Sunday, January 5, 2014

Celebrating the Theophany of Christ (January 6)

Blessing of the Waters follows the Divine Liturgy.

Bring your empty water bottle for refilling. 

New bottles will be given to those who need them.

Today we commemorate Martyrs Theopemptos the bishop of Nicomedia and Theonas the former magician; Venerable Syncletica of Alexandria; Venerable-martyr Romanos of Athos.

It is our greatest joy to receive visitors, who come seeking to know, serve, and worship God together with us at All Saints.

Prayer for the Beginning of the Year

 

O Master, Lord our God, the Source of life and immortality, the Author of all created things both visible and invisible, Who hast established all seasons and times by Thine own authority and dost direct all things with Thine all-wise and all-gracious providence: We thank Thee for Thy bounties, which Thou hast poured out upon us during our life that is past. And we entreat Thee, O all-bountiful Lord: Bless the crown of the New Year by Thy goodness. Bestow Thy good things from above upon all Thy people, as also health, salvation and good furtherance in all things. Deliver Thy Holy Church, this city and all cities and countryside from every evil assault, and vouchsafe unto them peace and tranquility; and grant that we may always offer thanksgiving unto Thee, the unoriginate Father, together with Thine only-begotten Son and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 Communion: 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.

Communion Line: The choir goes first in both lines so members may continue ministering through music during communion. Little Lambs follow. The ushers then assist each row from front to back.  Those seated in the over-flow may follow an adjacent row.

Confession: Confessions are heard Wednesday and Saturday evenings half an hour before services or by appointment during the week.

Orthodoxy 101 for 2014 begins January 15th following the Evening Liturgy.

 Offering and Pledge Envelopes: Find yours in the narthex, arranged alphabetically. If you do not find one there, ask Marcia.

 All Saints Annual Pictorial Calendars: Pick one up in the narthex.

 THIS WEEK

 Monday, January 6: Blessed Feast of Theophany (no service on this day)

Tuesday, January 7: Women’s Bible Study at 7:00 – Kh. Marilyn’s home

Wednesday, January 8: Vespers at 6:00

Thursday, January 9: Mitchell Fellowship at 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, January 11: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, January 12: Matins at 8:50; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Men’s meeting

 PLANNING AHEAD

 

February 1-2: His Grace Bishop ANTHONY will make his first arch-pastoral visit for the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.

February 17-19: Annual SOYO Basketball Tournament Weekend in Canton, OH. Sign up now. Sponsors are needed to accompany the teens.  Father needs to know who will be attending.

 

Happy Birthday: John Alexander, (the younger) (5th); Charles Coats (8th); Hal Sabbagh (9th)

Blessed Name Day: John Alexander (St. John the Forerunner – 6th); John Labban (St. John the Forerunner – 6th)

Memory Eternal: Kh. Katherine (Nov.29th); Roy (7th); Jimmy; Dick; Judy; Erma (Dec.); Child Innocent (Dec.)

Prayer List: Alex (Albert) Alexander (surgery Jan. 9th); Vicki; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John, Mother Pelagia and her nuns and orphans, Danica D’Onofrio; Kh. Loretta Wilson; Chad & Connie; Beth; Jeffry Ellis; Lillian Miller; Dee; Julie; Roger; Stephanie; Virginia McCallister; Dolly Seek; Marilyn; Eric; Marna; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Ioana; Geni Gritton; Michael & Shelley: Leanne; Jill Patterson; Gabriel; Mary; Alex; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Pete; Phillip; Patricia; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; John; Charles; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests Alexander and Roman; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Bob R; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Steven; Mary; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Victor; Aaron; Brent; Christy; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb.

 

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.”

Verse: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good!” Psalm 117:25; 135:1

 

Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Epistle to Titus. (2:11-15; 3:4-7) (for Epiphany–January 6th)

 

            My child Titus, the saving grace of God has appeared to all people, which chastens us to reject ungodliness and worldly lusts, that we may live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious Epiphany of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, who are zealous for good works.

            But when the kindness of God our Savior, and His love toward humankind appeared, He saved us not by works done in righteousness, which we ourselves have done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according St. Matthew. (3:13-17) (January 6th)

 

            At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by Thee, and Thou dost come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased.”