Saint John of Damascus Orthodox Church A parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America

His Grace Bishop John, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester

300 West Street, Dedham, Massachusetts 02026-5594

781.326.3046; www.stjohnd.org

Pastoral Staff: Archpriest John K. Teebagy, Pastor pastor@stjohnd.org Rev. Deacon Christos Hatzopoulos Mark Haddad, Choir Director Anthony Hamwey, Chanter

Office Hours: Monday –Thursday: 9 am – 2 pm Church Office: churchoffice@stjohnd.org Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday at 2 pm Regular Sunday Services: Confessions: 8:40 am - 9:40 am; Matins: 9 am Divine Liturgy: 10 am

ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS MISSION STATEMENT

We worship and glorify God, by loving and caring for each other, providing a safe, thriving and life-long home, from which we spread the teaching and good works of our Orthodox Christian Faith. Being God’s stewards, we celebrate our faith by: participating fully in the sacramental and liturgical life of the church.

responding to the needs of all by living the message of the Gospel through outreach to each other and to

the community at large.

fostering our God-given talents as stewards to strengthen God's church.

“Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)

A NOTE TO OUR VISITORS

WELCOME! We are glad to have you worshipping with us today. We hope that you will complete one of our visitor cards and will introduce yourself to Fr. John after the service. Please also join us for coffee following the Liturgy. Since the Orthodox Church understands Communion to be a sign of our unity of faith, only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and periodic confession are permitted to participate in Holy Communion. All present, however, are welcome to partake of the blessed bread and receive a blessing at the end of liturgy.

29 April 2018

4th Sunday after Pascha – The Paralytic

Christ is Risen! Truly, He has Risen!

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 become the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy. Troparion of St. John of Damascus – Tone 8: Thou hast shown thyself, O God-inspired John, as a guide to the Orthodox Faith, a teacher of true worship and purity, O star of the universe and companion of monastics, O wise one. Through thy light thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Therefore intercede with Christ God to save our souls. Kontakion of Easter - 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.

Prokeimenon: Sing praises to our God, sing praises.

Clap your hands, all you nations.

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

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was a Joppa disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas 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, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. 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 Bethsaida, 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 38 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 befalls you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

And the rest of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Christ is Risen! Truly, He has Risen!

+ The Offerings – Holy Bread + Trisagion Prayers of Mercy are offered in beloved memory of Arlene Haddad (40 day) by her children and grandchildren Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of mother and (great) grandmother Helen Kurker by Jon and Lil Cronin & family Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of mother and grandmother Lillian S. Bezreh and beloved grandparents Rustum and Maheeba Shaheen by Russell and Maybelle Homsy & family Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of grandmother and great-grandmother Rose J. Haddad by Richard Nawfel; Nico and RoseMarie Stamboulides; and Elias and Eleni Nawfel & family; we will forever treasure her memory and through us, she will live in our hearts through All Eternity Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of mother and grandmother Lillian S. Bezreh and beloved grandparents Rustum and Maheeba Shaheen by Bob and Dolores Bezreh & family

Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of parents and grandparents Matilda and Elias Stephens by Bob and Dolores Bezreh & family

Memory Eternal

DONATION(S) TO THE CHURCH:

Mary Abdelahad in beloved memory of Helen Kurker Fred and Marianne Abdelahad in beloved memory of Helen Kurker

Ray and Sheila Hamwey, with much love, thanking all who helped with the Saturday evening Easter dinner; it was greatly appreciated. May God bless all of you! Russell and Maybelle Homsy & family in beloved memory of Arlene Haddad John and Mary Cahaly in beloved memory of Arlene Haddad

In beloved memory of aunt and cousin Arlene Haddad; we will miss her smile and kindness!

Richard Nawfel; Nico and RoseMarie Stamboulides; and Elias and Eleni Nawfel & family Mitch and Tricia Haddad & family Jean Teebagy

Donna Sabbag Eli, Joan, and Michael Medwar Nora Medwar

DONATION(S) TO THE VIRGIN MARY SOCIETY:

The children and grandchildren of Arlene Haddad in her beloved memory; she is forever in our hearts Arthur and David Khouri for the speedy recovery of aunt Marion Haddad

In beloved memory of dear sister and sister-in-law Arlene Haddad; she will forever be missed!

Barbara Hamwey Marion Haddad

Al and Marjie Haddad Lorice Zahka

In beloved memory of aunt Arlene Haddad; always in our hearts and sorely missed!

Linda and Mike O’Hara & family Dianne, Kristen and Kayla Ray and Sheila Hamwey & family Mr. and Mrs. John Haddad & family Russ and Colleen Khouri Bruce and Ron Haddad Cynthia, Mark, Anthony and Lydia Haddad Arthur and David Khouri Nancy and Dennis Close Violet and Richard Robbat

Peter and Camille Zahka & family David and Carol Hazerjian & sons Steve and Andrea Plasko Al and Debbie Hamwey & family, for godmother Susan Doyle and Steve Bezreh & family Anthony and JoLaine Hamwey Steve and Louise Hamwey & family Richie and Rhonda & family

In beloved memory of Arlene Haddad; may her memory be eternal!

Beatrice Haddad Bob and Gloria Sabbag

Gail Kurker Debbie and Charlie Greenstein

In beloved memory of George Saideh (40 day); may his memory be eternal!

Laurice Kurker Ken and Regina Kurker

Al and Karen Robbat Gregory Kurker

In beloved memory of dear mother and (great) grandmother Rose Haddad (7 yrs.); memory eternal!

Al and Marjie Haddad & family Russ and Colleen Khouri

Violet, Richard and Michael Robbat and Steve and Andrea Plasko

DONATION(S) TO THE CHURCH SCHOOL:

Steve, Martha, Matthew, Philip and Marjorie Haddad in beloved memory of Aunty Arlene Haddad; may her memory be eternal!

Dianne Mercado and family in beloved memory of Helen Kurker

Announcements… Reminder Please remember to contact Fr. John (781.326.3046 or pastor@stjohnd.org) at your earliest convenience, if you or a loved one has a pastoral need. Thank you.

Today The Arlene Haddad Family will host the coffee hour in her beloved memory; all are welcome!

Today The teens will meet @ 12 noon. All teens are welcome.

Next Week The annual parish meeting will be held, immediately after the liturgy. For more information, please see Ray Hamwey, the Executive Board Chair.

Nominations If you or someone you know would like to serve on the Executive Board, please see Ray Hamwey or Fred Abdelahad for more information. This is a great way to serve your parish. Let us attend The deadline for the May 13 bulletin is Monday, May 7 at 2 pm. Please plan ahead. Altar Server sign-up All boys who are interested in volunteering as Altar Servers can sign up at the Bengari through May 20. To be eligible, you must be in grades 3 through 10 during the 2018/2019 school year. Existing Altar Servers must have served at least 50% of scheduled services and have attended at least 50% of Church School classes during the 2017/2018 school year. First-year Altar Servers must have attended at least 50% of Church School classes during the 2017/2018 school year. Please contact Bob Kurker at 781.799.1577 or Robert_Kurker@hotmail.com with any questions.

Food for Hungry This annual archdiocesan program is concluding. Please return your alms box or make your donation to the church and earmark it “FFHP”. Donations are being accepted through May 20. Remembering the poor is not only an important part of Great Lent but a daily part of our lives as followers of Christ.

Mark your calendar The church school celebration and BBQ is May 20. Please join us as we celebrate our children and their teachers.

2018 PLC The Mission Council will host the 2018 Parish Life Conference at St. John’s. Complete information can be found at http://www.antiochianevents.com/worcester.html. Please join us!

Looking for a spiritual home? If you would like more information about joining the parish, please contact Fr. John. You are most welcome!

2018 NG Beram Veterans Scholarship High school seniors of Arabic background planning on attending an accredited college in the fall are invited to apply for the Beram scholarships. Please visit www.stjohnd.org/ngberam for more information and an application, which must be postmarked by June 1st, 2018.

From the Stewardship Committee “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. “Proverbs 28:27 Altar Servers: John Najjar, Dean of Altar Servers. Serving this week: St. Matthew Team.

From the Fathers – “The gospel records that when Christ was dead, but still hung on the cross, a soldier came and pierced his side with a lance and immediately there poured out water and blood. Now the water was a symbol of baptism and the blood, of the Holy Eucharist. The solider pierced the Lord’s side, he breached the wall of the sacred temple, and I have found the treasure and made it my own. So also with the lamb; the people sacrificed the victim, and I have been saved by it.” St. John Chrysostom