Parish Life

Announcements for Sunday, May 30, 2010

May 30, 2010

Sunday of All Saints

First Sunday after Pentecost

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 All 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.

CALENDAR

Sunday, May 30 (Sunday of All Saints; First Sunday after Pentecost)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Youth Group

Monday, May 31

Office Closed– Father John's Day Off

Tuesday, June 1 (Justyn Martyr)

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros

Wednesday, June 2

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

6:30 p.m.– Daily Vespers

7:30 p.m.– Choir Practice

Thursday, June 3

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros

Friday, June 4 (Metrophanes of Constantinople)

6:00 a.m.– Festal Orthros

Saturday, June 5

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

5:45 p.m.– Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, June 6 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Young Adults

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread: ...was offered by the Bakers for the Divine Liturgy today.

Please be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take after communion or at the end of the liturgy. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

May 30 Bakers Hendersons

June 6 Woods Woods

June 13 Hendersons Woods

June 20 R. Roots R. Roots

June 27 Katools Chamblees

June 28 (Mon. p.m.) Schelvers Christina Katool (Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul)

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page #

May 30 Walt Wood Heb. 11:33 - 12:2 84

June 6 Warren Strain Rom. 2:10-16 90

June 13 Mildred Morris Rom. 5:1-10 96

June 20 Kh. Be'Be' Schelver Rom. 6:18-23 102

June 27 Tom Willingham Rom. 10:1-10 108

June 28 (Mon. p.m.) Brenda Baker II Cor. 11:21 to end; 12:6-9 389

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please remember the following in your prayers: The Longa and Dn. Sidney Elliott families from St. John's in Memphis; Fr. Donald Lloyd; Sh. Charlotte Algood, Deacon Terry and their family; Fr. James and Kh. Linda Ellison; Bobby and Sue Webb (Deborah Finley's parents); Tom Skirtech, Amy and Brantley Oliver; Reader Basil's family; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Jared and Stacy Autrey and their daughter Olivia Kate (St. Ignatius in Franklin).

The Esther Elliott Longa Memorial Fund has been established to help pay the medical expenses, which were very significant. If you are interested in participating, make your check out to St. Peter's and specify that it is for her memorial fund on the memo line. We will be sending a check soon.

Our monthly Sunday Pot Luck Meal will not be held the first week in June, due to the festal meals in the weeks at the end of May. We will hold a Pot Luck meal on Monday evening, June 28^th following the Liturgy for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Calling everyone (especially Men): We need more help in cleaning up following Coffee Hour and meals at the Church (especially the monthly Pot Luck meals). Since the cooking and set up are usually done by the women, this is a terrific time for the men in our parish to also serve. Please remember that those hosting coffee would always appreciate a little help in setting things back right afterwards. The more hands, the quicker the work.

Calendar Items:

* The Fast of the Apostles will begin tomorrow.

* This year's Parish Life Conference is being hosted by St. George's church in Jacksonville, FL June 16-20. Registration materials are available online.

* We will celebrate the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul with Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy and a Pot Luck meal on Monday evening, June 28^th .

* Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be on October 30^th .

If you are the last to leave the building, please make sure that the heating and cooling unit in the Fellowship Hall is set to the optimum temperature for the building when unoccupied.

Fasting Discipline for June

The Apostle's Fast this year extends from May 31^st until the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on Tuesday, June 29^th.

Major Commemorations During June

June 1 Justyn Martyr

June 4 Metrophanes of Constantinople

June 8 Theodore the General (transfer of relics)

June 11 Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas

June 24 Nativity of the Forerunner

June 29 Chief Apostles Peter and Paul

June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

Quotable: "Be careful not to waste your precious energies on redundant worries and vanities, which will turn to dust one day. When you do this, you not only tire your body, but you also scatter your mind aimlessly, offering God only your fatigue and yawns at the time of prayer–much like the sacrifice offered by Cain. It follows that your inner state will be like that of Cain's: you will be full of anxiety and sighs, provoked by the devil standing by your side."

- Elder Paisios the Athonite

Weekly Quote: "A passion which we allow to grow active within us through our own choice afterwards forces itself upon against our will."

- St. Mark the Ascetic

WORSHIP: Sunday, June 6, 2010 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)

Scriptures: Romans 2:10-16; Matthew 4:18-23

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Warren Strain

Prosphora: Woods

Coffee Hour: Woods

posted by Daniel Root at 2:46 PM Parish Life

Announcements for Sunday, May 16, 2010

May16, 2010

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicea

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.

CALENDAR

Sunday, May 16 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicea)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

9:00 a.m.– Christian Education

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Young Adults

Monday, May 17

Office Closed– Father John's Day Off

Tuesday, May 18

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros

Wednesday, May 19

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

6:30 p.m.– Daily Vespers

7:30 p.m.– Choir Practice

Thursday, May 20

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros

Friday, May 21 (Sts. Constantine and Helen)

6:00 a.m.– Festal Orthros

　

Saturday, May 22 (Saturday of the Souls)

9:00 a.m.– Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

5:45 p.m.– Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, May 23 (Feast of Pentecost)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

9:00 a.m.– Christian Education

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

12:00 noon– Picnic and Games

6:30 p.m.– Kneeling Vespers

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread: ...was offered by the Daniel Roots this past Wednesday for the Feast of the Ascension and by the Dansereaus for the Divine Liturgy today.

Please be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take after communion or at the end of the liturgy. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

May 16 Dansereaus Strains

May 22 (Sat. a.m.) Freundts Meadows(Saturday of the Souls)

May 23 (Pentecost) Fahmys Kh. Be'Be' Schelver

May 30 Bakers R. Roots

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page #

May 16 Tom Willingham Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 66

May 22 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 28:1-31 72

May 23 Tom Skirtech Acts 2:1-11 77

May 30 Walt Wood Heb. 11:33 - 12:2 84

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please remember the following in your prayers: The Longa and Dn. Sidney Elliott families from St. John's in Memphis; Fr. Donald Lloyd; Sh. Charlotte Algood, Deacon Terry and their family; Fr. James and Kh. Linda Ellison; Bobby and Sue Webb (Deborah Finley's parents); Tom Skirtech, Amy and Brantley Oliver; Reader Basil's family; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Jared and Stacy Autrey and their daughter Olivia Kate (St. Ignatius in Franklin).

The Esther Elliott Longa Memorial Fund has been established to help pay the medical expenses, which were very significant. If you are interested in participating, make your check out to St. Peter's and specify that it is for her memorial fund on the memo line. We will be sending a check early in May.

Our monthly Sunday Pot Luck Meal will not be held the first week in June, due to the festal meals in the weeks at the end of May.

Calling everyone (especially Men): We need more help in cleaning up following Coffee Hour and meals at the Church (especially the monthly Pot Luck meals). Since the cooking and set up are usually done by the women, this is a terrific time for the men in our parish to also serve. Please remember that those hosting coffee would always appreciate a little help in setting things back right afterwards. The more hands, the quicker the work.

Calendar Items:

* Special Services to be held during the month of May:

Saturday, May 22 – Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Saturday of the Souls)

* We will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost with a picnic (complete with games supervised by Kh. Be'Be') here at the church next Sunday, May 23^rd. More information will be available at a later date.

* As is our custom, we will holding the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost next Sunday evening, May 23^rd, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* There is no fasting during the week following Pentecost. The Fast of the Apostles will begin Monday, May 31^st.

* This year's Parish Life Conference is being hosted by St. George's church in Jacksonville, FL June 16-20. Registration materials are available online.

* Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be on October 30^th .

Fasting Discipline for May

Traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays of May, apart from the week following the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 23^rd, during which there is no fasting. The Apostle's Fast this year extends from May 31^st until the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on Tuesday, June 29^th.

Major Commemorations During May

May 21 Sts. Constantine and Helen

May 25 The Forerunner (3^rd discovery)

If you are the last to leave the building, please make sure that the heating and cooling unit in the Fellowship Hall is set to the optimum temperature for the building when unoccupied.

Quotable:"As soon as the Lord lays His hands upon the soul, she becomes a new being: 'Who shall describe the joy of knowing the Lord and reaching out to Him day and night insatiably? O how blessed and happy are we Christians!' The Lord spoke the words in Silouan's heart, offering him the vision of hell, and amazingly, he immediately emerges possessing great knowledge, and his life is restored with a wealth of grace and of the love of God."

- Archimandrite Zacharias, The Enlargement of the Heart

Weekly Quote: "Everyone who has truly been clothed in humility becomes like Him who came down from His exalted place and hid the splendor of His majesty, concealing His glory in lowliness, so that the created world should not be utterly consumed at the sight of Him. Creation could not behold Him unless He took part of it Himself and thus conversed with it: only thus was creation able to hear the words of His mouth face to face."

- St. Isaac the Syrian

WORSHIP: Sunday, May 23, 2010 (Feast of Pentecost)

Scriptures: Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Tom Skirtech

Prosphora: Fahmys

Coffee Hour: PICNIC

posted by Daniel Root at 3:09 PM Parish Life

Announcements for Sunday, May 9, 2010

May 9, 2010

Sunday of the Blind Man

Today is the Sunday of the Blind Man. Though the Gospel account of the healing of the blind man touches many subjects, there is but one theme: Christ is the divine Light which illuminates the hearts of those who behold Him in faith. Despite the intimidation of the authorities, despite the confusion of the people who know him, despite the fear of his parents, the blind man given sight refuses to deny what he knows is the truth: Jesus has given him sight, has healed the affliction he has born from birth, and one who does such good is from God. To deny his healer is to deny the truth, and he prefers persecution and rejection to that denial. More than his eyes have been opened; his heart has been opened to true and eternal Light. As were the Israelites cast into the dark despair of his fear, as are we all blinded by the frustration of sin and of our weakness, so this man was trapped by his closed eyes; and, as may all be, he was freed by the coming of the Messiah. In faith we open our eyes to the radiant glory of our Lord and King.

Acts 16:16-34: In our reading from Acts we see Paul and Silas imprisoned unjustly; but the Lord uses the circumstances to bring the jailer to Himself by means of a dramatic rescue.

John 9:1-38: After Jesus heals a man born blind, we see the hypocrisy and unbelief of the Pharisees as they seek to learn how the man came to see. After being put out of the temple, the formerly blind man again encounters Jesus, whom he worships as his savior.

Troparion of the Resurrection: Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for he took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh, to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious Resurrection.

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 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.

CALENDAR

Sunday, May 9 (Sunday of the Blind Man)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

9:00 a.m.– Christian Education

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Youth Group

Monday, May 10

Office Closed– Father John's Day Off

Tuesday, May 11

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros of Paschal Season

Wednesday, May 12

6:00 p.m.– Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

Thursday, May 13 (Feast of Ascension)

The fortieth day after Easter is the day of the Ascension, the liturgical end to the celebration of the Resurrection and the opening of the season observing the glory of the Messiah. This is a day too often associated with the sadness of departure; yet this day brought great joy to the Disciples. They saw not the departure of one dear to them, but the glorious entry of their King to His heavenly throne. They saw not the loss of their Intercessor, but the Father accepting the eternal sacrifice and blessing the completion of man's salvation. They saw not their separation from Christ but their assumption with Him into glory through the Incarnation. They saw not the removal of the blessed One but the promise from Him of further blessings. This day is another step in our procession into eternity, a remembrance of heavenly things, a reminder that the essence of our lives is the heavenly, a refreshing of the image of our God in all His glory.

NO Daily Orthros

Friday, May 14

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros

Saturday, May 15

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

5:45 p.m.– Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, May 16 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicea)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

9:00 a.m.– Christian Education

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Young Adults

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread: ...was offered by Joanna Meadows for the Divine Liturgy today.

Please be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take after communion or at the end of the liturgy. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Please be reminded that Orthros begins at 8:50 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy around 10:00 on Sundays. Habitual late arrivals are a distraction from our worship of the Holy Trinity. One should not partake of communion when arriving after the reading of the Epistle.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

May 9 Joanna Meadows Jones/Stewarts

May 12 (Wed. p.m.) D. Roots Charlotte Wood (Feast of the Ascension)

May 16 Dansereaus Strains

May 22 (Sat. a.m.) Freundts Meadows (Saturday of the Souls)

May 23 (Pentecost) Fahmys Kh. Be'Be' Schelver

May 30 Bakers R. Roots

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page #

May 9 Sh. Charlotte Algood Acts 16:16-34 58

May 12 (Wed. p.m.) Brenda Baker Acts 1:1-12 63

May 16 Tom Willingham Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 66

May 22 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 28:1-31 72

May 23 Tom Skirtech Acts 2:1-11 77

May 30 Walt Wood Heb. 11:33 - 12:2 84

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please remember the following in your prayers: The Longa and Dn. Sidney Elliott families from St. John's in Memphis; Fr. Donald Lloyd; Sh. Charlotte Algood, Deacon Terry and their family; Fr. James and Kh. Linda Ellison; Bobby and Sue Webb (Deborah Finley's parents); Tom Skirtech, Amy and Brantley Oliver; Reader Basil's family; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Jared and Stacy Autrey and their daughter Olivia Kate (St. Ignatius in Franklin).

Please pray especially for Lydia Williams, her parents Mindy and Michael, and her grandparents Dn. Terry and Sh. Charlotte. Lydia is back at home in Memphis recovering from her latest surgery.

The Esther Elliott Longa Memorial Fund has been established to help pay the medical expenses, which were very significant. If you are interested in participating, make your check out to St. Peter's and specify that it is for her memorial fund on the memo line. We will be sending a check early in May.

Our monthly Sunday Pot Luck Meal will not be held the first week in June, due to the festal meals in the weeks at the end of May.

Calling everyone (especially Men): We need more help in cleaning up following Coffee Hour and meals at the Church (especially the monthly Pot Luck meals). Since the cooking and set up are usually done by the women, this is a terrific time for the men in our parish to also serve. Please remember that those hosting coffee would always appreciate a little help in setting things back right afterwards. The more hands, the quicker the work.

Calendar Items:

* Special Services to be held during the month of May:

Wednesday, May 12 – Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Feast of Ascension)

Saturday, May 22 – Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Saturday of the Souls)

* We will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost with a picnic (complete with games supervised by Kh. Be'Be') here at the church on Sunday, May 23^rd. More information will be available at a later date.

* As is our custom, we will holding the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost on Sunday evening, May 23^rd, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

* There is no fasting during the week following Pentecost. The Fast of the Apostles will begin Monday, May 31^st.

* This year's Parish Life Conference is being hosted by St. George's church in Jacksonville, FL June 16-20. Registration materials are available online.

* Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be on October 30^th .

Fasting Discipline for May

Traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays of May, apart from the week following the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 23^rd, during which there is no fasting. The Apostle's Fast this year extends from May 31^st until the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on Tuesday, June 29^th.

Major Commemorations During May

May 10 Apostle Simon the Zealot

May 21 Sts. Constantine and Helen

May 25 The Forerunner (3^rd discovery)

If you are the last to leave the building, please make sure that the heating and cooling unit in the Fellowship Hall is set to the optimum temperature for the building when unoccupied.

Quotable:"O the compassion of God! I am an abomination to God and men, yet the Lord so loveth me, giveth me understanding and healeth me, and Himself doth teach my soul humility and love, patience and obedience, and hath poured out the fullness of His mercy upon me....O wonder!"

- St. Silouan of Mount Athos

Weekly Quote: "You will be able to check envy if you rejoice with the man whom you envy whenever he rejoices, and grieve whenever he grieves."

- St. Maximos the Confessor　

WORSHIP: Sunday, May 16, 2010 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicea )

Scriptures: Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Tom Willingham

Prosphora: Dansereaus

Coffee Hour: Strains

posted by Daniel Root at 11:55 AM Parish Life

Announcements for Sunday, May 2, 2010

May 2, 2010

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

This Sunday concludes the week which includes mid-Pentecost. The scriptures for that day make reference to the great and final feast and the Lord's words concerning fountains of living water and the nourishment of the spirit. The episode of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well and Jesus's further description of Himself as living water continue this theme. There are innumerable nuances to the message of this episode, ranging from the allusion to the patriarch Joseph to the faith of those who believe without seeing, but let us concentrate on the woman who comes into the presence of her God. Christ asks service of her, asks her to ignore their traditional enmity, confuses her with parables, confronts her with her sins, and claims to be her Messiah and Lord. She enters the scene with skepticism, but she does not let circumstances blind her, for the words of the man before her ring with unmistakable authority and truth. Whether she wants to or not, she must believe herself to be in the presence of the Son of God; she not only believes, but she quickly bears witness to the others of her town. We join her in her faith, and we, too, partake of the Water of Life.

Hebrews 13:7-16: St Paul encourages us in his letter to the Hebrews, reminding us of the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ, Who has sanctified us through His own blood.

John 4:5-42: In Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman we see our Lord's concern with the truth, both in our dealings with others and in our worship of God. We also see that spreading the eternal gospel of the Kingdom is a corporate action and not that of just one or two.

Troparion of the Resurrection: Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women Disciples cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying, Death has been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.

Troparion of St. Athanasius: Thou hast shown thyself, O God-inspired Athanasius, as a guide to the Orthodox Faith, a teacher of true worship and purity, O star of the universe and companion of Bishops, O wise one. Through thy light thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Therefore, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

Troparion for mid-Pentecost: In the midst of this Feast, O Saviour, give my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of true worship; for thou didst call out to all, saying, Whosoever is thirsty, let him come unto me and drink. Wherefore, O Christ our God, Fountain of life, 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 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.

CALENDAR

Sunday, May 2 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman; St. Athanasios the Great)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

9:00 a.m.– Christian Education

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Young Adults

Monday, May 3

Office Closed– Father John's Day Off

Tuesday, May 4

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros of Paschal Season

Wednesday, May 5

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

6:30 p.m.–Daily Vespers of Paschal Season

7:30 p.m.– Choir Practice

Thursday, May 6

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros of Paschal Season

Friday, May 7

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros of Paschal Season

Saturday, May 8

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

5:45 p.m.– Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, May 9 (Sunday of the Blind Man)

8:50 a.m.– Orthros

9:00 a.m.– Christian Education

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Youth Group

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharist Bread: ...was offered by the Meadows for the Divine Liturgy today.

Please be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take after communion or at the end of the liturgy. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Please be reminded that Orthros begins at 8:50 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy around 10:00 on Sundays. Habitual late arrivals are a distraction from our worship of the Holy Trinity. One should not partake of communion when arriving after the reading of the Epistle.

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

May 2 Meadows POT LUCK meal

May 9 Joanna Meadows Strains

May 12 (Wed. p.m.) D. Roots Charlotte Wood (Feast of the Ascension)

May 16 Dansereaus Jones/Stewarts

May 22 (Sat. a.m.) Freundts Meadows (Saturday of the Souls)

May 23 (Pentecost) Fahmys Kh. Be'Be' Schelver

May 30 Bakers R. Roots

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

Reader Reading Page #

May 2 Mildred Morris Heb. 13:7-16 365

May 9 Sh. Charlotte Algood Acts 16:16-34 58

May 12 (Wed. p.m.) Brenda Baker Acts 1:1-12 63

May 16 Tom Willingham Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 66

May 22 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 28:1-31 72

May 23 Tom Skirtech Acts 2:1-11 77

May 30 Walt Wood Heb. 11:33 - 12:2 84

Please remember the following in your prayers: The Longa and Dn. Sidney Elliott families from St. John's in Memphis; Fr. Donald Lloyd; Sh. Charlotte Algood, Deacon Terry and their family; Fr. James and Kh. Linda Ellison; Bobby and Sue Webb (Deborah Finley's parents); Tom Skirtech, Amy and Brantley Oliver; Reader Basil's family; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Jared and Stacy Autrey and their daughter Olivia Kate (St. Ignatius in Franklin).

Please pray especially for Lydia Williams, her parents Mindy and Michael, and her grandparents Dn. Terry and Sh. Charlotte. Lydia is back at home in Memphis recovering from her latest surgery.

The Esther Elliott Longa Memorial Fund has been established to help pay the medical expenses, which were very significant. If you are interested in participating, make your check out to St. Peter's and specify that it is for her memorial fund on the memo line. We will be sending a check early in May.

Our monthly Sunday Pot Luck Meal will not be held the first week in June, due to the festal meals in the weeks at the end of May.

Calling everyone (especially Men): We need more help in cleaning up following Coffee Hour and meals at the Church (especially the monthly Pot Luck meals). Since the cooking and set up are usually done by the women, this is a terrific time for the men in our parish to also serve. Please remember that those hosting coffee would always appreciate a little help in setting things back right afterwards. The more hands, the quicker the work.

Fasting Discipline for May

Traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays of May, apart from the week following the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 23^rd, during which there is no fasting. The Apostle's Fast this year extends from May 31^st until the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on Tuesday, June 29^th.

Major Commemorations During May

May 2 Athanasios the Great (transfer of relics)

May 8 Apostle John the Tehologian

May 10 Apostle Simon the Zealot

May 21 Sts. Constantine and Helen

May 25 The Forerunner (3^rd discovery)

Calendar Items:

*Special Services to be held during the month of May:

Wednesday, May 12 – Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Feast of Ascension)

Saturday, May 22 – Orthros/Divine Liturgy (Saturday of the Souls)

*We will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost with a picnic (complete with games supervised by Kh. Be'Be') here at the church on Sunday, May 23^rd. More information will be available at a later date.

*As is our custom, we will holding the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost on Sunday evening, May 23^rd, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

*There is no fasting during the week following Pentecost. The Fast of the Apostles will begin Monday, May 31^st.

*This year's Parish Life Conference is being hosted by St. George's church in Jacksonville, FL June 16-20. Registration materials are available online.

*Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be on October 30^th .

If you are the last to leave the building, please make sure that the heating and cooling unit in the Fellowship Hall is set to the optimum temperature for the building when unoccupied.

Quotable:"Pride and vainglory entail every disaster and downfall – grace departs, the heart grows cold, prayer feeble. The mind is distracted, and wrong thoughts set to work. The soul contemplating another life, the heart that has savoured the grace of the Holy Spirit, the mind that has known purity are unwilling to accept the base thoughts that attack. But how is this to be managed?"

- Archimandrite Zacharias, The Enlargement of the Heart

Weekly Quote: "When your heart does not have Christ, it will contain either money, property or people instead."

- Elder Amphilochios Makris of Patmos

WORSHIP: Sunday, May 9, 2010 (Sunday of the Blind Man)

Scriptures: Acts 16:16-34; John 9:1-38

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Sh. Charlotte Algood

Prosphora: Joanna Meadows

Coffee Hour: Strains

posted by Daniel Root at 7:18 AM Parish Life