The Annual Business meeting follows Sunday’s Divine Liturgy.
An electronic print-out of the report will be sent to those on the email list.
Baptized Orthodox members of this parish, age 18 and older and are present on Sunday,
will vote for new parish council members.
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Martyrs Guria, Shamuna and Habib, the Deacon of Edessa;Thomas the New, Patriarch of Constantinople; Venerable Paisios Velichkovsky
Nourishment of the Soul: “Some people read books in order to find God. Yet there is a great book, the very appearance of created things. Look above you; look below you! Note it; read it! God whom you wish to find, never wrote that book with ink. Instead, He set before your eyes the things that he made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that? Why, heaven and earth cry out to you, ‘God made me'”. – St. Augustine of Hippo
Announcement of Retirement: Last week Fr. Seraphim announced that he is retiring and he and Khouria Paraskeva will return to their home in Pennsylvania after December 20th. How we have grown to love them and while happy for this time for them, we will miss their love and service here at All Saints. Axios!
Father Peter Jon continues to post short videos daily at www.allsaintsbloomington.org to connect with, inspire and inform us. On the home page, find the current postings under “Videos from Father Peter.”
Fall Catechism Classes: Classes will be held in the church and will be live-streamed each Wednesday evening after daily vespers for those unable to attend in person.
**SPECIAL NOTE ON THE NATIVITY FAST**
On November 15, we begin, with God’s help, the forty-day NATIVITY FAST in preparation for the feast of the Nativity of Christ on December 25. The Nativity Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine and oil on Saturdays and Sundays. The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday.
Good News from OCF: OCF students lovingly prepared a meal last Sunday afternoon for the homeless staying at The Friend’s Place of Shalom Community Center. The students worked together to prepare a delicious meal for 50 of these folks, using our newly renovated kitchen facilities.
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.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, November 18: Live-Streamed Daily Vespers at 6:00 and Orthodoxy 101 follows.
Saturday, November 21: Live-Streamed Great Vespers at 5:00: SOYO at 6:00 – 8:00
Sunday, November 22: Live-Streamed Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 -The parish council will be installed and have a brief meeting following Divine Liturgy.
NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Nativity Fast – November 15 – December 24
Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
Thanksgiving – November 26th
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (2:4-10)
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
To Thee, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
Brethren, God, Who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and made us sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest any man should boast. For, we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:25-37)
At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read?” And the lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The lawyer said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Divine Liturgy Variables 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 for Ss. Guria, Shamuna and Habib – Tone 5
Since Thou hast given us the miracles of Thy holy Martyrs Guria, Shamuna and Habib as an invincible battlement, by their entreaties scatter the counsels of the heathen, O Christ our God, and strengthen the faith of Orthodox Christians, since Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.
Kontakion of the Entrance of the Theotokos – Tone 4
The sacred treasury of God’s holy glory, * the greatly precious bridal chamber and Virgin, * the Savior’s most pure temple, free of stain and undefiled, * into the House of the Lord * on this day is brought forward * and bringeth with herself the grace * of the Most Divine Spirit; * her do God’s Angels hymn with songs of praise, * for she is truly the heavenly tabernacle.
FAMILY NEWS
Aunt Ruth’s Toffee for Christmas: Order now this popular candy, made here at All Saints! Contact our candy maker at vickigans@yahoo.com by November 25th (the day before Thanksgiving) to help her determine how much to prepare in the coming days. (More information is on the hall bulletin board.)
The Pantry: The shelves are being filled again. Take a peek when you are at church to see what might be used.
Congratulations to Subdeacon Jon (Jeff) and Irene at the birth of their second grandson! George is the newborn son of their daughter Kristina and son-in-law Jake. What joy!
Coffee Hour Procedures: Safety directives are being followed. Rhonda, serving as chair of the Myrrh Bearers, is the point person. Please contact her to volunteer donations.
Birthday Celebrations: Paul Barber (19th); Logan Skinner (20th); Lisa Alexander (21st)
Name Day Blessings: Entrance of the Theotokos 21st: Kh. Marilyn; Mary Ann G; Mary B; Alice P; Mariam G
Memory Eternal: Zach; James; Metropolitan Theodosius
Prayer List: Fr. Dragan; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Seraphim Aldea; our nation and our nation’s leaders at all levels of government; world-wide pandemic; schools, school children, youth and personnel across the nation. The People of Beirut; Bonnie Thelen (awaiting kidney transplant); Wadia; Jayci; Dee, Patricia, Marvin A, Benedict, Judith Ann, Cleo, Michael; Olga, Eileen; Kitsa Wiersteiner; Steven Sajkich; Aphrodite and son Angelos in Greece; Violet; Kim; Dusty; Betsy; Allison; Robin & Janet; Mary Ann; Vicki; Mat. Raisa; Isaac in Air Force; Andrew for education decisions; Fr. Marc; Fr. George; Fr. Basil & Kh. Cana; George; Catherine (not in this parish); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Alice & Marvin; Kh. Kristina; Bonnie; Emma; Patricia; Mary & Robert; Shirley; Rose; Lexi, Ross & Vivian; Theo; Doug Barrett; Jeremy; Charles; Grayson; Marcia & Deacon; Nick; Bruce; Joanna & Demetrios; Ashlee W; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Nancy & Shalana; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation, flood damage, and earthquake damage; those suffering in the Middle East
SAFETY PRACTICES
…The Monroe County Health Department requires masks to be worn by those worshipping outdoors when social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be observed. All are still required to wear masks indoors unless a medical condition prevents them from safely doing so, or unless one is a designated chanter/server.
…If you wish to attend Sunday Matins & Divine Liturgy, please respond in the positive to the email from Fr. Peter that you will find in your inbox. Ex. Smith -2 (Family name – number)
… …Everyone is welcome to attend all non-Sunday services without signing up. Face masks and safety precautions are in place.
…Teen SOYO gather after Great Vespers each Saturday while respecting social distancing practices.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Thank you for continuing to support the church.