May 24, 2015

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

Sunday of the After-Feast of the Ascension

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council

Venerable Stylites Simeon the Younger of the Mountain of Wonders and Nikitas of Pereyaslavl-Zalesski; Martyr Meletios the General of Galatia; Venerable Vincent of Lerins

Visitors, you are always welcome at All Saints.

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.”

Nourishment of the Soul: “You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of one who gives and kindles joy in the heart  of one who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other, not even those whom you catch committing an evil deed  We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves.  When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a morass of filth that nothing in another can equal it.  That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Keep away from the spilling of speech. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace.  Keep silent; refrain from judgment.” – St. Seraphim of Sarov

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.

Social Hour Table: Parishioners whose last names begin with the letters I-Z will prepare the table for social hour. However, any who feel led to contribute are welcome to do so.  Next week is a free-offering Sunday.

Myrrh Bearers meet around 11:50 to elect officers for the year.

THIS WEEK

Monday, May 25: Retirement Party for Charles Coats on  Memorial Day at 4:00: Food will be served. Bring cards for Charles or memorable stories to share.

Wednesday, May 27: Daily Vespers at 6:00 – Deacon Seraphim Moslener will present a Bible Study afterward on the Book of Acts.

Saturday, May 30: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, May 31: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Holy Pentecost with Kneeling Vespers immediately following.

LOOKING AHEAD

All Saints Feast Day on Sunday, June 7th — This will be a day of celebration, fellowship, and good food.  Meat is being provided. Pitch-in with your favorite side dishes, salads,  and desserts.

Happy Anniversary: David and Jan Gudaitis (26th)

Happy Birthday: Miriam Stant (26th); Robert Rogers (29th)

Memory Eternal:   Archpriest Roman Braga (28th); Waded Sabbagh; Bailey Lane (10th); Ivy Sue (Shirley’s great niece)

Prayer List: Christine; Jill; Kh. Marilyn; Angie Starkston ; Julian; Fr. Gordon & Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki Gans; Jean Foley & Laham family; Hoppes in Albania,  Moores in Mongolia, Jesse Brandow  in Guatemala(OCMC Missionaries); Vivian Orfanos; Natalie; Senior Saints; Ioana; Patricia; Dee; Galina; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests  George & Stephen; Krystal & Jason; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Fr. Moses Berry; Geni; Frank & Becky Hrisomalos; Those with child: (Brooke (Theckla), Elizabeth, and Gabriella); Noah; Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R; Alex; John; Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia McCallister; 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; Caleb

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 OSB

Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles. (20:16-18,28-36)

In those days, Paul was determined to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if possible, to be at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.  And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the priests of the church.  And when they came t him, he said to them: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to shepherd the church of the Lord and God, which He purchased with His own blood.  For I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.  Therefore remain watchful, remembering that for three years I did not cease to admonish every one, night and day with tears.  And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.  You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my  necessities, and to those who were with me.  In all things I have shown you that by such laboring we ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down on his knees with them all, and prayed.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (17:1-13)

            At That time, Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him.  And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent.  I glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and now, Father, glorify Thou Me in Thy own presence with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word.  Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.  I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine; all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine and I am coming to Thee.  Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one.  While I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou have given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.  But now I am coming to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”

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 of the Ascension – Tone 4

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy Disciples with the promise of the  Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing . Verily, Thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.

Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8

Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise Who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to Thee.

Kontakion of the Ascension – Tone 6

When Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation and crying unto Thy beloved; I am with you, and no one shall be against you

Megalynarian “It Is Truly Meet”

Communion Hymn “Praise the Lord”

Instead of ” We have seen the true Light”, we sing the Apolytikion of the Ascension

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy Disciples with the promise of the  Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing . Verily, Thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.