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A Blessed New Year with Christ
For our salvation, the Son of God is made the Son of man. Nine months, He awaits His birth in the womb, undergoes the most revolting conditions, and comes forth covered with blood, to be swathed in rags and covered with caresses. “He who claps the world in His fist” is contained in the narrow limits of a manger. I say nothing of the thirty years during which He lived in obscurity, satisfied with the poverty of His parents. When He is scourged, He holds His peace; when He is crucified, He prays for His crucifiers. “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord? Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Ps. 116:12-13). The only fitting return that we can make to Him is to give blood for Blood; and, as we are redeemed by the blood of Christ, gladly to lay down our lives for our Redeem. What saint has ever won his [or her] crown without first contending for it? Righteous Abel is murdered. Abraham is in danger of losing his wife. Look for yourself: you will find that all holy people have suffered adversity. Solomon alone lived in luxury, and perhaps it was for this reason that he fell. For “whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” For a short time let us do battle, to carry stakes for the defense, to bear arms, to faint under heavy armor so that afterward we may continually rejoice as victors. – St. Jerome
Church Announcements:
- New Year’s Eve Schedule:
- This New Year’s Eve Services will be dedicated to the speedy and complete recovery of our beloved Mina Hanna and Immanuel Raheb
- Feast of the Nativity:
- The schedule will be sent out soon.
- Men’s Meeting:
- The Men’s Meeting will be this Thursday, January 11 at 7:30pm
- To receive information on the men’s meeting, click: Men’s Meeting
- Women’s Meeting:
- The Women’s Meeting will resume in January of next year
- Bible Pleasure:
- Tuesday nights at 7:30.
- Covering the last days of St. Mary’s life
- Deacon’s Meeting:
- To receive information on the deacons’ meeting, click Deacon’s Meeting
- To join the COCC Advanced Hymns Class meeting, click Advanced Hymns Class
- Donations Needs:
- Men’s and women’s clothes (T-shirts, pants, shorts, shoes) are needed.
- Hygiene supplies are also needed (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, small bottles of shampoo and conditioner)
- Donations can be left at the shed next to the church van.
Sermon:
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: 8:00-10:00am
- Thursday:
- Liturgy: 7:45-9:30
- Friday:
- Paramouni Liturgy: 8:00-10:00am
- Youth Meeting: 8:00-9:30pm
- Saturday:
- Feast of the Nativity
- Sunday:
- No Liturgy at 8am