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Our Lord, in correcting Martha’s state of mind, gives us precious teaching about our dead, for when He said to her: “Your brother shall rise again,” she replied, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” And Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection.” Martha’s faith was insufficient in two ways: she thought of her brother’s resurrection in terms of the future, and only of the future. She could not conceive of this resurrection except in relation to some sort of general law. But Jesus indicates that the resurrection is a fact which is already actual, because He Himself is (and does not bring about) resurrection and life. Our dead are alive through and in Christ. Their life is bound up with the personal presence of Jesus, and is manifested in it. If we seek to unite ourselves in spirit with someone who is dead that we love, let us not try to revive him or her in our imagination but enter into contact with Jesus, and in Jesus we shall find him or her. – Fr. Lev Gillet 

“The resurrection of Lazarus allows a sinner like us to hope that, even though he or she seems spiritually dead, he could come alive again: ‘So I pray to You, O You lover of mankind, to raise me to life, I, who through my passions am dead.’ Sometimes this spiritual resurrection seems as impossible as that of Lazarus: ‘Lord, by this time, he stinks, for he has been dead four days.’ For all things are possible to Jesus—the conversion of the most hardened sinner as much as the raising of the dead: ‘Jesus says, Take away the stone.’” – Fr. Lev Gillet 

Church Announcements:

• We are fundraising for the purchase of the neighboring church. To donate, click here.    
• Men’s and women’s summer (used) clothes (T-shirts, pants, shorts, shoes) are needed.
  • Donations can be left at the shed next to the church van. 
• WEEKDAY LITURGIES CHANGES:
  • See Schedule Below
• Men’s Meeting:
  • Men’s Meeting will be this Thursday, August 3 at 7:30pm

Sermon:

• Raising Lazarus: God Renews Me -Fr. Gregory (7/30/23)

This Week’s Schedule:

• Monday:
  • Midnight Praises: 8:00-9:30pm
    
• Tuesday:
  • Bible Pleasure: 7:30-8:30 (In-Person and on Facebook) 
• Wednesday:
  • Liturgy: 7:00-9:00am
• Thursday:
  • Liturgy: 8:00-10:00am
  • Summer Nights: 7:00-10:00pm 
• Friday:
  • Liturgy: 7:00-9:00am
  • Youth Meeting: 8:00-9:30pm
• Saturday:
  • Hymns: 5:00-6:00pm
  • Sunday School/Bible Study: 6:00-7:00pm 
  • Vespers: 7:00-7:30pm
  • Midnight Prayers: 7:30-9:30pm
• Sunday:
  • Liturgy: 8:00-11:30am

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Thank you, God Bless