Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Great-martyr Eustathios and his family; Venerable-martyr Hilarion of St. Anne Skete on Athos;Venerable John of Crete; Martyrs Michael, Prince of Chernigov, and his Councilor Theodore

Nourishment of the Soul: “Just as a candle is lighted from another candle, so also a good work is born from a good work.” – St. Nicholai of Zica

Welcome back to fellowship at outdoor coffee hour following Sunday Liturgy!  The church is providing chilled juice boxes, water bottles and hot coffee. Food contributions are needed each Sunday. Please, nothing that needs a fork or plate – only items that can be served on a napkin (to feed about 50).  We also need your time and strength… Two tables need to be set up and taken down and all the tables & picnic tables need to be wiped down each Sunday morning.  (Contact Rhonda if you can donate food items or your time on a Sunday!)  For those who don’t know, everything is served with masks, gloves, tongs and safe distancing.  

Father Peter continues to post short videos daily at www.allsaintsbloomington.org to connect with, inspire and inform us. At the home page, scroll down to find the current postings under “Videos from Father Peter.”  Father Peter is currently presenting a series on the little-known “dendrite” — or tree-dwelling saints.

Ongoing Construction: Your patience is greatly appreciated as we continue with the ongoing repair and beautification of the church building. Over the past few months we have replaced nearly all of the flooring in the building and painted the nursery, hallway and fellowship hall. Currently we are in the midst of a total kitchen remodel (the old one was removed due to water leakage and mold) and a major overhaul of the narthex, which was also deeply affected by water damage. You will continue to see updates in the coming weeks as we bring these much-needed repairs to completion (Luke 21:19).  – Fr. Peter Jon

If you wish to attend Sunday Matins & Divine Liturgy, please respond in the positive to the email from Fr. Peter that you will find in your inbox. Ex. Smith -2 (Family name – number)

Fall Catechism Classes: Catechism classes (or Orthodoxy 101) resume this Wednesday evening immediately following Vespers (around 6:45pm). Classes will be held in the church and will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. This week Fr. Seraphim will teach on Ecclesia: How and Why We Gather

Trek4Missions has been extended another week.  Cash donations can still be made to All Saints. We will forward your gifts to help spread the Gospel Message through OCMC.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday morning, September 23: Conception of St. John the Baptist – Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

Wednesday, September 23: Live- Streamed  Great Vespers  for St. Theckla at 6:00 – Orthodoxy 101 follows at 6:45.

Friday, September 25 – Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian – 6pm Vesperal Liturgy

Saturday, September 26: Streamed Great Vespers at 5:00: SOYO at 6:00

Sunday, September 27: Streamed  Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

Epistle and Gospel Readings

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (2:16-20)

O Lord, how manifold are Thy works.  In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.  Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified.  But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin?  Certainly not!  But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor.  For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1)

The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it.  For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  For what can a man give in return for his soul?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”  And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”

Divine Liturgy Variables for Choir and Parish

Refrain of the Second Antiphon: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast crucified in the flesh; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Apolytikion of the Elevation  of the Holy Cross – Tone 1

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thine estate.

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  of St. Eustathios and His Family – Tone 4

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee * received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. * For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants * and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. * O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful..

Kontakion of the Elevation of the Holy Cross – Tone 4

Do Thou, Who of Thine own good will was lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in Thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in Thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.

FAMILY NEWS

Happy Birthday: Johanna H (27th)

Memory Eternal: EJ (Michael’s cousin)

Birthday Cards for 95th Birthday.

Miriam Stant is inviting you to honor her father on his 95th birthday with 95 cards on September 24th. If you want to join the celebration, mail a card to Tom Holcomb, P.O. Box 3, St. Albans, WV 25177. Some of you remember meeting him at the Langdon’s October Fest, years ago. Others of you know the Stants and their children.

Prayer List: The People of Beirut; Wadia; Jayci;  Dee, Patricia, Marvin A, Benedict, Judith Ann, Cleo, Michael I.; Kitsa Wiersteiner; Steven Sajkich; Aphrodite and son Angelos in Greece; Eileen; Violet; Kim; Dusty; Betsy; Allison; Robin & Janet; Mary Ann; Vicki;  Mat. Raisa; Taylor with child; Isaac in Air Force; Andrew for education decisions;  Fr. Marc; Kh.Vanessa & Anthony Kinder; Fr. George; Fr. Basil & Kh. Cana; George; Catherine (not in this parish); Olga; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Alice & Marvin; Kh. Kristina; Bonnie; Emma; Patricia; Mary & Robert; Shirley; Rose; Lexi, Ross & Vivian; Theo; Doug Barrett; Jeremy; Charles; Grayson; Marcia & Deacon; Nick; Bruce; Joanna & Demetrios; Ashlee W; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Nancy & Shalana; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation, flood damage, and earthquake damage; those suffering in the Middle East; our nation and our nation’s leaders at all levels of government; world-wide pandemic; schools across the nation.

SAFETY PRACTICES

…The Monroe County Health Department requires masks to be worn by those worshipping outdoors when social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be observed.  All are still required to wear masks indoors unless a medical condition prevents them from safely doing so, or unless one is a designated chanter/server.

… …Everyone is welcome to attend all non-Sunday services without signing up. Face masks and safety precautions are in place.

…Teen SOYO will gather outdoors after Great Vespers each Saturday while respecting social distancing practices. 

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.

Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail.  Thank  you for continuing to support the church.

Sunday of the Elevation of the Cross

Nourishment of the Soul: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

LIVESTREAMING will not be available for this weekend’s services. If you are not yet comfortable worshipping indoors, consider driving to the All Saints parking lot to pray with us as you hear the Divine Liturgy amplified through the outdoor speakers. Father Seraphim will serve communion to those outdoors who are prepared to receive it. There is no sign-up required for outdoor worshippers.

We are overjoyed with the return of coffee hour (outdoors) following Sunday Liturgy!  The church is providing chilled juice boxes, water bottles and hot coffee. Food contributions are covered for the 13th and 20th, but please consider signing up to contribute food on a subsequent Sunday. Please, nothing that needs a fork or plate – only items that can be served on a napkin (to feed about 50).  We also need your time and strength… Two tables need to be set up and taken down and all the tables & picnic tables need to be wiped down each Sunday morning. We are happy that Cathy, Glenn and Charles are willing to serve again September 13th; however, going forward we need to share the joy a bit.  (Contact Rhonda if you can donate food items or your time on a Sunday!)  For those who don’t know, everything is served with masks, gloves, tongs and safe distancing.  Welcome back to fellowship!

Father Peter Jon continues to post short videos daily at www.allsaintsbloomington.org to connect with us, inspire us and inform us. At the home page, scroll down to find the current postings under “Videos from Father Peter.” Father Peter is finishing up his series on the “Fools for Christ” and will be talking next about the little-known “dendrite” saints.

Trek4Missions wraps up Monday, September 14th.  Cash donations can still be made to All Saints. We will forward your gifts to help spread the Gospel Message through OCMC.

Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail.  Thank  you for continuing to support the church.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, September 16: Streamed  Daily Vespers at 6:00

Saturday, September 19: Streamed Great Vespers at 5:00: SOYO at 6:00

Sunday, September 20: Streamed  Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

…Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Conception of St. John the Baptist – 9 am Orthros and Liturgy

…Friday, Sept. 25 – Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian – 6pm Vesperal Liturgy

Epistle and Gospel Readings

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (1:18-24)

Exalt ye the Lord our God. The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble.

Brethren, the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.”  Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35)

At that time, the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And they came to Pontius Pilate saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no crime in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He has made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid; he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where art Thou from?” But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to Him, “Wilt Thou not speak to me? Knowest Thou not that I have power to release Thee, and power to crucify Thee?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over Me unless it had been given you from above.

When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, and in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus and led him away, and He went out, bearing His own Cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew “Golgotha.” There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the Cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

Now standing by the Cross of Jesus were His mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the Disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the Disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the Disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now fulfilled, said, “It is finished’; and He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.

Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true.

Divine Liturgy Variables for Choir and Parish

Apolytikion of the Elevation  of the Holy Cross – Tone 1

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thine estate.

• Please Do NOT sing the apolytikion of the patron saint of the temple.

Kontakion of the Elevation of the Holy Cross – Tone 4

Do Thou, Who of Thine own good will was lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in Thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in Thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.

Anti-Trisagion Hymn

Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, Master, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.And we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection.

Megalynarion of the Feast – Tone 8

O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which being untilled hath blossomed forth Christ, by Whom the life-bringing Tree of the Cross was planted in the earth. In worshipping Him now through its elevation, thee do we magnify.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the Feast – Tone 8

The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, hath been signed upon us. Alleluia.

FAMILY NEWS

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.

Happy Birthday: John L (17th); Stephanie H (18th); Catherine C (19th)

Name Day Blessings: Steve B (Cornelius the Centurion – 13th); Kiya C (St. Sophia – 17th)

Prayer List: The People of Beirut; Dee, Patricia, Marvin A, Benedict, Judith Ann, Cleo, Michael I. Matthew C at the passing of his beloved grandfather; Michael S at the passing of his cousin EJ Mike; Kitsa Wiersteiner; Steven Sajkich; Aphrodite and son Angelos in Greece; Eileen; Violet; Kim; Dusty; Betsy; Allison; Robin & Janet; Mary Ann; Vicki;  Mat. Raisa; Taylor with child; Isaac in Air Force; Andrew for education decisions;  Fr. Marc; Kh.Vanessa & Anthony Kinder; Fr. George; Fr. Basil & Kh. Cana; George; Catherine (not in this parish); Olga; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Alice & Marvin; Kh. Kristina; Bonnie; Emma; Patricia; Mary & Robert; Shirley; Rose; Lexi, Ross & Vivian; Theo; Doug Barrett; Jeremy; Charles; Grayson; Marcia & Deacon; Nick; Bruce; Joanna & Demetrios; Ashlee W; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Nancy & Shalana; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation, flood damage, and earthquake damage; those suffering in the Middle East; our nation and our nation’s leaders at all levels of government; world-wide pandemic; schools across the nation.

SAFETY PRACTICES

…The Monroe County Health Department requires masks to be worn by those worshipping outdoors when social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be observed.  All are still required to wear masks indoors unless a medical condition prevents them from safely doing so, or unless one is a designated chanter/server.

… …Everyone is welcome to attend all non-Sunday services without signing up. Face masks and safety precautions are in place.

…Teen SOYO will gather outdoors after Great Vespers each Saturday while respecting social distancing practices.