Bulletin for 23 August 2015--13th 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.

Troparion of the Dormition of the Theotokos(Tone 1)

In giving birth you have preserved your virginity, and in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.

You have passed to life, being the Mother of Life.

Through your intercession, save our souls from death.

 

23 August 2015—13th Sunday after Pentecost.  Leave-taking of the Dormition.  Holy Martyr Luppus, Holy Hieromartyr Irenaios of Lyons.  (Tone 4)

Readings    Apostolos:  1 Corinthians 16:13-24                                                                             Gospel:  Matthew 21:33-42

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Elias Atallah, Leila Abdallah, Cameron Maldonado, Nawal, Zaina, Gary, Paul Keriotis, Charlotte Senno, Fares Eid, Maroun Daher, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, Max, Angel, Simone, Mikayla Slocum, Awatef Chahine, Raymond Rashid, Theresa Ramsey, Bonita Saba, Griffin Barna, Jim Covello, David Georges, Ralph Farhat, Robert Kuri, Pam Nakfoor, Isaac Salim, Iva Butler, Alessandra, BJ & Liz, Cam, Janice, Jeanne, Wayne, Lucy Palmer, Kelsey, Kathleen Edwards, Edgar & Katherine Fickenscher, Kamal & Eugenie Neimat, Clay Thomas, Michael Maslowski, Elaine & Eva-Genevieve Scarborough, Antonio Carvalho, Elias Haggar, Marie Dahdouh, Dn. Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Joseph Haggar, Fr Damon Geiger, Fr James Babcock, Fr Basil Samra, Fr Maximos, Dn. Robert Spencer, Dn. Daniel Klockowski; in memory of Samira Khouri Jadah (Naemi Badawi), Bashar Jameel, Nickolas Nakfoor (Michael Skouri), Louis Zarka (Dr & Mrs Michael Raad), Vicki Bailey, and Protodeacon Paul Lawler.

29 August 2015—Great Vespers, 6 pm.

30 August 2015—14^th Sunday after Pentecost.  Holy Fathers Alexander, John, and Paul the Latter, Archbishops of Constantinople.  (Tone 5)

Readings    Apostolos:  2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4                                                                               Gospel:  Matthew 22:2-14

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Patricia Graham (4 years, by Fr James), Bashar Jameel, Samira Khouri Jadah, Nickolas Nakfoor (Cynthia Adado), and Louis Zarka (Dr & Mrs Michael Raad).

Music for Today

1. Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone 4, Liturgikon, page 187.
2. Troparion of the Dormition, in Tone 1, p. 243.
3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
4. Kontakion of the Dormition, in Tone 2, page 243.
    
   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 $1676 in the ordinary collection, $22 for candles, $20 for liturgies, $195 for our Church School, and $675 in new roof pledges.  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.
   Our Lady’s Society Meets 1 September; “Ask Abouna” Night
   Our Lady’s Society will meet at 7 pm on Tuesday 1 September in the parish hall.  The program will feature Fr James in “Ask Abouna”—your chance to ask about our Faith, our Church, the Bible, and so on.  Bring your questions and Fr James will answer them as well as he can.
   Parish Council Will Install New Members at September Meeting
   The Parish Pastoral Council will meet on Tuesday 8 September at 6:30 pm, immediately following Great Vespers for the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God (5 pm).  In addition to regular business, the Council will welcome and install new members Natalie Hazel and Piere Khouri.  Because only Natalie and Piere agreed to run as candidates for the Council, and because three candidates were needed for an election, Fr James cancelled the election and appointed Natalie and Piere to serve three-year terms.  Many thanks to them for their willingness to serve the community on the Parish Pastoral Council!
   Congratulations to New NAMY Officers
   Congratulations to the new officers of St Joseph’s NAMY, elected on Monday evening:  Elison Daher (President), Yusif Kamil (Vice-President), and Athraa Kamil (Secretary/Treasurer).  May God bless them to fulfill their responsibilities with the help of all the members and advisors.
   NAMY Works (For You)
   The members of our NAMY group are available to work for you!  Yard work, house work, garage cleaning, window washing—whatever projects you need help with.  Even a private violin concert.  This is a fundraising project; all proceeds will go into the NAMY bank account, not to the individuals doing the work.  The minimum rate is $15 per hour.  NAMY members will have a sign-up sheet available next Sunday, or contact any youth group member today.
   Did You Like the NAMY T-Shirt?  You Can Order One
   A number of people have asked if we have any more of the t-shirts printed for the NAMY Conference, showing a Cross and the name of our parish on the front of the shirt.  We do still have a very few NAMY shirts, and we are accepting orders for more t-shirts (which will not have the NAMY Conference printing on the back).  The cost for each shirt will be $15.  To order shirts, give your name, contact information, shirt size, and number of shirts you want to Fr James or to Elison Daher, thePresident of NAMY.  We will accept orders through Sunday 6 Sept.
   Prayer for Peace and Persecuted Christians Planned for 14 September
   St Joseph Church will invite Christians from many different churches in Lansing to a service of prayer for peace and the protection of persecuted Christians in the Middle East on Monday 14 September at 7 pm.  Speakers will inform people about what is really happening to Christians in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.  More details will be announced soon.  Be sure to invite everyone you know to this community prayer service.
   Fall Food Fest Set for Thursday 24 September
   Be sure to invite your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to the Fall Food Fest sponsored by Our Lady’s Society on Thursday 24 September from 11 am to 7:30 pm.  The limited menu will feature a kafta plate and a mujaddara plate.  The dessert table will be a joint project of NAMY and Our Lady’s Society.
   Deacon Joe Daratony Will Celebrate 40^th Anniversary of his Ordination
   Our beloved Protodeacon Joseph Daratony will be honored at two celebrations of the 40^th anniversary of his ordination by Archbishop Joseph Tawil of blessed memory.  The first celebration will be held at Our Lady of Redemption Church in Warren, at the 11 am Divine Liturgy on Sunday 27 September.  Deacon Joe has invited Fr James and all parishioners of St Joseph’s to join this celebration.  (To make this possible, the Liturgy at St Joseph’s will be celebrated at 6 pm on Saturday 26 September.)  A reception will follow the Liturgy.  If you plan to attend, please notify Fr James so that we can tell them how many people will be coming to the lunch.  The second celebration will be held at St Joseph’s on Sunday 18 October.  Our Lady’s Society will present a lunch after the Divine Liturgy.  There will be no charge for the lunches, but Deacon Joe requests donations for the relief of the suffering people in Syria, both Syrians and refugees.
   “Come and See” Retreat Will Be Held at Byzantine Catholic Seminary

The Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, PA, will host a free retreat weekend for men, ages 18 to 35, single or married, who may be considering a vocation to the priesthood in the Byzantine Catholic Church.  The seminarians for our Melkite Eparchy of Newton study at this seminary.  The retreat will include liturgical services and meals with the Seminary community, an introduction to the formation program, a tour of the Seminary, conversations with seminarians, and guided reflections on how to listen to God’s plans for your future and your happiness.  The retreat will run from Friday evening 16 October through Sunday afternoon 18 October.  Find more information and register on-line at www.bcs.edu.