Teens will be chanting Great Vespers today, (December 26th)
Proto-martyr Stephen the Archdeacon &
Sunday after the Nativity of Christ
Commemoration of Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King, and James the Brother of the Lord
Nourishment of the Soul: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 30: Live-Streamed Daily Vespers at 6:00
Saturday, January 2: Live-Streamed Great Vespers at 5:00: SOYO at 6:00 – 8:00
Sunday, January 3: Live-Streamed Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
Teen SOYO Project: As you know, our teens are collecting much-needed items for young children served by the Women’s Care Center and Hannah House during this blessed Advent season. We remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who was born in a cave, because there was no room for Him at the Inn. Due to the importance of this work, I am extending the “Baby Drive“ until the Great Feast of Theophany on January 6, 2021.
Items needed are as follows.
Diapers, sizes newborn, 1, 5 & 6
Boys pull-ups, size 5 & 6
Girls pull-ups, size 5 & 6
Fragrance-free wipes
Please place your donated items on the table in the fellowship hall designated for that purpose.
Thank you in advance for your generosity, and God bless you. – Fr. Peter Jon
Lifetouch Church Directories have arrived! These are free to those who had their portraits taken in January of 2020.
LOOKING FORWARD to JANUARY
1st – St. Basil and Circumcision of Christ
2nd – St. Seraphim of Sarov
6th – Holy Theophany of Our Lord & Blessing of the Waters
House Blessings begin.
14th – St. Nina, Enlightener of Georgia
16th – Chains of St. Peter
24th – St. Xenia of St. Petersburg
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. (6:8-7:5, 47-60)
(For St. Stephen)
His voice has gone out into all the earth. The heavens declare the glory of God.
In those days, Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men, who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. The high priest said, “Is this so?” And Stephen said: “Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Depart from your land and from your kindred and go into the land which I will show you.’ Then he departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living; yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him in possession and to his posterity after him, though he had no child. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth My footstool. What house will you build for Me’, says the Lord, ‘or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?’ You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they grinded their teeth against him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:13-23)
(For the Sunday after the Nativity of Christ)
When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region, who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.
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
Refrain of the Second Antiphon
Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
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 there 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.
Apolytikion of the Sunday before the Nativity – Tone 4
Great are the accomplishments of faith; for the three holy youths rejoiced in the fountain of flames as though at waters of rest. And the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Apolytikion after the Nativity – Tone 2
Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.
Apolytikion of St. Stephen – Tone 4
The crown of the Kingdom hath adorned the brow of thy head * because of the contests that thou hast endured for Christ God, thou first of the martyred Saints; * for when thou hadst censured the Jews’ madness, thou sawest * Christ thy Savior standing at the right hand of the Father. * O Stephen, ever pray Him for us, that He would save our souls.
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
FAMILY NEWS
The Pantry: The pantry is overflowing with donations, but canned soup is needed still!
Happy Birthday: Adriana C (30th); Molly A (31st); Nancy J (31st); Lina (1st)
Name Day Blessings: St. Seraphim of Sarov ( 2nd): Fr. Seraphim; Linda Seraphima B; Leanne Seraphima B; Neumann Seraphim J
Prayer List:Fr. Peter Jon; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Gabriel; Immimk family with Covid;Heidi; Fr. Jerome; our nation and our nation’s leaders at all levels of government; world-wide pandemic; nursing home residents and caregivers; schools, school children, youth and personnel across the nation. The People of Beirut; Bonnie Thelen (awaiting kidney transplant); Wadia; Jayci; Dee, Patricia, Marvin A, Benedict, Judith Ann, Cleo, Michael; Olga, Eileen; Kitsa Wiersteiner; Aphrodite and son Angelos in Greece; Violet; Kim; Dusty; Betsy; Allison; Robin & Janet; Mary Ann; Vicki; Mat. Raisa; Isaac (Covid) – in Air Force; Andrew for education decisions; Fr. Marc; Fr. George; George; Catherine (not in this parish); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Alice & Marvin; Kh. Kristina; Bonnie; Emma; Patricia; Mary & Robert; Shirley; Rose; Lexi, Ross & Vivian; Theo; Doug Barrett; Jeremy; Charles; Grayson; Marcia & Deacon; Nick; Bruce; Joanna & Demetrios; Ashlee W; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Nancy & Shalana; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation, flood damage, and earthquake damage; those suffering in the Middle East.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Thank you for continuing to support the church.
SAFETY PRACTICES
Coffee Hour Procedures: Safety directives are being followed. Rhonda, serving as chair of the Myrrh Bearers, is the point person. Please contact her to volunteer donations.
…The Monroe County Health Department requires masks to be worn by those worshipping outdoors when social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be observed. All are still required to wear masks indoors unless a medical condition prevents them from safely doing so, or unless one is a designated chanter/server.
…If you wish to attend Sunday Matins & Divine Liturgy, please respond in the positive to the email from Fr. Peter that you will find in your inbox. Ex. Smith -2 (Family name – number)
… …Everyone is welcome to attend all non-Sunday services without signing up. Face masks and safety precautions are in place.
…Teen SOYO gather after Great Vespers each Saturday while respecting social distancing practices.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Thank you for continuing to support the church.