August 9, 2020

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

After-Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

I Corinthians 3:9-17: In the reading from I Corinthians St Paul admonishes the Corinthian Church to give credit to the Lord for the work done by men in building the Church.

Matthew 14:22-34: In our reading from Matthew, we see Jesus’ mastery over creation by walking on the Sea of Galilee; Peter’s attempt to join Jesus shows us that our faith is weakened when we take our eyes off the Lord.

Troparion of the Resurrection: O compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou might deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.

Troparion of the Transfiguration: When, O Christ our God, thou wast transfigured on the mountain, thou didst reveal thy glory to thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Bestower of light, glory to thee.

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

Kontakion of the Transfiguration: Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God; so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father.

From Father John: In His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH’s last communique regarding the restrictions for participation in the services at our churches, he stated that, we should follow the guidelines based on our local numbers with the virus. As our numbers locally are rising, we will be dropping back to 25 participants at liturgies (which includes the priest and chanters). I will continue to try my best to rotate, as fairly as possible, our members who are healthy and wish to come to the services.

Please continue to follow the CDC Guidelines to limit contagion and the spread of the COVID virus.

ATTENTION: Please be reminded that both the Archdiocese and the Governor have issued directions which mandate that masks be worn while in public/group settings. If you are inside of the church, you must wear a mask. Only the chanters and serving clergy are exempted from this during services. Masks should be worn outside, too, if you are in close proximity to others. You have done well with this for the most part, but with a few lapses recently, I wanted to remind you of this essential precaution. — Fr. John

CALENDAR

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast.

Sunday, August 9 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

9:00 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

Monday, August 10

Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, August 11

NO Services

Wednesday, August 12

6:30 p.m. — Paraklesis Service

Thursday, August 13

NO services

Friday, August 14

NO services

Saturday, August 15(Dormition of the Theotokos)

We celebrate this month the Feast of the Dormition (or “Falling Asleep”) of the Theotokos. Church Tradition states that the Virgin Mary died in her early fifties. The icon shows her lying upon her funeral bier. On either side of the bier stand the Apostles; the group on the left is led by St. Peter who stands at the head of the bier; the group on the right is led by St. Paul who stands at the foot of the bier. At the time of her death many of the Apostles were scattered throughout the world preaching the Gospel. However, they all returned to Jerusalem upon learning of her death. All arrived in time for the burial except St. Thomas. Standing by the bier is her Son, who had come to receive His Mother’s soul into heaven. He holds in His arms an infant in white symbolizing the soul of the Theotokos. The Orthodox Church, although it has never had the need to make it a dogma (as has the Roman Catholic Church), also believes in the Virgin Mary’s “assumption” or bodily resurrection into heaven. Tradition relates that when the other disciples showed St. Thomas (who arrived in Jerusalem after the burial) the tomb in Gethsemane where the Theotokos had been buried near her parents, they discovered that the tomb was empty.

Our Church bids us to prepare for the Feast of the Dormition with the Dormition Fast (one of the four major fasting periods of our Church).

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

6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers (No Ninth Hour Prayers)

Sunday, August 16 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)

9:00 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Bakers for the Feast of the Transfiguration this past Wednesday evening and by the Brocks for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Please remember that the schedule for prosphora is still in place as we will continue to serve the Divine Liturgy. Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which should be sent to: St. Peter Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 2084, Madison, MS 39130-2084. If you need Father John for anything, do not hesitate to get in touch with him. If you become ill, please let him know.

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Eucharist Bread Schedule (NO Coffee Hour):

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

August 15 (Sat. a.m.) Henderson

(Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos)

August 16 Algood

August 23 Katool

August 30 Schelver

September 6 Morris

September 13 Jones

September 14 (Mon. a.m.) Meadows

(Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross)

September 20 Davis

September 27 D. Root

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

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; David Morris and his family; Jay and Joanna; Chris and Rebecca Dansereau and their daughters; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ and their family; Emad and Natalia Alaeetawi and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham.

Welcome and Many Years to the Miller Family! Chad (Sponsor, Dn. Richard Root) and Sarah (Sponsor, Charlotte Wood) were chrismated last Saturday morning and their children Katie (Godmother, Kh. Sharon Meadows), Timothy (Godfather, Emad Alaeetawi), Annalyn (Godmother, Joanna Davis) and Isaac (Godfather, Daniel Root) were baptized. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Congratulations to Dale and Michelle Cooper (and to Karen as well) on the news of the upcoming addition to their family! Please keep Dale, Michelle and their unborn child in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for the following members of St. Peter:

Warren Strain and their family. Warren is hospitalized following a stroke on December 23rd.

Maria Costas, who is still ill with the corona virus and has been moved to a swing-bed facility in Morton.

Nicholas Henderson, who is ill with the corona virus (and the health of his family).

All those affected by the Corona-virus Pandemic.

If you are ready to return to the services of our church, please let Fr. John know so that he can add you to the list of attendees. It is up to individuals to request attendance at the services. Fr. John attempts to be fair in allotting slots, but he does not make assignments or phone calls.

If you get sick, especially with the Corona virus, please let Fr. John know.

A Benevolence account has been established at St. Peter to help the Strain family deal with Warren’s medical bills and other needs. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please note on your check that it is for the Warren Strain Benevolence Fund. 100% of these funds will go to the Strain family.

The Fast of the Dormition began on Saturday, August 1st and runs through the 15th of the month. We will celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday, August 15th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

We will celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, August 5th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

We will NOT have a service this year for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos as is our usual parish custom.

Fasting Discipline for August

The Fast of the Dormition begins August 1st and runs through August 15th. During this time the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week, except Saturday and Sunday when wine and oil are allowed and August 6th (Feast of the Transfiguration) when fish, wine and oil are allowed. Following the 15th, the traditional fasting discipline is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month. The feastday of the Beheading of the Forerunner on August 29th is a strict fast day.

Major Commemorations for August

August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos

August 29 Beheading of the Forerunner

August 31 Depostion of the Belt of the Theotokos

Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.

Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Spiritual Fall Retreat. This will be a virtual retreat and its free! The dates are October 2nd – 4th, 2020.

ead of ManHead of Maonasteries

Quotable: “The is, therefore, more than just the only one who understands Scripture and tradition as the living and dynamic expression of the power of Christ—our final goal; she is also the only one who makes this power, or the warmth of this power, real through the sensitivity produced among all human beings by the Holy Spiritoly Spirit, goiven and sent by both the FFaa.”

Dumitru Staniloae, The Experience of God

Worship: Sunday, August 16, 2020 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Scripture: I Corinthians 4:9-16; Matthew 17:14-23

Celebrant: Father John

Prosphora: Algood

August 2, 2020

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Translation of the Relics of Proto-martyr Stephen the Archdeacon

I Corinthians 1:10-17: St. Paul appeals to the Corinthians to put away their divisions and to be joined together in Jesus Christ.

Matthew 14:14-22: In the reading from St Matthew we hear about Jesus’ feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. In this miracle we see that Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross; thou didst open paradise to the thief; thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting the world Great Mercy.

Troparion of the Proto-Martyr Stephen: The crown of the Kingdom hath adorned the brow of thy holy head because of the contests that thou hast endured for Christ God, thou first of the martyred Saints; for when thou hadst censured the Jews madness, thou sawest Christ thy Saviour standing at the right hand of the Father. O Stephen, ever pray Him for us, that He would save our souls.

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 Theotokos: O undisputed intercessor of Christians, O mediatrix, who is unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions though we be sinners; come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who didst ever intercede for those who honor thee.

From Father John: In His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH’s last communique regarding the restrictions for participation in the services at our churches, he stated that, we should follow the guidelines based on our local numbers with the virus. As our numbers locally are rising, we will be dropping back to 25 participants at liturgies (which includes the priest and chanters). I will continue to try my best to rotate, as fairly as possible, our members who are healthy and wish to come to the services.

Please continue to follow the CDC Guidelines to limit contagion and the spread of the COVID virus.

We have been given permission to resume baptisms and chrismations. In the near future we will be scheduling these sacraments for those who would have been baptized and/or chrismated at Pascha this year. More details will be available at a later date.

CALENDAR

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast.

Sunday, August 2 (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost)

9:00 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

Monday, August 3

Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, August 4

NO Services

Wednesday, August 5

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

Thursday, August 6 (Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord)

Before His Passion, Jesus ascended Mount Tabor with His disciples Peter, James and John, for the purpose of prayer. There the three disciples beheld Him transfigured and saw a vision in which Moses the Lawgiver (shown on the icon on the right holding the tablets of the Law) and Elijah the Prophet appeared and spoke with Him. “And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him” (Matt. 17:2-3). The fact that Moses and Elijah appeared at the Transfiguration is very significant in that these two men were the leading figures of the Old Testament – which confirms the fact that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (see Matthew 5:17). Their presence confirmed that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Messiah whom the people of the Old Testament had been anticipating. The Gospel account also says that a voice from a bright cloud said “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him” (Matt. 17:5), further confirming the person of Jesus as the divine Messiah. When the three disciples saw and heard these things they fell on their faces and were filled with awe (this is shown on the icon by the way Peter, James and John are depicted at the foot of the mount). When they came down the mountain Jesus told His disciples to “tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead” (Matt. 17:9). Jesus did not want everyone to know what had happened until the time was right. The Kontakion of the feast gives understanding as to why Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to be present at His transfiguration: “On the mountain wast Thou transfigured, O Christ God, and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it; so that when they would behold Thee crucified, they would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary, and would proclaim to the world that Thou art truly the Radiance of the Father.”

NO services

Friday, August 7

NO services

Saturday, August 8

6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers (No Ninth Hour Prayers)

Sunday, August 9 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

9:00 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Karams for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Please remember that the schedule for prosphora is still in place as we will continue to serve the Divine Liturgy. Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which should be sent to: St. Peter Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 2084, Madison, MS 39130-2084. If you need Father John for anything, do not hesitate to get in touch with him. If you become ill, please let him know.

Eucharist Bread Schedule (NO Coffee Hour):

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

August 5 (Wed. p.m.) Brock

(Feast of the Transfiguration)

August 9 Baker

August 15 (Sat. a.m.) Henderson

(Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos)

August 16 Algood

August 23 Katool

August 30 Schelver

September 6 Morris

September 13 Jones

September 14 (Mon. a.m.) Meadows

(Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross)

September 20 Davis

September 27 D. Root

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

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

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Lynda Costas; Fr. Nicholas, Kh. Jan and Angelina Speier; David Morris and his family; Jay and Joanna; Chris and Rebecca Dansereau and their daughters; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ and their family; Emad and Natalia Alaeetawi and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham.

Welcome and Many Years to the Miller Family! Chad (sponsor, Dn. Richard Root) and Sarah (sponsor, Charlotte Wood) were chrismated yesterday morning and their children Katie (Godmother, Kh. Sharon Meadows), Timothy (Godfather, Emad Alaeetawi), Annalyn (godmother, Joanna Davis) and Isaac (godfather, Daniel Root) were baptized. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for the following members of St. Peter:

Warren Strain and their family. Warren is hospitalized following a stroke on December 23rd.

Maria Costas, who is still ill with the corona virus and has been moved to a swing-bed facility in Morton.

Nicholas Henderson, who is ill with the corona virus (and the health of his family).

All those affected by the Corona-virus Pandemic.

If you are ready to return to the services of our church, please let Fr. John know so that he can add you to the list of attendees. It is up to individuals to request attendance at the services. Fr. John attempts to be fair in allotting slots, but he does not make assignments or phone calls.

A Benevolence account has been established at St. Peter to help the Strain family deal with Warren’s medical bills and other needs. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please note on your check that it is for the Warren Strain Benevolence Fund. 100% of these funds will go to the Strain family.

The Fast of the Dormition began on Saturday, August 1st and runs through the 15th of the month. We will celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday, August 15th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

We will celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evening, August 5th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

We will NOT have a service this year for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos as is our usual parish custom.

Fasting Discipline for August

The Fast of the Dormition begins August 1st and runs through August 15th. During this time the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week, except Saturday and Sunday when wine and oil are allowed and August 6th (Feast of the Transfiguration) when fish, wine and oil are allowed. Following the 15th, the traditional fasting discipline is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month. The feastday of the Beheading of the Forerunner on August 29th is a strict fast day.

Major Commemorations for August

August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord

August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos

August 29 Beheading of the Forerunner

August 31 Depostion of the Belt of the Theotokos

Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.

Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Spiritual Fall Retreat. This will be a virtual retreat and its free! The dates are October 2nd – 4th, 2020.

ead of ManHead of Maonasteries

Quotable: “The Spirit of Christ makes us sensitive to Christ and unites us with him in the Church, because the fire of the Spirit which is spread from Christ cannot be separated from the common human sensitivity for Christ. He manifests himself as one who works through the fire of active faith. This fire is life within the continuous perfection of communion with Christ. Through the Spirit, the faithful are linked with Christ not in isolation, but together among themselves. Whoever attains to faith in Christ attains it through the faith or the sensitivity of someone else. The interpersonal sensitivity of faith in which the Holy Spirit is manifested links those who believe within the community of faith, that is, the Church. The joyful sensitivity of communion with the absolute person of Christ spreads in the joy of communion and of works done in communion with others, and in the participation of others in the Personal reality of a God come down, in Christ, to the level of communion with human beingsoly Spirit, goiven and sent by both the FFaa.”

Dumitru Staniloae, The Experience of God

Worship: Sunday, August 9, 2020 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

Scripture: I Corinthians 3:9-17; Matthew 14:22-34

Celebrant: Father John

Prosphora: Baker