Forefeast of & Sunday before the Nativity of Christ

(The Genealogy)

Virgin-martyr Juliana of Nicomedia; Martyr Themistokles of Myra in Lycia

Sunday, December 21 Baptisms at 9:00 am.

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS

The Epistle

Blessed are Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

For Thou are just in all that Thou has done.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (11:9-10, 32-40)

Brethren, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

The Gospel

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (1:1-25)

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, Who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ were fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His Name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called His Name Jesus.

Resurrectional Apolytikion – 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.

Apolytikion if the Forefeast of the Nativity – Tone 4

Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. * Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of Life * hath blossomed forth in the cave from the holy Virgin. * Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, * wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, * and as we eat thereof we shall all live, * and shall not die as did Adam. * For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.

Apolytikion of Sunday Before the Nativity – Tone 2

Great are the accomplishments of faith; for the three holy youths rejoiced in the fountain of flames as though at waters of rest. And the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Kontakion of Preparation of Christ’s Nativity – Tone 3

The Virgin cometh today to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word eternal. Therefore, rejoice o earth at the message with the Angels and the shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear as a young Child, He who is from Eternity God.

Approaching the Holy Chalice

The young children of Little Lambs and their teachers receive first, unless there are newly illumined, in which case the children go second. Infants to toddlers may follow with their parents or godparent. Everyone else in the parish family is asked to file toward the periphery, toward the narthex, and proceed down the center aisle. As we approach the chalice, we fold our arms, right over left. This is both a posture of submission and confession of Christ’s victory over death. Those who commune are asked to open their mouths wide with their heads slightly tipped up and receive the Gifts directly from the spoon. This eliminates confusion and reduces the risk of spillage.

Thought for Today

“To live with Jesus, you need- struggle, humility and unceasing prayer. These are your tools for the hard road ahead.” -St. Moses the Strong

This Week

Today, Sunday Christmas caroling to our neighbors following the Sunday meal.

Monday, December 22 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.

Tuesday, December 23 Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, December 24 Hours of Christmas Eve at 9:00 am; Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at 4:00 pm.

Christmas morning, December 25 Festal Matins at 9:00 am; Festal Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. The Church will remain open all day for those who wish to spend time together in the fellowship hall.

Friday, December 26 Divine Liturgy for the Synaxis of the Theotokos at 9:00 am.

Saturday, December 27 Bible study 10:00 am at the Webbs’ home; Tween and Teen SOYO at 3:30 pm. Great Vespers at 5:00; ‘Ask Abouna’ to follow.

Sunday, December 28 Matins at 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Looking Ahead

December 31 Great Vespers 6:00 pm, followed by New Year’s Eve Potluck

January 1 Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great for the Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 9:00 am

January 3 Children’s Christmas pageant on the 10th day of Christmas

January 5-6 Theophany Services

Family News

Name Day Celebrations Christopher Stroguiludis, Christ Jesus (25th); Stephen Berck, Protomartyr Stephen (27th).

Birthday Celebrations Jonathon Hsu (22nd).

Anniversary Celebration Phil & Debra Campbell (23rd).

Prayer List Dnsa. Robyn Freeman; Paulina and the child born of her; Cathy; Freeman family and newborn Isaiah; Lauren Ann and infant David; Nanette; Rita; Heather; Kh. Paraskeva; Hal; Jacquie; Jim and Lisa; Taylor; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Marvin; Nectaria, Shu-Mei. Charlie, Shirley; Gregory; Jim; Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering from the war in Ukraine and the Middle East; our Nation; all school children, and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Josiah; Jack; Christopher; Wadia; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki; Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Josh; Allison; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Andrew; Isaac; Sadie and the child she bears; Kelsey and the child she bears; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Leanne Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Sarah; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Evan; Anastasia and family; Dorthea; Mary; Marina; Patrick; Seraphima, Anna and the child she bears, Mary and the child she bears; Williams family.

Memory Eternal Creighton, Christopher, Amanda, Jared, Kh. Carol, Robert.

We Need Your Help Helping Those in Need: The fasts of the Church, most especially the cold weather fasting periods of Nativity and Great Lent, are opportunities for great spiritual growth. We pray, fast and offer charity to those in need, fulfilling the Lord’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Here are opportunities to give desperately needed alms through the Church during this season:

Saint Nicholas Tree: There is a small Christmas tree set up in the fellowship hall. You are invited to bring gas/grocery cards or cash to place on that tree. These will be collected and distributed to families in need.

Diapers and Baby Blankets: Our project this year (in memory of Alx John Alexander) is to collect baby diapers (all sizes) and baby blankets for families seeking help through the Hannah House. Please place your donations in the box provided in the fellowship hall, and we will get them to Hannah House.

Hats, mittens/gloves, sweatshirts and underclothing: This collection is for the children in the community shelter. There is a need for sizes 2t to 14. Place your donations in the Christmas bag in the hallway.

Benevolence Fund: We have been helping multiple families recently, so this fund needs built up. ‘Tis the season to give as you are able. Please help us help those seeking charity.

Food Pantry: Our in-house Food Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken, tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always needed.

Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support.

All Saints’ Sunday Meal

SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP MEAL CHANGES BEGIN In order to best serve our growing congregation, instead of the usual alphabetical meal teams, we ask that everyone who is able bring a food donation of a pot, bowl, casserole or loaf of something* to share at the meal. If you are unable to bring a donation, please come anyway and help with cleaning up after the meal. *Please remember, no meat or dairy through December 7 (fish is allowed) and no meat, dairy or fish on December 14 and 21th. Place your donations ready to be served on the serving buffet prior to Holy Communion. After the meal, remove your containers and clean up any church items you used. Thank you.

Service Books Our service books are disappearing. New ones for Divine Liturgy and Daily Vespers have been printed. Please check your homes for service books and return them if found.

Attention Parents Please make sure your beautiful children clean up after themselves, especially in the nursery and in our outdoor spaces.

Donations to the church are being made online to www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.