Christ is Risen!

5th SUNDAY OF PASCHA-THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
Matins Gospel #7: St. John 20:1-10
Liturgy: Acts 11:19-26, 29-30; St. John 4: 42-51

THIS WEEK:
Wednesday – 6 p.m. Vespers, followed by class on Orthodoxy

GREEK FEST 2012
Friday, May 18, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
DRIVE THRU LUNCH
Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 20, 12 noon – 6 p.m.
Greek Food & Pastries, Live Greek Music & Dancing,
Greek Market Place, Children Activities
Greek Orthodox Church
5725 Pear Orchard Rd. at Old Canton Rd.
(across from Christ United Methodist Church)
Jackson, MS.
greekfestjackson.org
601-355-6325

NEXT SUNDAY our ladies are invited to a bridal shower for Heidi Robinson during coffee hour. Heidi is registered at Amazon, Belk, and Target.

FROM FR. PAUL: With the blessing of Archbishop Nikon and Archbishop Benjamin of the OCA Diocese of the West, Matushka and I will leave Saturday for southern California. Next Sunday I will speak at a banquet of the Holy Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Simi Valley, CA., and we will stay the rest of next week as guests of Victoria Salwa Anis. Salwa and her late husband Onssy were among the founders of our church and were a great support to us in our first year here, then they moved to California. We have kept in touch over the years and she persuaded her priest to invite me to speak and have a visit there. Fr. Matthew will serve here next weekend. If a priest is needed call him. If you can’t get him, call Fr. John Henderson or Fr. Andrew Koufopoulos. You should be able to reach me by phone or email. We will return Saturday May 26.

BISHOP NIKON, our locum tenens, was elevated to Archbishop by the Holy Synod at their meeting this week and will be commemorated accordingly in our services. Many Years to him! Read more about the Holy Synod meeting here:

http://oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-concludes-spring-session

COLLECTIONS last Sunday, the first in May, were $3,228.27. Out monthly budget goal is $9,500.

ARCHIMANDRITE GERASIM, one of the candidates proposed by the Episcopal Search Committee of the Diocese of the South, will be with us for Vespers and discussion on Thursday, June 7. Read a detailed report on the search for our next bishop by our Chancellor, Fr. Marcus Burch, at

http://dosoca.org/files/esc/Background-and-History.FinalC.pdf

RECEIPTS were sent recently to those who made an identifiable contribution January through March. If you did not get one or there is an error please contact Fr. Paul. Here is a profile of our contributions for the quarter: We have 60 households or individuals who are members and come regularly, that is we see them at least once a month. Of these, 42 made some identifiable contribution during the quarter. Their average per month breaks down as follows:
$500 or more 8
$250 to $499 4
$100 to $249 12
$50 to $99 10
$1 to $50 8
18 made no identifiable contribution.

LOOKING AHEAD:
May 18-20 – Greek Fest at Holy Trinity Church
May 20 – Bridal Shower for Heidi Robinson during Coffee Hour
May 19-26 – Yergers in California
May 24 – Ascension
June 3 – Pentecost
June 4-5 Deanery Clergy Meeting, Denison, TX
June 7 – Archimandrite Gerasim here
June 10 – Marriage of Heidi Robinson and John Orcutt
June 11-28 Apostles’ Fast
June 29 – Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
July 16-20 – Diocese of the South Assembly, Miami

Christ is Risen!

4th SUNDAY OF PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC
Righteous Job the Long-Suffering
Matins Gospel #4: St. Luke 24:1-12
Liturgy: Acts 9: 32-42; St. John 5: 1-15

TODAY 3:30 p.m. – Marriage of Ashley Melancon and Matthew Prewitt. All members are invited to the wedding and reception following at Mississippi College.

THIS WEEK:
Wednesday – 6 p.m. Vespers, followed by class on Orthodoxy
Saturday – 4:00 p.m. Church School

CHILDREN should not be allowed to leave the services alone and go outside or elsewhere in the buildings, especially at night. Clinton is a relatively safe place, but still, this is an unsafe practice and puts the whole church at risk.

OUR GRADUATES: Julian Kebede and Bethlehem Negosh were graduated last weekend at Jackson State University, Julian with a B.S. in Engineering, and Bethlehem with a B.S. in Chemistry. Ashley Melancon was graduated yesterday at Mississippi College with a B.S. in Social Work. On May 12, Heidi Robinson will be graduated at Mississippi State University with a B.F.A. in Fine Art Photography and a minor in Geoscience. Elizabeth Rustom will be graduated at Pillow Academy in Greenwood this week. If there are other graduates, let Fr. Paul know.

GREEK FEST 2012
Friday, May 18, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
DRIVE THRU LUNCH
Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 20, 12 noon – 6 p.m.
Greek Food & Pastries, Live Greek Music & Dancing,
Greek Market Place, Children Activities
Greek Orthodox Church
5725 Pear Orchard Rd. at Old Canton Rd.
(across from Christ United Methodist Church)
Jackson, MS.
greekfestjackson.org
601-355-6325

MOTHER CHRISTOPHORA’S visit to McComb has been postponed because of the illness of her brother-in-law. We will let you know when it is rescheduled.

COLLECTIONS last Sunday were $1,673.75, bringing our April total to $10,340.65.

ARCHIMANDRITE GERASIM, one of the candidates proposed by the Episcopal Search Committee of the Diocese of the South, will be with us for Vespers and discussion on Thursday, June 7. Read a detailed report on the search for our next bishop by our Chancellor, Fr. Marcus Burch, at

http://dosoca.org/files/esc/Background-and-History.FinalC.pdf

LOOKING AHEAD:
May 12, Church School, 4 p.m.
May 18-20 – Greek Fest at Holy Trinity Church
May 20 – Bridal Shower for Heidi Robinson during Coffee Hour
May 19-25 – Yergers in California
May 24 – Ascension
June 3 – Pentecost
June 4-5 Deanery Clergy Meeting, Denison, TX
June 7 – Archimandrite Gerasim here
June 10 – Marriage of Heidi Robinson and John Orcutt
June 11-28 Apostles’ Fast
June 29 – Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
July 16-20 – Diocese of the South Assembly, Miami

MARRIAGE, FLESHLY LOVE, is a very great sacrament and mystery. Through it is accomplished the most real and at the same time the most mysterious of all possible forms of human relationship. And, qualitatively, marriage enables us to pass beyond all the normal rules of human relationship and to enter a region of the miraculous, the superhuman. In fleshly love, besides its intrinsic value as such, God has granted the world a share in His omnipotence: man creates man, a new soul is brought into being.
- Fr. Alexander Elchaninov (d. 1934)

April 29, 2012

Christ is Risen!

3rd SUNDAY OF PASCHA – HOLY MYRRHBEARERS

Matins Gospel #3: St. Mark 16: 9-20

Liturgy: Acts 6:1-7; St. Mark 15: 43-16:8

TODAY FOLLOWING LITURGY: Memorial Service for Bassam Khalaf.

THIS WEEK:

Wednesday – 6 p.m. Vespers, followed by class on Orthodoxy

CLINTON PASTORS will observe the National Day of Prayer with a prayer service this Thursday, May 3, at 12:20 p.m. in front of the Clinton City Hall,  300 Jefferson St.

NEXT SUNDAY – 3:30 p.m.  – Marriage of Ashley Melancon and Matthew Prewitt. All members are invited to the wedding and reception following at Mississippi College.

CHILDREN should not be allowed to leave the services alone and go outside or elsewhere in the buildings, especially at night. Clinton is a relatively safe place, but still, this is an unsafe practice and puts the whole church at risk.

CONGRATULATIONS to Julian and Bethlehem, who were graduated at Jackson State University yesterday, Julian with a B.S. in Engineering, and Bethlehem with a B.S. in Chemistry. Ashley will be graduated Saturday with a B.S. in Social Work. If there are other graduates, let Fr. Paul know.

MOTHER CHRISTOPHORA, Abbess of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, will speak at Christ the Saviour Church in McComb Saturday, May 12. . Her talks with be on the topic: Bringing Orthodoxy to America: The Role of Monasticism. The schedule will be:

1:15 p.m. – 1st Talk, Q & A.

2:30 p.m. – Break

3:00 p.m. – 2nd Talk, informal discussion

5:00 p.m. – Pizza Supper

6:00 p.m. – Great Vespers

There is no charge to attend the talks, but donations will be taken to cover Mother’s travel expenses and to make an offering to her monastery. For those arriving early, around noon there will be an  informal, BYOL (“bring your own lunch”) meal beforehand. Mother will also be at Divine Liturgy in McComb on Sunday morning and may also speak informally at coffee hour. For those who may wish to spend Saturday night in McComb, both Hampton Inn and Ramada have offered special discount rates.  For more information contact Fr. Benedict Crawford at frbenedict@cableone.net He also asks that you email and let him know you are coming for planning purposes.

GREEK FEST 2012 will be May 18-20 at Holy Trinity & St. John Greek Orthodox Church. For more info see www.greekfestjackson.org or call 601-355-6325.

SPECIAL DAYS

4/23, Genevieve Chittom, birthday

4/23, Georgia Dennery, Ryan Varner, nameday, Holy Martyr George

4/25, Ray Varner, birthday

4/25, Mark Robinson, Mark Menzik, nameday, Evangelist Mark

4/26, Georgia Dennery, birthday

4/26, Ella Long, birthday

4/26, Stacey Pittman, birthday

4/29, Charles Haddad, birthday

Coming Week:

4/30, Charles Dennery, Ed James, Jonah Kalil, birthday

5/1, Oksana Mahecha, birthday

5/4, Bill Smith, nameday, Martyr Florian

5/5, Eirene Robinson, nameday, Great Martyr Irene

If any dates are missing or incorrect, notify Fr. Paul.

LOOKING AHEAD:

May 12, Church School, 4 p.m.

May 12-13 – Mother Christophora speaks in McComb

May 18-20 – Greek Fest at Holy Trinity Church

May 19-25 – Yergers in California

May 24 – Ascension

June 3 – Pentecost

June 4-5 Deanery Clergy Meeting, Denison, TX

June 10 – Marriage of Heidi Robinson and John Orcutt

June 11-28 Apostles’ Fast

June 29 – Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

July 16-20 – Diocese of the South Assembly, Miami

SICK: Presvytera Stavroula Matos, Bettendorf, IA, recovering from heart bypass surgery; Kathy Eldridge (Amanda Helmintoller’s mother); Bishop Nikon; Terry Bouchillon; Charles and Vivian Haddad; Lorena Hunsinger; Tony Varner, Sam Leonard, Yousef Rustom, Hilda Rustom

OUR MILITARY: Paul Ellis, Afghanistan; David Romine, Ft. Hood, TX; Adam Lewis, Gulfport; Sam Boyd, Virginia; Andy Robinson, US Naval Academy; Michael Cole, Camp LeJeune, NC

IF HE WAS NOT GOD, who smashed the gates of Hades and tore apart its bonds? And at whose command did the imprisoned dead come out? If he was not flesh, whom did the Apostles see in the upper room? And if he was not God, how did he enter when the doors were shut? If he was not flesh, in whose hands and side did Thomas handle the marks of the nails and the lance? And if he was not God, to whom did Thomas cry out, “My Lord and my God”? If he was not flesh, who ate by the sea of Tiberias? And if he was not God, at whose command was the net filled? If he was not flesh, whom did the Apostles and Angels see being taken up into heaven? And if he was not God, to whom was heaven opened, whom did the Powers worship in fear and whom did the Father invite to “Sit at my right hand”. As David said, “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, etc.” If he was not God and man, our salvation is a lie, and the words of the Prophets are lies. – St. Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373)

Christ is Risen!
2nd SUNDAY OF PASCHA – ST. THOMAS
Matins Gospel #1: St. Mathew 28:16-20
Liturgy: Acts 5:12-20; St. John 20:19-31

TODAY:
PAUL (NOAH) HELMINTOLLER, who was baptized Holy Saturday, will be tonsured and churched before Liturgy.
FOLLOWING LITURGY: Memorial Service for Ann Fisher and Helen Haddad
DURING COFFEE HOUR our ladies are invited to a bridal shower for Ashley Melancon in the Library

THIS WEEK:
Wednesday – 6 p.m. Vespers, followed by class on Orthodoxy
Thursday – 6:30 p.m. Parish Council

WE BLESSED GRAVES in the Clinton Cemetery yesterday evening. If you want graves blessed in other cemeteries speak to Fr. Paul to set a time.

PASCHAL LETTER OF METROPOLITAN JONAH may be read at http://oca.org/holy-synod/statements/metropolitan-jonah/pascha-2012

SHRINKING POPULATION OF CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND will be the subject of 60 Minutes this Sunday, April 22, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. CDT. You can also see it at
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml.

LOOKING AHEAD:
May 4-6 – St. Peter’s Church, Madison, 25th Anniversary Celebration
May 6 – Marriage of Ashley Melancon and Matthew Prewitt
May 12, Church School, 4 p.m.
May 12-13 – Mother Christophora speaks in McComb
May 19-25 – Yergers in California
May 24 – Ascension
June 3 – Pentecost
June 4-5 Deanery Clergy Meeting, Denison, TX
June 10 – Marriage of Heidi Robinson and John Orcutt
June 11-28 Apostles’ Fast
June 29 – Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
July 16-20 – Diocese of the South Assembly, Miami

LETTER FROM FATHER PAUL

Christ is Risen! I am reluctant to preach or write about Pascha. It is such an awesome mystery and we have heard so much about it in the scriptures and the services that I feel there is nothing I could add. But sometimes a personal word is also in order.
This was a wonderful Pascha in terms of how smoothly and beautifully everything was done and how many people participated. I recognize that the Holy Week and Pascha services represent a lot of work by many people. I am not going to name names for fear of omitting someone, but certainly the singers, altar servers, those who prepared food and set up for meals, those who cleaned everywhere and adorned the Temple, those who came to the services when it was difficult to do so, and many others contributed to the joy of it all. You know who you are. May the Lord reward you.
One of the joys of a priest which he cannot share is hearing confessions. I heard nearly 70 of them this Lent and Holy Week. They are tiring and often saddening but also very encouraging in that they make me aware of how many people are not just here to enjoy a pretty service but are truly praying and struggling, even if they often fail, to love God and their neighbors and keep the commandments of Christ. For this I give thanks and pray for them to our merciful Lord.
Pascha is about the Resurrection of Christ but also about our Resurrection, not just after we die, but day by day as we die to our old selves, our old habits and reactions, old resentments and loves for things that cannot satisfy us, and embrace the new life, the risen life given us in Jesus Christ. In Lent many of us made a special effort to hear this call to a different life. Our challenge is to continue this process now, by serious prayer, by attendance at the services, confession and communion, and by being watchful of our habits, reactions, relationships, and desires, in union with Jesus, who shares our suffering and temptations and is victorious over them and shows us the new and risen Life that we too can live.
You have taken leave of your old self and have begun a new life, with a new destination and a new way of living. Arise, therefore, without fear and say: Lord, let me begin now. Help me! – Tito Colliander, The Way of the Ascetics

HOLY PASCHA!
Midnight Divine Liturgy:
Acts 1:1-8; St. John 1:1-17

PASCHAL VESPERS AND PICNIC will be at Holy Resurrection today (Sunday) at 4 p.m.

PASTOR’S NOTE – In time past we exchanged personal greetings during the Paschal Antiphons, when we sing, Let us embrace each other… etc. In recent years I have not done this. We Southerners are temperamentally incapable of just saying Christ is Risen! to each other without its turning into a loud general conversation, and with the number of people we have now it got so loud and long and raucous that it was inappropriate in the Temple. This week someone requested we again have such a time to greet each other. Tonight let us try a greeting time outside after the Procession after I say Christ is Risen! Just please stop it when I intone Glory to the Consubstantial to start Matins. — Fr. Paul

THIS WEEK:
Monday – Paschal Divine Liturgy 7:00 a.m. After the Liturgy we will read four Resurrection Gospels outside the Temple.
Wednesday – Paschal Vespers 6 p.m.
Saturday – Church School for Children and Adults 4 p.m.

NEXT SUNDAY our ladies are invited to a bridal shower for Ashley Melancon during Coffee Hour.

NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED HOLY SATURDAY:
Paul (Noah) Helmintoller, son of Amanda and Micah, and Ruth (Ashley) Melancon. Paul’s patron is the Holy Apostle Paul and his sponsors are Mark Menzik and Claudia Morris. Ruth’s patron is the Holy Ancestor of the Lord Ruth and her sponsor is Hannah Morris.

ANNA FISHER, a founder of Holy Resurrection, fell asleep in the Lord April 11 in Pearisburg, VA. She and her husband Carl, who fell asleep August 9, gave unsparingly of their labor and resources to help our little church get started. We will sing a Panikhida for her next Sunday. Read an obituary here:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSlh=1&GRid=88420529&

FRANKIE (EFROSINI) TATTIS, long time member of Holy Trinity and St. John Church, and friend and benefactor of Holy Resurrection, fell asleep in the Lord early Wednesday morning. Her funeral will be on Monday, April 16th, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity-Saint John the Theologian Church with Father Andrew Koufopoulos and Father Paul. Visitation will take place Sunday evening 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson. The Trisagion prayer service will take place at 7:30 p.m. The Makaria (Mercy Meal) will take place at Holy Trinity after the interment.

PASCHAL HOURS sheets are in the narthex. I recommend that you use these in place of the Psalms in your daily prayers during Bright Week. You can also download them at
http://www.holyres.net/holyres/paschal_hours.pdf – Fr. Paul

LOOKING AHEAD:
April 26 – Parish Council meets
May 5-6 – St. Peter’s Church, Madison, 25th Anniversary Celebration
May 6 – Marriage of Ashley Melancon and Matthew Prewitt
May 12, Church School, 4 p.m.
May 12-13 – Mother Christophora speaks in McComb
May 19-25 – Yergers in California
May 24 – Ascension
June 3 – Pentecost
June 4-5 Deanery Clergy Meeting, Denison, TX
June 10 – Marriage of Heidi Robinson and John Orcutt
June 11-28 Apostles’ Fast
June 29 – Holy Apostle Peter and Paul
July 16-20 – Diocese of the South Assembly, Miami