Sunday, August 16, 2026

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

THE EPISTLE:

(For the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)

The Lord is my strength and my song. The Lord has chastened me severely

I Corinthians (9:2-12) Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Gospel of Christ.

THE GOSPEL:

(For the Eleventh Sunday of Matthew)

Matthew (18:23-35) The Lord spoke this parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

APOLYTIKIA AND THEOTOKIA:

Troparion of the Resurrection: When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hades with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.

Troparion of the Dormiton: 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 on the Icon of Christ: Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by Thine own will Thou didst ascend the Cross in Thy body, to save Thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Wherefore, with thankfulness we cry aloud to thee: Thou hast verily filled all with joy, since Thou didst come, O our Savior, to save the world.

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.

This Week’s Calendar

Sunday, August 16, 2026 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)

8:50 AM – Orthros

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

Monday, August 17, 2026

Fr. Herman Off

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

No Services

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

5:30 PM – Teen Meeting

6:30 PM – Daily Vespers

Thursday, August 20, 2026

No Services

Friday, August 21, 2026

No Services

Saturday, August 22, 2026

8:30 AM – Men’s Breakfast

6:00 PM – Great Vespers

Sunday, August 23, 2026 (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)

8:50 AM – Orthros

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

1:00 Pm – Catechesis

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

Eucharist Schedule:

The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Algoods on Wednesday, August 5 for the Feast of the Transfiguration, and by the Jones’ for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

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 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

Greeter Schedule:

Please be at the Parish by 9:45 to greet those coming in.

August 16 Jimmy Jones

August 23 Ian Jones

August 30 Kyriaki Snell

September 6 Dane Skirtech

September 13 Andrew Spiehler

September 20 Sh. Sharon Meadows

September 27 Jenny Rodriguez

Special Announcements and News

Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

* Parish Council Meeting on August 26 at 7:30

* Stewpot November 7 @ 11:30 a.m.

Fasting Discipline for August

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 John.

Major Commemorations for August

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:

“The devil does not destroy with one blow, but he whispers, ‘tomorrow’. And so the heart is lulled to sleep, and the soul forgets eternity. But the wise man says, ‘today is the day of salvation,’ and he rises to repent while there is still time.”

+St. Moses the Ethiopian

Next Week’s Schedule:

Sunday, August 23, 2026 (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)

Scripture: I Cor 16:13-24; Matthew 21:33-42

Epistle Reader: Mary Martha Ellis

Prosphora: D. Root

Coffee Hour: Ellis/Zouboukos

Sunday, August 9, 2026

After-feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

THE EPISTLE:

(For the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

I Corinthians (4:9-16) Brethren, God has exhibited us Apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill clad and buffeted and homeless; and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

THE GOSPEL:

(For the Tenth Sunday of Matthew)

Matthew (17:14-23) At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before Him said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Thy disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because you have no faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. This kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” As they were traveling together through Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.”

APOLYTIKIA AND THEOTOKIA:

Troparion of the Resurrection: While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

Troparion of the Transfiguration: When, O Christ our God, Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. O Thou Bestower of light, 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 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 9, 2026 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)

8:50 AM – Orthros

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

12:00 PM – Potluck (Fasting)

1:00 PM – Catechesis

Monday, August 10, 2026

6:30 PM – Paraklesis

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

No Services

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

6:30 PM – Paraklesis

Thursday, August 13, 2026

No Services

Friday, August 14, 2026

No Services

Saturday, August 15, 2026

9:00 AM – Dormition Orthros and Divine Liturgy

6:00 PM – Great Vespers

Sunday, August 16, 2026 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)

8:50 AM – Orthros

10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

Eucharist Schedule:

The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Algoods on Wednesday, August 5 for the Feast of the Transfiguration, and by the Jones’ for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

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 the book when you read.

Reader Reading Page#

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

Greeter Schedule:

Please be at the Parish by 9:45 to greet those coming in.

August 9 Maricica Pacurari

August 16 Jimmy Jones

August 23 Ian Jones

August 30 Kyriaki Snell

September 6 Dane Skirtech

September 13 Andrew Spiehler

September 20 Sh. Sharon Meadows

September 27 Jenny Rodriguez

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

Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish.

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

COFFEE HOUR AND POTLUCKS:

The next potluck is scheduled Today, 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

* 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 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 August

The Dormition runs through August 14. We will abstain from meat, dairy eggs, fish olive oil and wine. 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 John.

Major Commemorations for August

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:

“The Lord does not show Himself to a proud soul. The proud soul, no matter how any

books it reads, will never know God, since by its pride it does not give place for the grace of the

Holy Spirit, while God is known only by the humble soul.”

+St. Silouan the Athonite, Writings, III.11

Next Week’s Schedule:

Saturday, August 15, 2026 (Dormition off the Theotokos)

Scripture: Phillipians 2:5-11; Luje 10:38-12; 11:27-28

Epistle Reader: Katie Miller

Prosphora: Meadows

Coffee Hour: Meadows/Brock

Sunday, August 16, 2026 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)

Scripture: I Cor 9:2-12; Matthew 18:23-35

Epistle Reader: Reader Chad Miller

Prosphora: Davis

Coffee Hour: Dansereau/Alaeetawi