Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheese Fare)
Uncovering of the Seven Martyrs’ relics at Gate of Eugenios in Constantinople; Martyr Anthusa and her twelve servants
Great Lent Clean Week February 23-27
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.
Kontakion for Forgiveness Sunday – Tone 6
O Thou Who guidest to wisdom, and givest understanding and intelligence, the Instructor of the ignorant, and Helper of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to Thee, O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen.
Thought for Today
“Let us now strive more, my children, and the benefits will be great. No one finds Grace without toil…When our fasting coexists, is strengthened and is encompassed with prayer, with contemplation, with watchfulness, with church attendance, with Confession, with Holy Communion, with good works and charitable giving, then is fulfilled the beauty of the soul’s preparation for the reception of Holy Week. Then we will feel the Holy and Honorable Passion of Christ more profoundly, because our hearts will soften, and they will alter and recognize how boundless the love of God is for man. Then the Holy Resurrection will be alive within us with great strength, we will feast in a divinely-fitting manner and celebrate together with the angels the Holy Pascha.”
-Elder Ephraim of Arizona
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
O Lord, how magnified are Thy works. In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. (13:11-14:4)
Brethren, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Let us conduct ourselves becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrel and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything; while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who abstains pass judgement on him who eats; for God welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (6:14-21)
The Lord said to His Disciples: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Looking Ahead
March is women’s month the ladies and girls of the church will serve on
Sundays during Divine Liturgy by presenting the reading of the Epistle, ushering and holding wooden bowls of prosphoras bread for Holy Communion.
March 1 Sunday of Orthodoxy Lenten Vespers at St George in Fishers 5:00pm; homilist Bishop John of Worcester and New England.
On Sunday March 8 we are honored to host our fellow Orthodox Christians from area churches for Sunday Lenten Vespers. We will provide a meal to follow the service. A sign-up sheet is posted on the Door to the Fellowship hall – indicate your name and what you would like to bring. Thank you!
House blessings will continue throughout Great Lent. Father will contact you to schedule a time.
This Week
Today, Sunday Annual meeting follows the Divine Liturgy; SOYO will not meet today. Choir Practice 1:00-2:00 pm. Forgiveness Vespers at 5:00 pm.
Monday, February 23 Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at 6:00 pm.
Tuesday, February 24 Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at 6:00 pm.
Wednesday, February 25 Presanctified Liturgy at 6:00 pm, Inquirers and Catechumen classes to follow, vegetable rice dish provided for the meal, sides needed are nuts, fruit, shrimp, bread, hummus! Contact Juliana Schulz for suggestions of sides or of items you are bringing at 812- 360-5975 or Jennifer.schulz3ttj@gmail.com.
Thursday, February 26 Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at 6:00 pm.
Friday, February 28 Akathist to the Theotokos at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, February 28 Teen and Tween SOYO trip to the Maple Syrup Festival at Leanne and Michael’s Sugarbush in Salem, IN. The early bus will plan to leave the All Saints lot by 7:30 am. Please RSVP to Kh. Kristina; Bible Study10:00 am at Webb’s house. Great Vespers at 5:00 pm ‘Ask Abouna’ to follow.
Sunday, March 1 Matins at 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, Sunday of Orthodoxy. Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers 5:00 pm at St. George, Fishers, IN
Family News
Name Day Celebrations Mezy Alexander; Shirley Richardson; Hannah Noor Gillquist; Evelynn Wakefield (26th), Photini.
Birthday Celebrations Aaron Hostetler (22nd); Chris Stroguiludis (27th); Poppy Lewis (27th); Mezy Alexander (28th); Adrian Polit (28th); Nina Gillquist (1st).
Prayer List Aaliyah; Dee and Don; Nancy; Tom; Wendy; Dnsa. Robyn; Mary Ann; Rita; Michael, Olga, Jone; Sadie and the child she bears; Kelsey and child born; Heather; Hal; Jim, Lisa; Kh. Paraskeva; David; Taylor; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Rdr. David; Marvin; Nectaria, Shu-Mei. Charlie, Shirley; Jim; Jan; those suffering from the war in Ukraine and the Middle East; our Nation; all school children, and personnel across the nation; Emma; Josiah; Jack; Christopher; Wadia; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki; Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Josh; Allison; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Andrew; Isaac; Audra and the child she bears; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Leanne Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Sarah; Jennifer; Christy; John; Bruce; 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; Victoria and the child she bears, Tammy, Kip.
Memory Eternal David, Baran, Sophie, Fr. Andrew, Fr. Christopher, Galyna, Thomas, Albina, Jeanette (Aaliyah Aunt), Fr. Vladimir, Hilda, Sam, Norma, Metropolitan Demitrios of Xanthos.
Giving Opportunities We appreciate and welcome your ongoing support.
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.
All Saints’ Sunday Meal
To best serve our growing congregation, we ask everyone who is able bring a food donation to share at the meal. If you are unable to bring a dish, please enjoy the meal and fellowship, help with cleanup is always needed. 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.
The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian (to be prayed by all with your morning and evening prayers at home)
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of laziness faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Your servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen
Service Books Our service books are disappearing. New ones for Divine Liturgy and Daily Vespers have been printed. Please check your homes for service books and return them if found.
Attention Parents Please make sure your beautiful children clean up after themselves, especially in the nursery and in our outdoor spaces. Assist them with water cooler.
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.