Monthly Archives: April 2015

5/3 announcements

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May 3, 2015
Sunday of the Paralytic
 
In the miracle of the healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda, we see the Son’s power over life and sin, power which becomes fully evident in the Resurrection. The paralytic is a man crippled in body and spirit, for, even as He heals the body, Jesus warns against results of further sin.  Christ frees us from our bodies of corruption and grants us flesh glorified in Him; He also frees us from the power of sin and grants us perfection in His Spirit.  As the man at the pool accepted God’s grace and found life, so let us walk in His light and come into His presence.
 
Acts 9:32-42:  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, St Peter heals a paralyzed man and raises a woman from the dead; both acts lead to many people believing in the Lord.
 
John 5:1-15:  Jesus demonstrates His lordship over creation and the Sabbath when He heals a sick man at the pool of Bethsaida.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm.  He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
 
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear.  We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades.  In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ARejoice@ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, May 3   (Sunday of the Paralytic)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, May 4   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
                       
Tuesday, May 5  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
            11:30 a.m.       — Ladies Lunch at Sambra (Rescheduled from last week)
 
Wednesday, May 6   
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
 
Thursday, May 7  
            11:30 a.m.       — Men’s Lunch
 
Friday, May 8   (Apostle John the Theologian)
 
Saturday, May 9   
            10:00 a.m.       — Ladies meet for Akathist
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, May 10   (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Pot Luck Meal honoring High School Graduate Tiffany Strain
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Algoods for the Divine Liturgy today. 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                          Eucharist Bread                    Coffee Hour
May 3                               Algood                                     Ellis/Zouboukos/Fahmy
May 10                             Katool                                      POT LUCK MEAL
                                                                                           (set-up:  Pigott/Dabit/Strain)
May 17                            Schelver                                   Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
May 20 (Wed. pm)        Morris                                        Kh. Janet Henderson
         (Feast of the Ascension)                                         Mary Guy Lockhart
May 24                            Jones                                         D. Root/Dansereau
May 30 (Sat. am)           Meadows                                  Brittany Salisbury
         (Saturday of the Souls)          Koliva:
May 31                           Davis                                        POT LUCK MEAL
         (Feast of Pentecost)                                               (Set-up:  Elizabeth Root
                                                                                                   Brittany Salisbury)
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor.  Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                            Reader                                  Reading                          Page#
May 3                                 David Turner                        Acts 9:32-42                   45
May 10                              Mildred Morris                      Acts 11:19-30                52
May 17                              Phillip Lasseter                     Acts 16:16-34                 58
May 20 (Wed. pm)          Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver            Acts 1:1-12                      63
May 24                              Brenda Baker                         Acts 20:16-18, 28-36   66
May 30 (Sat. am)             David Turner                         Acts 28:1-31                   72
May 31                             Tom Willingham                   Acts 2:1-11                     77
 
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 continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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.
 
Vivian Haddad from Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton is at home again, having been hospitalized earlier with a stroke.  She and her husband Charles have been dear friends of many here at St. Peter.  Please keep them and their family in your prayers.
 
Parish Life Conference 2015:  This year St. Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN will be hosting the Parish Life Conference for our Diocese on June 10-14.  His Grace, Bishop JOHN Abdallah will be the speaker.  Registration forms are available in the office or you can go online at www.saint-ignatius.org to register.  The Conference will take place at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs and the last day to book the special conference rate is May 20th.
 
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 the 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 be serving at the Stewpot on Saturday, May 23rd, along with members of Holy Resurrection and Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Orthodox Churches.
*    Vacation Church School will be held Thursday, July 2nd through Saturday, July 4th.
 
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 meetings will be Sunday, May 3rd and 17th.
 
Our Pot Luck Meal on May 10th will also be our Special Coffee Hour to honor Tiffany Strain our graduating High School Senior!
 
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).
 
Fasting Discipline for May
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) will be observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for May
May 3                    Sunday of the Paralytic
May 8                    Apostle John the Theologian
May 10                  Apostle Simon the Zealot
                              Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
May 17                  Sunday of the Blindman
May 21                  Feast of Ascension
                              Sts Constantine and Helen
May 24                  Sunday of the holy Fathers of Nicea
May 25                  The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
May 30                  Saturday of the Souls
May 31                  Feast of Pentecost
 
Thermostats in the Fellowship Hall:  There are two thermostats in the Fellowship Hall—one in the main room to control the air in the main room, and a second one in the Nursery room that controls the air in all four of the Sunday School rooms.  Please be sure when you leave the building that both thermostats are set to 80 degrees in warm weather or 60 degrees in cold weather.
 
Happy Birthdays in May:
         May 5                    —    Dale Cooper
                                       —    Joanna Davis
         May 7                    —    Tiffany Strain (#18!)
         May 8                    —    Kh. Janet Henderson
         May 10                  —    Fr. Leo Schelver
         May 11                  —    Meghan Brock
         May 15                  —    Tom Skirtech
         May 21                  —    Jacob Skirtech (#8!)
         May 24                  —    Paul Katool
                                       —    Daniel Root
         May 26                  —    David Turner
                                       —    Julian Dabit (#3!)
         May 27                  —    Luke Habeeb (#10!)
         May 30                  —    Dn. Terry Algood
         May 31                  —    Stephen Chamblee
Happy Anniversaries in May:
         May 12                  —    Cliff and Anna Kathryn Stewart (#8!)
         May 19                  —    Jay and Joanna Davis (#3!)
         May 25                  —    Nicholas and Carrie Henderson (#1!)
         May 30                  —    Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (#38!)
 
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:  “How Should We Conduct Ourselves in the Morning?
                  In the morning, conduct yourself in the following manner:
                 
2.       If the time at which you woke is the time at which or near which you should get up, then without any delay say, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,’ while making the sign of the cross.  And then, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
                                                How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan GREGORY of
                                                            St. Petersburg
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, May 10, 2015 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
 
         Scripture:                               Acts 9:32-42; John 5:1-15
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                     Mildred Morris
         Prosphora:                              Katool
         Coffee Hour:                          POT LUCK MEAL honoring Tiffany Strain
                                                         (set-up:  Pigott/Dabit/Strain)

4/26 announcements

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April 26, 2015
Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers
 
About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when our Lord was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their homeland and from then on followed after Him.  They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to His sepulcher, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to anoint His body.  It is because of the myrrh-oils that these God-loving women brought to the tomb that they are called the Myrrh-bearers.  Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called Athe mother of James and Joses@ (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna.  As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence.
  On this day we also make commemoration of Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple, and also of Nicodemus, who was a disciple by night.  Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus, he gave Him burial out of  reverence and love.
 
Acts 6:1-7:  In the reading from Acts we see the establishment of the office of diaconate as an order of Church government with a purpose of serving the people and caring for their needs.
 
Mark 15:43-16:8:  St Mark describes how Joseph of Arimathea claims the body of our Lord from  Pi­late to place it in his own tomb.  On the third day, the three women learn from an angel that the Lord has risen from the dead.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life!  Glory to thee, O our God!
 
Troparia of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers:  The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb.  But thou didst truly rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world the Great Mercy.
  Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption.  But cry ye, The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy.
 
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear.  We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.
 
Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades.  In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ARejoice@ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 26   (Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
Monday, April 27   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
                       
Tuesday, April 28  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
            11:30 a.m.       — Ladies Lunch
 
Wednesday, April 29   
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
Thursday, April 30  
 
Friday, May 1   
 
Saturday, May 2   (Athanasios the Great)
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, May 3   (Sunday of the Paralytic)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Hendersons for the Divine Liturgy today. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                      Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
April 26                        Henderson                               Karam/Stewart/Meadows
May 3                           Algood                                     Ellis/Zouboukos/Fahmy
May 10                         Katool                                      POT LUCK MEAL
                                                                                        (set-up:  Pigott/Dabit/Strain)
May 17                         Schelver                                   Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
May 20 (Wed. pm)     Morris                                       Kh. Janet Henderson
         (Feast of the Ascension)                                     Mary Guy Lockhart
May 24                        Jones                                          D. Root/Dansereau
May 30 (Sat. am)       Meadows                                   Brittany Salisbury
         (Saturday of the Souls)          Koliva:
May 31                        Davis                                         POT LUCK MEAL
         (Feast of Pentecost)                                             (Set-up:  Elizabeth Root
                                                                                                   Brittany Salisbury)
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor.  Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                            Reader                                  Reading                           Page#
April 26                             Warren Strain                        Acts 6:1-7                       38
May 3                                 David Turner                        Acts 9:32-42                   45
May 10                               Mildred Morris                     Acts 11:19-30                52
May 17                               Phillip Lasseter                     Acts 16:16-34                58
May 20 (Wed. pm)            Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver           Acts 1:1-12                     63
May 24                               Brenda Baker                        Acts 20:16-18, 28-36    66
May 30 (Sat. am)               David Turner                        Acts 28:1-31                   72
May 31                               Tom Willingham                  Acts 2:1-11                     77
 
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 continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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.
 
Vivian Haddad from Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton is at home again, having been hospitalized earlier with a stroke.  She and her husband Charles have been dear friends of many here at St. Peter.  Please keep them and their family in your prayers.
 
Parish Life Conference 2015:  This year St. Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN will be hosting the Parish Life Conference for our Diocese on June 10-14.  His Grace, Bishop JOHN Abdallah will be the speaker.  Registration forms are available in the office or you can go online at www.saint-ignatius.org to register.  The Conference will take place at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs and the last day to book the special conference rate is May 20th.
  
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 the 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 be serving at the Stewpot on Saturday, May 23rd, along with members of Holy Resurrection and Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Orthodox Churches.
*    Vacation Church School will be held Thursday, July 2nd through Saturday, July 4th.
 
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 meetings will be Sunday, May 3rd and 17th.
 
Our Pot Luck Meal on May 10th will also be our Special Coffee Hour to honor Tiffany Strain our graduating High School Senior!
 
Fasting Discipline for April/May
Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) will be observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for April/May
April 26                 Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers
May 2                    Athanasios the Great
May 3                    Sunday of the Paralytic
May 8                    Apostle John the Theologian
May 10                  Apostle Simon the Zealot
                              Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
May 17                  Sunday of the Blindman
May 21                  Feast of Ascension
                              Sts Constantine and Helen
May 24                  Sunday of the holy Fathers of Nicea
May 25                  The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
May 30                  Saturday of the Souls
May 31                  Feast of Pentecost
 
Thermostats in the Fellowship Hall:  There are two thermostats in the Fellowship Hall—one in the main room to control the air in the main room, and a second one in the Nursery room that controls the air in all four of the Sunday School rooms.  Please be sure when you leave the building that both thermostats are set to 80 degrees in warm weather or 60 degrees in cold weather.
 
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 April/May:
         April 26                 —    Alexander Andrei (#3!)
         May 5                    —    Dale Cooper
                                       —    Joanna Davis
         May 7                    —    Tiffany Strain (#18!)
         May 8                    —    Kh. Janet Henderson
         May 10                  —    Fr. Leo Schelver
         May 11                  —    Meghan Brock
         May 15                  —    Tom Skirtech
         May 21                  —    Jacob Skirtech (#8!)
         May 24                  —    Paul Katool
                                       —    Daniel Root
         May 26                  —    David Turner
                                       —    Julian Dabit (#3!)
         May 27                  —    Luke Habeeb (#10!)
         May 30                  —    Dn. Terry Algood
         May 31                  —    Stephen Chamblee
 
Happy Anniversaries in April/May:
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#25!)
         May 12                  —    Cliff and Anna Kathryn Stewart (#8!)
         May 19                  —    Jay and Joanna Davis (#3!)
         May 25                  —    Nicholas and Carrie Henderson (#1!)
         May 30                  —    Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (#38!)
  
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:  “How Should We Conduct Ourselves in the Morning?
                  In the morning, conduct yourself in the following manner:
1.       Upon awakening, try first of all to direct your thoughts to the Lord God.  Directing our thoughts to the Lord God shouls be our most natural activity at every other time of the day as well, because there is absolutely no one who could be so necessary for us, so dear and precious for us as God.  For absolutely everything that we have now and that we have ever had, including even our very being—absolutely everything is a gift of God.  The person who is the most needed, the most precious, the dearest of all for us is the one who usually first comes to our minds in the morning.  As soon as we wake up in the morning, the thought of whoever or whatever is the most needed and dear to us wakes up as well.  This always happens in the natural course of things.  Therefore, it is always natural for our thoughts to turn first of all to the Lord God with some heartfelt appeal, such as ‘Glory to Thee, O Lord!  Glory to Thee, O All-Merciful One!’  We would be unworthy of the name of Christian if, waking from sleep, we were to open only our physical eyes, and not our spiritual ones, and were to think first of the earth and earthly things, and not of the Lord God.”
                                                How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan GREGORY of
                                                            St. Petersburg
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, May 3, 2015 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
 
         Scripture:                                Acts 9:32-42; John 5:1-15
         Celebrant:                               Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      David Turner
         Prosphora:                              Algood
         Coffee Hour:                          Ellis/Zouboukos/Fahmy

4/19 announcements

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April 19, 2015
Thomas Sunday
 
On the Sunday following Easter, we hear the story of Thomas and are reminded of the all-permeating presence of Christ and the faith of those who followed the disciples.  Even as walls and doors proved no obstacle to His coming to His followers, so nothing can prevent His presence with us.  Even as He commissioned them to be peaceful of themselves and to bear His peace and life to those about them, so He grants us peace for ourselves and those we touch.  Even as Thomas turned from his doubt to faith, so let us bow before our Lord and God in acknowledgment and praise.  With Thomas and all the faithful who sing in heavenly worship, let us raise our hymn of adoration and life to our risen Saviour.
 
Acts 5:12-20:  Through healing of the sick and the addition of new believers to the Church in Jerusa­lem we see the power of the Holy Spirit at work with the Apostles.
                             
John 20:19-31:  In our gospel reading we hear of the Apostle Thomas’ doubt regarding Jesus’ resurrec­tion.  When our Lord appears to Him he immediately believes; yet, the Lord pronounces a blessing upon those who believe without having seen Him.
 
Troparion of Thomas Sunday:  While the tomb was sealed, thou didst shine forth from it, O Light.  While the doors were closed, thou didst come in to thy Disciples, O Christ God, Resurrection of all, renewing in us through them an upright spirit, according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades.  In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ARejoice@ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 19   (Thomas Sunday)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, April 20   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
                       
Tuesday, April 21  
            6:00 a.m.         — Daily Orthros
 
Wednesday, April 22   
            6:30 p.m.         — Daily Vespers
            7:30 p.m.         — Choir Practice
            7:30 p.m.         — Parish Council Meeting       
                                                           
Thursday, April 23   (Great-martyr George)
 
Friday, April 24   
 
Saturday, April 25   (Apostle Mark)
            8:30 a.m.         — Workday at the Church
            NO Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers (due to family commitments no clergy will be
                         available)
 
Sunday, April 26   (Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Dn. Richard Roots for the Divine Liturgy tonight. 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                    Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
April 19                       R. Root                                    Henderson/Lockhart
April 26                       Henderson                               Karam/Stewart/Meadows
May 3                          Algood                                     Ellis/Zouboukos/Fahmy
May 10                        Katool                                      POT LUCK MEAL
                                                                                       (set-up:  Pigott/Brock/Strain)
May 17                        Schelver                                   Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
May 20 (Wed. pm)      Morris                                     Kh. Janet Henderson
         (Feast of the Ascension)                                    Mary Guy Lockhart
May 24                        Jones                                        D. Root/Dansereau
May 30 (Sat. am)         Meadows                                Brittany Salisbury
         (Saturday of the Souls)
May 31                        Davis                                       POT LUCK MEAL
         (Feast of Pentecost)                                            Set-up:  Elizabeth Root
                                                                                                   Brittany Salisbury
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                            Reader                                   Reading                          Page#
April 19                             Sh. Charlotte Algood           Acts 5:12-20                   32
April 26                             Warren Strain                        Acts 6:1-7                        38
May 3                                 David Turner                         Acts 9:32-42                   45
May 10                               Mildred Morris                     Acts 11:19-30                 52
May 17                              Phillip Lasseter                      Acts 16:16-34                 58
May 20 (Wed. pm)          Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver             Acts 1:1-12                      63
May 24                              Brenda Baker                         Acts 20:16-18, 28-36     66
May 30 (Sat. am)              David Turner                         Acts 28:1-31                    72
May 31                              Tom Willingham                   Acts 2:1-11                      77
 
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 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 continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

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.
 
Vivian Haddad from Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton is at home again, having been hospitalized earlier with a stroke.  She and her husband Charles have been dear friends of many here at St. Peter.  Please keep them and their family 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 the 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 be serving at the Stewpot on Saturday, May 23rd, along with members of Holy Resurrection and Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Orthodox Churches.
*    Vacation Church School will be held Thursday, July 2nd through Saturday, July 4th.
 
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 meetings will be Sunday, April 19th.
 
Fasting Discipline for April
Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) will be observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for April
April 19                 Thomas Sunday
April 23                 Great-martyr George
April 25                 Apostle Mark
April 26                 Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers
 
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).
 
Thermostats in the Fellowship Hall:  There are two thermostats in the Fellowship Hall—one in the main room to control the air in the main room, and a second one in the Nursery room that controls the air in all four of the Sunday School rooms.  Please be sure when you leave the building that both thermostats are set to 80 degrees in warm weather or 60 degrees in cold weather.
 
Happy Birthdays in April:
         April 4                   —    Denis Lavric
         April 6                   —    John Wood
         April 11                 —    Brandon Strain (#13!)
         April 12                 —    Lily Dabit
         April 15                 —    Anna Grace Dansereau (#2!)
         April 26                 —    Alexander Andrei (#3!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in April:
         April 11                 —    Simon and Rola Karam (#5!)
         April 12                 —    Mike and Cheryl Pigott (#34!)
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#25!)
 
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:  “A Christian must not love the world (I John 2:15).  But many are completely bound to the world, so that it seems like they live only for the world:  they always think like the world, they behave like the world, and all the rules that they follow in their likes are precisely those rules that the world follows.  Aren’t you such a person?  Such a life is not a Christian one and is quite disastrous.”
                                                How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan GREGORY of
                                                            St. Petersburg
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, April 26, 2015 (Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers)
 
         Scripture:                                    Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8
         Celebrant:                                   Father John
         Epistle Reader:                         Warren Strain
         Prosphora:                               Henderson
         Coffee Hour:                           Karam/Stewart/Meadows

4/12 announcements

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April 12, 2015
Great and Holy PASCHA
 
“Unique and holy day, King and lord of days, feast of feasts, solemnity of solemnities. . . ”  Thus we celebrate the Great Feast because of the resurrection of our Lord and begin the season of celebration which lasts through Pentecost.  The paschal solemnities (of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) are joined to the feast of the resurrection to endow the mystery of Christmas and the Incarnation with the fulness of its meaning and are the prerequisite condition for Pentecost.  Easter, therefore, is the center, the heart of the Christian Year.
 
“Come, take light from the Light that has no evening, and glorify Christ, risen from the dead.”  The Church again represents the Christian mystery in terms of light; this Light, whose birth was marked by the star of Bethlehem, is shining among us with growing intensity; the darkness of Golgotha could not extinguish it.  The physical Resurrection of Jesus would be without value to us if the divine light did not shine at the same time among us, within us.  But the good news of the Resurrection is that the light brought by the Saviour now completely overcomes the darkness of our sins!
 
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and to those in the tomb He has given life!”
 
Acts 1:1-8:  From our reading in Acts we are reminded that following the Resurrection and Ascen­sion of our Lord, the Church would receive the Holy Spirit to empower Her in spreading the eternal gos­pel to all parts of the Earth.

John 1:1-17:  Reading in the Gospel of John we see Jesus Christ as the eternally Begotten Son of The Father with Whom He has always existed.  We also see John the Baptist coming to prepare the way for our Lord’s ministry.
 
Paschal Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead; by Death has he trodden death, and upon those in the tombs, hath he bestowed life.
 
Hypakoe of Easter:  They who were with Mary came before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and heard the angels say unto them,  Why seek ye him as man with the dead, who dwelleth in light eternal?  Behold the grave wrappings; make haste and declare to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath caused death to die; for he is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.
 
Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades.  In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming ARejoice@ to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 12   (PASCHA)
            4:00 P.M.         — Agape Vespers at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton
 
Monday, April 13   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
                       
Tuesday, April 14  
            6:00 a.m.         — Bright Week Orthros
 
Wednesday, April 15   
            6:30 p.m.         — Paschal Vespers      
                                                           
Thursday, April 16  
 
Friday, April 17   
 
Saturday, April 18   
            10:00 a.m.       — Ladies  gather to pray the Akathist
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, April 19   (Thomas Sunday)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Brocks Thursday morning for the Vesperal Liturgy of Great and Holy Thursday, by the Fahmys this morning for the Vesperal Liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday and by the Woods for the Divine Liturgy tonight. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                        Eucharist Bread                   Coffee Hour
April 11 (Sat. pm)        Wood                                       Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and
                                                                                          Kh. Sharon Meadows
April 19                         R. Root                                    Henderson/Lockhart
April 26                         Henderson                               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#
April 11 (Sat. pm)              Walt Wood                           Acts 1:1-8                       25
April 19                               Sh. Charlotte Algood         Acts 5:12-20                  32
April 26                               Warren Strain                       Acts 6:1-7                       38
 
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 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 continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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.
 
Vivian Haddad from Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton is at UMMC, having suffered a stroke.  She and her husband Charles have been dear friends of many here at St. Peter.  Please keep them and their family in your prayers.
 
Mrs. Betty Long, the mother of Dn Basil Long, was moved to hospice this past week.   She suffered a stroke a few years ago and has been in poor health since.  Please keep her, Dn. Basil, Sh. Josie and all their family in your prayers.
 
Welcome and Many Years! to the Alaeetawi family!  Emad, Sophia, Gabriella and Noor were chrismated this morning and Natalia was received back into the fellowship of the Church!
 
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 the 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.  However, since Pascha falls on the second week-end this year, we will meet for the Akathist on the Third Saturday of April.
*    Agape Vespers will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton.
*    We will be serving at the Stewpot on Saturday, May 23rd, along with members of Holy Resurrection and Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Orthodox Churches.
*    Vacation Church School will be held Thursday, July 2nd through Saturday, July 4th.
 
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 meetings will be Sunday, April 19th.
Fasting Discipline for April
During Bright Week (the week following Pascha) there is no fasting of any kind.  Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) will be observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for April
April 19                 Thomas Sunday
April 23                 Great-martyr George
April 25                 Apostle Mark
April 26                 Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers
 
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).
 
Thermostats in the Fellowship Hall:  There are two thermostats in the Fellowship Hall—one in the main room to control the air in the main room, and a second one in the Nursery room that controls the air in all four of the Sunday School rooms.  Please be sure when you leave the building that both thermostats are set to 80 degrees in warm weather or 60 degrees in cold weather.
 
Happy Birthdays in April:
         April 4                   —    Denis Lavric
         April 6                   —    John Wood
         April 11                 —    Brandon Strain (#13!)
         April 12                 —    Lily Dabit
         April 15                 —    Anna Grace Dansereau (#2!)
         April 26                 —    Alexander Andrei (#3!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in April:
         April 11                 —    Simon and Rola Karam (#5!)
         April 12                 —    Mike and Cheryl Pigott (#34!)
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#25!)
 
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 Christian must be such as was Jesus Christ.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, said the holy Apostle Paul (Phil. 2:5).  Are you the kind of person that Jesus Christ was?  Do you behave as He did?  Do you live by His teaching, or Gospel, that He gave us as a rule of life?”
                                                How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan GREGORY of
                                                            St. Petersburg
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, April 19, 2015 (Thomas Sunday)
 
         Scripture:                               Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                     Sh. Charlotte Algood
         Prosphora:                              R. Root
         Coffee Hour:                          Henderson/Lockhart

4/5 announcements

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April 5, 2015
Palm Sunday
 
    Palm Sunday begins the observance of the eight days that encapsulate all of time and eternity as relates to man.  The days begin with the proclamation on earth of the entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem and end with the Eternal King rising in incomprehensible victory to establish the heavenly Jerusalem and His eternal reign.  On Palm Sunday, we begin the days of the full exhibition of the awful corruption sin has spread in mankind and the measureless love that heals and deifies our humanity.  Today we thrill at the picture of Christ and the praises of the people, the object of adoration yet the perfection of humility.  The imagery of the scene is beyond description:  the King amidst His people, the palm and olive branches symbolizing His victory, His anointing, His peace; the cloaks and garments cast before Him symbolizing our complete submission to His will; the cries of adoration, of “Hosanna,” the coming of the Lord.  Yet, on this day we are also near enough to feel acutely the dread of His passion, the desolation of the trial and Golgotha.  This day also begins the week of the Eighth Day, the entry to eternity.  As we observe Palm Sunday, we observe all history and the fulfillment of all history.
 
Philippians 4:4-9:  The Apostle Paul encourages us in the reading from his letter to the Philippians:  we are to rejoice in the Lord and to let our concerns and desires be made known to God in prayer and sup­plication.  By doing so, he tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.
 
John 12:1-18:  In anticipation of her Lord’s passion, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly ointment, fore­shadowing His coming death.  Jesus then enters Jerusalem shortly before Passover in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy.
 
First Troparion of Palm Sunday:  O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection.  Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
 
Second Troparion of Palm Sunday:  O Christ God, when we were buried with thee in Baptism, we became deserving of thy Resurrection  to immortal life.  Wherefore, we praise thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
 
Kontakion of Palm Sunday: Seated upon Thy throne in heaven, and a foal on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children: Blessed is He that cometh to recall Adam.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, April 5   (Palm Sunday)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            12:00 p.m.       — Fish Fry Meal
            6:30 p.m.         — Bridegroom Matins
 
Monday, April 6   (Great and Holy Monday)
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
            6:30 p.m.         — Bridegroom Matins
           
Tuesday, April 7   (Great and Holy Tuesday)
            6:30 p.m.         — Bridegroom Matins
 
Wednesday, April 8   (Great and Holy Wednesday)
            6:30 p.m.         — Service of Holy Unction     
                                                           
Thursday, April 9   (Great and Holy Thursday)
            6:00 a.m.         — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
            6:30 p.m.         — Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels
 
           
Friday, April 10   (Great and Holy Friday)
            6:00 a.m.         — Royal Hours
            3:00 p.m.         — Taking down from the Cross
            6:30 p.m.         — Lamentations Service          
 
Saturday, April 11   (Great and Holy Saturday)
            9:00 a.m.         — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
            10:30 p.m.       — Paschal Service
 
Sunday, April 12   (PASCHA)
            4:00 P.M.         — Agape Vespers at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton
 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Abrahams for Lazarus Saturday yesterday morning and by the Karams for the Divine Liturgy today. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                       Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
April 5                           Karam                                      FISH FRY MEAL       
                                                                                         (set-up:  Woods)
April 9 (Thur. am)       Brock                                       Kh. Sharon Meadows
April 11 (Sat. am)        Fahmy                                      Debbie Abraham
April 11 (Sat. pm)        Wood                                       Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and
                                                                                         Kh. Sharon Meadows
April 19                         R. Root                                    Henderson/Lockhart
April 26                         Henderson                               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#
April 5                                Phillip Lasseter                     Phil. 4:4-9                       294
April 9 (Thur. am)             Kh. Sharon Meadows          I Cor. 11:23-32              295
April 11 (Sat. am)              Tom Willingham                 Rom. 6:3-11                   300
April 11 (Sat. pm)             Walt Wood                           Acts 1:1-8                       25
April 19                              Sh. Charlotte Algood          Acts 5:12-20                  32
April 26                              Warren Strain                        Acts 6:1-7                       38
 
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 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 continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
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.
 
Vivian Haddad from Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton is at UMMC, having suffered a stroke.  She and her husband Charles have been dear friends of many here at St. Peter.  Please keep them and their family in your prayers.
 
Mrs. Betty Long, the mother of Dn Basil Long, was moved to hospice this past week.   She suffered a stroke a few years ago and has been in poor health since.  Please keep her, Dn. Basil, Sh. Josie and all their family in your prayers.
 
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 meetings will be Sunday, April 19th .
 
Pledge Letters have been mailed.  Please fill these out and return them to the office as soon as possible. Your pledges make it possible to plan a budget for the coming year.
 
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 the 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.  However, since Pascha falls on the second week-end this year, we will meet for the Akathist on the Third Saturday of April.
*    We will hold our annual catfish dinner TODAY following the Divine Liturgy.  Meals will be $10 for adults and children 12 and over, and $6 for children 5-11. 
*    Schedule for Holy Week services are as follows:
                  Sunday, April 5th         — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.
                  Monday, April 6th        — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.
                  Tuesday, April 7th        — Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m.
                  Wednesday, April 8th   — Service of Holy Unction at 6:30 p.m.
                  Thursday, April 9th      — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil at 6:00 a.m.
                                                      — Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels at 6:30 p.m.
                  Friday, April 10th         — Royal Hours at 6:00 a.m.
                                                      — Taking down from the Cross at 3:00 p.m.
                                                      — Lamentations Service at 6:30 p.m.
                  Saturday, April 11th     — Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil at 9:00 a.m.
                                                      — Paschal Service at 10:30 p.m.
                  Sunday, April 12th       — Agape Vespers at 4:00 p.m. at Holy Resurrection
*    Vacation Church School will be held Thursday, July 2nd through Saturday, July 4th.
 
Fasting Discipline for April
During Great Lent the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Annunciation on March 25th and Palm Sunday on April 5th, when fish wine and oil are permitted).  During Bright Week (the week following Pascha) there is no fasting of any kind.  Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline will be observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
 
Major Commemorations for April
April 5                   Palm Sunday
April 6-11              Holy Week
April 12                 PASCHA
April 19                 Thomas Sunday
April 23                 Great-martyr George
April 25                 Apostle Mark
April 26                 Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers
 
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).
 
Thermostats in the Fellowship Hall:  There are two thermostats in the Fellowship Hall—one in the main room to control the air in the main room, and a second one in the Nursery room that controls the air in all four of the Sunday School rooms.  Please be sure when you leave the building that both thermostats are set to 80 degrees in warm weather or 60 degrees in cold weather.
 
Happy Birthdays in April:
         April 4                   —    Denis Lavric
         April 6                   —    John Wood
         April 11                 —    Brandon Strain (#13!)
         April 12                 —    Lily Dabit
         April 15                 —    Anna Grace Dansereau (#2!)
         April 26                 —    Alexander Andrei (#3!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in April:
         April 11                 —    Simon and Rola Karam (#5!)
         April 12                 —    Mike and Cheryl Pigott (#34!)
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#25!)
 
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:  “Do you call yourself a Christian?  Are you a Christian in actual fact?  Do you live as a Christian should live, that is, do you fervently desire and earnestly seek after that which a true Christian desires and seeks after?  The blessings that the lord promises the true Christian in the future life are to be highly desired.  And inexpressibly horrible is the misfortune into which sin plunges us, if we do not desire and do not seek what a Christian must desire most fervently and seek after most earnestly.  What will happen if you do not receive the promised blessings and are cast into eternal torments?  You have already lived a considerable time, but have you ever asked yourself these and similar questions?  In particular, have you ever contemplated them seriously?”
                                                How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan GREGORY of
                                                            St. Petersburg
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, April 12, 2015 (PASCHA)
 
         Scripture:                               Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                     Walt Wood
         Prosphora:                              Wood
         Coffee Hour:                          POT LUCK MEAL
                                                         (set-up:  Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver/Kh. Sharon Meadows)