Leave-Taking of Theophany
Holy fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu; Virgin-martyr Agnes
Thought for Today: “Humility is a Divine property and the perfection of the Christian life. It is attained through obedience. He who is not obedient cannot gain humility. There are very few in the world today who have obedience. Our humility is in proportion to our obedience.”
-Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
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 Theophany – 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 hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.
Kontakion of Theophany –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.
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.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul 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.
The Gospel
The reading 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.”
LOOKING AHEAD
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.
PLEASE NOTE: the banquet on Sunday the 4th will be from 3 PM – 7 PM, not at 2 PM as previously advertised.
House Blessing Season has Begun! Expect to be contacted by Fr. Peter Jon in the coming weeks.
Annual Parish Meeting: Sunday, January 21.
Lending Library: New books for Library; The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. Oxford University 2024, Thinking on Bioethics, St. Vlad Semi 2005; Witnesses of Christ: Neo-Martyrs of the Ottoman Period, 1437-1860. St. Vlad Semi (additional copy); One Flesh-Salvation through Marriage. Ancient Faith 2013
THIS WEEK
Today, Sunday: Myrrh Bearers will meet following Divine Liturgy.
Monday, January 15: 6th Hour Prayers at 12 noon.
Tuesday, January 16: Divine Liturgy for St. Peter’s Chains at 9:00 am.
Wednesday, January 17: Divine Liturgy for St. Anthony the Great at 9:00am
Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm (followed by Orthodoxy 101).
Thursday, January 18: Divine Liturgy for St. Athanasius the Great at 9:00 am.
Friday, January 19: Divine Liturgy for St. Macarius the Great at 9:00 am.
Saturday, January 20: Bible Study, 9:00 am at Webb’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm; (followed by Ask Abouna); Jr. SOYO at 3:30pm; SOYO at 6:30pm.
Sunday, January 21: Matins at9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
FAMILY NEWS
Names Day Celebration: Nina Gillquist, Nina Rogers, St. Nina of Georgia (14th); April Blair, St. Macrina the Elder(14th); Anthony Gillquist, Jacob Gill, Jax Schulz, St Anthony the Great (17th); Cody Arthur, St. Euthymius the Great (20th).
Birthday Celebrations: Rachel Barber (14th); Phillip Pampreen (15th); Cody Arthur (20th).
Memory Eternal: Janice, Gina, Justin.Mother Elizabeth, Bujor, Khouria Ojami.
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: Wendy Carter with Parishioners C-G.
Next week Host: Nina Rogers with Parishioners H-R.
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.