Monthly Archives: May 2012

5/27 announcements

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May 27, 2012
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicea
 
    Today is the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea.  This day commemorates the Holy Fathers who sat in council at Nicea, the first of the ecumenical councils.  Through them we see the commitment to the immutable truth of God for all the faithful, especially those who lead in the faith.  The men of this council bear special note by the significance of their creed, for it is the fundamental statement of orthodox Christology and an enduring guide to our faith.  The events of the ascension and the scriptures of this day emphasize to us the nature and action of Christ, and the history of these fathers puts us in mind of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church, work proclaimed by the glorious events which we now anticipate in the preparation for Pentecost.
 
Acts 20:16-18,28-36:  In the reading from Acts, we hear St Paul speak to the elders of the church at Ephesus, encouraging them to follow his example in their shepherding, and bidding them his final fare­well as he approached his imprisonment at Rome.
 
John 17:1-13:  In the passage from John, Jesus prays for His disciples, that they would be united as one and kept from evil.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men.  Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby.  Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world;  O thou who art risen from the dead!  O Lord, glory to thee.

Troparion of the Ascension: Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing.  Verily, thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.
 
Troparion of the Holy Fathers: Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
 
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 the Ascension:  When thou didst fulfill thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto thy beloved, I am with you, and no one shall be against you.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, May 27   (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Coffee Hour and Baby Shower for Lasseters
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
Monday, May 28   
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, May 29  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Wednesday, May 30  
5:00 p.m.         — Catechism Class
6:30 p.m.         — Daily Orthros followed by Parish Council Meeting
 
Thursday, May 31    
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Friday, June 1   (Justyn Martyr)
6:00 a.m.         — Festal Orthros
 
Saturday, June 2   (Saturday of the Souls)
9:00 a.m.         — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, June 3   (Pentecost)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Pot Luck Meal
            6:30 p.m.         — Kneeling Vespers
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Bakers for the Feast of the Ascension this past Wednesday and by the Fahmys for the Divine Liturgy today.  
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         May 27                                Fahmy                                      R. Root/Algood
         June 2 (Sat. a.m.)                R. Root                                    Dansereau/Cooper
                                                          (Koliva: Abraham)
         June 3                                  Henderson                              Schelver/Henderson
         June 10                               Algood                                     Meadows/Lasseter
         June 17                                Katool                                      Ellis/Zouboukos
         June 24                                Schelver                                   Fahmy/Pigott
         June 28 (Thurs. p.m.)        Morris
 
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#
May 27                            Tom Skirtech                       Acts 20:16-18, 28-36        66
June 2 (Sat. a.m.)            Kh. Sharon Meadows       Acts 28:4-31                      72
June 3                              Walt Wood                         Acts 2:1-11                        76
June 10                            Sh. Charlotte Algood         Heb. 11:33-12:2                 84
June 17                            Warren Strain                      Rom. 2:10-16                     90
June 24                            Mildred Morris                    Rom. 13:11-14:1-4            279
                                               (reading is for the Forerunner)
June 28 (Thurs. p.m.)     Kh. Sharon Meadows         II Cor. 11:21-33; 12:1-9  389
 
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 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 start their married life together); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Dn. Howard Shannon.
 
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.
 
Baby Shower:  Today we will have a “Coffee Hour/Baby Shower” in honor of Nikki and Phillip Lasseter following the liturgy.  The hostesses are Lynda Costas, Sh. Margaret Root, Anastasia Jones, Sh. Charlotte Algood, and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver.  Come and help us celebrate a new addition to our church!
 
Pentecost Feast:  Next Sunday, June 3rd, is the Feast of Pentecost.  We will have a “directed pot luck.” with Kh. Janet Henderson and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver as the hostesses in charge.  There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.  Please make an effort to sign up for this and plan to attend this joyous occasion.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    On Saturday morning, June 2nd we will have Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy for Saturday of the Souls, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
*    Pentecost is Sunday, June 3rd.  We will have a meal following the Divine Liturgy.  Kneeling Vespers will be held that evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    There will be no fasting during the week following Pentecost.  The Fast of the Apostles will begin Monday, June 11th and run through June 28th.
*    Father John will be attending the Parish Life Conference June 13-17 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Kh. Sharon will be representing our Ladies.
*    Stewpot schedule (together with Holy Resurrection) – July 21st and December 29th.

Fasting Discipline for May/June
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.  There will be no fasting during the week following Pentecost (June 3rd).  The traditional fasting discipline is again observed on all days during the Fast of the Apostles (June 11-28).
 
Major Commemorations for May/June
June 1              Justyn Martyr
June 2              Saturday of the Souls
June 3              Penetcost
June 4              Metrophanes of Constantinople
June 8              Theodore the General (transfer of relics)
June 10            Sunday of All Saints
June 11            Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas
June 24            Nativity of th Forerunner
June 29            Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30            Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
 
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/June:
         May 30                  —    Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (#35!)
         June 8                    —    Nader and Lily Dabit (#4!)
         June 10                  —    Dorin and Carolina Lavric (#1!)
         June 14                  —    Ken and Anastasia Jones (#42!)
                                       —    Saliba and Lamia Dabit (#48!)
         June 22                  —    Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver (#38!)
         June 31                  —    Denis and Tatiana Lavric (#2!)
 
Happy Birthdays in May/June:
         May 27                  —    Luke Habeeb (#7!)
         May 30                  —    Dn. Terry Algood
         May 31                  —    Stephen Chamblee
         June 1                    —    Fr. James Meadows
         June 5                    —    George Wood
         June 12                  —    Ellie Yeatts (#14!)
         June 13                  —    Lou Turner
         June 17                  —    Sh. Margaret Root
         June 21                  —    Sandra Strain
         June 29                  —    Jennifer Skirtech

Quotable:  “It is not until we learn to quiet our thoughts that there is even the possibility of learning to use our hearts.  Apart from everything else, the mind uses noise constantly to reassure itself of its own existence.  The language of the heart, on the other hand, is silence.  Here I am not referring to an empty silence, one that is simply waiting for something to happen.  Rather, I refer to the overflowing silence, the silence that is the heart’s means of communication, a full and profound experience of being, and a deep awareness of God.”
                                                 Archimandrite Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, June 3, 2012 (Feat of Pentecost)
 
         Scripture:                               Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      Walt Wood
         Prosphora:                             Henderson
         Coffee Hour:                          POT LUCK MEAL
                                                         (Set-up:Schelver/Henderson)                  

5/20 announcements

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May 20, 2012
Sunday of the Blind Man
 
  Today is the Sunday of the Blind Man.  Though the Gospel account of the healing of the blind man touches many subjects, there is but one theme:  Christ is the divine Light which illuminates the hearts of those who behold Him in faith.  Despite the intimidation of the authorities, despite the confusion of the people who know him, despite the fear of his parents, the blind man given sight refuses to deny what he knows is the truth:  Jesus has given him sight, has healed the affliction he has born from birth, and one who does such good is from God.  To deny his healer is to deny the truth, and he prefers persecution and rejection to that denial.  More than his eyes have been opened; his heart has been opened to true and eternal Light.  As were the Israelites cast into the dark despair of his fear, as are we all blinded by the frustration of sin and of our weakness, so this man was trapped by his closed eyes; and, as may all be, he was freed by the coming of the Messiah.  In faith we open our eyes to the radiant glory of our Lord and King.
 
Acts 16:16-34:  In our reading from Acts we see Paul and Silas imprisoned unjustly;  but the Lord uses the circumstances to bring the jailer to Himself by means of a dramatic rescue.
 
John 9:1-38:  After Jesus heals a man born blind, we see the hypocrisy and unbelief of the Pharisees as they seek to learn how the man came to see.  After being put out of the temple, the formerly blind man again encounters Jesus, whom he worships as his savior.
 
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for he took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh, to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious Resurrection.
 
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, May 20   (Sunday of the Blindman)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            1:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, May 21   (Sts. Constantine and Helen)
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, May 22  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
            6:30 p.m.         — Paschal Vespers for the Leave-taking of Pascha
 
Wednesday, May 23  
NO Catechism Class
6:00 p.m.         — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
 
Thursday, May 24   (Feast of the Ascension)
NO Daily Orthros
 
Friday, May 25   (The Forerunner – 3rd Discovery)
6:00 a.m.         — Festal Orthros
 
Saturday, May 26   
7:30 a.m.         — Breakfast with Bible Study
5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, May 27   (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Coffee Hour and Baby Shower for Lasseters
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Woods for the Divine Liturgy today.  
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         May 20                                Wood                                       Fahmy/Pigott
         May 23 (Wed. p.m.)           Baker                                      
         May 27                                Fahmy                                      R. Root/Algood
         June 2 (Sat. a.m.)                R. Root                                     Dansereau/Cooper
                                                          (Koliva: Abraham)
         June 3                                 Henderson                                Schelver/Henderson
         June 10                               Algood                                      Meadows/Lasseter
         June 17                               Katool                                        Ellis/Zouboukos
         June 24                               Schelver                                    Fahmy/Pigott
         June 28 (Thurs. p.m.)        Morris
 
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#
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
June 2 (Sat. a.m.)             Kh. Sharon Meadows        Acts 28:4-31                    72
June 3                              Walt Wood                           Acts 2:1-11                      76
June 10                             Sh. Charlotte Algood         Heb. 11:33-12:2                84
June 17                             Warren Strain                       Rom. 2:10-16                   90
June 24                              Mildred Morris                    Rom. 13:11-14:1-4          279
                                                (reading is for the Forerunner)
June 28 (Thurs. p.m.)     Kh. Sharon Meadows          II Cor. 11:21-33; 12:1-9  389
 
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 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 start their married life together); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Dn. Howard Shannon.
 
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.
 
Congratulations and Many Years!  to Joanna and Jay Davis who were married yesterday!
 
Congratulations to Melissa Curtis who was a member of the Madison Central Academic Decathlon Team that won third place in the National Competition in Albuquerque, NM!  Melissa had the highest score on her team. 
 
Congratulations to George Wood on his graduation from Mississippi College!
 
Baby Shower:  Next 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).  For more information, see one of the flyers on the information table in the hallway outside the nave.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    Coffee Hour honoring Melissa Curtis’ graduation from high school today.
*    We will celebrate the Leave-taking of Pascha with Paschal Vespers on Tuesday evening, May 22nd, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evening, May 23rd, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    Coffee Hour and Baby Shower for Nikki and Phillip Lasseter on Sunday, May 27th.
*    On Saturday morning, June 2nd we will have Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy for Saturday of the Souls, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
*    Pentecost is Sunday, June 3rd.  We will have a meal following the Divine Liturgy.  Kneeling Vespers will be held that evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    There will be no fasting during the week following Pentecost.  The Fast of the Apostles will begin Monday, June 11th and run through June 28th.
*    Father John will be attending the Parish Life Conference June 13-17 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Kh. Sharon will be representing our Ladies.
*    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
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
 
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 (#5!)
         May 14                  —    Lorencz and Geraldine Quirk (#52!)
         May 30                  —    Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (#35!)

Happy Birthdays in May:
         May 5                    —    Dale Cooper
                                       —    Joanna Meadows
                                       —    Mary Greene
         May 7                    —    Tiffany Strain (#15!)
         May 8                    —    Kh. Janet Henderson
         May 10                  —    Fr. Leo Schelver
         May 11                  —    Meghan Brock
         May 15                  —    Tom Skirtech
         May 21                  —    Jacob Skirtech (#5!)
         May 24                  —    Paul Katool
                                       —    Daniel Root
         May 26                  —    David Turner
         May 27                  —    Luke Habeeb (#7!)
         May 30                  —    Dn. Terry Algood
         May 31                  —    Stephen Chamblee
 
Quotable:  “The stream of thoughts is negative because the mind dwells in a land of unrelenting desire and boundless fear, and it attempts to influence us to experience these two areas as our rightful home.  Almost anyone who has ever lain awake at four in the morning listening to the workings of the mind knows what this feels like.  Some people actually hear an almost constant stream of conversation going on in their heads throughout the day, encouraging them to want and need, to be afraid, to feel alienated and alone.  Many people experience the mind as a commentary.  Still others, though denying that they can actually hear anything, will quickly agree that it is a very difficult thing to keep the mind quiet.  Any attempt at counting from one to ten without having an intervening thought (including those inevitable ones like ‘gosh, I’m able to count without having a thought’) will reveal just how difficult it is.”
                                                 Archimandrite Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, May 20, 2012 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
 
         Scripture:                                Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13
         Celebrant:                               Father John
         Epistle Reader:                       Tom Skirtech
         Prosphora:                              Fahmy
         Coffee Hour:                           R. Root/Algood                           

5/13 announcements

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May 13, 2012
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
 
    This Sunday concludes the week which includes mid-Pentecost.  The scriptures for that day make reference to the great and final feast and the Lord’s words concerning fountains of living water and the nourishment of the spirit.  The episode of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well and Jesus’s further description of Himself as living water continue this theme.  There are innumerable nuances to the message of this episode, ranging from the allusion to the patriarch Joseph to the faith of those who believe without seeing, but let us concentrate on the woman who comes into the presence of her God.  Christ asks service of her, asks her to ignore their traditional enmity, confuses her with parables, confronts her with her sins, and claims to be her Messiah and Lord.  She enters the scene with skepticism, but she does not let circumstances blind her, for the words of the man before her ring with unmistakable authority and truth.  Whether she wants to or not, she must believe herself to be in the presence of the Son of God; she not only believes, but she quickly bears witness to the others of her town.  We join her in her faith, and we, too, partake of the Water of Life.
 
Acts 11:19-30:  Reading in Acts, we see the establishment of the first predominately Gentile church in Antioch under the leading of Barnabas and Saul.
 
John 4:5-42:  In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman we see our Lord’s concern with the truth, both in our dealings with others and in our worship of God.  We also see that spreading the eternal gospel of the Kingdom is a corporate action and not that of just one or two.

Troparion of the Resurrection:  Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women Disciples cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying, Death has been spoiled.  Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
 
Troparion for mid-Pentecost:  In the midst of this Feast, O Saviour, give my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of true worship; for thou didst call out to all, saying, Whosoever is thirsty, let him come unto me and drink.  Wherefore, O Christ our God, Fountain of life, glory to thee.
 
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, May 13   (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Coffee Hour honoring Melissa Curtis
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
Monday, May 14   
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, May 15  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Wednesday, May 16  
5:00 p.m.         — Catechism Class
6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
 
Thursday, May 17    
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Friday, May 18   
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros

Saturday, May 19   
1:00 p.m.         — Meadows/Davis Wedding
Ninth Hour and Great Vespers have been Cancelled
 
Sunday, May 20   (Sunday of the Blindman)
            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 the Freundts for the Divine Liturgy today.  
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         May 13                                Freundt                                    Morris/Jones/Stewart
         May 20                                Wood                                       Fahmy/Pigott
         May 23 (Wed. p.m.)           Baker                                      
         May 27                                 Fahmy                                      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#
May 13                            Tom Willingham                 Acts 11:19-30                 52
May 20                             Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver          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 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.
 
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.
 
Congratulations to Melissa Curtis who was a member of the Madison Central Academic Decathlon Team that won third place in the National Competition in Albuquerque, NM!  Melissa had the highest score on her team.  We are also honoring Melissa this morning at Coffee Hour as a graduating high school senior.
 
Congratulations to George Wood on his graduation from Mississippi College!
 
Joanna Meadows and Jay Davis will be joined in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony here at St. Peter’s on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.  (Ninth Hour and Great Vespers have been Cancelled for that evening.)
 
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!
 
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
 
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).  For more information, see one of the flyers on the information table in the hallway outside the nave.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    Coffee Hour honoring Melissa Curtis’ graduation from high school today.
*    Joanna Meadows and Jay Davis’ wedding on Saturday, May 19th.
*    We will celebrate the Leave-taking of Pascha with Paschal Vespers on Tuesday evening, May 22nd, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evening, May 23rd, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    Coffee Hour and Baby Shower for Nikki and Phillip Lasseter on Sunday, May 27th.
*    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
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
 
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 (#5!)
         May 14                  —    Lorencz and Geraldine Quirk (#52!)
         May 30                  —    Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (#35!)
 
Happy Birthdays in May:
         May 5                    —    Dale Cooper
                                       —    Joanna Meadows
                                       —    Mary Greene
         May 7                    —    Tiffany Strain (#15!)
         May 8                    —    Kh. Janet Henderson
         May 10                  —    Fr. Leo Schelver
         May 11                  —    Meghan Brock
         May 15                  —    Tom Skirtech
         May 21                  —    Jacob Skirtech (#5!)
         May 24                  —    Paul Katool
                                       —    Daniel Root
         May 26                  —    David Turner
         May 27                  —    Luke Habeeb (#7!)
         May 30                  —    Dn. Terry Algood
         May 31                  —    Stephen Chamblee
 
Quotable:     “However, it seemed obvious to our spiritual teachers, just as it seems obvious in the modern world, that there is something broken about the way the mind works, par-ticularly in those situations where the mind seems to have a life of its own.  Unlike a computer, the mind does not have an ‘off’ switch.  When we are not actually using it, it carries on under its own power, behaving as if it were in charge and issuing a constant stream of comments and challenges, almost all of which are of a negative character.  As we have seen, the Fathers call this activity logismoi, and although these thoughts are not evil of themselves (most of them start as simple speculations of the ‘what if’ variety), the spiritual experts maintain that all sin has its roots in this stream of thought.”
                                                 Archimandrite. Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, May 20, 2012 (Sunday of the Blindman)
 
         Scripture:                               Acts 16:16-34; John 9:1-38
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver
         Prosphora:                             Wood
         Coffee Hour:                          Fahmy/Pigott                               

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May 6, 2012
Sunday of the Paralytic
 
In the miracle of the healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda, we see the Son’s power over life and sin, power which becomes fully evident in the Resurrection. The paralytic is a man crippled in body and spirit, for, even as He heals the body, Jesus warns against results of further sin.  Christ frees us from our bodies of corruption and grants us flesh glorified in Him; He also frees us from the power of sin and grants us perfection in His Spirit.  As the man at the pool accepted God’s grace and found life, so let us walk in His light and come into His presence.
 
Acts 9:32-42:  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, St Peter heals a paralyzed man and raises a woman from the dead; both acts lead to many people believing in the Lord.
 
John 5:1-15:  Jesus demonstrates His lordship over creation and the Sabbath when He heals a sick man at the pool of Bethsaida.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm.  He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of hades, 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, May 6   (Sunday of the Paralytic)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Luncheon catered by Chimneyville Smokehouse
 
Monday, May 7   
            Office Closed   — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, May 8   (Apostle John the Theologian)
            6:00 a.m.         — Festal Orthros
 
Wednesday, May 9   (Athanasios the Great)
5:00 p.m.         — Catechism Class
6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
 
Thursday, May 10   (Apostle Simon the Zealot) 
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Friday, May 11   
6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Saturday, May 12   
7:30 a.m.         — Bible Study with Breakfast
5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, May 13   (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Coffee Hour honoring Melissa Curtis
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Yeatts for the Divine Liturgy today.  
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
         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#
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 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.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle and their daughter Abigail in your prayers. 

Welcome to His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN; to Fr. Jon Braun and Kh. Mary Ellen; and to Fr. Peter Gillquist and Kh. Marilyn!!  Thank you for being here to help us celebrate 25 years in Orthodoxy!
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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).  For more information, see one of the flyers on the information table in the hallway outside the nave.
 
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.
*    Coffee Hour honoring Melissa Curtis’ graduation from high school next Sunday.
*    Joanna Meadows and Jay Davis’ wedding on Saturday, May 19th.
*    We will celebrate the Leave-taking of Pascha with Paschal Vespers on Tuesday evening, May 22nd, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension with a liturgy on Wednesday evening, May 23rd, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    Coffee Hour and Baby Shower for Nikki and Phillip Lasseter on Sunday, May 27th.
*    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
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
 
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.
 
Happy Birthdays in May:
         May 5                    —    Dale Cooper
                                       —    Joanna Meadows
                                       —    Mary Greene
         May 7                    —    Tiffany Strain (#15!)
         May 8                    —    Kh. Janet Henderson
         May 10                  —    Fr. Leo Schelver
         May 11                  —    Meghan Brock
         May 15                  —    Tom Skirtech
         May 21                  —    Jacob Skirtech (#5!)
         May 24                  —    Paul Katool
                                       —    Daniel Root
         May 26                  —    David Turner
         May 27                  —    Luke Habeeb (#7!)
         May 30                  —    Dn. Terry Algood
         May 31                  —    Stephen Chamblee
 
Happy Anniversaries in May:
         May 12                  —    Cliff and Anna Kathryn Stewart (#5!)
         May 14                  —    Lorencz and Geraldine Quirk (#52!)
         May 30                  —    Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (#35!)
 
 
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.
 
Quotable:       “Since most modern people are accustomed to using their minds rather than their hearts to make sense of the world, it may be valuable to consider in greater detail how the mind works in practice.
                        “The needs and desires of the mind are limitless.  So are its fears.  However, it needs to be said right at the beginning that the mind is not evil itself.  On the contrary, the mind is a beautiful and necessary part of human existence, and like everything else in the created universe, it was fashioned by God.  The ability to use the mind is crucial in almost everything we do, even though we have not really begun to understand how it works.  Obviously, the mind has an important connection with the brain, but in some senses the mind also sems to work throughout the body, affecting every cell, perhaps every atom of our existence, as it functions.  Apart from anything else, the working of the mind underlines the immensely important relationship of co-operation between who we feel ourselves to be, as people, and our bodies.  So long as we are alive, consciousness without the cooperation of our bodies seems to be, quite literally, unthinkable.”
                                                 Archimandrite. Meletios Webber, Bread and Water, Wine and
                                                             Oil: an Orthodox Christian Experience of God
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, May 13, 2012 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
 
         Scripture:                               Acts 11:19-30; John 4:5-42
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver
         Prosphora:                             Freundts
         Coffee Hour:                          Morris/Jones/Stewart