Sunday, January 3, 2016
Forefeast of & Sunday before Theophany of Christ
Holy Prophet Malachi; Martyr Gordios of Cappadocia;
Venerable Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesbos; Venerable Genevieve of Paris
At All Saints, we warmly welcome our visitors as honored guests.
Nourishment of the Soul: “But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy3:14-17)
Let us pray to the Lord: “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in the Ukraine.”
House Blessings will be scheduled after Theophany. There will be a sign-up sheet.
Annual Church Calendars are ready for pickup. These are a gift to you from the Church and feature photos by Darryl Jones.
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.
Anniversary Blessings: Darryl & Nancy J (4th); Michael & Missy S (7th)
Happy Birthday: John A (5th); Charles C (8th); Hal S (9th)
Name Day Remembrance – St. John the Baptizer: John A (7th); John L (7th)
Memory Eternal: Infant Athena (25th); Dr. Frank (2nd); Steve (6th); Marilyn (16th)
Remember to date your checks with the new year 2016!
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, January 5: The Hours of Theophany at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, January 5: Evening Liturgy on the Eve of Theophany with the Blessing of the Waters at 6:00
Wednesday, January 6: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Friday, January 8: SOYO meeting at 6:00
Saturday, January 9: Great Vespers at 5:00; 40-Day Memorial for Dr. Frank
Sunday, January 10: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Baptism
LOOKING AHEAD
- January 12: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home
- January 13: Vesperal Liturgy for St. Nina of Georgia
- January 14: Bedford-Mitchell Fellowship
- January 20: Vesperal Liturgy for St. Maximus
- January 23: Altar Servers Meeting
- January 26: Gathering in the Gazebo (in the social hall)– Myrrh Bearers will play games!
- February 1 & 2: Patronal Visit by Bishop ANTHONY
at the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Prayer List: Archpriest Athanasius; James; Alex John; Jason; Steve D; Dee; Becky H.; Amal; Alexis T. ;Tom; Jake; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Jill; Kh. Kristina; Angie; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes in Albania, Jesse Brandow in Guatemala (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Dee H.; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Those with child: Megan. Ashley, Rachel B, Jessica with twins.; Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R; Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley: Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; Charles; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Dennis & Joyce; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.”
Verse: “Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, O my God!” Psalm 27:9,1
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Second Epistle to Timothy. (4:5-8)
My Child Timothy, be watchful in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a libation, and the season of my departure is at hand: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have guarded the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will reward me at that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved His appearing.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (1:1-8)
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.”
Divine Liturgy Variables
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 6
When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion for the Forefeast of Theophany – Tone 4
Be thou ready, Zabulon; prepare thyself, O Nephtalim. 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
Today hath the Lord appeared in the courses of the Jordan, crying to John and saying, “Be not dismayed at my Baptism; for I have verily come to save Adam, the first to be created.”