Sunday Services: Orthros-8:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy-10:00 a.m. Sunday School after Distribution of Holy Communion. Holy Day Services As announced in weekly bulletins.
Ushers:
7/24- Brian Farr & L. Papadimitriou
7/31- Chuck Odom & C.Zouboukos
Altar Servers:
7/24-Erynn Sturgon & W.Glisson C,Fowler & Hutson Hontzas
7/31- Erunn Sturgon & Christopher & Alrx Shepis
(Please note that if any altar servers are in church and see that none of the assigned alltar servers are here you are of course asked to serve in the altar).
Epistle Reader: \
7/24- Adam Farr
7/31-Stephanos Mangafakis
Prosphoro:
7/24 - Patti Farr
7/31 ?????
8/7- Father Andrew
8/14 - Demetra Papadimitriou
8/21 -Ellen Hontzas
8/28 -?????
To sign up to bake prosphoro click on this link. https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/266988023009644063/false#/invitation
Orthros starts at: 9:00 a.m.
Liturgy Starts at 10:00 a.m,
Coffee Hour: Fresh brewed coffee and snacks
Sunday School Teachers: As we lookforward to starting our Sunday School classes we are looking for Sunday School teachers to help. If you sre interested in teaching our young people about their fatth, please contact Ellen Hontzas. Please note that, that the Archdiocese requires all persons who are involved with any youth programs to submit to a background check and comple the Archdiocese Youth Protection Progrma (on lne),
Please Note: If you cannot join us the Liturgy will be recorded "live and in color" and available for viewing on our facebook page, see links below. If you cannot attend and still want to light a candle, or make an offering. Please use any of the links below. Our Facebook page click on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/269685419794311/ or go to our church web page
www.holytrinitysaintjohnjackson.org and click on the link
We are grateful to those who have contributed and continue to contribute their donations through the mail or by the two secure on-line options both of which can be found on our web page. The light a candle say a prayer link below or the Donate Button on the bottom of the home page https://holy-trinity-st-john-the-theologian-greek-orthodox-church-jac.square.site
Our July Birthday Celebrations: John Polles-July 3rd, Gayland Cox-July 4th, Christo Burnham-July 5th, McKenna Fowler-July 7th, Presbytera Bonnie-July 8th, Nickolas Fowler-July 12th, Stamati Polles-July 13th, William Moxey-July 15th, Stephanos Manganfakis-July 15th, Jerry Kountouris-July 21st, Malissa Zouboukos-July 26th, Gebre Menfes Kidus-July 26th, Janet Ingram Grillis-July 28th,Emma Papadimitriou-July 28th, Alexis Ann Kountouris-July 29th, Michael Fowler-July 30th
Our August BirthdayCelebrations: Sophia Efstratiou – August 4th , Ellen Hontzas – August 9th Kimberly Thompson-August 10th Dianna Psaris-August 14th Lydia Laird-August 20th Pete Zouboukos-August 22nd , Lana Sturgon-August 29th
Our Holy Trinity-St. John the Theologian Prayer List:
"Remember Lord, those whom each of us calls prayerfully to mind" Presbytera Bonne Koufopoulos-after her shoulder surgery,Stella Grivas (Father Andrew's mother in Dunnsville VA), Andrea & Kevin Brown (Father Andrew's sister and brother in law in New Hampshire), Chuck Odom, Nicholas & Dianna Psaris, John Botes, Chris Grillis, Lambryne Angelo, Malissa and Pat Zouboukos have asked that we pray for their friend Bill Hardin and their friend and neighbor Bill Spence, Paula Fowler, Victoria Lepsa (Cristina Nica's mother in Romania), Tatianna Koufopoulos Quick of Phoenix Arizona, Maria Costas, Dot Pavlou,
Saint Christina was from Tyre in Syria, the daughter of a pagan named Urban. Enlightened in her heart to believe in Christ, she broke her father's idols, made of gold and silver, and distributed the pieces to the poor. When her father learned this, he punished her ruthlessly, then cast her into prison. The rulers subjected her to imprisonments, hunger, torments, the cutting off of her breasts and tongue, and finally impalement, in the year 200, during the reign of the Emperor Septimius Severus.
The holy Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, named Romanus and David in sacred Baptism, were the pious sons of the holy Great Prince Vladimir. In 1015 they were slain at the command of their brother Svyatopolk-Saint Boris, on July 24 on the Alta River, near Pereyaslavl, and Saint Gleb, on September 5 on the bank of the Smyadinya River, near Smolensk. Although both had understood their brother's designs against them, they refused to take up arms against him and bring civil war upon their land, preferring to fulfill the commandment, "Resist not evil" (Matt. 5:39). The holy relics of Saint Boris were then buried in Vyshgorod, to which the holy relics of his brother were transferred five years later. Miracles were worked through the holy relics of the meek and guileless brothers during the consecration in Vyshgorod of a church in their honor on this day in 1021.
According to tradition, Anna, the ancestor of God, lived for sixty-nine years, and her spouse Joachim, for eighty; according to one account, Saint Joachim died two years before Saint Anna. The Theotokos had been orphaned of both her parents already when she was eleven years of age, when she was living in the Temple (see Sept. 8 and Nov. 21). Saint Anna is invoked for conceiving children, and for help in difficult childbirth.
Saint Paraskeve, who was from a certain village near Rome, was born to pious parents, Agatho and Politia. Since she was born on a Friday (in Greek, Paraskeve), she was given this name, which means "preparation" or "preparedness" (compare Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31, where 'Friday' is called "the day of the preparation"). From childhood she was instructed in the sacred letters and devoted herself to the study of the divine Scriptures, while leading a monastic life and guiding many to the Faith of Christ. During the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was apprehended because she was a Christian and was urged to worship the idols, but she answered with the words of Jeremias: "Let the gods that have not made heaven and the earth perish from off the earth" (Jer. 10:11). Because of this she endured exceedingly painful torments, and was beheaded in the year 140. The faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments.
Saint Irene, who was from Cappadocia, flourished in the ninth century. Because of her great beauty and virtue, she was brought to Constantinople as a prospective bride for the young Emperor Michael (842-867); however, as Saint Joannicius the Great foretold, it was God's will that she assume the monastic habit instead. She shone forth in great ascetical labours, and suffered many attacks from the demons; while yet a novice, she attained to the practice of Saint Arsenius the Great, of praying the whole night long with arms stretched out towards Heaven (see May 8). God showed forth great signs and wonders in her, and she became the Abbess of the Convent of Chrysovalantou. She was granted the gift of clairvoyance and knew the thoughts of all that came to her. She appeared in a vision to the king and rebuked him for unjustly imprisoning a nobleman who had been falsely accused. Through a sailor from Patmos to whom he had appeared, Saint John the Evangelist sent her fragrant and wondrous apples from Paradise. She reposed at the age of 103, still retaining the youthful beauty of her countenance. After her repose, marvelous healings beyond number have been wrought by her to the present day.
Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53
At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Prokeimenon. Plagal First Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:6-14.
Brethren, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8
At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Jesus crosses to the northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee, and goes to the area
where He grew up, around Capernaum and Nazareth. This is the region of Galilee, and
most of His disciples lived there. The inhabitants there were Jewish people who worshiped
the God of Israel, had faith and had heard about a prophet and healer named Jesus. Some
were still skeptical, but many had witnessed His divine power and glory as He traveled
there with His disciples, preaching the coming of the Kingdom of God, and healing the
people
The multitudes gather to hear the Lord’s preaching. Some local people want to
hear the Lord teach about the Kingdom of God, the love of God, righteousness, forgive-
ness and eternal life. Some are there for healing. Some are skeptics such as Jewish lead-
ers who reject the Holy Gospel like the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes (that is, scholars
of the Jewish law).
However, a small group of people full of faith have decided to bring their loved one
before the Son of God’s presence because they believe He can help. These are people
whose hearts burn with faith in God and believe that the Lord Jesus is a great Prophet of
God, full of the Holy Spirit, with the power to heal. They also express their faith and love
through their actions by taking their paralyzed friend to Jesus, hoping he may be healed.
In this way, they were full of faith, hope and love. When Jesus witnesses their faith, He
says to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” Some of the scribes said
to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, says, “Why
do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say ‘ Your sins are forgiven,’ or to
say ‘Rise and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to
forgive sins.” He then said to the paralytic, “Rise, take up your bed and go home.”
This is a very bold statement. Everyone present, knowing that the Lord healed
many others sicknesses, expected a healing to take place. However, the Lord chose to
start with the healing of the soul before the healing of the body. The Lord’s declaration
that the paralytic’s sins are forgiven brings more significant healing, and manifests the
eternal work of salvation.
Of course, this is shocking to many because miraculous as it is, it is one thing to wit-
ness God healing a person through the power of the Holy Spirit, through the work of the
Prophet. We also see this even today in the life of the Church, for there are holy people
living amongst us who are known for having gifts, such as clairvoyance or whose prayers
for the healing of the sick and suffering are quickly answered by God. This is also true with
the Saints, for those of us who pray for their assistance in our healing. However, it is quite
another matter altogether for someone to declare that a man’s sins are forgiven.
To put it another way, the Lord Jesus spoke in a way only God could speak. Only
God can forgive sins. We forgive those who have wronged us because the Lord tells us to
do so. Even so, we do not have the right to declare all of someone’s sins to be forgiven
because only God can do so.
Some immediately begin to doubt. They might wonder who but God alone can
forgive sins? The Lord hears their thoughts and knows their hearts before they utter a
word. In His love and compassion, however, He uses a miracle to demonstrate His divin-
ity and power. He explains to them, with clear reasoning, that the statement “your sins
are forgiven,” is easy to utter because there is no visible, physical evidence to support it.
However, to say, “Rise, take up your bed, and go home” is a statement that is proven by
its effect.
Jesus heals both body and soul with His word alone. He is the Word of God incar-
nate and the Word who created the heavens and the earth. He is the Word who brings the
light of the Kingdom of God to shine in our hearts, recreating us, reshaping us, healing us,
giving us purpose, and meaning, and restoring us to eternal life. He has redeemed us by
His blood. This happens to us every single day when we choose to be close to God, open
ourselves to His presence, grace, and love, and live the sacramental life of the Church.
The sacraments of Baptism, repentance and Confession, the Holy Eucharist, Holy Unction
are all channels of God’s forgiveness and grace. Through them, we enter the Kingdom of
God, we reunite with Him.
Our Lord has the power and authority to heal a paralytic, even in front of others,
by the power of His word, and so He also has the ability to forgive his sins. If the paralytic
gets up, which is visible to all, this is proof that the One who heals by the power of God
is the same One who forgives by the power of being the Son of God. In this way, Christ’s
coming into the world in His incarnation releases humanity from its shackles.
As Saint John Chrysostom says, “Do you see how He indicates Him to be Creator
both of souls and bodies? He heals, therefore, the palsy in each of the two substances and
makes the invisible evident by that which is in sight.” The healing of the souls is an even
greater miracle than the healing of the body because it is a healing that lasts for eternity.
As the scribes rightly point out, only God has the power to forgive sins. And later, Christ
hands this authority to His disciples and their successors, namely, the Bishops and Priests,
through the sacraments of the Church). The forgiveness of our sins brings about a recon-
ciliation between us and God, and this reconciliation is the restoration of our life, and our
eternal purpose. We are created to be in communion with God, not apart. And when our
communion is broken because of our choices, God, in His limitless love, provides resto-
ration through forgiveness and reconciliation.
True repentance is central to our spiritual life with Christ. We all require repentance
because no one is sinless, except Jesus. The spiritual life begins with repentance until
our very last breath. Our good and loving God created Adam and Eve in His image and
likeness. We are created in God’s image by His choice, and we can be like Him by our
choices. Becoming like God means becoming sanctified by God, and ultimately, becom-
ing one with Him.
Before the Fall, Adam and Eve were able to effortlessly converse with God. They
were spotless, pure and meek before God. It is this state of purity that we strive to return
to through a life of repentance and forgiveness. Forgiveness of sins is the very salvation
which our Savior Jesus Christ offers us. Repentance is a second baptism after our first one,
grace upon grace.
We are called not simply to be believers of Christ, but to become His disciples.
A Christian, a follower of Christ, recognizes that no sin is greater than the love of God.
Regardless of how extraordinary we perceive our sin to be, God is eager to forgive us
simply
if we, in turn, are simply willing to try to repent. God does not expect us to never sin, God
simply hopes that we try to get back up. And getting up again after we have fallen in the
spiritual life is how we participate in the Lord’s Resurrection here and now.
What is needed is for us to have faith, hope and love. The paralytic is forgiven and
receives salvation, as well as his friends who helped him because of their faith. We read
that “when Jesus saw their faith” , He healed the paralytic. We come to Christ in faith
and hope because we love Him and our neighbor. When we help our neighbor, we are
also helped by God. Let us continually come to Him, knowing that His love forgives and
restores us. He heals the paralysis of our bodies, hearts and souls. When He does so, we
get up from our beds and begin our journey home, that is, to our eternal destiny with God
in His Kingdom.
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