Friday Theophany and Sunday, January 7, 2018

Remember that we are celebrating Theophany at 6:00 tonight, Friday, January 5th.
Blessing of the Waters follows.
Bring your Holy Water bottles to be refilled.
Bottles will also be available.

Sunday, January 07, 2018
Synaxis of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner & Baptist John
New-martyr Athanasios of Attalia; Venerable Brannock of Braunton

Beloved ones, let us resolve at this moment
to make Christ and His Church our top priority in the new year.

Nourishment of the Soul: “Christians…We are all created by the one God; we are created according to the image and likeness of God. Let us, therefore, love one another.” – St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

Social Hour: Scheduled contributors on Sunday morning are those whose last names begin Be-F.

Beginning Thursday, January 11, 2018, Howard Webb will be leading a Bible Study: God’s Kingdom – on Earth as it is in Heaven: The Gospel of John Chapters 1-10.” The Study will consist of 10 weekly sessions, from Jan 11 – March 22 (excluding Feb 22). It will meet at the Webb’s home, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Please invite anyone who may have an interest – the study is open to Orthodox Christians as well as those of other traditions. Please read John Chapter 1 for the first meeting and bring a Bible if you have one. Sorry, we cannot accommodate children. Howard and Rhonda Webb, 3960 E. Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, IN 47401 314-313-275 webbrk1@gmail.com.*

Offering Envelope Books are available in the narthex: Select one and record your name on the clipboard beside the numeral found on the book. You may continue using an old book if you have unused pages. Marcia

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.

A Reminder that your January checks should be dated 2018!

House Blessings have begun. Contact Father Peter Jon for scheduling.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, January 10: Divine Liturgy for St. Gregory of Nyssa at 6:00
Thursday, January 11: Bible Study at Becky’s home 3:00 – 5:00
Thursday, January 11: Bible Study at the Webb’s home 7:00 – 8:30
Saturday, January 13: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, January 14: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

Thursday Evenings January 11- March 22 (excluding Feb. 22): Bible Study at the Webb’s home- 7:00-8:30
Monday, January 15: Liturgy for the feast of St. Peter’s Chains at 6:00
Tuesday, January 16: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home at 7:00
Thursday, January 18: St. John Fellowship at the Haney’s home in Mitchell – 10:00-noon
Friday, January 26: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6:00
Saturday January 27: Screening of Becoming Truly Human movie with an explanation of the program at 6:00 after Great Vespers.

FAMILY NOTES

Anniversary Celebration: Michael & Missy S (7th)

Birthday Blessings: Charles C (8th); Luke B (9th); Hal S (9th); Jeremy P (12th)

Name Day Remembrance: John A (7th – St. John the Baptist); John L (7th – St. John); Brian O (7th – St. John); Gregory G (10th – St. Gregory of Nyssa)

Memory Eternal: William Bardonner (December 1st); Wilber Field (December 5th); Walter Romanyshak (9th)

Prayer List: Marvin & Alice; Kh. Kristina; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George R.

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.”
Verse: “O God, hear my prayer.” Psalm 63: 10,1

-The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. (19-1-8)
In those days, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the One Who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the Kingdom of God.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (1:29-34)

At that time, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of Whom I said, ‘After me comes a man Who ranks before me, for He was before me.’ I myself did not know Him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on Him. I myself did not know Him; but He Who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on Whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

Refrain of the Second Antiphon: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast baptized by John in the Jordan; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

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 likeness of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hath appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

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 the Synaxis of John the Baptist – Tone 2
The memory of the righteous is celebrated with songs of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner. Thou wast shown indeed to be the most honorable of the prophets, for in the waters thou didst baptize Him Who had been proclaimed. After suffering with joy in behalf of the truth, thou didst proclaim even to those in Hades the God Who appeared in the flesh, Who takest away the sin of the world, and granteth us the Great Mercy.

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.

The Anti-Trisagion Hymn (Sung in place of “Holy God”)
As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. (THRICE)

Megalynarion of the Synaxis – Tone 2
Magnify, O my soul, the Maiden who delivered us from the curse.
O the wonder of thy super-intelligent birth-giving, thou all-pure bride, the blessed Mother through whom we have received perfect salvation, we indite a fitting song, offering as a gift the song of gratitude.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the Synaxis – Tone 8
In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. Alleluia.