Sunday, August 31, 2014

Bulletin for 31 August 2014--the 12th Sunday after Pentecost


SAINT JOSEPH THE BETROTHED

Melkite-Greek Catholic CHURCH

725 W. Mt. Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910                             517-575-6264

FMailing Address:  921 Westover Circle, Lansing, MI 48917E

Website:  www.MelkiteChurch.org            Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MelkiteChurchLansing

Rev. Father James K. Graham, Pastor                                    frjamie@earthlink.net

Rev. Protodeacon Joseph Daratony                                                              248-719-5169

Phone or email Fr James with items for the bulletin by Thursday night.

 

Kontakion of the Cincture of the Theotokos (Tone 2)

O Mother of God, the cincture that encircled your body that had borne the Son of God is for us an object of glory, a treasure abundant in grace.  You are the Mother of God, the only ever-virgin mother.

 

31 August 2014—12th Sunday after Pentecost.  Placement of the Cincture of the Theotokos in Calcoprateia.  (Tone 3)

Readings    Apostolos:  Hebrews 9:1-7                                                                               Gospel:  Matthew 19:16-26

10:30 am  Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am         Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Fr Albert Wehby, Jason Bowman, Sarah Katherine Bateh, Michel Skouri, Samira El-Chaer, Awatef Chahine, Raymond Rashid, Ann Rashid, Bonita Saba, Griffin Barna, Jim Covello, David Georges, Elias Atallah, Ralph Farhat, Robert Kuri, Nick Nakfoor, Pam Nakfoor, Isaac Salim, Iva Butler, Wayne Gowdy, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey Andrews, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Michael Maslowski, Clay Thomas, Michael Harmuth, Elias Haggar, Dn. Joe Daratony, Fr John Leonard, Fr Joseph Haggar, Fr James Babcock; in memory of George Kossaifi (Metri & Jacqueline Souri), Louis Zarka (Bishara & Florence Gedeon), John Rashid (Simone Ayoub), Archimandrite Januarius Izzo, OFM, Vicki Lynn Bailey, and Patricia Graham (3rd anniversary by Fr James).

6 September 2014—No Great Vespers. 

7 September 2014— Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God.  Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  Holy Martyr Sozon.  (Tone 4)

Readings    Apostolos:  Philippians 2:5-11                                                                                   Gospel:  John 3:13-17

10:30 am  Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am         Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Louis Zarka (Joe Bulos), John Rashid (Mr & Mrs Raef Rahme), Abdallah Haggar and William M. Graham (22nd anniversary by Fr James).

Troparia and Kontakion for Today

  1. Troparion of the Resurrection, in Tone 3, Liturgikon, page 185.
  2. Troparion of Cincture of the Theotokos, in Tone 8.
  3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
  4. Kontakion of the Cincture of the Theotokos, in Tone 2.

Our Offerings to the Lord

The collection taken in the Liturgy is part of our worship.  We offer the Lord our lives, our prayers, our gifts of bread and wine, and our financial gifts.  Last Sunday, about 85 people attended the Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $1469 in the ordinary collection and $125 for liturgy offerings, $12 for the bookstore, $150 for the Church School, and $34.00 for candles.  Not everyone can make an equal gift, but everyone can make an equal sacrifice.  Please make a generous sacrifice to support your church in proportion to the many blessings God has given you.

 

Meetings

Ladies Society.  Tuesday 2 September, 7 pm in the parish hall.

Parish Pastoral Council.  Wednesday 10 September, 7 pm in the parish hall.

 

Many Thanks to All who Helped with Parish Work Day

We are very grateful to all those who came out on Saturday to work at the church, weeding, trimming bushes, patching holes in walls and ceilings, cleaning storage spaces, sewing, and preparing for the Fall Food Festival.  Many hands make light work, and also make our church look good.

 

Memory Eternal:  George Kossaifi

Dr George Kossaifi, brother-in-law of Metri Souri, husband of Matilda Souri, slept in the Lord after a brief illness with cancer.  He was 68 years old and had worked for the UN in Lebanon for over 40 years.  Our condolences to Metri and all his family.  May God have mercy on the soul of his departed servant George, and may his memory be eternal!

 

Patriarch Asks for Prayers and Fasting for Safety in the Middle East

His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III has called all Melkites to increased “prayer and fasting, starting in September [the beginning of the Church year], for the safety and security of all our people and our countries, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Gaza, and Egypt.”  His Beatitude’s request came during the historic visit of five Patriarchs to Arbel in north Iraq on 20 August 2014 to show support for the beleaguered Assyrian Christian community and to call attention to the cultural genocide that is being committed against Christians by the Islamic State.  Joining His Beatitude Gregorios III in visiting and praying with the Christian refugees were Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Moran Mor Ephrem II Karim, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Lous Rafael Sako, and Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan.  Patriarch Gregorios said “this tragedy needs prayer and fasting.”

 

Parish Council Election Postponed for Lack of Candidates

Because only one person has agreed to be nominated and four seats on the Parish Pastoral Council must be filled to replace members whose terms have expired, the election has been postponed for one month so that more candidates can be found.  Any registered, supporting parishioner over the age of 21 may serve on the Council.  The Council represents the people, voicing their opinions about the operations of the local church.  Attendance at the monthly meeting is the minimum requirement—about three hours a month.  Council members are also expected to take on other responsibilities, according to their time and talents.  Being a Council member does not necessarily take a lot of time away from your family and other commitments.  Dalida Raad and Edward Eid are the nominating committee.  To run, or to nominate someone, as long as he or she agrees, please inform Ed or Dalida.

 

Prayer at State Capitol, Saturday 6 September

A Solemn Prayer Assembly will be held on the State  Capitol Steps on Saturday 6 September from 2to 4 pm to pray for grace & guidance:

  • To safeguard and protect vulnerable humanity—from conception through death
  • To restore marriage as God’s institution and its gifts to civilization
  • To restore Religious Freedom under God and end the persecution of people everywhere because of their faith
    We are invited to join concerned Michigan citizens to pray for God’s grace, counsel, and blessings for Life, Marriage & Family, and Religious Freedom.  Su Butler will coordinate participation from St Joseph Church.  Contact her if you would like to attend or if you have any questions.
     

“Voices Across the Divide” Will be Shown on 12 September

The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is one of the most prominent and hotly-debated issues in the U.S. today.  Powerful forces and organizations control our access to objective information about the conflict.  If you would like to explore a forgotten people’s history and better understand one of the most complex conflicts of our time, come to St. Joseph’s at 6 pm on Friday 12 September to view and discuss the documentary film “Voices Across the Divide” by Dr. Alice Rothchild & Sharon Mullally.  The free program will begin with dinner presented by the Al-Bassa Community of Lansing.  After supper, from 7 to 8 pm, the film will be shown, and from 8 to 9 pm there will be a question and answer session with Nimer Haddad, one of those interviewed in the film.  Be sure to invite friends, co-workers, and others who might be interested.  For more details about the film go to www.Voicesacrossthe divide.com

 

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