Nourishment of the Soul: “People in other religions go from door to door to get converts. I’m not asking you to go door to door. I am asking you to go from your door into the Church’s door. Do not be absent from the Feast of the Nativity.”
His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH

Benevolence Fund: Thank you for the outpouring of love this season. More cards and donations have more than replaced the missing cards. (The thief confessed to the sheriff; may our prayers help him turn his life toward our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.

Online Giving at www.allsaintsbloomington.org. has picked up. Try it! It’s easy!

Jesus, Our Lord
He came not to a throne, but to a manger;
He lived not as a king, but as a servant;
He chose not a kingdom, but a cross;
He gave not just a little, but everything.

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.

Enclosed in today’s printed bulletin is the Nativity Greeting from His Eminence, The Most Reverend Metropolitan JOSEPH.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, December 28: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Saturday, December 31: Great Vespers at 5:00 on New Year’s Eve
Sunday, January 1: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 on New Year’s Day

LOOKING AHEAD
January 6: Feast of Epiphany
February 2: Feast of the Presentation
February 11-12: Bp. ANTHONY’s Annual Pastoral Visit

FAMILY NOTES

Happy Anniversary: Robert & Nina R (26th)

Birthday Greetings: Amanda A (26th); Adriana C (30th); Molly A (31st); Nancy J (31st)

Name Day Blessings: Chris Stroguiludis (25th)

Memory Eternal: Justin (Neumann’s grandfather- 11/18); Phyllis Morgan (11/30)

Prayer List : “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.” Alex John; Fr. Steven Rudy (cancer); Subdn. Daniel; Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip; Grant (Leukemia); Chris; Doug & Dorothy Barrett; Eileen & Olga & Michael; the Tabbals; Mary Ann; Dee and Don; Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; Iva; James; Becky H.; Alexis T; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes & Jesse Brandow (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; Emily D; Emma; Nancy; Neal; Bob R; Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley: Gabriel; Mary; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; Marty; Charles; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Ruth; Steve; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Dennis (struggling with alcoholism and infection); Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie, Caleb D; Megan & Colin; Bill & Sandy.

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “Let all the earth worship Thee, and chant unto Thee.”
Verse:”Shout with jubilation unto the Lord, all the earth!” Psalm 65:3,1

Epistle: The Reading from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. (4:4-7)

Brethren, when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order to redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” Therefore you are no longer a bond-servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:1-12)