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2 THE SHEPHERD • NOVEMBER 2021 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO We know when our lives began but we never know when they will end. In October, a small plane fell from the sky in Santee and struck the UPS truck killing both the pilot and the driver. e tragedy reminded me about the fragility of life, it can be over in an instant. Each new day is truly a gi and what we do with each day really matters. As Christians, each day is an opportunity to do what we have been called to do, to love and serve others. We are o en reminded that we have “received without paying and should give without pay.” (Matthew 10:8.) We are told to treat others as God would treat them. We are to love not only those who love us, but those who hate us. We are supposed to do good to those who do bad to us. We are supposed to give without thoughts of what we are getting in return. God asks us to serve Him by serving others. So our challenge is to summon the courage to reach out to a stranger, maybe someone you see every Sun- day but do not know, and truly meet them. I will leave you with the gi of this blessed day. As you start the day, “stir your oatmeal slowly” and remember that everything is a gi from God. I hope and pray that the day will leave you blessed. I also hope in the coming days you will come share in our faith. On Sunday, November 14th , the La- dies of Philoptochos will be hosting their annual anksgiving Luncheon. On Sunday, November 21st , we will be holding our Gen- eral Assembly Meeting in the Church Hall. On December 12th , we will be celebrating St. Spyridon’s feast day. Have a blessed day, Jim Gilpin Parish Council President Yes, the storage dungeon is fewweeknights and aweeken adjacent to the Kitchen. Reno anddisposalofallcabinetsand walls were prepped and RFP open, and brighter room via u lighting, aswell as heavy duty have a few finishing touches t nextcoupleofweeks. Special thanks for theirhardwo somewell-deserved breaks) fo JimLeventis,CoreyLeventis, a request forall topleasemakea cleanandorganized,whilealso that youmay“forget”behind. Πιστεύουμε ότι θα σας αρέσε στην Κουζίνα. Όλη η ομάδα π διατηρήσουμε και μελλοντικά καθαριότητα αυτού τού χώρο μας! Regards, Vlassiand theTeam PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT WOMEN WORD OF THE As we continue our study of e Holy An- gels, we are well aware that because we are dealing with God’s invisible realm which is really beyond our full understanding, it is more fruitful for us to keep our focus on the speci c lesson and message of each angelic appearance. So recently in the Old Testament, Numbers 22, we read a story about Balaam and His Donkey where Balak, the king of the Moabs asks Balaam, a prophet and a sorcerer, to curse the Israelites who are encroaching on the Moabite territory. God tells him, “You shall not go, neither shall you curse the peo- ple, for they are blessed.” A er getting pres- sure from Balak’s men, Balaam nally gives in, and God seeing his stubborn willfulness, says to Balaam, “If these men are present to summon you, rise and follow them; but the word I speak to you – that you shall do.” How- ever, because God knows each man’s heart better than he himself, at every turn on Ba- laam’s journey, God sends him an Angel “to divert his purpose.” As Balaam is riding his donkey, each time the Angel of God stands in his way or blocks his path, Balaam’s don- key tries to turn aside, gets stuck against a wall crushing Balaam’s foot, and nally just sits down, and each time Balaam strikes his donkey in frustration. At which point the donkey, faithful in his servitude, opens his mouth “Am I not your donkey, on which you rode from your youth to this very day? Did I ever show such utter disregard for you?” and “ en God opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and Balaam said, ‘I have sinned…if my way is not accept- able to You, I will turn back.’” What a powerful and serious lesson present- ed in a simple story about how we don’t hear God’s word or see His way clearly, but rath- er convince ourselves that we know what we are doing, when, in fact, we are ignoring and not even recognizing God’s will. And then even when God sends us a helper to keep us from proceeding in our hard-hearted stub- bornness, instead of gratitude and re ection, we just get upset and strike out! ankfully, through God’s enduring love and grace, we can open our eyes as Balaam did, but not just for only awhile as he did, but at every instance to see our own true selves as God sees us, and nally allow Him to complete His Word and His work in us. We pray that it be so for all of us. If you would like to learn more about our GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING Sunday, November 21, 2021 Following the Divine Liturgy AGENDA 1. Opening Prayer 2. Election of Chairperson 3. Presentation & Approval General Assembly Minutes 4. 4. State of Our Parish a. Financial Report b. Audit Committee Report c. Stewardship Update d. Ministry Updates 5. Presentation & Approval of 2022 Preliminary Financial Budget 6. Selection of Three Persons to Serve on Audit Committee 7. Selection of Three Persons to Serve on the Election Committee 8. Selection of Two Delegates to Attend Clergy-Laity Congress 9. Update on Property Listing - No Action Will be Taken 10. Father Andrew’s Remarks 11. Adjournment 12. Closing Prayer Next General Assembly Meeting: March 20, 2022 following the Divine Liturgy. continues 5 IT FEELS GOOD TO GIFT CLEAN Marian Khoury Dougenis Beautycounter Consultant 619.520.3660 www.beautycounter.com/mariankhourydougenis CLASSIFIEDS Need someone to take care of your elderly? 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