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.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Martyr Paramonos and the 370 Martyrs in Bithynia; Martyr Philoumenos of Ancyra;

Venerable Akakios of Sinai; Hieromartyr Dionysios, Bishop of Corinth;

Urban, Bishop of Macedonia; Nicholas, Archbishop of Thessalonica

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

 Nourishment of the Soul: “Abba Joseph said to Abba Nisterus, ‘What should I do about my tongue, for I cannot control it?’ The old man said to him, ‘When you speak, do you find peace?’ He replied ‘No.’ The old man said, ‘If you do not find peace, why do you speak? Be silent and when a conversation takes place, it is better to listen than to speak.” ‘The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Thanks to all who participated in the Thanksgiving meal whether in the preparation or in the dinner itself. It is good to see the family gathered together around the table in fellowship.

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.

Father will make an announcement about St. Nicholas Night when we come together for Great Vespers and the celebration focused on children, but enjoyed by those of us older ones who are children in heart.

Card Shower today:  Myrrh Bearers have planned a card or gift shower for  Cody and Elizabeth Arthur as we celebrate with them the baptism of their infant daughter, Felicity Grace. Welcome, Felicity Grace, as you receive today the Holy Eucharist for the first time.

Orthodoxy 101 continues on Wednesday, December 2nd after Daily Vespers with Khouria Marilyn Gillquist presenting the topic: “Journey to Orthodoxy.”

THIS WEEK

Nativity Fast

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

Wednesday, December 2: Daily Vespers/at 6:00; Orthodoxy 101 from 7:00 – 9:00

Saturday, December 5:  Great Vespers at 5:00 – St. Nicholas Celebration follows.

Sunday,  December 6:  Matins at 9:00;  Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

• Collection of gift cards for the Christmas Tree in the social hall
• December 5: Dee Haney’s Open House for Women – 11:00- 2:00 in Mitchell
• December 10: Bedford-Mitchell Fellowship 10:00 – Noon
• December 11: Hrisomalos Bible Study 5:00 – 7:00

Name Day Blessings: Andrew L (30th); Don H (30th – St. Andrew)

Happy Birthday: Daniel M (30th); Gregory Gt (Dec. 2nd); Micah F (5th); Geni G (5th)

Memory Eternal: Ioana Frecus (Oct. 31st); Linda (Nov. 8th); Nadeem (Nov. 12)

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; 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: “Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.”

Verse: “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous!  Psalm 32:22,1

Epistle: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s  Epistle to the Ephesians. (5:8-19)

Brethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is acceptable to the Lord; and have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them; for it is a shame even to speak of the things which they do in secret.  But all things when they are exposed are made manifest by the light, for everything that is made manifest is light.  Therefore he says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon thee.”

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and chanting in your heart to the Lord.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:18-27)

                At That Time, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” and Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but God alone.  You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.'” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus hear it, He said to him, “One thing you still lack.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 1

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.  For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O Giver of Life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ; Glory to Thy Kingdom,; Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

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.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

After-Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos

Apostles Philemon, Apphia, Archippos and Onesimos of the Seventy; Clement, Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of Bulgaria; Martyr Cecilia of Rome and Those with Her;

Venerable Kallistos Xanthopoulos of Athos; Martyr Michael, Prince of Tver

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

 Nourishment of the Soul: “O, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works. Glory in His Holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord.” Psalm 105: 1-3

Parish Council Officers for 2015/2016: President – Fr. Peter Jon; Chair – Linda Barrett; Vice-Chair – Subdn. Jon Weber; Secretary – Shirley Richardson; Treasurer – Marcia Baldwin.

November 26: The Annual Thanksgiving Day meal! Vicki Gans lives out of town, so you may contact her or she will be contacting you with menu needs, helpers, and a head count. So far, 20 people have confirmed attendance. There is room for more! Thank you if you have responded already. vickigans@yahoo.com. 812-679-8197 –A menu chart is on the hall bulletin board.

Who is invited to the Thanksgiving Meal? Members and their families are invited along with all who attend the church. Students, if you are not going home for the week, this invitation is for you too! It is a pleasant time for community fellowship.

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.

Card Shower today: The Myrrh Bearers have planned a card shower for Vicki Gans at her retirement from heath care and at the beginning of a new mission to support  teenage girls in the Lebanon, Indiana Children’s Home where she spent part of her childhood.

Card Shower next Sunday: Myrrh Bearers have planned a card or gift shower for the Arthur Family as we celebrate with them the baptism of their infant daughter.

THIS WEEK

Nativity Fast

Week of fasting with Fish permitted Sunday, Monday, and Saturday with wine permitted on Wednesday. You may refrain from fasting on Thanksgiving Day.

 Wednesday, November 25: Akathist of Thanksgiving at  6:00 in place of Vespers/Orthodoxy 101

Friday, November 26: Thanksgiving Meal at 2:00, but those who can help, please come an hour or so earlier to help Vicki with preparation and lifting.

Saturday, November 28: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, November 29:  – Baptism/Matins at 9:00;  Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Card Shower for baby Felicity Grace Arthur, infant daughter of Cody and Elizabeth. Myrrh Bearers may not meet.

 LOOKING AHEAD

• November 29: Baptism of Felicity Grace Arthur — A card shower is planned.
• December 5: Dee Haney’s Open House for Women – 11:00- 2:00 in Mitchell
• December 5: Nicholas Night – Great Vespers at 5:00 — Celebration follows.

Blessings to all the following on the Feast Day of St. Katherine – November 25th: Catherine Alexander, Katie Alexander, Mallory Finchum, Catherine Gillquist, Karen Hrisomalos, Sharon Kolasinski, Catherine Polit, Kelly Sanderson.

Memory Eternal: Ioana Frecus (Oct. 31st); Linda (Nov. 8th); Nadeem (Nov. 12th)

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; 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: “Make your vows and pa y them to the Lord our God.”

Verse: “God is known id Judaea, His Name is great in Israel!  Psalm 75:10,1

Epistle: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s  Epistle to the Ephesians. (4:1-7)

Brethren, I, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one Body, and one Spirit, even as you were called in the one hope of your calling: one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all.  But to each one of us is given the grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (12:16-21)

                The Lord spoke this parable: “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ but God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  As He said this, Jesus called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 8

From the heights Thou didst descend, O Compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Apolytikion of the Entrance of the Theotokos – Tone 4

Today the Virgin is the foreshadowing of the pleasure of God, and the beginning of the preaching of the salvation of mankind.  Thou hast appeared in the Temple of God openly and hast gone before, preaching Christ to all. Let us shout with one thrilling voice, saying: Rejoice, O thou who art the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.

Kontakion of the Entrance of the Theotokos – Tone 4

The all-pure temple of the Savior, the most precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today enters the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit: whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle.

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 1

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.  For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O Giver of Life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ; Glory to Thy Kingdom,; Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

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.