Sunday of the Life-Giving Cross- March 19, 2017

Saturday, March 18:  OCLife Indianapolis will hold a prayer service for mothers in crisis and unborn babies in danger from 10-11am as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign. While most of us will not travel to Indy Saturday, let us prayerfully remember them wherever we are that morning.

Nathan Hoppe, missionary to Albania will be with us this weekend.

On Saturday at 2:00, he will  present a retreat .

On Sunday he will give a slide show and a Mission Albania update during coffee hour today. A collection will be received

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Sunday, March 19, 2017

Third Sunday of Great Lent

The Life-Giving Cross

Martyrs Chrysanthos, Daria, and those with them of Rome; Martyr Pancharios of Nicomedia; New-martyr Demetrios the joiner of Constantinople; Venerable Innocent of Komel

Visitors, you are always welcome here. Parishioners, we miss you when you are not with us.

 Nourishment of the Soul: “Thou, O Christ our Savior, hast become for me the path of life which leads to the Father. There is but one path, and it is my joy, and at the end of it is the heavenly kingdom.” — St. Ephraim the Syrian

Coffee Hour Foods: Contributors this Sunday are those whose last names start with G-H.

March is Women’s Month:  Today April will read the Epistle, and  Dee, Abby, and Lilly will usher.

Tonight at 5:00:  Sunday, March 19: Lenten Vespers will be at St. John the Forerunner in Indianapolis,  S. Blaine Ave. Next week’s service is at St. George in Terre Haute, 1900 S. 4th St.

O101 on Wednesday, March 22nd: April Blair’s topic is The Life of the Theotokos.

 A Note from Alex Alexander:

To my brothers and sisters at All Saints: I would like to thank all who have sent Cathy and me both get-well cards and cards of well-wishes.  They are truly appreciated.  When I see the name on each card I can imagine that person sitting down to write it. Please know that you are truly loved.  I pray to the Lord to bless you and yours. – Alex

 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.

Nathan Hoppe, missionary to Albania,  will present a slide show and a Mission Albania update during coffee hour today. A collection will be received. (On the readings page, you will find a note about the work by OCMC.) The  choir will not practice today.

 THIS WEEK

 Wednesday, March 22:  Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at 6:00 – O101 follows.

Thursday, March 23: Bible Study at Becky’s home with Kh. Marilyn leading –  3-5:00 pm

Friday March 24:  Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God at 6:00

Saturday, March 25: Divine Liturgy of the Annunciation at 9:00 a.m.

Saturday, March 25: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, March 26: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00Choir Practice follows Divine Liturgy with Myrrh Bearers also meeting briefly.

LOOKING AHEAD

 March 26 & April 2: The  choir will practice Pascha music and Lenten music.

April 2: St. Mary of Egypt in Greenwood sends an invitation to the parish to attend their name day celebration. There is a flyer posted in the hallway.

 FAMILY NOTES

 Birthday Greetings: Marah P (19th); Lilly B (20th); Saraqael H (21st); Georges T (21st); Ghada L (21st); Heidi N (21st)

Name Day Blessings: Galina Mc (23rd); Bilen M (25th-St.Mary)

Memory Eternal:  Edgar;  Norma; Florence; Mat. Juliana Schmemann;  Kevin Speier, Stephanie; Kristina (Feb.28th)

Prayer List: Hal  and Alex John; Stephanie  “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.”; Fr. Steven Rudy (cancer); Finley (infant girl child with stroke and spasms-Improved); Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip;  Grant (Leukemia); Chris; Doug & Dorothy Barrett; Eileen; the Tabbals; Mary Ann & Jen; Dee and Don;  Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; James; Becky H; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett;  Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes &  Jesse Brandow (Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriest George; 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; Sabrina.

 

Benevolence Fund grew last week. Please consider continuing your support of those experiencing extreme financial demands at this time.

   Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

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

Verse: “To Thee, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.”  Psalm 27:9,1

Epistle: The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (4:14-5:6)

Brethren, since we have a High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him Who said to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee”; as He says also in another place, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Gospel: The Reading 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 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 Jesus 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

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 6

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

Apolytikion for the 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.

Kontakion for Annunciation and Great Lent – Tone 8

To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.

 

The Anti-Trisagion Hymn (Instead of Holy God)

Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, Master, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn for the Third Sunday of  Lent) – Tone 8

The light of Thy countenance is marked upon us, O Lord. Alleluia.

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(Part of a letter from Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). This church sends monthly support for Nathan Hoppe and his family, serving in Albania.)

Dear All Saints Orthodox Church,

Your gifts have funded missionaries and mission teams who have taught catechism, led women’s ministries, worked on construction projects provided healthcare for those who have limited access, and so much more. Construction has begun on an Orthodox Community Center in Pakistan, several wells have been dug in Africa, and medical education is being offered  in Guatemala because of your generous donations. 376 priests around the world are currently funded through the OCMC Support A Mission Priest (SAMP) program.  Thank you for making all this and even more possible.

With 2016 behind us, we anticipate another great year for missions. We ask for your continued support to bring more people to Christ, build the Church and share His love around the world.  Fr. Martin Ritsi, Executive Director OCMC