Saint John The Baptist Orthodox Church

Weekly Newsletter and Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, September 20, 2026

(Sunday after The Holy Cross)

Sunday Services

Matins: 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Coffee Fellowship follows Divine Liturgy

Saturdays - 5:00 pm - Vespers

(Confession available following Vespers)

691 Green Street, Craig, CO 81625

Fr. David Henderson - 970-846-2245

fatherdavid@saintjohnscraig.org

www.saintjohnscraig.org

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

In This Issue:

A Message from Father David

Epistle and Gospel Readings

for Sunday, September 20

Food for the Soul

This Week/Next Week Services and Coming Events

Contacts

A Message from Father David

Prayer Is Not the Last Resort

So often we turn to prayer only after every other possibility has failed. In the Orthodox life, prayer is not the “last resort.” Rather, we are called to see prayer as the first movement of our heart. Prayer is nothing less than the offering of each concern, decision, joy, and sorrow to God. To pray is to place our whole lives within the presence of Christ, trusting that His wisdom is greater than our own. We do not turn to prayer when all else has failed. Instead, we learn to see every moment, every action, every thought, infused with God’s presence.

Saint Paul calls us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This doesn’t mean waiting for a crisis before remembering God. It means learning to live before Him at all times. Even the simplest prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” turns our minds toward God and opens our heart to grace. Prayer is therefore not our final option, but our constant beginning. It is like breathing - the breath of faith by which every other faithful action is made possible.

Blessings,

Father David

Epistle and Gospel Readings

Psalm 28.11,1

The Lord will give strength to his people.

Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God,

bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The Epistle Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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The Gospel According to Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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Food for the Soul

Taking Up Our Cross

What does it mean to take up your cross? It means the willing acceptance, at the hand of Providence, of every means of healing, bitter though it may be, that is offered. Do great catastrophes fall on you? Be obedient to God's will, as Noah was.

Is sacrifice demanded of you? Give yourself into God's hands with the same faith as Abram had when he went to sacrifice his son. Is your property ruined? Do your children die suddenly? Suffer it all with patience, cleaving to God in your heart, as Job did. Do your friends forsake you, and you find yourself surrounded by enemies? Bear it all without grumbling, and with faith that God's help is at hand, as the apostles did.

St. Nikolai Velimirovich

This Week

Saturday, September 19

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

Sunday, September 20

Matins (9:00 AM)
Divine Liturgy (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, September 22

Orthodox Journey (7:00 PM) This interactive discussion is for Catechumens and for all who would like to learn more about the Orthodox Faith. It is held in person at the church and by Zoom. Click here to join: Orthodox Journey or use Meeting ID 973 8769 5656 and passcode 302935.

Saturday, September 26

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

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Upcoming Services / Events

Sunday, September 27

Matins (9:00 AM)
Divine Liturgy (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, September 29

Orthodox Journey (7:00 PM) This interactive discussion is for Catechumens and for all who would like to learn more about the Orthodox Faith. It is held in person at the church and by Zoom. Click here to join: Orthodox Journey or use Meeting ID 973 8769 5656 and passcode 302935.

Thursday, October 1

Parish Council Meeting (6:00 PM)

Friday, October 2

Moffat County Community Kitchen Empty Bowl fundraiser and dinner - see flyer below.

Saturday, October 3

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

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The Beacon

The Newsletter of the Metropolis of Denver

Fall 2026

His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine invites you all to enjoy this comprehensive newsletter of our Holy Metropolis of Denver!

Click here to access: Fall 2026 Edition

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Moffat County Community Kitchen

Dinner and Fundraiser

This is a great cause with great food and fellowship benefitting the Community Kitchen that feeds thousands of Moffat County residents each year!

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Saint John's Bookstore

Saint John’s bookstore is open in the Narthex where you can buy or borrow Orthodox Study Bibles, various books about our faith and the lives of the Saints, icons, prayer ropes, and other items. Come and see!

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Contacts

To get involved or for more information concerning our parish and its ministries, please contact:

Worship, Education, and Music Ministries

Father David Henderson

(970) 846-2245

Parish Council President

Katrina Springer

(970) 629-0498

Parish Council Treasurer

Joanne Seymour

(970) 317-7562

Outreach Ministries and Publications

Dimitri Zgourides

(970) 702-3204

Young Adults

Johnathan Grenier

(970) 761-5089