ST. ELIJAH ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH

ST. ELIJAH ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH 15000 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73134 Church Office: 755-7804 Church Website: www.stelijahokc.com Church Email: stelijah@stelijahokc.com APRIL 5, 2015 Issue 27 Number 14 Palm Sunday: The Feast of Our Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem WELCOME DIRECTORY V. Rev. Fr. John Salem Pastor 410-9399 Rev. Fr. Jeremy Davis Associate Pastor 625-0675 V. Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr Pastor Emeritus V. Rev. Fr. Basil McMurry Attached Rev. Dn. Ezra Ham Administrator 602-9914 Erin Ghata Youth Director 410-9456 Mom s Day Out & Pre-K Roxy Self Director 639-2679 Email: mdo@stelijahokc.com Facebook: St Elijah Mom s Day Out Twitter: StElijahMDO DYNAMIS: Daily Bible Readings www.dynamispublications.org Ancient Faith Radio ancientfaith.com 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: The Divine Liturgy Memorial Service Churching Service Removal of Crowns Red Service Book Red Divine Liturgy Book Red Service Book Red Service Book Red Service Book p. 44 p. 9 p. 183 p. 216 p. 181

The Meaning of Palm Sunday Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany. There He dined with His friend Lazarus (whom He had raised from the dead), whose sister Mary poured sweet perfume over Jesus feet. The next day Jesus sent His Disciples to bring an ass and her colt. And He whose throne is heaven entered Jerusalem mounted on the colt. The Hebrew children threw their garments over it, and went ahead of Him waving palm branches and crying out, Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. The palms foretold Christ s victory over death; for it was the custom for conquerors to be escorted in victory processions with branches of evergreen trees. The colt signified us, the people He gathered from all nations, for riding upon it Christ was proclaimed King of the whole earth. Of this Feast the Prophet Zachariah said, Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion. See, your King comes to you, meek and seated on a beast of burden and on a colt of an ass, offspring of a beast of burden (Zach. 9:9). And David speaks of the children, Out of the mouths of infants and babes thou hast perfected praise (Psalm 8:2). But as Christ entered, all Jerusalem was shaken and the crowds, provoked by the Chief Priests, were looking to do away with Him. VARIATIONS IN TODAY S DIVINE LITURGY A The 1 st Antiphon: I am filled with love, for the Lord will hear the voice of my supplication. The anguish of death encompassed me, the perils of hell beset me. I found tribulations and anguish, and I called on the name of the Lord. I will walk acceptably before the Lord in the land of the living. Glory Both now B The 2 nd Antiphon: I believed, and therefore have I spoken: but I was deeply humiliated. Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, who didst sit upon a foal, who sing What shall I render unto the Lord, for all His benefits unto me? Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, who didst sit upon a foal, who sing I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, who didst sit upon a foal, who sing I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the presence of all His people. Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, who didst sit upon a foal, who sing Glory Now O Only-Begotten Son C The 3 rd Antiphon: O, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Let the house of Israel now say that He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Let the house of Aaron now say that He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Let all that fear the Lord now say that He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Troparion of Palm Sunday Tone 4 Buried with Thee through baptism, O Christ our God, we have been granted immortal life by Thy

Resurrection, and we sing Thy praises, saying: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord! D The Entrance Hymn: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. The Lord is God and hath appeared unto us. Save us, O Son of God, who didst sit upon a foal, who sing to thee: Alleluia. E The Troparia: Troparion of Lazarus Tone 1 O Christ our God, when Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the resurrection of the universe. Wherefore, we, like children, carry the banner of triumph and victory, and we cry to Thee, O conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Troparion of Palm Sunday Tone 4 Buried with Thee through baptism, O Christ our God, we have been granted immortal life by Thy Resurrection, and we sing Thy praises, saying: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord! The Kontakion of Palm Sunday Tone 4 O Christ our God, who in Heaven dost rest upon thy throne and on earth upon a foal, receive the praise of angels and the hymns of the multitude, who cry unto thee: Blessed art thou, O Lord, who didst come to call back Adam from the dead! F G The Thrice Holy Hymn THE READINGS THE EPISTLE Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever! The reading is from St Paul s Epistle to the Philippians (4:4-9). Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your forbearance be known to all people. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things which you both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do; and the God of peace will be with you. THE GOSPEL From the Holy Gospel according to St. John (12:1-18) Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, Simon s son, one of his disciples (he who was to betray Jesus), said, Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me. When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel! And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass s colt! His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard he had done this sign. The Megalynarion of Palm Sunday Tone 4 God is the Lord and hath appeared to us. Prepare ye a feast and rejoice; let us praise and magnify Christ, bringing palms and branches! Let us cry aloud our praises: Blessed is our Savior, Who cometh in the Name of the Lord! I H The Communion Hymn Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Alleluia. J Troparion of Lazarus Tone 1 O Christ our God, when Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the resurrection of the universe. Wherefore, we, like children, carry the banner of triumph and victory, and we cry to Thee, O conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. OFFERINGS HOLY BREAD AND EASTER LILIES are offered by Esber and Leslie Samara for their good health and the good health of their children and grandchildren and their mothers Adeeba and Dolores. They are also offered for the Samara, Homsey, Bolen, Haggard, Lormand, and Simon families. They are especially offered on the occasion of the birthdays of Claire (3/15), Esber (4/2), Shea (4/2), and Juliana (4/26). May God grant them many years. HOLY BREAD AND EASTER LILIES are offered by Sonia Eid for her good health and the good health of her brothers and sisters and their families. They are especially offered in memory of her parents George and Blanche Eid and brothers-in-law George, Raymond, and Nassar. May their memory be eternal. HOLY BREAD is offered by Omar Sweis for his good health and the good health of his wife and children. It is especially offered in memory of Hamed. May his memory be eternal. HOLY BREAD is offered by Jimme Lou and Charlie Shadid for their good health and the good health of all their children and grandchildren. It is especially offered for their first great-grandchild London Oliver Smith (3/14), son of Travis and Dr. Kimaria Smith and grandson of Denise and Dr. Tracy Smith. May God grant him many years. HOLY BREAD is offered by Aarron and Brandi Fraysur and Lori and Toby Pedford for their good health and the good health of their families. It is especially offered for Aarron and Brandi's goddaughter Cora Ewbank and the Ewbank family - Dax, Julie, Triston, Zoe, Xander, Evan, Jerah, Zeke, and Cora on the occasion of their baptism and chrismation. May God grant them many years. HOLY BREAD is offered by Steve and Inam Sweis for their good health and the good health of their daughters Jordan and Celine. It is especially offered for Steve (4/7) and Celine (4/9) on the occasion of their birthdays. May God grant them many years. HOLY BREAD is offered by Nicole and Oliver Tobin and Kyle Naifeh for their good health and the good health of the Naifeh families. It is

especially offered for Bonnie on the occasion of her birthday. May God grant her many years. HOLY BREAD is offered by Robert Miller for his good health and the good health of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It is especially offered in memory of his wife Elaine and his mother-in-law Anna Koval. May their memory be eternal. PALMS are offered by Danny Shadid in memory of Kelly Shadid and for the good health of Nina, Vicky, Stanley, Linda, Christopher, Katy, Micah, Noelle, Layla, and Linley. CARNATIONS FOR HOLY FRIDAY are offered by Dolores Homsey, Dick & Cindy Homsey, Gary & Sue Homsey, Mickey & Sydney Homsey, Roger & Cookie Deeba, and Scott & Leslie Samara in memory of Margaret & Sam Homsey, John & Quinnie Coury, Nick & Cherry Harroz, Nabeeh Samara, Phil Shadid, Benny Homsey, Connie Naifeh, and James Naifeh. May their memory be eternal. CARNATIONS FOR HOLY FRIDAY are offered by Blanche David. ANNOUNCEMENTS WELCOME. We welcome all visitors. We are delighted you are worshipping with us and look forward to meeting you personally. NO COFFEE HOUR TODAY. CONGRATULATIONS to Travis and Kimaria Smith on the birth of their son London Oliver on March 14. May God grant him many years. CONGRATULATIONS to Patti Parrish, who was received into the Orthodox Church by chrismation yesterday, April 4. May God grant her many years. CONGRATULATIONS to Chad and Stephanie McClellan. Stephanie and their daughter Lauren Elizabeth are being churched today. May God grant them many years. HOLY WEEK begins today. See the schedule of services included in this bulletin, and join us for as many as you are able to make. CONFESSIONS must be scheduled by Wednesday this week. Only in exceptional circumstances will confessions be heard from Holy Thursday through Pascha. HOLY WEEK FASTING: The traditional fast is to abstain from meat, fish, dairy products, and alcohol. Fish and alcohol in moderation are permitted today for the Feast. Alcohol is also permitted in moderation on Thursday in honor of the Last Supper, and on Saturday in honor of the Great Sabbath. The Great Fast is finally broken after Divine Liturgy on Pascha, and all kinds of food and drink are permitted throughout the week following Pascha (known as Bright Week ). FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE. Please bring your Food for Hungry People donations to the church this week. We prefer that you count the money collected in your box and submit a check for the total, made out to St. Elijah and earmarked FFHP. NO TUESDAY MORNING service this week. BISHOP BASIL will be with us for Holy Unction at 7pm this Wednesday, April 8. Please mark your calendars and make a point to join us for this beautiful service. TEEN VIGIL. This Friday to Saturday. Come keep vigil at the tomb of Christ as we prepare to celebrate His resurrection. The vigil begins after the Lamentations service. EASTER LILIES. Please contact the church office if you would like to offer Easter Lilies this year, for the good health of your loved ones or in memory of the departed. VIGIL CANDLE is lit by Mike and Teese Mullings for our troops serving in harm's way. It is especially lit for those serving in Afghanistan. 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. April 12 - PASCHA (No Coffee Hour) 19 - Choir 26-20/40 May 3-10 - Mother's Day (No Coffee Hour) 17-24 - 31 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK APR. 5-11 Corey Sweten Mary Pendergraft Steve Sweis Irene Massad Christian Williams Benjamin Farha Celine Sweis Natalie Homsey Vanda Sweiss Adam Sweis Elizabeth Wilson Today we remember those who reposed in the Lord during this week in years past: Philip Matthew Kraker Anisa Gabriel Eid Carroll Samara Nick Zelnick, Sr. Pauline Farris Eddie Annis Ellis Coury Noble Paul Sills Michael Kolchak, Jr. Addy P. Simon Zaki Awwan Sweis Souad Hamra Frances Ann Bird Todaro Farris Cohlmia Dorothy E. Kraker Andrew Wapesky Pauline Kraker Lee Pasta JoAnn Callaway Hryhoryi (George) Schkolovyi

Sunday School Scoop No class today due to the Palm Sunday Procession! No class next week due to Pascha. Our last day of classes for the year will be May 3rd. Thank you to everyone who helped with all the Lazarus Saturday activities yesterday! Special thanks to Ned's catering for the wonderful breakfast! We will have Bible Bowl practice this Wednesday at 5:30 in the board room! Please note: all participants must be able to attend the Parish Life Conference in Denver, Colorado, June 10-13. Teens, don't forget to make plans to attend the Holy Friday Vigil THIS FRIDAY. Join us for this solemn, allnight event which will begin after the Lamentations service and end following Liturgy on Saturday morning. The dates for VBS have been set! Mark your calendars for June 1-5! No Teen Chats until May! A big thank you to Mary, Aidan and Ruby Pendergraft, Mark Crouch and Mary Winter for helping stuff the eggs for yesterday's festivities!

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 (364-8904) 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. APRIL 5, 2015 USHERS: Dr. George Alhaj, Roy Baker, Walid Haddad, Blair Naifeh, Dr. David Shadid, John Stiner, Haitham Sweis, Charlie Ward ALTAR SERVERS: Deeb Haddad, Michael Massad, Nathan Shadid, Jacob Simon, Joseph Eid, Cole Harroz, Christian Swearingen, Joseph Pendergraft, David Baskerville EPISTLE READER: Jessica Harroz ELDERS: Dr. Ray Cohlmia, Dr. Emile Farha, David A. Farris, Geary Green, Dr. Joe Harroz, Omar Sweis BOOKSTORE: Lawrence Clemens DEADLINE FOR THE BULLETIN IS 5:00 PM ON TUESDAY CALENDAR Sunday Apr. 5 Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm Monday Apr. 6 Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm Tuesday Apr. 7 Bridegroom Matins 7:00 pm Wednesday Apr. 8 Holy Unction Service with 7:00 pm Bishop BASIL Thursday Apr. 9 Last Supper Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Crucifixion Matins & the 12 7:00 pm Passion Gospels Friday Apr. 10 Royal Hours 9:00 am Vespers & the Removal 3:00 pm from the Cross Lamentations Matins 7:00 pm Vigil (Teen SOYO) Saturday Apr. 11 Vesperal Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Paschal Matins & Divine Liturgy 11:00 pm