February 24, 2008 Church Bulletin
Sunday, February 24. 2008
SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
Today's Celebrants: V. Rev. Fr. TimothyFerguson;
Rt. Rev. Fr. Constantine Yanney;
Rev. Dn. Nicholas Belcher; Subdeacon Douglas Howdy;
Subdeacon Khalil Samara; Subdeacon Chadi Saad; Subdeacon James Irving
VARIATION IN TODAY'S DIVINE LITURGY
At the entrance (Service Book page 97):
1) TROPARION OF THERESURRECTION - Tone 6: When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thyrevered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou held hades captive and wast nottempted thereby. Thou didst meetthe Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from thedead! O Lord, glory to thee.
2) THE ENTRANCE HYMN: O Come, let us worship and fall downbefore Christ. O son of God, who art risen from the dead save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.
3) Repeat #1 above.
4) TROPARION OF ST.JOHN - Tone 4: Verily, from the earth rose the head of the Forerunner, bequeathing to believers incorruptible rays of healing, gathering the crowds of angels from above and calling below the racesof mankind to address their voices in unison in glory to Christ God.
5) TROPARION OF ST.GEORGE - Tone 4: As deliverer of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the in firm, champion of kings, victorious, Great MartyrGeorge, intercede with Christ our God for our soul's salvation.
6) KONTAKION OF THEPRODIGAL SON - Tone 3: Like fools,we left behind our fathers glory, and by our sins we sqandered all he gaveus. So now, filled with shame, we beg him like the prodigal: We have sinned before you, father, and all we haveis our sorrow. In your tenderness,do not turn us away; take us back at least as hired hands.
Prokeimenon: The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, hear my prayer O Lord.
The EpistleReading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians (Chapt. 4: 6-15.)
Brethren, It is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the light of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since we have the same spirit of faith as hehad who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believed, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
THEHOLY GOSPEL ACCODING TO ST. LUKE
(Chapter15:11-32)
The Lord told this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, theyounger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose inthat country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country,who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate;and no one gave him anything. Butwhen he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants havebread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will rise and go to my father, and Iwill say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; Iam no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hiredservants."' And he arose andcame to his father. But while hewas still at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran andembraced him and kissed him. Andthe son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I amno longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to the servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, andput it on him and put a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet; and bringthe fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son wasdead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drewnear the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what thismeant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet younever gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fattedcalf!' And he said to him, 'Son,you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Special note: Except for those who are elderly and/ordisabled, please remain standing during Holy Communion.
NEXT WEEK'S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: I Corinthians 8:8-9:2; Matthew 25:31-46.
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WARM THECHILDREN - If you like to knit, crochet or sew, the Adult Fellowship will be collecting hats, mittens, scarves, or other items to keepchildren warm. They will be sent to Orphanages outside of thiscountry. More information will be coming in future bulletins, and thiswill be an on-going project so anytime you have accumulated items that willkeep children warm, please give them to a member of the Adult Fellowship. If you don't knit but want to be involved to any degree, purchased items arewelcome including school supplies and new shoes, etc. The children range from 6 - 18 years of age.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE - Once again the Syrian-Lebanese Women's Club of Greater Boston is making availablescholarship awards in the amount of $1,000 to young women of Arab-Americanorigin, residing in Massachusetts within a 50-mile radius of Boston, who plan to pursue a four-year college education. The awards are made on the basis of financial need, outstanding academic achievement and good character. Financial need will take precedence in the decision. Each applicant must be in good academicstanding in her school and possess those personal attributes which best servethe community. Applications may be obtained by reaching Reem Elias Ozone, Esq. at 781.702.5890 or by email atReem@Ozonelaw.com or by contacting Laurice Kurker at 781.643.7991. Completed applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2008.
N.G. BERAM VETERANS SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE. PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE IF INTERESTED. DEADLINE DATE FOR SUBMISSION IS JUNE 1, 2008
THE SECOND ANNUAL FAMILY EVENT TOBENEFIT ST. JUDE'S KIDS - Sunday, March 30, 2008, 2-6PM at Lantana's in Randolph, MA. Have a great time with your familywhile raising money for the families at St. Jude Children's ResearchHospital. Food, D.J., dancing,games, raffle prizes and live entertainment, (featuring Teen Time - D.J. andentertainment for young adults.) Tickets, $20 per person; Teens only 4-6PM, $10 each. For tickets call Marilyn Ganame,781.769.1766.