Sunday, August 12, 2018
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
After-feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Martyrs Photios and Anikytos of Nicomedia
It is our joy to welcome visitors to worship with us at all services.
Nourishment of the Soul: “If one wishes to do something but cannot, in the sight of God, Who knows men’s hearts, it is as if he had done it. This principal is to be understood as applying both to good and bad actions. The mind can do many things, both good and bad, without the body. However, without the mind, the body can do neither good nor evil; because the law of freedom exists in the mind prior to any action.” – St. Mark the Ascetic
Coffee Hour: Scheduled contributors this Sunday are those whose last names start with Be-F.
Retirement Celebration: Subdeacon Daniel Barrett has officially retired! His family will host the Coffee Hour next Sunday, August 19th as we greet our friend and subdeacon with a smile for some of us know that retirement offers the opportunity to change hats and ‘work’ in other ways! Congratulations!
Food Pantry: Please continue to stock the shelves in Marcia’s office. Take a look, and see what you might add. With grateful thanks from all who benefit…
Teen SOYO! Following Great Vespers each Saturday, in August, Youth Director Thomas Przybyla will meet with our youths ages 12-18 here at the church from 6:00 to 8:00. There will be time for fun, spiritual learning and food!
Receiving the Eucharist: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.
THIS WEEK
The Dormition Fast continues until after the Liturgy on August 14th.
Tuesday, August 14: Evening Liturgy at 6:00 – Eve of Holy Dormition
Wednesday, August 15: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, August 16: Bible Study at Becky’s home – 3:00-5:00
Saturday, August 18: Great Vespers at 5:00 – SOYO 6:00- 8:00
Sunday, August 19: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Parish Council meets.
LOOKING AHEAD
…Sunday, August 26:The church will welcome returning University students with a blessing.
…Our Annual Festival is planned for October 6th. Plan ahead to consider how you can be involved. Daniel Rigsby, this year’s coordinator, would like to hear from you.
FAMILY NOTES
PARISH HEALTH UPDATES
…Charles is now at Bell Trace on East 10th Street. Although he is eating some foods, his small intestine needs to fully “wake up”. He welcomes your visits and emails.
…Alice Marie has had two biopsies to help diagnose her condition. Alice and Marvin, who are so dear to this community, are grateful for your love, prayers and support, and ask for special prayers for the procedure and subsequent treatment plan discussion this week. Continue to remember them, and please reach out to the Piercefields as you are able.
…Vicki G asks for your prayers after injuring her back again while helping a client.
Anniversary Blessings: Fr. Lucas & Pres. Stacey C (16th); Steve & Kelly Stewart Sanderson (17th)
Birthday Celebrations: Barb G (12th); Vicki G (14th)
Name Day Remembrance: Prophet Micah – Liam G – 14th; Micah F; Maximos the Confessor – Max W; Claudio P -13th; Holy Theotokos – Mary B; Kh. Marilyn; Mary Ann G; Alice Marie P – 13th
Memory Eternal: Bill (July 12th); David (21st); Kevin (Ancient Faith Ministries) (8th)
Prayer List: Vicki; Alice & Marvin; Doris Finchum (James’s mother); Micah Finchum (James and Patricia’s son); Charles; Linda’s sister Dee; Mary Ann; Griggs family; Alexander family; Sharon Catherine; Lillian Purcell; Eileen; Leanne; Ashlee W; Kh. Kristina & Anthony; Vivian; Paul; Caden, Dylan & Maddie; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George; Iva Lee & Jim; Adrian T; Nancy & Shalayna; Hannah & Ty; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; those suffering in the drug crisis in the USA; Those suffering in Syria and the Middle East; safety in public places and our schools; Metropolitan Paul; Archbishop John; our church and our nation
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “The Lord is my strength and my song.”
Verse: “The Lord has chastened me severely.” (Psalm 117:14,18)
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. (9:2-12)
Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Gospel of Christ.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (18:23-35)
The Lord spoke this parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Divine Liturgy Variables
Refrain of Second Antiphon: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Apolytikion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
When, O Christ our God, Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee.
Kontakion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and Thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld Thy glory, O Christ our God; so that, when they should see Thee crucified, they would remember that all Thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that Thou art truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father.