Sunday, January 3, 2016

Forefeast of & Sunday before Theophany of Christ

Holy Prophet Malachi; Martyr Gordios of Cappadocia;

Venerable Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesbos; Venerable Genevieve of Paris

At All Saints, we warmly welcome our visitors as honored guests.

 Nourishment of the Soul:  “But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the  Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy3:14-17)

Let us pray to the Lord: “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in the Ukraine.”

House Blessings will be scheduled after Theophany. There will be a sign-up sheet.

Annual Church Calendars are ready for pickup. These are a gift to you from the Church and feature photos by Darryl Jones.

Receiving the Eucharist: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession.  If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Anniversary Blessings: Darryl & Nancy J (4th); Michael & Missy S (7th)

Happy Birthday: John A (5th); Charles C (8th); Hal S (9th)

Name Day Remembrance – St. John the Baptizer: John A (7th); John L (7th)

Memory Eternal: Infant Athena (25th); Dr. Frank (2nd);  Steve (6th); Marilyn (16th)

Remember to date your checks with the new year 2016!

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, January 5: The Hours of Theophany at 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 5: Evening Liturgy on the Eve of Theophany with the Blessing of the Waters at 6:00

Wednesday, January 6: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Friday, January 8: SOYO meeting at 6:00

Saturday, January 9:  Great Vespers at 5:00; 40-Day Memorial for Dr. Frank

Sunday,  January 10:  Matins at 9:00;  Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Baptism

LOOKING AHEAD

• January 12: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home
• January 13: Vesperal Liturgy for St. Nina of Georgia
• January 14: Bedford-Mitchell Fellowship
• January 20: Vesperal Liturgy for St. Maximus
• January 23: Altar Servers Meeting
• January 26: Gathering in the Gazebo (in the social hall)– Myrrh Bearers will play games!
• February 1 & 2: Patronal Visit by Bishop ANTHONY

 at the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Prayer List: Archpriest Athanasius; James; Alex John;  Jason; Steve D;  Dee; Becky H.; Amal; Alexis T. ;Tom;  Jake; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Jill; Kh. Kristina; Angie; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes in Albania,  Jesse Brandow  in Guatemala (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Dee H.; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Those with child: Megan. Ashley, Rachel B, Jessica with twins.; Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R;  Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley:  Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; Charles; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Dennis & Joyce; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings                   

Prokeimenon: “O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.”

Verse: “Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, O my God!”  Psalm 27:9,1

Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Second Epistle to  Timothy.  (4:5-8)

                My Child Timothy, be watchful in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.  For I am already being poured out as a libation, and the season of my departure is at hand: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have guarded the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will reward me at that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved His appearing.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (1:1-8)

                The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”  John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan confessing their sins.  Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey.  And he preached, saying, “After me comes He Who is mightier than I, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 6

When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby.  Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Apolytikion for the Forefeast  of  Theophany – Tone 4

Be thou ready, Zabulon; prepare thyself, O Nephtalim. River Jordan, stay thy course and skip for gladness to receive the Sovereign Master, Who cometh now to be baptized. O Adam, be thou glad with our first mother, Eve; hide not as ye did of old in Paradise.  Seeing you naked, He hath appeared now to clothe you in the first robe again.  Christ hath appeared, for He truly willeth to renew all creation.

Kontakion of the Forefeast of Theophany – Tone 4

Today hath the Lord appeared in the courses of the Jordan, crying to John and saying, “Be not dismayed at my Baptism; for I have verily come to save Adam, the first to be created.”

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Proto-Martyr Stephen the Archdeacon

Sunday After the Nativity of Christ

Commemoration of Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King,

and James the Brother of the Lord

At All Saints, we warmly welcome our visitors as honored guests.

 Nourishment of the Soul:  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

(John 1:1,14)

Receiving the Eucharist: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession.  If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Today during Matins, Ezekiel Daniel Crandall will be  baptized! He is the infant son of Matthew and Gabriella and grandson of Subdn. Daniel & Linda Barrett.

Bookstore: Get your Icon Calendars for 2016 now as the new year draws near.   A new item is All Saints, long sleeved pullovers in black.

Happy Birthday: Adriana C (30th); Molly A (31st); Nancy J (31st); Stephanie D (Jan. 1st); Lina T (Jan. 1st)

Memory Eternal: Infant Athena (25th); Dr. Frank (2nd);  Steve (6th); Marilyn (16th)

THIS WEEK

There is a dispensation from fasting until Epiphany.

 Wednesday, December 30: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Thursday, December 31: Evening Liturgy on New Year’s Eve –  Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and Commemoration of St. Basil the Great at 6:00 pm

Saturday, January 2:  Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday,  January 3:  Matins at 9:00;  Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

 January 5: Evening Liturgy on the Eve of Theophany with Caleb Lewis’s Chrismation and the Blessing of the Waters

• House Blessings will be scheduled after Theophany.
• January 26: Gathering in the Gazebo (in the social hall)– Myrrh Bearers will play games!
• February 1 & 2: Patronal Visit by Bishop ANTHONY

Let us pray to the Lord: “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in the Ukraine.”

Prayer List: Archpriest Athanasius; James; Alex John;  Jason; Steve D;  Dee; Becky H.; Amal; Alexis T. ;Tom;  Jake; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Jill; Kh. Kristina; Angie; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes in Albania,  Jesse Brandow  in Guatemala (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Dee H.; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Those with child: Megan. Ashley, Rachel B.; Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R;  Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley:  Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; Charles; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Dennis & Joyce; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie

      Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings                            

Prokeimenon: “His sound has gone forth into all the earth.”

Verse: “The heavens declare the glory of God!”  Psalm 18:4,1

Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles. (6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60)

In those days,  Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.  Then arose some of those who were of the synagogue, which was called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, and they disputed with Stephen.  But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.  Then they secretly instigated men, who said: “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”  And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him to the Sanhedrin, and set up false witnesses who said: “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.”  And gazing at him, all who sat in the Sanhedrin saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

And the chief priest said: “Are these things so?”  And he said: “Men, brethren and fathers, hear me.  The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him: ‘Depart from your land and from your kindred and go into the land which I will show you.’  Then he departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and lived in Haran.  And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living; yet he gave him no inheritance in it not even a foot-step.”

“But Solomon built a house for Him.  Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?  Did not my hand make all these things?’  You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit.  As your fathers did, so do you.  Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute?  And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you have now become betrayers and murderers, you who received the Law as it was ordained by angels, and did not keep it.”

Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart and they ground their teeth against him.  But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed upon him with one accord.  Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  And as they were stoning Stephen, he called upon the Lord and said: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”  And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:13-23)

            When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.”  And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.  This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son.”  Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region, who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.  Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.”  But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.”  And he rose and took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel.  But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.  And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

                  Divine Liturgy Variables

2nd Antiphon

Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin, who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 5

Let us believers praise and worship the Word; co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For, He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh to suffer death; and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Apolytikion for the  Nativity – Tone 4

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shown to the world the Light of Wisdom; for by it those who followed the star, were led by a star to adore Thee; the son of righteousness and to know Thee the Orient from on High, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Apolytikion of the Sunday after the Nativity – Tone 2

Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee.  Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.

Apolytikion of St. Stephen – Tone 4

The crown of the Kingdom hath adorned the brow of thy head because of the contests that thou hast endured for Christ God, thou first of the martyred Saints, for when thou hadst censured the Jews’ madness, thou sawest Christ thy Savior standing at the right hand of the Father.  O Stephen, ever pray him for us, that He would save our souls.

Kontakion  of Christ’s Nativity – Tone 3

The Virgin  brings forth today, the Omnipotent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels give glory with shepherds, and the magi journey with the star; when for our sakes was born as a new babe; He Who is from eternity God.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sunday Before the Nativity of Christ (Sunday of the Genealogy)

New Martyr John the Tailor of Thasos; Daniel II, Archbishop of Serbia

At All Saints, we warmly welcome our visitors as honored guests.

 Nourishment of the Soul:  The soul that is given over to the will of God fears nothing; neither thunder nor thieves nor any such thing. Whatever may come, ‘Such is God’s pleasure,’ she says. If she falls sick she thinks, ‘This means that I need sickness, or God would not have sent it.’ — St. Silouan

 Orthodoxy 101 continues on Wednesday, December 23rd after Daily Vespers with Fr. Peter Jon on the topic we hear in our services, “Who for Us and for Our Salvation.”

Gift Cards: There is still time to place on the tree your donation of a gift card  for those who need a boost this Christmas. The cards are being  distributed to families and individuals who need them between now and Christmas. Thank you for answering this annual call in the name of Christ and in the spirit of St. Nicholas!

Receiving the Eucharist: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession.  If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Bookstore: Check the bookstore for new icons, books, and Christmas cards.

The Parish Council meets today in Father’s office.

Vicki will have a  limited supply of her homemade candies available for purchase today, on Sunday, December 20th.

St. Lucia (Teya Tabbal) with her crown of candles lights the way to the singing of the traditional song during Fellowship hour today.

Marcia needs your phone, address, birth date or name day for new calendars & phone books.

THIS WEEK

Nativity Fast

 Wednesday, December 23: Daily Vespers at 6:00;  Orthodoxy 101 from 7:00 – 9:00

Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve

• 9:00 am Royal Hours followed by the Vesperal Liturgy (10:30)
• 9:00 pm Orthros of the Nativity followed by the Christmas Liturgy (10:15)
• Celebration follows the liturgy. (Are there volunteers to set out the food?)

Friday, December 25: Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Saturday, December 26:  Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday,  December 27:  Matins at 9:00;  Divine Liturgy at 10:00 — Myrrh Bearers meet.

LOOKING AHEAD

• December 31:New Year’s Eve Liturgy to bring in the New Year with Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and Commemoration of St. Basil the Great at 6:00 pm
• Baptism and Chrismation at Epiphany.

Many Years on your Anniversary: Robert & Nina R (26th)

Name Day Blessings: Vanden L (St. Ignatius 20th); Chris S (25th)

Happy Birthday: Laura C (20th); Alex A (21st); Nicholas A (21st); Griffin F (21st); Alexandra S (22nd); Nicholas S (22nd); Amanda A (26th)

Memory Eternal: Nadeem (Nov. 12); Infant Athena (25th); Dr. Frank (2nd);  Steve (6th)

Let us pray to the Lord: “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in the Ukraine.”

Prayer List: Archpriest Athanasius; James; Alex John;  Jason; Steve D;  Dee; Becky H.; Amal; Alexis T. ;Tom;  Jake; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Jill; Kh. Kristina; Angie; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes in Albania,  Jesse Brandow  in Guatemala (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Dee H.; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Those with child: Megan. Ashley, Rachel; Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R;  Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley:  Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; Charles; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Dennis & Joyce; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie

      Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings                                 

Prokeimenon: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.”

Verse: “For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done to us!”  Daniel 3:26-27

Epistle: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s  Epistle to the Hebrews. (11:9-10, 32-40)

            Brethren, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the  same promise.  For he expected a city which has foundations whose Builder and Maker is God.

And what more shall I say?  For the time would fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and all the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, and turned to flight armies of the aliens.  Women received their dead by resurrection, and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonments.  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And  all these, having obtained a witness through their faith, did not receive the promise, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel: The Reading is 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 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, and 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.         

Divine Liturgy Variables

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 4

Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.

Apolytikion for 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 the 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 as a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their pleadings, 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 shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He Who is from eternity God.

Thespina Christulides will be having her 1st Masters Voice Recital TONIGHT, on Friday, December 11th at 5:00pm in Ford Hall (IU’s campus, Jacob’s School of Music, Simon Building.  200 S Jordan Ave. The event is free. She would also like to thank everyone for their prayers this past year for healing her larynx and restoring her singing voice.

 Sunday, December 13, 2015

Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ

Herman of Alaska, Enlightener of the Aleuts; Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestes at Sebastia; Virgin-Martyr Lucia of Syracuse; Hieromartyr Gabriel Patriarch of Serbia

At All Saints, we warmly welcome our visitors as honored guests.

 Nourishment of the Soul:  “The old man said, ‘The acquisition of Christian books is necessary for those who can use them.  For the mere sight of these books renders us less inclined to sin  and incites us to believe more firmly in righteousness.’ He also said, ‘Reading the Scriptures is a great safeguard against sin.’ He also said, ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is a precipice and a deep abyss.'” The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

 There is a fasting pitch-in today as we bid farewell to one of our families, relocating to Knoxville. You may want to show your love in a card for the Morfas family or give them kind words as they leave.

Receiving the Eucharist: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession.  If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Churching of Ezekiel Crandall, infant son of Matthew and Gabriella is this morning.

Orthodoxy 101 continues on Wednesday, December 16th after Daily Vespers with Dr. John Craton “Yesterday, Today, Forever: XC in the OT.”

Gift Cards: ‘Tis the season to adorn the St. Nicholas Tree with gift cards for those who need a boost this Christmas!  Please bring a gift card of any amount for a store of your choice and place it on the small tree in the fellowship hall within the next week.  The cards will be distributed to families and individuals who need them between now and Christmas. Thank you for answering this annual call in the name of Christ and in the spirit of St. Nicholas!

Bookstore: Check the bookstore for new icons, books, and Christmas cards.

THIS WEEK

Nativity Fast

Wine is permitted Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

 Wednesday, December 16: Daily Vespers at 6:00;  Orthodoxy 101 from 7:00 – 9:00

Friday, December 18: Evening Liturgy –  Commemorating St. Ignatius at 6:00

Saturday, December 19:  Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday,  December 20:  Matins at 9:00;  Divine Liturgy at 10:00 — St. Lucia visits  & council meets.

LOOKING AHEAD

• Vicki will have a limited supply of her homemade candies available for purchase on Sunday, December 20th.
• Christmas Eve Day Services – 9:00 am Royal Hours followed by the Vesperal Liturgy (10:30); 9:00 pm Orthros of the Nativity followed by the Christmas Liturgy (10:15) with a celebration following
• New Year’s Eve Liturgy to bring in the New Year with Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and Commemoration of St. Basil the Great at 6:00 pm

Name Day Blessings: Lucia Toadere (St. Lucia 13th); Wyatt Crandall (St. Herman 13th), Aaron Hsu (St. Herman 13th); Subdn. Daniel Barrett ( Prophet Daniel – 17th); Daniel Rigsby ( Prophet Daniel – 17th);

Happy Birthday: John G (17th); Fr. Peter Jon (18th)

Memory Eternal:  Steve; Nadeem (Nov. 12); Infant Athena (25th);

Dr. Frank  (2nd)

Let us pray to the Lord: “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in the Ukraine.”

Prayer List: Archpriest Athanasius; James; Alex John;  Jason; Steve D;  Dee; Becky H.; Amal; Alexis T. ;Tom;  Jake; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Jill; Kh. Kristina; Angie; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes in Albania,  Jesse Brandow  in Guatemala (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Dee H.; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Those with child: Laura, Megan. Ashley); Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R;  Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley:  Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; Charles; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Dennis & Joyce; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie; Cathi

      Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings   

Prokeimenon: “How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In Wisdom hast Thou made them all..”

Verse: “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”  Psalm 103:26,1

Epistle: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s  Epistle to the Colossians. (3:4-11)

             Brethren, when Christ, who is our life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idol worship; for the sake of such things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience; wherein you also once walked, when you lived in these things.  But now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouths.  Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his works; and having put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator, where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond, or free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (14:16-24)

            The Lord spoke this parable: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses.  The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master.  Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’  And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.  For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet; For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

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 of the Forefathers – Tone 2

Thou hast justified by faith the ancient Forefathers, and through them Thou hast gone before and betrothed unto Thyself the Church of the Gentiles.  Let the saints, therefore, take pride in glory; for from their seed sprouted forth a noble fruit, and she it was who gave birth to Thee without seed.  Wherefore, by their pleadings, 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 shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He Who is from eternity God.

Reminder: St. Nicholas Great Vespers (6:00) followed by St. Nicholas Night Activities.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia

Nicholas, Bishop of Patara; New-Martyr Nicholas of Karamania in Asia Minor

At All Saints, we warmly welcome our visitors as honored guests.

 Nourishment of the Soul:  “He who busies himself with the sins of others, or judges his brother on suspicion, has not yet even begun to repent or to examine himself so as to discover his own sins.”

St. Maximos the Confessor

Receiving the Eucharist: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession.  If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Orthodoxy 101 continues on Wednesday , December 9th after Daily Vespers with Dn. Seraphim Moslener presenting his final installation in his series on “The Virtues.”

The 40 day memorial for our beloved Ioana Frecus will be served Wednesday following Vespers.

Gift Cards: ‘Tis the season to adorn the St. Nicholas Tree with gift cards for those who need a boost this Christmas!  Please bring a gift card of any amount for a store of your choice and place it on the small tree in the fellowship hall within the next week.  The cards will be distributed to families and individuals who need them between now and Christmas. Thank you for answering this annual call in the name of Christ and in the spirit of St. Nicholas!

Thespina Christulides will be having her 1st Masters Voice Recital on Friday, December 11th at 5:00pm in Ford Hall (IU’s campus, Jacob’s School of Music, Simon Building.  200 S Jordan Ave. The event is free. She would also like to thank everyone for their prayers this past year for healing her larynx and restoring her singing voice.

We’ve learned that Geni Gritton is now living in Indianapolis after a long stay in a Greenwood nursing home: 7462 Woodshire Place, Indy 46217 (Her birthday was yesterday.)

THIS WEEK

Nativity Fast

Fish is permitted each day except Wednesday and Friday with wine permitted Friday.

 Monday, December 7: Visitation for Dr. Frank at 10:00  followed by the Orthodox Funeral Service at noon – Sherwood Oaks Christian Church Auditorium – May his memory be eternal.

Tuesday, December 8: Women’s Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home – 7:00 – 8:30

Wednesday, December 9: Daily Vespers/at 6:00; 40Dday Memorial; Orthodoxy 101 from 7:00 – 9:00

Thursday, December 10: Bedford-Mitchell Fellowship 10:00 – Noon at the Haneys in Mitchell

Thursday, December 10: SOYO 6:00 – 7:00

Saturday, December 12:  Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday,  December 13:  Matins at 9:00;  Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

• Ignatius Evening Liturgy on Friday, December 18th at 6:00
• Lucia with her crown of lights returns on Sunday December 20th/ Parish Council meeting
• Christmas Eve Day Services – 9:00 am Royal Hours followed by the Vesperal Liturgy (10:30); 9:00 pm Orthros of the Nativity followed by the Christmas Liturgy (10:15) with a celebration following
• New Year’s Eve Liturgy to bring in the New Year with Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and Commemoration of St. Basil the Great at 6:00 pm

Name Day Blessings: Nicholas Alexander (6th); Nicholas Shirley (6th)

Happy Birthday: Zane N (10th)

Memory Eternal: Ioana Frecus (Oct. 31st); Linda (Nov. 8th); Nadeem (Nov. 12); Infant Athena (25th);Dr. Frank Hrisomalos ((2nd)

Let us pray to the Lord: “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in the Ukraine.”

Prayer List: Archpriest Athanasius; James; Alex John;  Jason; Steve D;  Dee; Frank & Becky; Amal; Alexis T. ;Tom;  Jake; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Jill; Kh. Kristina; Angie; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes in Albania,  Jesse Brandow  in Guatemala (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Dee H.; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Those with child: Laura, Megan. Ashley); Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R;  Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley:  Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; Charles; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Dennis & Joyce; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie; Cathi

      Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings                        

Prokeimenon: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.”

Verse: “What shall we render unto the Lord  for all that He has given us?  Psalm 115:6,31

Epistle: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s  Epistle to the Hebrews. (13:17-21)

             Brethren, be obedient to those who preside over you, and submit yourselves to them, for they watch over your souls with vigilance, as those who will give account, in order that they may do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, in all things willing to conduct ourselves honorably.  But I exhort you the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.  Now may the God of Peace, who brought again from the dead the great “Shepherd of the Sheep” by the “the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant,” even our Lord Jesus, perfect you in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory unto ages of ages. Amen.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (13:10-17)

            At That Time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.  And when Jesus saw her, He called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.”  And He laid His hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God.  But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? and ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by Him.

Divine Liturgy Variables

 Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 2

When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power.  And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee; O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.

Apolytikion of St. Nicholas – Tone 4

The work of justice did reveal thee to thy community as a canon of faith, the likeness of humility and the teacher of abstinence, O thou Father and great Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore, by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by thy meekness wealth.  Intercede, therefore, intercede with Christ that He will 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 shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He Who is from eternity God.