Receive Him Joyfully

Can you think of something you have to do, but you don’t want to do? Maybe a chore like cleaning up your room or doing homework? Sometimes chores like those seem to take forever!

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of Zacchaeus. You remember that Zacchaeus was the man who climbed a tree
to see Jesus pass by. When Jesus called him to come down and invite Him to his house, Zacchaeus came down quickly, “and received Him joyfully.” Zacchaeus didn’t think about all the things he had to do to get ready. He didn’t think about how he had to clean up afterwards and find something for Jesus to eat. The Gospel tells us that Zacchaeus came down quickly, “and received Him joyfully”! As Orthodox Christians, we have a great blessing! We can receive our Lord Jesus Christ too!

Learn More.  Click here to download and print your free copy of The Children’s Word.

THREE SISTERS: SAINTS THEODOTI, THEOKTISTI, AND EVDOXIA

One Christian mother, named Athanasia, had three daughters, Theodoti, Theoktisti, and little Evdoxia. She taught them to love God more than anything or anybody else. The girls were young, but that didn’t stop the idol-worshipping authorities from sending them to prison.

We celebrate these sisters on Tuesday, January 31st (Feb. 13, OCA)

Welcome to “The Children’s Word,” a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network. Each week, Presvytera Alexandra Houck writes this little newsletter for young parishioners! You will find age-appropriate articles, stories, and activities in every edition. The newsletter is provided in PDF format so that you can easily download and print it, and share it with your parish, church school, homeschool, family, and friends.

Each issue includes a message on the Sunday Gospel lesson and on one of the saints for the week. You’ll also find a coloring page and other activities. It is designed for a 8.5 x 14 page, so it can be printed and folded.

ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK

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Join us in our Media Ministry Missions! Help us bring the Orthodox Faith to the fingertips of Orthodox Christians worldwide! Your gift today will helps us produce and provide unlimited access to Orthodox faith-inspiring programming, services and community. Don’t wait. Share the Love of Orthodoxy Today!


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Presvytera Alexandra Houck

Presvytera Alexandra Houck created The Children's Word bulletin so children will know they are not only welcome in church, but even more, an essential part of the Church family. She hopes the weekly bulletin will be just one more way we can make kids feel at home in church. Presvytera Alexandra is a graduate of Duke University and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Her husband, Fr. Jason Houck, is a priest at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, MN. Presvytera Alexandra and Fr. Jason have five small children: Lydia, Paul, Silas, Philip, and Sarah. Presvytera Alexandra grew up attending Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Asheville, North Carolina with her nine siblings.

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