Sunday, May 20, 2018
Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension
Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
Martyrs Thallelaios the Unmercenary Healer of Phoenicia, and his disciples Alexander and Asterios of Cilicia; Martyr Askellas of Egypt; Venerable Nikitas, John and Joseph of Chios; Lydia ‘the seller of purple’ of Thyatira and Philippi; Alexis the wonderworker, metropolitan of Moscow; and Venerable Stephen of Piperi in Serbia

We extend a warm welcome to our visitors.

Nourishment of the Soul: “Desire and effort must come from you. God will provide the power and the result.” – St. Paisios the Athonite

Anthony Peter Gillquist was born on Saturday, May 12, a preemie, weighing in at 5 lbs. 5 oz.. Anthony is progressing beautifully in the NICU with his attentive mother at his side. Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated. During this time, Fr. Peter Jon will not be keeping regular office hours, but may be reached by phone in cases of urgent need.

Receiving the Eucharist: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Coffee Hour: Scheduled contributors this Sunday are those whose last names begin with
G-H; however you may contribute as you are able.

Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos has resumed. The group extends a welcome to all for a time worship and fellowship. Meetings are held on the last Friday of the month.

Congratulations: Seavor Roach (graduation); Noah Shahadey (graduation); Missy Shahadey (recipient of Star Award by MCCSC.)

Bible Study at Becky’s home will not meet on May 24th and May 31st.

Parish Council meets around noon, today.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, May 23: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Friday, May 25: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6:00
Saturday, May 26: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, May 27: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Kneeling Vespers of Holy Pentecost will follow Divine Liturgy.

LOOKING AHEAD
…Pentecost – May 27th
…Memorial Day weekend – May 26-28th
…All Saints Feast Day – June 3rd
… Parish Life Conference in Sylvania, Ohio – June 13-16
…Clergy Symposium at Antiochian Village – July 16-20

FAMILY NOTES

Anniversary Celebrations: Adrian & Catherine P (21st); Bilen M. & Martin G (21st); David & Jan (26th)

Prayer List: Ashlee W.; Kh. Kristina; Vivian; Charles; Paul; Caden, Dylan & Maddie; Marvin & Alice; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George; Iva Lee & Jim; Adrian T; Nancy & Shalayna; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Rigsby family; those suffering in the drug crisis in the USA; Safety in our Schools; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.”
Verse: “For Thou art just in all Thou hast done.” (Daniel 3:26-27)

Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. (20:16-18,28-36)

In those days, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John.(17:1-13)

At that time, Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent. I glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and now, Father, glorify Thou Me in Thy own presence with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine; all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou have given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

Refrain of the Second Antiphon: Save us, O Son of God, Who didst rise from us in glory to the heavens; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Apolytikion of the Ascension – Tone 4
Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy Disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, making them confident through the blessing that Thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.

Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise Who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to Thee.

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 6
When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Kontakion of the Ascension – Tone 6
When Thou didst fulfill Thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto Thy beloved: I am with you, and no one shall be against you.