II Timothy 4:5-8:  St Paul encourages Timothy to persevere in his calling, knowing that our perseverance in the battle before us will be rewarded with the crown of righteousness.

 

Mark 1:1-8: From the Gospel of St Mark we hear how John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus' public ministry by calling for the people to repent from their sins and be baptized.

 

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 Sunday before Epiphany:  Make ready, O Zebulon, and prepare, O Naphtali, and thou, River Jordan, cease thy flow and receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized.  And thou, Adam, rejoice with the first mother, and hide not yourselves as ye did of old in paradise; for having seen you naked, he appeared to clothe you with the first robe.  Yea, Christ hath appeared desiring to renew the whole creation.

 

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 Sunday before Epiphany:  Today hath the Lord appeared in the courses of the Jordan, crying to John and saying, Be not dismayed at my baptism; for I have verily come to save Adam, the first to be created.

 

 

 

Sunday, January 4   (Sunday Before Theophany)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 5:30 p.m. – Youth Group

 

Monday, January 5
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF
 6:00 a.m – Royal Hours for Theophany
 6:00 p.m. – Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

 

Tuesday, January 6   (Feast of Theophany)
    This Feast Day is one of the greatest days of the Christian year.  In English, we are accustomed to hearing this Feast Day called "Epiphany," a word which means "manifestation" or "appearance."  On this day, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist (he is called "the Baptist" because he baptized Christ).  Epiphany is also called "Theophany" which means "God shows Himself to us."  The importance of this Feast Day lies in the fact that for the first time the Holy Trinity was revealed for all mankind to know and believe (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).  When Jesus Christ was baptized in the River Jordan, a voice was heard from the heavens above saying, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."  The Father whose voice was heard from the heavens was God.  The white dove was the symbol of the Holy Spirit which descended upon Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Thus, we have the Holy Trinity being revealed to all that day, almost 2000 years ago.  This is why we call this day the day of illumination (light) and manifestation (appearance).  Th Holy Trinity made its appearance, and we have been illuminated by this wonderful truth and blessing.  On this day we have the traditional blessing of the waters.  Since the waters of the Jordan were blessed in the presence of Jesus Christ, it is a source of Divine Grace and blessing, and we bless ourselves and our homes with the waters of the "Sanctification Service" which is held during the Epiphany Services.
    Epiphany Day is a day of illumination and sanctification.  Let us pledge ourselves to a greater participation in the sacramental life of the Church of Christ.  When the Priest blesses our homes, let us all pray that the blessing of the Epiphany Season be with us throughout the year and may our homes be sanctified with our prayers, Christian living and spiritual direction in our lifetime.

 

 NO Daily Orthros
  
Wednesday, January 7
 6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, January 8
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros

 

Friday, January 9
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, January 10
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, January 11   (Sunday After Theophany)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 3:30 p.m. – Annual Blessing of the Waters at Ross Barnett Reservoir followed
     by a meal at Cock of the Walk
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

 

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

 

Please remember the following in your prayers: Mona Fahmy (recovering from an appendectomy), Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family, Deborah and Paul Finley, Effie Johnson (Kh. Susan Cushman's mother) and the Cushman family (St. John's in Memphis)

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                 Eucharist Bread      Coffee Hour
January 4     Joanna Meadows     Woods
January 5 (Mon Evening) Joneses
  (Feast of Theophany)
January 11     Milnors                  Algoods
January 15 (Thurs Evening) D. Roots 
  (Veneration of the Chains of St. Peter)
January 18     Freundts               Hendersons
January 25     Fahmys                Chamblees

 

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 #
January 4  Walt Wood  II Tim. 4:5-8 354
January 5  Sh. Charlotte Algood Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 361
January 11  Warren Strain  Eph. 4:7-13 364
January 15  Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 12:1-11 50
January 18  Mildred Morris  Heb. 13:7-16 365
January 25  Kh. Be'Be' Schelver Heb. 7:26-8:2 334

 

 

Those hosting Coffee Hour or feasts MUST be sure to place fresh trash bags in the trash cans when cleaning up afterwards.  If this is not done, items get thrown into the empty trash cans and then dumped as is into the cans outside.  The trash people will NOT pick up loose trash from the cans and have even dumped it out in the past.  This means that Father John has to pick these items up by hand and bag them!  Please help us with this!!

 

Pledge letters have been mailed  Please fill these out and return them in the self-addressed envelope as soon as possible.  This information will help the Parish Council to establish a working budget for the fiscal year 2009.

 

New Officers for Ladies of St. Peter: Christina Katool and Sh. Charlotte Algood will take over as the new Co-presidents and Sandy Strain will begin serving as Treasurer.  Many thanks to Charlotte Wood, Rebecca Root and Sh. Margaret Root for their faithful service over the past years!!

 

 
  *  The feast of Theophany will be celebrated with Orthros and Divine Liturgy tomorrow evening, January 5th , beginning at 6:00 p.m.  We will have the annual Blessing of the Waters at the Ross Barnett Reservoir on Sunday afternoon January 11th at 3:30 p.m.  Those who would like to stay afterwards are going to Cock of the Walk for a meal.  Please make plans to attend.

 
 * The feast of the Chains of St. Peter (our patronal feast) will be celebrated with Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Thursday evening, January 15th beginning at 6:00 p.m.

 
 * Father John, Charlotte Wood and Kh. Sharon Meadows will be attending the Mid-Winter Delegates Meeting in Pensacola from January 23-25.

 
 * 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.

 

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.

 

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 January
The forefeast of Theophany (January 5th) is observed as a strict fast day.  The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays of the month.

 

Major Commemorations During January
 Jan 1  Circumcision of Our Lord; St. Basil the Great and the New Year
 Jan 5  Forefeast of Theophany
 Jan 6  Theophany
 Jan 7  Synaxis of the Forerunner
 Jan 11  Venerable Theodosios the Head of Monasteries
 Jan 16  Veneration of the Chains of St. Peter
 Jan 18  Ss Athanasios and Cyril of Alexandria
 Jan 20  Venerable Euthymios the Great
 Jan 25  St. Gregory the Theologian
 Jan 27  St. John Chrysostom
 Jan 30  Three Hierarchs
 Jan 3  Unmercenaries Cyros and John

 

Quotable: "The Word was not hedged in by His body, nor did His presence in the body prevent His being present elsewhere as well.  When He moved His body, He did not cease also to direct the universe by His mind and Might.  No.  The marvelous truth is, that being the Word, so far from being Himself contained by anything, He actually contained all things Himself.  In creation He is present everywhere, yet is distinct in being fro it; ordering, directing, giving life to all, containing all, yet is He Himself the Uncontained, existing solely in His Father."  

    - St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation

 

 

WORSHIP: Sunday, January 11, 2008 (Sunday after Theophany)

 

 Scripture:  Ephesians 4:7-13; Matthew 4:12-17
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father James
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Epistle Reader  Warren Strain
 Acolytes:  TBA
 Prosphora:  Milnors
 Coffee Hour:  Algoods
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

Ephesians 4:1-7: Reading in Ephesians, we hear St. Paul exhort us to maintain the unity of the spirit and to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

 

Luke 13:10-17:   By healing a woman held in bondage to an illness for eighteen years, our Lord demonstrates that the Law does not prohibit righteous action on the Sabbath.

 

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 St. Ambrose:  Thy righteous acts have manifested thee to thy flock as a model of faith, a reflection of humility, and a teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Ambrose.  Therefore, through humility thou hast achieved exaltation, and through poverty, riches.  Intercede thou with Christ God to 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 Preparatory for Nativity:  Today the Virgin comes unto the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages.  Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when you hear, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God before the ages.

 

 

 

Sunday, December 7  (Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 12:00 Noon – Ladies of St. Peter
 5:30 p.m. – Youth Group

 

Monday, December 8
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, December 9
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, December 10
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Advent Paraklesis, followed by Clergy Meeting

 

Thursday, December 11
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 
Friday, December 12   (Spyridon the Wonder-worker)
 6:00 a.m. – Festal Orthros
        
Saturday, December 13
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, December 14 (Sunday of the Holy Forefathers)
 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 Richard Roots for the Divine Liturgy today; the Artoklasia bread was offered by the Hendersons for the Feast of St. Nicholas last Friday evening.

 

Please remember the following in your prayers: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family, Deborah and Paul Finley, Effie Johnson (Kh. Susan Cushman's mother) and the Cushman family (St. John's in Memphis)

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                 Eucharist Bread      Coffee Hour
 December 7     R. Roots         Joneses/Stewarts
 December 14   Algoods          Meadows
 December 21   Katools           Milnors
 December 24 (Feast of Nativity) Schelvers Feast
 December 28   Morrises          R. Roots
 December 31 (Wed evening) Bakers (Artoklasia Bread)
                    (Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia for the Circumcision of our Lord and
                      the feast of St. Basil the Great) 

 

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 #
December 7 Mildred Morris Ephesians 4:1-7 212
December 14 Kh. Be'Be' Schelver Colossians 3:4-11 233
December 21 Brenda Baker Hebrews 11:9-10;17:23,32-40 348
December 24 Kh. Sharon Meadows Galatians 4:4-7 351
December 28 Tom Willlingham Galatians 1:11-19 188

 

Please be sure to schedule a time for confession with your priest during the Fast of the Nativity.

 

Pledge letters will be coming in the mail in the upcoming weeks.  Please fill these out and return them in the self-addressed envelope as soon as possible.  This information will help the Parish Council to establish a working budget for the fiscal year 2009.

 

 
 * During the Fast of the Nativity this year we will celebrate the Advent Paraklesis on Wednesday evenings in place of daily vespers.

 
 * The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at the (Richard) Roots' new home TODAY 12:30 p.m.

 
 * The next meeting for the PLC 2009 Planning Committee will be Thursday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

 
 * The feast of the Nativity of our Lord will be celebrated with Royal Hours on Wednesday morning, December 24th at 6:00 a.m.  Orthros and the Divine Liturgy for the feast will begin Wednesday evening at 10:00 p.m.

 
 * This year we will again celebrate the Circumcision of our Lord and the feast of St. Basil the Great with Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia on Wednesday evening, December 31st .

 
 * 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.

 

The vestry behind the altar is considered to be part of the altar area.  As with the sanctuary per se, this area is for clergy only unless a blessing is given by the priest for a specific purpose.

 

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.
  
Quotable: "Some may then ask, 'Why did He not manifest Himself by means of other and nobler parts of creation, and use some nobler instrument, such as sun or moon or stars or fire or air, instead of mere man?'  The answer is this.  The Lord did not come to make a display.  He came to heal and to teach suffering men.  For one who wanted to make a display the thing would have been just to appear and dazzle the beholders.  But for Him Who came to heal and to teach the way was not merely to come here, but to put Himself at the disposal of those who needed Him, and to be manifested according as they could bear it, not vitiating the value of the Divine appearing by exceeding their capacity to receive it."

    - St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation

 

Weekly Quote:  "Whom have we, Lord, like you?  The Great One who became small, the Wakeful who slept, the Pure One who was baptized, the Living One who died, the King who abased himself to ensure honor for all.  Blessed is your honor!  It is right that man should acknowledge your divinity, it is right for heavenly beings to worship your humanity.  The heavenly beings were amazed to see how small you became, and earthly ones to see how exalted."
    - St. Ephraim the Syrian

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 December
The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed each day of the week.  Note, however, that through December 19th, there is katalysis on Tuesdays and Thursdays when wine and oil are permitted, and on Saturdays and Sundays when fish, wine and oil are permitted.  From December 20-22 the traditional fasting discipline is observed on all days.  From December 25 through January 4 there is no abstinence of any type.

 

Major Commemorations During December
 Dec 9  Conception of the Theotokos
 Dec 12  St. Spyridon of Trimythous the Wonder-worker
 Dec 14  Sunday of the Holy Forefathers
 Dec 15  Heiromartyr Eleftherios
 Dec 20  Hieromartyr Ignatius of Antioch
 Dec 21  Sunday Before the Nativity
 Dec 25  NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST
 Dec 26  Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos
 Dec 27  Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen
 Jan 1  St. Basil the Great and the New Year

 

 Scripture:  Colossians 3:4-11; Luke 14:16-24
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Richard
 Epistle Reader  Kh. Bebe Schelver
 Acolytes:  TBA
 Prosphora:  Katools
 Coffee Hour:  Meadows
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

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 9:9-13: Our Lord calls the tax collector Matthew, to become one of His disciples and tells the Pharisees that He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

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 Holy Apostle Matthew:  O Holy Apostle Matthew, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.     

 

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, November 16   (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, Apostle Matthew)
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

Monday, November 17
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, November 18
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, November 19
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers followed by Parish Council Meeting

 

Thursday, November 20
 6:00 a.m. – Festal Orthros
 12:00 N – Ladies Fellowship
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia (Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple)

 

Friday, November 21 (Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple)
    The Presentation of the Holy Virgin into the Temple is found in the apocryphal gospels, which describe the three-year-old Mary being taken by her parents to the Temple, where she remained in a life of holiness and dedication.  Though the story be legend, as symbol it yields insight into spiritual truth.  The scriptures for vespers, matins, and the divine liturgy all speak to the relationship between man and God within the context of the Temple and emphasize two themes: holiness and the superiority of the living, eternal temple to that built of stone.  In Mary we see both.  Rather than being sanctified by the Temple, she sanctifies the Temple and all mankind by becoming herself the perfect temple in which dwelt the eternal Son.  Truly she was set apart, even as a child, and consecrated to the most glorious work God granted humanity.  Truly she is the instrument by which we, too, become living temples in which God lives and which live eternal.  Truly we, the holy, catholic church, the living Temple of God, open our doors to her, most blessed of women, the Holy Mother of God.

 

 6:00 a.m. – Festal Orthros
        
Saturday, November 22
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, November 23   (Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost)
 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 Fahmys for the Divine Liturgy today.

 

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                 Eucharist Bread      Coffee Hour
 November 16     Fahmys              Fahmys
 November 20 (Thurs. evening) Rebecca Root (Artoklasia Bread)     No meal
                 (Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple)
 November 23     Bakers               Pigotts
 November 30     Woods               Morrises

 

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 #
November 16 Walt Wood I Corinthians 4:9-16 135
November 23 Sh. Charlotte Algood Ephesians 2:4-10 202
November 30 Warren Strain I Corinthians 4:9-16 135

 

Ben Brock will be enrolled as a catechumen next Sunday.  Please keep him in your prayers.

 

Welcome to St. Peter's: We welcome Jim and Desi Roehner, their daughter Rene and her husband Mandon Brinkerhof along with their daughters Kirsten (9) and Emma Rose (3)!

 

The vestry behind the altar is considered to be part of the altar area.  As with the sanctuary per se, this area is for clergy only unless a blessing is given by the priest for a specific purpose.

 

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.

 

Stewpot: We will be serving a meal in conjunction with Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church on Saturday, November 29th at 11:30 a.m.  Please see Cheryl Pigott for further information.

 

 

 * We will be serving meal at the Stewpot on Saturday, November 29th .

 
 * The next meeting for the PLC 2009 Planning Committee will be Thursday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

 
 * 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.

 

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 , Christina Katool and Sh. Charlotte Algood will take over as co-presidents.  We still need someone to fill the post of Secretary/Treasurer. Please think about volunteering for this office.

 

Fasting Discipline for November
Beginning November 15th , the first day of the Nativity Fast, the traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on each day of the week.  Note, however, that through December 19th there is katalysis on Tuesdays and Thursdays when wine and oil are permitted, and on Saturdays when fish, wine and oil are permitted.

 

Major Commemorations During November
 November 15 Beginning of the fast of the Nativity
 November 16 Apostle and Evangelist Matthew
 November 21 Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple
 November 23 St. Amphilochios of Iconium
 November 25 St. Catherine the Great-martyr
 November 30 Apostle Andrew the First-called  

 

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: "If we are illumined by divine power, and fix our eyes on the beauty of the Image of the invisible God, and through the Image are led up to the indescribable beauty of its source, it is because we have been inseparably jointed to the Spirit of knowledge."

    - St. Basil the Great

 

    - Archimandrite Zacharias

WORSHIP: Sunday, November 23, 2008 (Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost)

 

 Scripture:  Ephesians 2:4-10; Luke 12:16-21
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Terry
 Epistle Reader  Sh. Charlotte Algood
 Acolytes:  TBA
 Prosphora:  Bakers
 Coffee Hour:  Pigotts
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

 

Galatians 1:11-19:  St Paul defends his ministry in his letter to the Galatians, telling them of how his former way of life was changed by a direct revelation from the Lord, and of his actions immediately afterwards.

 

Luke 16:19-31:  In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, our Lord teaches us that giving mercy to others, regardless of the form, is essential to holiness.

 

Troparion of the Resurrection:  Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm.  He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.

 

Troparion of the Holy Five Martyrs: Blessed is the earth that drank your blood, O prizewinners of the Lord, and holy are the tabernacles that received your spirits; for in the stadium ye triumphed over the enemy, and ye proclaimed Christ with boldness.  Beseech Him, we pray, since He is good, to 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, November 2
 8:50 a.m. – Orthros
 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
 10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
 6:00 p.m. – Young Adults

 

Monday, November 3
 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF

 

Tuesday, November 4
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
 6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
  
Wednesday, November 5
 5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
 6:15 p.m. – 9th Hour Prayers followed by Daily Vespers

 

Thursday, November 6
 6:00 a.m. –  Daily Orthros
 5:00 p.m. – 9th Hour Prayers followed by Daily Vespers

 

Friday, November 7
 6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
        
Saturday, November 8  (Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers of Heaven)
 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

 

Sunday, November 9   (St. Nektarios the Wonder-worker of Pentapolis)
 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 Daniel Roots for the Feast of St. Raphael yesterday and by the Schelvers for the Divine Liturgy today.

Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
     Eucharist Bread  Coffee Hour
 November 2 Schelvers Fahmys
 November 9 Freundts Pigotts
 November 16 Fahmys Rebecca Root
 November 20 (Thurs. evening) Rebecca Root (Artoklasia Bread)     No meal
                 (Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple)
 November 23 Bakers D. Roots
 November 30 Woods Morrises

 

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 #
November 2 Tom Willingham Galatians 1:11-19 188
November 9 Kh. Sharon Meadows Galatians 2:16-20 193
November 16 Walt Wood I Corinthians 4:9-16 135
November 23 Sh. Charlotte Algood Ephesians 2:4-10 202
November 30 Warren Strain I Corinthians 4:9-16 135

 

The annual fall Clergy Retreat for the Lower Mississippi Valley Deanery will be held here This week (November 5-7).   We will have 9th Hour prayers followed by daily vespers on Wednesday (starting at 6:15 p.m.) and again on Thursday (starting at 5:00 p.m.).

 

The vestry behind the altar is considered to be part of the altar area.  As with the sanctuary per se, this area is for clergy only unless a blessing is given by the priest for a specific purpose.

 

 
 * The next meeting for the PLC 2009 Planning Committee will be Thursday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

 
 * 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.

 
 * 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.

 

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 , Christina Katool and Sh. Charlotte Algood will take over as co-presidents.  We still need someone to fill the post of Secretary/Treasurer. Please think about volunteering for this office.

 

Fasting Discipline for November
The traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil)  is observed on all  Wednesdays and Fridays.  Beginning November 15th , the first day of the Nativity Fast, the traditional fasting is observed on each day of the week.  Note, however, that through December 19th there is katalysis on Tuesdays and Thursdays when wine and oil are permitted, and on Saturdays when fish, wine and oil are permitted.

 

Major Commemorations During  November
 November 8 Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers of Heaven
 November 9 St. Nektarios the Wonderworker of Aegina
 November 13 St. John Chrysostom
 November 14 Apostle Philip
 November 15 Beginning of the fast of the Nativity
 November 16 Apostle and Evangelist Matthew
 November 21 Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple
 November 23 St. Amphilochios of Iconium
 November 25 St. Catherine the Great-martyr
 November 30 Apostle Andrew the First-called  

 

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: "Let us not render evil for evil, and we shall not receive our due for our sins.  For we find the forgiveness of our trespasses in the forgiving of our brothers; and the mercy of God is hidden in mercifulness to our neighbor.  Therefore the Lord said, 'Forgive, and you shall be forgiven,' and, 'With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.'  See how the Lord bestowed on us the method of salvation and has given us eternal power to become sons of God!"

    - St. Maximos the Confessor

 

 

 Scripture:  Galatians 2:16-20; Luke 8:41-56
 Celebrant:  Father John
 Homily:  Father John
 Deacon:  Deacon Richard
 Epistle Reader  Kh. Sharon Meadows
 Acolytes:  TBA
 Prosphora:  Freundts
 Coffee Hour:  Pigotts
 Teen Hosts:  TBA

 

 

 

 

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