Sunday, September 09, 2018
Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
After-feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Synaxis of the Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Great-martyr Severian of Sebastia; Holy Fathers of the Third Ecumenical Council
Welcome to All Saints. It is our joy to meet our visitors. For those in town to attend IU, we hope you will make All Saints your home away from home.
Nourishment of the Soul: “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” Ephesians 6:24
Coffee Hour: Scheduled contributors this Sunday are those whose last names start with Be-F.
“As many as have been baptized into Christ…”Baptism of infant Anthony Gillquist, son of our Priest and Khouria is scheduled today at 9:00 a.m. The reception follows during coffee hour with a card shower for him and his family.
Food Pantry: With the outpouring of donations last Sunday, our pantry needs are small this week! Thank you all! Currently we could stock some cereal (name brands are preferred) and frozen chickens. We still have LOTS of corn and green beans!
A Note From the Alexanders: Dear All Saints Family, We would like to thank you for your love and support through this family tragedy. It is impossible for us to put into words how much we have appreciated the kind words, hugs, smiles and loving encouragement. It is truly by God’s grace that our church family has been one of on the most important support systems to get us through our grief. We just thank you so much!
All our love, John, Lisa, Amanda, Katie, John John, Molly, Mezy, Ephrem and Nick too!
New Altar Robes: These special garments for our acolytes were purchased with money gifted to the All Saints in loving memory of one of our long-standing altar servers, Nicholas J. Alexander. May his memory be eternal!
Festival Postcards are available for you to take and share with friends, family, classmates, fellow workers, or whomever you wish to invite.
As we bask in the glow of the Church New Year (September 1st), I thought it a good and proper thing to use this month to (re)educate ourselves on proper Etiquette in Church. This week, I will focus on clothing.
Sunday Dress
In all areas of our lives, we should offer Christ our best. And the same is true of our dress. We should offer Christ our ‘Sunday best”, not our everyday or common wear. And we should dress modestly, not in a way that would bring attention to ourselves. Our dress should always be becoming of a Christian – especially at church. Most importantly, we should only look at our own clothing, and never judge the attire of the person sitting next to us.
Here are some specific guidelines.
Men
Men should dress modestly. While coat and tie are not mandatory, shirts should have collars and be buttoned to the collar (the actual collar button may be left undone, but two or three buttons undone is inappropriate). Long sleeves are preferable. Jeans are usually too casual for church, especially ones with patches or holes. Shorts are not appropriate church wear.
Women
Dresses should be modest. No tank tops or dresses with only straps at the shoulders, no short skirts (mini-skirts), and no skin-tight dresses. Dresses should have backs and not be cut low in the front. If women wear pants to church, they should be dress pants (not jeans, leggings, etc.). Shorts of any type are not appropriate for church. Head-coverings, while traditional, are encouraged but not required.
Children
Only young children (under 10) should wear shorts to church – and then only dress shorts. Athletic shorts, cut-offs, and spandex shorts are never appropriate church wear (for children or adults). Shoes or sandals should be clean and tied. No one should wear T-shirts with any kind of writing on them.
Many thanks to Fr. David Barr and the Antiochian.org website for their contribution.
Love, Fr. Peter Jon
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, September 11: Gospel of St. John Bible Study at the Webb’s home 7:0 0 – 8:30
Wednesday, September 12: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, September 13: Elevation the Holy Cross – Vesperal Liturgy at 6:00
Saturday, September15: Great Vespers at 5:00 – O101 at 6:00 & SOYO – 6:00 – 8:00
Sunday, September 16: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
Student Welcome & Parish Council Meeting during Coffee Hour
LOOKING AHEAD
…Orthodoxy 101 Returns: Beginning Saturday, September 15thfrom 6-7 pm, Steve and April Blair will lead a 16-week course, titled, Journey to Fullness. The new course includes a weekly 20-minute DVD presentation featuring Orthodox Evangelist and Ancient Faith Radio personality Fr. Barnabas Powell, followed by discussion. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
…St. John Fellowship in Mitchell at the Haney’s home resumes Thursday, September 20th at 10:00 a.m.
…All Parish Workday on Saturday, September 22nd is planned to prepare the building and grounds for the coming festival. Work will be done outdoors and inside.
…Festival Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 23rd to finalize plans for the annual Festival on Fairfax, that takes place on Saturday, October 6th. Plan ahead to consider how you can be involved.
FAMILY NOTES
Family Membership: We are Welcoming new members Herman & Johanna Hannan and Judith Burns; but also saying Goodbye to Sophia Bender as she has returned to Pittsburgh after 6 years with us during her time at IU.
Showing our love to Charles: There will be a basket in the social hall for cards and gift cards to help Charles take advantage of naturopathic treatments that will help him recover.
Birthday Celebrations: Dan R (9th); Elena R (10th); Felicity A (11th); Jeremiah J (11th); John Alexander (12th)
Name Day Remembrance: SS. Joachim & Anna 9th – Braylan Smith; Ari Vicion; Lilly Blair; Cora Bidulescu; Patricia Finchum – St. Cornelius the Centurion 13th – Steve Blair
Memory Eternal: Peter James (16th); Mark; Dean; Kh. Charlotte Smith
Prayer List: PJ Boyle’s family; Infant Nora (good report – she does not have cystic fibrosis); Nyssa (catechumen); Alice & Marvin; Charles; Vicki; Linda’s sister Dee; Mary Ann; Griggs family; Alexander family; Emilija (difficult pregnancy); Sharon Catherine; Lillian Purcell; Eileen; Leanne; Ashlee W; Kh. Kristina & Anthony; Vivian; Paul; Caden, Dylan & Maddie; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George; Iva Lee & Jim; Adrian T; Nancy & Shalayna; Hannah & Ty; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; those suffering in the drug crisis in the USA; Those suffering in Syria and the Middle East; safety in public places and in our schools; Metropolitan Paul; Archbishop John; our church and our nation
Order of Approaching the Cup during Holy Eucharist: the Choir and Pre-School class go first, followed by each row from front to back. Ushers will assist.
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.
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 of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe; for from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Apolytikion of Ss. Joachim and Anna – Tone 2
As we celebrate the remembrance of Thy righteous Ancestors, O Lord our God, through them we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
By thy holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee: The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: ” O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.”
Verse: “To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.” (Psalm 27:9,1)
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (6:11-18)
(For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17)
(For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”