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

Pentecost Sunday

May 23, 2010

Epistle: 2:1-11 Gospel: John 7:37-52; 8:12

The Holy Bread for Eucharist is offered by Sue Ingram.

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 May 23 – May 30 (NO FASTING)

Sunday - Teen Group – meeting with Seniors, 5:00 p.m.

- Great Vespers with the Kneeling Prayers of Pentecost, 6:00 p.m.

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

- AWSJ Crafts Club, 7:00 at Margaret McKelroy’s home

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.

- Vespers, 5:30 p.m., meal to follow please sign up

- Children’s reading time immediately following Vespers

- Wednesday Teaching, 7:00 p.m.

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

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

- Third Hour, 9:00 a.m

- Stay & Play, downstairs in parish hall

- Paraklesis, 12:00 p.m.

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

Sunday All Saints Sunday

- Orthros, 9:00 a.m.

- Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy All Saints Sunday Sunday, May 30, 10:00 a.m.

PRIEST: Fr. Nicholas HOMILY: Fr. Nicholas

DEACONS: Dn. Tim READER: Owen White

HOLY BREAD: Margaret McKelroy USHER: Aaron White

ALTAR SERVERS: Caleb, Luke S., Misha, Alex, Jake & Joe

COFFEE HOUR: Rawad & Shanna Massouh, John Cameron

WELCOME TEAM: David Twombly and Clifford McWhorter

Churching Today

Elliott Luis Longa

Fr John’s out of town dates:

May 21-24 – Boston (Troy’s graduation)

May 28-June 5 – Florida (vacation)

June 16-20 – Jacksonville, FL (Parish Life Conference)

July 19-23 – Antiochian Village (Clergy Symposium)

COMMEMORATIONS

May 23: Michael the Confessor, bishop of Synnada; New-martyr Luke; Myrrh-bearer Mary, wife of Cleopas; translation of the relics of Leontios the wonder-worker, bishop of Rostov; Euphrosinia of Polotsk.

May 24: Venerable Stylites Simeon the younger of the Mountain of Wonders and Nikitas of Pereyaslavl-Zalesski; Martyr Meletios the Generagl (“Stratelates”) of Galatia; Vincent of Lerins.

May 25: The third discovery of the honorable head of the Forerunner. Martyr Celestine; Demetrios the myrrh-streaming.

May 26: Apostles Karpos and Alphaios of the Seventy; Sinesios, bishop; New-martyr Alexander of Thessalonika; Augustine of Canterbury, evangelizer of England.

May 27: Hieromartyrs Halladios and Therapont, bishop of Sardis; Martyr Alypios; uncovering of the relics of Neilos the Younger, stylite of Seliger Lake; John the Russian, the confessor.

May 28: Hieromartyr Eutychios, bishop of Melitene; Martyr Helikonidos of Thessalonika; Venerable Andrew; Germanos, bishop of Paris; Ignatios, bishop of Rostov.

May 29: Hieromartyr Olvian, bishop of Aneos; Venerable-martyr Theodosia of Tyre; New-martyrs Andrew and John (Nannos) of Smyrna; John of Ustug, fool-for-Christ.

May 30: Isaac, founder of the Dalmaton monastery in Constantinople; Martyrs Natalios and Barlaam of Caesarea in Cappadocia; Martyrs Eusebios and Christina.

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DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS May 23 – May 30

Sunday Acts 2:1-11 John 7:37-52, 8:12

Monday Ephesians 5:9-19 Matthew 18:10-20

Tuesday Romans 1:1-7, 13-17 Matthew 4:25-5:13

Wednesday Romans 1:18-27 Matthew 5:20-26

Thursday Romans 1:28-2:9 Matthew 5:27-32

Friday Romans 2:14-29 Matthew 5:33-41

Saturday Romans 1:7-12 Matthew 5:42-48

Sunday Hebrews 11:33-12:2 Matthew 10:32-38

- ALMS-GIVING OPPORTUNITIES –

St. John Alms Fund	St. John Camping Fund
St. John Food Pantry	St. John Seminarian Fund
St. Paul Mission Station	Rachels’ Kids, Inc.

Diocese of Miami and the Southeast Mission Fund

Michael Bittle Fund – Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

– Little Rock, AR

ST. JOHN COMMUNITY:

Catechumen/Inquirers class will meet on Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.

Today is the Great Feast of Pentecost! – We will have a potluck meal following liturgy and reassemble Sunday evening for vespers at 6:00 and the kneeling prayers of Pentecost. The following week (May 23-May30) is FAST FREE! Sunday, May 30 (this year) is known as All Saints Sunday. The next day, May 31 we begin the Apostles Fast which runs to the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul on June 29. Details of the fast follow:

The APOSTLES FAST – The traditional fasting discipline* is observed during the Apostles Fast which lasts from the Monday after All Saints Sunday through June 28th (with katalysis for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine and oil on Saturdays and Sundays).

*Refraining from eating meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil. Shellfish is traditionally permitted. It is good to moderate the amount of food we consume on these days (consider eating smaller portions) and to refrain from eating between meals.

Church School – Today was the last day of Church School for this school year.

Graduate Sunday – We will recognize our new graduates on Sunday, June 13 – more to follow.

Play ball! – Friday, May 28, Memphis Redbirds Game – Join the Teen Group at AutoZone Park for a night of baseball. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are just $7.00 each. We will be sitting in Left Field near the playground. This is a great way to enjoy a rare “fast free” Friday. Please sign up downstairs if you are interested in attending. All are welcome!

Sons of Thunder - We will be meeting on Sunday evening, the sixth of June, at 19:00 (7:00 PM) at the home of Brandon and Caitlyn Maas.  We are still discussing Nihilism by Fr. Seraphim Rose and No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy.  We also desire well-informed suggestions for our next reading.

Future Icons in the church - Several have asked about approved subjects for the remaining icons to be added in the church. There is a list available in the parish hall containing the individual saints already present in the iconography in the church, as well as those which are “approved” or under consideration.

Kroger & Schnucks cards are available in the office for those interested. Each time you use your Schnucks card or Kroger Gift Card, St. John will receive a percentage of your purchase. This is a simple way to help the church while doing an everyday activity!

ffProlife Cornerff

“You shall not slay the child by abortion.” ~The Didache (1^st Century)

Parish Life Conference in Jacksonville, FL

June 16-20

There is registration information on the Parish Life Conference (PLC) in the parish hall, as well as hotel information and souvenir journal submission forms.

Next year our parish is hosting the conference. We will need most of our parishioners to be involved in some way to adequately host our diocesan gathering. Attending this year’s conference is a great way to get prepared to assist for next year. Consider attending!

THE FIRST NORTH AMERICAN EPISCOPAL ASSEMBLY is slated to convene in New York City May 25-28, 2010. Under the chairmanship of His Eminence, Archbishop DEMETRIOS of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Assembly will bring together all canonical Orthodox hierarchs across the continent. According to our archdiocese website (http://www.antiochian.org/node/22976) more than 50 Orthodox hierarchs from North and Central America will attend the assembly.

Quoting from the archdiocese website: “The Assembly is the result of a decision taken by the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference, which met in Chambesy, Switzerland in June of 2009. This Assembly will be one of twelve convened around the world in regions where multiple Orthodox jurisdictions are present. All of the active canonical Orthodox bishops who reside in North and Central America are members of this Assembly. It is expected that all of the Antiochian Orthodox bishops will attend this most important meeting. The goal of the Assembly is to embody an active and unified witness to the Orthodox Faith.

We ask all of the faithful to pray for our hierarchs, clergy, and lay leaders who will participate in these most important meetings over the next two weeks. May they be blessed for the glorification of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, and His Holy Church.”

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Pray for our catechumens: In Memphis - Maria Cartagena, Maria Brackey, Lisa Martin, Ashley Newton, Sandy Childress, & Michael Hill. In Tupelo - Shane Davis, Leah Hardy, Adam Clay, Casey & Jessica Hardy (Davis). In Hernando – Donald Estes. In Henning – Bobby Johnson, John Kearney, & Richard McKeal.

Please remember in your prayers: His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN, Dn. Sidney & Sh. Mary Elliott and family, 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, Joyce Bittle, Marjo Labonte (pregnant), Mindy Williams (pregnant), Kh. Jeanette (pregnant), Kim Hilal (pregnant), Gigi Sliger (pregnant), Ann Hicks (Dianna Hildebrand’s mother), Sue Ingram, Charles Ingram, Ted & Patty Greathouse (Shelley Snowden’s parents), June Peeples (Sarah Hodges’ mother), 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), Janet Berry (Joel Berry’s mother), and Lydia Banicescu (Tupelo).

NEW ADDITIONS TO ST. JOHN LIBRARY !!!

Look around St. John Library and you’ll see many new titles. So many, in fact, that this is only a partial list. You will notice that it includes several of Charles Dickens’s works. They add to the small fiction section which features titles of Russian and western authors whose works reflect Orthodox values. You will also see titles that add to the corporate worship section with copies of the major, daily services of the church, such as Vespers and the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. All of these books listed as well as the others are on display on the book cart and the top of the reference shelves.

PARTIAL LIST: Abba Isaac the Syrian, Beauty and Hesychia in Athonite Life, C.S. Lewis at the Breakfast Table, The Calendar Question, Canterbury Tales, Christ: the Eternal Tao, The Complete Father Brown, An Englishman in the Court of the Tsar, Free Choice in St. Maximus the Confessor, The Life and Sufferings of St.Katherine, Little Dorrit, Oliver Twist, Orthodox Psychotherapy, Our Mutual Friend, Saint Thikhon of Zadonsk, A Tale of Two Cities, Tchaikovsky,

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This week we honor three saints who are on opposing ends of the spectrum of success in the world’s eyes. The Venerable Bede (5/27) was raised and educated in monasteries. He was ordained as a deacon at age 19 and a priest at 30. Tradition tells a story of his great love of the services of the Church. He believed that he should attend every service since the angels were present also. “What if they do not find me among the brethren when they assemble?” he asked. “Will they not say, ‘Where is Bede?’ ” He is well-known for his biblical commentary, hagiography and church history of England.

St. John the Russian (5/27) was a soldier under Tsar Peter I. He was captured by the Tatars and lived the rest of his life as a slave of the Muslim Turks. At first he suffered because of his refusal to deny Christ, but gradually his firm but gentle words softened his captor’s soul. He worked hard to please him and, consequently, incurred the anger of his fellow captives. However, he won them over by repaying their anger with kindness. His intercessions are asked by travelers and those transporting goods.

Saturday, we commemorate the repose of Blessed John of Ustug, the Fool-for-Christ. From his youth, he kept a strict fast, eating nothing on Wednesdays and Fridays and bread and water the other days. He began his asceticism by keeping silence and then embraced the life of a holy fool.

Happening at St. John:

Wednesday night teachings:

May 26 – The service of vespers – part 3 – Fr John

June 2 – Modesty – Fr Nikolai

(an excellent talk – don’t miss this! ~Fr. John)

June 9 – Byzantium – part 1 – an excellent film

June 16 – No teaching – Fr John and Fr Nikolai are at the PLC

June 23 – Byzantium – part 2

June 30 – Byzantium – part 3

St. John Summer Pool Parties

Are Back!!!

June 14 July 26 August 7

It’s time again for the St. John Summer Potluck Pool Parties at the Rhodes College pool. Bring your own meat, or vegetarian equivalent, and drinks (no alcohol, please) along with a side or dessert to share. There will be grills available for use if you wish.

Baby Shower for Marjo Labonte

June 6 at 12:00

No. 2 Vance Ave.

No. 2 Vance is “a room with a view”~ a place for receptions, parties, etc overlooking the Mississippi River. It is located at No.2 Vance & Wagner on the backside of an old warehouse.

Marjo is registered at Babies-R-Us, Target, & landofnod.com

Please contact Claire Van Drimmelen if you would like to contribute to the group gift:

Antiochian Women of St. John Calendar

AWSJ Crafts Club

Monday, May 24, 7:00 p.m., Margaret McKelroy’s home

AWSJ First Friday Brown Bag Lunch

June 4 – Bring your lunch and join us following

Sixth Hour prayers

Baby Shower for Marjo Labonte

June 6^th, 12:00 p.m. at No. 2 Vance.

Upcoming Book Club Titles

June 7th, 7:00 p.m. – Sarah Hodges’ Front Porch

We will be discussing My Life in France by Julia Child

July 12^th – The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge

September 13^th – Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Women’s Teaching

Summer Dates: June 10, July 8, & August 5

Next Meeting - Thursday, June 10^th at 10:00 a.m., Anne Dugan’s home.

From the Fathers

“The role of Christians in the world is to filter the atmosphere on earth and expand the atmosphere of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

~Elder Thaddeus

“In their inexperience, many believe that one or another saint performed a miracle, but I have learned that it is the Holy Spirit residing in a person who performs the miracle. The Lord hopes that we will all be saved and be with Him eternally, and for that reason He listens to the prayers of a sinner for the good of others and for the one who prays.”

~St. Silouan

“When a Christian exercises watchful care, he heals his soul and does not allow it to be lost . . . Do not let your soul go astray in matter, in the corruptible things of the world. Life has no value if we do not take care of the soul. Therefore, do not let yourselves go astray and lose your soul. Read carefully the Gospels, because these were written with the Grace and the glory of God, to be read by the faithful that their life might shine.”

~St. Raphael Of Lesvos

“Whoever carries within himself the peace of the Holy Spirit brings peace to others as well; and who carries with him an evil spirit brings evil to others. The soul that has experienced God wishes always to see Him within itself, for He enters quietly, and brings peace to the soul, and witnesses salvation without words.”

~St. Silouan the Athonite