Sunday, August 6, 2017
Transfiguration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
We are pleased to welcome you to worship with us today. Please note that only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves with prayer, fasting and a recent confession may approach to receive Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome to reverence the cross and to partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor, and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Troparion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
When, O Christ our God, thou was transfigured on the mountain, thou didst reveal thy glory to thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O thou Bestower of light, glory to thee.
Entrance Hymn – For in Thee is the fountain of life, in Thy light we shall see the light. O Son of God, who wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, we sing to thee, Alleluia!
Troparion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
When, O Christ our God, thou was transfigured on the mountain, thou didst reveal thy glory to thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O thou Bestower of light, glory to thee.
Kontakion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God: so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that they suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendour of the Father.
Epistle – II Peter 1:10-19 (Transfiguration of Christ)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 103.24, 1. O Lord, how magnificent are your works.
Verse. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
BRETHREN, be more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Gospel – Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration of Christ)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.”
Next week’s homework:
I Corinthians 4:9-16 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 17:14-23 (Tenth Sunday of Matthew)
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
AUGUST 6, 2017 – TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
TODAY, AUGUST 6 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Assatly, Vivian Biele, Peter Boragi, Victoria Boragi, William Cury, Nabiha Dibbs, Adele Forzly, Henry Joseph Halaby, lll, Victoria Katen, Adrienne Poulakakos, and Victor Samra. Memory eternal!
Dr. Alice B. Farkouh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God William B. Cury. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of their two devoted members, Nancy Davis and Helen Sahadi. Memory eternal!
The Family of Nancy Davis offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
The Family of Helen Sahadi offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Stephanie Bitar, Emile N. Jabbour, Alex Kalaf, George Kalesh, Aref Khoury, Salwa Khoury, Sally Klele, Margarite Razook, Erna Saydah, Edward Zarick, Ernest Zayat, and Lawrence Zayat. Memory eternal!
The Family of Salwa Khoury will offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Parish Council will serve as ushers. Since Church School has ended, the students can remain with their families and receive the Holy Eucharist together. The ushers will assist us in proceeding row by row so that we can distribute Holy Communion “decently and in order.”
HOLY BREAD – Donors are now welcome for August through November. Linda and George Salamy have made a donation through the rest of the year. Many years!
Dr. John Dalack offers the grapes for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ for the repose of the souls of his beloved wife Shamseh and of the servant of God Dr. John L. Boojamra on the anniversary of his birthday. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Edward Hanna (Norwegian), Lorraine Diahy, and Khalil Eid, (Hamilton Park), Kenneth Jabara (Lehigh Valley, E. Stroudsburg, PA), Renee Najjar (NY Presbyterian), Josette Generale, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Malak Karkenny, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Marie Tashji, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Malakie Zogob, and Rose Zrake (at home). If a member of your family is in the hospital or recuperating at home, please call the church office and let us know as soon as possible.
SUMMER PLEDGES – As many members take their vacations, we ask everyone to maintain their pledge payments as the summer months are very lean.
DORMITION FAST – The final fasting period of the church year, the Fast for the Dormition of the Theotokos, began on Tuesday, August 1, and continues through Monday, August 14. The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and olive oil) is observed on all days except Saturdays and Sundays when there is katalysis for wine and olive oil, and today, the Feast of the Transfiguration, when fish is permitted.
EPISTLE READERS – In Gareth’s absence, we are preparing a list of parishioners who are interested in reading the epistle in English and/or Arabic. Please see Fr. Michael.
CHURCH SCHOOL FIELD TRIP – The Church School will sponsor its annual field trip to Victory Stables, 121 Five Points Road, Colts Neck, New Jersey, on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Please see Carol Makhoul or Lorraine Deeb for more information.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF OUTING – Save the date, Thursday, September 21, for our largest and most important fundraiser of the year! This year our beloved Evelyn Shamoun will receive the parish’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and both Elaine and Edward Ateyeh will be honored with the Victor J. Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. The packet of information has gone out. If you did not receive a packet, please call the church office.
FALL HAFLI – Save the date, Saturday, September 30, for the 2nd Annual Fall Hafli here at St. Mary’s Church. Please see Rima Alsifi Hazem or Samer Kaiami for more information.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have you provided for the guardianship of any minor children or disabled adult children? Have you included St. Mary’s Church in your plan?
PARISH WEBSITE – Did you know that we post the weekly bulletin on the web? Simply go to www.smaoc.squarespace.com/bulletin, and view the bulletin at home. Also, find us on Facebook.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and pagers are turned off in church.
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 6-14 Dormition Fast Continues
Monday, August 14 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, August 15 Dormition of the Theotokos @ Kimisis G.O. Church, 9:30 AM
Saturday, September 16 Church School Outing to Victory Stables, Colts Neck, NJ
Thursday, September 21 Annual Saints and Sinners Golf Classic, Hempstead, NY
Saturday, September 30 Fall Hafli, 8:00 PM
FROM THE FATHERS – “Lift up the eyes of your mind to the light of the Gospel of Transfiguration, that you yourself might be trnasfigured as your spiritual intellect is made new. If this happens, you will draw down divine rays from on high and will be conformed to the image of the glory of the Lord, whose face shone on the mountain as radiant as the sun.”
St. Gregory Palamas