Sunday, January 14, 2018
Leave-Taking of & Sunday after the Theophany of Christ
Holy fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu; Virgin-martyr Agnes; Venerable Theodoulos, son of Neilos the Wise of Sinai; Nina, equal-to-the-Apostles and enlightener of Georgia; Sabbas, first archbishop of Serbia
Beloved ones, let us resolve at this moment
to make Christ and His Church our top priority in the new year.
Nourishment of the Soul: “In the morning you see the sun which comes up brightly and amazes everyone. Think, then, what great gladness will be experienced by souls resplendent in the eternal Sun of Righteousness, Christ, the Son of God. Pray that in your heart too may shine the beneficent light of His Grace!” – St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Bible Study: God’s Kingdom – on Earth as it is in Heaven: The Gospel of John Chapters 1-10.” The Study will consist of 10 weekly sessions, until March 22nd (excluding Feb 22nd). Join Howard and Rhonda Webb at their home, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Please invite anyone who may have an interest – Orthodox Christians as well as those of other traditions. Bring a Bible. Sorry, they cannot accommodate children. 3960 E. Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, IN 47401 314-313-275 webbrk1@gmail.com.*
Chili Fundraiser Cook-off! Orthodox Christians for Life at All Saints is sponsoring a fundraiser with a goal of $600 to benefit families who seek help through the Bloomington Women’s Care Center. We are asking for volunteers to make chili, but also encouraging all who partake on Sunday, January 28th after Divine Liturgy to donate $5 each for all the chili they can hold! However, to reach the goal, OC for Life hopes some will donate generously. If you are volunteering to make your favorite recipe, let’s hope we can have at least one chili without tomato and one vegetarian chili. YUM!
Offering Envelope Books are available in the narthex: Select one and record your name on the clipboard beside the numeral found on the book. You may continue using an old book if you have unused pages. Marcia
Social Hour: Scheduled contributors on Sunday morning are those whose last names begin G-H.
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.
Congratulations to George and Haley Khalil at the birth of their first child, Noor Mouriam, on January 9th! Beautiful!
House Blessings: Due to the relatively short house-blessing season this year (since Great Lent begins very early), Father will be contacting you in an attempt to cluster blessings by neighborhood and proximity. You are also welcome to email him your availability. It will be JOY to be with each and every family during this holy season!
THIS WEEK
January checks should be dated 2018!
Monday, January 15: Vesperal Liturgy for the feast of St. Peter’s Chains at 6:00
Tuesday, January 16: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home at 7:00
Wednesday, January 17: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, January 18: St. John Fellowship at the Haney’s home in Mitchell – 10:00 – Noon
Thursday, January 18: Bible Study at Becky’s home 3:00 – 5:00
Thursday, January 18: Bible Study at the Webb’s home 7:00 – 8:30
Saturday, January 20: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sanctity of Life Sunday, January 21: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Parish Council meets.
LOOKING AHEAD
Thursday Evenings though March 22nd (excluding Feb. 22nd): Bible Study at the Webb’s home- 7:00-8:30
Tuesday, January 23: OCF meets at the Webb’s home 6:00-8:00
Friday, January 26: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6:00
Saturday, January 27: There is a mandatory meeting for all altar servers at 3:30. Please plan to attend.
Saturday, January 27: Screening of Becoming Truly Human movie with an explanation of the program at 6:00 after Great Vespers.
Sunday, January 28: Fundraiser to benefit the Women’s Care Center. Myrrh Bearers meet.
Friday, February 2: Feast of the Presentation
Orthodoxy 101 resumes on Saturdays in February after Great Vespers.
FAMILY NOTES
Birthday Blessings: Aidan G (14th); Rachel B (14th); Cody A (20th); Chris L (20th)
Name Day Remembrance: Amanda A (St. Agnes – 14th); April B (St. Macrina – 14th); Nina G (St. Nina-14th); Nina R (St. Nina – 14th); Toni B (St. Anthony – 17th); Cody A (St. Euthymius – 20th)
Memory Eternal: Walter Romanyshak (9th)
Prayer List: Marvin & Alice; Kh. Kristina; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George R.; Iva Lee; Jennifer A
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.”
Verse: “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.” Psalm 32:22,1
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. (4:7-13)
Brethren, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it is said, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is He who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (4:12-17)
At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Divine Liturgy Variables
Refrain of the Second Antiphon: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast baptized by John in the Jordan; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Apolytikion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 1
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the likeness of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hath appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 7
Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy. And didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning, that Thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Synaxis of John the Baptist – Tone 2
The memory of the righteous is celebrated with songs of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner. Thou wast shown indeed to be the most honorable of the prophets, for in the waters thou didst baptize Him Who had been proclaimed. After suffering with joy in behalf of the truth, thou didst proclaim even to those in Hades the God Who appeared in the flesh, Who takest away the sin of the world, and granteth us the Great Mercy.
Kontakion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 4
On this day Thou hast appeared * unto the whole world, * and Thy light, O Sovereign Lord, * is signed on us who sing Thy praise * and chant with knowledge: Thou hast now come, * Thou hast appeared, O Thou Light unapproachable.
Megalynarion of the Synaxis – Tone 2
Magnify, O my soul, the Maiden who delivered us from the curse.
O the wonder of thy super-intelligent birth-giving, thou all-pure bride, the blessed Mother through whom we have received perfect salvation, we indite a fitting song, offering as a gift the song of gratitude.
Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of Theophany – Tone 8
The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Alleluia.