|
|
Hours of Service
Sunday Matins & Confessions 9:00 a.m.
Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday - Vespers 6:00 p.m. and Saturday - Vespers 5:00 p.m.
Our Mission Statement
St. Mary's Orthodox Church is a Pan-Orthodox community, under the direction of Metropolitan PHILIP Saliba, within the Self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Our services are conducted in English. Through worship, witness, fellowship and service, with all the saints, we commit ourselves and each other, and our whole life unto "Christ our God." As a church family, we are dedicated to the spiritual growth of our children and families through weekly Sunday School, fellowship gatherings, community service projects, retreats and continued learning of the Orthodox faith. We strive to:
Promote discipleship "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19)
Serve the Community - Align our goals with the will of God - Networking with neighboring Orthodox Churches Teach the apostolic ways of life, thereby tranforming the hearts and minds of individuals, families and our entire parish community.
Outreach
The Outreach Program has sought to promote St. Mary's as a resource center for unchurched Orthodox, the unsettled Orthodox and newcomers to the Orthodox Faith. Church follow-up ministry includes note cards, phone calls and personal visits.
Our Media Outreach consists of:
- The traditional Sunday bulletin.
- Monthly Calendar publishing all events and special services.
- Internet website: www.antiochian.org/stmaryswpb
- stmaryschurch@bellsouth.net
Fellowship
After Sunday Divine Liturgy, a "Fellowship Hour" with refreshments is served in our hall. Visitors have an opportunity to meet our priest and church family. Fellowship activities are provided throughout the year for all ages and interest groups.
Membership
Every baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christian is qualified to be a member of our Church.
From the Orthodox point of view, one becomes a member of the Church upon receiving the sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation (Confirmation). A communicant of the Church, however, is expected to practice the Faith, that is, to live the life of the Church. Living the Faith implies total commitment to the doctrines, teachings, canons and regulations of the Church inspired by Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition which are the two valid sources of teaching for the Orthodox Church and active participation in the Sacramental life of the Church. Any deviation from this standard seriously distorts the doctrinal integrity of the Orthodox Church and renders the Church ineffectual in her mission of Salvation.
In a sense, the three divine offices of our Lord as Prophet, Priest, and King find fulfillment in the Church. The Church is an extension in time of our Lord's body. As such, her mission on earth is to teach, sanctify, and guide mankind to eternal salvation and the inheritance of His everlasting Kingdom over which He, and He alone, exercises absolute lordship.
The Church is also the repository of Divine Grace. By living the Faith and sacramental life of the Church, man avails himself of the sanctifying power of our Lord working through the Holy Spirit which is necessary for salvation. From birth to death, and even after death, the Church offers unceasing prayers for our sanctification and ultimate salvation.
As Orthodox Christians, we believe the Church to be a divine institution, both visible and invisible, founded by our Lord, with a priesthood having "Apostolic Succession," that is, the ability to trace historically and doctrinally a line of ordination from the Apostles themselves.
A faithful Orthodox Christian is mindful of the needs of the Church on an international, national, and local level. For the Church to be viable as a visible institution, funds are necessary to provide the various ministries and supportive services for the propagation of the Faith.
A member in good standing, therefore, is one who:
- Holds the truth of the Church and practices the Faith.
- Lives the sacramental life, and
- meets his financial obligations to the local parish.
The Sacrament of the Holy Encharist (Holy Communion): is not offered to Non-Orthodox Christians. Holy Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who are in complete harmony with the Faith. If you have any questions or wish to embrace the Orthodox Christian Faith, please see the Priest.
Baptism (John 3:4,5): "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." The Lord said the new birth from above comes both through the Spirit and the water. In the combination of water and the Spirit we experience the salvaiton of both soul and body through the power of the Holy Spirit in the water. Our hearts are cleansed in baptism, and so are our bodies. God saves not only our souls but our bodies as well. By being born of the water and the Spirit in baptism, the whole human being is brought to salvation in the Kingdom of God.
Tithing: Is a voluntary offering of ten percent (10%) of one's income, given to God. God's people have the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of life by offering back a portion of what God has given to them. Tithing enables the Church to serve and meet people's needs (i.e. poor, distressed, discouraged). The tithe augmented by offerings enables the Church to serve others and to demonstrate in concrete ways that we love our neighbor and to carry out the work of evangelism.
Education
Guided and nurtured by our clergy, this group of dedicated teachers provides all members, young and old, with the correct teachings of the Holy Orthodox Church. Retreats and lectures are provided throughout the year. Short-term Bible studies are encouraged for a greater appreciation of the Faith. In addition, the following are offered:
- Sunday Church School
- Teen SOYO
- Sunday Adult Bible Study
- Home Bible Study
Ministries
Our members are encouraged to devote their time and talents for the building up of the Body of Christ through various ministires such as:
- Altar Boy or Reader
- Parish Counceil
- Outreach
- Charity
- Choir and Music
- Youth
- Stewardship
- Food Pantry
- Media
- Fellowship Committee
- Antiochian Women
The creation of new ministries is always encouraged too!
Worship
The parish maintains a full cycle of worship services including Vespers every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., Vespers each Saturday at 5:00 p.m., Sunday Matins at 9:00 a.m. followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. The life of the parish centers on these services and especially on Christ's presence in the Scriptures and the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Matrimony are offered.
Charity
Charitable works are done either as a corporate body or individually. Many members are involved with personal ministires to the sick, suffering, and needy and are helped by the remaining congregation in whatever means are needed.
Why St. Mary's Parish?
Living the Christian life is difficult in this highly secularized world. St. Mary's can help you in your efforts to practice the True Christian Faith today, tomorrow, and in the future.
