Church Bulletin: May 20, 2012

[Fr. Ignatius Valentine]

May 20, 2012- Sunday of the Blind Man (6th Sunday of Pascha)

 Christ is Risen!  Jidu fuhuo liao!  Kristus jevstal!

This Week's Services and Events

        May 22, Tuesday

             + Third Hour, 9AM

        May 23, Wednesday

             + Vesperal Liturgy, 6PM

             + "The Icon" series video and discussion, 7:45PM

 

        May 25, Friday

             + Matins, 8:30AM

        May 26, Saturday

              + 9th Hour/Great Vespers, 6PM

        May 27, Sunday of the Holy Fathers
             + Matins, 8:45AM

             + Divine Liturgy, 10AM, followed by coffee hour and Sunday School

Upcoming Events and Announcements

 

Opportunity to Serve-

       A vacancy has opened up on our parish council as one of our current members recently decided to resign.  The vacant position is an elected position, which means at least two candidates need to agree to stand for election.  Voting members of the parish will make the selection at a special voters' meeting to be scheduled in the near future.  The term will end in December 2013.  Our parish constitution stipulates that in order to be a member of the parish council, one must be at least 18 years of age, a member in good standing in the Church for at least the last six months, and not a spouse, son, daughter or parent of any current council member.  If you are interested in learning more about the parish council and the responsibilities that a council member has, please speak with Fr. Ignatius and/or Todd Wiblin, our council chair.  Please contact Fr. Ignatius soon if you are interested in standing for election.

 

Today is Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday-

       The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops has designated today, May 20, 2012, as "Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday."  To learn more about Orthodox Prison Ministry, go to: www.ocpm-scoba.org, where you can also read the encyclical introducing the purpose of this Sunday. 

 

Wednesday Evening Class, "The Icon" video series-

       On May 23, 30 and June 6, 13, we will continue to gather to watch a video series called "The Icon" and discuss what we have seen.  This excellent series is produced by Serbian Bishop Jovan Puric.  It is visually stunning and very informative.  You won't want to miss it!  We will begin at 7:45PM each week, immediately after the Akathist and end at about 9PM.  Episodes are:  Holy Images, Canons and Freedom, Image of God?, Struggle for the Icons, Forms of Icon, Power of the Name, Teaching and Exaltation.  If you are not able to come to the viewings and discussion, but are still interested in viewing this series, the episodes can be found online at: http://ikona.eparhijaniska.rs/index_eng.html

 

Vesperal Liturgy for the Ascension-

       This Wednesday, May 23 at 6PM, we will celebrate the Ascension of our Lord with a Vesperal Liturgy.  Following the service, we will have our video class viewing and discussion of "The Icon" and share some pizza.

 

Fasting Resumes-

       Following Antiochian custom, we have been free from fasting during the entire Paschal season in celebration of our Lord's Resurrection.  As the Leavetaking of Pascha occurs this Wednesday on the eve of the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, we resume the regular weekly schedule of fasting (Wednesdays and Fridays) beginning this Friday, May 25.

 

Graduation Party-

       Hannah Valentine is graduating from high school!  All are invited to celebrate with her and her family at the church this Saturday, May 26.  There will be an Open House from 11AM-2PM in the church fellowship hall.  Rsvp to Kh. Maria at 319-471-5616 or sixhapp...@juno.com.

 

Opportunity to Give-

       Being a mission church oursleves, we know the struggles and the joys of building a local church from scratch.  In our recent past, we purchased our own wonderful property, and we have seen how we have been blessed by our building, and how it has allowed us to bless others.  St. Raphael Mission has helped out many missions in recent years, especially missions in our diocese or in our state.  Among these have been missions in Ames, IA; Davenport, IA; and Columbus, OH.  There is now an opportunity to help out a wonderful mission in our diocese, Holy Apostles Mission, in Bowling Green, KY.  A while ago, our parish council decided to help this fledgling but vibrant community out a bit, as they struggled to recover from a flood which damaged their rental location.  Now, this mission has a very exciting opportunity.  They have purchased a 9 acre former horse ranch with a 2400 sq. ft. home on the property which they intend to convert into their church and fellowship hall.  Specific information on this property and the financial needs of Holy Apostles Mission is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex of the church.  You can also visit their website at www.holyapostlesbg.org to learn more about them. 

Feast of Pentecost Celebrations-

       During the weekend of June 2-3, we will celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost.  To recognize the festal character of this remembrance of the coming of the Holy Spirit, we will include the Litia and Artoklasia services in vespers on Saturday evening.  If you don't know what this means, come and see!  Fr. Ignatius is looking for a volunteer to provide the sweet artos bread for this service.  In addition to the regularly scheduled Saturday evening vespers and Sunday morning matins and Liturgy, we will also mark the day by praying the Kneeling Vespers at 6PM on Sunday, June 3.

 

2nd Annual Parish Camping Trip-

       Come enjoy camping and outdoor worship Sat. June 9 - Sun. June 10 at F. W. Kent Park (northwest of Iowa City on Hwy. 6, between Tiffin and Oxford). All activities will be at the Youth Camp Ground. Campers can arrive anytime after 2PM on Saturday; families will bring their own picnic dinner, and we'll have outdoor vespers at 7:30PM followed by a campfire and smores (a detailed schedule will follow). Sunday morning we'll have Matins at 8:30AM, Liturgy at 9:30AM, and a cookout together, and there is hiking and fishing at the lake. Sign-up sheets for camping and food are at the church. Come share the fun and fellowship!

 

2012 Midwest Parish Life Conference-

       St. Mary Orthodox Church in Palos Heights, IL is hosting the 65th annual Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest Parish Life Conference June 27-July 1.  All are welcome!  This is not just a conference for clergy.  For information on tickets and schedule, go to: www.2012midwestplc.org. 

 

Parish Council Meeting Minutes-

       The minutes for the April and May Parish Council meetins are attached.

Daily Scripture Readings for the Week-

        Following are the readings for this week:

              May 20- Wisdom of Sirach 21-22; Psalms 70:14-24; Proverbs 14:26-30; II Corinthians 11:16-33

              May 21- Wisdom of Sirach 23:1-24:18; Psalms 71; Proverbs 14:31-36; II Corinthians 12

              May 22- Wisdom of Sirach 24:19-25:25; Psalms 72:1-14; Proverbs 15:1-5; II Corinthians 13

              May 23- Wisdom of Sirach 26-27; Psalms 72:15-28; Proverbs 15:6-10; Galatians 1

              May 24- Wisdom of Sirach 28-29; Psalms 73:1-11; Proverbs 15:11-15; Galatians 2

              May 25- Wisdom of Sirach 30-31; Psalms 73:12-23; Proverbs 15:16-20; Galatians 3

              May 26- Wisdom of Sirach 32-33; Psalms 74; Proverbs 15:21-26; Galatians 4

              May 27- Wisdom of Sirach 34-35; Psalms 75; Proverbs 15:27-32; Galatians 5

Do You Have a Prayer Request?
       Please give it to Fr. Ignatius and he will distribute it by email to all those on the Prayer Chain.  If you wish to join the Prayer Chain, please let Fr. Ignatius know.

 

Holy Bread-

       On Sunday May 27, the Holy Bread will be provided by the Chikhladze/Berimeladze family.  Thank you in advance. 

 

 Coffee Hour-
      On Sunday May 27, the food for coffee hour and clean-up of the fellowship hall will be provided by the St. John the Baptist team. 
 
Church Cleaning-
       During the week following Sunday May 20, the cleaning of the nave, narthex, bookstore/library, stairs, nursery and bathrooms will be provided by the St. Nicholas team.
  
Food for Thought-

 

Who can tell of Thy mighty acts, O Christ, or who can number the multitudes of Thy wonders?  For even as Thou, in Thy goodness, didst appear on earth twofold of nature, so didst Thou grant twofold healings to the sick; for Thou didst open not only the bodily eyes of the man who was blind from the womb, but those of his soul also.  Wherefore, he confessed Thee, the hidden God, Who grantest great mercy unto all. 

 

Doxastikon from the Praises of Matins of the Sunday of the Blind Man