Sunday, April 20, 2008
Palm Sunday – The Glorious Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem
 
  Today is Palm Sunday, the commemoration of the triumphal entry of our Lord into the city of Jerusalem as King.  We have completed the Lenten period, only to enter an even more intense preparatory period - Holy Week - wherein we prepare to celebrate the Lord's blessed Resurrection.  We will participate in more services than any other time of the year.  We will become more tired than usual; both because of the fasting and the length of the services.  But remember - it is only through our preparation that we experience the depths of the eternal events that we participate in this week.  Yes, we do participate in the eternal nature of these events.  The events of the passion occurred in space and time many miles and years from us, BUT their eternal character touches us here and now.  We will see in a mystical way the realities of our Lord's crucifixion, experience the sorrow of his laying in the tomb, and feel the exhilaration of the unbelievable becoming believable - that Christ DID CONQUER death and arise from the dead.  Even now, set your hearts and minds to enter into the journey of Holy Week, for the rewards will be great.  May God bless and protect you all!

 

Philippians 4:4-9:  The Apostle Paul encourages us in the reading from his letter to the Philippians;  we are to rejoice in the Lord and to let our concerns and desires be made known to God in prayer and supplication.  By doing so, he tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.

 

John 12:1-18:  In anticipation of her Lord's passion, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly ointment, foreshadowing His coming death.  Jesus then enters Jerusalem shortly before Passover in fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy.

 

Troparion of Lazarus:  O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection.  Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

 

Troparion of Palm Sunday:  O Christ God, when we were buried with thee in Baptism, we became deserving of thy Resurrection  to immortal life.  Wherefore, we praise thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

 

Kontakion of Palm Sunday: Seated upon Thy throne in heaven, and a foal on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children: Blessed is He that cometh to recall Adam.

 

 CALENDAR

 

Sunday, April 20 (Palm Sunday)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy, followed by Palm Sunday Feast
 6:30 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins of Great and Holy Monday

 

Monday, April 21(Great and Holy Monday)
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF
 6:30 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins of Great and Holy Tuesday

 

Tuesday, April 22 (Great and Holy Tuesday)
 6:00 a.m. – Lenten Daily Orthros Service
 6:30 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins of Great and Holy Wednesday
 
Wednesday, April 23 (Great and Holy Wednesday)
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Service of Holy Unction

 

Thursday, April 24 (Great and Holy Thursday)
 6:00 a.m. – Vesperal Divine Liturgy
 12:30 p.m. – Ladies Reading Group at the Algoods
 6:30 p.m. – Service of the 12 Passion Gospels
  
Friday, April 25 (Great and Holy Friday)
 6:00 a.m. – Royal Hours of Pascha
 3:00 p.m. – Great Vespers – The Taking Down from the Cross
 6:30 p.m. – Lamentations Service 

 

        
Saturday, April 26 (Great and Holy Saturday)
 9:00 a.m. – Vesperal Liturgy
 10:00 p.m. – Rush Matins, followed by the Paschal Services and Paschal Feast

 

Sunday, April 20 (PASCHA)
 3:00 p.m. – Agape Vespers, followed by Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt

 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

The Eucharist Bread was offered by Katools for the Divine Liturgy today and by the Joneses for the Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday.

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
     Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
April 20    Katools   Anna & Sharon
April 24 (Thurs. morning)  Meadows   Meadows
April 26 (Sat. morning)   Rebecca Root
April 26 (Sat. night)   Joanna Meadows

 

We look forward to welcoming Rod Parker, Jenna Skirtech and Lou Turner into St. Peter's through the sacrament of Holy Chrismation next week on Great and Holy Saturday.  Please remember them, their families and their sponsors in your prayers.

 

As is our parish custom, we will have a catfish luncheon catered by Catfish Haven today following the Liturgy.  The menu will include all-you-can-eat catfish, french fries and cole slaw with iced tea and cobbler.  Please make plans to stay and enjoy the fellowship.  Cost should be $8 for adults and $5 for children.  Please stay for the meal and fellowship, even if you did not sign up before today.

 

Pascha night meal - Everyone will bring their own basket of food. This can be a family activity by allowing each member to decide on what they would like for the meal. Everyone will take home or cleanup their own area. Please prepare a little extra to share with visitors. Consider inviting a single church member to eat with you.
 
Agape Vespers: We will host Agape Vespers this year on Sunday afternoon, April 27th at 3:00 p.m.  The church will be providing the meat and drinks.  We are asked to bring appetizers.  Also, adults are asked to bring 6 filled plastic eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt for the children.

 

Please be careful not to spill food or drink on our new chairs.  Also, please supervise your children to avoid spills or ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing.  These chairs cost over $200 each, so we need to take care of them.  Thank you for your help with this.

 

 

 

Fasting Discipline for April    
The traditional fasting of Great Lent continues (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, oil or wine) on all days of the week except on Palm Sunday when fish, wine and oil are permitted.  Bright Week is a fast-free period.

 

Major Commemorations During April
 April 21-26 Holy Week
 April 27 PASCHA
 April 28-May 3 Bright Week
 April 30 Holy Apostle James the Brother of John

 

Calendar Items:
 * The Ladies of St. Peter are planning a garage sale for the first week-end in June.
 * Mark your calendars now for the Parish Life Conference, June 18-22, in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The conference is a wonderful opportunity to meet and build relationships with members of other parishes in our diocese.

 

Quotable: "The thief was on the cross and he was justified by a single word; and Judas, who was counted among the apostles, lost all of his labor in one single night, and descended from heaven to hell.  Therefore, let no one boast of his good works, for all those who trust in themselves will fall."
      St. Xanthias

 

WORSHIP: Sunday, April 27, 2008 (Great and Holy Pascha)

 

  Scripture:  Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Richard, Deacon Terry
 Acolytes:  Stephen Collins, Matthew Collins, Stephen Chamblee
 Prosphora:  Joanna Meadows
 Coffee Hour:  Paschal Feast
 Teen Hosts:  No Meeting