Bulletin for 7 September 2014--Sunday before the Holy Cross; Celebration of the Nativity of the Mother of God

ST 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

www.MelkiteChurch.org   /   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.

 

Troparion of the Nativity of the Theotokos (Tone 4)

Your nativity, O Mother of God, heralded joy to the whole universe, for from you

rose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God.  Taking away the curse,

He imparted the blessings, and by abolishing death, He gave us everlasting life.

 

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 for the health and salvation of Jeoffrey deSpelder (Birthday), Eleanora Lindo, 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, Fr Albert Wehby; in memory of Louis Zarka (Joe Bulos), John Rashid (Mr & Mrs Raef Rahme), Abdallah Haggar and William M. Graham (22^nd anniversary by Fr James).

13 September 2014—No Great Vespers.  Veneration of the Holy Cross at Parish Family Hayride & Cookout.

14 September 2014—The Exaltation of the Holy & Lifegiving Cross.  (Tone 3)

Readings    Apostolos:  1 Cor. 1:18-24                                     Gospel:  John 19:6-35

10:30 am  Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am         Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Louis Zarka (Nick & Kay Nakfoor), John Rashid (Mr & Mrs Adel Badawi), and Margaret Powell (Fr James).

Troparia and Kontakion for Today

1. Troparion of the Resurrection, in Tone 4, Liturgikon, page 187.
2. Troparion of the Nativity of the Theotokos, in Tone 4, p. 221.
3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
4. Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos, in Tone 4, p. 221.
   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 90 people attended the Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $971 in the ordinary collection, $20 for liturgy offerings, $195 reimbursement from the Bishop’s Appeal, and $44 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
   NAMY.  Sunday 14 September, 6 pm in the parish hall.
   Parish Pastoral Council.  Wednesday 17 September, 7 pm in the parish hall.
   Hayride, Veneration of Holy Cross, Cookout on Saturday
   Thanks to the generous hospitality of Chuck Rahall, we will begin our celebration of the Feast of the Precious and Lifegiving Cross with a family hayride and cookout at his farm, 15161 Turner Road in DeWitt, next Saturday, 13 September, from 4 to 7 pm.  After the hayride and before supper, we will have the service of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, in which the blessing of the Holy Cross is given to the four directions and thus to the whole world.  Hotdogs and marshmallows will be provided; bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and a dish to pass.
   “Voices Across the Divide” Showing this Friday
   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
   Patriarch Asks for Prayer & Fasting for Middle East Safety
   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 Set for 12 October
   Four seats on the Parish Pastoral Council must be filled to replace members whose terms have expired.  The election will be held on Sunday 12 October.  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.
   Watch for Important Letter:  Your Help Needed
   Everyone should be receiving an important letter from Fr James this week.  It outlines the Parish Pastoral Council’s plan for putting a much-needed new roof on St Joseph Church.  The Diocesan Finance Council has lent us $25,000 for the job, and your financial help is needed to pay back the loan by 31 December 2016.  A pledge form will accompany the letter.  Please fill in the amount you will be able to contribute to the project over the next two years and return it to the parish office.  One-tenth of the cost--$2500—has already been pledged by one parishioner, who will pay $100 a month for 25 months.  To answer your questions, parishioners will be calling on people in the coming weeks.  Please be generous to pay for our new roof!
   Tell Your Friends!  Fall Food Festival on Friday 19 Sept.
   St Joseph’s Ladies Society will present the Fall Food Festival for one day only, Friday 19 September.  The doors will be open from 11 am to 8 pm.  The menu will feature a Kafta Plate and a Mujadara Plate, as well as an wide assortment of mouth-watering homemade pastries.  Bring your family and friends and co-workers, and invite someone who hasn’t been to our Food Festival before!