Blog


12
Jul 2020
His Eminence John Kawak

In today’s reading, Mark 9:30-41, we see many topics, but there is one core message. It is talking about servanthood. In verse 35, the Lord says “If anyone desires to be served, he shall be last of all and servants of all.” This is a crucial scene. Believers are taught to lead lives of giving instead of taking and consider the needs of others. St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians 2:1-11 pointed to the life of Jesus as the ultimate example of a servant leader. The essence of leadership is......

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05
Jul 2020
Shamosho Imad Suryany

At this time in the liturgical calendar, we are still celebrating the Feast of the Resurrection and the Feast of the Pentecost. And it is in this context that we read today’s Biblical passage about feeding the multitudes in Matthew 14. There are 3 reasons this reading is important now: 1. This is an image of our salvation The multitude experienced Jesus’s mercy and compassion. When God the father saw the multitudes, he was moved by compassion. None of the prophets and figures of the Old Testament were able to save those......

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03
Jul 2020
Important Message from His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak

Dear brothers and Sisters in Christ, May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. As you know the situations for the Coronavirus cases are starting to rise up again in some states. We advise you and still ask you to please continue abiding by the CDC Regulations and instructions that are given to us. It came to our attention that parishioners are not abiding by these suggested regulations and are discouraging both others around them and those who are watching at home from coming to Church. If......

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21
Jun 2020
Syriac Orthodox Church Sermon

Every single time we come to church, it is an opportunity to open our heart and repent and receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ so we can continue in our life. Matthew 10:34 offers us one of the most complicated questions in the Bible. When Jesus was talking with His disciples and the people around him, he said “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” And yet in Matthew 5:44, we are taught: “Love......

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14
Jun 2020
Phase 2 of Church Re-Opening Begins June 14, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We wish and pray that you are all in good health and safety under the shelter of our Almighty God.    We were so thankful to see some of you last Sunday coming in for Holy Communion and we are pleased to announce that we just received new guidelines from the state of NJ allowing up to 50 people inside the church.   We are blessed to have Sayidna celebrate Holy Liturgy with us this Sunday. The following are Phase 2 procedures:  We will continue to stream the Holy......

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07
Jun 2020
From Father Andrew Bahhi - The Feast of the Pentecost

The Pentecost feast is where the Father sent the Holy Spirit keeping the promise that Jesus said to his disciples when He was about to be sent to Heaven. He said: “Remain in Jerusalem until you will receive a power from above.” And this promise Jesus told His disciples was fulfilled after the ten days which is the day of the Pentecost, and this tells us a very important message. That every single thing Jesus Christ has said, he will keep it and fulfill it. It’s been 12 weeks since we had......

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13
May 2020
Syriac Orthodox Church

As Jesus passed, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said to him, “Follow me.” So, he arose and followed Him. Maybe one of the most beautiful words that we always hear in the Bible from the very beginning, in the book of Genesis is also “Follow me.” And follow me means, walk after me, come behind me. And if we want to go deeper, if somebody tells you follow me, that means they want to show you something. And it does not mean, “come and I......

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03
May 2020
From Father Andrew Bahhi: How to Always Be with Jesus

A lot of us after the spiritual and holy season forget about God. I don’t mean we don’t believe in God, but we try to give ourselves a break or rest from our relationship with Jesus after times like the Holy Lent and Easter. But we should all read or Bible daily. We should all keep the fast during the whole year. And we should do more prayers, spiritual meetings, or hear sermons more often all during the year. Not only during the special seasons. In other words, we give us an......

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25
Apr 2020
COVID-19 Relief act

A Webinar will be held this Sunday at 4 pm to provide the necessary information for business owners and individuals financially impacted by COVID-19 on the process of applying for loans or grants through the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Act. A presentation will be provided by our own John Barka, CPA, and other professionals.  You will be given the opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.  We highly recommend you join us via the link below to view the information being presented. Meeting link: Click this link to join with your computer......

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18
Apr 2020
From Father Andrew Bahhi - Saturday of Light before Easter

On, the Holy Saturday, we celebrate the day before Easter. We thank the Lord who brought us to this blessed hour and this very special time. While I was preparing the sermon the other day, I asked this day “What’s your story?” “I feel less important than the other days,” Saturday said to me. “Good Friday is about Jesus’s death and Sunday celebrates Jesus’s resurrection. Nobody remembers this day, and nobody cares about me.” But this day is very important. We are one day away from the biggest feast ever, the resurrection......

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