ST. ELIJAH ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 ST. ELIJAH ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH N. May, Oklahoma City, OK Church Office: Church Website: Church AUGUST 2, 2015 Issue 27 Number 31 Saints of the Day: Protomartyr Stephen the Archdeacon; Venerable Photeini the wonderworker of Carpasia in Cyprus; Blessed Basil the fool-for-christ, wonderworker of Moscow DIRECTORY V. Rev. Fr. John Salem Pastor Rev. Fr. Jeremy Davis Associate Pastor V. Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr Pastor Emeritus V. Rev. Fr. Basil McMurry Attached Rev. Dn. Ezra Ham Administrator Erin Ghata Youth Director Mom s Day Out & Pre-K Roxy Self Director mdo@stelijahokc.com Facebook: St Elijah Mom s Day Out Twitter: StElijahMDO DYNAMIS: Daily Bible Readings Ancient Faith Radio ancientfaith.com WELCOME We welcome all our visitors. It is an honor to have you worshipping with us. You may find the worship of the Ancient Church very different. We welcome your questions. Please join us for our Reception held in the Church Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy. We understand Holy Communion to be an act of our unity in faith. While we work toward the unity of all Christians, it regrettably does not now exist. Therefore, only baptized Orthodox Christians (who have properly prepared) are permitted to participate in Holy Communion. However, everyone is welcome to partake of the blessed bread that is distributed at the end of the service. We look forward to meeting you during the Reception that follows the service. PARTICIPATION IN WORSHIP Orthros: Red Service Book p. 44 The Divine Liturgy Red Divine Liturgy Book p. 9 Memorial Service Red Service Book p. 183 Churching Service Red Service Book p. 216 Removal of Crowns Red Service Book p. 181

2 VARIATIONS IN TODAY S DIVINE LITURGY A B The 1 st Antiphon: As usual... The 2 nd Antiphon: As usual... Troparion of the Resurrection - Tone 8 D E C The Entrance Hymn: O come let us worship... Troparion of the Resurrection Tone 8 From the heights Thou didst descend, O Compassionate One, and 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 Protomartyr Stephen - Tone 4 The crown of the Kingdom hath adorned the brow of thy head because of the contests that thou hast endured for Christ God, thou first of the martyred Saints; for when thou hadst censured the Jews' madness, thou sawest Christ thy Savior standing at the right hand of the Father. O Stephen, ever pray him for us, that he would save our souls. Troparion of St. Elijah - Tone 4 Angelic Body, Pillar of Prophets and their Corner Stone, Forerunner of the Second-Coming of Christ; thou didst send Grace from on high to Elisha, to dispel sickness and to purify lepers, Glorious Elijah, thou dost overflow with healing to those who honor 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 thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father. F G The Thrice-Holy Hymn THE READINGS THE EPISTLE Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God. God is known in Judaea; his name is great in Israel! The reading is from St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians (3:9-17) Brethren, we are God's fellow-workers; you are God's husbandry, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise architect I laid a foundation, and another builds upon it. Let each one take heed how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble - everyone's work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire itself will test each one's work of what sort it is. If anyone's work which was built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as by fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone corrupts the temple of God, God will corrupt him. For the temple of God is holy, whose temple you are. THE GOSPEL From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (14:22-34)

3 At that time, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was in the middle of the sea, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against it. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a spirit!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." And Peter answered him, saying, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the mighty wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind became calm. And those in the boat came and worshiped Jesus, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. H I J The Megalynarion It is truly meet... The Communion Hymn Praise the Lord...Alleluia. We have seen the true light... OFFERINGS HOLY BREAD is offered by Bobby and Irene Massad for their good health and the good health of their families. It is especially offered in memory of Leland Massad (14 years), George Tauxe (22 years), and Stephen Pristash (21 years). May their memory be eternal. HOLY BREAD AND WHEAT are offered by Dr. Ray and Sameera Cohlmia for their good health and the good health of the Cohlmia, Kouri, Simon, Homsey, Shadid, Swyden, and Rahill families. They are especially offered as a 40-day memorial for their nephew and cousin Freddie Cohlmia, Jr. May his memory be eternal. HOLY BREAD is offered by Subdeacon George Ghata for his good health and the good health of his family - Vanda, Erin, Joseph, Matthew, George, and Jamin. It is especially offered for Subdeacon George and Vanda on the occasion of their 35th wedding anniversary. May God grant them many years. ANNOUNCEMENTS WELCOME. We welcome all visitors. We are delighted you are worshipping with us and look forward to meeting you personally. COFFEE HOUR is hosted today by MDO. Please join us immediately following Divine Liturgy. Visitors are especially welcome. CONGRATULATIONS to James and Erica McLamb. Erica and their daughter Evelyn James are being churched today. May God grant them many years. THE DORMITION FAST continues this week. During this fasting season, it is traditional to abstain from meat, dairy products, fish, and alcohol. Alcohol in moderation is permitted on Saturdays and Sundays; fish and alcohol in moderation are permitted this Thursday, August 6, for the Feast of the Transfiguration. NEW FAMILY NIGHT CLASSES begin this Wednesday, August 5, 7-9pm. Come and explore the depth and riches of our faith! THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD will be celebrated as follows: 6pm Great Vespers this Wednesday, August 5, and 9am Divine Liturgy this Thursday, August 6. Come celebrate this great feast of illumination! VIGIL CANDLE is lit by Mike and Teese Mullings for our military serving in harm's way.

4 May they be kept safe from every enemy and adversary. C O F F E E H O U R Below is the schedule of those who will host Coffee Hour on upcoming Sundays. August 9 - (Fasting) Sweis Family 16 - Antiochian Women 23 - Adult Fellowship Lunch 30 - Cultural Ministry September Parish Anniversary Lunch HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK AUG. 2-8 Joshua Cohlmia Meredith Morrow Drucilla Bradford Maya Shadid Ralph Bolen Sh. Kathy Ham Bradley Harris Taylor Homsey Darren Morton Joseph Haddad T. J. Toma Zoe Schneider Michael Al-Khouri Laura Alasad Dru Alleman Sandra Baskerville Sam Coury Vandie Newman Falon Prater Luke Warr Today we remember those who reposed in the Lord during this week in years past: Joseph Richard Homsey Addy S. Kouri Eva Reafa Ablah Virgil Cosma Andries C. Schalk Zakia M. Jabara Souhail George Khammar Mabel Hodge John Robert Dutcher CHOIR NEEDS TENORS AND ALTOS SOPRANOS AND BASSES WELCOME, TOO! SEE AL MAMARY

5 20/40 is asking the congregation to help in sponsoring a back-to-school drive for kids at Positive Tomorrows. Positive Tomorrows is Oklahoma's only school serving homeless children. A collection bin will be available August 2, August 9, and August 16 at the southwest entrance near the church office. Items from their wish list include: School Supplies Glue sticks Pocket folders Colorful construction paper Crayons Index cards Clorox wipes Personal Care Hand & body lotion (full size) Hand soap Lice shampoo and spray (Rid brand) Reusable shopping bags Bar soap/body wash Toilet paper Shampoo/conditioner Combs & hairbrushes Feminine hygiene products Laundry detergent Clothing For clothing items, they currently need children's sizes 4-14, junior's/women's sizes 2-10, & men's sizes small and medium. New shoes for kids & adults Summer clothes boys & girls Belts Socks Underwear Gift Cards Wal-Mart Lakeshore Learning Lowe's Visa gift cards (gas for school buses) itunes for classroom purchases

6 NEW FAMILY NIGHT CLASSES SET TO BEGIN AUGUST 6 th 7 pm Do you understand your faith? The Ethiopian Eunuch was reading the Bible when Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. The man replied, How can I unless someone guides me? Join us on Wednesday nights as together we deepen our understanding of the faith we already know. Class on Parenting Teens taught by Dr. Laura Tait. (See Flyer in this Bulletin for details) Inquirer s Class: Evangelion taught by Deacon Ezra Arabic Coffee House taught by Fr. John Mysteries & Questions in the Bible taught by Fr. Basil. Teen Chats taught by Erin Ghata Children s Classes: Pre-K-K, 1-3, 4-6 taught by Anna Harris and Jeannine Crouch Nursery with Joy, Julie, Lorie, and Carmen.

7 Sunday School is right around the corner! You can register your children today at We have a few openings for Sunday School teachers. If you are interested in team teaching one of our classes, please see Erin or Craig! Classes will begin the Sunday after Labor Day, which is September 13th. (We will also have our kick-off party that day!) Teen SOYO is headed back to the ballpark for our Kick-off party! We will be going to the OKC Dodger's game August 15th! Tickets are $15* and include a hat and $6.25 in Dodger Dollars. Please RSVP to Erin so she knows how many tickets to buy! *If finances are an issue, please see Erin! We can make things happen! Mark your calendars for our YES Family Day, September 12th! This day of service will be open to kids and adults (ages 10+). Plan to come and spend the day seeing our city in a different light and engaging in fellowship with the great people of Oklahoma. Attention all Sunday School Teachers and those interested in teaching! We will have a Teacher's Workshop with Vasiliki Oldziey, DOWAMA Christian Education Coordinator, on August 15th after the Dormition Liturgy. We will have light breakfast, a workshop, lunch, and a wrap-up workshop. Please plan to attend and help us get prepared for another great school year! Teen Chats resume with the rest of Family Night this Wednesday!

8 Worship and Spiritual Life Sunday Matins at 8:50 am Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am Wednesday Vespers at 6:15 pm (except during Lent) Tuesday Matins at 7:00 am Saturday Vespers at 5:00 pm Confessions throughout the week. Call one of the Fathers for an appointment. Study Sunday Sunday School: Children s Classes after Communion Adult Class at 9:00 am. No classes during the summer. Wednesday Family Night 7-9 pm. Runs in 8-week blocks. Look for announcements of upcoming sessions. A full Program of Seminars and Classes for Adults, Children and Youth for both Orthodox and Non-Orthodox. Bible Study Thursdays at 10:30 am; nursery provided Fellowship & Parish Development Coffee Hour Sundays following the Divine Liturgy 20/40 Fellowship monthly as announced Ladies Aid Meetings as announced Teen Chats Wednesday Nights Adult Fellowship Meetings as announced Antiochian Women s Guild as scheduled and announced Parish Council every 3 rd Tuesday at 7 pm Choir see Al Mamary ( ) Membership To become a member, you need to pray with us at our worship services, complete the Inquirer s Classes, and talk with our priests about your interest in the Orthodox faith. This process normally takes 12 months. We welcome you on your journey of faith and invite you to learn of the ancient and unchanging Holy Orthodox Church. AUGUST 2, 2015 USHERS: Steven Bittle, Dr. Adam Cohlmia, Jakob Ham, Jeffery Jones, Stephen Morris, Vesko Sariyski, F. S. Simon, Tom Tacheny ALTAR SERVERS: Joseph Eid, Isaac Wilson, Triston Ewbank, Konstantin Ganchev, Anthony Ene, Conner Swearingen, Robel Tesfaselassie, Jack Naifeh, Amir Sweis, Dagim Worku EPISTLE READER: Mary Pendergraft ELDERS: Mike Chumo, Greg Farha, Jim Fox, Raymond Heckard, Nick Kakish, Muhsen Sweis BOOKSTORE: Magid Assaleh DEADLINE FOR THE BULLETIN IS 5:00 PM ON TUESDAY CALENDAR Sunday Aug. 2 Monday Aug. 3 Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Tuesday Aug. 4 Orthros 7:00 am Wednesday Aug. 5 Great Vespers for the 6:00 pm Transfiguration Teen Chats 7:00 pm Family Night 7:00 pm Thursday Aug. 6 Divine Liturgy for the 9:00 am Transfiguration of Our Lord Orthodox Study Fellowship 10:30 am Friday Aug. 7 Saturday Aug. 8 Great Vespers 5:00 pm