Please note the UPDATE for Jr. SOYO on January 1st. (Below)
Forefeast of & Sunday before Theophany of Christ
Sylvester, Pope of Rome; Cosmas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Constantinople;
Repose of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov
Thought for Today: “We must become and manifest the icon of God, the restored beauty in our own lives, in our families, in our Churches, in our communities and in our Nation.”
+ His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH
We are in a fast-free period until Wednesday, January 5, which is a strict fast day in preparation for the feast of Holy Theophany (Epiphany). Theophany, which literally means revelation of God, is when God was first revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
Junior SOYO Update: Junior SOYO will exchange names for their secret friend gift exchange and make plans for the Nativity pageant this Saturday, January 1st at 4 o’clock.
They will perform the pageant NEXT weekend, so parents, breathe a small sigh of relief, and if you would like for your children to participate, please have them to the church at 4 o’clock on Saturday.
New Offering Envelopes are available: You may continue using old ones if you choose.
Pantry Needs: Marinara sauce and packaged mac/cheese boxes are needed.
Warm Mittens, gloves, hats and scarves can find their first home in the big box in the hallway. Cathy Alexander will then take them during the cold winter months to local schools for distribution to needy children. Please donate as you are able.
Adult Bible Study resumes January 8 at the Webb’s home, 3960 E Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, 47401. Contact Rhonda for more information in person or at webbrk1@gmail.com 314-313-4275
THIS WEEK
Theophany Services
Wednesday, January 5: Royal Hours of Theophany at 9:00 am
Wednesday, January 5: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at 4:30 am
Thursday, January 6: Matins, Divine Liturgy of Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters at 9:00 am
Saturday, January 8: Adult Bible Study at the Webb’s home – 9:00 – 10:30
Saturday, January 8: Great Vespers at 5:00; Jr. SOYO at 4:00; Sr. SOYO at 6:00
Sunday, January 9: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
LOOKING AHEAD
House Blessings
January 16th: Annual business meeting
Orthodoxy 101 will resume in mid-January.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from St. Paul’s Second Epistle to St. Timothy. (4:5-8)
(For the Sunday before the Theophany of Christ)
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord my God.
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, and 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 Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (1:1-8)
(For the Sunday before the Theophany of Christ)
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “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 strap 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.”
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
DIVINE LITURGY VARIABLES for CHOIR and PARISH
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and become the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Forefeast of Theophany – Tone 4
Be thou ready, Zebulon; prepare thyself, O Nephthalim. * River Jordan, stay thy course and skip for gladness to receive * the Sovereign Master, Who cometh now to be baptized. * O Adam, be thou glad with our first mother, Eve; * hide not as ye did of old in Paradise. * Seeing you naked, He hath appeared now * to clothe you in the first robe again. * Christ hath appeared, for He truly willeth to renew all creation.
Kontakion of the Forefeast of Theophany – Tone 4
In the running waters of * the Jordan River, * on this day the Lord of all * crieth to John: Be not afraid * and hesitate not to baptize Me, * for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.
FAMILY NEWS
Anniversary Blessings: Darryl & Nancy J (4th)
Birthday Celebrations: Emily W – 3rd; John A (5th); Coran K (5th); Charles C (8th)
Name Day Prayers: St. Seraphim of Sarov (2nd): Linda B, Leanne B, Neumann J; Juliana B (St. Juliana – 2nd); Emily W (St. Emilia – 3rd); Johanna H (St. Emilia – 3rd); Jennifer R (St. Genevieve – 3rd); Micah F (Micah the Prophet – 5th); Synaxis of St. John the Baptist – 7th); John A, John L, Brian O
Memory Eternal: Catherine; Bobby (Max’s uncle); Tate; Geni Gritton, Tony, Byron (Ian’s twin brother)
Prayer List: Steve Crandall (Matt’s father); Adrian and Marah ;Jake Immimk Fr. Athanasius Wilson; Jack;Christopher; Tornado victims; Covid-19 resurgence; refugees and immigrants; our nation and nation’s leaders at all levels of government; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Nancy; April; Don; Vicki; Mat. Raisa; Ingrid, Fr. Jerome; Catherine; Awanda Michael; Anastasia with child; Bonnie Thelen; Wadia; Jayci; Dee, Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Michael; Olga; Eileen; Soren; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew and Isaac (Korea/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Emma; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy