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

 

Sunday Before the Elevation of the Holy Cross

September 13, 2009

 

Epistle:  2 Corinthians 1: 21-2:4            Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

                                                                                                                               

The Holy Bread for Eucharist is offered this morning by Kh. Pamela Mashburn.

 

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                      September 13 – September 20 (Mon., Wed. , & Fri. Fast)

Sunday            - Teen Group – Delta Fair    

Monday          - Divine Liturgy for the Elevation of the Holy Cross, 6:00 a.m.

- Women’s Book Club, 7:00 p.m., Kh. Pamela Mashburn’s home

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

            - Men’s Lunch, 11:45 a.m.

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

            - Choir, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday     - Third Hour, 9:00 a.m.

            - Great Vespers, 5:30 p.m.,

  Children’s reading to follow

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

            - Wed. Teaching, 7:00 p.m. – The Angelic Realm

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. 

                        - Baptism of Brooke Elizabeth White to follow

Sunday            - Orthros, 9:00 a.m.

- Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.

 

 

Divine Liturgy for the Elevation of the Cross         Monday, September 14, 6:00 a.m.

PRIEST:                       Fr. John                                    HOMILY:        Fr. John

DEACONS:                 Dns. Charles & James              READER:        Billy Scrantom

HOLY BREAD:           Anne Dugan                             USHER:           any available

ALTAR SERVERS:     any who can

COFFEE HOUR:         Anna-Sarah Farha, Brandon Maas

 

 

Divine Liturgy                                                                Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m.

PRIEST:                       Fr. John                                    HOMILY:        Fr. John

DEACONS:                 Dns. James & Tim                    READER:        John McGee

HOLY BREAD:           Lynda Spinolo                          USHER:           Aaron White

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

COFFEE HOUR:         Kim Boone; Anne Dugan

 

New mailing address for Ben Hodges:          Cadet B. Hodges          

Chamberlain-Hunt Academy

124 McComb Avenue

Port Gibson, MS 39150

COMMEMORATIONS

 

Sept.13: The commemoration of the founding of the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem; Hieromartyr Cornelios the centurion; Martyr Aristeidos; Venerable Hierotheos the Younger of Iviron monastery on Athos; Great-martyr Ketevan, queen of Georgia; Six Martyrs at Tomi in Romania.

 

Sept.14: The Elevation of the precious and life-giving Cross.  Repose of John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople; Venerable-martyr Makarios the New of Thessalonika; Venerable-martyr Joseph of Dionysiou monastery on Athos.

 

Sept.15: Great-martyr Nikita the Goth; Martyr Porphyrios; Vissarion, bishop of Larisa; New-martyr John; Venerable Philotheos and Gerasimos; Joseph the New of Partos, the wonder-worker, metropolitan of Timisoara.

 

Sept.16: Great-martyr Euphemia the all-praised; Martin the bishop; New-martyrs Isaac and Joseph of Georgia; Martyr Ludmilla, grandmother of Wenceslaus prince of the Czechs; Venerable Prokopios of Sazava in Bohemia.

 

Sept.17: Martyrs Sophia and her daughters Faith, Love and Hope; Hiermartyr Herakleidos of Cyprus; Martyr Agathokleia; Venerable Anastasios and Euxiphios.

 

Sept.18: Eumenios the wonder-worker, bishop of Gortyna; Martyr Ariadne of Phrygia.

 

Sept. 19: Martyrs Trophimos, Dorymedon, Savvatios and Susanna; Hieromartyr Januarios of Benevento and his companions; Theodore, prince of Smolensk, and his sons David and Constantine, wonderworkers of Yaroslav; Theodore of Tarsus, archbishop of Canterbury.

 

Sept.20: Great-martyr Eustathios and his family; Venerable-martyr Hilarion of St. Anne Skete on Athos; Venerable John of Crete; Martyrs Michael, prince of Chernigov, and his councilor Theodore.

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

 

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS                            September 6 – September 13

            Sunday                         2 Cor 1:21-2:4                           Matthew  22:1-14

            Monday                        Galatians 2:11-16                       Mark       5:24-34

            Tuesday                        Galatians 2:21-3:7                      Mark        6:1-7

            Wednesday                   Galatians 3:15-22                       Mark        6:7-13

            Thursday                      Galatians 3:23-4:5                      Mark        6:30-45

            Friday                           Galatians 4:8-21                         Mark        6:45-53

            Saturday                       1 Cor 4:17-5:5                           Matthew  24:1-13

            Sunday                         2 Cor 4:6-15                              Matthew 22:35-46

 

Upcoming Baptism:

Brooke Elizabeth White, September 19

 

Upcoming Chrismations:

Jill Healy & Priscilla Neale, September 20

 

 

 

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, Jennifer Criswell, and Michael Grossman. In Tupelo - Shane Davis, Justin & Brandy Williams, Leah Hardy, Adam Clay, Casey & Jessica Hardy (Davis). In Hernando – Donald Estes. In Henning – Bobby Johnson.

 

Please remember in your prayers: His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN, 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), Elizabeth Cameron (pregnant), Amy Gill (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), Brendan Healy (Jill’s son), David Williams (Jill Healy’s son-in-law), 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

 

Tomorrow morning, September 14, we will celebrate THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS.  The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 6:00 AM.  Because this is a feast of Cross, it is a traditional fast day, meaning no meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk or other dairy products, fish, wine or olive oil.  The strict tradition is that there is to be only one meal, taken after Ninth Hour and Great Vespers on Monday evening. Although, most simply, follow the traditional fast.

 

Welcome Team Needs Help! - St. John is adding some personal touches for welcoming our guests.  Soon we will have a couple of people in the Narthex to help welcome and orient guests, as well as a couple of people to staff a "Welcome Table" (where first-time guests will receive a gift) at Coffee Hour.  If you like to meet and welcome people, then you would be a great fit!  The Welcome Team is preparing a rotation for this ministry.  If interested, then contact Billy Scrantom at 355-0536 or revgrid1@comcast.net.

We need a “kitchen oversight” person – If you are looking for a simple way to help out at the church on a regular basis, we need an person, man or woman, or a small team, to keep the kitchen clean and organized.  If you are interested, please contact Trish or Fr. John.

2009 Parish Business Meeting & Parish Council Meeting Minutes can be found in the parish hall for your review. 

 

Prison Ministry – Volunteers are needed for the Prison Ministry for the next 4-6 weeks on Thursdays.  This is a full day commitment.  There are long or short term opportunities available.  Please see Fr. Nicholas for details. 

 

 

 

Sons of Thunder – Our next meeting will be on September 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Mitch Childress.  While there is no specific book title to read, all attendees should read a literary work of their choosing by Wendell Berry.  Our discussion will center on the worldview found in Wendell’s poetry, fiction, and essays.  As usual, we will have a potluck meal, so all who attend should bring some food to share.

 

Food Pantry - Many thanks to all of you who faithfully add to the food pantry for those who need food to supplement their other resources.  We are a bit low again.  We have plenty of peanut butter and crackers and some canned goods.  Because of the economic situation, the demand has increased.  If you can help, there are a number of those in need who would be very thankful.  May God watch over you!. 

Wednesday Night Story Time for Kids – We had a nice “first Wednesday” this last week for our Kids’ Story Time with Fr. Nicholas!  Parents can enjoy a small break and get their food while their children have some time hearing an edifying story on Wednesday nights. After the service on Wednesday nights we will have a 10 minute story time for the children.  One of our parish priests will be reading to the children from one of the many children’s books in our library. We will continue this coming Wednesday with From I-Ville to You-Ville as Fr. Nicholas reads to the children. 

Church School began today – Today was our first Sunday of church school for the new church year! This is a GREAT way for your kids to learn about our Faith, to strengthen their relationships with their peers, and to involve another healthy Orthodox Christian adult regularly in their lives.  Our teachers are the best thing about church school!  Most of us remember the really good teachers that we had growing up, and they had a genuine effect on us.  Don’t deprive your children of this opportunity!  And . . . you can go to orthros while they are in class!!  If you have questions, see Elizabeth Cameron, our coordinator.  A class list is on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

 

 

Teen Group Events

 

TODAY, September 13 – Delta fair

 

Next Sunday, September 20 – Soup kitchen

 

 

Pro-Life Corner

 

Language is important!  Note the idea advocated in the following piece taken from an essay in the September, 1970 issue of California Medicine.   The author advocates the use of the following “semantic gymnastics” to promote the broader acceptance of abortion:  “avoidance of scientific fact, which everyone really knows, that human life begins at conception” and “separat[ing] the idea of abortion from the idea of killing.”  In next week’s announcements, we will hear a contrasting approach from the words of Pope John Paul II.

 

 


Antiochian Women of St. John Calendar

 

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

The list can be found on the bulletin board.

 

Women’s Teaching

Our next Thursday teaching will be on October 8th, 10:00 a.m.,

at the home of Anne Dugan.

 

Women’s Book Club

The book club will meet tomorrow,  Monday, September 14, 7:00 p.m. at

the home of Kh. Pamela Mashburn. 

We will be discussing A Place of Healing for the Soul:  Patmos by Peter France

 

Prayers for the Dead

We will be praying Akathist for the departed at 8:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays:

September 19th                             December 5th

March 13th                                    June 12th

You may submit names to be prayed for to either Anne Dugan or Father John.  We will follow each service with breakfast together in the parish hall.

 

 

LIBRARY LINES

 

Part of the richness of our church calendar is that it reflects families who are part of the living body of Christ. Wednesday we commemorate a saint connected with Advent.  The Holy Martyr Ludmilla (9/16), a Czech princess, was the grandmother of St. Wenceslaus. (Remember the Christmas carol, Good King Wenceslaus went out on the feast of Stephan …)

 

St. Euphenmia the All-praised (9/16) is best known for a miracle occurring after her death.  The Fourth Ecumenical Council was held in a church which housed her relics. It was convened to establish the nature of Christ. The Monophysites opposed the doctrine of His two natures, divine and human, asserting Jesus was divine and not human.  The Patriarch proposed that the two views be written down, her tomb opened and the scrolls placed on her bosom.  The tomb was then sealed and guarded by the emperor’s soldiers.  After three days of prayer and fasting, the tomb was opened. The scroll of the Orthodox confession was in her right hand and that of the heretics was at her feet.

 

Thursday we honor St. Sophia (9/17).  She endured the greatest pain a mother can endure.  Her three daughters, Faith, Hope and Love were tortured and beheaded in her sight.  She buried them and stayed by their graves for thee days and gave her soul to God. Believers buried her there beside her children.

 

See the stories and icons of these women in St. John Library.

 

Ways to serve the community:

 

*       Rachel’s Kids.  Remember that we are supporters of Rachel’s Kids and have worked there on site on numerous occasions.  If you are interested in helping out either by assisting with tutoring or otherwise, contact Harry or Rachel at:

Email:  harry@rachelskidsinc.org

Phone:  (901) 324-2137

Address:  2486 Poplar Ave., Memphis,TN 38112 

 

*       Neighborhoood Christian Center – The NCC is in desperate need of tutors at several tutoring locations: 

Emmanuel Church (2723 Steele)                 

Mondays 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m.   (6 tutors needed)

Second Presbyterian Church (4055 Poplar)

Tuesdays 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.   (6 tutors needed)

            NCC North Center site (785 Jackson Ave)  

Thursdays 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.   (4 tutors needed)

And they can always use volunteers at any of the Homework Center sites: 

North Center (Uptown)         M-Th   3:00-4:00

Greenbriar (Frayser)            M&Th  3:45-4:45

Chickasaw (Binghampton)   T&Th   3:30-4:30

Robinhood (East Memphis)  M&Th  3:45-4:45

Pershing Park (Frayser)       T&W   3:30-4:30

New Era  (Orange Mound)    T&W    3:30-4:30

If you are interested in being a tutor or would like more information, please call Pamela Cox at 901-881-6013 or contact by email at pcox@ncclife.org.

 

*       Children’s Clothes drive for Protection of the Theotokos Family Center in Romania – The center is a joint project of OCMC and the Orthodox Archdiocese of Cluj in Romania.  There is a flier on the Women’s bulletin board downstairs.  Especially needed are clothes for children 3 months to 4 years.  If you are interested in donating or assisting, see Kh. Jeanette.

 

 

- ALMS GIVING –

St. John Alms Fund                              St. John Camping Fund

St. John Food Pantry                            St. John Seminarian Fund

St. Paul Mission Station, Tupelo           Rachel’s Kids, Inc.

Diocese of Miami and the Southeast Mission Fund

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