Sunday, February 9, 2020

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Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican &

Leave-taking of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ

You are always welcome here at All Saints.

Nourishment for the Soul: “Give a man everything which he desires, and he will enjoy it for a while, but afterwards he  will become indifferent to it, because he feels that something else, much more elevated, is missing. Is it not in that way that a child, too, enjoys every new toy until he grows hungry? The he abandons the toy and looks for food. A certain inextinguishable inner hunger for truth joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) torments our soul and does not give us peace, even among the best pleasures of life and among the most enviable achievements in the world. This blessed hunger is a hunger for God.”  – Archimandrite Seraphim Aleksiev of Bulgaria

The Men’s Monthly Bible study will meet Tuesday, February 11th at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. It will be helpful to bring a copy of the Orthodox Study Bible, Old and New Testament.

Orthodoxy 102 is this Wednesday after Daily Vespers. Fr. Seraphim’s topic: “When Prayer Doesn’t Seem to Work.”

THIS WEEK

This is a fast-free week.

Monday, February 10: Compline & Fellowship at the Haneys at 7:00

Tuesday, February 11: Men’s Fellowship at 7:00 at the church

Tuesday, February 11: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home at 7:00

Wednesday, February 12: Daily Vespers at 6:00; Orthodoxy 102 follows.

Thursday, February 13: Bible Study at Becky’s home 3:00 – 5:00

Thursday, February 13: OCF Dinner & Discussion at the Webbs’ home – 6:00

Saturday, February  15: Great Vespers at 5:00; SOYO 6:00 – 8:00

Sunday, February 16: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Parish Council meets.  

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Second Letter to St. Timothy. (3:10-15)

                Timothy my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my sufferings; and what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured; yet from them all, the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:10-14)

The Lord spoke this parable: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Pre-Lenten Retreat: We are pleased to have Fr. John Oliver join us for a Pre-Lenten retreat on Friday, February 21 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, February 22 at noon, following a Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of the Souls. There is no charge, and lunch will be provided.  Please feel free to invite friends and family. 

       Fr. John Oliver is the priest of St Elizabeth Orthodox Christian Church, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is the author of numerous articles and essays, and of Touching Heaven: Discovering Orthodox Christianity on the Island of Valaam, published by Ancient Faith Press,  and Giver of Life: The Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Christian Tradition which is published  by Paraclete Press. 

       He will be speaking to us on the topic of his upcoming book:  The Nourishing Dark: Dealing with Difficult Emotions in the Light of Christ,  which will be coming out this summer. A graduate of St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, he joined the faculty as instructor in Old and New Testament and American Religious History.  He and his wife Lara have three daughters and two sons. 

       Follow Fr. John on his podcast, Hearts and Minds  on Ancient Faith radio https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/hearts_and_minds. 

  • February 23: Meatfare Sunday
  • March 1: Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday – Myrrh Bearers hold their annual fundraiser meal to support their ministry: Youth Summer Camp is one recipient.
  • March 2: Great Lent begins with the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
  • March 8: Sunday of Orthodoxy – Daylight Savings begins.
  • May 1-3 : Holy Dormition Monastery Pilgrimage to Rives Junction, Michigan: Rhonda is the contact person. Your response is needed to secure housing at the monastery on a busy weekend.

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. Approach to the cup starts at the front rows with the choir and preschool going first.

Divine Liturgy Variables for Choir and Parish

Refrain of the Second Antiphon:

Save us, O Son of God, Who wast borne in the arms of righteous Simeon; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 1

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.  For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O Giver of Life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ; Glory to Thy Kingdom,; Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

Apolytikion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 1

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous elder, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us Resurrection.

Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 1

Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

Megalynarion of the Presentation – Tone 3

In the shadow and letter of the Law, let us the faithful contemplate a prefiguring: Every male child that openeth the womb is holy unto God. Therefore, do we magnify the first-born Word, the Son of the Father Who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who hath not known wedlock.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the Feast – Tone 8

I will receive the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. Alleluia.

FAMILY NEWS

  • House Blessings:  Please expect a call or  email from Fr. Peter Jon or Fr. Seraphim in the coming days/weeks.
  • Coffee Hour: Parishioners whose last names begin with C-G will serve and clean today.
  • The Pantry is OVERFLOWING:  Thanks for your donations, but we have no more storage space at this time! Just a note: both parishioners and people from the Bloomington community are invited to visit the pantry as needed.

Birthday Greetings: Deb D (12th); Jan G (13th)

Name Day Blessings: Marcia B  (Apostles Aquila & Priscilla – 13th)

Memory Eternal: Lois; Fr. Patrick Kinder (14th); Jill Patterson; Darlene; Lotfy Hanna

Prayer List: Dusty (Vicki’s son); Betsy (Cathy’s friend); Allison (Hal’s great-niece); Doris Finchum; Mary Ann; Vicki; Johanna and infant Jonathan; Mat. Raisa; Kaylie and infant Oliver; Rebekah with child; Amanda Hermione with child; Isaac in Air Force; Fr. Marc; Kh.Vanessa & Anthony Kinder; Fr. George; Fr. Basil & Kh. Cana; Judith; George; Dee; Catherine (not in this parish); Michael & Olga;  Eileen; 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; Cleo; Marcia & Deacon; Nick;Bruce; Joanna & Demetrios;Ashlee W; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Nancy & Shalayna; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation in Australia, with flood damage, and earthquake damage; those suffering in the Middle East; our nation.