Sunday, August 23, 2026
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
THE EPISTLE:
(For the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)
Sing praises to our God, sing praises. Clap your hands, all ye nations
I Corinthians (15:1-11) Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the Gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He rose on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the Apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me. For I am the least of the Apostles, unfit to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God, which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believe
THE GOSPEL:
(For the Twelfth Sunday of Matthew)
Matthew (19:16-26) At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, “Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which?” And Jesus said, “You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to Him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
APOLYTIKIA AND THEOTOKIA:
Troparion of the Resurrection: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and become the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Troparion of the Dormition: In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for thou wast translated into life, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death.
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 Dormition: Verily, the Theotokos, who is ever watchful in intercessions, and whose prayers are never rejected, neither tomb nor death could control. But since she is the Mother of Life, He Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb did translate her to life.
Special Announcements and News
The Supper Club Ministry invites you to consider hosting a dinner for our Young Adults. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another better and build lasting connections within our parish community. If you are interested in participating, please contact Grady Fisher for more details.
Church School will begin September 13. We are looking for volunteers to be primary teachers and assistant teachers. To be a primary teacher one will need to have been a member of the parish for at least three years and receive the blessing from Fr. Herman to teach. Please prayerfully consider serving the parish in this ministry by helping educate our children and teens in the Orthodox faith. If you feel like you would like to become a church school teacher please see Daniel Root for further information.
Registration has opened for the DOMSE Fall Retreat at St. Ignatius in Franklin, TN. The dates for the retreat are September 18 & 19. Registration was emailed out. If you did not receive the email and would like to attend, please see Fr. Herman or visit www.domse.org for further information and registration.
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
This Week’s Calendar
Sunday, August 23, 2026 (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
1:00 Pm – Catechesis
Monday, August 24, 2026
Fr. Herman Off
1:00 PM – Ladie’s Lunch
5:45 PM – YAF Book Study
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
No Services
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
7:30 PM – Parish Council
Thursday, August 27, 2026
No Services
Friday, August 28, 2026
No Services
6:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, August 30, 2026 (Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Upcoming Events
* 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
* 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.
* Parish Council Meeting on August 26 at 7:30
* Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia for Nativity of the Theotokos on September 7 at 5:30
* Stewpot November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
COFFEE HOUR AND POTLUCKS:
The next potluck is scheduled Sunday, September 13 2026.
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.
Eucharist Schedule:
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the D. Roots for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
August 23 D. Root Ellis/Zouboukos
August 30 Karam Miller/D. Root
September 6 Brock Lasseter/Pacurari/Lavric
September 7 (Mon p.m.)Anastasia Jones No Meal
Nativity of the Theotokos
September 13 R. Root Lockhart/Karam/Snell-Potluck
September 20 Pacurari Algood/Rodriguez
September 27 Lasseter Kumar/Jimmy Jones
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 23 Mary Martha Ellis I Cor 15:1-11 146
August 30 Reader Bill Baker I Cor 16:13-24 152
September 6 Sophie Dansereaux II Cor 1:21-2:4 158
September 7 (Mon p.m.) *No Reading*
September 13 Ian Jones Gal 6:11-18 198
September 20 Athena Zouboukos Gal 2:16-20 193
September 27 Grady Fisher II Cor 6:16-7:1 173
Greeter Schedule:
Please arrive at the Parish by 9:45 a.m. to greet everyone coming in.
Greeter
August 30 Kyriaki Snell
September 6 Dane Skirtech
September 13 Jenny Rodriguez
September 20 Charlotte Algood
September 27 Andrew Spiehler
Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish.
Fasting Discipline for August/September
The Traditional Fast will be observed on Wednesday and Fridays for the remainder of August. Saturday, August 29 we will abstain from meat, dairy, eggs and fish in remembrance of the Beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist Joh.
In September, we will continue the traditional fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. Monday, September 14 is also a fasting day in Commemoration of Elevation of the Precious Cross.
Major Commemorations for August/September
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
September 1 Indication of the Ecclesiastical New Year
September 6 Miracle of Archangel Micael
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 Cross
September 23 Conception of the Forerunner
September 24 Proto-martyr Thekla
September 26 Apostle John the Theologian (repose)
September 28 Venerable Chariton
Quote:
“A life with our sorrows is a sign of God’s disapproval. We should not envy those who live without sorrows, for the end of their sorrowlessness is grievous.”
+ St. Nikon of Optina
Next Week’s Schedule:
Sunday, August 30, 2026 (Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Scripture: I Cor 16:13-24; Matthew 21:33-42
Epistle Reader: Reader Bill Baker
Prosphora: Karam
Coffee Hour: Miller/D. Root