“And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (from St. Paul letter this Sunday)
Dear all of you who put on Christ in baptism,
Blessed Feast of Theophany.
The most important things that every community of believers must have, are “different gifts” for the purpose of one ministry “our salvation”. St. Paul in his letter this Sunday says that everything in the church is done “for building up the body of Christ”. We are the Body of Christ. Each one of us God gave a talent and a gift. Each one of us when he/she uses God’s gift, we contribute to the “work of ministry” of the Church. The ultimate goal of all ministries is that the Faith remain one, to grow in the knowledge of Christ, so that we may reach “mature manhood” towards the fullness of Christ. Mature manhood (means human beings) is to be like Christ the perfect Man.
The season of blessing homes is here. Father will bless homes by wearing his mask all the time. If you would like to have your home blessed, please email, or text Father with your name and address. Please, do not email or call the office. If you know other members of our church are in your neighbourhood, please coordinate with them so Father can bless all the homes on the same day.
We will continue our Bible Study next Thursday the 14th at 7 PM using the same Google Meet account.
Next week the Engaged couples will meet with me on Monday night. I am thinking we should do sessions for those of you who have been married more than 10 years. The young adults will meet on Tuesday night with a guest visitor. If your young adult person is not part of the WhatsApp group, please contact Fouad Alhinn or Edmond Farah.
The Gospel of this Sunday conclude with this verse: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In order for us to do “the ministry of the Church” we need constant repentance, means change of mind, change of our approach, change of life, change to our attitudes. We can not minister/serve in the Church if we are not willing to die to ourselves.
All of us who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Let us be “Christ” every day.
Rev. Fr. Dr. George Dahdouh, Pastor
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
9116 Bayview Ave.,
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3M9
Office: 905/731-7210, Cell in case of Emergency: 416/937-6301
~Pastor’s Message of January 10, 2021~