Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ
Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous, the Wonderworker
John, Metropolitan of Zichnon; Hieromartyr Alexander, Archbishop of Jerusalem
Nativity Fast
Thought for Today: “Forget your good deeds as soon as possible… Do not record your good deeds, for if you record them they will soon fade. But if you forget them, they will be written in eternity.” + St. Nicholai Velimirovitc
Annual Calendar: If your information was not on this year’s calendar or was incorrect, please email Marcia at lbald3368@aol.com or leave a note on her desk. We print dates for anniversaries, birthdays, and name days.
Teen SOYO Diaper Drive: Please place donations for Newborn and sizes 1 and 2 in the box in the social hall. The Women’s Care Center will distribute them to families in need.
St. Nicholas Tree: Continuing our local tradition, we encourage you to place gift cards on a small tree in the fellowship hall. Fr. Peter Jon will then give the cards to families who need help during this Christmas season. Cards from Kroger, Sam’s/Walmart and other local merchants as well as gas cards are always helpful. God loves a cheerful giver!
LOOKING AHEAD
Sunday, December 19: Baptisms and Chrismations
Friday, December 24: Royal Hours of Christmas at 9am – Christmas Eve Day
Friday, December 24: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil at 4pm – Christmas Eve Day
Saturday, December 25: Matins and Divine Liturgy at 9am – Christmas Day
The Adult Bible Study will meet Saturday morning 9:00 -10:30 am December 18 to study the Old Testament book of Tobit. We will resume meeting at the same time, beginning January 8th. We meet at the Webb’s, 3960 E Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, 47401. Contact Rhonda for more information in person or at webbrk1@gmail.com 314-313-4275
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 15: Daily Vespersat 6:00; Ask Abouna and O101 follow with Fr. Peter Jon presenting “Icons of Christmas“.
Saturday, December 18:Adult Bible Study at the Webb’s 9:00-10:30
Saturday, December 18: Great Vespers at 5:00; Jr. SOYO at 4:00; Teen SOYO at 6:00
Sunday, December 19: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 Chrismations and Baptisms – Parish Council meets.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. (5:8-19)
(For St. Spyridon)
The saints shall boast in glory. Sing unto the Lord a new song.
Brethren, walk as children of light—for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth—proving what is acceptable to the Lord; and have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them; for it is a shame even to speak of the things which they do in secret. But all things when they are exposed are made manifest by the light, for everything that is made manifest is light. Therefore, he says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon thee.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and chanting in your heart to the Lord.
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (14:16-24)
(For the Holy Forefathers)
The Lord spoke this parable: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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.
DIVINE LITURGY VARIABLES for CHOIR and PARISH
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 8
From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of the Forefathers – Tone 2
Thou hast justified by faith the ancient Forefathers, and through them Thou hast gone before and betrothed unto Thyself the Church of the Gentiles. Let the saints, therefore, take pride in glory; for from their seed sprouted forth a noble fruit, and it was she who gave birth to Thee without seed. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, save our souls.
Apolytikion of St. Spyridon – Tone 1
Thou wast shown forth as a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, O Spyridon, our God-bearing Father. Wherefore, thou didst speak unto one dead in the grave, and didst change a serpent to gold. And while chanting thy holy prayers, thou hadst Angels serving with thee, O most sacred one. Glory to Him that hath glorified thee. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.
Kontakion of Preparation of Christ’s Nativity – Tone 3
The Virgin cometh today, to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word Eternal. Therefore, rejoice O Earth, at the message. With the angels and shepherds give glory to Him Who shall appear by His own will, as a young child, He Who is from eternity God!
FAMILY NEWS
Memory Eternal: Catherine ‘Amy’ McCormick
Sympathy cards may be mailed to 117 Cooper Rd, Blythewood , SC 29016.
O Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever!
The Nativity Fast: The first period is November 15 through December 19 – no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, but wine and oil are permitted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and fish, wine and oil on Saturdays and Sundays. The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday.
Anniversary Blessings: Glen & Wendy C (17th)
Birthday Celebrations: Zane N (10th); Rhonda W (11th); Fr. Peter Jon (18th)
Name Day Blessings: Lucia T (St. Lucia – 13th); Aaron H (St. Herman of Alaska -13th); Wyatt C (St. Herman of Alaska – 13th); Daniel R (Prophet Daniel – 17th)
Memory Eternal: Lois; Richard; Barb; Catherine ‘Amy’ McCormick; Bobby (Max’s uncle); Tate
Prayer List: Adrian and Marah Polit;Jake Immimk (hospitalized); Fr. Athanasius Wilson; Jack;Christopher:Catherine, Lance, Abigail; Covid-19 resurgence; refugees and immigrants; our nation and nation’s leaders at all levels of government; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Nancy; April; Don; Vicki; Mat. Raisa;; Ingrid, Fr. Jerome; Catherine;; Anastasia with child; Bonnie Thelen; Wadia; Jayci; Dee, Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Michael; Olga; Eileen; Soren; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew and Isaac ( Korea/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Emma; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy