II Corinthians 11:21-23,12:6-9:  St. Paul chastises the Corinthian church for their attitude toward weakness, pointing out to them that if anyone can boast, he himself can.  Then he reminds them that the Lord's power is perfected weakness.

 

Matthew 16:13-19:  In the Gospel of St. Matthew we read of Peter's confession concerning the Divinity of Christ.

 

Troparion of the Resurrection:  The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world.  Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, Glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O only Lover of mankind.

 

Troparion of the Apostles: O foremost in the ranks of the Apostles and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all to grant safety to the world and to the souls the great mercy.

 

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.

 

 

Sunday, June 29 (Saints Peter and Paul)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

Monday, June 30
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, July 1    (Sts. Cosmas and Damian of Rome)
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, July 2   (Deposition of the Robe of the Theotokos)
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, July 3
 6:00 a.m. –  Daily Orthros
 NOTE: Ladies Reading Group – Only on 3rd Thursdays
 6:30 p.m. – Men's Fellowship
  
Friday, July 4
 NO Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, July 5   (Athanasios of Athos)
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 12:00 p.m. – Serving at Jackson Stewpot 
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, July 6 (Third Sunday after Pentecost)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 Youth Group – TBA

 

 

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

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
   Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
 June 22   Katools   Joneses
 June 29   Schelvers   Algoods
 July 6   Morrises   Hendersons
 July 13   Joneses   Chamblees
 July 20   Rebecca Root   Freundts
 July 27   Joanna Meadows  Schelvers

 

Please continue to pray for Father Paul and Matushka Sissy Yerger as she continues to recover from back surgery.

 

The final note on our construction loan was $280,000 (which included $16,000 from our original mortgage)!!

 

Please pray for our campers at Camp St. Thekla and the antiochian Village.

 

George Mandas, who was once on the Parish Council of  St. John the Divine and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and a long-standing member of that congregation, passed away this past week.  Please pray for the repose of his soul.

 

 * Father James is in Pensacola this week-end, celebrating the Liturgy at St. Andrew's Orthodox Church.

 
 * Father Leo and Charlotte Wood left Friday for Camp St. Thekla.  Please keep them in your prayers.

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

 

Fasting Discipline for July
The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is again observed on Wednesdays and Fridays in July.

 

Major Commemorations During  June/July
 June 29 Sts. Peter and Paul
 June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles
 July 1  Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Rome
 July 2  Deposition of the Rober of the Most Holy Theotokos
 July 11  Great-martyr Euphemia the All-praised
 July 17  Great-martyr Marina
 July 20  Prophet Elias
 July 25  Dormition of the Righteous Anna the Mother of the Theotokos
 July 27  Great-martyr and Unmercenary7 Panteleimon
 July 31  Forefeast of the Procession of the Precious Cross

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  Thank you for your help with this.

 

Quotable: "The Kingdom is characterized by humility and gentleness of heart.  It is the combination of these two qualities that constitutes the perfection of the person created according to Christ."

    - St. Maximos the Confessor

 

 

WORSHIP: Sunday, July 6, 2008  (Third Sunday after Pentecost)

 

 Scripture:  Romans 5:1-10; Matthew 6:22-33
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father James
 Deacon:  Deacon Richard
 Acolytes:  Matthew Collins
 Prosphora:  Morrises
 Coffee Hour:  Hendersons
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

    The Church commemorates and remembers all of its saints at three times during the year; in anticipation of Christmas, at the beginning of Lent, and immediately after Pentecost.  On all three days we are reminded of the unified body of God's people and of the holiness they have achieved and for which we strive.  These two things are not abnormal and removed from us; they are truth and reality.  On this day we are especially reminded of the strength of the saints and their victories, and we move from the day of Pentecost, the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, to join God's people in our victorious procession, through purifying trial and sacrifice, to the Day of the Lord.

 

Hebrews 11:33-12:2: The writer of Hebrews calls us to consider the faith of those saints of the Old Testament who endured hardships and death and yet still did great things because of their faith.  The Apostle encourages us to lay aside the encumbrances of sin and run with endurance the race that is set before us.

 

Matthew 10:32- 33, 37-38;19:27-30:  In the gospel reading we hear the Lord Jesus teach the meaning of discipleship, and, when asked by Peter, tells him what shall be the reward for those who truly are disciples of His.

 

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 the Saints: Thy Church, O Christ God, hast regaled herself in the blood of thy Martyrs throughout all the world, as in porphyry and purple.  Through them she lifts her voice, crying, Turn with thy compassion to thy people, and grant peace to thy city, and to the souls the Great Mercy.

 

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 Saints:  To thee, O Lord and Author of all creation, the universe offers as first-fruits of nature the divinity-bearing Martyrs.  Wherefore, by their imploring preserve thy Church in perfect safety, for the sake of the Theotokos, O most Merciful.

 

 

Sunday, June 22    (All Saints Sunday; First Sunday after Pentecost)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 No Youth Group

 

Monday, June 23
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, June 24
 6:00 a.m. – Festal Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, June 25
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers followed by Parish Council Meeting)

 

Thursday, June 26
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 NOTE: Ladies Reading Group – Only on 3rd Thursdays
  
Friday, June 27
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros 
        
Saturday, June 28
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class 
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, June 29 (Second Sunday after Pentecost; Sts. Peter and Paul)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

 

 

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

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
    Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
June 22   Katools   Joneses
June 29   Schelvers   Algoods
July 6    Morrises   Hendersons
July 13    Joneses   Chamblees
July 20    Rebecca Root   Freundts
July 27    Joanna Meadows  Schelvers

 

Please continue to pray for Father Paul and Matushka Sissy Yerger as she continues to recover from back surgery.

 

The final note on our construction loan was $280,000 (which included $16,000 from our original mortgage)!!

 

 * Father James is in Pensacola this week-end, celebrating the Liturgy at St. Andrew's Orthodox Church.

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

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  Thank you for your help with this.

 

Fasting Discipline for June
The traditional fasting continues on Wednesdays and Fridays (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil).  There is no fasting during the week following Pentecost Sunday, June 15th.  The Apostles Fast (the same as the fast on Wednesdays and Fridays) is observed from Monday, June 23rd through June 28th.  The traditional fasting is again observed on Wednesdays and Fridays in July.

 

Major Commemorations During  June
 June 22 Sunday of All Saints
 June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner
 June 29 Sts. Peter and Paul
 June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

 

Quotable: "If we try to ignore life, and pray imagining that we are attempting to be contemplatives, it cannot work. Our concerns will carry us away from prayer. But if we realize that the whole of life is a situation in which God has placed us to bring our faith where there is no faith, to bring hope when there is no hope, to bring light—even if it is a very dim light, a spark—where there is only darkness or twilight, to be salt to prevent corruption, to bring a flicker of love where there is lovelessness, then there is no evil or distracting situation into which we cannot enter in a prayerful way. We can say, 'Lord, you have sent me into this twilight and this darkness. Be with me and let me be Your presence'".
    - Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

 

Weekly Quote: "Some labor and struggle to earn forgiveness, but better than these is the man who forgets the wrongs done to him.  Forgive quickly and you will be abundantly forgiven.  To forget wrongs is to prove oneself truly repentant, but to brood on them and at the same time to imagine one is practicing repentance is to act like the man who is convinced he is running when in fact he is fast asleep."

    - St. John Climacus

 

WORSHIP: Sunday, June 29, 2008 (Second Sunday after Pentecost; Sts. Peter and Paul)

 

 Scripture:  II Corinthians 11:21-33, 12:1-9; Matthew 4:18-23
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Acolytes:  Stephen Chamblee
 Prosphora:  Schelvers
 Coffee Hour:  Algoods
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

  In several senses, Pentecost marks for us the end of many months of anticipation, commemoration, and celebration and the beginning of the fullness of the life and faith we share.  It is a day bringing our focus on the Holy Spirit, the embodiment of divine grace, the supreme gift, the ongoing presence of God in our lives; yet, it is a day directing us to the praise of the Trinity, the three divine persons, and the historical and spatial relationship God's people have with Him.  For the disciples, the day marks their spiritual maturity.  Their faith began in their nationality, for they were of the nation that God the Father chose to glorify Him.  The faith was completed in their confrontation with God the Son, through His presence and the nourishment He gave.  The fullness of the faith came with the coming in power of God the Spirit.  The disciples had grown in spirit and were ready for their work; the birth of the Church was imminent; the Bride was to be made ready.  In the cycle of the calendar, we now stand ready to do likewise, and all weeks from now until our preparation for Advent are the weeks of Pentecost.  In the picture of the birth of the Church there are symbols beyond mention here; the unity in the common tongue, the Light that shines brighter than day, the bold proclamation to all men of the Gospel.  We look forward from this day to weeks without special celebrations, to days without reference to past days of enormous import--to normal, uneventful days.  But these are not uneventful days; they are the days for which we have prepared, the days of the Church, the days of our maturity and growth, the days when, through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we run the good race and cross the finish to bring praise and glory to our glorious God, the eternal Trinity.

 

Acts 2:1-11:  In the reading from Acts we see the pouring out of God's Spirit on the apostles, the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, and the beginning of the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

 

John 7:37-52, 8:12:  Our Lord calls those thirsting for righteousness to Himself, promising to eternally quench their thirst by the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Pharisees, however, view Jesus as a threat to their authority and seek for ways to undermine His authority.

 

Troparion of Pentecost:  Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise, having sent upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them thou hast fished the universe, O Lover of mankind, glory to thee.

 

Kontakion of Pentecost:  When the high One descended, confusing tongues, he divided the nations.  And when he distributed the fiery tongues he called all to one unity.  Wherefore, in unison we glorify the most Holy Spirit.

 

 

 
Sunday, June 15    (Sunday of Pentecost)   NOTE: The week following Pentecost
   Sunday is Fast-Free.
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:30 p.m. – Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost
 (NOTE: No Youth Group or Young Adults Meeting)

 

Monday, June 16
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, June 17
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, June 18
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, June 19
 NO Daily Orthros [Cancelled – Parish Life Conference]
 12N  –  NOTE: Ladies Reading Group – Only on 3rd Thursdays
  
Friday, June 20
 NO Daily Orthros [Cancelled – Parish Life Conference] 
        
Saturday, June 21
 NO Catechism Class [Cancelled – Parish Life Conference] 
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, June 22 (Sunday of All Saints)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 5:30 p.m. – Youth Group

 

 

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

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
    Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
June 15   Algoods   Skirtechs
June 22   Katools   Joneses
June 29   Schelvers   Algoods 

 

  
 * As is our parish custom we will have the Kneeling Vespers for Pentecost this evening at 6:30 p.m.  The feast of Sts. Peter and Paul falls on a Sunday this year (June 29th).

 
 * The Parish Life Conference will be held this week, June 18-22, in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Father John and Father James will both be attending.

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

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  Thank you for your help with this.

 

Fasting Discipline for June
The traditional fasting continues on Wednesdays and Fridays (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil).  There is no fasting during the week following Pentecost Sunday, June 15th.  The Apostles Fast (the same as the fast on Wednesdays and Fridays) is observed from Monday, June 23rd through June 28th.  The traditional fasting is again observed on Wednesdays and Fridays in July.

 

Major Commemorations During June
 June 15 Pentecost
 June 22 Sunday of All Saints
 June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner
 June 29 Sts. Peter and Paul
 June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

 

Quotable: "Each word and deed of our Saviour Jesus Christ is for us a lesson in virtue and piety.  For this end also did He assume our nature, so that every man and every woman, contemplating as in a picture the practice of all virtue and piety, might strive with all their hearts to imitate His example.  For this He bore our body, so that as far as we could, we might repeat within us the manner of His Life.  And so therefore, when you hear mention of some word or deed of His, take care not to receive it simply as something that incidentally happened, but raise your mind upwards towards the sublimity of what He is teaching, and strive to see what has been mystically handed down to us."
        - St. Basil the Great

 

 

  Scripture:  Hebrews 11:33-12:2; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father Leo
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Acolytes:  Stephen Collins
 Prosphora:  Katools
 Coffee Hour:  Woods
 Teen Hosts:  TBA
 

 

 

    Today is the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea.  This day commemorates the Holy Fathers who sat in council at Nicea, the first of the ecumenical councils.  Through them we see the commitment to the immutable truth of God for all the faithful, especially those who lead in the faith.  The men of this council bear special note by the significance of their creed, for it is the fundamental statement of orthodox Christology and an enduring guide to our faith.  The events of the ascension and the scriptures of this day emphasize to us the nature and action of Christ, and the history of these fathers puts us in mind of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church, work proclaimed by the glorious events which we now anticipate in the preparation for Pentecost.

 

Acts 20:16-18,28-36:  In the reading from Acts, we hear St Paul speak to the elders of the church at Ephesus, encouraging them to follow his example in their shepherding, and bidding them his final farewell as he approached his imprisonment at Rome.

 

John 17:1-13:  In the passage from John, Jesus prays for His disciples, that they would be united as one and kept from evil.

 

Troparion of the Resurrection:  When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men.  Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby.  Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world;  O thou who art risen from the dead! 
O Lord, glory to thee.

 

Troparion of the Holy Fathers: Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.

 

Troparion of the Ascension: Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing.  Verily, thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of 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 Ascension:  When thou didst fulfill thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto thy beloved, I am with you, and no one shall be against you.

 

 

 

Monday, June 9
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, June 10
 NO Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, June 11  (Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas)
 NO Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, June 12
 NO Daily Orthros
 NO Ladies Reading Group at the Algoods'
  NOTE: Ladies Reading Group – Only on 3rd Thursdays
  
Friday, June 13
 NO Daily Orthros 
        
Saturday, June 14
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, June 15   (Sunday of Pentecost)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:30 p.m. – Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost

 

 

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

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
    Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
June 15   Algoods   Skirtechs
June 22   Katools   Joneses
June 29   Schelvers   Algoods 

 

Congratulations to Beth Ann Baker for graduating from Millsaps College, summa cum laude, on May 10. Beth Ann also received the Founder's Medal at the graduation ceremony which is awarded to the student with the highest cumulative GPA for the four years of college. Also, congratulations to Beth Ann for her acceptance into the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

 

We welcome Father Christopher Harner as the new priest and pastor at Holy Trinity and St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church.  Father Christopher will be replacing Father Theo Harris, who has retired.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

 

 
 * This year we will celebrate the feast of Pentecost on Sunday, June 15th.  As is our parish custom we will have the Kneeling Vespers for Pentecost on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.  The feast of Sts. Peter and Paul falls on a Sunday this year (June 29th).

 
 * Father John will taking a family vacation June 5-13.  If you have any pastoral needs during this time, please call Father Leo or Father James.

 
 * 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.

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  Thank you for your help with this.

 

Fasting Discipline for June
The traditional fasting continues on Wednesdays and Fridays (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil).  There is no fasting during the week following Pentecost Sunday, June 15th.  The Apostles Fast (the same as the fast on Wednesdays and Fridays) is observed from Monday, June 23rd through June 28th.  The traditional fasting is again observed on Wednesdays and Fridays in July.

 

Major Commemorations During  June
 June 8  Holy Fathers of the 1st Council of Nicea; Theodore the General
 June 11 Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas
 June 15 Pentecost
 June 22 Sunday of All Saints
 June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner
 June 29 Sts. Peter and Paul
 June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

 

Quotable: "Behold the Creator of the world, all of Him, within myself!  I know that I shall not die, for I am within Life.  I have the whole of Life springing up as a fountain within me.  He is in my heart, He is in Heaven; both there and here He shows Himself to me in equal glory."

    - St. Symeon the New Theologian

 

    - St. Theophan the Recluse

 

WORSHIP: Sunday, June 15, 2008 (Pentecost Sunday)
  Scripture:  Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry, Deacon Richard
 Acolytes:  John Wood
 Prosphora:  Algoods
 Coffee Hour:  Feast
 Teen Hosts:  No Meeting