Monthly Archives: June 2013

6/30 announcements

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June 30, 2013
All Saints Sunday
Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
 
    The Church commemorates and remembers all of its saints at three times during the year; in anticipation of Christmas, at the beginning of Lent, and immediately after Pentecost.  On all three days we are reminded of the unified body of God’s people and of the holiness they have achieved and for which we strive.  These two things are not abnormal and removed from us; they are truth and reality.  On this day we are especially reminded of the strength of the saints and their victories, and we move from the day of Pentecost, the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, to join God’s people in our victorious procession, through purifying trial and sacrifice, to the Day of the Lord.
 
I Corinthians 4:9-16:  We hear St Paul speak to the Corinthians as their spiritual father and exhort them to imitate him in their actions.
 
Matthew 10:32- 33, 37-38;19:27-30:  In the gospel reading we hear the Lord Jesus teach the mean­ing of discipleship, and, when asked by Peter, tells him what shall be the reward for those who truly are dis­ci­ples of His.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  O compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou might deliver us from passion.  Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
 
Troparion of Sts. Peter and Paul: O foremost in the ranks of the Apostles and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all to grant safety to the world and to the souls the great mercy.
 
Troparion of All Saints: Thy Church, O Christ God, hast regaled herself in the blood of thy Martyrs throughout all the world, as in porphyry and purple.  Through them she lifts her voice, crying, Turn with thy compassion to thy people, and grant peace to thy city, and to the souls 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 the Saints:  To thee, O Lord and Author of all creation, the universe offers as first-fruits of nature the divinity-bearing Martyrs.  Wherefore, by their imploring preserve thy Church in perfect safety, for the sake of the Theotokos, O most Merciful.
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, June 30   (Sunday of All Saints)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
Monday, July 1   (Cosmas and Damian of Rome)
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, July 2   (Deposition of the Robe of the Theotokos)
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
                       
Wednesday, July 3    
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
 
Thursday, July 4       
            NO Daily Orthros
           
Friday, July 5    (Athanasios of Athos)
            NO Daily Orthros
 
Saturday, July 6   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, July 7  (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:30 p.m.       — Baptism of Anna Grace Dansereau
           
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Basingerss for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
 
 Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                    Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
June 30                        Basinger                                Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
July 7                                                                           Fahmy D. Root/Dansereau/Dale Cooper
July 14                         Baker                                      POT LUCK MEAL
                                                                        set-up:  Meadows/Lasseter/Greene/Strain
July 21                         Wood                                      Algood/Bassinger/Yeatts
July 28                         Henderson                              R. Root/Abraham/Davis
 
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#
June 30                             Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver          I Cor. 4:9-16                    130
July 7                                Tom Willingham                Gal. 3:23-4:5                    160-161
July 14                              Tom Skirtech                      Titus 3:8-15                     322
July 21                              Walt Wood                         Rom. 6:18-23                   102
July 28                              Sh. Charlotte Algood         Rom. 10:1-10                  108
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer.
 
Please remember Charles and Vivian Hadad in your prayers.  They are members of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church and have been dear friends of St. Peter’s for many years.  Both are experiencing issues with their health.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted recently while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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 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.
 
Anna Grace Dansereau will be baptized next Sunday following the Divine Liturgy.  Please pray for her; her Godmother, Anna Kathryn Stewart; and her parents, Chris and Rebecca Dansereau.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
      Due to the July Fourth holiday, they will meet on July 11th next month.
*    The dates for POT LUCK MEALS this quarter are July n14th, August 11th and September 8th (this Sunday is also the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos).
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will have a fundraiser on Sunday, September 29th to replenish funds used for charitable activities.  They will be auctioning off casseroles and baked goods during Coffee Hour that Sunday.
 
Fasting Discipline for July
The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for July
June 30                  Sunday of All Saints
                              Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
July1                      Cosmas and Damian of Rome
July 2                     Deposition of the Robe of the Theotokos
July 5                     Athanasios of Athos
July 11                   Euphemia the all-praised
July 17                   Great-martyr Marina
July 20                   Prophet Elias
July 25                   Dormition of Righteous Anna
July 27                   Great-martyr Panteleimon

Palm Sunday Feast:  If you have not yet paid for your meal at Cock of the Walk on Palm Sunday, please do so as soon as possible.  Make checks payable to St. Peter and designate Palm Sunday Feast on the memo line.
 
Quarterly Schedule Update:  When the Quarterly Schedule was compiled for July through September, the dates for POT LUCK MEALS were left off inadvertently.  The dates for these meals are July 14th, August 11th and September 8th .  Please make a note of these on your Quarterly Schedule.
 
Happy Birthdays in June/July:
         June 30                  —    Jeffrey Bassinger
         July 10                   —    Ramzi Kafoury
         July 11                   —    Titus Lasseter (#1!)
         July 14                   —    Emil Ellis (#17!)
         July 15                   —    Emad Fino
         July 22                   —    Amy Oliver
                                       —    Thomas Wood
                                       —    Walt Wood
         July 25                   —    Vickie Curtis
         July 26                   —    George Curtis (#14!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in June:
         June 30                  —    Denis and Tatiana Lavric (#3!)
         July 3                     —    Emad and Suzi Fino (#25!)
         July 25                   —    Reader Basil and Brenda Baker (#32!)
         July 30                   —    Clyde and Mary Ellis (#19!)
 
Quotable:  “Man is dual:  exterior and interior, flesh and spirit.  The outer man is visible, of the flesh; but the inner man is invisible, spiritual—or what the Apostle Peter terms ‘. . . the hidden man of the heart, which is not corruptible, . . . a meek and quiet spirit’ (I Pet. iii. 4).  And St. Paul refers to this duality when he says:  ‘But though our outer man perish, yet the inward is renewed’ (2 Cor. iv. 16).  Here the Apostle speaks clearly about the outer and inner man.  the outer man is composed of many members, but the inner man comes to perfection through his mind—by attention to himself, by fear of the Lord, and by the grace of God.  The works of the outer man are visible, but those of the inner man are invisible, according to the Psalmist:  ‘the inner man and the heart are very deep’ (Ps. lxiii. 7:  Septuagint).  And St. Paul the Apostle also says:  ‘For what man knoweth the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him?’ (1 Cor. ii. 11).  Only He who tests the innermost hearts and the inward parts knows all the secrets of the inner man.”
 
                  The Art of Prayer; an Orthodox Anthology compiled by Igumen Chariton of Valamo

Worship:         Sunday, July 7, 2013 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
 
         Scripture:                                  Galatians 3:23-4:5(for St. Kyriake); Matthew 4:18-23
         Celebrant:                                 Father John
         Epistle Reader:                        Tom Willingham
         Prosphora:                                Fahmy

       Coffee Hour:                     D. Root/Dansereau/Dale Cooper          

6/23 announcements

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June 23, 2013
Pentecost
 
  In several senses, Pentecost marks for us the end of many months of anticipation, commemoration, and celebration and the beginning of the fullness of the life and faith we share.  It is a day bringing our focus on the Holy Spirit, the embodiment of divine grace, the supreme gift, the ongoing presence of God in our lives; yet, it is a day directing us to the praise of the Trinity, the three divine persons, and the historical and spatial relationship God’s people have with Him.  For the disciples, the day marks their spiritual maturity.  Their faith began in their nationality, for they were of the nation that God the Father chose to glorify Him.  The faith was completed in their confrontation with God the Son, through His presence and the nourishment He gave.  The fullness of the faith came with the coming in power of God the Spirit.  The disciples had grown in spirit and were ready for their work; the birth of the Church was imminent; the Bride was to be made ready.  In the cycle of the calendar, we now stand ready to do likewise, and all weeks from now until our preparation for Advent are the weeks of Pentecost.  In the picture of the birth of the Church there are symbols beyond mention here; the unity in the common tongue, the Light that shines brighter than day, the bold proclamation to all men of the Gospel.  We look forward from this day to weeks without special celebrations, to days without reference to past days of enormous import–to normal, uneventful days.  But these are not uneventful days; they are the days for which we have prepared, the days of the Church, the days of our maturity and growth, the days when, through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we run the good race and cross the finish to bring praise and glory to our glorious God, the eternal Trinity.
 
Acts 2:1-11:  In the reading from Acts we see the pouring out of God’s Spirit on the apostles, the ful­fillment of Joel’s prophecy, and the beginning of the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
 
John 7:37-52, 8:12:  Our Lord calls those thirsting for righteousness to Himself, promising to eternally quench their thirst by the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Pharisees, however, view Jesus as a threat to their authority and seek for ways to undermine His authority.
 
Troparion of Pentecost:  Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise, having sent upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them thou hast fished the universe, O Lover of mankind, glory to thee.
 
Kontakion of Pentecost:  When the high One descended, confusing tongues, he divided the nations.  And when he distributed the fiery tongues he called all to one unity.  Wherefore, in unison we glorify the most Holy Spirit.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, June 23  (Pentecost) [NO FASTING THIS WEEK]
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Pot Luck Meal for Pentecost
            6:30 p.m.         — Kneeling Vespers
 
Monday, June 24   (Nativity of the Forerunner)
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, June 25   
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
                       
Wednesday, June 26    
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
            7:30 p.m.         — Parish Council Meeting
 
Thursday, June 27     
            NO Daily Orthros
            8:30 a.m.         — Vacation Church School (until 12:30 p.m.)
           
Friday, June 28    
            NO Daily Orthros
            8:30 a.m.         — Vacation Church School (until 12:30 p.m.)
Saturday, June 29   (Chief Apostles Peter and Paul)
            8:30 a.m.         — Vacation Church School (until 12:30 p.m.)
            11:15 a.m.       — Serving at Stewpot
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, June 30   (Sunday of All Saints)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Yeatts for the Saturday of the Souls Liturgy yesterday morning and by the Abrahams for the Divine Liturgy this morning.  The Koliva for yesterday’s liturgy was offered by the Joneses.
 
 Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                    Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
June 23                      Abraham                                  Algood/Meadows/Volunteers
June 29 (Sat. a.m.)    Liturgy for Sts. Peter and Paul cancelled due to Church School
June 30                      Basinger                                   Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
 
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#
June 23                            Mildred Morris                   Acts 2:1-11                      77
June 29 (Sat. a.m.)          Liturgy for Sts. Peter and Paul cancelled due to Church School
June 30                            Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver           I Cor. 4:9-16                    130
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer.
 
Please remember Charles and Vivian Hadad in your prayers.  They are members of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church and have been dear friends of St. Peter’s for many years.  Both are experiencing issues with their health.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted recently while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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 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.
 
Many Thanks!! to Fr. James and Dn. Richard, to Fr. Leo and Dn. Terry and to everyone else who helped complete our construction project.  We are very thankful to the Lord that we have been able to add this additional space to our facility!
 
Father John and his family will be on vacation June 20-24th.  Please contact Fr. Leo or Fr. James if you need a priest during his absence.
 
Fasting Discipline for June
The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month until the Feast of Pentecost.  There is no fasting of any kind during the week following Pentecost (June 24-28th).  Due to the lateness of Pentecost this year, there will be no fast of the Apostles.
 
Major Commemorations for June
June 23                  Pentecost
June 24                  Nativity of the Forerunner
June 29                  Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30                  Sunday of All Saints
                              Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
      Due to the July Fourth holiday, they will meet on July 11th next month.
*    Vacation Church School will be held this week on  June 27-29, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
*    There will be no liturgy this year for Sts. Peter and Paul due to Vacation Church School.
 
Happy Birthdays in June:
         June 1                    —    Fr. James Meadows
         June 5                    —    George Wood
         June 6                    —    Michel Root (2012)
         June 12                  —    Ellie Yeatts (1998)
         June 13                  —    Lou Turner
         June 17                  —    Sh. Margaret Root
         June 21                  —    Sandra Strain
         June 22                  —    Isabelle Goss (2010)
         June 29                  —    Jennifer Skirtech
         June 30                  —    Jeffrey Bassinger
 
Happy Anniversaries in June:
         June 8                    —    Nader and Lily Dabit (2008)
         June 10                  —    Dorin and Carolina Lavric (2011)
         June 14                  —    Ken and Anastasia Jones (1970)
                                       —    Saliba and Lamia Dabit (1964)
         June 22                  —    Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver (1974)
         June 31                  —    Denis and Tatiana Lavric (2010)
 
Quotable:       “Consequently the Saint—a bearer of Orthodox spirituality—possess all three of these memories, which act and function simultaneously without influencing one another.  A Saint is the most ‘natural of men.’  He is conscious of the world, involved in various concerns, yet—because his nous has attained to its natural function—’he lives on earth but is a citizen of heaven.”
                       “Therefore, the centre of Orthodox spirituality is the heart, within which man’s nous must inherently operate.  The energy of the soul—the nous—must return within the soul’s essence—in the heart–; and thus by uniting these powers by the grace of God acquire unity and communion with God the Trinity.  A spirituality outside of this perspective is not Orthodox but moralistic, pietistic, abstract and rationalistic.”
                                    Metropolitan HIEROTHEOS, Orthodox Spirituality
 
Worship:         Sunday, June 30, 2013 (Sunday of All Saints; Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles)
 
         Scripture:                             I Corinthians 4:9-16; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30
         Celebrant:                            Father John
         Epistle Reader:                    Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver
         Prosphora:                           Basinger

      Coffee Hour:                   Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker                                   

6/16 announcements

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June 16, 2013
Sunday of the Holy Fathers 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 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 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 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, June 16   (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicea)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
 
Monday, June 17   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, June 18   
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
                       
Wednesday, June 19    
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
 
Thursday, June 20     
            NO Daily Orthros
           
Friday, June 21    
            NO Daily Orthros
 
Saturday, June 22   (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 23  (Pentecost)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            6:30 p.m.         — Kneeling Vespers
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Meadows for the Feast of Ascension this past Wednesday evening and by the Davises for the Divine Liturgy this morning. 
 
 Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                    Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
June 16                       Davis                                        Schelvers and others
June 22 (Sat. a.m.)     Yeatts                                      Anastasia Jones
                                             Koliva:  Anastasia Jones
June 23                       Abraham                                  Algood/Meadows/Volunteers
June 29 (Sat. a.m.)     Liturgy for Sts. Peter and Paul cancelled due to Church School
June 30                        Basinger                                   Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
 
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#
June 16                            Warren Strain                      Acts 20:16-18, 28-36      66
June 22 (Sat. a.m.)           Phillip Lasseter                   Acts 28:4-31                   72
June 23                             Mildred Morris                    Acts 2:1-11                     77
June 29 (Sat. a.m.)           Liturgy for Sts. Peter and Paul cancelled due to Church School
June 30                              Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver           I Cor. 4:9-16                   130
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer.
 
Please remember Charles and Vivian Hadad in your prayers.  They are members of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church and have been dear friends of St. Peter’s for many years.  Both are experiencing issues with their health.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted recently while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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 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.
 
Many Thanks!! to Fr. James and Dn. Richard, to Fr. Leo and Dn. Terry and to everyone else who helped complete our construction project.  We are very thankful to the Lord that we have been able to add this additional space to our facility!
 
Father John and his family will be on vacation June 20-24th.  Please contact Fr. Leo or Fr. James if you need a priest during his absence.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
      Due to the July Fourth holiday, however,  they will meet on July 11th next month.
*    We will celebrate Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy for Saturday of the Souls on Saturday morning, June 22nd, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
*    The Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on June 23rd.  As is the usual custom in our parish, the Kneeling Vespers will be held that Sunday evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    Vacation Church School will be held June 27-29, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
*    There will be no liturgy this year for Sts. Peter and Paul due to Vacation Church School.
 
Vacation Church School …The Christian Education department will hold a Vacation Church School June 27-29 from 8:30-12:30 each day.  The curriculum will be “Ark of our Salvation – Feast Days of the Theotokos.”  Parents, please be sure to mark your calendars now.

Fasting Discipline for June
The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month until the Feast of Pentecost.  There is no fasting of any kind during the week following Pentecost (June 24-28th).  Due to the lateness of Pentecost this year, there will be no fast of the Apostles.
 
Major Commemorations for June
June 16                  Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea
June 22                  Saturday of the Souls
June 23                  Pentecost
June 24                  Nativity of the Forerunner
June 29                  Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30                  Sunday of All Saints
                              Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
 
Happy Birthdays in June:
         June 1                    —    Fr. James Meadows
         June 5                    —    George Wood
         June 6                    —    Michel Root (2012)
         June 12                  —    Ellie Yeatts (1998)
         June 13                  —    Lou Turner
         June 17                  —    Sh. Margaret Root
         June 21                  —    Sandra Strain
         June 22                  —    Isabelle Goss (2010)
         June 29                  —    Jennifer Skirtech
         June 30                  —    Jeffrey Bassinger
 
Happy Anniversaries in June:
         June 8                    —    Nader and Lily Dabit (2008)
         June 10                  —    Dorin and Carolina Lavric (2011)
         June 14                  —    Ken and Anastasia Jones (1970)
                                       —    Saliba and Lamia Dabit (1964)
         June 22                  —    Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver (1974)
         June 31                  —    Denis and Tatiana Lavric (2010)
 
Quotable:       “In the other passage St. Basil refers to the return of the nous into the heart and its ascent to God.”
                       “The latter passage should be interpreted within the context of the former one and in relationship to all of St. Basil’s teaching.  The nous which is scattered outwards and diffused through the senses into the world is sick, fallen, prodigal.  It must return from its diffused state to its union with and in the heart, its natural state, and then be united with God.  Illumined by the uncreated Light (the state of  theosis), the nous neglects even its nature, and the soul is not preoccupied with clothing and shelter.  This does not mean that man does not care about food, etc.  But, because man has attained to the state of theoria (vision of God) and theosis, his bodily forces—not those of the soul—are in a state of suspension; in other words, the soul and the nous are not subjugated by the influences of the world and material things.  Mani is, of course, concerned about them, yet he is not enslaved by them.  Additionally, St. Basil the great clearly states that by this movement of the nous’ return within the heart, virtue as a whole is acquired:  prudence, bravery, justice, wisdom along with all the other virtues.”
                                    Metropolitan HIEROTHEOS, Orthodox Spirituality
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, June 23, 2013 (Pentecost)
 
         Scripture:                                 Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12
         Celebrant:                                Father John
         Epistle Reader:                        Mildred Morris
         Prosphora:                               Abraham
         Coffee Hour:                           Algood/Meadows/Volunteers needed for clean-up                                             

6/9 announcements

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June 9, 2013
Sunday of the Blindman
 
  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, June 9   (Sunday of the Blindman)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, June 10   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, June 11   (Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas)
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
            6:30 p.m.         — Paschal Vespers for the Leave-taking of Pascha
           
Wednesday, June 12    
            6:o0 p.m.         — Orthros followed by Great Vespers
 
Thursday, June 13      (Feast of Ascension) [Parish Life Conference begins]
            NO Daily Orthros
           
Friday, June 14    
            NO Daily Orthros
 
Saturday, June 15   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, June 16   (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicea)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Joneses for the Divine Liturgy this morning. 
 
 Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                    Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
June 9                          Jones                                       TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
June 12 (Wed. p.m.)  Meadows                                             DUE TO CONSTRUCTION
June 16                        Davis                                      
June 22 (Sat. a.m.)     Yeatts                                       Anastasia Jones
                                             Koliva:  Anastasia Jones
June 23                       Abraham                                  (We need volunteers for this-usually a
                                                                                       Pot Luck Meal)
June 29 (Sat. a.m.)     Liturgy for Sts. Peter and Paul cancelled due to Church School
June 30                        Basinger                                   Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
 
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#
June 9                              Sh. Charlotte Algood         Acts 16:16-34                  58
June 12 (Wed. p.m.)      Kh. Sharon Meadows         Acts 1:1-12                      63
June 16                            Warren Strain                       Acts 20:16-18, 28-36      66
June 22 (Sat. a.m.)          Phillip Lasseter                     Acts 28:4-31                   72
June 23                            Mildred Morris                     Acts 2:1-11                      77
June 29 (Sat. a.m.)          Liturgy for Sts. Peter and Paul cancelled due to Church School
June 30                             Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver             I Cor. 4:9-16                   130
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer.
 
Please remember Charles and Vivian Hadad in your prayers.  They are members of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church and have been dear friends of St. Peter’s for many years.  Both are experiencing issues with their health.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted recently while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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 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.
 
Congratulations!!             …to Dorin and Carolina on the news of an upcoming addition to their     family!
                                         
                                          …to Fr. James and Kh. Sharon (and of course to Amanda and     Joseph!) on the news that they will be grandparents in January!
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Paschal season will come to a close with Paschal Vespers for the Leave-taking of Pascha on Tuesday evening, June 11th, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension with Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evening, June 12th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. 
*    Parish Life Conference in New Orleans – June 12-16th.
*    We will celebrate Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy for Saturday of the Souls on Saturday morning, June 22nd, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
*    The Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on June 23rd.  As is the usual custom in our parish, the Kneeling Vespers will be held that Sunday evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
*    Vacation Church School will be held June 27-29, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
*    There will be no liturgy this year for Sts. Peter and Paul due to Vacation Church School.
 
Fasting Discipline for June
The 12th the traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month until the Feast of Pentecost.  There is no fasting of any kind during the week following Pentecost (June 24-28th).  Due to the lateness of Pentecost this year, there will be no fast of the Apostles.
 
Major Commemorations for June
June 9                    Sunday of the Blindman
June 11                  Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas
June 13                  Feast of the Ascension
June 16                  Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea
June 22                  Saturday of the Souls
June 23                  Pentecost
June 24                  Nativity of the Forerunner
June 29                  Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30                  Sunday of All Saints
                              Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
 
Vacation Church School …The Christian Education department will hold a Vacation Church School June 27-29 from 8:30-12:30 each day.  The curriculum will be “Ark of our Salvation – Feast Days of the Theotokos.”  Parents, please be sure to mark your calendars now.
 
Happy Birthdays in June:
         June 1                    —    Fr. James Meadows
         June 5                    —    George Wood
         June 6                    —    Michel Root (2012)
         June 12                  —    Ellie Yeatts (1998)
         June 13                  —    Lou Turner
         June 17                  —    Sh. Margaret Root
         June 21                  —    Sandra Strain
         June 22                  —    Isabelle Goss (2010)
         June 29                  —    Jennifer Skirtech
         June 30                  —    Jeffrey Bassinger
 
Happy Anniversaries in June:
         June 8                    —    Nader and Lily Dabit (2008)
         June 10                  —    Dorin and Carolina Lavric (2011)
         June 14                  —    Ken and Anastasia Jones (1970)
                                       —    Saliba and Lamia Dabit (1964)
         June 22                  —    Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver (1974)
         June 31                  —    Denis and Tatiana Lavric (2010)
 
Quotable:  “Quite illustrative of the above theme are two passages from St. Basil the Great’s writings.  In one text he says that in the spiritual man—who has become a temple of God and of the Most Holy Spirit—reason and the nous exist and operate simultaneously.  Reason is engaged in earthly cares and the nous is engaged in unceasing remembrance of God.  Moreover, because his nous is united with the heart and has communion with God, man is not disturbed by unexpected temptations, that is to say, by temptations caused by the decay and transiency of his nature.”
                                    Metropolitan HIEROTHEOS, Orthodox Spirituality
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, June 16, 2013 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
 
         Scripture:                                Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13
         Celebrant:                                Father John
         Epistle Reader:                       Warren Strain
         Prosphora:                               Davis
         Coffee Hour:                           Temporarily Suspended due to Construction