Dearly Beloved in the Lord,<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that time of year, when schools are out, vacations are taking place, and our weekend hours become all the more precious. There are many reasons not to come to church on Sundays.<\/p>\n
To be helpful, and to alleviate any pangs of guilt you may be feeling, I thought I should give you some more reasons. Though this list is not necessarily exhaustive, and I\u2019m borrowing much of the concept from other sources, let\u2019s make it easier for you to enjoy your Sunday mornings:<\/p>\n
MY TOP TEN REASONS NOT TO COME TO CHURCH THIS SUMMER:<\/p>\n
False! While some churches may be sweltering during the summer months, that is not the case for us! In fact, we can make the sanctuary so cold, that you\u2019ll need to wear a sweater and bring a jacket. Remember, I am wearing several layers of vestments while serving in the altar, so I actually prefer the church to feel like a wintery wonderland. Will that help us fill the church during the summer? Making it feel like December? Brrrr.<\/p>\n
Of course you do! Every other person who lives along the Wasatch Front does. Boats are great \u2013 Jesus spent a lot of time on boats since His Disciples were mostly fishermen. He preached from them, calmed storms in them, and walked on water towards them. Attend the Divine Liturgy this summer before launching your boat and I guarantee you\u2019ll hear at least one reference to boats and\/or water.<\/p>\n
And the flower beds need planting and the vegetable gardens need weeding and the fence needs painting and\u2026and\u2026and! There will always be chores to do around the house \u2013 both inside and out. But don\u2019t neglect being in the Lord\u2019s house as you attend to your own. Christ, Himself did allot of planting, harvesting, cultivating and pruning. But He did it for our spiritual benefit, not to our detriment. Put down the edger and come to Liturgy!<\/p>\n
Since moving back to Utah, we have experienced much less of this annoying occurrence in sports, but it still happens. I remember attending a club (comp) soccer game on a Sunday morning, at 7:00 am; two hours before the Orthros. Of course I was wearing my collar and a black suit since I was leaving directly to celebrate services. A woman wearing a Notre Dame hat asked me, \u201cFather, don\u2019t you have somewhere to be?\u201d So of course I answered. \u201cSure. Don\u2019t you also have somewhere else to be?\u201d Yes, kids play sports. But we really need to limit their participation on Sundays. We can\u2019t use our children\u2019s athletic schedules as excuses to stay away from church. Who signed them up anyway?!?<\/p>\n
Indeed. Every Sunday morning just like the rest of the year. With Fellowship Hour, too!<\/p>\n
That\u2019s great \u2013 I hope you have a relaxing time. Be sure to take your Sunday Best with you and look up the Orthodox Church, nearest to your destination. It\u2019s always fun to visit other churches and attend the Divine Liturgy in different cities. The similarities are obvious, but spotting the differences can be lots of fun, especially for the kids. If you are planning on visiting another parish this summer, let me know in advance, and I will call that priest and make your introduction. Doing so makes receiving Communion so much easier.<\/p>\n
Perfect! Your kids can remain in church with you for the entire Liturgy. You can spend more time together as a family. Isn\u2019t that better than being all separated on a dirt bike trail or on individual jet skis? Where\u2019s the quality time in that? Besides, this is a wonderful time to have your boys who are entering into 3rd Grade start trying on Altar Boy robes and beginning to learn what to do \u201cback there.\u201d Summer is a non-threatening, easy time to begin Altar Service. Don\u2019t wait for school to begin before allowing your boys to participate. Give them a head start!<\/p>\n
Lent is over! And the Apostles Fast is only, like, two days this year (that\u2019s what happens when Pascha is so late.) So\u2026since you won\u2019t be spending the entire month of June watching your friends eat hotdogs and hamburgers at neighborhood barbeques, while you a keep a strict abstinence through the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, you can thank the Lord for this fast-free summer \u2013 at church. See you there!<\/p>\n
I have an answer for that as well. Everyone can take turns sitting on the left side of the church so you can share opportunities in gazing out of the window. We are uniquely blessed in that most Orthodox Churches do not have windows that offer such views of nature. While attending the Divine Liturgy, at St. Anna\u2019s, you\u2019ll feel as though we are worshiping up Millcreek Canyon; the view is that lovely from our one, east-facing window. Enjoy!<\/p>\n
How perfect for you! This Sunday, June 12th, the Divine Liturgy begins at 7:00 am and is perfectly suited for almost any golf course \u2013 public or private. Get your early golfing done this weekend. Consider it our GOYANs gift to you, as we depart for Camp Emmanuel! Please keep our children in your prayers for safe travels and a wonderful camp experience.\n<\/ol>\n
I hope you\u2019ve found a good reason in this list to stay away from the Divine Liturgy until after Labor Day. But if not, I look forward to seeing you each Sunday. Summer is for relaxing the body and soul. The Divine Liturgy is for engaging the body and soul. You see, they\u2019re perfectly made for each other!<\/p>\n
With Love in Christ,<\/p>\n
Fr. Anthony<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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