June 4, 2017
Pentecost

In several senses, Pentecost marks for us the end of many months of anticipation, commemoration, and celebration and the beginning of the fullness of the life and faith we share. It is a day bringing our focus on the Holy Spirit, the embodiment of divine grace, the supreme gift, the ongoing presence of God in our lives; yet, it is a day directing us to the praise of the Trinity, the three divine persons, and the historical and spatial relationship God’s people have with Him. For the disciples, the day marks their spiritual maturity. Their faith began in their nationality, for they were of the nation that God the Father chose to glorify Him. The faith was completed in their confrontation with God the Son, through His presence and the nourishment He gave. The fullness of the faith came with the coming in power of God the Spirit. The disciples had grown in spirit and were ready for their work; the birth of the Church was imminent; the Bride was to be made ready. In the cycle of the calendar, we now stand ready to do likewise, and all weeks from now until our preparation for Advent are the weeks of Pentecost. In the picture of the birth of the Church there are symbols beyond mention here; the unity in the common tongue, the Light that shines brighter than day, the bold proclamation to all men of the Gospel. We look forward from this day to weeks without special celebrations, to days without reference to past days of enormous import–to normal, uneventful days. But these are not uneventful days; they are the days for which we have prepared, the days of the Church, the days of our maturity and growth, the days when, through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we run the good race and cross the finish to bring praise and glory to our glorious God, the eternal Trinity.

Acts 2:1-11: In the reading from Acts we see the pouring out of God’s Spirit on the apostles, the ful­fillment of Joel’s prophecy, and the beginning of the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

John 7:37-52, 8:12: Our Lord calls those thirsting for righteousness to Himself, promising to eternally quench their thirst by the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees, however, view Jesus as a threat to their authority and seek for ways to undermine His authority.

Troparion of Pentecost: Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise, having sent upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them thou hast fished the universe, O Lover of mankind, glory to thee.

Kontakion of Pentecost: When the high One descended, confusing tongues, he divided the nations. And when he distributed the fiery tongues he called all to one unity. Wherefore, in unison we glorify the most Holy Spirit.

CALENDAR

Sunday, June 4 (Pentecost)
[NO FASTING THIS WEEK]
8:50 a.m. — Orthros
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy
12:00 p.m. — Pot Luck Meal
6:30 p.m. — Kneeling Vespers

Monday, June 5
Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, June 6
6:00 a.m. — Daily Orthros

Wednesday, June 7
6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers
7:15 p.m. — Choir Practice

Thursday, June 8 (Theodore the General)
6:00 a.m. — Daily Orthros
8:45 a.m. — Vacation Church School

Friday, June 9
8:45 a.m. — Vacation Church School

Saturday, June 10
8:45 a.m. — Vacation Church School
10:00 a.m. — Ladies meet for Akathist
5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, June 11 (Sunday of All Saints)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Algoods for the Saturday of the Souls liturgy yesterday morning and by the Schelvers for the Divine Liturgy this morning. The Koliva for the Saturday of the Souls liturgy yesterday was provided by the Dn. Richard Roots.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
June 4 Schelver POT LUCK MEAL
(Feast of Pentecost) set-up: Pigott/Meadows/Alaeetawi
June 11 Morris Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
June 18 Jones D. Root/Davis
June 25 Meadows Algood/Strain/Dabit
June 28 (Wed. p.m.) Davis Karen Cooper
Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul)

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.
Reader Reading Page#
June 4 Mildred Morris Acts 2:1-11 77
June 11 Phillip Lasseter Heb. 11:33-12:2 84
June 18 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Rom. 2:10-16 90
June 25 David Turner Rom. 6:22-33 96
June 28 (Wed. p.m.) Brenda Baker II Cor. 11:21-33, 12:6-9 389

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

His Grace, Bp. ANTOUN will retire this summer. He has continuing health problems, so please keep him in your prayers. We thank God for all that he has done for us. We are especially thankful for his role in bringing us into canonical Orthodoxy. Many Years to you, Master!

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 remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sue Thayer (Charlotte Wood’s mother), Walt and Charlotte and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

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.

Chanters’ Stand: We have ordered a Chanters’ Stand for the church. It will be hand-carved carved and is similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost will be a little more than $3400. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

Welcome! to Mary Greene (sister of Lee and Kh. Sharon) from St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River, AK who is staying with the Meadows.

Medical Update:
* Jay Davis underwent surgery last week to implant a Tens device in his back. The surgery went extremely well. He has experienced relief from his previous pain, but has been in considerable pain due to the surgery itself. However, he has turned the corner now and is improving daily. Please keep him and Joanna in your prayers.
* Jill Weatherly had hip-replacement surgery this past Thursday. Please keep her and Jack in your prayers.

Congratulations to Phillip Lasseter on his acceptance into Seminary at Holy Cross Seminary. He and Nikki and their sons will be moving to the Boston area before seminary begins in the fall. Please keep them in your prayers.

Congratulations to Emil Ellis on making another All Tournament Team at second base as Delta State went undefeated in the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament! They played in the Division II College World Series in Texas this past week!

The Fahmys’ new address is 2117 Loudenslager Drive
Thompsons Station, TN 37179-5313

Parents of Young Children: Please make sure that your children are supervised if they are in the Nursery during Coffee Hour, just as they are supervised if out on the Playground. The Nursery is being left in a mess on Sunday mornings following Coffee Hour and the clean-up is falling on the same people (i.e. those who teach Sunday School classes in that room). If you leave and there are still children using the room, please make sure that your children pick up the things with which they have been playing.

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.
* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
* We will have the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost this evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
* Vacation Church School will be held June 8-10 at the church from 8:45-12:00 each day.
* The Parish Life Conference will be held June 16-18 in Atlanta.
* Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be November 18th.

Fasting Discipline for June
There will be no fasting of any kind during the week following Pentecost. The Apostles fast will begin on June 12th and run through June 29th. The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week during this time.

Major Commemorations for June
June 4 Feast of Pentecost
Metrophanes of Constantinople
June 8 Theodore the General (transfer of relics)
June 11 Sunday of All Saints
June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner
June 29 Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

If you are the last to leave, please make sure that the doors in the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen and the hallway are all locked.

Burial and Funeral Care Instructions forms: These forms are located on the bureau in the hallway outside the nave. There are two forms: one for the church and one for the family (with a copy given to the church). Please fill out your forms and return to the office as soon as possible.
Please be sure to have your forms notarized. The forms will be kept in a file in the office so that we have your instructions should the need arise.

Quotable: “Even if one maintains that the readings and psalms serve another purpose—for they are introduced in order to dispose us to virtue and to cause God to look favourably on us—that does not mean that the same ceremonies cannot at once urge us to virtue and illustrate the scheme of Christ’s redemptive work. Robes fulfill their function as clothes, and cover the body; but sometimes, by their style, they indicate the profession, rank, and dignity of the wearer. The same is true of these liturgical matters. Because the Holy Scriptures contain divinely-inspired words and praises of God, and because they incite to virtue, they sanctify those who read or chant them. But, because of the selection which has been made, and the order in which the passages are arranged, they have another function: they signify the coming of Christ and his work. Not only the chants and readings but the very actions themselves have this part to play; each has its own immediate purpose and usefulness. But at the same time each symbolizes some part of the works of Christ, his deeds or his sufferings.”
Nicholas Cabasilas, A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy

Worship: Sunday, June 4, 2017 (First Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday of All Saints)

Scripture: Hebrews 11:33-12:2; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30
Celebrant: Father John
Epistle Reader: Phillip Lasseter
Prosphora: Morris
Coffee Hour: Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

This is a wonderful article on the “forgotten feast” of Ascension.  https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/orthodoxyandheterodoxy/2016/06/02/recovering-full-theological-vision-ascension/

May 28, 2017

After-feast of the Ascension

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

Today is the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea. This day commemorates the Holy Fathers who sat in council at Nicea, the first of the ecumenical councils. Through them we see the commitment to the immutable truth of God for all the faithful, especially those who lead in the faith. The men of this council bear special note by the significance of their creed, for it is the fundamental statement of orthodox Christology and an enduring guide to our faith. The events of the ascension and the scriptures of this day emphasize to us the nature and action of Christ, and the history of these fathers puts us in mind of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church, work proclaimed by the glorious events which we now anticipate in the preparation for Pentecost.

Acts 20:16-18, 28-36: In the reading from Acts, we hear St Paul speak to the elders of the church at Ephesus, encouraging them to follow his example in their shepherding, and bidding them his final fare­well as he approached his imprisonment at Rome.

John 17:1-13: In the passage from John, Jesus prays for His disciples, that they would be united as one and kept from evil.

Troparion of the Resurrection: When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou who art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.

Troparion of the Ascension: Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing. Verily, thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.

Troparion of the Holy Fathers: Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.

Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear. We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion of the Ascension: When thou didst fulfill thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto thy beloved, I am with you, and no one shall be against you.

CALENDAR

Sunday, May 28 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

Monday, May 29

Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, May 30

6:00 a.m. — Daily Orthros

Wednesday, May 31

6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers

7:15 p.m. — Choir Practice

7:30 p.m. — Parish Council Meeting

Thursday, June 1 (Justyn Martyr)

6:00 a.m. — Daily Orthros

11:30 a.m. — Men’s Lunch

Friday, June 2

Saturday, June 3 (Saturday of the Souls)

9:00 a.m. — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, June 4 (Pentecost)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

12:00 p.m. — Pot Luck Meal

6:30 p.m. — Kneeling Vespers

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Hendersons for the Feast of the Ascension this past Wednesday evening and by the Katools for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

May 28 Katool Ellis/Zouboukos

June 3 (Sat. a.m.) Algood Rebecca Dansereau

(Saturday of the Souls) (Koliva: ???)

June 4 Schelver POT LUCK MEAL

(Feast of Pentecost) set-up: Pigott/Meadows/Alaeetawi

June 11 Morris Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

June 18 Jones D. Root/Davis

June 25 Davis Algood/Strain/Dabit

June 28 (Wed. p.m.) Meadows Karen Cooper

Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul)

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 28 Warren Strain Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 66

June 3 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 28:1-31 72

June 4 Mildred Morris Acts 2:1-11 77

June 11 Phillip Lasseter Heb. 11:33-12:2 84

June 18 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Rom. 2:10-16 90

June 25 David Turner Rom. 6:22-33 96

June 28 (Wed. p.m.) Brenda Baker II Cor. 11:21-33, 12:6-9 389

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

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.

His Grace, Bp. ANTOUN will retire this summer. He has continuing health problems, so please keep him in your prayers. We thank God for all that he has done for us. We are especially thankful for his role in bringing us into canonical Orthodoxy. Many Years to you, Master!

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 the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sue Thayer (Charlotte Wood’s mother), Walt and Charlotte and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

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.

Chanters’ Stand: We have ordered a Chanters’ Stand for the church. It will be hand-carved carved and is similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost will be a little more than $3400. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

Welcome!

…to Penny Bruner from St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Goleta, CA who is here visiting and who is staying with Fr. John and Kh. Janet;

…to Mary Greene (sister of Lee and Kh. Sharon) from St. John Orthodox Church in Eagle River, AK who is staying with the Meadows.

Medical Update:

* Jay Davis underwent a trial period the first week of May for a device that will hopefully alleviate his back pain. The trial was a success. He will be having surgery this week to implant a more permanent device. Please keep him and Joanna in your prayers.

Congratulations to Emil Ellis on making another All Tournament Team at second base as Delta State went undefeated in the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament! They are the number one seed in the Division II College World Series in Texas this weekend!

The Fahmys’ new address is 2117 Loudenslager Drive

Thompsons Station, TN 37179-5313

Parents of Young Children: Please make sure that your children are supervised if they are in the Nursery during Coffee Hour, just as they are supervised if out on the Playground. The Nursery is being left in a mess on Sunday mornings following Coffee Hour and the clean-up is falling on the same people (i.e. those who teach Sunday School classes in that room). If you leave and there are still children using the room, please make sure that your children pick up the things with which they have been playing.

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.

* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* We will celebrate Saturday of the Souls on Saturday morning, June 3rd with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

* The Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on Sunday, June 4th. We will hold our monthly Pot Luck Meal on this Sunday (instead of the usual second Sunday of the month) in honor of the Feast. We will also have the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost that evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* Vacation Church School will be held June 8-10 at the church.

* The Parish Life Conference will be held June 16-18 in Atlanta.

* Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be November 18th.

Fasting Discipline for May/June

The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays prior to Pentecost (June 4th). There will be no fasting of any kind during the week following Pentecost. The Apostles fast will begin on June 12th and run through June 29th. The traditional fasting discipline is observed on all days of the week during this time.

Major Commemorations for June

June 1 Justyn Martyr

June 3 Saturday of the Souls

June 4 Feast of Pentecost

Metrophanes of Constantinople

June 8 Theodore the General (transfer of relics)

June 11 Sunday of All Saints

June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner

June 29 Chief Apostles Peter and Paul

June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

If you are the last to leave, please make sure that the doors in the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen and the hallway are all locked.

Burial and Funeral Care Instructions forms: These forms are located on the bureau in the hallway outside the nave. There are two forms: one for the church and one for the family (with a copy given to the church). Please fill out your forms and return to the office as soon as possible.

Please be sure to have your forms notarized. The forms will be kept in a file in the office so that we have your instructions should the need arise.

Quotable: “The whole celebration of the mystery is like a unique portrayal of a single body, which is the work of the Saviour; it places before us the several members of this body, from beginning to end, in their order and harmony. That is why the psalmody, as well as the opening chants, and before them all that is done at the preparation of the offerings, symbolize the first period of the scheme of redemption. That which comes after the psalms—readings from Holy Scriptures and so on—symbolizes the period which follows.”

Nicholas Cabasilas, A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy

Worship: Sunday, June 4, 2017 (Feast of Pentecost)

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52; 8:12

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Mildred Morris

Prosphora: Schelver

Coffee Hour: POT LUCK MEAL

Set-up: Pigott/Meadows/Alaeetawi

May 21, 2017

Sunday of the Blindman

Sts. Constantine and Helen

Today is the Sunday of the Blind Man. Though the Gospel account of the healing of the blind man touches many subjects, there is but one theme: Christ is the divine Light which illuminates the hearts of those who behold Him in faith. Despite the intimidation of the authorities, despite the confusion of the people who know him, despite the fear of his parents, the blind man given sight refuses to deny what he knows is the truth: Jesus has given him sight, has healed the affliction he has born from birth, and one who does such good is from God. To deny his healer is to deny the truth, and he prefers persecution and rejection to that denial. More than his eyes have been opened; his heart has been opened to true and eternal Light. As were the Israelites cast into the dark despair of his fear, as are we all blinded by the frustration of sin and of our weakness, so this man was trapped by his closed eyes; and, as may all be, he was freed by the coming of the Messiah. In faith we open our eyes to the radiant glory of our Lord and King.

Acts 26:1, 12-20: St. Paul describes his vision on the road to Damascus and his calling by our Lord to be His witness to both Jews and Gentiles, declaring that they should repent, turn to God and do works befitting repentance.

John 9:1-38: After Jesus heals a man born blind, we see the hypocrisy and unbelief of the Pharisees as they seek to learn how the man came to see. After being put out of the temple, the formerly blind man again encounters Jesus, whom he worships as his savior.

Troparion of the Resurrection: Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for he took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh, to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious Resurrection.

Troparion of Sts. Constantine and Helen: Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and, like Paul, having received the call not from men, Thine apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man.

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 21 (Sunday of the Blindman; Sts. Constantine and Helen)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

Monday, May 22

Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, May 23

6:00 a.m. — Daily Orthros

6:30 p.m. — Paschal Vespers for the Leave-taking of Pascha

Wednesday, May 24

6:00 p.m. — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

Thursday, May 25 (Feast of the Ascension)

The fortieth day after Easter is the day of the Ascension, the liturgical end to the celebration of the Resurrection and the opening of the season observing the glory of the Messiah. This is a day too often associated with the sadness of departure; yet this day brought great joy to the Disciples. They saw not the departure of one dear to them, but the glorious entry of their King to His heavenly throne. They saw not the loss of their Intercessor, but the Father accepting the eternal sacrifice and blessing the completion of man’s salvation. They saw not their separation from Christ but their assumption with Him into glory through the Incarnation. They saw not the removal of the blessed One but the promise from Him of further blessings. This day is another step in our procession into eternity, a remembrance of heavenly things, a reminder that the essence of our lives is the heavenly, a refreshing of the image of our God in all His glory.

Friday, May 26

Saturday, May 27

5:45 p.m. — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers with Paschal Format

Sunday, May 28 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Dn. Richard Roots for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

May 21 R. Root Stewart/Turner/Waites

May 24 (Wed. p.m.) Henderson Mary Guy Lockhart

(Feast of the Ascension)

May 28 Katool Ellis/Zouboukos

June 3 (Sat. a.m.) Algood Rebecca Dansereau

(Saturday of the Souls) (Koliva: Joanna Davis)

June 4 Schelver POT LUCK MEAL

(Feast of Pentecost) set-up: Pigott/Meadows/Alaeetawi

June 11 Morris Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

June 18 Jones D. Root/Davis

June 25 Davis Algood/Strain/Dabit

June 28 (Wed. p.m.) Meadows Karen Cooper

Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul)

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 21 Walt Wood Acts 26:1, 12-20 384

May 24 (Wed. p.m.) Sh. Charlotte Algood Acts 1:1-12 63

May 28 Warren Strain Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 66

June 3 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 28:1-31 72

June 4 Mildred Morris Acts 2:1-11 77

June 11 Phillip Lasseter Heb. 11:33-12:2 84

June 18 Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver Rom. 2:10-16 90

June 25 David Turner Rom. 6:22-33 96

June 28 (Wed. p.m.) Brenda Baker II Cor. 11:21-33, 12:6-9 389

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

His Grace, Bp. ANTOUN will retire this summer. He has continuing health problems, so please keep him in your prayers. We thank God for all that he has done for us. We are especially thankful for his role in bringing us into canonical Orthodoxy. Many Years to you, Master!

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 the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George and Michael Johns (Georgia’s grandsons) and their family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sue Thayer (Charlotte Wood’s mother), Walt and Charlotte and their family; Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; Tom and Kathy Willingham and Tom’s stepdaughter, Marica, who has been diagnosed with MS; Peggy (David Turner’s paternal aunt) who is suffering from cancer and related complications; Alexa (Lou Turner’s very close friend) who sustained multiple injuries in a serious car wreck; and George (Dorothea and Daniel Staursky’s uncle) who sustained injuries in a bad fall.

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.

Chanters’ Stand: We have ordered a Chanters’ Stand for the church. It will be hand-carved carved and is similar to the beautiful tables in the nave and narthex. The cost will be a little more than $3400. We are soliciting donations to cover the cost. If you would like to participate, please let Fr. John know.

Medical Updates:

* Sh. Margaret Root is still recuperating from successful surgery last week. Please pray for her continued recovery.

* Jay Davis underwent a trial period the first week of May for a device that will hopefully alleviate his back pain. The trial was a success. The temporary device was removed last week and a date will be set sometime in the next two-three weeks to implant a more permanent device. Please keep him and Joanna in your prayers.

Penny Brunner, wife of Dean Brunner and mother of the late Cyrus Brunner and a member of St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Goleta, CA, will be visiting here May 24-30 and will be staying with Fr. John and Kh. Janet.

The Fahmys’ new address is 2117 Loudenslager Drive

Thompsons Station, TN 37179-5313

Parents of Young Children: Please make sure that your children are supervised if they are in the Nursery during Coffee Hour, just as they are supervised if out on the Playground. The Nursery is being left in a mess on Sunday mornings following Coffee Hour and the clean-up is falling on the same people (i.e. those who teach Sunday School classes in that room). If you leave and there are still children using the room, please make sure that your children pick up the things with which they have been playing.

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.

* The Ladies of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* We will celebrate the Leave-taking of Pascha with Paschal Vespers on Tuesday, May 23rd, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* The Feast of the Ascension will be celebrated with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, May 24th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

* We will celebrate Saturday of the Souls on Saturday morning, June 3rd with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

* The Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on Sunday, June 4th. We will hold our monthly Pot Luck Meal on this Sunday (instead of the usual second Sunday of the month) in honor of the Feast. We will also have the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost that evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* Vacation Church School will be held June 8-10 at the church.

* The Parish Life Conference will be held June 16-18 in Atlanta.

* Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be November 18th.

If you are the last to leave, please make sure that the doors in the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen and the hallway are all locked.

Fasting Discipline for May

Following Bright Week, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month. In May the traditional fasting discipline is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.

Major Commemorations for May

May 21 Sunday of the Blindman; Sts. Constantine and Helen

May 24 Leave-taking of Pascha

May 25 Feast of the Ascension

The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)

May 28 Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea

Burial and Funeral Care Instructions forms: These forms are located on the bureau in the hallway outside the nave. There are two forms: one for the church and one for the family (with a copy given to the church). Please fill out your forms and return to the office as soon as possible.

Please be sure to have your forms notarized. The forms will be kept in a file in the office so that we have your instructions should the need arise.

Quotable: “There is another way in which these forms, like all the ceremonies of the Holy Sacrifice, sanctify us. It consists in this: that in them Christ and the deeds he accomplished and the sufferings he endured for our sakes are represented. Indeed, it is the whole scheme of the work of redemption which is signified in the psalms and readings, as in all the actions of the priest throughout the liturgy; the first ceremonies of the service represent the beginnings of this work; the next, the sequel; and the last, its results. Thus, those who are present at these ceremonies have before their eyes all these divine things. The consecration of the elements—the sacrifice itself—commemorates the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Saviour, since it transforms these precious gifts into the very Body of the Lord, that Body which was the central figure in all these mysteries, which was crucified, which rose from the dead, which ascended into heaven. The ceremonies which precede the act of sacrifice symbolize the events which occurred before the death of Christ: his coming on earth, his first appearance and his perfect manifestation. Those which follow the act of sacrifice recall ‘the promise of the Father,’ as the Saviour himself called it: that is the descent of th Holy Spirit upon the apostles, the conversion of the nations which they brought about, and their divine society.”

Nicholas Cabasilas, A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy

Worship: Sunday, May 28, 2017 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council)

Scripture: Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Warren Strain

Prosphora: Katool

Coffee Hour: Ellis/Zouboukos