ST. ELIJAH ORTHODOX

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

15000 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73134

Church Office: 755-7804

Church Website: www.stelijahokc.com

Church Email: stelijah@stelijahokc.com

MAY 3, 2015 Issue 27 Number 18 Sunday of the Paralytic;

Saints of the Day: Martyrs Timothy the reader and his wife Maura of Egypt; Peter, archbishop of Argolis; Ekumenios, bishop of Trikala; Venerable Luke of Mt. Stirion

DIRECTORY

V. Rev. Fr. John Salem Pastor 410-9399

Rev. Fr. Jeremy Davis Associate Pastor 625-0675

V. Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr Pastor Emeritus

V. Rev. Fr. Basil McMurry Attached

Rev. Dn. Ezra Ham Administrator 602-9914

Erin Ghata Youth Director 410-9456

Mom’s Day Out & Pre-K Roxy Self – Director 639-2679

Email: mdo@stelijahokc.com Facebook: “St Elijah Mom’s Day Out”

Twitter: StElijahMDO

DYNAMIS: Daily Bible Readings www.dynamispublications.org

Ancient Faith Radio ancientfaith.com

WELCOME

We welcome all our visitors. It is an honor to have you worshipping with us. You may find the worship of the

Ancient Church very different. We welcome your questions. Please join us for our Reception held in the Church Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

We understand Holy Communion to be an act of our unity in faith. While we work toward the unity of all Christians, it regrettably does not now exist. Therefore, only baptized

Orthodox Christians (who have properly prepared) are permitted to participate in Holy Communion. However,

everyone is welcome to partake of the blessed bread that is distributed at the end of the service. We look forward to

meeting you during the Reception that follows the service.

PARTICIPATION IN WORSHIP • Orthros: Red Service Book p. 44 • The Divine Liturgy Red Divine Liturgy Book p. 9 • Memorial Service Red Service Book p. 183 • Churching Service Red Service Book p. 216 • Removal of Crowns Red Service Book p. 181

VARIATIONS IN TODAY’S DIVINE LITURGY

Paschal Troparion

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs

bestowing life!

Arabic:

AL MA-SIH U-QAM MIN BAI NIL AM WAT WA WA TI AL MOWT A-BIL MOWT WA WA HA BAL HI YAT LIL LA DHI NA FIL

QU-BUR.

Greek:

CHRISTOS ANESTEE EK NEKRON, THANATO THANATON PATEE-SAS, KAI

TEES EN TEES MNEE-MA-SI ZOEEN KHARIS-AMENOS.

The 1st Antiphon:

Shout with joy to God, all the earth. Through the intercessions…

Sing to his name; give glory to his praises. Through the intercessions…

Say to God: “How awesome are thy works.” Through the intercessions…

Let all the earth worship thee and sing to thee. Through the intercessions…

Glory…Now… Through the intercessions…

The 2nd Antiphon:

May God have mercy upon us, and bless us, and may he cause his face to shine upon us,

and have mercy on us. Save us, O Son of God, who art risen from the

dead, who sing to thee: Alleluia. That thy way may be known upon the earth, thy

salvation among all nations. Save us, O Son of God…

Let the peoples give thanks to thee, O God, let all the peoples give thanks to thee.

Save us, O Son of God…

May God bless us and may all the ends of the earth fear him.

Save us, O Son of God… Glory…Now…

O Only-Begotten Son…

The 3rd Antiphon:

Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and let them that hate him flee from

before his face. Christ is risen…

As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish; as wax melteth before the fire.

Christ is risen… So let sinners perish at the presence of God, but

let the righteous rejoice. Christ is risen…

This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Christ is risen…

The Entrance:

In the churches bless ye God, the Lord from the well-springs of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, who sing to

thee, Alleluia.

The Troparia:

Troparion of the Resurrection – Tone 3

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; For the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own

arm; He hath trampled down death by death, and became the first-born from the dead; He hath

delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the great mercy.

Troparion of St. Elijah - Tone 4

Angelic Body, Pillar of Prophets and their Corner Stone, Forerunner of the Second-Coming of Christ; thou didst send Grace from on high to Elisha, to dispel sickness and to purify lepers,

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Glorious Elijah, thou dost overflow with healing to those who honor thee.

The Kontakion of Pascha – Tone 8

Down to the grave though thou wentest immortal Lord, yet didst thou there hurl down Death by thy throne of might and art risen with victory

crowned, O Christ our true God, and hast hailed with glad greeting the women that came with

myrrh; and unto thine Apostles hast graciously sent thy peace, O Lord, that grantest the fallen to

rise with thee.

The Thrice-Holy Hymn

THE READINGS

THE EPISTLE

O chant unto our God, chant ye. Clap your hands, all ye nations!

The reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles (9:32-42)

In those days, as Peter went throughout all regions, he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who was bedridden for eight years and paralyzed. And Peter said to him:

"Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; arise and make your bed." And immediately he arose. And all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and

they turned back to the Lord.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha (which means Gazelle). She was full of good works and of charitable deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed

her, they placed her in an upper chamber. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating

him, "Come to us without delay." So Peter arose and went with them. And when he arrived, they

took him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, showing the

tunics and other garments which Tabitha made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning

to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up.

Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. And it became known

throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

THE GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to John (5:1-15)

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in

Hebrew called Bethesda, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids,

blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at

certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the

troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had

been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long

time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the

water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and

walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.'"

They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a

crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall

you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

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The Megalynarion – Tone 1

The angel cried to the Lady full of grace, "Rejoice! Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again I say, Rejoice! Your Son is risen from his three days in the tomb. With himself he has raised all

the dead. Rejoice, rejoice, O ye people!"

Shine! Shine! Shine, O New Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shown on you. Exult now,

exult and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection, the Resurrection

of your Son.

The Communion Hymn

Receive ye the body of Christ, taste ye of the immortal fountain. Alleluia.

Paschal Troparion

Christ is risen from the dead… (once)

Paschal Greeting

English: Christ is risen! / Truly He is risen!

Arabic: Al-Maseeh qam! / Haqqan qam!

Greek: Christos aneste! / Alethos aneste!

Ethiopian: Kristos Tenestwal!/ Bewnetem Tenestwal!

Eritrean: Christos tensiou! / Bahake tensiou!

German: Christus ist auferstanden! / Er ist wahr-haftig!

Armenian: Krisdos Hariav Ec Merelotz! / Orhniale Haroutium Krsdosee!

Slavonic: Christos voskrese! / Vo-istinu voskrese!

Romanian: Hristos a inviat! / Adevarat a inviat!

Spanish: Cristo ha resucitado! / En verdad ha resucitado!

OFFERINGS

HOLY BREAD is offered by Bruce, Tina, Briana, and Cole Harroz for their good health

and the good health of the Harroz, Farha, Duthie,

and Andeel families. It is especially offered in memory of Leenda Andeel Farha (9 years today).

May her memory be eternal.

HOLY BREAD is offered by Don and Mary Pendergraft for their good health and the good

health of their family. It is especially offered for Joseph (4/28), Katherine (4/20), and Ruby (5/5)

on the occasion of their birthdays. May God grant them many years.

HOLY BREAD is offered by Tad, Debbie, and Laney Shadid for their good health and the good health of Kory, Veronica, and Isaac Warr. It is

especially offered for Luke David on the occasion of his baptism. May God grant him

many years.

HOLY BREAD is offered by Arto and Annie Baghdayan for their good health and the good

health of Garo and Arsine Basmadjian and their family. It is especially offered as a 40-day

memorial for his mother Serpouhi Baghdayan. May her memory be eternal.

HOLY BREAD is offered by Jim and Jeanette Shadid for their good health and the good health of their family - Fr. James, Gigi, Dimitri, Noel,

and Emil Shadid and Nick, Nanette, Grace, Nicholas, and Anna Hathaway. It is especially

offered for Grace on the occasion of her birthday (5/6). May God grant her many years.

HOLY BREAD is offered by Ned and Stacy Shadid for their good health and the good health

of Neddie Shadid, Ralph and Carletta Simon, and the Crawford family. It is especially offered for Adele on the occasion of her birthday (5/2).

May God grant her many years.

HOLY BREAD is offered by Milena Gancheva for her good health and the good health of her

family. It is especially offered for Boris's recovery. It is also offered in memory of her uncle Ivailo Kostovski. May his memory be

eternal.

HOLY BREAD is offered by Kory and Veronica Warr for their son Luke Warr on the occasion of his baptism (4/6). It is especially

offered for Luke's godparents, Mike Worku and

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Debbie Shadid and their families. May God grant them many years.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME. We welcome all visitors. We are delighted you are worshipping with us and look

forward to meeting you personally.

COFFEE HOUR is hosted today by MDO. Please join us immediately following Divine

Liturgy. Visitors are especially welcome.

SYMPATHY is extended to Milena and Boyan Ganchev and family on the repose of her uncle

Ivailo Kostovski last Sunday, April 26, in Bulgaria. May his memory be eternal.

SYMPATHY is extended to Yeshi and Mike Worku and family on the repose of her uncle

Abate Tafese last Sunday, April 26, in Ethiopia. May his memory be eternal.

CONGRATULATIONS to Emerson Wyrick, who received his Cub Scout St. George Medal on March 29. May God grant him many years.

CONGRATULATIONS to Kory and Veronica Warr on the baptism of their son Luke David last

Sunday, April 26. May God grant him many years.

CONGRATULATIONS to Chance and Rehan Conerly on the baptism of their son Gideon

Chance yesterday, May 2. May God grant him many years.

CONGRATULATIONS to John Baskerville, who is receiving his Cub Scout St. George

Medal today. May God grant him many years.

FR. JEREMY is substituting at St. Benedict Russian Orthodox Church today.

NEW FAMILY NIGHT CLASSES start this Wednesday, May 6. Choose from the list of

classes in this bulletin, and join in the learning and fellowship!

DIVINE LITURGY for the feast of St. John the Divine will be celebrated at 6pm this Thursday, May 7. Come join us in celebrating Fr. John's

Name Day and the patronal feast of our Fellowship of St. John the Divine.

LADIES AID will not meet in May. Please watch the bulletin for the next meeting.

VIGIL CANDLE is lit by Mike and Teese Mullings for our troops serving in harm's way. It is especially lit for those serving in Afghanistan.

May they be kept safe from every enemy and adversary.

C O F F E E H O U R Below is the schedule of those who will host Coffee

Hour on upcoming Sundays.

May June 10 - Mother's Day 7 - Cultural Ministry

(No Coffee Hour) 14 - (Fasting) Antiochian 17 - Tim & Alexis Kaiser Women

Family 21 - Father's Day 24 - Hospitality (No Coffee Hour) 31 - St. Ignatius 28 - (Fasting) Parish

Council

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK MAY 3-9

Paul Hatch Dimitri Marusa Michael Foster, Jr. Samara Pedford Jim Kirkpatrick Christina Salem Trey Kouri Rachel Stoitzev

John Simon Anne Baskerville Terry Smith Mike Dean

Ruby Pendergraft Leilah Naifeh Mike Worku Debbie Williams Syrak Worku Rebekah Foster Karen Hanna Tyler Williams

Grace Hathaway Paul Shadid

Today we remember those who reposed in the Lord during this week in years past:

Leenda Delores Farha Meheret Zewdu Joseph John Nayphe Jimmy David Farris Rose Hazer Anna Kostankevich R. J. Massad (Saida) Sadie Taylor

Victoria Samara Walter Josephine Cohlmia Shadid

St. Elijah's MDO has had a joyous month. Our days have been filled with Pascha celebrations and special visitors. This month our theme is Big Trucks and Machines. We enjoyed visiting with the Salvation Army, EMSA, and the

Fire Fighters! In the classroom, the kids are enjoying watching the caterpillars turn into butterflies! So many wonderful things are happening as our school year is coming to a close. We still have a few spots available for our Summer Camps and 2015-2016 school year. If you are interested,

please stop by the MDO office.

Appeal for the Children of Ukraine

St Nicholas Orthodox Church in Kiev is raising funds to help children who are suffering as a result of the ongoing conflict in

Ukraine. Our parishioner Dmitry Smirnov has informed us of this work, and invites us all to participate. Here is a description of their

work:

“The project is aimed to help children first and foremost. Children are the most vulnerable part of the population. We hope to help children from the Donetsk and Lugansk regions – the zone of

military conflict in Ukraine – and sick children who are left alone during these hard economic times in Ukraine. We are trying to

collect funds to help them recover and return to normal life with time. We cooperate with orphanages. You may find all the details

on our parish website – sv-nikolay.kiev.ua.”

Please consider donating to this cause. Checks should be made out to St Elijah and earmarked for “Ukrainian Children”, and can be mailed or brought to the church office. We will collect funds for

the next three weeks, and send the total amount to Kiev after May 24.

FAMILY NIGHT NEW CLASSES START

THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 7PM

INTRODUCTION TO THE ORTHODOX FAITH EVANGELION: THE POWER OF GOD

Fr. Dn. Ezra

ARABIC COFFEE HOUSE Fr. John

PRAXIS: PRAYER, FASTING, LITURGY, & STUDY (4-week Mini-course: May 6, 13, 20, 27)

Fr. Jeremy

ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY Fr. Basil

TEEN CHATS Erin Ghata

CHILDREN Anna Harris, Jeannine Crouch, & Brittany Ham

NURSERY Julie, Lori, Joy, & Lorie

IF YOUR CHILD IS GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE, PLEASE FILL OUT THE INFO BELOW

G R A D U A T E N A M E

DROP IT BY THE OFFICE FOR ERIN BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH.

G R A D U A T E ’ S P A R E N T S

S C H O O L T H E Y A R E G R A D U A T I N G F R O M

D E G R E E E A R N E D

Wanted: One (or two, or three, or four)

Teen(s) to compete in this year 's oratorical fest ival!

Learn and speak about the l i fe of St. Raphael*! Win a tr ip to

Boston for the National Convention! There's really no

reason NOT to do i t . Talk to Erin if you're even the

t iniest bit interested.

*I mean, without St. Raphael, we wouldn't have CAMP ST. RAPHAEL. We might have Camp St. Kaïkhosro,

which could be cool, but also very complicated.

Bible Bowl practice this Wednesday at 5:15 in the

board room!

Teen Chats are back This Wednesday f rom 7 to 9 in the

Teen Room!

Sunday School Scoop

Today is our last day of classes for the year! We are thankful for all our wonderful teachers who made this year such a success: Pre-K and K: Kathi Larson, Juman Sweis and Andrea Williams 1st: Brandi Fraysur and Charli Swyden 2nd: Jeannine Crouch and Anna Harris 3rd & 4th: Sandy Hermansen and Christina Waters 5th & 6th: Harvey Homsey, Courtney Karam and Jill Sleem 7th & 8th: Malek Massad and Trae Rahill High School: Craig Abraham, Brandon Baca, Erin Ghata and George Katrib Classes for the 2015-2016 school year will begin the Sunday after Labor Day.

Are you attending the PLC in Denver?

Would you like to learn about a great, modern-day saint of our

Church?

Consider representing St. Elijah on the Adult Bible Bowl Team! Anyone

interested should talk to Erin.

The dates for VBS have been set!

Mark your calendars for June

1-5!

Worship and Spiritual Life

Sunday – Matins at 8:50 am – Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am Wednesday – Vespers at 6:15 pm (except during Lent) Tuesday – Matins at 7:00 am Saturday – Vespers at 5:00 pm

Confessions throughout the week. Call one of the Fathers for an appointment.

Study Sunday – Sunday School: Children’s Classes after Communion – Adult Class at 9:00 am. No classes during the summer.

Wednesday – Family Night 7-9 pm. Runs in 8-week blocks. Look for announcements of upcoming sessions. A full Program of Seminars and Classes for Adults, Children and Youth for both Orthodox and Non-Orthodox.

Bible Study – Thursdays at 10:30 am; nursery provided

Fellowship & Parish Development Coffee Hour – Sundays following the Divine Liturgy 20/40 Fellowship – monthly as announced

Ladies Aid – Meetings as announced Teen Chats – Wednesday Nights Adult Fellowship – Meetings as announced Antiochian Women’s Guild – as scheduled and announced

Parish Council – every 3rd Tuesday at 7 pm Choir – see Al Mamary (364-8904)

Membership To become a member, you need to pray with us at our worship services, complete the Inquirer’s Classes, and talk with our priests about your interest in the Orthodox faith. This process normally takes 12 months. We welcome you on your journey of faith and

invite you to learn of the ancient and unchanging Holy Orthodox Church.

MAY 3, 2015

USHERS: Dax Ewbank, Amos Ham, Dr. Trey Homsey, Eric Marusa, Bobby Prater, Monte

Shawareb, Kory Warr, John Wilson III

ALTAR SERVERS: Cole Harroz, Jacob Crouch, Preston Silvernail, Alec Karam, David Tamirat, Adam Sweis, Farris Shawareb, Sami

Swaiss, Nathan Shanbour

EPISTLE READER: Cindy Dugger

ELDERS: Imad Eid, Raymond Heckard, Nick Kakish, Bob Maness, Richard Moorad, Franklin

Shadid

BOOKSTORE: Lawrence Clemens

DEADLINE FOR THE BULLETIN IS

5:00 PM ON TUESDAY

CALENDAR

Sunday May 3 Cultural Ministries

Monday May 4 Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm

Tuesday May 5 Matins 7:00 am

Wednesday May 6 Vespers 6:15 pm Family Night 7:00 pm Teen Chats 7:00 pm

Thursday May 7 St. Elijah Charities 9:30 am Orthodox Study Fellowship 10:30 am Divine Liturgy for St. John 6:00 pm

the Divine Friday May 8

Saturday May 9 Great Vespers 5:00 pm