Festal Divine Liturgy December 25
The Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ
** Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great **
Christ is Born, Glorify Him!
Thought for Today: “Today the Most Rich One became poor for our sake; let the rich man invite the poor to his table!” +St. Ephraim the Syrian +
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
The Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) of the Nativity of Christ
From the womb before the morning star have I begotten Thee. The Lord hath sworn, and He will not repent; thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ Tone – 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of Justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come. O Lord, glory to Thee.
Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ Tone – 3
On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in Essence; * to the Unapproachable, * the earth doth offer a small cave; * Angels join in choir with shepherds * in giving glory; * with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; * for our sakes is born a young Child, * He Who existed * before the ages as God.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
Let all the earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee. Shout with joy to God, all the earth.
The reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (4:4-7)
Brethren, when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
The Gospel
The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:1-12)
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.
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.
Looking Ahead:
Special Parish Council meeting on Sunday, January 1st, regarding the nomination of a new Metropolitan Archbishop.
Special Convention: Father Peter Jon travels to Texas for the Special Convention to nominate a new Metropolitan Archbishop
All-parish Annual Meeting: Sunday, January 22
Giving Opportunities:
SOYO and Junior SOYO are collecting toothbrushes, toothpaste, mini-deodorants, hand sanitizers, socks, nail files, soaps, and dental floss to be packaged and sent to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities). These will then be used in disaster relief efforts as-needed. Please place your items in the decorated box in the fellowship hall.
The Giving Tree Thank you to all who filled the tree with gift cards many times over! Many families are being blessed with groceries and gas thanks to your love and generosity.
The Benevolence Fund Thank you to all who generously responded to our plea for the benevolence fund. Donations may be made to this fund throughout the year, and are mainly used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments.
Our In-House Food Pantry needs canned meats, tuna, salmon, smoked oysters, sardines, chicken, black and pinto beans, spaghetti sauce and peanut butter. We have an abundance of pasta.
Hats and Gloves Thank you for your incredible response to this need. We have collected an immense number of hats and gloves and will deliver them to be distributed shortly.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 28: Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm; followed by Ask Abouna. Orthodoxy 101 will resume the first Wednesday in February.
Friday December 30: OCF Life serving Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6:00pm.
Saturday, December 31: Great Vespers at 5:00pm; Jr SOYO at 3:30pm; Teen SOYO at 6:00pm.
Sunday, January 1: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
FAMILY NEWS
Birthday Celebrations: Amanda Smith (26th); Adriana Calinescu (30th); Nancy Jones (31st);
Molly Alexander (31st).
Names Day Celebration: Christopher Stroguiludis (25th).
Anniversary Celebrations: Robert and Nina Rogers (26th).
Memory Eternal: Marcelle; Chris; David; Archpriest Anthony (Gabriel); David; Drew.
Prayer List: Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Toni;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mat. Raisa; Mary Ann; Emma (Mary Ann’s granddaughter); Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Wes (infant with brittle bone disorder); Megan (lymphoma); Mark (CHF) and (caregiver) Barbara; Wes’s grandfather;Josiah; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter;Arianna; Vician; Linda; Steve Crandall; Fr.Athanasius; Fr. Gabriel;Jack;Christopher; Nancy; Fr. Jerome; Mother Nektaria; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Kristy, Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew and Isaac (Korea/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; Nelson; Rhea and John; Stanley; Anna with child (Coran’s friend); Malory with child (Reed’s sister);, Megan with child; Brigida with child; Paulina with child; Tabitha and infant Rebecca; Anne; Allen; Linda; Marilyn; Mary Barger; Norma; Allison and children .
Coffee Hour Host: Christmas Coffee.
Next week Host: Melissa Barbarick’s Team with Parishioner’s A-B.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.