September 6, 2020
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Miracle of the Archangel Michael in Colossae
I Corinthians 16:13-24: St Paul concludes his first letter to the church at Corinth with greetings
from the Christians in Asia, and encouragements to be strong in the faith and submit to their spiritual elders.
Matthew 21:33-42: From St Matthew we hear our Lord use the parable of the landowner to foretell His’ rejection by the Jews and the consequences to them for that rejection.
Troparion of the Resurrection: Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women Disciples cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying, Death has been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
Troparion of the Archangel Michael: Supreme Commander of the Hosts of Heaven, we, the unworthy, importune and beseech thee that by thy supplications thou encircle us in the shelter of the wings of thine immaterial glory, guarding us who now fall down and cry to thee with fervor: Deliver us from dangers of all kinds, as the great Marshal of the heavenly hosts on high.
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear. We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.
Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos: By thy holy birth-giving, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
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, September 6 (Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
Monday, September 7
Father John’s Day Off
Tuesday, September 8 (Nativity of the Holy Theotokos)
The first feast of the liturgical year celebrates the birth of the Holy Virgin Mary, most blessed of women, chosen to bear God the Son, partaker in the Incarnation as the dwelling place of God. To celebrate her birth and give honor to her life is unavoidably to anticipate the coming of the Messiah and to adore His person. To remember her worthiness is to remember God’s grace. To wonder at her faith is to arouse ourselves to emulate her strength of will and her depth of trust. As we enter the cycle of the year, we turn first to honor the Holy Virgin, she who by her role in history and by her place among the saints most reminds us of the coming of the Saviour and the life He gives us, who by the Incarnation became the ladder between Heaven and Earth, who as the Mother of Christ is also the Mother of all His brethren.
NO Services
Wednesday, September 9 (Righteous Joachim and Anna)
6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers
Thursday, September 10
NO services
NO services
6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers (No Ninth Hour Prayers)
Sunday, September 13 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Cross)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Morrises for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule (NO Coffee Hour):
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
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 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.
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.
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.
Our condolences and prayers go out to Jack and Jill Weatherly on the death of his sister, Frances last Sunday. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
Please pray for Lauren Jones (sister of Ben Brock), her husband Brady and their children Maggie, Meredith and George. Lauren has been diagnosed with Corona-virus. Other members of the family are symptomatic but have not yet been tested.
Please continue to pray for the following members of St. Peter:
Warren Strain and their family. Warren has been hospitalized following a stroke on December 23rd. Warren is home from the rehab facility. Please remember Sandra, Tiffany and Brandon as they care for Warren at home.
Maria Costas, who has been moved St. Catherine’s Village.
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.
We will NOT have a service this year for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos as is our usual parish custom.
We will celebrate the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross on Monday morning, September 14th with Divine Liturgy (only), beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Spiritual Fall Retreat. This will be a virtual retreat and it’s free! The dates are October 2nd – 4th, 2020.
Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.
Fasting Discipline for September
In September, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month. The Feast of the Elevation of the Cross on the 14th is also a strict fast day.
Major Commemorations for September
September 6 Miracle of the Archangel Michael
September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos
September 9 Righteous Joachim and Anna
September 13 Dedication of the Church of the Anastasis
September 14 Elevation of the Precious Life-giving Cross
September 23 Conception of the Forerunner
September 24 Proto-martyr Thekla
September 26 Apostle John the Theologian (repose)
ead of ManHead of Maonasteries
Quotable: “The Lord allows us to be tossed by various passions in this life in order that we may hate these passions with all our heart, that we may look upon everything earthly as nothing, however precious and pleasant it may appear, and that we may long with all our hearts for God alone, the Source of tranquility and life, may cling to Him alone, may value Him before everything, His holy will, His peace and joyoly Spirit, goiven and sent by both the FFaa.”
St. John of Kronstadt
Worship: Sunday, September 13, 2020 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Cross)
Scripture: Galatians 6:11-18; John 3:13-17
Celebrant: Father John
Prosphora: Jones
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 