2nd PARISH MEETING TO DISCUSS MINISTRIES.

On June 14 a second parish meeting was held to further discuss what ministries the parish can engage in that are consistent with our size, ability and resources. A number of ideas were discussed and it was decided that we would contact the staff at FOCUS and see what assistance they can offer in this discernment process.  It was the feeling of all those present that we should be able to undertake at least two distinct outreach activities and still be able to continue our witnessing presence at the Florida State Fair.

NEW HOME PAGE FEATURE.

As a new feature for our home page a link on the home page will take you to the audio of the sermon from the preceding Sunday. Once a new sermon link is posted you will still be able to access all past sermons by clicking on "Audio Sermons" at the left.

June 14, 2009 "Woe be on to him who speaks of evil as good and good as evil." (ClickHere)

SERMON SERIES ON DOUBT CONTINUES

   On May 3rd, Fr. Joseph began a two part sermon series on doubt. This first part dealt with doubt caused by trying to assimilate worldly values into are lives. By trying to be "of the world" when we are not. Part I may be heard by clicking here.
   On May 10th, Fr. Joseph gave Part II of the sermon series on doubt. He explored doubt as occasioned by the scandals in the church. To liseten to Part II click here.
   For a complete slection of Fr. Joseph's sermon's ranging from the Sacraments to Funeral Practices to Respect Life from conception to natural death, click on "Audio Sermons" at the left.

Christ is Risen!

Holy Week photos from most of the services are available in an album for Holy Week 2009 on our "Photo Album" page which may be accessed here.

FR. JOSEPH RECEIVES AWARDS.

At the end of February, Archbishop Dmitri awarded Fr. Joseph the Nabedrennik, the Skufia and the Kamilavka. Upon receiving the awards Fr. Joseph remarked at Liturgy that when the priest who receives such awards has served at only one parish as he has, the awards speak more of the parishioners than they do of the priest. He thanked all of the parishioners for their kind support and cooperation and indicated that they were "an easy flock to shepherd."

SLIDE SHOW OF STATE FAIR EXHIBIT NOW AVAILABLE

For the slide show click here.

PARISH ENDS SUCCESSFUL RUN AT FLORIDA STATE FAIR IN TAMPA

13 hours a day for 12 consecutive days the parish manned its booth in the main exhibition hall at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Despite the economy, preliminary reports project overall attendance at approximately 450,000.  The reception of our display was beyond what we had expected. Thousands of visitors thanked us for "sharing such beautiful things with [them]". As expected, Archbishop Dmitri's miter, which he loaned to us, was the most admired item in our display. We lost track of the number of unchurched Orthodox that we gave directions to for the Orthodox parish near them.  Inquirers were given more detailed information and literature and were invited to visit an Orthodox church near them. Innumerable visitors stopped to ask us what is Orthodoxy, and what do we believe. On the final night of the Fair a passerby was heard to say to his companion "All of the [protestant] churches and only the Orthodox are here to witness to Jesus." To Him belongs the glory." We have planted, God will supply the rain. Others may reap but "the reaper and the sower shall rejoice together." 

NEW PARISH COUNCIL INSTALLED

Having been elected at the recent annual parish meeting and having been approved by Archbishop Dmitri, a new parish council was installed on January 25th. The new council consists of Tandova Ecenia (elder or vice-president), Sue Finzer (treasurer), Jim Jolly (member-at-large) and Julie Scott (secretary). We thank them for their willingness to serve the parish.

FR. JOSEPH ATTENDS THE 2009 MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Fr. Joseph again attended the March for Life held every year on January 22nd to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the infamous U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in America.  A crowd, estimated at more than 250,000, gathered on the mall of our nation's capital to pray for relief from the slaughter of our pre-born children which occurs at the rate of about 4,000 per day or 1.2 million a year. This gathering was on the same spot where two days earlier a vast crowd met to witness the swearing in of a man as president, who himself, promised to be the most "pro choice" president in our country's history. Prayers and speeches from religious leaders including Metropolitan Jonah and speeches from a number of pro-life congressmen and women and senators rallied the crowd to continue its efforts to seek the protection of the most innocent and the most vulnerable in our midst.  Then a march to the Supreme Court building began. The large Orthodox contingent, while carrying banners and icons, sang over and over: "O Lord, grant victory to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries and by virtue of Thy cross protect Thy habitation." In front of the Supreme Court, Metropolitan Jonah celebrated a Panikhida for the slaughtered innocent.  At the end, His Beatitude entreated all to continue to work to protect life from conception to its natural end.

FR. JOSEPH'S SERMON ON THE PRO-ABORTION BILL "FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT."

Fr. Joseph gives a homily on the slaughter of the Innocents by King Herod and how it is continuing today. (Click Here)

SERMON ON PRESENT ECONOMIC SITUATION

On October 12th, Fr. Joseph preached a sermon applying Orthodox beliefs to the present economic times.  True believers must show the world that they have faith in our provident Father. While America has put its trust in money, we, Orthodox, must help it to instead put its trust in God. To listen to the sermon click here.

SERMON SERIES ON THE HOLY MYSTERIES (SACRAMENTS) IS NOW COMPLETE AND AVAILABLE IN AUDIO FORMAT ON OUR WEBSITE.

A sermon series on the Holy Mysteries of the Orthodox Church by Fr. Joseph is available here on our website.  This series, consisting of twelve parts, explores the seven sacraments as well as grace itself. Since we are a sacramental Church, Fr. Joseph thought it appropriate that we should explore these great gifts from God.  Whether we are senior citizen cradle Orthodox or recent converts, these sermons shed light on the history, ritual and grace giving aspect of each of the Holy Mysteries. They may be played either as streaming audio or down loaded to an iPod or an mp3 player.  To see the varying topics dealing with the sacraments as well as other past sermons click here.

PARISH FEATURED IN DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

The latest issue of the Diocese of the South newspaper, The Dawn, carries a full page story about St. Philip the Apostle parish.  Fr. Joseph was asked to author an article featuring the use of technology by the mission for both iconography and evangelization. The article may be viewed in the online edition of The Dawn by double clicking here and scrolling to page 3.

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY

Our dream of a Christian bereavement ministry for all of Tampa has begun.  In July our Sue Finzer, herself a widow, attended a week long bereavement ministry facilitator course in Massachusetts.  If you or someone you know has lost a loved one and could use some help dealing with the loss please call Sue at  (727) 692-9227.

PRAY MINISTRY

Please click on our "Prayer Ministry" at left and if possible print the list of intentions and pray for them daily. This is a wonderful way to serve Jesus by serving the needs of those listed through prayer. We have recently received a number of urgent requests dealing with the health and welfare of children as well as several of our parishioners.  Please pray daily for all of these intentions.

SEE WHAT ORTHODOXY IS DOING FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

Click on "Orthodox Pro Life" at left. It also contains a link to the Zoe website which is the Orthodox pro life ministry.
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St. Philip the Apostle is a mission parish of the Orthodox Church in America and is under the authority of His Eminence Dmitri, Archbishop of Dallas and the Diocese of the South. Its purpose is threefold; to bring the true faith of Orthodoxy to Tampa in a parish where all services are in English, to seek out those Orthodox Christians in Tampa who have fallen away from the practice of their faith, and to bring Orthodoxy to all citizens of Tampa.

On Nov. 6th, 2005 we celebrated our first Divine Liturgy in our new church at 9100 El Portal Drive. We are located just south of Chamberlain High School behind the North Branch Library.

If you are looking for the church that was founded by Christ, where the truth has been taught unchanged for 2,000 years, then visit us. If you want to hear the gospel proclaimed without fear or apology, then visit us. If you are looking for a loving spiritual home, then visit us. As St. Philip said to Nathaniel: "Come and see."

Sunday Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am.

Saturday evening vespers begins at 6 pm.

Bible Study is on Wednesday evenings following vespers which begins at 7 PM. All are welcome and can join the class at any time.

All Liturgies and services are in English. Inquirers and visitors are always welcome as our guests.

Fr. Joseph can be contacted at the numbers and address provided at the left under "contact information". We look forward to worshiping and growing in the faith with you.