Sunday, September 20, 2026
Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
THE EPISTLE:
(For Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
The Lord will give strength to His people. Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of God, ascribe to the Lord glory and honor.
Galatians (2:16-20) Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
THE GOSPEL:
(For Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
Mark (8:34-9:1) The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”
APOLYTIKIA AND THEOTOKIA:
Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers’ lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Troparion of the Elevation of The Holy Cross: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thy commonwealth.
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 Elevation of the Holy Cross: (**Thou Who wast raised up**)
Do Thou, Who of Thine own good will was lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in Thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in Thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.
Special Announcements and News
Congratulations and many years to the McDaniel family who will be received into the Church through Holy Baptism on Saturday, September 26. The service will begin at 9:00am. Please join us for this joyous and blessed occasion.
Our annual Fall Festival will be Saturday, October 24 at 4:00pm. There will be no Great Vespers that evening. Please make plans to join us for games, grilling, fellowship, and the return of the much beloved petting zoo.
If you have not already and would like to opt in for receiving text messages from Saint Peter Orthodox Church via your phone – please add your name, e-mail, phone number and check "Yes" in the checkbox to the sign-up sheet on the Fellowship Hall table. Clearstream provides the group text messaging for us and the church text number is on the signup sheet if you would like to add that to your contact list. The purpose for the group text is to provide important and timely information pertaining to church services and activities."
New Church Directory: We are in the process of updating the St. Peter church directory. We ask everyone—including long-standing members, new members, catechumens, and inquirers—to fill out a new information sheet. We also want to include photos of you and your family. The easiest way to share your photo is to email or text it to the contact information on the form. Please place your completed information form in the box located on the foyer table, or hand it directly to Jenny Rodriguez. Both the forms and photos must be submitted no later than November 1, 2026, to ensure you are included in the new directory.
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, September 20, 2026 (Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
8:50 AM – Orthros
9:00 AM – Christian Education
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
12:30 PM – Catechesis
Monday, September 21, 2026
Fr. Herman Off
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
No Services
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
7:30 PM – Parish Council
Thursday, September 24, 2026
No Services
Friday, September 25, 2026
No Services
6:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:50 AM – Orthros
9:00 AM – Christian Education
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish.
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.
* October is Teen SOTO Month
* Fall Festival: October 24 at 4:00 p.m. No Great Vespers that day.
* Stewpot November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
COFFEE HOUR AND POTLUCKS:
The next potluck is scheduled Sunday, October 11, 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 Pacuraris for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
September 20 Pacurari Algood/Rodriguez
September 27 Lasseter Kumar/Jimmy Jones
October 4 Milnor Miller/D. Root
October 11 YAF Lasseter/Pacurari/Lavric
Potluck
October 18 Baker Lockhart/Karam/Rodriguez
October 25 Henderson Algood/Schelver
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#
September 20 Athena Zouboukos Gal 2:16-20 193
September 27 Grady Fisher II Cor 6:16-7:1 173
October 4 Antonina Karam II Cor 9:6-11 178
October 11 Michel Root Titus 3:8-15 322
October 18 Sophie Dansereau Col 4:5-11, 14-18 324
October 25 Aaron Franklin Gal 2:16-20 193
Greeter Schedule:
Please arrive at the Parish by 9:45 a.m. to greet everyone coming in.
Greeter
September 20 Charlotte Algood
September 27 Andrew Spiehler
October 4 Justin White
October 11 Maricica Pacurari
October 18 Jimmy Jones
October 25 Ian Jones
Fasting Discipline for September
In the month of 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 September/October
September 23 Conception of the Forerunner
September 24 Proto-martyr Thekla
September 26 Apostle John the Theologian (repose)
October 1 Holy Protection of the Theotokos
October 6 Apostle Thomas
October 9 Apostle James Son of Alphaeus
October 11 Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
October 16 Longinus the Centurion
October 18 Apostle Luke
October 23 Apostle James Brother-of-the-Lord
October 26 Great-Martyr Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer
October 28 Holy Protection of the Theotokos
Quote
“How mistaken are those people who seek happiness outside of themselves, in foreign lands and journeys, in riches and glory, in great possessions and pleasures, in diversions and vain things, which have a bitter end! In the same thing to construct the tower of happiness outside of ourselves as it is to build a house in a place that is consistently shaken by earthquakes. Happiness is found within ourselves, and blessed is the man who has understood this.Happiness is a pure heart, for such a heart becomes the throne of God. Thus says Christ of those who have pure hearts: ‘I will visit them, and will walk in them, and I will be a God to them, and they will be my people.’ What can be lacking to them? Nothing, nothing at all! For they have the greatest good in their hearts: God Himself!”
+ St. Nektarios of Aegina, Path to Happiness
Next Week’s Schedule:
Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Scripture: II Cor 6:16-7:1; Luke 5:1-11
Epistle Reader: Grady Fisher
Prosphora: Lasseter
Coffee Hour: Kumar/Jimmy Jones