The Orthodox Mission

Chronicle of the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission
Diocesan Bishop - His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN
Aministrator - Fr. Rodney Torbic
408 Morgantown Avenue
Fairmont, West Virginia 26544

July 20 / August 2, 2008
St. Elijah the Prophet
No. 152
Phone 724-966-7428
Phone 304-534-5321
Phone 304-622-3681

Acts 20:28

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which He obtained through the blood of His own Son.

· Five people came on July 5 for Divine Liturgy. One communicant.

· The Vesper service was read on July 23.

· Happy Slava to all parishes and individuals celebrating today.

· All parish churches will be closed tomorrow for the celebration of Diocese Day.

· Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are needed in Harrison County. Support every child's right to a safe and permanent home, Contact Vesna Meinert, Volunteer Coordinator for the Harrison County CASA Program at 304-623-5749..

· Let us remember the men and women in the military and their families.

· Let us remember the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, those in care homes, hospitals, rehab centers and the staffs and caretakers.

· Let us remember the suffering Serbian People in Kosovo and Metohija.

· Contributions are being accepted for the Suffering Serbian People in Kosovo and Metohija and will be forwarded to the Diocesan Relief Fund.

· Continue to support the Mission by coming to services as often as possible.

· Remember the men and women working in dangerous occupations including those in the mines and criminal justice agencies, the police, correctional officers and parole agents.

From the Wisdom of Sirach
16:12-14

As great as is his mercy, so great is also his reproof; he judges a man according to his deeds. The sinner will not escape with his plunder, and the patience of the godly will not be frustrated. He will make room for every act of mercy; every one will receive in accordance with his deeds.

The Lord Jesus Christ

Isaiah 9:5 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. His name will be called the Angel of Great Counsel, for I shall bring peace upon the rulers, peace and health by Him. ¹

The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ was greatly anticipated. The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ ushered in an era of new hope. The era of hope continues until the present. Believers find firm and irrevocable hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important relationship we have. All other relationships are affected by our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The way we relate to the Lord Jesus Christ, the way we pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, the way we worship the Lord Jesus Christ affects all of our relationships.

Our stability, integrity and identity are affected by our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The way we look at the world and the way we define happenings in the world are influenced by our view of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The relationship we have with the Lord Jesus Christ deserves great care. The relationship is formalized at Holy Baptism. Prior to baptism, the appropriateness of formalizing the relationship is determined.

With adults, the decision to be baptized is conscious and made of the person's own free will. Infants are baptized based upon the actions of the parents and/or guardians.

At some point in life, individuals determine whether to confess the Lord Jesus Christ as King and as God. At some point individuals determine whether they will denounce Satan and spit upon him. ²

Confessing Jesus Christ as King and as God sets the person apart from other individuals not making the confession. A person confessing Christ can put him or herself in harms ways in certain environments.

While Christians are expected to be ambassadors for peace, not everyone will welcome firmly identified Christians. Committed Christians uphold the teachings of Christ and spread the Gospel of Christ.

The Gospel is not always welcome. Preaching the Gospel can be met with resistance. Committed Christians provide a contrast in environments which acquiesce to sinful activity.

¹Biblical quotes from The Orthodox Study Bible. OT. (SAAS) NT. Thomas Nelson, 1982/2008.

²Baptism. Department of Religious Education, New York, New York, 1972, pp. 39-40.

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission, Fairmont, West Virginia
July 20 / August 2, 2008

Fr. Rodney Torbic

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