Sunday before Theophany of Christ,
(Leave-taking) of the Nativity of Christ
Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) of the Apodosis 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 art risen from the dead; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 5
Let us believers praise and worship the Word; coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For, He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh to suffer death; and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
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 the Nativity of Christ –Tone 3
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
All those on earth worship thee and sing unto Thee: Alleluia to God, O all the earth.*
The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (4:5-8)
Timothy, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (1:1-8)
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes He Who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Thought for Today: “Beloved Christians! Nothing is more pleasant, lovelier, and sweeter to us sinners than the Gospel. More welcome than bread to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, freedom to captives and those in prison, is the Gospel to sinners who understand their misfortune. + St. Tikhon of Zadonsk +
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
Ladies Christmas Holiday Party: Saturday, January 13 at 11am, hosted by Johanna Hsu at her home. RSVP mrsarcfide@gmail.com
Save the Date! His Grace, Bishop ANTHONY, will be visiting All Saints the first weekend in February. Please block out the 2nd, 3rd and 4th on your calendar and prepare to spend a great weekend with our beloved Bishop.
THIS WEEK
Monday, January 1: 6th Hour Prayers at 12 noon.
Tuesday, January 2: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Wednesday, January 3: 6th Hour Prayers at 12 noon; Readers Vespers at 6:00 pm (no Orthodoxy 101 tonight)
Thursday, January 4: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Friday, January 5: Hours of Theophany at 9:00 am; Vesperal Liturgy for Theophany at 6:00 pm (with the Great Blessing of the Waters).
Saturday, January 6: (No Bible Study), all-parish “dream session” with our architect and building project manager from 9-11am, Festal brunch will be served. Great Vespers at 5:00 pm; (followed by Ask Abouna); Jr. SOYO at 3:30pm; SOYO at 6:30pm.
Sunday, January 7: Matins at9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
FAMILY NEWS
Names Day Celebration: William Gidney, Basil KonnersmanSt. Basil (1st); Linda Barrett, Leanne Bissell, Neumann Jones St. Saraphim (2nd); Juliana Barber St. Juliana (2nd); Jennifer Rigsby, Alice Van Cleave St. Genevieve (3rd); Johanna Hsu, Emily Wood St. Emilia (3rd); Micah Finchum Prophet Micah (5th).
Birthday Celebrations: Molly Alexander (31st); Nancy Jones (31st); Lina Tabbal (1st); Steve Blair (2nd); Hayden Busby (2nd); Emily Wood (3rd); Macrina Robertson (5th); Sami Koutares (5th); John Alexander jr. (5th); Alex Koutares (6th).
Anniversary Celebrations: Darryl and Nancy Jones (4th).
Memory Eternal: Archpriest Michael, Dn. Sergius, Marcia, Janice, Gina, Justin.
Prayer List: Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine, and the Middle East; 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); Wes’s grandfather; Megan (lymphoma); Mark (CHF) and (caregiver) Barbara;Josiah; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter; Steve Crandall; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Marvin; Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew (Texas/military); Isaac (Germany/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; John; Stanley; Macrina;; Anne; Allen; Linda; Marilyn; Mary Barger; Allison and children; Nino with child, Kip, Taylor with child, Erica with child.
Coffee Hour Host: 5th Sunday, all welcome to participate.
Next week Host: Melissa Barbarick with Parishioners A-B.
Giving Opportunities:
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.
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.
In-House Food Pantry: The Food Pantry is in need of marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned vegetables, fruit, and soups. The pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the greater Bloomington community. Thank you for your continued support
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.