About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when our Lord was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their homeland and from then on followed after Him.  They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to His sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to anoint His body.  It is because of the myrrh-oils that these God-loving women brought to the tomb that they are called the Myrrh-bearers.  Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna.  As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence.
  On this day we also make commemoration of Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple, and also of Nicodemus, who was a disciple by night.  Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus, he gave Him burial out of  reverence and love.

 

Acts 6:1-7:  In the reading from Acts we see the establishment of the office of diaconate as an order of Church government with a purpose of serving the people and caring for their needs.

Mark 15:43-16:8:  St Mark describes how Joseph of Arimathea claims the body of our Lord from  Pilate to place it in his own tomb.  On the third day, the three women learn from an angel that the Lord has risen from the dead.

 

Troparion of the Resurrection:  When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life!  Glory to thee, O our God!

 

Troparia of the Ointment-Bearers:  The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb.  But thou didst truly rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world the Great Mercy.
  Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption.  But cry ye, The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy.

 

Kontakion of Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of hades.  In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming "Rejoice" to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.

 

 

Sunday, May 11   (Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

Monday, May 12
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, May 13
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, May 14
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, May 15   (Apostle John the Theologian)
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 12N  – Ladies Reading Group at the Algoods'
  
Friday, May 16
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros 
        
Saturday, May 17   (Apostle Simon the Zealot)
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 2:00-5:00 p.m. – Teens preparation for fund-raising meal
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, May 18  (Sunday of the Paralytic)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy followed by fund-raising meal for Teens

 

 

The Eucharist Bread was offered by Freundts for the Divine Liturgy today.

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
     Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
May 11    Freundts   Rebecca Root
May 18    Fahmys   D. Roots
May 25    Bakers    Morrises

 

GreekFest will be held Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, at our sister Church, Holy Trinity – St. John the Theologian, 1417 W. Capitol St., Jackson.  Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Attendees will learn about Christian Orthodoxy and enjoy authentic Greek dancing, music and food. Greek grocery items will be available along with homemade Greek pastries. Drive-thru pick-up meals will be provided on Friday and eat-in meals on both days for lunch and dinner. For tickets and information call 601 355-6325, 601 918-8281, or 601-956-1450 or see www.holytrinityjackson.com.

 

Fasting Discipline for May
The traditional fasting resumes after Bright Week, which follows Great Pascha (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil)  being observed on Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

Major Commemorations During May
 May 11 Sunday of the Myrrhbearers
 May 18 Sunday of the Paralytic
 May 21 God-crowned Emperor Constantine and His Mother Helen
 May 25 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

 

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.

 

 
 * The teens will be holding fund-raising meal following the Divine Liturgy next Sunday to raise money for the Parish Life Conference.  Please make plans to stay for the fellowship and to help our teens.

 
 * This year we will celebrate the feast of Ascension with Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evening, June 4th and the feast of Pentecost on Sunday, June 15th.  The feast of Sts. Peter and Paul falls on a Sunday this year (June 29th).

 
 * 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.

 
 * We are scheduled to serve at the Stewpot on July 5th.  More information will be available as the time approaches.

 

Quotable: "If you patiently accept whatever comes, you will always pray with joy."
     St. Evagrius the Solitary

 

Weekly Quote: "Some praise life in the desert, others life in monasteries, still others a place of authority among people, to instruct and teach them and organize churches where many may find food for body and soul.  I would not give preference to any of these, nor to say that one is worthy of praise and another of censure.  In all ways of life, blessed is the life lived for God and according to God in all actions and works."

    St. Symeon the New Theologian

WORSHIP: Sunday, May 18, 2008 (Sunday of the Paralytic)

 

  Scripture:  Acts 9:32-42; John 5:1-15
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father Leo
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Acolytes:  Stephen Collins
 Prosphora:  Fahmys
 Coffee Hour:  Elizabeth Root
 Teen Hosts:  No meeting