder, Jerry Stitt, Jacob Taylor, Corina, Cristian, and Iulian Todorache, Autumn and Kim Volhein, Glen Willett, Jadallah Wolf, Kouri Wolf, Marcia Pinkerton-Wolfe, Elena Zamfir, Aidan, Anthony, Briana, Carlynne, Emily, Luciana, Samantha, Valerica, Xenia

May God remember all of them and us in His Kingdom.

We recently released a St Mary Guidebook for our parishioners. The Guidebook helps to provide insight into our practices, traditions, and expectations at St Mary. A hard copy of the Guidebook is available in the church foyer. If you prefer an electronic copy, let Fr Aaron know and he will email it to you. Each week we will provide a brief snippet from the Guidebook to help familiarize everyone with it. See below for this week's section. 

STEWARDSHIP

One result of a life of prayer aided by a fasting discipline is a life lived in service and sacrifice to others—be that a spouse, child, friend, enemy, neighbor, and/or stranger. We are called by God to receive His love, and having received His love freely, to "freely give" (Matthew 10:8). This giving can take many forms: time, attention, care, friendship, support, or money; but all are expressions of love—God’s love, received from Him and passed on to those around us.

TITHES AND OFFERINGS 

Properly speaking, our Almsgiving is distinct from our offerings to the Church. The earliest practice of giving in the early Church was a brief time in the Apostolic age when ALL of one's belongings were offered to God, and "laid at the Apostles' feet" (Acts 4:35). It wasn't long before a return to tithing, as inherited from Christianity's Jewish heritage, became the Church's tradition. In the practice of tithing, the members of the community of Faith commit to its material sustenance and its charitable works by an offering of ten percent of one's income. While every household has different financial circumstances, we should all strive to cultivate a Christian perspective on the responsible use of money and resources for the Kingdom of God. 

Many contemporary Orthodox Christians are unfamiliar with tithing due to a variety of historical influences. Traditionally in the Orthodox Church, we never have dues or other minimum donations required for membership. Rather, each member is encouraged to see themselves as stewards—not of “their” own belongings, but of what belongs to God and has been placed in our care.

Our community of St. Mary has been blessed greatly by God with a beautiful space for worship and the services of a resident Parish Priest, which are a blessing that contribute to the health and growth of our community. It should not go unnoticed, however, that the Lord accomplishes this through the tithes and offering of our members and families. Since it was by sacrificial tithes and offerings that God has blessed us thus far, we uphold this goal for all our members, knowing that this step of faith is a blessing to all who take it. 

Whether through a full tithe, one that exceeds it, or one that works towards it, every adult member of the community bears the blessing of the responsibility to financially support our community. This financial support allows us to maintain the gift of the community entrusted to us and allows us to grow in the future. 

Members of our parish community give in different frequencies. Some give weekly, others monthly or quarterly, while still others offer their entire tithe on an annual basis. The most important aspect of our offerings is that we give on a sacrificial basis.  

PRIEST DISCRETIONARY FUND

Our parish maintains a fund to be used for those in need, whether within our parish community or "outside” our parish. Donations to this fund can be made by giving cash or check to St Mary Orthodox Church, earmarked Priest Discretionary Fund. All members of the community are encouraged to donate regularly to this fund as it helps us discreetly help our own parishioners in need. For questions about this fund, please see the Parish Priest. 

FAMILY PROMISE June 29 to July 6

St. Mary is the host parish for FAMILY PROMISE the week of June 29th to July 6th. Please use the link below to sign up.  Opportunities for those who would prefer to sign up in person will be available after liturgy on June 15th and June 22nd.  Sign up opportunities include providing food for breakfast and snacks, evening meals, a hot breakfast on Saturday, transportation to and from the Day House, laundry, and spending the night at the church. Thanks for your support of this important ministry. Contact Vicki Jones, 650-0658 or Father Aaron with any questions.  

St. Mary Orthodox Christian Church: Family Promise June 29

Our new text message system through tithe.ly is now up and running. We need anyone who wants to receive text messages from the church to sign up for this service (even if you had already signed up using our previous Remind system). You can join by following these quick steps: 
 
- Text the phone number 855-516-9861 with the following phrase in the message box: STMARYTEXT 
 
- Click on the link sent back to you via text and fill out your name (having your name will make it much easier for us in the future to create separate groups, such as the Parish Council, the Belles of St Mary, etc.).

- Check the box giving permission to receive texts.

- Click the "Submit" button. 

Once you have done this, you should be automatically added to our text message list. Contact Fr Aaron if you have any issues. 

The Belles Upcoming Events

Family Promise - Tuesday July 1st serving Dinner. Coordinator Vicki Jones.

Make Holy Bread - Saturday July 12th 7:30 am mixing, 8:30 am Bread - Coordinators Robbie Namee and Laura Stanley.

Ladies Night Out - Tuesday July 15th 6 pm Thai Traditions 650 N. Carriage Pkway - Coordinator Beth Elliot.  Please contact her if you plan to attend. 

Central Standard Brewing Company - July 17th. Coordinator Jessica Lessman (316)209-5102. Please contact her if you are interested in going.

Irene Wagner (6/24), Eleanor Jacobs (6/25). Jeremiah & Sarah Wagner (6/26), Don & Valerie DeBolt (6/27).

May God grant them many years!