Sunday, August 2, 2026
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
THE EPISTLE:
(For the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God. God is known in Judaea; His Name is great in Israel…
I Corinthians (3:9-17) Brethren, we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s husbandry, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise architect I laid a foundation, and another builds upon it. Let each one take heed how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; everyone’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire itself will test each one’s work of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which was built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as by fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone corrupts the temple of God, God will corrupt him. For the temple of God is holy, whose temple you are.
THE GOSPEL:
(For the Ninth Sunday of Matthew)
Matthew (14:22-34) At that time, Jesus made the Disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the Disciples’ boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the Disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is Thee, bid me come to Thee on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly, Thou art the Son of God.” And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
APOLYTIKIA AND THEOTOKIA:
Troparion of the Resurrection: From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the threeday burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Troparion of St. Stephen the Archdeacon: (**Be quick to anticipate**) The crown of the Kingdom hath adorned the brow of thy 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 Savior 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 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 all Thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that Thou art truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father.
This Week’s Calendar
Sunday, August 2, 2026 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Monday, August 3, 2026
6:30 PM – Paraklesis
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
No Services
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ)
6:00 PM – Festal Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Thursday, August 6, 2026
NO Services
11:00 AM – Men’s Lunch
Friday, August 7, 2026
6:30 PM – Paraklesis
Saturday, August 8, 2026 (Dormition Fast Begins)
10:00 AM – Ladies meet for Akathist
6:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, August 9, 2026 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
12:00 PM – Potluck (Fasting)
1:00 PM – Catechesis
Eucharist Schedule:
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Hendersons for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
August 2 Henderson Ian Jones/Jimmy Jones
August 5 (Wed p.m.) Algood Pigott/Kumar
Feast of The Transfiguration
August 9 Jones Ken Jones/Stewart
Potluck
August 15 (Sat a.m.) Meadows Meadows/Brock
Dormition of The Theotokos
August 16 Davis Dansereau/Alaeetawi
August 23 D. Root Ellis/Zouboukos
August 30 Karam Miller/D. Root
Epistle Readers Schedule:
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#
August 2 Grady Fisher I Cor 3:9-17 130
August 5 (Wed p.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows II Peter 1:10-19 401
August 9 Brandon Strain I Cor 4:9-16 135
August 15 (Sat a.m.) Katie Miller Phil 2:5-11 403
August 16 Reader Chad Miller I Cor 9:2-12 141
August 23 Mary Martha Ellis I Cor 15:1-11 146
August 30 Reader Bill Baker I Cor 16:13-24 152
Please remember the following in your prayers:
Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn.Terry Algood and their family; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family
Special Announcements and News
The Parish Council has authorized the church to sign up with Clearstream SMS text messaging. If you would like to opt in to this service please reply “Yes" to the email sent out by Dn. Richard, or see him directly. The phone text messages will be sent from our number at Clearstream (601) 873-6749. If not opted in you won’t receive group SMS messages. If you opt in and later decide you do not want SMS messages you can always opt out.
Supper Club Ministry: If you are interested in participating, please see Grady Fisher.
AS A FRIENDLY REMINDER:NO Food or drinkshould be brought into the Nave. Especially during the Divine Services. We must always bear in mind that we are standing in the presence of the Holy Trinity during our worship. Being respectful of that and of those who have fasted for the partaking of the Holy Eucharist during Divine Liturgy, and to make sure our Nave stays clean and pleasing to God. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this.
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
Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish.
COFFEE HOUR AND POTLUCKS:
The next potluck is scheduled Sunday, August 9, 2026. (Fasting)
As a friendly reminder, in regards to coffee hour, the church will provide snacks and beverages. For sponsors of baptisms/chrismations a reception may be held after the service and may have whatever food the sponsors would like to provide in celebration of this occasion. Coffee hour is not meant to be a meal, but a means to break the fast with a snack and visit with each other. * Please be sure kids are not getting ice in the kitchen without adult supervision. *
Potluck Meals: Everyone who attends the potluck meals is encouraged to bring a dish to share. This is to ensure that there is enough food for all to partake. This also applies to the Festal Liturgies that may be served during the week and the Soup Suppers after Presanctified Liturgies during Lent. Parents, please accompany your children through the line. Thank you all for your help with this.
Upcoming Events
* Parish Council meeting has been moved to July 29 at 7:30
* The men of the parish meet for lunch at 11:00 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month.
* The men will also meet for every third Saturday of the month at 8:30 at Primos in Ridgeland.
* The Ladies meet for dining once a month. Date and time to be determined.
* YAF meets every other Monday at 5:45 p.m. for Book Study.
* Dormition Fast begins on August 1
* Feast of the Transfiguration on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m.
* Dormition of The Theotokos on Saturday, August 15 at 9:00 a.m.
* Parish Council Meeting on August 26 at 7:30
* Stewpot November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
Fasting Discipline for July-August
The Dormition Fast begins on August 1 and runs through August 1. We will abstain from meat, dairy eggs, fish olive oil and wine. An exception on August 6th for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, when fish olive oil and wine are allowed.
Major Commemorations for August
August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
August 21 The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus
August 25 Apostles Bartholomew and Titus
August 29 Beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist John
August 31 The Placing of the Honorable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos
Quote:
“People offend you, irritate you, breathe contempt and malice against you; do not repay them in the same way, but be gentle, meek, and kind, respectful and loving towards those very persons who behave unworthily to you. If you are agitated yourself, and speak excitedly, rudely, contemptuously – that is, unlovingly – then you will be vanquished yourself, and those who offend you will have the right to say, ‘Physician, heal thyself’…Do not wonder, then, if the affronts of those who offend you are often repeated, for they will notice your weakness and will irritate you intentionally.”
+St. John of Kronstadt
Next Week’s Schedule:
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ)
Scripture: II Peter 1:10-19; Matthew 17:1-9
Epistle Reader: Kh. Sharon Meadows
Prosphora: Algood
Coffee Hour: Pigott/Kumar
Sunday, August 9, 2026 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Scripture: I Cor 3:9-16; Matthew 17:14-23
Epistle Reader: Brandon Strain
Prosphora: Jones
Coffee Hour: Ken Jones/Stewart
Potluck