SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS ORTHODOX CHURCH 16903 Espola Road, Poway, California Mailing Address: P.O. Box 28291, San Diego, CA 92198-0291 Website: stjohnofdamascus.org

WEEKLY BULLETIN

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Father Alexander Federoff, Rector Deacon George Shumaik Church Office:

[email protected] [email protected]

Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Next Sunday:

1 John 2:18-3:10 1 John 3:11-20 1 John 3:21-4:6 1 John 4:20-5:21 2 John 1:1-13 1 Corinthians 10:23-28 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2

Mark 11:1-11 Mark 14:10-42 Mark 14:43-15:1 Mark 15:1-15 Mark 15:22,25,33-41 Luke 21:8-9,25-27,33-36 Matthew 25:41-46

THIS WEEK IN THE LIFE OF OUR PARISH

858-674-1931

Sunday of the Prodigal Son – Tone 1 Commemorating: Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch (381); St Aleksy, Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia (1378); St Meletius, Archbishop of Kharkov (1840); Ven Mary (who was called Marinus), and her father, Ven Eugene, at Alexandria (6th); St Anthony, Patriarch of Constantinople (895); and, St Kristo the Gardener (Albania—1752).

TODAY: 8:30 am BAPTISM of Magnolia Joanna, daughter of Annie and Evan Keeling 9:00 a.m. DIVINE LITURGY followed by Church School and our Annual Parish Meeting and Pot Luck Luncheon Candlestand: Igor Bishaev Greeter: Lena Strateff Prosphora: Pat Swinehart Reader: Mary Caetta Counters: Dale Franchak and Joe Temnick Annual Meeting Pot Luck Luncheon MONDAY: 9:30 am Funeral for Mary Ellen Mishler with burial at Dearborn Memorial Park in Poway

TODAY'S READINGS Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 apostasy: Loyalty to Tradition]

SCRIPTURAL READINGS FOR THIS WEEK

[The Pastor’s Defense against

Gospel: Luke 15:11-32 [The Parable of the Prodigal Son]

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS We are pleased to have visitors worship with us, and we pray that you will be blessed through your experience in our services. In the Orthodox Church, the reception of Holy Communion is reserved to those who are baptized and chrismated members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves by fasting, prayer, participation in the divine services, and a timely Confession.

SATURDAY: 6:00 p.m Great Vespers followed by Confession

NEXT SUNDAY: 9:00 a.m. DIVINE LITURGY followed by Church School and Coffee Hour Candlestand: Alex Saikowski Greeter: Mike Kapsimalis Prosphora: Linda Kedroff Reader: Steve Drexler Counters: Shari Henry and Kim Klavzar Coffee Hour: Alex, Brown S&P, Kapsimalis

SPECIAL OCCASIONS -- On behalf of the entire community we extend our prayers and best wishes to Jennifer Fenlason, who will th celebrate her BIRTHDAY this week on Wednesday, Feb 15 . May God grant her all His blessings for MANY YEARS! If we do not have your special occasions, please give the specific information to Vickie Federoff so we can offer our prayers and best wishes on your behalf.

OUR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING - TODAY! 1) An updated Membership is posted as required per our bylaws 2) The meeting packet, including the agenda, minutes, and reports was sent via e-mail and regular mail last week. 3) Enjoy the Pot Luck Luncheon!.

ANNUAL MEETING ELECTIONS -- Every year we elect four members of the Parish Council. Consider volunteering to be nominated for a two year term. Also, we will elect representatives to our Diocesan Assembly (to be held in Portland, October 10-12, 2017) and two auditors.

MANY THANKS --

To EVERYONE who attended the Fast Free Friday Dinner and Square Dance. A SPECIAL THANKS to Anne Cooper who organized this enjoyable event!

FYI – We would like remind everyone that you should only write out a minimal number of checks when you donate to the church. Write a check for your total amount and indicate in the right hand corner how you want your donation to be recorded.

INTRODUCTION TO ORTHODOXY

-Great Lent originally was a special time for catechumens / learners to study about the Christian faith and prepare to become faithful members. We will have sessions about the teaching of the Church beginning on Saturday, March 4, 2017. If you are interested in attending this class, speak to Father Alexander.

BUY SCRIP -- The best way to increase profit from selling Scrip is to have more individuals participate and to purchase Scrip on a regular basis. Beth Brown is the person who has the scrip.

ICON EXCHANGE -- On the first Sunday of Lent, we commemorate Orthodoxy Sunday and the restoration of Icons. We plan to have various icon we have collected available for anyone who would like to take and use them. If you have any icons you would like to include in this give away, please bring them to church.

MASLENITSA – The last Sunday before Great Lent is Forgiveness Sunday (February 26) which is also known as Cheese Fare Sunday. Tania Orlova has volunteered to once again organize the Coffee Hour so we can experience this Cheese Festival! Last Sunday’s Attendance: 86 Adults

32 Children

The Prodigal Son Sunday February 12, 2017