After-feast of & Sunday after the Nativity of Christ
Commemoration of Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King, James the brother of God, and the 20,000 martyrs of Nicomedia
Christ is Born, Glorify Him!
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 from 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 Sunday 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.
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 the shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear as a young Child, He who is from Eternity God.
Approaching the Holy Chalice
The young children of Little Lambs and their teachers receive first, unless there are newly illumined, in which case the children go second. Infants to toddlers may follow with their parents or godparent. Everyone else in the parish family is asked to file toward the periphery, toward the narthex, and proceed down the center aisle. As we approach the chalice, we fold our arms, right over left. This is both a posture of submission and confession of Christ’s victory over death. Those who commune are asked to open their mouths wide with their heads slightly tipped up and receive the Gifts directly from the spoon. This eliminates confusion and reduces the risk of spillage.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
God is wondrous in His saints. Bless God in the congregations.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (1:11-19)
Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:13-23)
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.”
Thought for Today
“Thank God! Thank God! Thank God for everything! From these wonderful, holy words retreat gloomy thoughts, a burden. Peace, comfort, and joy come to the soul of a person. Thy will be done, Lord! Thank God for everything! – St. Nikon of Optina
This Week
Monday, December 29 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Tuesday, December 30 Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Wednesday, December 31 Great Vespers at 6:00 pm, followed by New Year’s Eve Potluck.
Thursday, January 1 Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great for the Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 9:00 am.
Friday, January 2 Divine Liturgy for St. Seraphim of Sarov and Juliana the Merciful at 9:00 am.
Saturday, January 3 Bible study 10:00 am at the Webbs’ home; Soyo/Jr Soyo gift exchange 3:30 pm; Great Vespers at 5:00; Children’s Christmas pageant follows (10th day of Christmas).
Sunday, January 4 Matins at 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Family News
Name Day Celebrations Will Gidney, Jonathan Hsu, St. Basil (1st); Linda Barrett, Leanne Bissell, Neuman Jones, Seraphim Cook, St. Seraphim (2nd); Jen Schulz, Juliana Barber, Juliana the merciful (3rd); Johanna Hsu, Emily Wood, St. Emilia (3rd); Jennifer Rigsby, Genevieve Maschino, St. Genevieve (3rd).
Birthday Celebrations Adriana Calinescu (30th); Nancy Jones (31st); Molly Alexander (31st); Lena Tabbal (1st); Emily Wood (3rd).
Anniversary Celebration Darryl and Nancy Jones (4th).
Looking Ahead
January 5: Hours of Theophany 9am, Vesperal Liturgy with the Great Blessing of the Waters 5:00 pm
January 6: Festal Matins of Theophany 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy for the Feast with the Outdoor Blessing of the Waters 10:00 am
Prayer List Joel; Wendy; Dnsa. Robyn Freeman; Nanette; Rita; Heather; Kh. Paraskeva; Hal; Jacquie; Jim and Lisa; Taylor; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Marvin; Nectaria, Shu-Mei. Charlie, Shirley; Gregory; Jim; Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering from the war in Ukraine and the Middle East; our Nation; all school children, and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Josiah; Jack; Christopher; Wadia; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki; Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Josh; Allison; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Andrew; Isaac; Sadie and the child she bears; Kelsey and the child she bears; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Leanne Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Sarah; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Evan; Anastasia and family; Dorthea; Mary; Marina; Patrick; Seraphima, Anna and the child she bears, Mary and the child she bears; Williams family.
Memory Eternal Creighton, Christopher, Amanda, Jared, Kh. Carol, Robert.
Your Help Helping Those in Need: We pray, fast and offer charity to those in need, fulfilling the Lord’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves. During this season the Church has had a beautiful response. Collection for Saint Nicholas Tree, Hannah House, and Community Shelter will continue during the 12 days of Christmas (until Theophany). There are opportunities for almsgiving throughout the year:
Benevolence Fund: Donations are used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments.
Food Pantry: Our in-house Food Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.
Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support.
All Saints’ Sunday Meal
SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP MEAL In order to best serve our growing congregation, instead of the usual alphabetical meal teams, we ask that everyone who is able bring a food donation of a pot, bowl, casserole or loaf of something* to share at the meal. If you are unable to bring a donation, please come anyway and help with cleaning up after the meal. Place your donations ready to be served on the serving buffet prior to Holy Communion. After the meal, remove your containers and clean up any church items you used. Thank you.
Donations to the church are being made online to www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.