Sunday, July 20, 2025

Sunday of Prophet Elias (Elijah) the Thesbite

James 5:10-20: Brethren, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord. Behold, we call those blessed who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by Heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elias was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heavens gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. My brethren, if any one among you wanders from July 20, 2025 Liturgy Variables 2 Prophet Elias the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Matthew 9:1-8: At that time, Jesus got into a boat, crossed over and came to His own city. And behold, they brought to Him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He then said to the paralytic— “Rise, take up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they marveled, and they glorified God, Who had given such authority to men.

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 the Holy Prophet Elisseus: The incarnate angel and the Prophets’ summit and boast, the second forerunner of the coming of Christ our God, Elias, the glorious, from above sent down his grace upon Elisseus; he doth cast out sickness and doth cleanse lepers; and unto all that honor him, he poureth forth streams of cures.

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 protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant: O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honour thee.

Calendar

Sunday, July 20 (Prophet Elias (Elijah) the Thesbite)

8:50 AM -Orthros

10:00 AM -Divine Liturgy

12:00 AM – Pot Luck

Monday, July 21

Father Herman off

Tuesday, July 22

No Services

Wednesday, July 23

6:30 PM – Daily Vespers

Thursday, July 24

No Services

Friday, July 25

No Services

Saturday, July 26

6:00 pm – Great Vespers

Sunday, July 27 (Great-martyr and healer Panteleimon)

8:50 AM -Orthros

10:00 AM -Divine Liturgy

Special Announcements

The Eucharist Bread…was provided by the Davises for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tray that is passed during Divine Liturgy, 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.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

July 20 Davis Karam/D. Root

July 27 Meadows Algood/Schelver

August 3 Karam Baker/Jimmy Jones/Rodriguez

August 5 (Tues PM) Brock POT LUCK

(Feast of Transfiguration) Pigott/Ian Jones

August 10 R. Root Ken Jones/Stewart

August 14 (Thurs PM) Pacurari POTLUCK

(Feast of the Dormition of the Theotkos) Meadows/Brock

August 17 Lasseter Dansereau/Alaeetawi

August 24 Milnor Ellis/Zouboukos/Waites

August 31 YAF Miller/D. Root

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of Epistles) located on the chanters’ stand at the front of the nave. Please be sure to use book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

July 20 Reader Chad Miller James 5:10-20 395

July 27 Brandon Strain II Tim 2:1-10 328

August 3 Athena Zouboukos 1 Cor 1:10-17 124

August 5 (Tues PM) Katie Miller II Peter 1:10-19 401

(Feast of Transfiguration)

August 10 Gabrielle Jones 1 Cor 3:9-17 130

August 14 (Thurs PM) Mary Martha Ellis Phil 2:5-11 403

(Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos)

August 17 Ian Jones 1Cor 4:9-16 135

August 24 Grady Fisher 1 Cor 9:2-12 141

August 31 Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb 9:1-7 337

Congratulations and many years to Clayton and KC who were married yesterday. Please keep them in your prayers and may their marriage be continually blessed!

Any lady who is interested in setting up a weekly time to visit with Kh. Janet please see Sh. Charlotte. The hope is these weekly visits will help Fr. John to be able to get out to run errands or do anything he would like to do. This will also give an opportunity for Kh. Janet to stay connected to the fellowship of the parish through these visits. We would like to set up for two people to fellowship with Kh. Janet for three hours once every week. The day and time will be contingent upon Kh. Janet’s doctor and therapy appointments. These will be worked out with Fr. John through text message. So, if eight ladies are involved, this will occur one time a month, if more ladies become involved it will be less frequent. Thank you or your prayerful consideration.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Lamia Dabit and her family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Marilyn (Kyriake) Snell; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn.Terry Algood and their family; Fr. Joseph Bittle; Rick Carlton; Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas and Kh. Jan Speier; Lee Greene; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family; Galina Singletary; Emily and Cole Parker.

Potluck Meals: Everyone who attends the potluck meals during the month is encouraged to bring a dish to share with everyone. This is to ensure that there is enough food for all to partake. Over the past several months we have been running out of food before everyone has an opportunity to go through the line. This also applies to the Festal Liturgies that may be served during the week and the Soup Suppers after Presanctified Liturgies during Lent. Thank you all for your help with this.

Amanda Kumar will be baptized into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on Sunday, August 10. Please keep her in your prayers.

Upcoming dates for Catechumen classes:

Wednesday, July 30 at 5:20pm

Saturday, August 1 at 5:00pm

Wednesday, August 13 at 5:20pm

Saturday, August 16 at 5:00pm

A “Take Them A Meal” that was set up by Holy Resurrection for Fr. Paul Yerger has been emailed out to everyone. If you would like to participate in this for Fr. Paul please check your email for instructions.

Calendar Items

* The men of the parish meet for lunch at 11:00 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month.

* The Ladies meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the

Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children on behalf of our children.

* The Ladies meet for lunch at 1:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month.

* The remaining date for serving at Stewpot Ministries is Saturday, September 27th.

Fasting Discipline for July

The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil) will be observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.

Major Commemorations for June/July

July 20 Prophet Elias

July27 Great-martyr Panteleimon

August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos

August 25 Apostles Bartholomew and Titus

August 29 Beheading of the Forerunner

August 31 Deposition of the Belt of the Theotokos

Quotable: “In order that you may move your will more easily to this one desire, in everything—to please (God and to work for His glory alone—remind yourself’ often, that He has granted you many favors in the past and has shown you His love. He has created you out of nothing in His own likeness and image, and has made all other creatures your servants; He has delivered you from your slavery to the devil, sending down not one of the angels but His Only-begotten Son to redeem you, not at the price of corruptible gold and silver, but by His priceless blood and His most painful and degrading death. Having done all this He protects you, every hour and every moment, from your enemies; He fights your battles by His divine grace; in His immaculate Mysteries He prepares the Body and Blood of His beloved Son for your food and protection. All this is a sign of God’s great favor and love for you; a favor so great that it is inconceivable how the great Lord of hosts could grant such favors to our nothingness and worthlessness.”

St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, Unseen Warfare

Worship: Sunday, July 27, 2025 (Great-martyr and healer Panteleimon)

Scripture: II Tim 2:1-10; Matt 9:27-35

Epistle Reader: Brandon Strain

Prosphora: D. Root

Coffee Hour: Algood/Schelver