Parish Life
Welcome to the Parish Life section of Saint Peter Orthodox Church website. This is where we post news, events, photographs and more.
Welcome to the Parish Life section of Saint Peter Orthodox Church website. This is where we post news, events, photographs and more.
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Homily for August 16, 2015
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Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church
Madison, Mississippi
Friday, April 26, 2013
4/28 announcements
April 28, 2013
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday begins the observance of the eight days that encapsulate all of time and eternity as relates to man. The days begin with the proclamation on earth of the entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem and end with the Eternal King rising in incomprehensible victory to establish the heavenly Jerusalem and His eternal reign. On Palm Sunday, we begin the days of the full exhibition of the awful corruption sin has spread in mankind and the measureless love that heals and deifies our humanity. Today we thrill at the picture of Christ and the praises of the people, the object of adoration yet the perfection of humility. The imagery of the scene is beyond description: the King amidst His people, the palm and olive branches symbolizing His victory, His anointing, His peace; the cloaks and garments cast before Him symbolizing our complete submission to His will; the cries of adoration, of "Hosanna," the coming of the Lord. Yet, on this day we are also near enough to feel acutely the dread of His passion, the desolation of the trial and Golgotha. This day also begins the week of the Eighth Day, the entry to eternity. As we observe Palm Sunday, we observe all history and the fulfillment of all history.
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.
First Troparion of Palm Sunday: 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.
Second 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 28 (Palm Sunday)
8:50 a.m. -- Orthros
9:00 a.m. -- Christian Education
10:00 a.m. -- Divine Liturgy
12:00 p.m. -- Meal at Cock of the Walk
6:30 p.m. -- Bridegroom Matins
Monday, April 29 (Great and Holy Monday)
Office Closed -- Father John's Day Off
6:30 p.m. -- Bridegroom Matins
Tuesday, April 30 (Great and Holy Tuesday)
6:00 a.m. -- Lenten Orthros
6:30 p.m. -- Bridegroom Matins
Wednesday, May 1 (Great and Holy Wednesday)
6:30 p.m. -- Holy Unction Service
Thursday, May 2 (Great and Holy Thursday)
6:00 a.m. -- Vesperal Liturgy
6:30 p.m. -- Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels
Friday, May 3 (Great and Holy Friday)
6:00 a.m. -- Royal Hours
3:00 p.m. -- Taking down from the Cross
6:30 p.m. -- Lamentations Service
Saturday, May 4 (Great and Holy Saturday)
9:00 a.m. -- Vesperal Liturgy and Milnor/Stewart Baptisms
10:30 p.m. -- Paschal Service
Sunday, May 5 (PASCHA)
4:00 p.m. -- Agape Vespers at Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Greek
Orthodox Church
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Fahmys for Lazarus Saturday and by the Abrahams for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
April 28 Abraham MEAL AT COCK OF THE WALK
May 2 (Thur. a.m.) Wood Kh. Sharon Meadows
May 4 (Sat. a.m.) R. Root Milnor/Stewart Baptisms
May 4 (Sat. p.m.) Henderson Kh. Be'Be' Schelver/Cheryl Pigott
May 12 Algood
May 19 Katool
May 26 Schelver
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#
April 28 Mildred Morris Phil. 4:4-9 294
May 2 (Thur. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows I Cor. 11:23-32 295
May 4 (Sat. a.m.) Phillip Lasseter Rom. 6:3-11 300-301
May 4 (Sat. p.m.) Brenda Baker Acts 1:1-8 25
May 12 Kh. Be'Be' Schelver Acts 5:12-20 32
May 19 Tom Willingham Acts 6:1-7 38
May 26 Tom Skirtech Acts 9:32-42 45
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.
Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia's grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon's sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon's who is battling cancer.
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion. 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.
Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway. Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose. If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
Palm Sunday Feast: We will be going to Cock of the Walk for our meal today immediately following the Divine Liturgy. They will be providing a separate room for us and will be offering the same menu that they give us when they serve us at the church (all-you-can-eat catfish, French fries, coleslaw, cornbread and tea). The cost of the meal with gratuities is $18.00 per adult. The restaurant has requested that we write one check. You may write your checks to St. Peter and designate them for the Palm Sunday Feast. If anyone wishes to donate extra, they may do so. If anyone has a financial difficulty with the cost of the meal, please see Fr. John. We do not want anyone to miss the meal because of financial reasons.
Calendar Items:
* The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month. However, due to the first Thursday in May falling in Holy Week, the monthly luncheon will be held on the second Thursday of May.
* Palm Sunday Fish Meal at Cock of the Walk restaurant following the Divine Liturgy (for more information, see the notice that follows).
* Agape Vespers will be held at Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church on May 4th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. We are asked to bring desserts.
* Parish Life Conference in New Orleans – June 12-16th.
* Vacation Church School will be held June 27-29, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Paschal Feast: There will be a feast following the Pascal Liturgy on May 4. Cheryl Pigott and Kh. Be'Be' Schelver are in charge. They have posted a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall, and need everyone to help by bringing items. We will need some folks to help with clean up after the feast as well.
Bible Study with Breakfast: We will suspend the biweekly Bible Study with Breakfast until after Pascha.
Vacation Church School …The Christian Education department will hold a Vacation Church School June 27-29 from 8:30-12:30 each day. The curriculum will be "Ark of our Salvation – Feast Days of the Theotokos." Parents, please be sure to mark your calendars now.
Fasting Discipline for April/May
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Palm Sunday on April 28th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted). There is no fasting of any kind during the week following Pascha (Bright Week). After the 12th the traditional fasting will be observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.
Major Commemorations for April/May
April 28 Palm Sunday
April 29-May 4 Holy Week
May 2 Athanasios the Great
May 5 PASCHA
May 6-11 Bright Week
May 8 Apostle John the Theologian
May 10 Apostle Simon the Zealot
May 12 Thomas Sunday
May 19 Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers
May 21 Sts. Constantine and Helen
May 25 The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
May 26 Sunday of the Paralytic
Happy Anniversaries in April/May:
April 28 -- Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#23!)
May 12 -- Cliff and Anna Kathryn Stewart (#6!)
May 14 -- Lorencz and Geraldine Quirk (#53!)
May 19 -- Jay and Joanna Davis (#1!)
May 30 -- Tom and Jennifer Skirtech (#36!)
Happy Birthdays in May:
May 5 -- Dale Cooper
-- Joanna Davis
May 7 -- Tiffany Strain (#16!)
May 8 -- Kh. Janet Henderson
May 10 -- Fr. Leo Schelver
May 11 -- Meghan Brock
May 15 -- Tom Skirtech
May 21 -- Jacob Skirtech (#6!)
May 24 -- Paul Katool
-- Daniel Root
May 26 -- David Turner
May 27 -- Luke Habeeb (#8!)
May 30 -- Dn. Terry Algood
May 31 -- Stephen Chamblee
Parish Life Conference 2013: This year St. Basil Orthodox Church in Metairie, LA will be hosting the Parish Life Conference for our Diocese on June 12-16. His Grace, Bishop JOHN Abdallah will be the speaker. There will also be a special presentation by Fr. Philip Rogers on keeping our children in the Orthodox Christian Church. Parents are especially encouraged to hear his presentation. Please mark your calendars now and make plans to attend.
Quotable: "As God has essence and energy, so also does the soul—having been made in the image of God—have essence and energy. Essence and energy in God are of course uncreated, whereas the soul's essence and energy are created. Nothing exists without an energy. The sun's essence is beyond the atmosphere of the earth, yet its energy, which gives light, heat and causes burning etc., reaches to earth and affords her with light, heat etc. The same happens with all objects.. The soul's essence is found in the heart not like in a vessel but as if in an organ; its energy operates through thoughts (logsmoi)."
Metropolitan HIEROTHEOS, Orthodox Spirituality
Worship: Sunday, May 4, 2013 (PASCHA)
Scripture: Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17
Celebrant: Father John
Epistle Reader: Brenda Baker
Prosphora: Henderson
Coffee Hour: Kh. Be'Be' Schelver/Cheryl Pigott
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
4/21 announcements
April 21, 2013
Fifth Sunday of Lent
St. Mary of Egypt
The facts of the life of St. Mary of Egypt are vague and clouded by time and separation, but the spirit of her story is a clear call to repentance and devotion. According to tradition, Mary was from Alexandria, where she was an actress and courtesan, living a life of sin and infamy. When spiritual intervention forbade her entry to Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, she spent the night in penitent prayer. The following morning she was able to enter, whereupon she venerated the cross and immediately removed herself to the life of a penitent and solitary in the Palestinian desert. She remained in isolation for forty-seven years, aided only by monks of the region and God's grace. Only at her death was she found and given communion by the priest Zosimus. On this last Sunday of Lent, as we prepare for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and the Great Feast of the eighth and eternal day, we call to mind this holy woman, her fear of the all-powerful God, her recognition of her sin, her repentance, her humility, her faith, and her unwavering intent to seek righteousness and the courts of her King.
Hebrews 9:11-14: In our reading from Hebrews, we hear the Apostle tell us that when Christ entered the heavenly Holy of Holies through His own blood, He obtained for us eternal redemption for our sins.
Mark 10:32-45: We again hear our Lord prophesy concerning His coming death and resurrection, but, His disciples do not understand, displaying concern for personal gain as a reward. The Lord then explains to them that greatness in the kingdom of God is attained through service to others.
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 St. Mary of Egypt: Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Mary; for thou didst carry the cross and followed Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.
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 Theotokos: 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, April 21 (Fifth Sunday of Lent; St. Mary of Egypt)
8:50 a.m. -- Orthros
9:00 a.m. -- Christian Education
10:00 a.m. -- Divine Liturgy
1:00 p.m. -- Young Adults
Monday, April 22
Office Closed -- Father John's Day Off
Tuesday, April 23
6:00 a.m. -- Lenten Orthros
Wednesday, April 24
6:30 p.m. -- Presanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper
Thursday, April 25
NO Daily Orthros
Friday, April 26
NO Daily Orthros
6:30 p.m. -- Small Compline with the Canon of St. Lazarus
Saturday, April 27 (Lazarus Saturday)
9:00 a.m. -- Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
5:45 p.m. -- Ninth Hour prayers followed by Great Vespers
Sunday, April 28 (Palm Sunday)
8:50 a.m. -- Orthros
9:00 a.m. -- Christian Education
10:00 a.m. -- Divine Liturgy
12:00 p.m. -- Meal at Cock of the Walk
6:30 p.m. -- Bridegroom Matins
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Basingers for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
April 21 Basinger R. Root/Abraham/Davis
April 27 (Sat. a.m.) Fahmy Elizabeth Root
(Lazarus Saturday)
April 28 Abraham MEAL AT COCK OF THE WALK
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#
April 21 Sh. Charlotte Algood Heb. 9:11-14 290
April 27 (Sat. a.m.) Kh. Sharon Meadows Heb. 12:28-13:8 291
April 28 Mildred Morris Phil. 4:4-9 294
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.
Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia's grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon's sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot; Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon's who is battling cancer.
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion. 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.
Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway. Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose. If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
Confessions: As we prepare our hearts and minds for Lent and the celebration of Holy Pascha, please be sure to schedule a time for confession. Please go ahead and schedule these so that we do not have all confessions to be scheduled just prior to Holy Week. No confessions will be heard after Great and Holy Wednesday. Father John strongly prefers confessions to be made before Holy Week begins unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Congratulations! to Chris and Rebecca Dansereau (and big sister, Sophie, and grandparents, Dn Richard and Sh. Margaret) on the birth of Anna Grace this past Monday evening. She weighed 8lbs 3 oz and both mother and daughter are doing well.
Palm Sunday Feast: Due to our construction project, we will not be able to hold our Palm Sunday Fish Fry here at the church as usual. Instead we will be going to Cock of the Walk for our meal next Sunday, April 28th following the Divine Liturgy. A sign-up sheet is available so that we can give the restaurant a headcount for the meal. They will be providing a separate room for us and will be offering the same menu that they give us when they serve us at the church (all-you-can-eat catfish, French fries, coleslaw, cornbread and tea). The cost of the meal with gratuities is $18.00 per adult. The restaurant has requested that we write one check. You may write your checks to St. Peter and designate them for the Palm Sunday Feast. If anyone wishes to donate extra, they may do so. If anyone has a financial difficulty with the cost of the meal, please see Fr. John. We do not want anyone to miss the meal because of financial reasons.
Paschal Feast: There will be a feast following the Pascal Liturgy on May 4. Cheryl Pigott and Kh. Be'Be' Schelver are in charge. They have posted a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall, and need everyone to help by bringing items. We will need some folks to help with clean up after the feast as well.
Calendar Items:
* The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
* Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy will be celebrated for Lazarus Saturday on April 27th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
* Palm Sunday Fish Meal at Cock of the Walk restaurant following the Divine Liturgy (for more information, see the notice that follows).
* Schedule of services for Holy Week:
Sunday, April 28th -- Bridegroom Matins, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, April 29th -- Bridegroom Matins, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 30th -- Bridegroom Matins, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1st -- Holy Unction Service, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2nd -- Vesperal Liturgy, 6:00 a.m.
-- Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3rd -- Royal Hours, 6:00 a.m.
-- Taking Down from the Cross, 3:00 p.m.
-- Lamentations Service, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4th -- Vesperal Liturgy (followed by Baptisms), 9:00 a.m.
-- Paschal Service, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 5th -- Agape Vespers, Time and Location TBA
* Parish Life Conference in New Orleans – June 12-16th.
* Vacation Church School will be held June 27-29, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Bible Study with Breakfast: We will suspend the biweekly Bible Study with Breakfast until after Pascha.
Vacation Church School …The Christian Education department will hold a Vacation Church School June 27-29 from 8:30-12:30 each day. The curriculum will be "Ark of our Salvation – Feast Days of the Theotokos." Parents, please be sure to mark your calendars now.
Fasting Discipline for April
The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Palm Sunday on April 28th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted).
Major Commemorations for April
April 21 5th Sunday of Lent; St. Mary of Egypt
April 23 Great-martyr George
April 25 Apostle Mark
April 27 Lazarus Saturday
April 28 Palm Sunday
April 29-May 4 Holy Week
Happy Birthdays in April:
April 4 -- Denis Lavric
April 6 -- John Wood (#20!)
April 11 -- Brandon Strain (#11!)
April 12 -- Lily Dabit
April 26 -- Alexander Andrei (#1!)
Happy Anniversaries in April:
April 12 -- Mike and Cheryl Piggott (#32!)
April 28 -- Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#23!)
Parish Life Conference 2013: This year St. Basil Orthodox Church in Metairie, LA will be hosting the Parish Life Conference for our Diocese on June 12-16. His Grace, Bishop JOHN Abdallah will be the speaker. There will also be a special presentation by Fr. Philip Rogers on keeping our children in the Orthodox Christian Church. Parents are especially encouraged to hear his presentation. Please mark your calendars now and make plans to attend.
Quotable: "What has been said about the soul may seem highly theoretical, although it is a distinct teaching of the Church, and as such indispensable to the reader's understanding of the matter of the heart and the nous, which is the centre of Orthodox spirituality. We are not able, otherwise, to comprehend where the Orthodox Church is headed and what she seeks to cure."
Metropolitan HIEROTHEOS, Orthodox Spirituality
Worship: Sunday, April 28, 2013 (Palm Sunday)
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18
Celebrant: Father John
Epistle Reader: Mildred Morris
Prosphora: Abraham
Coffee Hour: MEAL AT COCK OF THE WALK RESTAURANT