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

2^nd Sunday of the Great Fast

Sunday of Gregory Palamas

February 28, 2010

Epistle: Hebrews 1:10-2:3 Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

The Holy Bread for Eucharist is offered this morning by Kerry Sneed.

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 February 28 – March 7 (The Great Fast)

Sunday - Vespers, 4:30 p.m.

- Teen Group, Bible Bowl Practice

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

- Great Compline, 6:30 p.m.

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

- Men’s Lunch, 11:45 a.m.

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

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

- Presanctified Liturgy, 6:30 p.m. Lenten meal to follow ~ please sign-up

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

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

- Sixth Hour, 12:00 p.m.

- AWSJ First Friday Brown Bag Lunch, following Sixth Hour

- Akathist, 6:30 p.m.

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

Sunday - Orthros, 9:00 a.m.

- Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.

- Vespers, 4:30 p.m.

- Teen Group – Game Night

Divine Liturgy Sunday, March 7, 10:00 a.m.

PRIEST: Fr. Basil HOMILY: Fr. Basil

DEACONS: Dns. Tim & James READER: Mickey Hodges

HOLY BREAD: Mary Ann Coccaro USHER: Aaron White

ALTAR SERVERS: Ethan, J. Morgan, Luke L., Deon, Pavel

COFFEE HOUR: Alex & Alexandra Klimkowski, Kim Boone

WELCOME TEAM: Clifford McWhorter, Mickey Hodges

Teen Group Events

Today, February 28 – Bible Bowl practice

NEXT WEEK, March 7 – Game Night

COMMEMORATIONS

February 28: Venerable Basil the Confessor, companion of Prokopios of Decapolis; Hieromartyr Proterios, patriarch of Alexandria; Apostles Nympha and Euvoulos; New-martyr Kyranna. Venerable John Cassian the Roman (in non-leap years).

February 29: Venerable John Cassian the Roman.

March 1: Venerable-martyr Eudokia of Heliopolis; Venerable Domnina of Syria; Martyrs Markellos and Anthony of Pamphylia; Venerable Agapios of Vatopedi monastery on Athos; Venerable David of Wales, bishop of Menevia.

March 2: Theodotos, bishop of Cyrenia; Martyr Hesychios the Senator; Virgin-martyr Euthanlia of Sicily; Arsenios, bishop of Tver.

March 3: Martyrs Eutropios, Kleonikos, and Basilikos of Amasea; Hieromartyr Theodoretos of Antioch.

March 4: Venerable Gerasimos of the Jordan; Gregory, bishop of Constantios in Cyprus; Martyrs Paul and Juliana of Syria; Daniel, prince of Moscow, the wonder-worker.

March 5: Hieromartyr Konon of Isauria; Martyrs Archelaos and his 152 companions in Egypt; New-martyr John the Bulgarian.

March 6: The 42 martyrs of Amoria in Phrygia; discovery of the precious cross and nails by St. Helena; Venerable Fridolin, enlightener of the Upper Rhine.

March 7: The Hieromartyrs of Cherson: Basil, Ephraim, Eugene, Kapiton, Elpidios, Agathodoros and Aetherios; Venerable Laurence; Venerable Paul the Simple, disciple of Venerable Anthony the Great.

Pray for our catechumens: In Memphis - Maria Cartagena, Maria Brackey, Lisa Martin, Jennifer Criswell, Michael Grossman, David Corbett, Sandy Powell, and Keith & Sarah Parker. 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, Elizabeth Cameron (pregnant), Amy Gill (pregnant), Esther Longa (pregnant), Marjo Labonte (pregnant), Mindy Williams (pregnant), Kh. Jeanette (pregnant), Ann Hicks (Dianna Hildebrand’s mother), Sue Ingram, Charles Ingram, Ted & Patty Greathouse (Shelley Snowden’s parents), June Peeples (Sarah Hodges’ mother), Joyce Bittle, Allen Sudduth (Paul’s father), Elmo Thompson (Kh. Martha’s father), David Williams (Jill Healy’s son-in-law), Erin Williams (Jill Healy’s daughter, pregnant), Will Parham (Christine Scrantom’s brother-in-law) Rose Marton (Mary Ann Coccaro), and Janet Berry (Joel Berry’s mother).

ST. JOHN COMMUNITY:

Catechumen/Inquirers class will meet Tuesday.

NO Choir this week.

Annual Business Meeting today – As coffee hour winds down, we will have our annual business meeting. I hope you can spend a few minutes with us as we review the previous year and anticipate the future together.

Prosfora Bakers Needed - We are currently in need of more prosfora bakers.  Anyone interested is encouraged to attend a demonstration beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning, March 13.  Please contact Mindy Williams if you would like to participate, or would like to learn to make the prosfora but are unable to attend on March 13.

Soup Kitchen – As a parish, we will again serve on Sunday, March 14 at the soup kitchen at First Presbyterian Church on Third Street. This is an excellent way to give alms during the Fast. Come join us as we serve those less fortunate than we.

Nave Work Day – Saturday, March 20 – We will need volunteers to help clean the nave in preparation for Pascha.

Parish Council Reminder – The Parish Council will meet next Tuesday, March 9 at

7:00 p.m. This is a departure from our normal meeting day and time. Consequently, there will be no Catechumen/Inquirers class that night.

CD’s for Lent Available in the Bookstore - If you have never listened to Orthodox CDs for Lent, consider these English language titles located in the bookstore. An excellent choice in Byzantine style of Lenten chant is Gates of Repentance.   A Russian chant style by St Vladimir Seminary Choir entitled Presanctified Liturgy is available as well.  St Vladimir has 3 other offerings of music: Chant, Vigil and Rejoice (hymns about the Theotokos). 

Parish Life Conference 2010 – The Parish Life Conference, hosted by St. George – Jacksonville, will be held June 16-20 at the Jacksonville Marriott in Jacksonville, FL. Registration forms are available in the parish hall. For more information visit the website at www.jaxorthodox.org.

NEED FOR AFGHANI SISTERS - As most of you know, Jonathan Cushman is currently stationed in Afghanistan. He has become friends with an Afghani family who have two daughters, ages 1-1/2 and 4 years old. He's asked us if we'd collect clothing and toys for these children as part of our Lenten alms. Please bring these to Kh. Susan Cushman by March 15 - if you have questions.

Coming in April – The Orthodox Christian Translation Society (OCTS), which was initiated from our parish, will make it inaugural public presentation here at St. John on Saturday, April 17, 2010, following Great Vespers. More details later.

Lenten Alms-Giving – St. John Food Pantry

For the remaining weeks of the Great Fast we have an opportunity to add to the food pantry. There is a bucket just outside the food pantry door in which to leave these specific items:

Sunday, March 7 – Canned Goods - Soup, Chili, Meat & Beans

Sunday, March 14 – Cans of Fruit and Individual Serving Fruit/Applesauce

Sunday, March 21 – Toiletry Items – Toilet Paper, Lotion, Soap, shampoo, toothbrushes

Sunday, March 28 – Rice, Beans, Pasta, Cereal & Boxed Meals

- 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

More Lenten Alms giving opportunities – Collection boxes for coins are on the tables in the parish hall. In addition to the boxes used for years (Food for Hungry), we have boxes available for collecting for the Memphis Food Bank. The food bank is very well run and serves the great needs that exist in our community. As always, this is an excellent way to let your children participate in alms giving.

Antiochian Women of St. John Calendar

AWSJ First Friday Brown Bag Lunch

March 5 – Join us for lunch following Sixth Hour prayers

Baby Shower Honoring Esther Longa

March 7 – Sh. Corinne Elliott’s home after Coffee Hour

Women’s Teaching

Thursday, March 11, 10:00 a.m., Anne Dugan’s home.

Prosfora Workshop & Prayers for the Departed

Saturday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m. until noon Jack Turner will be taking us through the process of baking prosfora for those interested in learning. During the rise (about 10:00 a.m.), Fr. John Troy will lead us in the Akathist for the Departed. Coffee will be provided.

ggg Pro Life Cornerggg

“Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but (rather) to use any violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.”

~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

aa LIBRARY LINES aa

New Addition to St. John Library! Starting Over: Preparing for First Communion in the Orthodox Church by Gail Meena (KID/MEE).  This is a manual for grade school children on confession.  The sacrament is presented in eight lessons with black and white illustrations and puzzles and other activities to help children to retain and intermalize the material.

St. Eudokia (3/1) lived in Samaria under the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan. She, like St. Mary of Egypt, lived a life of debauchery. One night she awoke to hear Elder Germanus reading about the Last Judgment. Her heart was struck by her sin and great wealth. She repented and was baptized. She then entered a monastery, and God blessed her with spiritual gifts. A former lover tried to trick her into returning to her previous life. He was struck dead and she prayed for his resurrection. When she was accused of taking gold from the city and hiding it at the monastery, the troops sent to recover it were miraculously prevented from entering the buildings. On three occasions, relatives of those persecuting the saint died and were restored to life through her prayers. She was allowed to return to the monastery and lived there for over fifty years. Then again a new governor instituted persecutions against the Christians and she was beheaded on the first of March.

This week we honor several simple men who are icons to us of humility. Appropriately, we commemorate them right before Lent.

St. John the Bulgarian (3/5) as a boy was influenced by his Moslem friends and renounced Christ. At age sixteen he came to his senses, fled to Mt. Athos and placed himself under the direction of an elder. Three years later, he journeyed to a mosque in Constantinople, publicly prayed, declared his devotion to Christ and renounced Mohammed. He was beheaded at age 19 in 1784.

Friday we also we commemorate St. Konon the Gardener (3/5). Actually, our Holy, Wise Church honors several gardeners, among them are St. Kristo (2/12) and St. Phocas (9/22) besides St. Konon. How appropriate it is that we honor men who humbly work the earth to bring forth food, herbs and flowers for sustenance for our bodies and beauty for our souls. Konan was born in Nazareth and died a martyr’s death around 250 A.D. St. Phocas aided the poor with his produce. He accidently happened upon men sent to arrest him for being a Christian. He gave them hospitality, made arrangements for his possessions to be given to the needy, and dug his own grave. When his captors saw this, they tried to spare him, but he refused and was beheaded. St. Kristo the Albanian was also beheaded by Moslems for refusing to renounce Christ.

See icons of these saints, as well as St. John Cassian (2/29), and their stories in St. John Library.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS February 28 – March 7

Sunday Hebrews 1:10-2:3 Mark 2:1-12

Monday Genesis 6:9-22 Proverbs 8:1-21

Tuesday Genesis 7:1-5 Proverbs 8:32-9:11

Wednesday Genesis 7:6-9 Proverbs 9:12-18

Thursday Genesis 7:1-8:3 Proverbs 10:1-22

Friday Genesis 8:4-21 Proverbs 10:31-11:12

Saturday Hebrews 10:32-38 Mark 2:14-17

Sunday Hebrews 4:14-5:6 Mark 8:34-9:1

Are you interested in a pilgrimage?

Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky, who is the priest at John and Kim Dzury’s parish, regularly leads genuine pilgrimages to holy sites. As an Orthodox priest, Fr. Ilya said, “I see it as my offering to the Church, and (I) hope that my fellow pilgrims will be able to benefit spiritually and educationally from their travels.” His pilgrimages are not “prepackaged trips that are created for general secular or non-Orthodox public,” but rather tailored for those interested in a true pilgrimage experience.

He has upcoming trips that might be of particular interest to our parishioners. See his website – www.orthodoxtours.com – for all potential pilgrimages. Regarding the tour, “Russian Icon” Fr. Ilya said, “I can offer a special discount to people from your parish (St. John, Memphis) if they will contact me directly prior to March 10.

BABY SHOWER for Esther Longa!!!

Come help us celebrate with a baby shower honoring Esther Longa.

The shower will be held at the home of Sh. Corinne Elliott, on MARCH 7^th following Coffee Hour.

If you would like to contribute to the group gift, please contact Anne Dugan.

Esther is registered at Babies R Us and Target.