Monthly Archives: April 2012

4/29 announcements

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April 29, 2012
Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women and
Sts. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemos
 
About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when our Lord was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their homeland and from then on followed after Him.  They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to His sepulcher, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to anoint His body.  It is because of the myrrh-oils that these God-loving women brought to the tomb that they are called the Myrrh-bearers.  Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called Athe mother of James and Joses@ (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna.  As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence.
  On this day we also make commemoration of Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple, and also of Nicodemus, who was a disciple by night.  Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus, he gave Him burial out of  reverence and love.
 
Acts 6:1-7:  In the reading from Acts we see the establishment of the office of diaconate as an order of Church government with a purpose of serving the people and caring for their needs.
Mark 15:43-16:8:  St Mark describes how Joseph of Arimathea claims the body of our Lord from  Pi­late to place it in his own tomb.  On the third day, the three women learn from an angel that the Lord has risen from the dead.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life!  Glory to thee, O our God!
 
Troparia of the Ointment-Bearers:  The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb.  But thou didst truly rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world the Great Mercy.
  Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption.  But cry ye, The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy.
 
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear.  We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.
 
Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades.  In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ARejoice@ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 29  (Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            1:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, April 30   
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, May 1
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Wednesday, May 2   (Athanasios the Great)
5:00 p.m.         — Catechism class
6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
Thursday, May 3    
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
11:30 a.m.       — Men’s Lunch
 
Friday, May 4   
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
7:00 p.m.         — Daily Vespers followed by Teaching and Ice Cream Social
 
Saturday, May 5   
10:00 a.m.       — Third Hour Prayers followed by Teaching and
                                    Coffee Hour
5:00 p.m.         — Great Vespers (NO Ninth Hour) followed by Reception and
                                    Banquet at MS Museum of Art
 
Sunday, April 29  (Sunday of the Paralytic)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Luncheon catered by Chimneyville Smokehouse
 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by Joanna Meadows for the Divine Liturgy today.  
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         April 29                                Joanna Meadows                   Ellis/Zouboukos
         May 6                                   Yeatts                                       Barbeque Luncheon
                  (set-up: Lamia Dabit/Sandy Strain/Jennifer Skirtech/Phillip Lasseter)
         May 13                                 Freundts                                   Morris/Jones/Stewart
         May 20                                 Fahmys                                     Fahmy/Pigott
         May 23 (Wed. p.m.)           Bakers                                    
         May 27                                 Wood                                        R. Root/Algood
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor.  Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                          Reader                                 Reading                          Page#
April 29                            Mildred Morris                   Acts 6:1-7                       38
May 6                               Phillip Lasseter                   Acts 9:32-42                   45
May 13                             Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver          Acts 11:19-30                 52
May 20                             Tom Willingham                 Acts 16:36-34                 58
May 23 (Wed. p.m.)        Brenda Baker                      Acts 1:1-12                     63
May 27                             Tom Skirtech                       Acts 20:16-18, 28-36      66
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle and their daughter Abigail in your prayers. 
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Maria Costas; Amy and Michael Surratt and Amy’s family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and Jennifer’s mother, Jessamine Hinkson;  Warren and Sandi Strain and their family; Fr. Leo, Kh. Be’Be’, Stephen and Amy, Justyn and Jeffrey; Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; David Turner’s mother Mary Jean; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Dorin and Carolina Lavric and Victor (Carolina’s brother); Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Joanna Meadows and Jay Davis (as they prepare for their wedding); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Dn. Howard Shannon.
 
Welcome to Silviu and Anna Maria Andrei who have become members of St. Peter!  Silviu is a software developer and Anna Maria is a pathologist at Baptist Medical Center.  Their son Alexander was born this past Thursday!  Mother and baby are doing well.
 
Baby Shower:  On Sunday, May 27th, we will have a “Coffee Hour/Baby Shower” in honor of Nikki and Phillip Lasseter following the liturgy.  The hostesses will be Lynda Costas, Sh. Margaret Root, Anastasia Jones, Sh. Charlotte Algood, and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver.  If you’d like to buy a baby gift for Titus, they’re registered at Target and Babies-R-Us.  Come and help us celebrate a new addition to our church!
 
Pentecost Feast:  On June 3rd, Pentecost, we will have a “directed pot luck.”  Kh. Janet Henderson and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver are the hostesses in charge.  There will be a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.  Please make an effort to sign up soon for this and plan to attend this joyous occasion.

Annual GreekFest Celebration:  Holy Trinity and St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church will be holding their annual GreekFest May 18th-20th at the church (located on Pear Orchard Road across from Christ United Methodist Church).  The hours for the festival are:
            Friday, May 18th          11:00 a.m. — 2:30 p.m. (Drive Thru Lunch)
            Saturday, May 19th      11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
            Sunday, May 20th        12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
 
Opportunity for Almsgiving:  Ian Jones will be travelling to Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala the first week in June as part of a mission team led by Father Chad Hatfield. They plan to help the nuns prepare for their patronal feast, catechize incoming members of the church and help in moving the orphanage out to the monastery and away from its current location in one of the most crime-ridden parts of Guatemala City.  As a team member, he is attempting to raise $1100.  If you would like to contribute to this cause, make your check out to St. Vladimir’s Seminary, earmarked “Guatemala Mission Trip 2012,” and mail it to Ian at the following address:
                        St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary
                        575 Scarsdale Road
                        Tuckahoe, New York 10707
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    Stewpot schedule (together with Holy Resurrection) – July 21st and December 29th.
 
Fasting Discipline for May
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for May
April 29           Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers
May 2              Athanasios the Great
May 6              Sunday of the Paralytic
May 8              Apostle John the Theologian
May 10            Apostle Simon the Zealot
May 13            Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
May 20            Sunday of the Blindman
May 21            Sts. Constantine and Helen
May 24            Feast of the Ascension
May 25            The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
May 27            Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea
 
Bar-b-que on Sunday, May 6th:  A sign-up sheet is in the foyer to reserve plates for the BBQ following the Hierarchical Liturgy on Sunday, May 6th.   The cost is $10 per adult and $6 for each child over 6 years of age.  The lunch is being catered through Chimneyville Smokehouse.

25TH Anniversary Weekend – May 4-6, 2012:  A number of events are planned and special guests will be here the first weekend in May to join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of our church’s entrance into the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.  His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN will be here, along with Father Jon Braun and Kh. Mary Ellen and Father Peter Gillquist and Kh. Marilyn.  Many other friends and family will be here, too—some from Orthodox churches in the area, along with friends from St. John in Memphis.  MS Mary O’Connor, representing the National Office of the Order of St. Ignatius, will also be here.  Among the events planned are:
 
FRIDAY, MAY 4TH                 7:00 p.m.         Daily Vespers followed by a teaching by Father Jon Braun, followed by an Ice Cream Social with light pick-               up foods;
 
            SATURDAY, MAY 5TH             10:00 a.m.       3rd Hour Prayers followed by a teaching by Father Peter Gilliquist, followed by light refreshments;
 
                                                                    5:00 P.M.         Great Vespers (Note: No 9th Hour) followed by our 25th Anniversary Reception/Banquet at the MS
                                                                                             Museum of Art (201 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson), with a keynote address by Father Jon Braun;
           
SUNDAY, MAY 6TH               8:50 a.m.         Orthros/Hierachical Divine Liturgy, followed by a lunch catered by Chimneyville Smokehouse.
 
The Order of St. Ignatius  is a service organization in our Archdiocese that has founded many worthwhile projects.  If you are interested in joining this organization during His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN’s visit in May, please see Father John.
 
When you host Coffee Hour or the meal for a Feast please make sure that the oven, warmer, and coffee maker are turned off afterwards.  On several occasions in the past, the cleaning ladies have found the oven still on when they came in to clean later during the week.
 
Happy Anniversaries in May:
         May 12                  —    Cliff and Anna Kathryn Stewart (2007)
         May 14                  —    Lorencz and Geraldine Quirk (1960)
         May 30                  —    Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (1977)

Happy Birthdays in May:
         May 5                    —    Dale Cooper
                                       —    Joanna Meadows
                                       —    Mary Greene
         May 7                    —    Tiffany Strain (1997)
         May 8                    —    Kh. Janet Henderson
         May 10                  —    Fr. Leo Schelver
         May 11                  —    Meghan Brock
         May 15                  —    Tom Skirtech
         May 21                  —    Jacob Skirtech (2007)
         May 24                  —    Paul Katool
                                       —    Daniel Root
         May 26                  —    David Turner
         May 27                  —    Luke Habeeb (2005)
         May 30                  —    Dn. Terry Algood
         May 31                  —    Stephen Chamblee
 
 
Quotable:       “The process of fragmentation , which we inherited from our first parents, consists in thoughts being removed from the ‘mind-in-the-heart,’ where they belong, and placed in a state of semi-independence in the brain—where they reign apparently supreme, feeding (and in turn fed by) the ego.  Through the practice of spiritual principles, the reversal of this situation is possible, but it cannot be brought about simply by an act of determination of our minds.  Willpower alone is useless.  I suppose it is axiomatic to say that we cannot use something that is broken to fix itself.  Besides, any solution determined by our minds usually ends up as some sort of internal power-play and is doomed to failure.  Healing is available, but it can only be powered by the grace of God.”
                                                 Archimandrite. Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and
                                                             Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, May 6, 2012 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
 
         Scripture:                        Acts 9:32-42; John 5:1-15
         Celebrant:                        Father John
         Epistle Reader:                Phillip Lasseter
         Prosphora:                       Yeatts
         Coffee Hour:                    BARBECUE  LUNCHEON 
                                                         (Set-up: Lamia Dabit/Sandy Strain/Jennifer Skirtech/

                                             Phillip Lasseter)                       

4/22 announcements

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 April 22, 2012
Antipascha or Thomas Sunday
 
On the Sunday following Easter, we hear the story of Thomas and are reminded of the all-permeating presence of Christ and the faith of those who followed the disciples.  Even as walls and doors proved no obstacle to His coming to His followers, so nothing can prevent His presence with us.  Even as He commissioned them to be peaceful of themselves and to bear His peace and life to those about them, so He grants us peace for ourselves and those we touch.  Even as Thomas turned from his doubt to faith, so let us bow before our Lord and God in acknowledgment and praise.  With Thomas and all the faithful who sing in heavenly worship, let us raise our hymn of adoration and life to our risen Saviour.
 
Acts 5:12-20:  Through healing of the sick and the addition of new believers to the Church in Jerusa­lem, we see the power of the Holy Spirit at work with the Apostles.
                             
John 20:19-31:  In our gospel reading we hear of the Apostle Thomas’ doubt regarding Jesus’ resurrec­tion.  When our Lord appears to Him he immediately believes; yet, the Lord pronounces a blessing upon those who believe without having seen Him.
 
Troparion of Thomas Sunday:  While the tomb was sealed, thou didst shine forth from it, O Light.  While the doors were closed, thou didst come in to thy Disciples, O Christ God, Resurrection of all, renewing in us through them an upright spirit, according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Kontakion of Thomas Sunday:  With his anxiously searching right hand, O Christ God, Thomas did probe your life-giving side; for when you did enter, the doors being shut, he shouted with the rest of the Disciples, crying, You are my Lord and my God.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 22  (Thomas Sunday)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
Monday, April 23   (Great-martyr George)
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, April 24  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Wednesday, April 25   (Apostle Mark)
5:00 p.m.         — Catechism class
6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers followed by Parish Council meeting
7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
 
Thursday, April 26    
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Friday, April 27   
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Saturday, April 28   
7:30 a.m.         — Bible Study with Breakfast
5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, April 29  (Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            1:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
  SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by Meadows for the Divine Liturgy today.  
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         April 22                                Meadows                                 Meadows/Lasseter
         April 29                                Joanna Meadows                    Ellis/Zouboukos
         May 6                                   Yeatts                                       Barbeque Luncheon
                  (set-up: Lamia Dabit/Sandy Strain/Jennifer Skirtech/Phillip Lasseter)
         May 13                                 Freundts                                   Morris/Jones/Stewart
         May 20                                 Fahmys                                     Fahmy/Pigott
         May 23 (Wed. p.m.)           Bakers                                    
         May 27                                 Wood                                        R. Root/Algood
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                          Reader                                 Reading                          Page#
April 22                           Warren Strain                      Acts 5:12-20                    32
April 29                           Mildred Morris                    Acts 6:1-7                        38
May 6                              Phillip Lasseter                   Acts 9:32-42                    45
May 13                            Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver           Acts 11:19-30                  52
May 20                            Tom Willingham                 Acts 16:36-34                  58
May 23 (Wed. p.m.)       Brenda Baker                      Acts 1:1-12                      63
May 27                             Tom Skirtech                      Acts 20:16-18, 28-36       66
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor.  Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle and their daughter Abigail in your prayers. 
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please remember the following in your prayers:  Maria Costas; Amy and Michael Surratt and Amy’s family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and Jennifer’s mother, Jessamine Hinkson;  Warren and Sandi Strain and their family; Fr. Leo, Kh. Be’Be’, Stephen and Amy, Justyn and Jeffrey; Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; David Turner’s mother Mary Jean; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Dorin and Carolina Lavric and Victor (Carolina’s brother); Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Joanna Meadows and Jay Davis (as they prepare for their wedding).
 
Welcome and Many Years! to Oliver Yeatts who was chrismated on Holy Saturday morning and to Isabell Goss who was baptized yesterday morning.
 
Welcome to Silviu and Anna Maria Andrei who have become members of St. Peter!  Silviu is a software developer and Anna Maria is a pathologist at Baptist Medical Center.  They are expecting their first child on April 26th!
 
Opportunity for Almsgiving:  Ian Jones will be travelling to Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala the first week in June as part of a mission team led by Father Chad Hatfield. They plan to help the nuns prepare for their patronal feast, catechize incoming members of the church and help in moving the orphanage out to the monastery and away from its current location in one of the most crime-ridden parts of Guatemala City.  As a team member, he is attempting to raise $1100.  If you would like to contribute to this cause, make your check out to St. Vladimir’s Seminary, earmarked “Guatemala Mission Trip 2012,” and mail it to Ian at the following address:
                        St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary
                        575 Scarsdale Road
                        Tuckahoe, New York  10707
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    Stewpot schedule (together with Holy Resurrection) – July 21st and December 29th.
 
Fasting Discipline for April
Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is once again observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for April
April 22           Thomas Sunday
April 23           Great-martyr George
April 25           Apostle Mark
April 29           Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers
 
Bar-b-que on Sunday, May 6th:  A sign-up sheet is in the foyer to reserve plates for the BBQ following the Hierarchical Liturgy on Sunday, May 6th.   The cost is $10 per adult and $6 for each child over 6 years of age.  The lunch is being catered through Chimneyville Smokehouse.
 
25TH Anniversary Weekend – May 4-6, 2012:  A number of events are planned and special guests will be here the first weekend in May to join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of our church’s entrance into the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.  His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN will be here, along with Father Jon Braun and Kh. Mary Ellen and Father Peter Gillquist and Kh. Marilyn.  Many other friends and family will be here, too—some from Orthodox churches in the area, along with friends from St. John in Memphis.  MS Mary O’Connor, representing the National Office of the Order of St. Ignatius, will also be here.  Among the events planned are:
 
FRIDAY, MAY 4TH                 7:00 p.m.         Daily Vespers followed by a teaching by Father Jon Braun, followed by an Ice Cream Social with light
                                                                             pick-up foods;
 
            SATURDAY, MAY 5TH           10:00 a.m.         3rd Hour Prayers followed by a teaching by Father Peter Gilliquist, followed by light refreshments;
 
                                                                    5:00 P.M.         Great Vespers (Note: No 9th Hour) followed by our 25th Anniversary Reception/Banquet at the MS
     Museum of Art (201 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson), with a keynote address by Father Jon Braun;
           
SUNDAY, MAY 6TH               8:50 a.m.         Orthros/Hierachical Divine Liturgy, followed by a lunch catered by Chimneyville Smokehouse.
 
The Order of St. Ignatius  is a service organization in our Archdiocese that has founded many worthwhile projects.  If you are interested in joining this organization during His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN’s visit in May, please see Father John.
 
When you host Coffee Hour or the meal for a Feast please make sure that the oven, warmer, and coffee maker are turned off afterwards.  On several occasions in the past, the cleaning ladies have found the oven still on when they came in to clean later during the week.
 
Happy Anniversaries in April:
         April 12                 —    Mike and Cheryl Piggott (#31!)
         April 25                 —    Jim and Desi Roehner (#63!)
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#22!)
 
Happy Birthdays in April:
         April 4                   —    Denis Lavric
         April 6                   —    John Wood (#19!)
         April 11                 —    Brandon Strain (#10!)
         April 12                 —    Lily Dabit
 
Quotable:       “In some respects, we might say that Western psychotherapy aims at healing the fragmentation of the mind.  This it does by encouraging the acquisition of insight, and by the application of method, system, and sometimes even common sense to achieve a change in the person undergoing therapy.”
                       “Unlike conventional psychotherapy, however, the spiritual path of Orthodoxy does not stop at that point, since it is concerned not only with the workings of the mind but with the heart as well.  Ultimately, healing from an Orthodox point of view must inevitably include the reunification (or, to borrow a term from computer technology, ‘defragmentation’) of the human personality, including re-placing the mind in the heart (where it belongs).  Indeed, this process is often described in the ascetic literature of the Orthodox Church as the ultimate purpose of prayerful effort (or ‘ascetic labor’).”
                                                 Archimandrite. Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and
                                                             Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, April 29, 2012 (Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women and Sts. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemos)
 
         Scripture:                                  Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8
         Celebrant:                                 Father John
         Epistle Reader:                        Mildred Morris
         Prosphora:                               Joanna Meadows

      Coffee Hour:                   Ellis/Zouboukos                       

4/15 announcements

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April 15, 2012
PASCHA
 
“Unique and holy day, King and lord of days, feast of feasts, solemnity of solemnities. . . ”  Thus we celebrate the Great Feast because of the resurrection of our Lord and begin the season of celebration which lasts through Pentecost.  The paschal solemnities (of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) are joined to the feast of the resurrection to endow the mystery of Christmas and the Incarnation with the fullness of its meaning and are the prerequisite condition for Pentecost.  Easter, therefore, is the center, the heart of the Christian Year.
 
“Come, take light from the Light that has no evening, and glorify Christ, risen from the dead.”  The Church again represents the Christian mystery in terms of light; this Light, whose birth was marked by the star of Bethlehem, is shining among us with growing intensity; the darkness of Golgotha could not extinguish it.  The physical Resurrection of Jesus would be without value to us if the divine light did not shine at the same time among us, within us.  But the good news of the Resurrection is that the light brought by the Saviour now completely overcomes the darkness of our sins!
 
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and to those in the tomb He has given life!”
 
Acts 1:1-8:  From our reading in Acts we are reminded that following the Resurrection and Ascen­sion of our Lord, the Church would receive the Holy Spirit to empower Her in spreading the eternal gos­pel to all parts of the Earth.
 
John 1:1-17:  Reading in the Gospel of John we see Jesus Christ as the eternally Begotten Son of The Father with Whom He has always existed.  We also see John the Baptist coming to prepare the way for our Lord’s ministry.
 
Paschal Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead; by Death has he trodden death, and upon those in the tombs, hath he bestowed life.
 
Hypakoe of Easter:  They who were with Mary came before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and heard the angels say unto them,  Why seek ye him as man with the dead, who dwelleth in light eternal?  Behold the grave wrappings; make haste and declare to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath caused death to die; for he is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.
 
Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades.  In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ARejoice@ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 15   (PASCHA)
            4:00 p.m.         — Agape Vespers at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
 
Monday, April 16   (NO Fasting this week)
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, April 17  
            6:00 a.m.         — Orthros of Bright Week
 
Wednesday, April 18  
NO Catechism class
6:30 p.m.         — Paschal Vespers
 
Thursday, April 19    
6:00 a.m.         — Orthros of Bright Week
 
Friday, April 20   
6:00 a.m.         — Orthros of Bright Week

Saturday, April 21   
5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by great Great Vespers
 
Sunday, April 22  (Thomas Sunday)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Schelvers for the Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Thursday morning, by the Morrises for the Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday morning and by the Joneses for the Divine Liturgy today.  
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         April 14 (Sat. p.m.)             Jones                                        Jones/Chamblee/?
         April 22                                Meadows                                 Meadows/Lasseter
         April 29                                Joanna Meadows                    Ellis/Zouboukos
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                          Reader                                 Reading                          Page#
April 14 (Sat. p.m.)         Walt Wood                        Acts 1:1-8                        25
April 22                            Warren Strain                    Acts 5:12-20                    32
April 29                            Mildred Morris                  Acts 6:1-7                        38
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor.  Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle and their daughter Abigail in your prayers. 
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Maria Costas; Amy and Michael Surratt and Amy’s family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and Jennifer’s mother, Jessamine Hinkson;  Warren and Sandi Strain and their family; Fr. Leo, Kh. Be’Be’, Stephen and Amy, Justyn and Jeffrey; Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit; David Turner’s mother Mary Jean; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Dorin and Carolina Lavric and Victor (Carolina’s brother); Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Joanna Meadows and Jay Davis (as they prepare for their wedding).
 
Our condolences go to Rod and Emily Parker and their family in the death of Rod’s mother, Velma Cole this past Wednesday.  Please remember them in your prayers.
 
Memory Eternal!  Mrs. Frankie Tattis of Holy Trinity and St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church fell asleep in the Lord this past week.  Please remember her daughter Ellen Hontzas and their family in your prayers.
 
Date Change for Baptism:  due to a change in schedules, Isabelle Goss will be baptized on Saturday, April 21st at 10:30 a.m.
 
Opportunity for Almsgiving:  Ian Jones will be travelling to Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala the first week in June as part of a mission team led by Father Chad Hatfield. They plan to help the nuns prepare for their patronal feast, catechize incoming members of the church and help in moving the orphanage out to the monastery and away from its current location in one of the most crime-ridden parts of Guatemala City.  As a team member, he is attempting to raise $1100.  If you would like to contribute to this cause, make your check out to St. Vladimir’s Seminary, earmarked “Guatemala Mission Trip 2012,” and mail it to Ian at the following address:
                        St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary
                        575 Scarsdale Road
                        Tuckahoe, New York  10707
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    Agape Vespers will be celebrated this afternoon at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
*    Stewpot schedule (together with Holy Resurrection) – July 21st and December 29th.
 
Breakfast and Bible Study:  will resume after Pascha  — date TBA.  This is open to all who are interested.  Be sure to come and enjoy the fellowship.

Bar-b-que on Sunday, May 6th:  A sign-up sheet is in the foyer to reserve plates for the BBQ following the Hierarchical Liturgy on Sunday, May 6th.   The cost is $10 per adult and $6 for each child over 6 years of age.  The lunch is being catered through Chimneyville Smokehouse.
 
25TH Anniversary Weekend – May 4-6, 2012:  A number of events are planned and special guests will be here the first weekend in May to join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of our church’s entrance into the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.  His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN will be here, along with Father Jon Braun and Kh. Mary Ellen and Father Peter Gillquist and Kh. Marilyn.  Many other friends and family will be here, too—some from Orthodox churches in the area, along with friends from St. John in Memphis.  MS Mary O’Connor, representing the National Office of the Order of St. Ignatius, will also be here.  Among the events planned are:
 
FRIDAY, MAY 4TH                 6:30 p.m.        Daily Vespers followed by a teaching by Father Jon Braun, followed by an Ice Cream Social with light pick-              up foods;
 
            SATURDAY, MAY 5TH           10:00 a.m.         3rd Hour Prayers followed by a teaching by Father Peter Gilliquist, followed by light refreshments;
 
                                                                   5:00 P.M.          Great Vespers (Note: No 9th Hour) followed by our 25th Anniversary Reception/Banquet at the MS                                                                                                           Museum of Art (201 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson), with a keynote address by Father Jon Braun;
           
SUNDAY, MAY 6TH               8:50 a.m.         Orthros/Hierachical Divine Liturgy, followed by a lunch catered by Chimneyville Smokehouse.
 
The Order of St. Ignatius  is a service organization in our Archdiocese that has founded many worthwhile projects.  If you are interested in joining this organization during His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN’s visit in May, please see Father John.
 
Fasting Discipline for April
There is no fasting of any kind during the week following Pascha (Bright Week).  Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is once again observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for April
April 22           Thomas Sunday
April 23           Great-martyr George
April 25           Apostle Mark
April 29           Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers
 
When you host Coffee Hour or the meal for a Feast please make sure that the oven, warmer, and coffee maker are turned off afterwards.  On several occasions in the past, the cleaning ladies have found the oven still on when they came in to clean later during the week.

Happy Anniversaries in April:
         April 12                 —    Mike and Cheryl Piggott (#31!)
         April 25                 —    Jim and Desi Roehner (#63!)
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#22!)
 
Happy Birthdays in April:
         April 4                   —    Denis Lavric
         April 6                   —    John Wood (#19!)
         April 11                 —    Brandon Strain (#10!)
         April 12                 —    Lily Dabit
 
Quotable:  “A third example of this process can be observed in people sitting in a church, a courtroom, or a doctor’s waiting room.  Most would agree that we are not quite the same people in those places that we are in the workplace, in a store, or in a restaurant.  Actually, this phenomenon is most noticeable when someone does not go through the expected transformation in a place like that—a person who behaves in church as he might in his favorite restaurant sticks out from the rest of those present, often causing great embarrassment to those around him.”
                                                 Archimandrite. Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and
                                                             Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, April 22, 2012 (Thomas Sunday)
 
         Scripture:                               Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                     Warren Strain
         Prosphora:                             Meadows
         Coffee Hour:                          Meadows/Lasseters                                 

4/8 announcements

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April 8, 2012
Palm Sunday
 
    Palm Sunday begins the observance of the eight days that encapsulate all of time and eternity as relates to man.  The days begin with the proclamation on earth of the entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem and end with the Eternal King rising in incomprehensible victory to establish the heavenly Jerusalem and His eternal reign.  On Palm Sunday, we begin the days of the full exhibition of the awful corruption sin has spread in mankind and the measureless love that heals and deifies our humanity.  Today we thrill at the picture of Christ and the praises of the people, the object of adoration yet the perfection of humility.  The imagery of the scene is beyond description:  the King amidst His people, the palm and olive branches symbolizing His victory, His anointing, His peace; the cloaks and garments cast before Him symbolizing our complete submission to His will; the cries of adoration, of “Hosanna,” the coming of the Lord.  Yet, on this day we are also near enough to feel acutely the dread of His passion, the desolation of the trial and Golgotha.  This day also begins the week of the Eighth Day, the entry to eternity.  As we observe Palm Sunday, we observe all history and the fulfillment of all history.
 
Philippians 4:4-9:  The Apostle Paul encourages us in the reading from his letter to the Philippians:  we are to rejoice in the Lord and to let our concerns and desires be made known to God in prayer and sup­plication.  By doing so, he tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.
 
John 12:1-18:  In anticipation of her Lord’s passion, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly ointment, fore­shadowing His coming death.  Jesus then enters Jerusalem shortly before Passover in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy.
 
First Troparion of Palm Sunday:  O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection.  Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
 
Second Troparion of Palm Sunday:  O Christ God, when we were buried with thee in Baptism, we became deserving of thy Resurrection  to immortal life.  Wherefore, we praise thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
 
Kontakion of Palm Sunday: Seated upon Thy throne in heaven, and a foal on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children: Blessed is He that cometh to recall Adam.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 8   (Palm Sunday)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Annual Catfish Fry
            6:30 p.m.         — Bridegroom Matins
 
Monday, April 9   (Great and Holy Monday)
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
            6:30 p.m.         — Bridegroom Matins
           
Tuesday, April 10   (Great and Holy Tuesday)
            6:30 p.m.         –Bridegroom Matins
 
Wednesday, April 11   (Great and Holy Wednesday)
6:30 p.m.         — Holy Unction Service (remember to fast)
 
Thursday, April 12    (Great and Holy Thursday)
6:00 a.m.         — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
6:30 p-.m.        — Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels
 
 
Friday, April 13   (Great and Holy Friday)
6:00 a.m.         — Royal Hours
3:00 p.m.         — Taking down from the Cross
6:30 p.m.         — Lamentations Service
 
Saturday, April 14   (Great and Holy Saturday)
9:00 a.m.         — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
10:30 p.m.       — Paschal Service
 
Sunday, April 15   (PASCHA)
            TBA     — Agape Vespers at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Algoods for Lazarus Saturday yesterday and by the Katools for the Divine Liturgy today.  
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         April 8                                  Katool                                      Meadows/Joanna/Freundt
         April 12 (Thurs. a.m.)        Schelver                                   Meadows
         April 14 (Sat. a.m.)             Morris                                      Cooper
         April 14 (Sat. p.m.)             Jones                                       Jones/Chamblee/?
         April 22                                Meadows                                Meadows/Lasseter
         April 29                                Joanna Meadows                   Ellis/Zouboukos
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                          Reader                                 Reading                          Page#
April 8                               Tom Skirtech                       Phil. 4:4-9                       294
April 12 (Thurs. a.m.)      Kh. Sharon Meadows        I Cor. 11:23-32               295
April 14 (Sat. a.m.)           Sh. Charlotte Algood         Rom. 6:3-11                   300-301
April 14 (Sat. p.m.)          Walt Wood                          Acts 1:1-8                       25
April 22                             Warren Strain                      Acts 5:12-20                   32
April 29                             Mildred Morris                    Acts 6:1-7                       38
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor.  Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle and their daughter Abigail in your prayers. 
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Maria Costas; Amy and Michael Surratt and Amy’s family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and Jennifer’s mother, Jessamine Hinkson;  Warren and Sandi Strain and their family; Fr. Leo, Kh. Be’Be’, Stephen and Amy, Justyn and Jeffrey; Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit; David Turner’s mother Mary Jean; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Dorin and Carolina Lavric and Victor (Carolina’s brother); Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Joanna Meadows and Jay Davis (as they prepare for their wedding).
 
Date Changes for Baptism and Chrismation:  due to a change in schedules, Oliver Yeatts will be chrismated during the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil on Great and Holy Saturday morning (instead of May 12th).  Isabelle Goss will be baptized on Saturday, April 21st at 10:30 a.m. (instead of Great and Holy Saturday as announced last week).
 
Confessions:  Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week.  No confessions will be heard after Great and Holy Wednesday.
 
Opportunity for Almsgiving:  Ian Jones will be travelling to Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala the first week in June as part of a mission team led by Father Chad Hatfield. They plan to help the nuns prepare for their patronal feast, catechize incoming members of the church and help in moving the orphanage out to the monastery and away from its current location in one of the most crime-ridden parts of Guatemala City.  As a team member, he is attempting to raise $1100.  If you would like to contribute to this cause, make your check out to St. Vladimir’s Seminary, earmarked “Guatemala Mission Trip 2012,” and mail it to Ian at the following address:
                        St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary
                        575 Scarsdale Road
                        Tuckahoe, New York  10707
 
When you host Coffee Hour or the meal for a Feast please make sure that the oven, warmer, and coffee maker are turned off afterwards.  On several occasions in the past, the cleaning ladies have found the oven still on when they came in to clean later during the week.
 
Breakfast and Bible Study:  will resume after Pascha  — date TBA.  This is open to all who are interested.  Be sure to come and enjoy the fellowship.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    We will hold our annual catfish dinner today following the Divine Liturgy.  Meals will be all-you-can-eat catfish, hushpuppies, cole slaw and French fries.  Cost of the meal will be $9 for adults and children 12 and over, and $6 for children 5-11.  Please be sure to stay for the fun and fellowship.
*    The schedule of services for Holy Week is as follows:
            Sunday, April 8                Bridegroom Matins, 6:30 p.m.
            Monday, April 9              Bridegroom Matins, 6:30 p.m.
            Tuesday, April 10            Bridegroom Matins, 6:30 p.m.
            Wednesday, April 11      Holy Unction Service, 6:30 p.m. (remember to fast)
            Thursday, April 12          Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 6:00 a.m.
                                                        Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels, 6:30 p.m
.           Friday, April 13                 Royal Hours, 6:00 a.m.
                                                        Taking down from the Cross, 3:00 p.m.
                                                         Lamentations Service, 6:30 p.m.
            Saturday, April 14             Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 a.m.
                                                         Paschal Service, 10:30 p.m.
            Sunday, April 15               Agape Vespers at Holy Resurrection, time TBA
*    His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN will be here the weekend of May 6, 2012 to help us celebrate our 25th anniversary as a parish.  The planning committee is working very hard to make our celebration a memorable one.  There will be an evening event at the MS Museum of Art on Saturday, May 6th.  Other events are being planned and more information will be available in the coming months.
*    Stewpot schedule (together with Holy Resurrection) – July 21st and December 29th.
 
If you are the last to leave the building, please make sure that the heating and cooling unit in the Fellowship Hall is turned off.

Fasting Discipline for April
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Palm Sunday on April 8th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted).  There is no fasting of any kind during the week following Pascha (Bright Week).  Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline is once again observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for April
April 8             Palm Sunday
April 9-14        Holy Week
April 15           PASCHA
April 22           Thomas Sunday
April 23           Great-martyr George
April 25           Apostle Mark
April 29           Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers
 
Happy Anniversaries in April:
         April 12                 —    Mike and Cheryl Piggott (#31!)
         April 25                 —    Jim and Desi Roehner (#63!)
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#22!)
 
Happy Birthdays in April:
         April 4                   —    Denis Lavric
         April 6                   —    John Wood (#19!)
         April 11                 —    Brandon Strain (#10!)
         April 12                 —    Lily Dabit
 
Quotable:  “Let us have a look at another, perhaps less threatening, example.  A woman speaking to her mother is not exactly the same person as when she speaks to her own child.  Anyone who is present at a large family gathering will see individuals switching from being a child to being a parent with great ease.  It is no huge psychological feat.  I remember seeing a television program about the present queen of Great Britain that showed her attending a horseracing event.  At one point she turned to her own mother, who had, one imagines, just made some sort of off-camera parental comment.  She reacted just as any little child would (“oh Mummy!”), in a tone far removed from the regal dignity and bearing she often exhibits.  If this sort of behavior holds true for a queen, it probably holds true for the rest of us as well.”
                                                 Archimandrite. Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and
                                                             Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, April 8, 2012 (Palm Sunday)
 
         Scripture:                                Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17
         Celebrant:                                Father John
         Epistle Reader:                       Walt Wood
         Prosphora:                              Jones
         Coffee Hour:                           Jones/Chamblees/?