The outer walls of the addition, new narthex and bell tower are complete. They are finishing getting the rafters in place today. Soon we will have a roof on the new space. The blonde brick has been delivered for the addition. A beautiful gilded dome has been ordered to go on top of the bell tower. This Saturday the old asbestos tile flooring from the nave will be removed in preparation for the new wood floor that will be laid down in there. Work is almost finished on the electrical outlets, etc. in the kitchen and preliminary work is beginning today for the new floor there. (The floor will be quarry tiles in a reddish brick color.) Once the floor has been installed, work will progress with the sinks, cabinets, etc. in the kitchen. They are still waiting on the granite for the vanity in the bathroom before they begin installing the fixtures there. We hope to have the bathrooms fully functional soon. Installation of new air-conditioning duct work is almost complete above the kitchen. God has been very gracious to us during this process. Please continue to pray for our parish.
The Quote for the Week is again from Father Alexander Schmemann:
"What the world needs now is a generation of men and women not only speaking about Christianity, but living it. Early monasticism was, first of all, a rule of prayer. It is precisely a rule we need, one which could be practiced and followed by all and not by some. For indeed what you say is less and less important today. Men are moved only by what you are, and this means by the total impact of your personality, of your personal experience, commitment, dedication."
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost and the Conception fo the Forerunner
Galatians 4:22-27: In the reading from Galatians we hear of the two sons of Abraham, one by Hagar and one by Sarah. We are reminded that these children symbolize the two covenants, and the two Jerusalems, one in slavery and the other free and she is our mother.
Luke 5:1-11: In the reading from the Gospel of St Luke we see Simon Peter, James, and John become disciples of our Lord.
Troparion of the Resurrection: O compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou might deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Troparion of St. John: Rejoice, O barren one, who had not given birth; for behold thou hast conceived clearly the one who is the dawn of the Sun who was about to illuminate the whole universe, blighted with sightlessness. Shout in joy, O Zachzrias, crying in favour, Verily, the one to be born is a Prophet of the High.
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 for Usual Sundays: O undisputed intercessor of Christians, O mediatrix, who is unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions though we be sinners; come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who didst ever intercede for those who honor thee.
CALENDAR
Sunday, September 23
8:50 a.m. – Orthros
10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
5:30 p.m. – Youth Group at Daniel and Elizabeth Root's
Monday, September 24 (Protomartyr Thekla)
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED (Father John's Day Off)
Tuesday, September 25
6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
Wednesday, September 26 (Repose of the Apostle John the Theologian)
5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers
Thursday, September 27
6:30 a.m. – Daily Orthros
Friday, September 28 (Venerable Chariton)
6:30 a.m. – Daily Orthros
Saturday, September 29
6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers
Sunday, September 30
8:50 a.m. – Orthros
10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
6:00 p.m. – Young Adults
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Eucharist Bread was offered by the Meadows for the Divine Liturgy today.
Eucharist Bread Schedule (No Coffee Hour due to Construction):
Eucharist Bread
September 23 Meadows
September 30 Woods
October 7 Roots
October 14 Hendersons
October 21 Algoods
October 28 Katools
Congratulations to Lou Turner, who is being enrolled as a catechumen today. Please keep her in your prayers as she continues her journey in the faith!
Chris Medeiros has been deployed to Kuwait. He is a seargeant in the 1173rd Transportation Terminal Battalion (TTBN), which is responsible for port operations. He will be at Ft. Bragg and Ft. Eustis for mobilization and training until early October. Then they will deploy the troops to Al Shuayba Port in Kuwait where he will be for a year. After demobilizing in the states for 4-8 weeks he will be back home in Jackson! He does not have a mailing address yet but we will pass it along when we get it.
Altar Servers! Yes, we still need altar servers, even while we are in a temporary location for the Divine Liturgy. Parents, please help by keeping up with the schedule and making sure your son(s) are at the services on time to help with this important service to the church.
Fasting Discipline for September
In September, the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays, except that September 14th (the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross) is also a strict fast day.
Major Commemorations During September
September 24 Protomartyr Thekla, Equal-to-the-Apostles
September 26 Repose of St. John the Theologian
September 28 Venerable Chariton
Quotable: "Let simplicity accompany you everywhere. Be especially simple in your faith, hope, and love, for God is not a complex Being, and our soul is also simple. The flesh hinders the simplicity of our soul when we gratify it; let meekness be its crown."
St. John of Krondstadt
WORSHIP: Sunday, September 30 (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Scripture: II Corinthians 9:6-11; Luke 6:31-36
Celebrant: Father John
Homily: Father Leo
Deacon: Deacon Richard
Acolytes: Stephen Collins
Prosphora Strains
Coffee Hour Suspended
Teen Hosts TBA