Friday: Royal Hours of Christmas at 9am
Friday: Christmas Eve Vesperal Liturgy at 4pm
Saturday: Matins and Divine Liturgy of Christmas at 9am
Sunday, December 26, 2021
Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos &
Sunday after the Nativity of Christ
Commemoration of Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King,
and James the brother of God
Thought for Today: “Christ is Born! Glorify Him!”
Junior SOYO Announcements: All children aged 5-12 are invited to participate in a secret friend Christmas gift exchange which will take place on Sunday, JANUARY 2. Gifts can be homemade or purchased, but should remain under $15. In addition, the children are working to put together a Nativity play which they hope to perform on the 9th day of Christmas (1/2/22). If you would not like to have your child participate in either the gift exchange or the play, please contact Khouria Kristina ASAP. Otherwise, your child will receive the name of another child in the parish on Sunday.
Warm Mittens, gloves, hats and scarves can find their first home in the big box in the hallway. Cathy Alexander will then take them during the cold winter months to local schools for distribution to needy children. Please donate as you are able.
Teen SOYO Diaper Drive has been a success! Thanks for all your contributions.
Pantry Needs: Marinara sauce and packaged mac/cheese boxes are needed.
Adult Bible Study at the Webb’s home resumes January 8.
Orthodoxy 101 will resume in mid-January.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 29: Daily Vespersat 6:00; Ask Abouna.
Saturday, January 1: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, January 2: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
We are in a fast-free period until Wednesday, January 5, which is a strict fast day in preparation for the feast of Holy Theophany (Epiphany). Theophany, which literally means revelation of God, is when God was first revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
LOOKING AHEAD
January 1st: Circumcision of our Lord
January 6th: Theophany
House Blessings
January 16th: Annual business meeting
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. (1:11-19)
(For the Sunday after Nativity of Christ)
God is wondrous in His saints. In the churches, bless ye God.
Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:13-23)
(For the Sunday after Nativity of Christ)
When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region, who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
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.
DIVINE LITURGY VARIABLES for CHOIR and PARISH
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 2
When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn there from to worship Thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come. O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of the Sunday after the Nativity – Tone 2
Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 3
On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in Essence; * to the Unapproachable, * the earth doth offer a small cave; * Angels join in choir with shepherds * in giving glory; * with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; * for our sakes is born a young Child, * He Who existed * before the ages as God.
Megalynarion of the Synaxis – Tone 1
Magnify, O my soul, her that hath delivered us from the curse.
Being well content, out of fear, to be silent would be easier, since silence hath no danger. O Virgin, it is hard to compose hymns with love framed in harmony, but we pray thee, O Mother: Do thou grant us strength as great as our volition.
Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 8
The Lord hath sent redemption to His people. Alleluia.
FAMILY NEWS
New Offering Envelopes are available: You may continue using old ones if you choose.
Anniversary Blessings: Robert & Nina Rogers (26th)
Birthday Celebrations: Amanda A- Smith (26th); Molly A (31st);
Nancy J (31st); Lina T (1st)
Memory Eternal: Barb; Catherine; Bobby (Max’s uncle); Tate
Prayer List: Steve Crandall (Matt’s father); Adrian and Marah Polit;Jake Immimk (hospitalized); Fr. Athanasius Wilson; Jack;Christopher; Tornado victims; Covid-19 resurgence; refugees and immigrants; our nation and nation’s leaders at all levels of government; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Nancy; April; Don; Vicki; Mat. Raisa; Ingrid, Fr. Jerome; Catherine; Awanda Michael; Anastasia with child; Bonnie Thelen; Wadia; Jayci; Dee, Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Michael; Olga; Eileen; Soren; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew and Isaac
(Korea/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Emma; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy