November 22, 2020
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
After-feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
Ephesians 2:14-22: In our reading from Ephesians, we are reminded that Christ not only brought us into union with Himself, but also into union with each other and the faithful saints who have gone before us to be with the Lord.
Luke 12:16-21: In the parable of the rich landowner the Lord teaches us that material possessions are worthless when valued more than knowing God.
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 Presentation of the Theotokos: Today the Virgin is the foreshadowing of the pleasure of God, and the beginning of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. You have appeared in the Temple of God openly and have gone before, preaching Christ to all. Let us shout with one thrilling voice, saying, Rejoice, O you who are the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.
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 Presentation of the Theotokos: The all-pure temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today enters the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit; whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle.
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. Thank you for your cooperation with these restrictions.
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, November 22 (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
Monday, November 23
Father John’s Day Off
Wednesday, November 25 (Great-martyrs Catherine and Mercurios)
NO Services
Thursday, November 26
NO services
NO services
6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers (No Ninth Hour Prayers)
Sunday, November 29 (Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)
10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Joneses for the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple yesterday morning and by the Meadows 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 may be placed in the tithe box at the back of the nave or be mailed to: St. Peter Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 2084, Madison, MS 39130-2084.
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.
Eucharist Bread Schedule (NO Coffee Hour):
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
November 29 Davis
December 6 D. Root
December 13 Karam
December 20 Brock
December 24 (Thurs. p.m.) Henderson
December 27 Algood
December 31 (Thurs. p.m.) Baker (Artoklasia Bread)
(Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord and the Feastday of St. Basil the Great)
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.
If you get sick, especially with the Corona virus, please let Fr. John know.
Calendar Items:
* The Fast of the Nativity has begun. During this time, we will celebrate the Advent Paraklesis on Wednesday evenings instead of Daily Vespers.
* As is our custom, we will not have services on November 25th, the eve of Thanksgiving.
A Benevolence account remains in effect 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. (All funds previously raised to go toward the purchase of a special van will now be applied to Warren’s funeral expenses.)
Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.
The Archdiocese Convention scheduled for 2021 in Pittsburgh has been cancelled due to the pandemic. This was necessitated by the hotel’s demand for an excessive nonrefundable deposit.
Fasting Discipline for November
In November, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays until the 15th of the month, when the Fast of the Nativity begins. During this fast the traditional fasting discipline is observed each day of the week. Note, however, through December 19th there is a katlysis on Tuesdays and Thursdays when wine and oil are permitted, and on Saturdays and Sundays when fish, wine and oil are permitted.
Major Commemorations for November
November 25 Great-martyrs Catherine and Mercurios
November 30 Apostle Andrew, the First-called
ead of ManHead of Maonasteries
Quotable: “The saints give encouragement. Sometimes they do it by reducing the exaggerated proportions in which men tend to see their own weaknesses, sins and passions. They free them from feelings of despair or of utter powerlessness. But sometimes also they subdue the pride of others with a light humour. They smile but do not laugh loudly or sarcastically. At other times, faced with acts that are immoral or with blameworthy passions, they disclose the full seriousness of these things without inspiring fear. They ascribe an infinite value to the humblest of men, because the Son of God himself, in becoming incarnate, has given this infinite value to every man. They see Christ in all men, as some of the Fathers have expressed it in their sayings. But at the same time they humble the pride of others by themselves presenting an example of humility. Thus they constantly re-establish the natural equality between menoly Spirit, goiven and sent by both the FFaa.”
Dumitru Staniloae, Prayer and Holiness
Worship: Sunday, November 29, 2020 (Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-7; Luke 18:18-27
Celebrant: Father John
Prosphora: Davis
Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church 