Presentation (Meeting) of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Thought for Today: “God is every present. Only one thing is far away from His goodness: evil.” -St. Gregory Palamas

The Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn)

The Lord hath made known His salvation; He hath revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles. Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 7

Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy. And didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning, that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy.

Apolytikion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 1

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous elder, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us Resurrection.

Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 1

Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

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.

House Blessings: Father Peter Jon is blessing homes and will continue reaching out to families for the next couple of months. He is grouping house blessings based on geography, in order to reach as many homes as possible within a given day. Feel free to reach out to him to request a specific time or date. 

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS

The Epistle

My soul magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He hath regarded the humility of His servant.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (7:7-17)

Brethren, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

The Gospel  

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (2:22-40)

In those days, the parents of Jesus brought Him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel.” And His father and his mother marveled at what was said about Him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

This Week

Today, Sunday: Myrrh Bearers’s will meet following Divine Liturgy

Monday, February 3: Funeral service for Dr. Theodore Megremis, 10:00 am, followed by burial at All Saints cemetery and a Mercy Meal in our fellowship hall.

Tuesday, February 4: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, February 5: Great Vespers at 6:00 pm; teaching to follow, at the Wednesday evening meal this week, Please bring a vegan side that would pair well with that entree.

Thursday, February 6: 1^st Hour Prayer and Akathist for St. Raphael at 6:00 am; Divine Liturgy for the Photius the Great at 9:00 am.
Friday, February 7: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Saturday, February 8: Bible Study 9:00 am at Webb’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm. Ask Abouna to follow; Junior and Teen SOYO at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, February 9: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Family News

Names Days: Perry Sampanis, St. Panagiotis (2^nd).

Birthday Celebration: Dee Haney(2^nd); Violet Lewis (2^nd); Karen Tabbal (3^rd); Ben Nicholas Carter (5^th).

Anniversary Celebration: Fr. Peter’s Ordination (2^nd); Perry & Mae Sampanis (4^th).

Looking Ahead

Saturday, February 15 and 22: Watch for Baby Shower invitation postings on bulletin board.

Sunday, February 23: Sunday of Last Judgement/ Meatfare.

Prayer List: Scott and Jackie; Jim and Lisa; Tammera; Taylor and infant Houston;Durlin family; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Marvin;  Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the effect of Hurricanes; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; those suffering the effect of wild fires in California; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Megan; Josiah;  Jack; Christopher; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Macrina with child; Anna and child born to her; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Amanda with child, Erica with child; Taylor with child; Penny with child; Dixxe  with child; Megan with child; Evan; Catherine with child; Victoria with child; Whitney and children; Domnica; Mary.

Memory Eternal: Archbishop Anastasios; Archimandrite Ambrose; Theodore; Mike; Donald.

All Saints’ Sunday Meal: 1^st Sunday Host A- Gil, with Martha Barbarick as lead Hostess.

Next Week: 2^nd Sunday Host Gillquist – LeFlore with Elizabeth as lead Hostess.

Giving Opportunities:

Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support.Our in-houseFood Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.

Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support. 

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.

Available in the Narthex: 2025 fasting calendar, Church monthly guidelines, contact and celebration day booklets, and offering envelopes.

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.

Thirty-second Sunday of Pentecost

(“Zacchaeus”)

Venerable Xenophon, his wife, Mary, and their two sons, Arkadios and John, of Constantinople; Translation of the relics of Venerable Theodore the Studite

Thought for Today: Be humble and loving before all people, and if you cannot love everyone, at least treat everyone with good will. Kindness will open to you the gates of Paradise, humility will lead you there, and love will reveal God to you. God is seen only in truth and divine love, for “God is Love.” – St Gabriel Urgebadze of Georgia

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.

Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 4: Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

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.

Sanctity of Life Sunday: Today we will offer special prayers for those who have died in the womb, for the protection of those endangered in the womb, and for their parents.

House Blessings: Father Peter Jon is blessing homes and will continue reaching out to families for the next couple of months. He is grouping house blessings based on geography, in order to reach as many homes as possible within a given day. Feel free to reach out to him to request a specific time or date.

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS

The Epistle

The Lord will give strength to his people. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (4:9-15)

Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties; devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

The Gospel 

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (19:1-10)

At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see Who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. 

This Week

Today, Sunday: The installation of the Parish Council.

Monday, January 27: 3^rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am, Translation of the relics of St. John Chrysostom.

Tuesday, January 28: Divine Liturgy for Saints Ephraim & Isaac the Syrians at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, January 29: Great Vespers at 6:00 pm; teaching to follow; at the Wednesday evening meal this week, the church will provide ____. Please bring a vegan side that would pair well with that entree.

Thursday, January 30: Divine Liturgy for the Three Holy Hierarchs at 9:00 am.
Friday, January 31: Divine Liturgy, Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cyrus and John with their companions. at 9:00 am; Akathist of Protection of Theotokos at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, February 1: Bible Study 9:00 am at Webb’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm. Ask Abouna to follow; Junior and Teen SOYO at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, February 2: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Family News

Names Days: Reed Hepburn, St. Ephraim the Syrian (28^th); Will Gidney, Jonathon Hsu, St. Basil (30^th); Rhonda Webb, St. Perpetua (1^st); Felicity Arthur, St. Felicity (1^st).

Birthday Celebration: David Patterson (26^th); Perry Sampanis (27^th); Jax Schulz (29^th); Michael Shahadey (30^th); Oliver Lewis (30^th).

Prayer List: Scott (terminal heart condition) and his wife, Jackie, Jim and Lisa; Tammera; Taylor and infant Houston(congenital heart defect);Durlin family; Fr. Matthew; Marvin;  Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the effect of Hurricanes; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; those suffering the effect of wild fires in California; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Megan; Josiah;  Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Macrina with child; Ann and child born to her; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Anna with child; Amanda with child, Erica with child; Taylor with child; Penny with child; Dixxe  with child; Megan with child; Evan; Catherine with child; Victoria with child; Macrina with child; Whitney and children.

Memory Eternal: Christopher, Donald.

All Saints’ Sunday Meal: 4^th Sunday Host Schuck – Yeager, with Rhonda Webb as lead

Hostess.2

Next Week: 1^st Sunday Host A- Gil, with Melissa Barbarick as lead Hostess.

Giving Opportunities:

Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support.Our in-houseFood Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.

Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support. 

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.

Available in the Narthex: 2025 fasting calendar, Church monthly guidelines, contact and celebration days booklets, and offering envelopes.

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.

Pledge of Support for the Parish Council

We, the Parishioners of All Saints Orthodox Christian Church as members of this one body in Christ, do now commit ourselves to the support of you, our leaders, chosen by the Holy Spirit in our annual assembly to guide us in the coming year.

We pledge our love in Christ to each of you, to support you with our prayers and our ready response when called upon, as we, led by you, work for the greater Glory of God.

We pledge to commit ourselves anew to the task of becoming One Body in Christ, with One Lord, One Spirit, One God and Father, Who is above all, through all and in all of us. Amen.

Twenty-ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Venerable Makarios the Great of Egypt, the Anchorite

Venerable Makarios of Alexandria; Arsenios, bishop of Kerkyra;

Venerable Mark Eugenikos, metropolitan of Ephesus, pillar of Orthodoxy 

All are invited – Saturday, January 18, following Great Vespers to the viewing of Sacred Alaska, an award-winning film about the development of Orthodox spirituality in the Alaskan lands. Popcorn and taco bar will be provided. A movie for young children will be playing in the nursery.

Thought for Today: “The Lord, is the Lover of mankind, so full of tender compassion whenever we turn completely toward Him and are freed from all things contrary. Even though we, in our supreme ignorance, childishness, and tendency toward evil, turn away from true life and place many impediments along our path because we really do not like to repent, nevertheless. He has great mercy on us. He patiently waits for us until we will be converted and return to Him and be enlightened in our inner selves that our faces may not be ashamed in the day of judgement. – St. Macarius the Great

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 5

Let us believers praise and worship the Word; coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For, He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh to suffer death; and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Apolytikion of St. Markarios of Egypt – Tone 4

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Makarios, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 4

Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS

The Epistle

Thou, O Lord, shalt preserve us and keep us from this generation. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man hath disappeared.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (3:4-11)

Brethren, when Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  On account of these, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.  In these you once walked, when you lived in them.  But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.  Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. 

The Gospel

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (17:12-19)

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed?  Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”  And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” 

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.

House Blessings: Father Peter Jon has begun blessing homes and will continue reaching out to families for the next couple of months. Feel free to reach out to him to request a specific time or date.

Ladies Christmas party: Saturday, January 25^th, 11:30am at Johanna Hsu’s home. RSVP at mrsarcfide@gmail.com. All women and daughters are invited. To share a ride please meet at 11:15 am here at the church.

Expectant mothers: Please, help yourselves to the disposable diapers size 1, 2 and 3 in the office. Thank you to the family who made the generous donation.

This Week

Today, Sunday: Annual meeting, following Divine Liturgy.

Monday, January 20: 3^rd Hour Prayers for St. Maximus the Confessor at 9:00 am.

Tuesday, January 21: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, January 22: Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm; teaching to follow, with meal

Thursday, January23: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

Friday, January 24: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am. St. Xenia of Petersburg.

Saturday, January 25: Bible Study 9:00 am at Webb’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm. Ask Abouna to follow; Junior and Teen SOYO at 6:30 pm.

Sunday, January 26: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Names Days: Cody Arthur, Euthymius the Great (20^th); Amanda Smith, St. Agnes (21^st);

Max Williams, Max Pitchkite, Maxius the Confessor (21^st); Laura Crandall, Rita Voss- Monroe, Xenia Konnersman, St. Xenia of Petersburg (24^th).

Birthday Celebration: Cody Arthur (20^th).

Prayer List: Jim and Lisa; Tammera; Taylor and infant Houston(congenital heart defect);Durlin family; Fr. Matthew; Marvin;  Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the effect of Hurricanes; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; those suffering the effect of wild fires in California; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Megan; Josiah; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Macrina with child; Ann and child born to her; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Anna with child; Amanda with child, Erica with child; Taylor with child; Penny with child; Dixxe  with child; Megan with child; Evan; Catherine with child; Victoria with child; Macrina with child; Whitney and children.

Memory Eternal: Yovonne; David; Jeremy, Christopher.

All Saints’ Sunday Meal: 3^rd Sunday Host Lewis – Schneider; with Nina Rogers as lead

Hostess

Next Week: 4^th Sunday Host Schuck – Yeager, with Rhonda Webb as lead Hostess.

Available in the Narthex: 2025 fasting calendar, Church monthly guidelines, contact and celebration days booklets, and offering envelopes.

Giving Opportunities:

Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support.Our in-houseFood Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.

Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support. 

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.

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.

Sunday after the Theophany of Christ

Martyr Tatiana of Rome and those with her; Martyr Peter Absalom of Palestine

Thought for Today: “We mustn’t despair when we struggle and continuously see nothing but the slightest progress. We all do nearly nothing, some a little more, some a little less. When Christ sees our little effort He give us an analogous token, and so our nearly nothing becomes valuable, and we can see a little progress. For this reason, we mustn’t despair, but hope in God.” – St. Paisios the Athonite

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 4

Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.

Apolytikion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 1

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the likeness of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

Kontakion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 4

On this day Thou hast appeared * unto the whole world, * and Thy light, O Sovereign Lord, * is signed on us who sing Thy praise * and chant with knowledge: Thou hast now come, * Thou hast appeared, O Thou Light unapproachable.

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.

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS 

The Epistle

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (4:7-13)

Brethren, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Therefore, it is said, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.”  (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?  He who descended is He who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)  And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 

The Gospel 

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (4:12-17)

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” 

Fr Peter Jon will be traveling beginning Monday and will return late Wednesday night. Please reach out to Thomas Andrew if you have a need while Father is out of town.

House Blessings: Father Peter Jon has begun blessing homes and will continue reaching out to families for the next couple of months. Feel free to reach out to him to request a specific time or date.

This Week

Today, Sunday: Myrrh Bearers’ will meet following Divine Liturgy

Monday, January 13: 3^rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.

Tuesday, January 14: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am. St. Nina the Enlightener of Georgia.
Wednesday, January 15: Readers Vespers at 6:00 pm. Pitch-in to follow. No teaching tonight.

Thursday, January16: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am. Chains of St. Peter.
Friday, January 17: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am. Anthony the Great.
Saturday, January 18: Bible Study 9:00 am at Webb’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm. Ask Abouna to follow; Junior and Teen SOYO at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, January 19: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Ladies Christmas party: rescheduled to Saturday, January 24^th, 11:30am at Johanna Hsu’s home. RSVP at mrsarcfide@gmail.com. All women and daughters are invited.

Names Days: Sarah Carter, St. Tatiana (12^th); Nina Gillquist, Nina Rogers, St. Nina (14^th); April Blair, Macrina the Elder (14^th); Anthony Gillquist, Jax Schulz, Jacob Gill, Anthony the Great (17^th).

Birthday Celebration: Sarah Carter (13^th); Rachel Barber (14^th).

Prayer List: Jim and Lisa; Tammera; Taylor and infant Houston(congenital heart defect);Durlin family; Fr. Matthew; Marvin;  Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the effect of Hurricanes; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; those suffering the effect of wild fires in California; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Megan; Josiah; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Macrina with child; Ann and child born to her; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Anna with child; Amanda with child, Erica with child; Taylor with child; Penny with child; Dixxe  with child; Megan with child; Evan; Catherine with child; Victoria with child; Macrina with child; Whitney and children.

Memory Eternal: Yvonne; David; Jeremy, Christopher.

All Saints’ Sunday Meal: 2^nd Sunday Host Gillquist – LeFlore; with Elizabeth Carter as lead Hostess.

Next Week: 3^rd Sunday Host Lewis – Schneider; with Nina Rogers as lead Hostess.

Available in the Narthex: 2025 fasting calendar, Church monthly guidelines, contact and celebration days booklets, and offering envelopes.

Giving Opportunities:

Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support.Our in-houseFood Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.

Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support. 

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.

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.

The Theophany of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

 Sunday, January 05

Thought for Today: “The sign of sincere love is to forgive wrongs done to us. It was with such love that the Lord loved the world.”

-St. Mark the Ascetic

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 3

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and become the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.

The Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) of the Theophany of Christ

Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is God and hath appeared unto us. Save us, O Son of God, Who wast baptized by John in the Jordan; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Apolytikion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 1

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the likeness of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

Kontakion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 4

On this day Thou hast appeared * unto the whole world, * and Thy light, O Sovereign Lord, * is signed on us who sing Thy praise * and chant with knowledge: Thou hast now come, * Thou hast appeared, O Thou Light unapproachable.

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.

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS 

The Epistle

Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to Titus. (2:11-14; 3:4-7)

            My son Titus, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world; awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for Himself a people of His own who are zealous for good deeds. When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by His grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

The Gospel

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (3:13-17)

            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.”

This Week

Today, Sunday: Myrrh Bearers’ will meet following Divine Liturgy

Monday, January 6: No Service due to weather.

Tuesday, January 7: Divine Liturgy; Synaxis of the Forerunner at 9:00 am. (weather permitting)
Wednesday, January 8: Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm; teaching and meal to follow.
Thursday, January 9: Divine Liturgy for St. Philip, Patriarch of Moscow, at 9:00 am. 
Friday, January 10: Divine Liturgy for St. Gregory of Nyssa at 9:00 am.
Saturday, January 11: Bible Study 9:00 am at Webb’s home; Ladies Christmas party, 11:30am at Johanna Hsu’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm. Ask Abouna to follow; Junior and Teen SOYO at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, January 12: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Names Day: Micah Finchum, Prophet Micah (5^th); Macrina Robertson, Macrina the younger (5^th); John Labban, John Alexander jr, Prophet and Forerunner John (7^th); Domnica Cook, St. Domnica (8^th); Gregory Gillquist, Michael Gill, Gregory of Nyssa (10^th)

Birthday Celebration: Macrina Robertson (5^th); Sami Koutares (5^th); John Alexander jr. (5^th); Alex Koutares (6^th); Ian Yeager (7^th); Charles Coats (8^th); Hal Sabbagh (9^th).

Prayer List: Tammera; Taylor and infant Houston(congenital heart defect);Durlin family; Fr. Matthew; Marvin;  Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the effect of Hurricanes; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Megan; Josiah; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Macrina with child; Ann and child born to her; Kayla and child born to her Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Anna with child; Amanda with child, Engy and child born to her,  Erica with child; Taylor with child; Penny with child; Dixxe  with child; Megan with child; Evan; Catherine with child; Victoria with child; Whitney and children.

Memory Eternal: Archbishop Peter; Mother Apollinaria; Yovonne; David; Jeremy, Christopher.

All Saints’ Sunday Meal: 1^st Sunday Host A- Gil; with Melissa Barabarick as lead Hostess.

Next Week: 2^nd Sunday Host Gillquist – LeFlore; with Elizabeth Carter as lead Hostess.

Giving Opportunities:

Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support.Our in-houseFood Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.

Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support. 

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.

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.