ST. JOHN ORTHODOX CHURCH

 

1663 TUTWILER AVENUE

MEMPHIS, TN 38107

(901) 274-4119

www.stjohnmemphis.org

 

V. Rev. Fr. John Troy Mashburn, Jr.                                   Rev. Fr. Nicholas Meyers

Pastor                                                                          Assistant Pastor

 

    V. Rev. Fr. Basil Cushman                                                Rev. Fr. Donald Berge

Associate Pastor                                                                      Attached

 

GREAT VESPERS                       ORTHROS and CHURCH SCHOOL    DIVINE LITURGY

Saturday, 6:00 p.m.                                     Sunday, 9:00 a.m.                       Sunday, 10:00 a.m.

 

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

“…the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch!”

Acts 11:26

 

10th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday after the Dormition of the Theotokos

August 16, 2009

 

Epistle:  I Corinthians 4:9-16                Gospel: Matthew 17:14-23

                                                                                                                               

The Holy Bread for Eucharist is offered this morning by Ellie Moore.

 

Welcome to all those visiting St. John Orthodox Church.  We are honored by your presence.  It is our sincere desire that your participation today in the Divine Liturgy will draw you closer to Christ and His Church.

 

If you are from a non-Orthodox background you may see new things such as icons, incense, the sign of the cross, the veneration of saints, and a great deal of standing.  These can be perplexing to the uninitiated eye.  Rest assured that everything we do has a solid biblical foundation and a long history among Christian people.  Please feel free to participate where you feel comfortable, and feel equally as free only to observe when you prefer.

 

The Orthodox Church understands the Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper, to be – among other things – the paramount expression of Christian unity.  While it is our deepest hope that Christendom will one day fulfill Christ’s desire for true unity among all those who claim His name (John 17:21), the unfortunate reality of our day is that the various segments of Christendom are not unified with the historic Orthodox faith.  Since participation in the Eucharist expresses a unity with all the dogma and practice of the Orthodox Church, non-Orthodox guests do not receive Holy Communion.  The Holy Eucharist is reserved for those members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves by prayer, fasting, and recent confession.  All visitors and unprepared Orthodox are invited to partake of the blessed bread as they come forward to venerate the cross at the end of the Liturgy.  Thank you for your understanding.

 

 

ST. JOHN CALENDAR                                                 August 16- August 23 (Wed. & Fri. Fast)

Sunday            - Celebration for Barbara McDaniels at Anne Dugan’s home        

                        - Teen Group – Bowling, 3:00 p.m. at Cordova Bowl

Monday          - First Hour, 6:45 a.m.

                        - LAST St. John Pool Party, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Tuesday          - Third Hour, 9:00 a.m.

            - Men’s Lunch, 11:45 a.m.

            - Catechumen & Inquirers Class, 7:00 p.m.

            - Choir

Wednesday     - Third Hour, 9:00 a.m.

            - Great Vespers, 5:30 p.m.

            - Wednesday Dinner, 6:15 p.m. Please be sure to sign-up.

            - Wed. Teaching, 7:00 p.m. - 1st session of a new series – Pornography

Thursday        - Third Hour, 9:00 a.m.

Friday             - First Hour, 6:45 a.m.

                        - Third Hour, 9:00 a.m.

                        - Stay & Play group will meet after Third Hour in the fellowship hall.

                        - Paraklesis, 12:00 p.m.

Saturday         - Ninth Hour and Great Vespers, 5:50 p.m. 

Sunday            - Orthros, 9:00 a.m.

- Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.

- Parish Business Meeting following Divine Liturgy

 

 

 

 

 

Divine Liturgy                                                                       Sunday, August 23, 10:00 a.m.

PRIEST:                       Fr. Nicholas                             HOMILY:        Fr. Nicholas

DEACONS:                 Dns. Charles & James              READER:        Owen White

HOLY BREAD:           Margie Yarbro                         USHER:           Aaron White

ALTAR SERVERS:     Ethan, Luke S., Luke L., Joe

COFFEE HOUR:         Mickey & Sarah Hodges, Caleb McGee

 

 

Upcoming Weddings:

Barbara McWilliams & Mikael Santana on September 6

 

Upcoming Chrismations:

Barbara McWilliams and David Twombley will be chrismated today, August 16

Jill Healy – September

Priscilla Neale – September

 

 

 

COMMEMORATIONS

 

Aug. 16: The commemoration of the icon-not-made-by-hands of our Lord in Edessa.  Martyrs Diomedes the physician of Tarsus in Cilicia and Alkiviades; Venerable Gerasimos the New Ascetic of Kephalencia; Timothy, bishop of Epiros; New-martyrs Nikodemos of Meteora and Apostolos (Stamatios) of St. Laurence; the New-martyrs of Megaris.

 

Aug. 17: Venerable Myron of Kyzikos, Eutychios, Eutychian, and Kassiane; Martyrs Thyrsos, Cyprian and Juliana; Venerable Alypios the iconographer of the Kiev Caves; Theodoretos of Solovky, enlightener of the Lapps.

 

Aug. 18: Martyrs Floros and Lauros of Illyria; Venerable Sophronios of St. Anne skete on Athos; Venerable Barnabas and Christopher of Mt. Mela; new-martyr Demetrios; Venerable Arsenios the New of Paros; repose of Venerable John of Rila.

 

Aug. 19: Martyr Andrew the General (“Stratelates”); Venerable Theophanes of Docheiariou monastery on Athos.

 

Aug. 20: Prophet Samuel; Martyrs Heliodoros of Persia and Photeini of Blachernae.

 

Aug. 21: Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy; Martyrs Bassa, Theognios, Agapios, and Pistos of Edessa; Venerable Abraham of Smolensk and his disciple, Venerable Ephraim.

 

Aug. 22: Martyr Agathonikos of Nicomedia and those with him.

 

Aug. 23: Martyr Loupos; Hieromartyr Irenaios, bishop of Lyons; Venerable Nicholas and Dionysios of Olympos.

 

**For reading material on the saints for this week, visit the display in the church library.

 

 

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS               August 16 – August 23

            Sunday                         I Cor 4:9-16                              Matthew  17:14-23

            Monday                        2 Cor 2:4-15                              Matthew  23:13-22

            Tuesday                        2 Cor 2:14-3:3                           Matthew  23:23-28

            Wednesday                   2 Cor 3:4-11                              Matthew  23:29-39

            Thursday                      2 Cor 4:1-6                                Matthew  24:13-28

            Friday                           2 Cor 4:13-18                            Matthew  24:27-33, 42-51

            Saturday                       1 Cor 1:3-9                                Matthew  19:3-12

            Sunday                         1 Cor 9:2-12                              Matthew 18:23-35

 

 

- ALMS-GIVING –

St. John Alms Fund   

St. John Camping Fund

St. John Food Pantry

St. John Seminarian Fund

St. Paul Mission Station, Tupelo

Rachels’ Kids, Inc.

Diocese of Miami and the Southeast Mission Fund

Michael Bittle Fund – Holy Trinity Orthodox Church – Little Rock, AR

 

 

 

 

Pray for our catechumens:  In Memphis - Maria Cartagena, Maria Brackey, Lisa Martin, Jill Healy, Priscilla Neale, Rod & Trisha Ratliff (Jake & Cailyn), Nathan Powell, Ashley Newton, and Jennifer Criswell. In Tupelo - Shane Davis, Justin & Brandy Williams, Leah Hardy, Adam Clay, Casey & Jessica Hardy (Davis) and Justin Stevens. In Hernando – Donald Estes. In Henning – Bobby Johnson.

 

Please remember in your prayers: His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN, Archimandrite Roman Braga, Rev. Fr. Mikhail & the faithful of Spaso-Pargolovo (St. Petersburg), Buddy Taylor, Margaret Layman, Chris Hodges, Judy Smith (Julie Sanderlin’s mother), Shirley Gore (Judy Terry’s mother),  Effie Johnson (Kh. Susan’s mother), Mary Clark, Hannah Snowden (pregnant), Shanna Massouh (pregnant), Kh. Johanna Bittle (pregnant), Ann Hicks (Dianna Hildebrand’s mother), Sue Ingram, Charles Ingram, Ted & Patty Greathouse (Shelley Snowden’s parents), Laura Greathouse, Earlene Snowden (Gene’s mother), Joyce Bittle, Allen Sudduth (Paul’s father), Helen Robbins (Sheila Sudduth’s mother), Paul Sudduth, Brendan Healy (Jill’s son), and Eliot Twombly (David’s nephew).

 

 

ST. JOHN COMMUNITY:

 

Catechumen and Inquirers’ class will meet this week on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

 

Choir will meet Tuesday evening at 7:00

 

New Church Directories – Updated church directories are now available in the fellowship hall.  Be sure to pick one up.  Please remember that these are for personal use only.

 

Prison Ministry – Volunteers are needed for the Prison Ministry for the next 6-8 weeks on Thursdays.  This will be a full day commitment.  There are long or short term opportunities available.  Please see Fr. Nicholas for details. 

 

Dinner Clubs – Don’t miss out on the FUN!  All current groups are encouraged to meet one last time before the end of August. Dinner clubs are groups of 6-8 St. John people who meet together for a meal once every two months for a year. The focus is on fellowship, not food. This is a great way to meet and get to know people and develop a sense of community.  Those who want to commit to be in a new dinner club starting in September, please see the sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall.  If you are interested in a group that will meet with children, please mark it on the sign-up sheet.  The deadline for signing-up is Sunday, August 23rd. Any questions or comments please call or email Sh. Margaret McKelroy .

 

Parish Business Meeting – We will meet for our parish business meeting following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 23.

 

Remember the community bulletin board – there is always new information going up – including which items are currently needed for the food pantry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teen Group Events

 

TODAY, August 16, Bowling – 3:00 Cordova Bowl

Bring $5 to bowl & $5 for dinner ($10 total)

 

Next Sunday, August 23 – Meeting with Middlers

 

 

Parish Council Recommendations – Each year we have two parish council members cycle-off the council, and two new ones take their place.  The council is made up of seven members, two of whom serve ex-officio, the pastor (Fr. John) and the business manager (Paul Parham).  A third member is selected by the clergy from their ranks. The other four are appointed by the pastor with the counsel of the clergy and the recommendations of the laity.  In the parish hall are forms for you to make your recommendations.  Please recommend three people, in order of your preference. It is important for everyone to give his input.  The more participation we have, the more we can be in tune with the will of God.  Departing members of the council are Lori O’Brien and John Cameron. Thank you Lori and John! Remaining on the council will be Fr. John, Paul, Owen White, and Marjo Labonte.

 

Remember Katie Wilcoxson in your prayers.  She will be leaving in December to serve as a missionary nurse in Tanzania for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.  This is a good opportunity for our parishioners to support mission work directly rather than simply making a contribution to an agency.  If you desire to contribute to her support, please note it on your donation.

 

Pro-Life Corner

 

Planned Parenthood’s Memphis affiliate aggressively promotes and performs abortions.  There is disturbing video of one counseling session for an (alleged) 14-year old girl at Planned Parenthood of Memphis in July, 2008 at http://liveaction.org/Memphis/. 

 

While working to block and challenge pro-life laws, Planned Parenthood of Memphis has also received considerable funding from state and federal contracts, including 1.1 million dollars in 2008 alone.  Now, pro-life Tennesseans can change this!  This year, our state legislators took action to remove language first placed into law during the early 1970’s which specifically named abortion provider Planned Parenthood to coordinate the state’s family planning services.  In addition to removing the clause, legislators enacted language which mandates the state Department of Health give priority and preference to local health departments in the distribution of family planning funds rather than private, non-profit organizations.

 

Join Tennessee’s pro-life majority in urging the Shelby County Board of Commissioners to act in 2009 by requesting the no health department funds be diverted to Planned Parenthood in Memphis.

 

Copies of a petition are in the parish hall where you can sign, adding your name to others requesting that our local legislators cut off the flow of health department funds to the local Planned Parenthood office.

 

 

LIBRARY LINES –  If you are fascinated with icons, this is your month!

 

August 16 we commemorate the icon-not-made-by-hands of our Lord. Tradition says that the Lord himself made this icon as answer to a request for healing from leprosy by the ruler of Edessa. It was transported there by the Apostle Thaddeus.

 

All of last week we prayed the Paraclesis to The Theotokos. Towards the end, we sing of the “revered icon which is known by the name Directress and which hath been depicted for us by the Apostle Luke the Evangelist.”

 

Today we commemorate an early Russian iconographer, St. Alypius (8/17). Some of his icons were glorified by miracles and tradition says when he was ill, an angel painted an icon of the Dormition for him. It’s known as the Sven Icon commemorated also on this date. 

 

The Prophet Samuel’s life (8/20) has many parallels to that of the Theotokos. Like her, he was born from a “barren” woman.  His mother, Hannah, prayed fervently for children, and God answered her request. She took Samuel to live in the temple when he was weaned. Her prayer of thanksgiving to God is recorded in I Samuel 2:1-10.  The next chapter shows us the beautiful story of God calling the young child. He thought Eli, the high priest, was calling him. This happened three times, and Eli realized that the Lord was calling him.  He told Samuel to reply, “Speak Lord, for your servant listens.”   Samuel went on to be a great prophet, and anointed Saul and David as kings of Israel. 

 

See accounts of these icons, their pictures and the lives of St. Alypius and the Prophet Samuel in St. John Library. You will find “The Directress” in Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary.

 

 

 

 

 

Antiochian Women of St. John’s Calendar

 

   Please remember to sign up for AWSJ positions for the coming year.

The list can be found on the bulletin board.

 

Women’s Teaching

We meet at the home of Anne Dugan at 10 a.m. on the following Thursdays

Upcoming dates: September 10th & October 8th

 

Celebrate with Barbara!

Today, after coffee hour, the AWSJ are invited to the home of

Anne Dugan to celebrate

Barbara’s Chrismation and upcoming marriage to Mikael Santana.

 

 

Celebrate with Barbara!

 

Sunday, August 16th after coffee hour

 

the AWSJ are invited to the home of

 

Anne Dugan, 3531 Highland Court Drive,

 

to celebrate

 

Barbara’s Chrismation and upcoming

 

marriage to Mikael Santana.

 

 

 

If you would like any further information, please contact

Anne Dugan

 

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

OUR LAST ST. JOHN POOL PARTY:

 

Tomorrow, August 17

 

summer-10.gifWe meet at the pool at Rhodes College and swim from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  There is a grill available for whatever meat or veggies you would like to bring.  We ask that everyone bring their own meat (or vegetarian equivalent), drinks (non-alcoholic) and a dish (side or dessert) to share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come ready to swim or just relax and say “Goodbye” to summer!!!!