Bulletin for 25 October 2015--Sixth Sunday of the Holy Cross

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 Great-Martyr Demetrios (26 October, Tone 3)

O victorious Demetrios, you were given to the world as a powerful protector against dangers

and an invincible soldier of Christ.  As you inspired Nestor to overcome the pride of Lyaios,

so intercede with Christ God that He may grant us his great mercy.

 

25 October 2015—Sixth Sunday of the Holy Cross, 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost.  Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios.  (Tone 5)

Readings    Apostolos: Galatians 6:11-18                                                                                                     Gospel:  Luke 8:27-39

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for the health and salvation of Ruth Zarka, Elaine, Chris, Simone, Ina Samra, Leila Abdallah, Awatef Chahine, Cameron Maldonado, Nawal, Zaina, Gary, Eric, Paul Keriotis, Charlotte Senno, Fares Eid, Maroun Daher, Dennis Flint, Eleanora Lindo, Max, Angel, Mikayla Slocum, Raymond Rashid, Theresa Ramsey, Bonita Saba, Griffin Barna, Jim Covello, David Georges, Ralph Farhat, Robert Kuri, 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, Protodeacon Joe & Marge Daratony, Fr Charles Aboody, Fr Joseph Haggar, Fr Damon Geiger, Fr James Babcock, Fr Basil Samra; in memory of Ernest Ferrar (Jenevieve Ferrar), Elias Atallah, Pascal Max Larrieux, Pam Nakfoor, Suaad Matti, Nickolas Nakfoor (Nadia Washington), and Louis Zarka (Nemri Badawy).

31 October 2015—Great Vespers, 6 pm

1 November 2015—Fifth Sunday of the Holy Cross, 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost.  Holy Martyrs Cosmas and Damian, Wonderworking Physicians. (Tone 6)

Readings    Apostolos:  Ephesians 2:4-10                                                                                                 Gospel:  Luke 16:19-31

10:30 am    Orthros (Morning Prayer)

11 am          Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in memory of Elias Atallah, Pascal Max Larrieux, Pam Nakfoor, Suaad Matti (Ablahad Ibrahim), Nickolas Nakfoor (Eli & Amal Chebli), and Louis Zarka (Nemri Badawi).

 

Music for Today

1. Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone 5, Liturgikon, page 189.
2. Troparion of the Martyrs, in Tone 4.
3. Troparion of St Joseph, in Tone 4, page 30A.
4. Kontakion of the Theotokos, in Tone 2, page 31.
   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 95 people attended the Liturgy.  Our offering totalled $1519 in the ordinary collection, $25 for candles, $40 in pledges for the new roof, $50 for Mission Sunday, and $10 for liturgy intentions.  Not everyone can make an equal gift, but everyone can make an equal sacrifice.  Make a generous sacrifice to support your church in proportion to the many blessings God has given you.
   Protodeacon Joe OK After Brief Hospitalization
   After serving and preaching at last Sunday’s Divine Liturgy, Protodeacon Joe Daratony experienced a sudden drop in his heart rate and blood pressure.  He was taken to the Emergency Room at McLaren Hospital, where he underwent tests, and returned home on Sunday evening.  He phoned Fr James on Monday morning to say that he was feeling fine and to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes.  He was glad to hear that people contributed $358 to help the suffering Christians in Syria.
   Memory Eternal:  Elias Atallah
   The servant of God Elias (Abou-Habib) Atallah slept in the Lord on Saturday morning, 24 October.  Services will be held as follows:  Visiting hours, 6-8 pm, Tuesday 27 October at Palmer, Bush & Jensen Funeral Home, Mt Hope at Cedar, with Trisagion Prayers at 7 pm.  Funeral at St Joseph Church, 10 am, Wednesday 28 October, followed by burial at East Lawn Cemetery, Okemos.  The Mercy Meal will be offered in St Joseph’s parish hall following the burial.  May God have mercy on his soul, forgive his sins, and grant him rest with the saints.  May his memory be eternal!
   Get Your Flu Shots at our Clinic After Church Today
   After the Divine Liturgy today, St Joseph Church will sponsor a Flu Shot Clinic, in cooperation with Rite Aid Pharmarcy, 1004 E. Michigan Avenue.  Personnel from the pharmacy will be at St Joseph’s from 12:30 to 2:30 pm that day to give flu shots.  The shots are covered by most insurance plans; bring your insurance cards for processing.  If you are not insured, you can get your flu shot for around $25.  Skip the hassle of a doctor appointment or finding a clinic; just come downstairs after Liturgy and get your flu shot.
   Today is Priesthood Sunday
   Most Catholic churches in the USA celebrate Priesthood Sunday today, to encourage young men to choose a life of service to the People of God as priests and to honor our priests for their dedication and service.  Today especially Fr James thanks God for calling him to priesthood.  Ask him about it.
   “Fall Back” to Standard Time Next Weekend
   Daylight Saving Time ends at 2am next Sunday, 1 November.  Be sure that your clocks, watches, and other timekeeping devices are set back one hour when you retire on Saturday night.  Many cellphones, computers, tablets, and other electronic devices will adjust the time automatically.  If you forget to change the time, you could be an hour early for church on Sunday morning:  what you think is 11 am will actually be 10 am.
   The Bishop’s Appeal Funds Important Ministries of our US Church
   The annual Bishop’s Appeal is an important way of meeting the needs of our Church throughout the US:  Faith education; mission development; training priests and deacons; publishing SOPHIA magazine. In addition, ten percent of the Appeal funds helps our less fortunate brothers and sisters.  Bishop Nicholas is counting on your support.  If you have not already made your gift, please do so this week.  We need 100% participation from our parish!  Last year, we did not meet our $2500 parish goal.  This year, let us be more generous and beat that goal.
   James deSpelder Will Report on his Year in Scotland
   James deSpelder spent the past year in Glasgow, Scotland, in ministry with city youth.  After the Liturgy on Sunday 8 November, he will make a presentation about his work to our parish.

 

Tickets Now Available for Parish Dinner on 15 November

Our third annual St John Chrysostom Banquet will be held in the parish hall following the Liturgy on Sunday 15 Nov.  Tickets for this catered dinner cost $12 for adults and $6 for children 5 to 12.  Children under 5 years old will eat for free.  Buy tickets now from Pat Kuri or Kay Nakfoor.  St Joseph’s NAMY group will present a special program before the dinner.

Would You Come to a Weekly Bible Study?

Fr James wants to start a weekly Bible Study.  It would last for one hour and the topic would be the readings for the next Sunday.  He is thinking of Wednesday or Thursday at 10 or 11 am.  It could be in the church, at the rectory, or in someone’s home.  Please let him know if you are interested.

St Elias Parish in Cleveland Will Host Regional Conference on 7 November

Archimandrite Mark Melone, Deacon Paul Leonarczyk, and Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo will present a regional conference on “Living in Christ” from 9 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday 7 November at St Elias Church in Brooklyn (Cleveland), Ohio.  It will also be broadcast live at https://melkite.org/live-broadcast .

Holiday Food Drive Begins Today

Our Holiday Food Drive will be coordinated by Our Lady’s Society and NAMY.  From now until the new year, we will collect non-perishable foods to give to a local food bank.  Canned foods, healthy breakfast cereals, dried pasta and beans, peanut butter, powdered milk, baby food, etc. are especially needed.  Toothbrushes and disposable diapers are also always needed.  Our donations will be taken to the food bank on 8 and 22 Nov. and 6 and 20 Dec.  Anything collected after that will be delivered early in January.

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.  Contact any youth group member to schedule the work you want to be done.

On-Line Course on the Synoptic Gospels Will be Offered

Fr François Beyrouti, PhD, DTh, will offer a 14-week online course 25 January-2 May 2016, “Introduction to Reading the New Testament,” focusing on the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Do you find reading the Bible too complicated?  Have you ever wondered what the relationship is between the Old Testament and the New Testament?  Would you like to better understand the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke?  This course will introduce you to the Synoptic Gospels in their social, cultural, and historical context.  You will also develop reading strategies that will help you apply the Bible to your daily life.  You may watch the online sessions at your leisure throughout the week and interact with the professor and other students through an online forum.  You can audit or take this course for three university credits.  Course code and title is BO-SS201: The Synoptic Gospels.  Information on registration, payment, and admissions is available on the Byzantine Catholic Seminary website, online.bcs.edu.