Sunday, March 25, 2018
The Annunciation to the Most-Holy Theotokos
**Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom**
If you are visiting today, we warmly welcome you and invite you
to stay for the fellowship hour that follows Divine Liturgy.
Nourishment of the Soul: “At the beginning of every task, call on the name of the Lord your God, and begin it with prayer, that the Lord may prosper you to begin it and complete it. And from this, it is evident that a Christian ought not to begin anything that is contrary to the Law of God, but only that which is in agreement with it.” – St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Today Myrrh Bearers meet around noon to finalize important plans for Holy Week and Pascha.
Women’s Month: Kh. Kristina will read the Epistle this morning.
The Food for Hungry People Campaign continues. On your check, please differentiate between donations to the campaign and to the local benevolence/charitable fund for families in need.
Social Hour: Scheduled contributors this Sunday are those whose last names start with I-Z.
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.
Special prayers for the Catechumens and specifically, “Those preparing for Holy Illumination” (who will be chrismated on Lazarus Saturday) will be heard during services leading up to Holy Pascha.
Father Peter Jon can be reached by cell phone and email; however text messages may not be received on his flip phone due to texting limitations. Father continues to encourage each of us to consider fasting from social media and electronic media in general for the duration of the fast.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, March 27: OCF meeting at the Webb’s home 6:00-8:00
Wednesday, March 28: Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 6:00, followed by light meal & teaching
Thursday, March 29: Bible Study at Becky’s 3:00 – 5:00
Thursday, March 29: Bible Study at the Webb’s home 700-8:30
Friday, March 30: Canon of St. Lazarus at 6:00
Lazarus Saturday, March 31: Chrismations and Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am. Afterward a light meal, followed by an ALL-PARISH WORKDAY. Plan to come and prepare the building and grounds for Palm Sunday and for Holy Week. You will enjoy your time of service with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Saturday, March 31: Great Vespers at 5:00 – Orthodoxy 101 with Dr. John Craton presenting “Holy Baptism.”
Sunday, April 1: Palm Sunday Matins at 8:50; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
LOOKING AHEAD
…Holy Week Services will be posted on the hall bulletin board, but please note they were all in the recent newsletter. The April calendar at www.allsaintsbloomington.org is another source, soon to be updated.
…Sunday evening, April first, we meet at 5:00 for the Bridegroom Service.
...Bishop ANTHONY will be with us April 3rd at the Tuesday evening Bridegroom Service.
...His Grace will also be with us for Great Vespers on Bright Friday (April 13th). A meal will follow the service. Details will follow.
…April Fundraiser for Campers is being scheduled.
FAMILY NOTES
Birthday Blessings: Tristan R (26th); Matthew C (26th); Nina (29th); Darryl J (29th)
Name Day Celebration: Bilen M (St. Mary of Egypt – 25th); Gabby C (Gabriel – 26th); Gabe S (Gabriel – 26th); Nolan A (St. Gregory Palamas – 27th)
Memory Eternal: Norman; Phillip (3/2)
Prayer List: Barbara; Paul; Caden, Dylan,& Maddie; Marvin & Alice; Cathy; Kh. Kristina; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George; Iva Lee; Adrian T; Nancy & Shalayna; Jennifer A’s family; Rigsby family; those suffering in the drug crisis in the USA; Safety in our Schools
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “Tell forth from day to day the glad tidings of the salvation of our God.”
Verse: ” Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth.”
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews. (2:11-18)
Brethren, He Who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim Thy Name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise Thee.” And again, “I will put my trust in Him.” And again, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since, therefore, the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that He is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For, because He Himself has suffered and been tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (1:24-38)
At that time, Elizabeth, the wife of Zachariah, conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.” In the sixth month the archangel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the archangel came to her and said, “Rejoice, O favored one, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the archangel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. And bhold, thou wilt conceive in thy womb and bear a son, and you shall call His Name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the archangel, “How shall this be, since I have known no man?” And the archangel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the Most High will overshadow thee; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the archangel departed from her.
Divine Liturgy Variables
Second Antiphon’s Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast incarnate for our sake; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 1
While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O Giver of Life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ; Glory to Thy Kingdom, Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of the Annunciation – Tone 4
Today is the beginning of our salvation, and the manifestation of the mystery from the ages; for the Son of God becometh the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaimeth grace. Wherefore, do we shout with him to the Theotokos: Hail, O full of grace! The Lord is with thee.
Kontakion for the Annunciation (and Great Lent) – Tone 8
To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.
Megalynarion of the Feast – Tone 4
The Theotokos, being the living tabernacle of God, shall never be touched by an unclean hand. But the lips of believers shall sing unto her ceaselessly with the voice of angels, crying joyfully: Hail, O full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) for the Annunciation – Tone 8
The Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired her for His dwelling. Alleluia.