Sunday, May 28, 2023

Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

Hieromartyr Eutychios, bishop of Melitene; Martyr Heliconis of Thessalonica

Thought for Today: “Let us enter the church of God with the fear of God, with a pure heart, laying aside all passions and every worldly care, and let us stand in it with faith and reverence, with understanding attention, with love and peace in our hearts, so that we may come away renewed, as though made heavenly, so that we may live in the holiness natural to heaven, not binding ourselves by worldly desires and pleasures. – St. John of Kronstadt-

VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH 

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, making them confident through the blessing that 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 yo

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS 

The Epistle 

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers. For Thou art just in all Thou hast done to us.

The Reading from the Acts of the 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 the Lord and 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.

The Gospel 

The Reading 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.”

 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.

Missing Books: If you have any of the “Orthodox Faith” catechism books by Fr Thomas Hopko at home and are finished reading them, please return them so that our newest inquirers can make use of them. Thank you! 

THIS WEEK 

Monday, May 29Memorial Day.

Wednesday, May 31Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm; followed by ask Abouna.

Friday, June 2Divine Liturgy at 9:00am with Baptism and Chrismation of the Van Cleave family: James, Heather, Nicholas and Alice.

Saturday, June 3: Saturday morning Bible Study; at the Webb’s home all are welcome to attend. 9:00- 10:30 am at 3960 E Fenbrook Lane, 47401.  Randel Storm will lead the study of John I, II, and III.

Saturday, June 3Great Vespers at 5:00 pm; jr. SOYO at 3:30 pm; SOYO at 6:30 pm.

Sunday, June 4Matins at 9:00am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am with Baptism and Chrismation of David Beebe; Gill family, Michael, Zephaniah, Elias, and Jacob. Pentecost Kneeling Vespers concluding the service.

 LOOKING AHEAD

All Saints Feast Day; Sunday, June 11; Myrrh Bearer Fundraiser Picnic.

Parish Life ConferenceJune 28 – July 2.

FAMILY NEWS 

Names Day CelebrationTristan Rigsby, St. Alexander (29th).

Birthday CelebrationsRobert Rogers, (29th).

Memory Eternal: Joe; Fr. Angelo; Norma; infants Joachim and Anna; John; Michelle; Steven.

Prayer ListMichael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Toni;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; Earthquake victims and relief efforts in Syria and Turkey; 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; Arianna; Linda; Steve Crandall; Fr. Athanasius; jack; Christopher; Nancy; Fr. Jerome; Mother Nektaria; 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; Anna and child; Macrina with child; Emilia with child; Amanda with child; Anne; Allen; Linda; Marilyn; Mary Barger; Allison and children.        

Coffee Hour HostRhonda Webb with Parishioners S-Z.

Next week Host: Melissa Barabrick with Parishioners A-B.

Giving Opportunities:

The 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. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.

Our In-House Food Pantry: Non-perishable food items are always welcome, thank you for your continued support. The Food Pantry is available to parish member as well as families in the community.

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