II Corinthians 6:1-10:  In our reading from II Corinthians, St Paul commends his and the other apostles' ministry as servants of God, explaining the means by which they were able to endure all things for the glory of God.

 

Luke 6:31-36:  From St Luke's account of the Sermon on the Mount we hear our Lord teach us to love our enemies, to be unselfish in our giving, and to have mercy upon those who do us wrong rather than condemning them.

 

Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross; thou didst open paradise to the thief; thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting the world Great Mercy.

 

Troparion of the Martyr Charitina:  Thy ewe, O Jesus, doth cry unto thee with a loud voice, saying, Nay bridegroom, I long for thee and in struggles seek thee.  I am crucified and buried with thee in thy Baptism, and for thee I do suffer until I reign with thee.  I die for thee that I may live in thee.  Then as a sacrifice without blemish receive her who for thy sake was slain.  Through her intercessions, therefore, since thou art merciful, save our souls.

 

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, October 5
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

Monday, October 6   (Apostle Thomas)
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, October 7
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, October 8
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers followed by Clergy Meeting

 

Thursday, October 9   (Apostle James, the Son of Alphaeus)
 6:00 a.m. –  Daily Orthros

 

Friday, October 10
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, October 11
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, October 12
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 5:30 p.m. – Youth Group 

 

 

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

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                Eucharist Bread      Coffee Hour
 October 5     Joneses                 Algoods
 October 12   Milnors                  Chamblees
 October 19 Joanna Meadows      Freundts
 October 26   Meadows               Schelvers

 

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 #
October 5 Sh. Charlotte Algood II Corinthians 6:1-10 168
October 1 Warren Strain           Titus 3:8-15             322
October 1 Mildred Morris          II Corinthians 9:6-11  178
October 26 Kh. Be'Be' Schelver II Timothy 2:1-10      328
(During the month of October the Teens will be reading the Epistle and these assignments are for back-up only)

 

Memory Eternal!  Our prayers and thoughts are extended to the Fahmys on the sad news of the falling-asleep-in-the Lord of Nimr's brother in Cairo, Egypt recently.  Please remember the Fahmy family in your prayers.  Mona's brother in Cairo is also very ill.

 

Congratulations to the Fahmys! ...on the happy news that Amira and Tony (Smith) are expecting in April!

 

The month of October is designated as Teen Month in our Archdiocese.  During this month the Teens will be reading the Epistle during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings.

 

The Lower MS Valley Deanery's annual teen retreat will be held the week-end of February 20-22, 2009 at John W. Kyle State Park.  Joel Finley, the Youth Director at St. Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, will handling registration.  More details will be available at a later date.

 

Ladies of St. Peter:   It's time to pay your annual dues ($20).  Please give  them to Sh. Margaret Root.  Many thanks to Charlotte Wood, Rebecca Root and Sh. Margaret Root who have graciously served as officers.  In January it will be time to elect new officers.  Please think about volunteering for an office.

 

The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil)  is observed on all  Wednesdays and Fridays of  October.

 

Major Commemorations During October
 Oct 6  Holy Apostle Thomas
 Oct 9  Holy Apsotle James, the Son of Alphaeus
 Oct 17  Unmercenary Healers Cosmas and Damian
 Oct 18  Holy Apostle Luke the Evangelist
 Oct 23  Holy Apostel James, the Brother of the Lord
 Oct 26  Holy Great-martyr Demetrios the Myrrh-streaming

 

 * The wedding for Laura Algood and Oliver Yeattes will be celebrated here at St. Peter's on Saturday, October 18th .  Please remember them in your prayers as this day approaches.

 * The next meeting for the PLC 2009 Planning Committee will be Thursday, October 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

 * Hay Ride at the Boyd Nicholls Pumpkin Patch in Madison County on Saturday, November 1st.  See Jennifer Skirtech for more information.

 * The annual fall Clergy Retreat for the Lower Mississippi Valley Deanery will be held here at St. Peter's on November 5-7.  We will need places for some of the priests to stay, so Father John may be in touch with you about housing them for the retreat.

 

 * Annual Teen Retreat for the Lower MS Valley Deanery – February 20-22, 2009 at John W. Kyle State Park.

 * St. Peter's will be hosting the Parish Life Conference next year.  The dates for the conference will be June 10-14.  This will a wonderful opportunity to showcase our parish.  More information will be available in the future.

 

A number of videos and audiotapes belonging to the church's library have been checked out and not returned.  Please look through your belongings for any that you may have forgotten about.  We are especially looking for the copy of the presentation that was done by Father Ted Pulcini at the 1994 Parish Life Conference that was hosted here.  Thank you for your assistance in locating these items.

 

Kitchen Maintenance: We have a number of perishable items being left in the kitchen (including condiments, etc., in the refrigerator).  These tend to spoil and often attract insects.  Following any church event (feast, coffee hour, fellowship, etc.), unless specific arrange-ments are made to use left overs very soon, please take them home with you!

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  We also ask that you not allow them to stand on the kneelers.  Thank you for your help with this.
  
Quotable: "Love and self-control free the soul from passions; spiritual reading and contemplation deliver the intellect from ignorance; and the state of prayer brings it into the presence of God Himself."

    - St. Maximos the Confessor

 

    - St. John of Kronstadt

 

WORSHIP: Sunday, October 12, 2008 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost; Sunday of the Holy Fathers)

 

 Scripture:  Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers); Luke 8:5-15
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father Leo
 Deacon:  Deacon Richard
 Epistle Reader  Teens (Warren Strain/backup)
 Acolytes:  TBA
 Prosphora:  Milnors
 Coffee Hour:  Chamblees
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

    This feast is celebrated as one of the most important in the Church Year because it commemorates two events of great significance.  After St. Helen had found at Jerusalem the cross upon which Christ was crucified, she built a Church on Mount Calvary to hold the precious relic.  The Christians held the Holy Cross in such high regard that they soon began to celebrate this feast in honor of the finding of the Cross.
    In the year 614, the Persians invaded the Empire and took Jerusalem, and sent the case containing the Cross back to their country.  For fifteen years the Greek Emperor Heraclius waged war against the Persians, and finally in 629 defeated them, forcing them to make peace, and to restore the Holy Cross to him.  It is said that the case containing the sacred relics was returned to him with the seals still unbroken.  The Relics were replaced in the Church with great rejoicing, and to the original Feast in honor of the finding of the Cross was added another, in honor of its safe return to Jerusalem.
    A special feature of the Church Services on this day, is the procession in which the Cross is borne aloft on a tray of flowers and placed in the midst of the Church; the Priest then elevates it to the four corners of the compass, blessing thrice with it as he does so, and praying that God will protect and preserve the President and the Civil Authorities of our country and the Armed Forces, and guard and guide the Heirarchs and clergy of the Church, and protect and preserve all His faithful people from every evil.

 

I Corinthians 1:18-24:  On this day as we exalt the Cross of Christ we read in St.  Paul's letter to the Corinthians that the word of the cross is the power of God and the means by which we are saved.

John 19:6-35:  In the reading from St.  John's Gospel we read of Jesus' trial before Pilate and of His subsequent crucifixion and death on the cross.

 

Troparion of the Holy Cross:  O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting our believing kings victory over the Barbarians, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy commonwealth.

 

Kontakion of the Holy Cross:  Do thou, who of thine own good will wast lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow thy bounties upon the new nation which is called by thy Name; make glad in thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may led to victory over our adversaries, having in thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.

 

 CALENDAR

 

Sunday, September 14  (Elevation of the Precious Cross) 
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 5:30 p.m. – Youth Group

 

Monday, September 15
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, September 16
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, September 17
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, September 18
 6:00 a.m. –  Daily Orthros
   – Ladies Fellowship This Week!! (Only on 3rd Thursdays)
 7:00 p.m. – PLC 2009 Planning Committee Meeting at the church
  
Friday, September 19
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, September 20
 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast at the Church, followed by Work Day
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, September 21
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

 

 

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

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                 Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
 September 14 Meadows         Joneses
 September 21 Schelvers         R. Roots
 September 28 Morrises          Woods

 

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 #
September 14 Kh. Sharon Meadows I Corinthians 1:18-24 311
September 21 Tom Willingham Galatians 2:16-20 193
September 2 Walt Wood II Corinthians 4:6-15 163
October 5 Sh. Charlotte Algood II Corinthians 6:1-10 168
October 1 Warren Strain Titus 3:8-15 322
October 1 Mildred Morris II Corinthians 9:6-11 178
October 26 Kh. Be'Be' Schelver II Timothy 2:1-10 328

 

Open House for St. Peter's!!  We will host our Open House to showcase our remodeling on Saturday, October 4th from 3:30 - 5 p.m.  Great vespers will be moved up to 5:15 p.m. on that day in case any of our visitors would like to stay to experience an Orthodox service.  More details will be available soon.

 

A memorial service for Mary Allison Callaway will be held here at St. Peter's on the third week-end of this month.  More information will be forthcoming.

 

The PLC (Parish Life Conference) 2009 Planning Committee will meet this Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

 

Preliminary plans are being made for the Lower MS Valley Deanery's annual teen retreat.  More information will be available at a later date. 

 

Kitchen Maintenance: We have a number of perishable items being left in the kitchen (including condiments, etc., in the refrigerator).  These tend to spoil and often attract insects.  Following any church event (feast, coffee hour, fellowship, etc.), unless specific arrange-ments are made to use left overs very soon, please take them home with you!

 

Ladies of St. Peter:   It's time to pay your annual dues ($20).  Please give  them to Sh. Margaret Root.  Many thanks to Charlotte Wood, Rebecca Root and Sh. Margaret Root who have graciously served as officers.  In January it will be time to elect new officers.  Please think about volunteering for an office.  The next meeting will be Sunday, September 21st with lunch together at Macaroni Grill following Liturgy and Coffee Hour.  Please make plans to come for the fellowship.

 

 
 * The next meeting of the PLC (Parish Life Conference) 2009 Planning Committee will be held at the church Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m.

 
 * The memorial for Mary Allison Callaway will be held during the week-end of September 20-21.

 
 * The Ladies of St. Peter will be meeting for lunch at Macaroni Grill following the Liturgy and Coffee Hour on Sunday, September 21st . 

 
 * The wedding for Laura Algood and Oliver Yeattes will be celebrated here at St. Peter's on Saturday, October 18th .  Please remember them in your prayers as this day approaches.

 
 * Open House to be held at St. Peter's Saturday, October 4th.

  

 * Hay Ride at the Boyd Nicholls Pumpkin Patch in Madison County on Saturday, November 1st.  See Jennifer Skirtech for more information.

 
 * The annual fall Clergy Retreat for the Lower Mississippi Valley Deanery will be held here at St. Peter's on November 5-7.  We will need places for some of the priests to stay, so Father John may be in touch with you about housing them for the retreat.

 
 * St. Peter's will be hosting the Parish Life Conference next year.  The dates for the conference will be June 10-14.  This will a wonderful opportunity to showcase our parish.  More information will be available in the future.

 

A number of videos and audiotapes belonging to the church's library have been checked out and not returned.  Please look through your belongings for any that you may have forgotten about.  We are especially looking for the copy of the presentation that was done by Father Ted Pulcini at the 1994 Parish Life Conference that was hosted here.  Thank you for your assistance in locating these items.

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  We also ask that you not allow them to stand on the kneelers.  Thank you for your help with this.

Fasting Discipline for September
The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil)  is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of September; however, a strict fast is observed on September 14th (Elevation of the Precious Cross).

Major Commemorations During  September
 Sept 14 Elevation of the Precious Cross
 Sept 16 Great-martyr Euphemia, the All-praised
 Sept 20 Great-martyr Eustathios and His Family
 Sept 23 Conception of the Forerunner
 Sept 24 Protomartyr Thekla, Equal-to-the-Apostles
 Sept 26 Repose of the Apostle John, the Theologian
 Sept 28 Venerable Chariton

 

Quotable: "A man who has received something from another because of his poverty or his needs has therein his reward, and because he is ashamed when he repays it, he does so in secret.  But it is opposite for the Lord God; He receives in secret, but repays it in the presence of the angels, the archangels, and the righteous."

    - St. Epiphanius of Cyprus

 

    - St. Dorotheos of Gaza

 

 Scripture:  Galatians 2:16-20; Mark 8:34-9:1 (both readings are for the Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross)
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Epistle Reader: Tom Willingham
 Acolytes:  TBA
 Prosphora:  Schelvers
 Coffee Hour: R. Roots
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 9:1-7:  In our reading from Hebrews, we hear the Apostle describe the composition of  the two tabernacles, the sanctuary and the Holy of Holies, into which only  the high priest could enter, and that but once a year.

 

Matthew 18:23-35:  The Lord Jesus uses a parable to teach that forgiveness is an action to be performed by all who follow Him as well as a gift to be received from God.

 

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!

 

Troparion of the Theotokos: Thou hast bestowed upon thy city, O ever-virgin Theotokos and shelter of mankind, the robe and the belt of thy pure body, as a secure mantle, which by thy seedless birth-giving have remained without corruption; for by thee are nature and time regenerated.  Wherefore, we implore thee to grant thy city safety, and our 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 Nativity of the Theotokos:  By thy holy birth-giving, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.

 

 

 

Sunday, August 31 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost) (Deposition of the Belt of the
   Theotokos)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 5:30 p.m. – Youth Group

 

Monday, September 1 (Beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year)
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, September 2
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, September 3
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, September 4
 6:00 a.m. –  Daily Orthros
   – NO Ladies Fellowship This Week!! (Only on 3rd Thursdays)
  
Friday, September 5
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, September 6  (Miracle of the Archangel Michael)
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, September 7  (Sunday before the Elevation of the holy Cross and the Prefeast
    of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia (Nativity of the
    Theotokos)  (No meal following the service) 

 

 

 

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

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                 Eucharist Bread      Coffee Hour
 September 7 (MORNING)  Algoods            Karen Cooper
 September 7 (EVENING)   Katools (artoklasia bread) No Meal
 (Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasis for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
 September 14                   Meadows          Joneses
 September 21                   Schelvers          R. Roots
 September 28                   Morrises           Woods

 

Schedule for Epistle Readers:
                        Reader                   Reading
August 31  Kh. Be'Be' Schelver      Hebrews 9:1-7
September 7  Brenda Baker          Galatians 6:11-18  

 

The PLC (Parish Life Conference) 2009 Planning Committee will meet next on Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

 

Volunteers for Sunday School Teachers and Epistle Readers:
  Sunday School: If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, please see Sh.Charlotte Algood   Sunday School will begin next Sunday – September 7th .
  Readers: If you are interested in reading the Epistle during the Liturgy, please see Reader Basil.

 

Ladies of St. Peter:   It's time to pay your annual dues ($20).  Please give them to Sh. Margaret Root.  Many thanks to Charlotte Wood, Rebecca Root and Sh. Margaret Root who have graciously served as officers.  In January it will time to elect new officers.  Please think about volunteering for an office.  The next meeting will be Sunday, September 21st with lunch together at Macaroni Grill following Liturgy and Coffee Hour.  Please make plans to come for the fellowship.

 

A number of videos and audiotapes belonging to the church's library have been checked out and not returned.  Please look through your belongings for any that you may have forgotten about.  We are especially looking for the copy of the presentation that was done by Father Ted Pulcini at the 1994 Parish Life Conference that was hosted here.  Thank you for your assistance in locating these items.

 

Kitchen Maintenance: We have a number of perishable items being left in the kitchen (including condiments, etc., in the refrigerator).  These tend to spoil and often attract insects.  Following any church event (feast, coffee hour, fellowship, etc.), unless specific arrange-ments are made to use left overs very soon, please take them home with you!

 

 * The next meeting of the PLC (Parish Life Conference) 2009 Planning Committee will be held at the church Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m.

 
 * The Ladies of St. Peter will be meeting for lunch at Macaroni Grill following the Liturgy and Coffee Hour on Sunday, September 21st .

 
 * The annual fall Clergy Retreat for the Lower Mississippi Valley Deanery will be held here at St. Peter's on November 5-7.  We will need places for some of the priests to stay, so Father John may in touch with you about housing them for the retreat.

 
 * St. Peter's will be hosting the Parish Life Conference next year.  The dates for the conference will be June 10-14.  This will a wonderful opportunity to showcase our parish.  More information will be available in the future.

 

 

The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil)  is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays of September; however, a strict fast is observed on September 14th (Elevation of the Precious Cross).

Major Commemorations During  September
 Sept 1  Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year
 Sept 6  Miracle of the Archangel Michael
 Sept 8  Nativity of the Theotokos
 Sept 9  Righteous Joachim and Anna
 Sept 14 Elevation of the Precious Cross
 Sept 16 Great-martyr Euphemia, the All-praised
 Sept 20 Great-martyr Eustathios and His Family
 Sept 23 Conception of the Forerunner
 Sept 24 Protomartyr Thekla, Equal-to-the-Apostles
 Sept 26 Repose of the Apostle John, the Theologian
 Sept 28 Venerable Chariton

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  We also ask that you not allow them to stand on the kneelers.  Thank you for your help with this.

  
Quotable: "All of the troubles of life on earth will seem like a drop of salt water in a fresh water river when compared to life in Paradise: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, what the heart of man has not conceived – God has prepared for those who love Him.'"

    - St. Nikolai of Zica

 

    - St. Maximos the Confessor

WORSHIP: Sunday, September 7, 2008 (Sunday before the Elevation of the holy Cross and the Prefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)

 

 Scripture:  Galatians 6:11-18; John 3:13-17 (both readings for the Sunday before The Elevation of the Holy Cross)
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Richard
 Acolytes:  Stephen Chamblee
 Prosphora:  Algoods
 Coffee Hour:  Milnors
 Teen Hosts:  No Meeting

 

I Corinthians 4:9-16:  We hear St Paul speak to the Corinthians as their spiritual father and exhort them to imitate him in their actions.

 

Matthew 17:14-23:  The Lord Jesus again shows His abundant mercy when He heals a boy possessed by a demon.  We also hear Him foretell His betrayal, death and resurrection, but the disciples do not understand.

 

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 Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches:  As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision.  Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of the truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Eutyches.  Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

 

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 Nativity of the Theotokos:  By thy holy birth-giving, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.

 

 CALENDAR

 

Sunday, August 24 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

Monday, August 25 (Apostles Bartholomew and Titus)
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, August 26
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, August 27
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers, followed by Parish Council

 

Thursday, August 28
 6:00 a.m. –  Daily Orthros
   – NO Ladies Fellowship This Week!! (Only on 3rd Thursdays)
  
Friday, August 29 (Beheading of the Forerunner) [Strict Fast Day]
 6:00 a.m. – Festal Orthros
        
Saturday, August 30
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, August 31 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost & Deposition of the Belt of the
   Theotokos)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 5:30 p.m. – Youth Group

 

 

 

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

 

Welcome and Many Years! to Katherine Sarah Habeeb who was baptized last Saturday.

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                 Eucharist Bread            Coffee Hour
 August 24         R. Roots                   Morrises
 August 31         Hendersons              Milnors
 September 7 (MORNING) Algoods      Karen Cooper
 September 7 (EVENING) Katools (artoklasia bread) No Meal
 (Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasis for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos)
 September 14    Meadows                 Joneses
 September 21    Schelvers                 R. Roots
 September 28    Morrises                  Woods

 

Schedule for Epistle Readers:
                        Reader                       Reading
August 24      Mildred Morris           I Corinthians 4:9-16
August 31      Kh. Be'Be' Schelver   Hebrews 9:1-7
September 7  Brenda Baker            Galatians 6:11-18  

 

The PLC (Parish Life Conference) 2009 Planning Committee members are as follows:
Elizabeth Root, Secretary; Cliff Stewart, Treasurer; Daniel Root, Teens/Web site; Bill Baker, Registration; Anna Kathryn Stewart, Souvenir Journal; Joanna Meadows, Layout for the Souvenir Journal ; Deacon Richard, Set up/altar; Jennifer Skirtech/Sh. Charlotte Algood, Vacation Bible School/Childcare; Kh. Be'Be' Schelver, Event Decorations and Tom Willingham, member-at-large.  The first meeting of the committee will be held at the church on Thursday, August 28th from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

 

Volunteers for Sunday School Teachers and Epistle Readers:
  Sunday School: If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, please see Sh.Charlotte Algood
  Readers: If you are interested in reading the Epistle during the Liturgy, please see Reader Basil.

 

Ladies of St. Peter:   It's time to pay your annual dues ($20).  Please give  them to Sh. Margaret Root.  Many thanks to Charlotte Wood, Rebecca Root and Sh. Margaret Root who have graciously served as officers.  In January it will time to elect new officers.  Please think about volunteering for an office.  Also, the Ladies are conducting a fund-raising drive during the month of August by selling subscriptions to certain very popular magazines.  Please see Christina Katool for further information.  The next meeting will be Sunday, September 21st with lunch together at Macaroni Grill following Liturgy and Coffee Hour.  Please make plans to come for the fellowship.

 

Buddy Cooper transferred his membership to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton.  Please keep him in your prayers.

 

A number of videos and audiotapes belonging to the church's library have been checked out and not returned.  Please look through your belongings for any that you may have forgotten about.  We are especially looking for the copy of the presentation that was done by Father Ted Pulcini at the 1994 Parish Life Conference that was hosted here.  Thank you for your assistance in locating these items.

 

Kitchen Maintenance: We have a number of perishable items being left in the kitchen (including condiments, etc., in the refrigerator).  These tend to spoil and often attract insects.  Following any church event (feast, coffee hour, fellowship, etc.), unless specific arrange-ments are made to use left overs very soon, please take them home with you!

 

 
 * The first meeting of the PLC (Parish Life Conference) 2009 Planning Committee will be held at the church Thursday, August 28th from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

 
 *  We will be serving at The Stewpot next Saturday, August 30th along with volunteers from Holy Resurrection.  Please see Cheryl Pigott for details.

 
 * The Ladies of St. Peter will be meeting for lunch at Macaroni Grill following the Liturgy and Coffee Hour on Sunday, September 21st .

 
 * The annual fall Clergy Retreat for the Lower Mississippi Valley Deanery will be held here at St. Peter's on November 5-7.  We will need places for some of the priests to stay, so Father John may in touch with you about housing them for the retreat.

 
 * St. Peter's will be hosting the Parish Life Conference next year.  The dates for the conference will be June 10-14.  This will a wonderful opportunity to showcase our parish.  More information will be available in the future.

 

The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil)  is observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month of August and all of September; however, a strict fast is observed on August 29th, the Commemoration of the Beheading of the Forerunner, and on September 14th (Elevation of the Precious Cross).

 

Major Commemorations During  August/September
 Aug 29  Beheading of the Forerunner
 Sept 1  Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year
 Sept 6  Miracle of the Archangel Michael
 Sept 8  Nativity of the Theotokos
 Sept 9  Righteous Joachim and Anna
 Sept 14 Elevation of the Precious Cross
 Sept 16 Great-martyr Euphemia, the All-praised
 Sept 20 Great-martyr Eustathios and His Family
 Sept 23 Conception of the Forerunner
 Sept 24 Protomartyr Thekla, Equal-to-the-Apostles
 Sept 26 Repose of the Apostle John, the Theologian
 Sept 28 Venerable Chariton

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  We also ask that you not allow them to stand on the kneelers.  Thank you for your help with this.

 

 

Quotable: "The saints participate in God; not only do they participate, but they communicate Him."

    - St. Gregory of Palamas

 

    - St. Nikon of Optina

 

 

 Scripture:  Hebrews 9:1-7 (for the Theotokos); Matthew 18:23-35
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father James
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Acolytes:  Stephen Collins
 Epistle Reader:  Kh. Be'Be' Schelver
 Prosphora:  Hendersons
 Coffee Hour:  Milnors
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

 

I Corinthians 3:9-17:  In the reading from I Corinthians St Paul admonishes the Corinthian Church to give credit to the Lord for the work done by men in building the Church.

 

Matthew 14:22-34:  In our reading from Matthew, we see Jesus' mastery over creation by walking on the Sea of Galilee;  Peter's attempt to join Jesus shows us that our faith is weakened when we take our eyes off the Lord.

 

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 Dormition:  In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for living thou wast translated, being the Mother of Life.  Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death.

 

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 Dormition:  Verily, the Theotokos, who is ever watchful in intercessions, who is never rejected, neither tomb nor death could control.  But being the Mother of Life, he who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb didst translate her to life.

 

 

 

Sunday, August 17  (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday after the Dormition)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 5:30 P.M. – Youth Group

 

Monday, August 18
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, August 19
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, August 20
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, August 21
 6:00 a.m. –  Daily Orthros
 12:00 p.m. – Ladies Fellowship This Week!! (Only on 3rd Thursdays)
  
Friday, August 22
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, August 23
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, August 24 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

 

 

The Eucharist Bread was offered by the Woods for the Divine Liturgy today and by the Bakers for the Feast of the Dormition last Thursday evening.

 

Welcome and Many Years! to Katherine Sarah Habeeb who was baptized yesterday.

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
               Eucharist Bread    Coffee Hour
 August 17     Woods             D. Roots
 August 24     R. Roots           Morrises
 August 31     Hendersons      Milnors

 

Schedule for Epistle Readers:
                    Reader                      Reading
August 17  Warren Strain          I Corinthians 3:9-17
August 24  Mildred Morris          I Corinthians 4:9-16
August 31  Kh. Be'Be' Schelver      Hebrews 9:1-7
September 7  Brenda Baker      Galatians 6:11-18  

 

A number of videos and audiotapes belonging to the church's library have been checked out and not returned.  Please look through your belongings for any that you may have forgotten about.  We are especially looking for the copy of the presentation that was done by Father Ted Pulcini at the 1994 Parish Life Conference that was hosted here.  Thank you for your assistance in locating these items.

 

Volunteers for Sunday School Teachers and Epistle Readers:
  Sunday School: If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, please see Sh.Charlotte Algood.
  Readers: If you are interested in reading the Epistle during the Liturgy, please see Reader Basil.

 

Ladies of St. Peter:   It's time to pay your annual dues ($20).  Please give  them to
Sh. Margaret Root.  Many thanks to Charlotte Wood, Rebecca Root and Sh. Margaret Root who have graciously served as officers.  In January it will time to elect new officers.  Please think about volunteering for an office.  Also, the Ladies are conducting a fund-raising drive during the month of August by selling subscriptions to certain very popular magazines.  Please see Christina Katool for further information.  The next meeting will be Sunday, September 21st with lunch together at Macaroni Grill following Liturgy and Coffee Hour.  Please make plans to come for the fellowship.

 

Buddy Cooper transferred his membership to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton.  Please keep him in your prayers.

 

Kitchen Maintenance: We have a number of perishable items being left in the kitchen (including condiments, etc., in the refrigerator).  These tend to spoil and often attract insects.  Following any church event (feast, coffee hour, fellowship, etc.), unless specific arrange-ments are made to use left overs very soon, please take them home with you!

 

 *  We will be serving at The Stewpot on Saturday, August 30th along with volunteers from Holy Resurrection.  Please see Cheryl Pigott for details.

 * The Ladies of St. Peter will be meeting for lunch at Macaroni Grill following the Liturgy and Coffee Hour on Sunday, September 21st .

 * St. Peter's will be hosting the Parish Life Conference next year.  The dates for the conference will be June 10-14.  This will a wonderful opportunity to showcase our parish.  More information will be available in the future.

 

The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed from August 1 through August 14 (the Dormition Fast), except on August 6th (Feast of the Transfiguration) when fish and wine are permitted.  The traditional fasting is again observed on the remaining Wednesdays and Fridays of the month; however, a strict fast is observed on August 29th, the Commemoration of the Beheading of the Forerunner.

 

Major Commemorations During August
 Aug 29  Beheading of the Forerunner

 

Please supervise your children to avoid spills, ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing on our new chairs.  We also ask that you not allow them to stand on the kneelers.  Thank you for your help with this.

 

Quotable: "Grace at first conceals its presence in those who have been baptized, waiting to see which way the soul inclines.  When the whole man has turned towards the Lord, it then reveals to the heart its presence there, with a feeling that words cannot express; once again waiting to see which way the soul inclines."

    - St. Diadochus

 

 

James 5:10-20: In his epistle St. James sets before us the faithful prophets as examples in how to practice suffering and patience.  He also uses the example of the Prophet Elijah to show the effectiveness of fervent prayer.

 

Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1:  In the gospel reading we see the authority of Jesus over the demons, who know that they have been defeated even before the appointed time of His resurrection and later His second advent.

 

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 the Prophet Elias: O angelic of body, pillar of the Prophets and their corner-stone, the second forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the venerable and glorious Elias, thou didst send grace from on high to Elisha to dispel sicknesses and to purify lepers.  Wherefore, he ever overfloweth with healing to those who honour him.

 

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, July 20
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy

 

Monday, July 21
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, July 22
 NO Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, July 23 
 NO Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, July 24
 NO Daily Orthros
 –  NOTE: Ladies Fellowship (Only on 3rd Thursdays)
  
Friday, July 25 (Dormition of the Righteous Anna)
 NO Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, July 26
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class 
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, July 27 (Great-martyr Panteleimon)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

 

 

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

 

Welcome and Many Years to Cliff Stewart who was chrismated last Saturday!

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
     Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
 July 20     Rebecca Root  Freundts
 July 27     Joanna Meadows  Schelvers
 August 3     Elizabeth Root  Fahmys
 August 5 (Tues. evening)   Freundts   Sh. Charlotte &
  (Feast of the Transfiguration)     Laura Algood
 August 10     Fahmys   Pigotts
 August 14 (Thurs. evening)   Bakers   Patti/Anna Buckles
  (Feast of the Dormition)     & Rebecca Root
 August 17     Woods   D. Roots
 August 24     R. Roots   Morrises
 August 31     Hendersons   Milnors

 

Kitchen Maintenance: We have a number of perishable items being left in the kitchen (including condiments, etc., in the refrigerator).  These tend to spoil and often attract insects.  Following any church event (feast, coffee hour, fellowship, etc.), unless specific arrange-ments are made to use left overs very soon, please take them home with you!

 

Sister Olga and Sister Natalia from the Convent of St. Elizabeth, Minsk, Belarus, will be at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton, July 30th .  They will speak and show a video about their ministry to the mentally ill and others.  They will also speak at Christ the Saviour in McComb July 29th .   More information is available in the handouts located in the hallway.

 

 * Father John is attending the Clergy Symposium at the Antiochian Village this week.  If you have pastoral needs during this time, please contact Father Leo or Father James..

 
 * The Ladies of St. Peter will be meeting at the church on Saturday morning, August 2nd for prayers, breakfast and a brief meeting to discuss plans for the upcoming months.

 
 * Katherine Sarah Habeeb will be baptized on Saturday, August 16th at 2:00 p.m.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers!

 
 * St. Peter's will be hosting the Parish Life Conference next year.  The dates for the conference will be June 10-14.  This will a wonderful opportunity to showcase our parish.  More information will be available in the future.

 

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 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  July
 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

 

 

Quotable: "Creatures are not ...separate from their Creator, nor can He misunderstand them.  The place for which He designs them in His scheme of things is the place they are made for.   When they reach it, their nature is fulfilled and their happiness attained; a broken bone in the universe has been set, the anguish is over.  When we want to be something other than the thing God wants us to be, we must be wanting what, in fact, will not make us happy.  Those Divine demands which sound to our natural ears most like those of a despot and least like those of a lover, in fact marshal us where we should want to go if we knew what we wanted."

    - C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

 

    - St. Herman of Alaska

 

WORSHIP: Sunday, July 27, 2008 (Sixth Sunday after Pentecost; Great-martyr Panteleimon)

 

 Scripture:  II Timothy 2:1-10 (St. Panteleimon); Matthew 9:1-8
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Acolytes:  Stephen Collins
 Prosphora:  Joanna Meadows
 Coffee Hour:  Schelvers
 Teen Hosts:  TBA