THE EPISTLE

Prokeimenon: You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.

Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from The Acts of the Apostles.

IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.

THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS

The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Black Family.

The Coffee and Reception Hour in the Church Hall is offered today by the Deeb, Carter, and Gebhard Families. We remind our parishioners that each family should take its turn and sponsor the Coffee and Reception Hour for the parish. Please see the chart posted in the Church Hall which lists what is needed in order to offer this Sunday reception. We encourage families to join together when possible, but please do not wait to sign up for this “family gathering” and Coffee Hour.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Today we will “Church” the newly born RYAN GEORGE TARGOVE, son of Rose and Ron, brother of Kristen and Julia, and grandson of Siham and George Saliba. MANY YEARS!

2. This Wednesday, May 31^st, we will celebrate the ASCENSION OF OUR LORD, forty days after Holy Pascha. We will begin this Vesperal Liturgy at 7:30 PM. The actual Feast day is June 1^st, this Eucharistic Vesperal Liturgy being celebrated on the EVE of the Feast. Please be prepared to receive the Holy Eucharist by abstaining in your evening meal. A small snack is allowed after school.

3. We are sorry to learn of the falling asleep in Christ of +Christine Davis Slezak, a parishioner who, although living a great distance from the church, maintained her membership. She is the daughter of George Davis (departed) and Evelyn Davis of Hillsdale, and sister of Ken and Margie Davis of Franklin Lakes. The Funeral was celebrated yesterday, Saturday, May 27^th here at St. Anthony’s MEMORY ETERNAL!

4. NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 4^th IS OUR ANNUAL ST. ANTHONY PARISH PICNIC! Each year this is sponsored by our Fellowship. It will be held at the OTTO PEHLE PAVILLION at the Saddle Brook County Park, Railroad Avenue (off Saddle River Road) in Rochelle Park. Please see directions in the specially prepared flier. Simply bring your main course, as well as lawn chairs, tablecloths, and if desired, board games for your family. The Fellowship provides all the rest. Come and see the TEENS and pre-teens “whip” the old people. Incidentally, Father Joseph will coach the Teen Team to victory. The game will begin after 2:00 PM. In the event of rain, the picnic will be held in the Fellowship Hall. All parishioners, however, should first attend Liturgy next Sunday! Informal dress is allowed for next Sunday, ONLY!

5. Next Monday, June 5^th is our fellowship GOLF OUTING. Please speak with Don DiNovi for information, but also please help our Fellowship by SPONSORING this event. Don can help you in how to offer one of the golf holes, or in how to join the other golfers on that day. Remember: all proceeds go to St. Anthony’s!

6. Tuesday, June 6^th is the Parish Council Meeting for the month of June, and the last regularly scheduled meeting before the summer. All members should be present for this meeting.

7. Thursday, June 8^th, there will be a meeting of all chairpersons for the Golden Jubilee Celebration. All Chairpersons must be present. Remember: our KICKOFF AUTUMN FEST is scheduled for SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30^th, and this takes us officially into “Jubilee Focus,” a time of a more intense focus on our 50^th Anniversary which culminates on Jubilee Weekend, June 1,2, and 3, 2007. As notified in the last communications to all chairperson, please be prepared to report to the committee at this meeting, June 8^th at 7:30 PM!

8. CHURCH SCHOOL

A. REGISTRATION for the Church School year 2006-2007 is continuing over the next few weeks. Please register your children today! This is a “parental responsibility,” and every parent should realize the importance of a proper Orthodox Christian Education in light of the culture in which our kids are living today! See Registrar Irene Kavountzis today.

B. Our end-of-the-year RECOGNITION DAY will be held this year on Sunday, June 11^th. The annual Joan Allen Memorial Scholarships will also be awarded on that day. PARENTS of graduates: please be here with your students on that day.

9. PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE, July 6-9, 2006. This year the PLC is being sponsored by the Cathedral of St. George of Oakland (Pittsburg, PA), and will be held at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, 777 Aten Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108. The special rate of $84.00 plus tax for single/double occupancy is available for two days before and two days after the conference. There are flyers, schedules, etc. in the Narthex.

10. Father Joseph will speak on The Da Vinci Code movie on Sunday, June 18^th, in the Church, as we usually present the lectures of the Fall Adult Education Series. You will be allowed to ask questions after Father’s talk.

May 28, 2006

THE EPISTLE