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St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-05-07
Bulletin Contents
Lectionary & Typicon
Church Services and Events
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Parish Stewardship
Announcements
Bulletin Inserts
Diocesan Stewardship Blog
ACROD News
Assembly of Bishops News
Diocesan Resources
Assembly of Bishops News
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St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (203) 375-2564
  • Street Address:

  • 1240 Broadbridge Avenue

  • Stratford, CT 06615

Contact Information

Very Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Paproski


rppaproski@gmail.com | 203-375-2564

Services Schedule


Divine Liturgy - Sundays and Feast Days : 9:00 am

Great Vespers - Saturday Evenings: 5:00 pm

Great Vespers - Eve of Great Feasts: 7:00 pm

Moleben to St. Nectarios - Second Tuesday 7:00 pm 

Past Bulletins


Lectionary & Typicon

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA

The Paralytic

May 7, 2017

Epistle: Acts 9:32-42
Gospel John 5:1-15


Resurrectional  Tone 3

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Church Services and Events

  • Calendar

    May 7 to May 21, 2017

    Sunday, May 7

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School

    11:00AM Mulching Work Party

    Tuesday, May 9

    7:00PM Moleben To St. Nectarios

    7:30PM Parish Council Meeting

    Wednesday, May 10

    7:00PM Orthodox Boot Camp - Adult Ed

    Saturday, May 13

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, May 14

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Mother's Day Breakfast

    Sunday, May 21

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 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 at Joppa a 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.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from 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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Saints and Feasts

Jcparal1
May 07

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

Allsaint
May 07

Elizabeth the Wonderworker

Saint Elizabeth was born in Heraclea of Thrace. She lived in virginity and exhausted herself with ascetical labours and every kind of hardship from the time of her youth, and was deemed worthy of the grace of wonderworking from God; she reposed in peace in Constantinople in the middle of the fifth century.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

For where tears are-- or rather, where miracles are, there tears ought not to be; not where such a mystery is celebrating. Hear, I beseech you: although somewhat of the like kind does not take place now, yet in the case of our dead likewise, a great mystery is celebrating. Say, if as we sit together, the Emperor were to send and invite some one of us to the palace, would it be right, I ask, to weep and mourn? Angels are present, commissioned from heaven and come from thence, sent from the King Himself to call their fellow servant, and say, dost thou weep? Knowest thou not what a mystery it is that is taking place, how awful, how dread, and worthy indeed of hymns and lauds? Wouldest thou learn, that thou mayest know, that this is no time for tears? For it is a very great mystery of the Wisdom of God. As if leaving her dwelling, the soul goes forth, speeding on her way to her own Lord, and dost thou mourn? Why then, thou shouldst do this on the birth of a child: for this in fact is also a birth, and a better than that.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on Acts 9, 4th Century

In that case [Matt 9:2] there was remission of sins, (for He said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee,") but in this, warning and threats to strengthen the man for the future; "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 37 on John 1, 4th Century

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Parish Stewardship

Logo_-_stewardship_commission_-_10-7-2013_(234_x_249)
Date Coffee Hour  Host Hours Epistle Church Cleaner
May 14 Mother's Day Holly Matt Cleaning Service
May 21 Stokely Brett Cantors Householder
         
2017 Parish Stewardship Offering (As of 04/30/17)
YTD: $23,209.00 Goal: $68,000.00
 
Be a Good Steward Help Your Parish Carry Out Its Vital Mission!

 

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Announcements

CHURCH GROUNDS  MULCHING WORK PARTY - Many thanks to all who will be helping with spreading mulch in the gardens on the Church and Rectory Grounds. May God Grant You Many Years!!!!

MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST -  The Annual Mother’s Day breakfast will take place on Sunday May 14.  All are invited to attend.  All parish men are asked to see Tom Decerbo to offer their assistance.

CAMP NAZARETH FAMILY DAY RAFFLE- We have received our allotment of Family Day Raffle tickets. Each ticket is $20.00 with a chance to win $10,000.00. Please see Fr. Peter to purchase your ticket today.

CAMP NAZARETH – New England Deanery- July 30 - Aug 5, 2017  It is time to start planning for Camp Nazareth this summer. We are going the first week and the registration deadline is June 1. Early bird deadline (saving you $20.00) is May 15. Complete information as well as downloadable registration forms are available at http://www.campnazareth.org/Forms&Registration.htm. If you do not have computer access, please see Fr. Peter. Also sure to let Fr. Peter know if your child is going to camp so that you have a spot on the Deanery Camp bus.

ADULT EDUCATION DISCUSSION - Our Orthodox Boot Camp Adult Education  class  resumed this past Wed May 3, 2017. We will be reading a short book on the power of The Resurrection  Pascha Transforms Wolfman Tom . Please let Fr. Peter know if  you would like to[purchase it.   Cost is $8.00. Please let Fr. Peter know if you are unable to physically attend the class, but would like to participate via video conferencing or by telephone.

FUND DRIVE FOR AIRCONDITIONING & PARKING LOT - At  our parish annual meeting, we decided to allocate the necessary funds to complete the Church Parking Lot  and install central airconditioning in the Church.  While there is sufficient funds in the Church Treasury to cover the costs, we have decide to have a special fund drive  to defray the cost of these projects to allow a bigger cash reserve in case of unforseen expenses or shortfalls in the parish budget.  To date,   $1985.00 has been already raised for the airconditioning and $10,000 for the  Onofrey Parking Lot.  If you would like to make a donation please see Fr. Peter or any parish council officer.  Thank you for  your consideration of this request.Save

COMMUNITY SUPPER - Our next meal will be  Monday May 15.   Please See Mary or Eve if you  wish to help.

DIOCESAN YOUNG WOMEN'S ENCOUNTER -  Parish Young women ages 12-18 are invited to attend the Annual YWE to be held at the same time as the Altarboy Retreat in Windber, PA form June 25-28.  Please see Fr. Peter if interested in attending.

DIOCESAN ALTARBOY RETREAT -  All Parish Altarboys are invited and urged to take part in the annual retreat to be held at Christ The Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, PA from June 25-28.  Please see Fr. Peter if interested in attending.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

May 11        

 Michelle Mihaly Birthday
 
FINANCIAL STATISTICS  4/30/17
First Sunday           10.00
Pew Collection         765.00
4 Hour Candles            58.00
7 Day Candles           12.00
Bake Sale           39.00
Church Dues          375.00
Bath Renovation Donation       2,128.78
 Decorated Candles            30.00
 Perpetual Candle        $156.00
 TOTAL      $3,573.78

 

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Bulletin Inserts

    Diocesan Camp 2017

    Diocesan Camp 2017

    Registration Information From Camp Nazareth re: The 2017 Camping Season

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ACROD News

Acrod-logo

Eternal Memory: +Henry Beben

04/27/2017

http://www.acrod.org/news/2017/em-h-beben
JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Diocesan Chancery has been informed that +Henry Beben, the father of Pani Marsha Tobias, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, April 25, 2017.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Friday April 28, 2017 - Parastas will be served at 7:30 pm at Rossi Funeral Home, North Road, Warren, Ohio. The funeral service will be sung on Saturday April 29th at 10:00 am at St. Nicholas Church, Warren, Ohio.

Assembly of Bishops Releases National Study on Outreach and Evangelism in Orthodox Parishes in the US

04/24/2017

http://www.acrod.org/news/2017/evangelism-outreach-study
[NEW YORK, NY ] The first ever, national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report "Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes" explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as "exemplary" in their missionary and outreach efforts. Examples of what the readers will find in the report include: The "secrets" of being a parish that attracts and welcomes new members; Eight good practices of welcoming first-time visitors and inquirers about the Faith; How do "exemplary" parishes achieve a high degree of involvement of their members in parish life; Four distinct features of religious education in the "exemplary" parishes;and Six "lessons" that Church leadership (bishops) can learn from the "exemplary" parishes.

National ACRY Scholarship Application Now Posted On-Line

04/23/2017

http://www.acrod.org/news/2017/acry-scholarship-2017
JOHNSTOWN, PA -- Each year, the National ACRY offers scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, technical school and seminary students. The scholarship program is designed to encourage diocesan youth to remain connected to the Church while pursuing higher education. Diocesan faithful who are members of the ACRY are invited to apply for the following scholarships: Freshman, Sophmore, Junior, Senior/Metropolitan Orestes, Graduate, Trade/Technical, Seminarian and Mary Kay Wanchak Memorial.
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Assembly of Bishops News

Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes

04/24/2017

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2017/evangelization-study-report
The first ever, national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report 'Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes' explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as 'exemplary' in their missionary and outreach efforts.
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Diocesan Resources

Diocesan Website:  http://www.acrod.org Camp:  http://www.campnazareth.org
Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/acroddiocese
  Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrodnews
You Tube: https://youtube.com/acroddiocese
  National ACRY: http://www.acry.org

 

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Assembly of Bishops News

Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes

04/24/2017

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2017/evangelization-study-report
The first ever, national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report 'Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes' explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as 'exemplary' in their missionary and outreach efforts.

Assembly Chairman's Message for Holy Pascha 2017

04/12/2017

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2017/chairmans-message-for-holy-pascha-2017
Pascha 2017 - To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America
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