A word from reader BILL CLARK

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our very beloved Pastor Father Constantin has allowed me to once again address our young adults and children who attend our growing ENGLISH LITURGY. Father has some NEW ideas to aid us each week, but I will let him tell you all about it. Father Tony and Fr. Minas plan to continue "OUR LITURGY" constantly, all summer long. They plan to continue to teach us on the Creed, councils, and early Church history. Brother, (subdeacon) Liviu and I will assist both Frs. Tony and Minas. Fr. Constantin wishes our English Liturgy to be constant, thank God for him. I have taught at other churches where I was left on my own. It is special to have Father's love and support. I am very lucky and proud to be part of this grass roots beginning.

Since I have returned to beloved Holy Trinity early in 1997, so many wonderful things have happened to me. Our dear Bishop Nathaniel tonsured me a reader, on that great day of May 11,1997. Ion Canciu to subdeacon our priest Fr. Tony to the holy deaconate and Fr. Minas to the holy priesthood. What a day! Later I found out that my friend Fr. Minas and I were born on the same day! The Feast of St. John the Baptist, June 24. I feel linked to him in brotherhood and love.

In a more serious vein, some of our young adults will be off to college this fall. The rest of us may travel or be away on vacations, this long summer. We will ALL have lots of time on our hands. When this occurs, WATCH AND PRAY that spiritual warfare increases……Our American society is permeated with SECULAR HUMANISM. Hedonism may become an additional subject in college. I spoke with 2 priests and Bishop Joseph about these subjects a few years ago. Things have become worse in America. How can we keep the faith, under the constant HEDONISM we receive from the "TUBE" and the secular media? Secular Humanism is "TRICKY" as well as MIS-LEADING and deceitful. Why? Because they do good things for society but humankind receives the glory. God is left out.

Fr. Alexander Schmemann(of blessed memory) described secular humanism best when he said "Secular Humanism above all is a negotiation of worship." God is left out. Dostoevsky wrote "IF GOD IS DEAD …….THEN ANYTHING GOES. SIN DOES NOT EXIST ANY LONGER." This is a grab all you can society. Our colleges are godless. Our government is godless, our teaching system is scientifically structured. Creation by God is gone and only the DARWINISM CREATION THEORY is taught as fact. Guard yourself dear ones, watch and pray! Stand firm in the "ARK OF SALVATION". The holy Orthodox saving faith. Keep strength of purpose in your faith. Keep the great salvation you have received, by being born again in holy baptism. If you are very busy and far from church while traveling, recite the "Jesus Prayer". Through the TV, movies, in these times, I know that it is not easy to resist the carnal passions. I speak here from experience. I overcame my youth in hedonism through steadfastness in the Orthodox faith. The American dream is the Pursuit of Happiness. Accumulating treasures on Earth does not bring happiness. Trust and faith in Christ Jesus is the only way to true happiness. Jesus told us on Matt 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Some may question your faith. Are you saved? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? We are saved in the waters of Holy Baptism. Do we belong to Jesus? Yes, for in every divine liturgy we offer ourselves with our Lady and all the saints unto Christ our God. Listen for it. The liturgy is not the same thing every week. It is worship. Its for God, not to entertain us. Don't forget our church, built on the blood of martyrs. Receive the Body and Blood of Christ frequently. Lord Jesus our King and our God said he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day . May Almighty God richly Bless you all. With love in Christ,

Brother Bill (Reader)