Seeing and Believing or Focus for the Blind

"Seeing and Believing or Focus for the Blind" a sermon by Fr John Brian
recorded Sunday August 20, 2006 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration
Chapel) Madison, Wisconsin USA - based on Luke 6:39-45 and 1 John 2:12-26
--
Posted:
www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/08/seeing-and-believing-or-focus-for.html

Podcast (download) audio at http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian

More audio sermons and articles are posted at www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com

Other recently posted audio:

Are You A Christian Couch Potato? - sermon by Fr John Brian recorded live
August 13, 2006 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission)
in Madison, Wisconsin USA - based upon scripture readings for
1st Sunday of Transfiguration: Matthew 21:28-32, James 4:6-5:6, Philippians
4:8-20 (recorded at lower sound quality)
www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/08/are-you-christian-couch-potato-sermon.ht
ml

What Holds the Church Together? - a sermon by Fr John Brian recorded July
30, 2006 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish)
in Madison, Wisconsin USA - Based on John 6:47-59; 1Peter 2:4-10; Hebrews
4:14-5:5 Readings for the 8th Sunday of Pentecost
www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-holds-church-together-sermon-by.htm
l

The Church: A House Divided? - sermon by Fr John Brian recorded Sunday, July
23, 2006 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish)
in Madison, Wisconsin USA - based on Mark 3:20-28 and Acts 4:32-37
www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/07/church-house-divided-sermon-by-fr-john.h
tml

Who Among the Multitude are You? - sermon homily by Fr John Brian recorded
July 9, 2006 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Parish) in Madison, Wisconsin USA - focusing on the story of feeding the
multitudes: Luke 9:10-17; Mark 6:30-52 (and Matthew).
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/07/who-among-multitude-are-you-sermon.ht
ml

Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
6205 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 USA
608.236.9622 voice mail
www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/transfig.html

Most of the congregation at the end of festal liturgy before the annual picnic on August 13, 2006

Naomi and Iliana playing at the picnic - August 13, 2006

Nebiyu and Michael at the picnic - August 13, 2006

Achen got involved by holding a balloon for one of the children... (will they ever return?) - August 13, 2006

Christopher supervised some youth activities at the picnic - he is helping Mikel (or is it Markos?) with a balloon. Naomi is running. August 13, 2006

Iliana points to her favorite pictures to Cienna in the chapel entrance - August 13, 2006

Deacons Geoffrey and Christopher guard the gifts and Achen prepares them during festal liturgy before annual picnic August 13, 2006

Zerzghi Grebrmichael leads the men in prayer during festal liturgy before annual picnic August 13, 2006

Reflections on my baptismal experience by John Hernan

Dear ones,

One of the privileges of our small mission is the honor of bearing witness
to new birth in the Spirit of one born of the flesh many years before. One
of the recent additions to our Church family, John Hernan, was baptized in
March 2006 [
http://maruroopa.blogspot.com/2006/03/washed-fresh-and-newly-born-of-spirit.
html and
http://maruroopa.blogspot.com/2006/03/little-to-big-for-our-small-mission.ht
ml ]. I asked him for some of his reflections. He graciously submitted the
following for our benefit.

Your servant,
Fr John Brian

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

Reflections on my baptismal experience
By John Hernan (August 2006)


My experience of the actual baptism was extremely wonderful! I have
touched God in a way I never knew existed.

Whether one is baptized at birth or, like myself, at a later date -
as an adult, I don't think that matters much to God. All he asks (in my
view) is to be loved in any way and at any time - even the smallest amount
is enough for him. He loves all and will do anything to see us happy and
safe in His love.

My emotions were very strong during baptism. It is something I will
never forget. It is a comfort knowing there are so many who have faith and
believe in the priesthood, the church - the sons and daughters of God - and,
of course, God as a personal friend.

My view today, after being baptized a short while ago, is that God
just really wants to be understood by all. And He wants to help us all in
the path, whatever that path may be. I think one of the best ways to accept
that help, after some enlightenment and purifying of one's soul at the
source, is to approach God not as an object of worship as such, but as a
friend and as a guide to a better way of life. God does know all things,
after all.

I find Mother Mary, also called Theotokos (particularly the icon of
Kazan - Russian: Казанская Богоматерь) to be a comfort to me, particularly
since my baptism.

Jesus stated that the kingdom was already here, just that we have
not seen it yet. It is a matter of perception. A vital key to understanding
anything in this world has been provided for us by His infinite mercy. To
learn, to live, to love are important for growth and change. LIVE and LET
LIVE is a good motto.

If you are happy and content in life, that is what is important to
me now. I do ask for your guidance, your understanding, and, most of all,
your love.

I feel my heart grow stronger as each day passes and it is beating
well.

Thank you for the gift of baptism.

May God bless all you do in all your ways!

It has been five years since we were graciously and mercifully received into the Mission Society of St. Gregorios of India, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, as priest and parish. Your prayers, your best wishes, your support, your donations, your advice and your love have given us hope, courage and strength over these five years of sometimes challenging ministry and mission work in middle America.
Our mission parish congregation is blessed with members of diverse heritage from around the world. It is our hope that diverse and mixed Orthodox Christian congregations in America will thrive as a demonstration of Orthodox unity and God�s merciful gift of the Church to all people regardless of race or heritage.
You, your family, loved ones and acquaintances are invited to our annual Transfiguration festival celebration and picnic, August 13, 2006. Sunday services start at 9:00 am, followed by the traditional blessing of fruit and the picnic at noon. If you haven�t been able to be with us for awhile, we hope you can make the effort to join us in this celebration. Accommodations and rides can be arranged.
Whether or not you can come, perhaps you would like to contribute to a booklet of �best wishes� and other kind thoughts and memories of our mission effort. We hope to have a little souvenir published with some pictures, some of our stories and your best wishes and/or memories. Just send us an email or letter with "best wishes on your 5th anniversary" (or something like that) so we will be able to recognize your intention to be included in book(let).
As a token of our anniversary and our mission efforts, we have lapel pins for you by request for any donation. They are 1 inch diameter full-color enameled pins, with "Children of Christ - United As One" and four hands (representing four racial distinctions) interlocked around a red cross (see enlarged image below or attached). 100% of the proceeds will go toward our mission, the chapel and its future. May they be a blessing to you as you are to our mission efforts.
Please remember us in your prayers and, if you are able, any donation to our efforts that would be appreciated.

St Mary & St Antonious Coptic Orthodox Church (Milwaukee - Oak Creek) a month before completion, picture by Fr John Brian

His Grace Bishop Paula, Bishop of Tanta (Egypt) blesses congregation with water at St Mary's Coptic Church new building 08-05-06

St Mary & St Antonios Coptic Orthodox Church in Oak Creek - Milwaukee completed - first service was 08-05-06 - picture by Kochamma from the road.

Several members of Holy Transfiguration Mission participated in St Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church 1st Service (08-05-06)

Achen was honored to speak to the youth during OVBS at St Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Dallas during July trip to Texas

Zerghi makes a point at a summer coffee hour (2006)

Micheal and his father, Mulus, at summer coffee hour (2006)

Geoffrey, deacon, with guest at summer coffee hour (2006)