Monthly Archives: August 2014

8/31 announcements

Leave a reply

August 31, 2014
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
 
Hebrews 9:11-14:  In our reading from Hebrews, we hear the Apostle tell us that when Christ entered the heavenly Holy of Holies through His own blood, He obtained for us eternal redemption for our sins.
 
Matthew 19:16-26:   St Matthew describes Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler.  In this
incident we learn that spirituality is not founded only on keeping the law, but on giving mercy to others and denial of oneself.
 
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 Commemoration: Thou hast bestowed upon thy city, O ever-virgin Theotokos and shelter of mankind, the robe and the belt of thy pure body, as a secure mantle, which by thy seedless birth-giving have remained without corruption; for by thee are nature and time regenerated.  Wherefore, we implore thee to grant thy city safety and our 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 Commemoration: O pure Virgin, the Church joyously celebrates the placing of thy divine belt and cries out to thee in supplication: Save us all from powerful enemies, crush the arrogance of unbelievers, and direct our lives to the doing of the divine will of the Lord.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, August 31   (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
 
Monday, September 1    (Indiction of the Ecclesiastical Year)
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, September 2  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
                                                           
Wednesday, September 3   
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
                                   
Thursday, September 4  
            11:30 a.m.       — Men’s Lunch
           
Friday, September 5   
 
Saturday, September 6   (Miracle of the Archangel Michael)
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, September 7   (Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Woods for the Divine Liturgy today. 
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                             Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
August 31                           Wood                                       Ellis/Zouboukos
September 7                         R. Root                                    R. Root/Abraham/Habeeb
September 8 (Mon a.m.)     Henderson                             Kh. Sharon Meadows
         (Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
September 14                      Algood                                     POT LUCK MEAL [Lenten dishes]
                                                                                               set-up:  Schelver/Lavric/Turner
September 21                      Katool                                      Henderson/Baker/Lockhart
September 28                      Schelver                                   Karam/Stewart/ Meadows
 
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#
August 31 *                            Kh. Sharon Meadows *     Heb. 9:1-7                  337
September 7 *                        David Turner *                   Gal. 6:11-18              198
September 8 * (Mon. a.m.)    Tom Willingham *            Phil. 2:5-11              307-308
             (Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
September 14 *                      Walt Wood *                       I Cor. 1:18-24           311-312
September 21 *                       Sh. Charlotte Algood *      Gal. 2:16-20              193
September 28 *                       Warren Strain *                II Cor. 6:1-10             168
     * (Please note that these assignments differ from the Quarterly Schedule)
 
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.
 
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;
Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.

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.
 
We welcome Preston and Brittany Salisbury and their children, Micah (3) and Noah (2) into the fellowship of St. Peter’s.  They come to us from Christ the Savior Orthodox Church (OCA) in McComb, MS.  Preston is employed at Hinds Community College as the Assistant Librarian in Raymond.  May God grant them Many Years!
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos with Divine Liturgy (only) on Monday morning, September 8th, beginning at 6:00 a.m.
*    The Feast of the Elevation falls on a Sunday this year.  So we will celebrate the feast with a Pot Luck Meal following the Divine Liturgy on September 14th.  Please be aware that this feastday is also a day of fasting and bring a Lenten dish for the meal.
*    Fr. John and Kh. Janet will be in New Orleans the week-end of October 3-5 for the memorial of the falling asleep of Fr. Stephen Hardy who was a long-time pastor at St. Basil Orthodox Church.
*    We will be serving a meal at the Stewpot Ministries on Saturday, October 25th in conjunction with members of Holy Resurrection and Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Orthodox Churches.  St. Peter will be providing casseroles for the meal.  We will also be serving a meal with them on Saturday, November 29th.
*    Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon will be speaking at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton on November 4-6th.  His topic will be Christ in the Old Testament.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults agreed to begin meeting twice a month.  One of these meetings will feature a teaching by Fr. John on various aspects of the Orthodox Christian faith.  Topics will include education, ethics and parenting children.  The next meeting will be Sunday, September 7th for teaching. 
 
Lower Mississippi Valley Teen Retreat:  The Teen Retreat will be February 13-15, 2015 at Roosevelt State Park.  The speaker for the retreat will be Heiromonk Benedict (Josuah Armitage).  His topic will be “Dealing with Doubts about God.”  We are very excited to have Fr. Benedict come to address this important topic with our teens!  Be sure to mark your calendars now.
Fasting Discipline for September
The traditional fasting (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.  September 14th is also a strict fast day in remembrance of the Elevation of the Holy Cross.
 
Major Commemorations for August/September
August 31              Deposition of the Belt of the Theotokos
September 1           Indiction of the Ecclesiastical Year
September 6           Miracle of the Archangel Michael
September 8           Nativity of the Theotokos
September 9           Righteous Joachim and Anna
September 13         Dedication of the Church of the Anastasis
September 14         Elevation of the Holy Cross
September 23         Conception of the Forerunner
September 24         Proto-martyr Thekla
September 26         Apostle John the Theologian (repose)
September 28         Venerable Chariton
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).
 
Happy Birthdays in August/September:
         August 31              —    Elizabeth Root
         September 1           —    Adelina Lavric (#2!)
         September 3           —    Lee Greene
                                       —    Hannah Strange (#8!)
         September 4           —    Fr. John Henderson
         September 8           —    Nikki Lasseter
         September 9           —    Rebecca Dansereau
         September 10         —    Dorin Lavric
         September 12         —    Alvin Buckles
         September 15         —    Lynda Costas
         September 17         —    Jeffrey Schelver
         September 18         —    Carolina Lavric
         September 25         —    Rick Carlton
         September 30         —    Laura Yeatts
 
Happy Anniversaries in September:
         September 4           —    Ben and Jenna Skirtech (#13!)
         September 15         —    Tom and Kathy Willingham (#24!)
         September 26         —    Rod and Emily Parker (#10!)
 
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Quotable:  “The thanksgiving of the receiver incites the giver to give greater gifts than the first.  He that returns no thanks in small matters is a dissembler and dishonest in greater ones also.  If a man is ill and he recognizes his ailment, his healing will be easy.  If he confesses his pain, he draws nigh its cure.  There are many pangs for the unyielding heart, and the patient who resists his physician amplifies his torment.  There is no unpardonable sin, save the unrepented one.  Nor does any gift remain without thanksgiving.  The fool’s portion is small in his eyes.”
                                                St. Isaac the Syrian     
 
                                               
Worship:         Sunday, September 7, 2014 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross;
                                                            the Prefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
        
         Scripture:                               Gal. 6:11-18; John 3:13-17
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      David Turner
         Prosphora:                              R. Root
         Coffee Hour:                           R. Root/Abraham/Habeeb

8/24 announcements

Leave a reply

August 24, 2014
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
 
I Corinthians 9:2-12:  In our reading from I Corinthians, we hear St Paul respond to those in who    questioned his apostleship and his lifestyle as such.
 
Matthew 18:23-35:  The Lord Jesus uses a parable to teach that forgiveness is an action to be per­formed by all who follow Him as well as a gift to be received from God.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life!  Glory to thee, O our God!
 
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 Nativity of the Theotokos:  By thy holy birth-giving, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, August 24   (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, August 25    (Apostles Bartholomew and Titus)
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, August 26  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
            11:30 a.m.       — Ladies Lunch
                                                           
Wednesday, August 27   
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
            7:30 p.m.         — Parish Council Meeting
                       
Thursday, August 28  
           
Friday, August 29   (Beheading of the Forerunner)
 
Saturday, August 30   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, August 31   (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Bakers for the Divine Liturgy today. 
 
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;
Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                             Eucharist Bread                   Coffee Hour
August 24                           Baker                                       D. Root/Dansereau
August 31                            Wood                                       Ellis/Zouboukos
September 7                        R. Root                                    R. Root/Abraham/Habeeb
September 8 (Mon a.m.)    Henderson                              Kh. Sharon Meadows
         (Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
September 14                     Algood                                     POT LUCK MEAL [Lenten dishes]
                                                                                              set-up:  Schelver/Lavric/Turner
September 21                     Katool                                       Henderson/Baker/Lockhart
September 28                     Schelver                                    Karam/Stewart/ Meadows
 
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#
August 24 *                              Tom Skirtech *                  I Cor. 9:2-12                  141
August 31 *                                 Kh. Sharon Meadows *    Heb. 9:1-7                       337
September 7 *                          David Turner *                   Gal. 6:11-18                   198
September 8 * (Mon. a.m.)       Tom Willingham *            Phil. 2:5-11                 307-308
             (Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
September 14 *                        Walt Wood *                       I Cor. 1:18-24                311-312
September 21 *                        Sh. Charlotte Algood *     Gal. 2:16-20                   193
September 28 *                        Warren Strain *                II Cor. 6:1-10                 168
     * (Please note that these assignments differ from the Quarterly Schedule)
 
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.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    Fr. John and Kh. Janet will be in New Orleans the week-end of October 3-5 for the memorial of the falling asleep of Fr. Stephen Hardy who was a long-time pastor at St. Basil Orthodox Church.
*    We will be serving a meal at the Stewpot Ministries on Saturday, October 25th in conjunction with members of Holy Resurrection and Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Orthodox Churches.  St. Peter will be providing casseroles for the meal.  We will also be serving a meal with them on Saturday, November 29th.
*    Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon will be speaking at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton on November 4-6th.  His topic will be Christ in the Old Testament.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults agreed to begin meeting twice a month.  One of these meetings will feature a teaching by Fr. John on various aspects of the Orthodox Christian faith.  Topics will include education, ethics and parenting children.  The next meeting will be Sunday, August 24th for fellowship.  Fr. John and Kh. Janet will host the first fellowship meal at their home at 5:00 p.m. on August 24th.  Please try to make childcare arrangements if possible.
 
Lower Mississippi Valley Teen Retreat:  The Teen Retreat will be February 13-15, 2015 at Roosevelt State Park.  The speaker for the retreat will be Heiromonk Benedict (Josuah Armitage).  His topic will be “Dealing with Doubts about God.”  We are very excited to have Fr. Benedict come to address this important topic with our teens!  Be sure to mark your calendars now.
 
Fasting Discipline for August
After the 15th, the traditional fasting (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.  August 29th is also a strict fast day in remembrance of the beheading of the Forerunner.
 
Major Commemorations for August
August 25              Apostles Bartholomew and Titus
August 29              Beheading of the Forerunner
August 31              Deposition of the Belt of the Theotokos
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).
 
Happy Anniversaries in August:
         August 16              —    Rick and Kay Carlton (#39!)
         August 17              —    Steve and Sheryl Chamblee (#23!)
         August 18              —    Jesse and Sarah Milnor (#12!)
         August 25              —    Nimr and Mona Fahmy (#40!)
         August 27              —    Alfred and Christina Katool (#26!)
 
Happy Birthdays in August:
         August 4                —    Simeon Root (#5!)
         August 7                —    Joseph Katool 
         August 18              —    Virginia Stewart (#4!)
         August 20              —    Suzi Fino
         August 24              —    Anastasia Jones
         August 26              —    Bob Buchanan
         August 27              —    Eli Dabit (#4!)
         August 31              —    Elizabeth Root
 
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Quotable:  “But let us remember that this effect is conditional on their use being accompanied by purification of the heart.  St. John Chrysostom enjoins this, guided by the teaching of St. Paul himself, and also says that the songs must primarily be spiritual, and sung not only by the tongue but also by the heart.
                     Therefore, in order that the singing of Church songs may lead us on to be filled by the Spirit, the Apostle is insistent that the songs should be spiritual.  By this it should be understood that they must be not only spiritual in content but moved by the Spirit:  they must themselves be the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and be poured forth by hearts that are filled with Him.  Without this they will not lead to our possession by the Spirit.  This is according to the law whereby the singer is given that which has been put into the song.”
                                                The Art of Prayer, compiled by Igumen Chariton of Valamo
 
                                               
Worship:         Sunday, August 31, 2014 (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)
        
         Scripture:                               Hebrews 9:1-7; Matthew 19:16-26
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      Kh. Sharon Meadows
         Prosphora:                             Wood
         Coffee Hour:                          Ellis/Zouboukos

8/17 announcements

Leave a reply

August 17, 2014
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday after the Dormition
 
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 17:14-23:  The Lord Jesus again shows His abundant mercy when He heals a boy possessed by a demon.  We also hear Him foretell His betrayal, death and resurrection, but the disciples do not understand.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world.  Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, Glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O only Lover of mankind.
 
Troparion of the Dormition:  In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for living thou wast translated, being the Mother of Life.  Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death.
 
 
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 Dormition:  Verily, the Theotokos, who is ever watchful in intercessions, who is never rejected, neither tomb nor death could control.  But being the Mother of Life, he who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb didst translate her to life.
 
 CALENDAR
 
Sunday, August 17   (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday after the Dormition)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
 
Monday, August 18   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, August 19  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
                                                           
Wednesday, August 20   
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
                       
Thursday, August 21  
           
Friday, August 22   
 
Saturday, August 23   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, August 24   (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Karams for the Feast of the Dormition this past Thursday evening and by the Fahmys for the Divine Liturgy today. 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                            Eucharist Bread                   Coffee Hour
August 17                          Fahmy                                     Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
August 24                          Baker                                       D. Root/Dansereau
August 31                           Wood                                       Ellis/Zouboukos
September 7                         R. Root                                    R. Root/Abraham/Habeeb
September 8 (Mon a.m.)   Henderson                              Kh. Sharon Meadows
         (Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
September 14                     Algood                                     POT LUCK MEAL [Lenten dishes]
                                                                                             set-up:  Schelver/Lavric/Turner
September 21                    Katool                                      Henderson/Baker/Lockhart
September 28                   Schelver                                    Karam/Stewart/ Meadows
 
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#
August 17                                  Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver             I Cor. 4:9-16                    135
August 24 *                              Tom Skirtech *                     I Cor. 9:2-12                  141
August 31 *                                Brenda Baker *                   Heb. 9:1-7                       337
September 7 *                             David Turner *                    Gal. 6:11-18                   198
September 8 * (Mon. a.m.)        Tom Willingham *             Phil. 2:5-11                  307-308
             (Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
September 14 *                        Walt Wood *                         I Cor. 1:18-24                311-312
September 21 *                          Sh. Charlotte Algood *       Gal. 2:16-20                   193
September 28 *                          Warren Strain *                  II Cor. 6:1-10                 168
     * (Please note that these assignments differ from the Quarterly Schedule)
 
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;
Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.
 
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.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    Fr. John and Kh. Janet will be in New Orleans the week-end of October 3-5 for the memorial of the falling asleep of Fr. Stephen Hardy who was a long-time pastor at St. Basil Orthodox Church.
*    We will be serving a meal at the Stewpot Ministries on Saturday, October 25th in conjunction with members of Holy Resurrection and Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Orthodox Churches.  St. Peter will be providing casseroles for the meal.  We will also be serving a meal with them on Saturday, November 29th.
*    Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon will be speaking at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton on November 4-6th.  His topic will be Christ in the Old Testament.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults agreed to begin meeting twice a month.  One of these meetings will feature a teaching by Fr. John on various aspects of the Orthodox Christian faith.  Topics will include education, ethics and parenting children.  The next meeting will be Sunday, August 24th for fellowship.  Fr. John and Kh. Janet will host the first fellowship meal at their home at 5:00 p.m. on August 24th.  Please try to make childcare arrangements if possible.
 
Fasting Discipline for August
After the 15th, the traditional fasting (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.  August 29th is also a strict fast day in remembrance of the beheading of the Forerunner.
Major Commemorations for August
August 25              Apostles Bartholomew and Titus
August 29              Beheading of the Forerunner
August 31              Deposition of the Belt of the Theotokos
 
Happy Anniversaries in August:
         August 16              —    Rick and Kay Carlton (#39!)
         August 17              —    Steve and Sheryl Chamblee (#23!)
         August 18              —    Jesse and Sarah Milnor (#12!)
         August 25              —    Nimr and Mona Fahmy (#40!)
         August 27              —    Alfred and Christina Katool (#26!)
 
Happy Birthdays in August:
         August 4                —    Simeon Root (#5!)
         August 7                —    Joseph Katool 
         August 18              —    Virginia Stewart (#4!)
         August 20              —    Suzi Fino
         August 24              —    Anastasia Jones
         August 26              —    Bob Buchanan
         August 27              —    Eli Dabit (#4!)
         August 31              —    Elizabeth Root
 
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).
 
Quotable:  “It is not difficult to understand that the most important part of this is not good harmony in singing, but the content of what is sung.  It has the same effect as a speech written with warm feeling, which animates whoever reads it.  Feeling, expressed in words, is carried by words into the soul of those who hear or read them.  The same can be said of Church songs.  Psalms, hymns and church songs are spiritually inspired outbursts of feeling towards God.  The Spirit of God filled His elect, and they expressed the plenitude of their feelings in songs.  He who sings them as they should be sung enters again into the feelings which the author experienced when he originally wrote them.  Being filled by these feelings, he draws near to the state wherein he is able to receive the grace of the Spirit, and to adapt himself to it.  The purpose of Church songs is precisely to make the spark of grace that is hidden within us burn brighter and with greater warmth.  This spark is given by the sacraments.  Psalms, hymns and spiritual odes are introduced, to fan the spark and transform it into flame.  They act upon the spark of grace as the wind acts on a spark hidden in firewood.”
                                                The Art of Prayer, compiled by Igumen Chariton of Valamo
 
                                               
Worship:         Sunday, August 24, 2014 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)
        
         Scripture:                                I Corinthians 9:2-12; Matthew 18:23-35
         Celebrant:                               Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      Tom Skirtech
         Prosphora:                              Baker
         Coffee Hour:                           D. Root/Dansereau

8/10 announcements

Leave a reply

August 10, 2014
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday after the Transfiguration
 
I Corinthians 3:9-17:  In the reading from I Corinthians St Paul admonishes the Corinthian Church to   give credit to the Lord for the work done by men in building the Church.
 
Matthew 14:22-34:  In our reading from Matthew, we see Jesus’ mastery over creation by walking on the Sea of Galilee;  Peter’s attempt to join Jesus shows us that our faith is weakened when we take our eyes off the Lord.
 
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 the Transfiguration:  When, O Christ our God, thou wast transfigured on the mountain, thou didst reveal thy glory to thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it.  Let thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Bestower of light, 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 Transfiguration: Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God; so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father.
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, August 10   (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday after Transfiguration)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Pot Luck Meal
            5:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, August 11   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
            6:30 p.m.         — Paraklesis Service
           
Tuesday, August 12  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
                                                           
Wednesday, August 13   
            6:30 p.m.         — Paraklesis Service
                       
Thursday, August 14  
            6:30 p.m.         — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
           
Friday, August 15   (Dormition of the Theotokos)
            Church Tradition states that the Virgin Mary died in her early fifties.  The icon shows her lying upon her funeral bier.  On either side of the bier stand the Apostles; the group on the left is led by St. Peter who stands at the head of the bier; the group on the right is led by St. Paul who stands at the foot of the bier.  At the time of her death many of the Apostles were scattered throughout the world preaching the Gospel.  However, they all returned to Jerusalem upon learning of her death.  All arrived in time for the burial except St. Thomas.  Standing by the bier is her Son, who had come to receive His Mother’s soul into heaven.  He holds in His arms an infant in white symbolizing the soul of the Theotokos.  The Orthodox Church, although it has never had the need to make it a dogma (as has the Roman Catholic Church), also believes in the Virgin Mary’s “assumption” or bodily resurrection into heaven.  Tradition relates that when the other disciples showed St. Thomas (who arrived in Jerusalem after the burial) the tomb in Gethsemane where the Theotokos had been buried near her parents, they discovered that the tomb was empty.
 
Saturday, August 16   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, August 17   (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday after the Dormition)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Meadows for the Feast of the Transfiguration this past Tuesday evening and by the Abrahams for the Divine Liturgy today. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                          Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
August 10                        Abraham                                  POT LUCK MEAL
                                                                                    set-up:  Pigott/Brock/Strain
August 14 (Thur. p.m.)   Karam                             Christina Katool
         (Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos)
August 17                        Fahmy                                     Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
August 24                        Baker                                       D. Root/Dansereau
August 31                       Wood                                       Ellis/Zouboukos  
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                            Reader                                 Reading                         Page#
August 10                          Mildred Morris                    I Cor. 3:9-17                   130
August 14 (Thur. p.m.)    Phillip Lasseter                     Phil. 2:5-11                     403
August 17                          Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver            I Cor. 4:9-16                   135
August 24 *                      Tom Skirtech *                    I Cor. 9:2-12                141
August 31 *                      Brenda Baker *                   Heb. 9:1-7                     337
     * (Please note that these assignments differ from the Quarterly Schedule)
 
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;
Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.
 
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.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
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.
 
Our condolences go to Cliff and Anna Kathryn Stewart on the death of Cliff’s father, Tom Stewart, last weekend.  Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    The Fast of the Dormiton began on August 1st and runs through the 15th.  As is our custom we will celebrate the Paraklesis Service to the Theotokos on all Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings during the fast, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 1st.
*    We celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos with Orthos followed by the Divine Liturgy on Thursday evening, August 14th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    Fr. John and Kh. Janet will be in New Orleans the week-end of October 3-5 for the memorial of the falling asleep of Fr. Stephen Hardy who was a long-time pastor at St. Basil Orthodox Church.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults agreed this past Sunday evening to begin meeting twice a month.  One of these meetings will feature a teaching by Fr. John on various aspects of the Orthodox Christian faith.  Topics will include education, ethics and parenting children.  The next meeting will be Sunday, August 10th at the church at 5:00 p.m.  The second monthly meeting for the Young Adults will be for fellowship.  Fr. John and Kh. Janet will host the first fellowship meal at their home at 5:00 p.m. on August 24th.  Please try to make childcare arrangements if possible.
 
Fasting Discipline for August
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.  From August 1st through 14th (the Dormition Fast), the traditional fasting is observed on all days, except August 6th (the Feast of the Transfiguration) when fish and wine are permitted.  After the 15th, the traditional fasting is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.  August 29th is also a strict fast day in remembrance of the beheading of the Forerunner.
 
Major Commemorations for August
August 15              Feast of the Dormition
August 25              Apostles Bartholomew and Titus
August 29              Beheading of the Forerunner
August 31              Deposition of the Belt of the Theotokos
 
Happy Anniversaries in August:
         August 16              —    Rick and Kay Carlton (#39!)
         August 17              —    Steve and Sheryl Chamblee (#23!)
         August 18              —    Jesse and Sarah Milnor (#12!)
         August 25              —    Nimr and Mona Fahmy (#40!)
         August 27              —    Alfred and Christina Katool (#26!)
 
Happy Birthdays in August:
         August 4                —    Simeon Root (#5!)
         August 7                —    Joseph Katool 
         August 18              —    Virginia Stewart (#4!)
         August 20              —    Suzi Fino
         August 24              —    Anastasia Jones
         August 26              —    Bob Buchanan
         August 27              —    Eli Dabit (#4!)
         August 31              —    Elizabeth Root
 
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).

Quotable:  “Desire to be filled with the Spirit, and sing with that aim in mind. Singing will set alight the Spirit, or lead to a state of infusion by the Spirit, or show forth His action.  According to Blessed Theodoret, the Apostle refers to spiritual rapture when he says, ‘Be filled with the Spirit'(Eph. v. 18),and he shows us how to attain this, namely by ‘unceasingly singing praises to God, entering deeply into oneself, and always stimulating thought’.  That is to say:  by singing with the tongue and the heart.”
                                                The Art of Prayer, compiled by Igumen Chariton of Valamo
 
                                               
Worship:         Sunday, August 17, 2014 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday after the
                                                            Dormition of the Theotokos)
        
         Scripture:                                I Corinthians 4:9-16; Matthew 17:14-23
         Celebrant:                               Father John
         Epistle Reader:                       Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver
         Prosphora:                              Fahmy
         Coffee Hour:                           Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker