June 12, 2016
Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension
Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
Venerable Onouphrios the Great of Egypt; Venerable Peter the Athonite;
Martyr Antonina of Nicaea; Venerable Arsenios of Konevets
To our Visitors: We are blessed by your presence.
Nourishment of the Soul: “Since then, Christ’s Ascension is our uplifting, and the hope of the Body is raised, whither the glory of the Head has gone before, let us exult, dearly beloved, with worthy joy and delight with thanksgiving. For today, not only are we confirmed as possessors of paradise, but we have also in Christ penetrated the heights of heaven. We have gained still greater things through Christ’s unspeakable grace than we had lost through the devil’s malice.”– St. Leo the Great
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.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, June 14: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home –7:00 – 8:00
Wednesday, June15: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Saturday, June 18: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, June 19: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Holy Pentecost – Kneeling Vespers will follow.
LOOKING AHEAD
…June 22-26 — Parish Life Conference of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest. Father attends so he will be out the office all week.
…June 26 — All Saints Feast Day – Baptisms & Potluck
…June 26-29: Apostles Fast with Liturgy in the evening of June 28th
…July 4 — Annual Parish Picnic with fireworks – Bring a friend!
…July 18-22 –– Clergy Symposium at AV–Father attends.
CHURCH FAMILY NOTES
Anniversary Blessings: James & Patricia F (16th); Hal & Sandy S [Celebrating their 50th – (18th)]; John & Debbie C (18th); Subdn. Jon & Irene W (18th)
Birthday Greetings: Mary Ann G (13th); Toni B (15th); Sophia B (15th); Steve B (16th); Annie P (17th)
Memory Eternal: Kevin; Christopher (10th); Carolyn (22nd); John (Stephanie’s relative – 7th)
Prayer List : “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.” John Griggs; Kh. Loretta; Amal H; Dee and Don; Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah (suffering depression); Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; Iva.; James; Alex John; Jason; Steve D; Becky H.; Alexis T. ;Tom; Jake; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Jill; Angie; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes on leave from Albania; Jesse Brandow in Guatemala (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Rachel B with child; 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, Myrna
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.”
Verse: “ For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done to us!” Daniel 3:26-27 OSB
Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles. (20:16-18, 28-36)
In those days, Paul was determined to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening , if possible, to be at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the priests of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them:
“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. For I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore remain watchful, remembering that for three years I did not cease to admonish every one, night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by such laboring we ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.”
And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down on his knees with them all, and prayed.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (17:1-13
At that time, Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent. I glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and now, Father, glorify Thou Me in Thy own presence with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine; all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou have given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Divine Liturgy Variables
Second Antiphon
Save us, O Son of God, Who didst rise from us in glory to the heavens; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
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 of the Ascension – Tone 4
Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy Disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing. Verily, Thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.
Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise Who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to Thee.
Kontakion of the Ascension – Tone 6
When Thou didst fulfill Thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto Thy beloved: I am with you, and no one shall be against you.
Megalynarion “It is truly meet…”
Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) “Praise the Lord…”
Instead of singing “We have seen the true light”, sing the Apolytikion of the Ascension(Thou has ascended…).