Sunday, January 22, 2017

Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Apostle Timothy & Anastasios the Persian

Venerable Joseph the Sanctified of Crete

 Nourishment of the Soul: “You will begin to work on your own self when you stop paying attention to what others around you are doing.  If you are concerned with your own self and stop being concerned with others, you will see only your own shortcomings and not even one shortcoming in others…You will be fully aware of your sinfulness and you will struggle to overcome your weaknesses.  Then, when you notice someone else’s weakness, you will say: ‘I haven’t overcome my own weaknesses, so how am I to demand it of others?’  You ought to constantly observe and evaluate your own self, in order to avoid hidden pride…This is how you will correct yourself.” — St. Paisios of Mt. Athos

AXIOS – Save the Dates!  The weekend of Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12, our parish will be dually honored!  In addition to hosting His Grace, Bishop ANTHONY for his annual archpastoral visit, we will celebrate the elevation of Fr. Peter Jon to the rank and dignity of the Archpriesthood; a once-in-a-lifetime laying on of hands for a priest and a particular blessing for his community.

Highlighted events of this weekend will be:

+ Saturday evening, Great Vespers at 4:30pm, followed by a catered dinner and loads of fun, exclusively for All Saints family and friends at the Wonderlab from 6-9pm!

+ Sunday morning, Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, followed by “A Taste of All Saints” multi-ethnic pitch-in luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.  Please plan to bring a personal favorite from your ethnic heritage!

Saturday Banquet R.S.V.P. information and Sunday meal sign-up sheet will be posted next week.

Banquet committee (Daniel Rigsby  and Khouria Kristina)

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.

Coffee Hour Donors for Sundays in January: Jan. 22nd… I-Z; Jan. 29th is an open date. The above designations are by first letter of your last name.

The Wonder of It All: Selected Works by Galina McLaws: Galina is having an art exhibition at Bell Trace in The Gallery until February 3rd.

Orthodoxy 101 resumes after the Vesperal Liturgy on February 1st.

House Blessings: Either contact Fr. Peter Jon, or visit the sign-up sheet in the hallway.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, January 23: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Friday, January 27: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6:00

Saturday, January28: Great Vespers at 5:00 – Altar Server meeting at 3:30

Sunday, January 29: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 — Myrrh Bearers meet.

LOOKING AHEAD

February 1: Vesperal Liturgy of the Presentation at 6:00

February 3: Final day of Galina’s art exhibition at Bell Trace

Bp. ANTHONY’s Archpastoral Visit with Father’s elevation to the archpriesthood

February 11: Great Vespers at 4:30  followed by a Banquet – 6-9pm at the Wonderlab

February 12: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and “Taste of All Saints” pitch-in meal

 FAMILY NOTES

 Birthday Greetings: Lydia F (23rd); David P (26th)

Name Day Blessings: Laura C  (St. Xenia – 24th)

Memory Eternal:  Fr. Paul Doyle (12/25); Greg (Friend of the Webbs); Dennis (Dn. Lawrence’s cousin);  Edgar (Howard Webb’s uncle); Norma (James Finchum’s aunt)

Prayer List : “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.” Alex John; Fr. Steven Rudy (cancer);  Subdn. Daniel; Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip;  Grant (Leukemia); Chris; Doug & Dorothy Barrett; Eileen & Olga & Michael; the Tabbals; Mary Ann & Jen; Dee and Don;  Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; Iva; James; Becky H.; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett;  Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes &  Jesse Brandow (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Emily D; Emma; Nancy; Neal; Bob R;  Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley:  Gabriel; Mary; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; Marty; Charles; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Ruth; Steve; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie, Caleb D; Megan & Colin; Bill & Sandy.

Friday, January 13th at 6pm — Vesperal Liturgy — St. Nina

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Twenty-ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Venerable Paul of Thebes & John the Hut-dweller

Venerable Martyr Pansophios of Alexandria; Venerable Gabriel of Lesnovo

Nourishment of the Soul: “The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices.  He is also afraid when we are humble and good.  He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much.  He runs away when we make the sign of the Cross.” – St. Anthony the Great

Online Giving at www.allsaintsbloomington.org. is easy… Give it a try!

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.

Coffee Hour Donors for Sundays in January: Jan. 15th… G-H; Jan. 22nd… I-Z; Jan. 29th is an open date. The above designations by first letter of your last name are reminders that the social hour is provided by us who attend and to encourage helpers to clean up on the same day. Sign up with April for soup donations.

The Wonder of It All: Selected Works by Galina McLaws: Galina is having an art exhibition at Bell Trace in The Gallery until February 3rd.

Ashanin Memorial Lecture, sponsored by The Presbyters Council of Central Indiana and OCLife Indianapolis,  is scheduled on Sanctity of Life Weekend, Saturday, January 21st. at St. George in Fishers.  Guest lecturer is Fr. Josiah Trenham, founder and director of Patristic Nectar.  See the bulletin board for all events including Sunday at Joy of All Who Sorrow and at the War Memorial in downtown Indy.

House Blessings: Either contact Fr. Peter Jon, or visit the sign-up sheet in the hallway.

The Parish Council meets today at Noon in Father Peter Jon’s office.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, January 18: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Saturday, January 21: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, January 22: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

January 27: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6 pm

January 28: Altar Servers Meeting (time to be announced)

February 2: Feast of the Presentation

February 3: Final day of Galina’s art exhibition at Bell Trace

February 11-12: Bp. ANTHONY’s Annual Pastoral Visit

 FAMILY NOTES

Phone directories, Annual calendars, copies of fasting days,

and contribution envelopes are now available.

 Birthday Greetings: Cody A (20th); Chris L (20th)

Name Day Blessings: Toni B (St. Anthony the Great – 17th); Cody A (St.Euthymius – 20th)

Memory Eternal:  Fr. Paul Doyle (12/25); Greg (Friend of the Webbs)

Prayer List : “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.” Alex John; Fr. Steven Rudy (cancer);  Subdn. Daniel; Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip;  Grant (Leukemia); Chris; Doug & Dorothy Barrett; Eileen & Olga & Michael; the Tabbals; Mary Ann; Dee and Don;  Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; Iva; James; Becky H.; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett;  Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes &  Jesse Brandow (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Emily D; Emma; Nancy; Neal; Bob R;  Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley:  Gabriel; Mary; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; Marty; Charles; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Ruth; Steve; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Dennis (struggling with alcoholism and infection); Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie, Caleb D; Megan & Colin; Bill & Sandy.

        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 from St. Paul’s  Epistle 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. (17:12-19)

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed?  Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”  And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

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 of St. Paul of Thebes – Tone 8

The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou hast given fruit through thy struggles a hundredfold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star for the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father Paul, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

Apolytikion of St. John the Hut-Dweller – Tone 4

Since thou hadst with fervor longed after the Lord from thy youth, * thou leftest the world with its delights and nobly didst strive in valiant ascetic deeds. * Thou didst pitch thy hut before the gates of thy parents; * thou didst break the demons’ snares, O all-blessed Father. * And therefore, as is meet, hath Christ God glorified thee, O John.

Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 1

Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

Sunday, January 08, 2017
Sunday after the Theophany of Christ
Righteous Mother Domnica of Constantinople and her companions;
Venerable George the Chozebite

Nourishment of the Soul: “Faith consists not only in being baptized into Christ, but in fulfilling His commandments.” – St. Mark the Ascetic

House Blessings begin now: Either contact Fr. Peter Jon, or visit the sign-up sheet.

Online Giving at www.allsaintsbloomington.org. is easy! Give it a try!

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.

Coffee Hour Donors for Sundays in January: Jan. 8th… Be-F; Jan. 15th… G-H; Jan. 22nd… I-Z; Jan. 29th is an open date. While you may donate to the coffee hour on any date, the above designations by first letter of your last name are just an attempt to have something on the table each Sunday and to have some helpers to clean up on the same day.

Sunday Soup Donation Sign-up: April Blair will post a sheet for volunteers to provide soup for coffee hour. If she get lots of volunteers, this could mean you would donate once between now and Pascha!

THIS WEEK
Check the date recorded on your checks – 2017

Wednesday, January 11: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, January 12: Bedford-Mitchell Fellowship – 10:00 -Noon at the Haney’s home
Friday, January 13: Vesperal Liturgy at 6:00 – St. Nina of Georgia
Saturday, January 14: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, January 15: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 — Parish Council at Noon

LOOKING AHEAD
January 27: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6 pm
January 28: Altar Servers Meeting (time to be announced)
February 2: Feast of the Presentation
February 11-12: Bp. ANTHONY’s Annual Pastoral Visit

FAMILY NOTES
Phone Directories and Annual Calendars are now available.

Birthday Greetings: Charles C (8th); Luke B (9th); Hal S (9th); Aidan G (14th); Rachel B (14th)
Name Day Blessings: Gregory G (St. Gregory of Nyssa – 10th); Nina R (St. Nina -14th); Nina G (St. Nina – 14th); Amanda A (St. Agnes – 14th); April B (St. Macrina (14th)
Memory Eternal: Phyllis Morgan (11/30); Fr. Paul Doyle (12/25)

Prayer List : “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.” Alex John; Fr. Steven Rudy (cancer); Subdn. Daniel; Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip; Grant (Leukemia); Chris; Doug & Dorothy Barrett; Eileen & Olga & Michael; the Tabbals; Mary Ann; Dee and Don; Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; Iva; James; Becky H.; Alexis T; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes & Jesse Brandow (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Emily D; Emma; Nancy; Neal; Bob R; Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley: Gabriel; Mary; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; Marty; Charles; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Ruth; Steve; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Dennis (struggling with alcoholism and infection); Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie, Caleb D; Megan & Colin; Bill & Sandy.

Readings for Sunday

Prokeimenon: “Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.”
Verse: “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous!” Psalm 32:22,1

Epistle: The Reading from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. (4:7-13)

Brethren, to each one of us is given the grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore He says, “When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth? The One Who descended is the same also Who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all arrive at the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, toward the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (4:12-17)

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

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 of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 1
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hath appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

Kontakion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 4
On this day Thou hast appeared * unto the whole world, * and Thy light, O Sovereign Lord, * is signed on us who sing Thy praise * and chant with knowledge: Thou hast now come, * Thou hast appeared, O Thou Light unapproachable.

Sunday, January 01, 2017
Feasts of Circumcision of Christ & Basil the Great
New-martyr Peter of the Peloponnesos
**Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great**

Nourishment of the Soul: “Love of God is not something that can be taught. We did not learn from someone else how to rejoice in light or want to live, or to love our parents or guardians. It is the same–perhaps even more — with our love for God: it does not come by another’s teaching. As soon as the living creature (that is, man) comes to be, a power of reason is implanted in us like a seed, containing within it the ability and the need to love. When the school of God’s law admits this power of reason, it cultivates it diligently, skillfully nurtures it, and with God’s help brings it to perfection.” – St. Basil the Great

Online Giving at www.allsaintsbloomington.org. is easy! Give it a try!

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.

Coffee Hour Donors for Sundays in January: Jan. 1st… A-Ba; Jan. 8th… Be-F; Jan. 15th… G-H; Jan. 22nd… I-Z; Jan. 29th is an open date. While you may donate to the coffee hour on any date, the above designations by first letter of your last name are just an attempt to have something on the table each Sunday and to have some helpers to clean up on the same day.

Everyone is invited to our 12th Night Party (Friday, January 6th/Epiphany). We will be reading Shakespeare’s play 12th Night. Location: the Webb’s – 3960 E Fenbrook Ln
Doors open at 6, the play starts at 6:30 — Text available at: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/twelfth_night/full.html — Feel free to bring leftover Christmas cookies and nibbles. Regards, Howard and Rhonda

THIS WEEK
Check the year recorded on your checks – 2017

Wednesday, January 4: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, January 5: Royal Hours of Theophany at 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 5: Vesperal Liturgy of Theophany and Blessing of the Waters at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 7: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, January 8: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD
February 2: Feast of the Presentation
February 11-12: Bp. ANTHONY’s Annual Pastoral Visit

FAMILY NOTES
Happy Anniversary: Nancy & Darryl J (4th); Missy & Michael S (7th)
Birthday Greetings: Lina T (1st); John A (5th)
Name Day Blessings: Genevieve C (St. Genevieve – 3rd); Jennifer R (St. Genevieve – 3rd); Johanna H (St. Emmelia – 3rd); Rachel L (St. Emmelia – 3rd); John A (St. John the Forerunner – 7th); John L (St. John the Forerunner – 7th)
Memory Eternal: Justin (Neumann’s grandfather – 11/18); Phyllis Morgan (11/30); Fr. Paul Doyle (12/25)

Prayer List : “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.” Alex John; Fr. Steven Rudy (cancer); Subdn. Daniel; Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip; Grant (Leukemia); Chris; Doug & Dorothy Barrett; Eileen & Olga & Michael; the Tabbals; Mary Ann; Dee and Don; Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; Iva; James; Becky H.; Alexis T; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes & Jesse Brandow (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Emily D; Emma; Nancy; Neal; Bob R; Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley: Gabriel; Mary; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; Marty; Charles; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Ruth; Steve; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Dennis (struggling with alcoholism and infection); Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie, Caleb D; Megan & Colin; Bill & Sandy.

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.”
Verse: “Hear this all ye nations!” Psalm 48:3,1

Epistle: The Reading from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. (2:8-12)

Brethren, take heed lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to human tradition, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are completed in Him, Who is the Head of every principality and authority, in Whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried together with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith of the operation of God, Who raised Him from the dead.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (2:20-21, 40-52)

And it came to pass that the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing Him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why hast Thou treated us so? Behold, Thy father and I have been looking for Thee anxiously.” And Jesus said to them, “How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Divine Liturgy Variables

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

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 Circumcision of Christ – Tone 1
Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, * O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; * fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly * receivest circumcision in the flesh,* that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away * the veil of our sinful passions. * Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. * Glory be to Thy compassion. * Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension.

Apolytikion of St. Basil the Great – Tone 1
In all the earth that received thy sayings, thy melody did resound, O righteous father, through which thou didst go about and proclaim, as worthy of God, the nature of creatures, cultivating the character of mankind, O thou of kingly Priesthood, Basil. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion of the Circumcision of Christ – Tone 3
Now the Lord of all that is * doth undergo circumcision, * in His goodness cutting off * the sins and failings of mortals. * He this day doth give salvation * unto the whole world; * and the hierarch and bright daystar of the Creator * now rejoiceth in the highest, * Basil the wise and * divine initiate of Christ.

St. Basil’s Megalynarion
In thee rejoiceth all creation, O thou who art full of grace: the hierarchy of the angels, and all mankind, O consecrated temple and paradise endowed with speech; glory of virginity, of whom God, Who is our God before the ages, was incarnate and became a little child. For He made thy womb a throne, and thy belly did He make more spacious than the heavens. In thee doth all creation rejoice, O thou who art full of grace, and it glorifieth thee.

Christmas Eve Day
9:00 a.m. Baptismal Divine Liturgy
Heidi (Chrismation) & Reed (Baptism)
Social hall welcome of the newly illumined
+++
9:00 p.m. Christmas Orthros
10:00 p.m. Festal Divine Liturgy
11:30 p.m. Celebration with food provided

(December 25, 2016 celebrated on Christmas Eve)
Festal Divine Liturgy
The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judea; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern My people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found Him bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.