May 30, 2021

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

This Sunday concludes the week which includes mid-Pentecost. The scriptures for that day make reference to the great and final feast and the Lord’s words concerning fountains of living water and the nourishment of the spirit. The episode of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well and Jesus’ further description of Himself as living water continue this theme. There are innumerable nuances to the message of this episode, ranging from the allusion to the patriarch Joseph to the faith of those who believe without seeing, but let us concentrate on the woman who comes into the presence of her God. Christ asks service of her, asks her to ignore their traditional enmity, confuses her with parables, confronts her with her sins, and claims to be her Messiah and Lord. She enters the scene with skepticism, but she does not let circumstances blind her, for the words of the man before her ring with unmistakable authority and truth. Whether she wants to or not, she must believe herself to be in the presence of the Son of God; she not only believes, but she quickly bears witness to the others of her town. We join her in her faith, and we, too, partake of the Water of Life.

Acts 11:19-30: Reading in Acts, we see the establishment of the first predominately Gentile church in Antioch under the leading of Barnabas and Saul.

John 4:5-42: In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman we see our Lord’s concern with the truth, both in our dealings with others and in our worship of God. We also see that spreading the eternal gospel of the Kingdom is a corporate action and not that of just one or two.

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 for mid-Pentecost: In the midst of this Feast, O Saviour, give my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of true worship; for thou didst call out to all, saying: Whosoever is thirsty, let him come unto me and drink. Wherefore, O Christ our God, Fountain of life, 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 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 Rejoice! to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.

ATTENTION: From Father John: There is no longer a need to call or text to reserve a place for the liturgies, since we are now set up to accommodate overflow into the fellowship hall. Masks and social distancing will still be in effect, both in the nave and in the fellowship hall. Seating in the nave will be on a first come, first serve basis.

CALENDAR

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

Sunday, May 30 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

Monday, May 31

Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, June 1 (Justyn Martyr)

NO Services

Wednesday, June 2

6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers

Thursday, June 3

NO Services

Friday, June 4(Metrophanes of Constantinople)

NO Services

Saturday, June 5

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

Sunday, June 6 (Sunday of the Blindman)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Eucharist Bread Schedule (MODIFIED Coffee Hour):

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

June 6 D. Root

June 9 (Wed. p.m.) Karam

(Feast of the Ascension)

June 13 Brock

June 20 Baker

June 27 Henderson

June 28 (Mon. p.m.) R. Root

(Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul)

Please remember that the schedule for prosphora is still in place as we will continue to serve the Divine Liturgy.

RESUMPTION OF COFFEE HOUR: We are resuming a modified Coffee Hour (Coffee only at this point) outside on the patio following the Divine Liturgy. We are NOT assigning people to this yet as part of the Quarterly Schedule. Instead, we are asking for 2-4 volunteers who would be willing to rotate this responsibility. It will involve making the coffee in the airpots, setting out the necessary supplies, and dispensing coffee (wearing gloves) into individual disposable cups. Individual packets of sweeteners and creamers will be available. We will NOT be using our ceramic mugs.

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.

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

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); Jay and Joanna; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ and their family; Emad and Natalia Alaeetawi and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell.

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

Our newest member, Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell is suffering with fractures in her vertebrae. Please keep her in your prayers and text or give her a call to encourage her. Her phone number is 769-572-7474.

Please keep Lottie Dabbs (Sh. Charlotte Algood’s mother) in your prayers as she recovers from a bad fall which resulted in a fractured pelvis. Please also remember Sh. Charlotte and their family as well.

Maria Costas is currently at St. Catherine’s Village. Please keep her in your prayers as well.

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

Pledge Letters have been mailed out. Please return them to the church as soon as possible.

Calendar Items:

* The Leave-taking of Pascha will be celebrated with Paschal Vespers on Tuesday evening, June 8th, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* We will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evening, June 9th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

* We will NOT have a liturgy for the Saturday of the Souls on June 19th as previously listed in the Eucharist Bread listing in past announcements. This is due to the Virtual Parish Life Conference which will be held June 13-20.

* Stewpot dates for the coming year are JUNE 26 and November 6. More information will be available closer to time.

Save the Date for the 2021 Virtual PLC! The Virtual PLC of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast will be held June 13-20, 2021. Registration is free. Please make plans to participate.

Camp St. Thekla: If your child is already registered for Camp St. Thekla and you need financial assistance, scholarships are available. Please contact Father John for details. If your child is NOT already registered, they will be placed on a waiting list with the Camp.

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

Fasting Discipline for May

There will be no fasting of any kind during Bright Week following PASCHA. There will be no fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays until the Feast of Ascension (June 10 this year), for the full forty days, as decided by the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch in 1997. (This is a departure from what we have done in the past, but is what we have been directed to do by the Archdiocese.)

Major Commemorations for May

May 23 Sunday of the Paralytic

May 25 The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)

May 30 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

ead of ManHead of Maonasteries

Quotable: “Now that we know where the battle we have just begun is to be fought, and what and where our goal is, we also understand why our warfare ought to be called the invisible warfare. It all takes place in the heart, and in silence, deep within us; and this is another serious matter, on which the holy Fathers lay much stress: keep your lips tight shut on your secret! If one opens the door of the steam bath the heat escapes, and the treatment loses its benefit.”

Tito Colliander, The Way of the Ascetics

Worship: Sunday, June 6, 2021 (Sunday of the Blindman)

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34; John 9:1-38

Celebrant: Father John

Prosphora: D. Root