Sunday, December 30, 2018
After-feast of & Sunday after the Nativity of Christ
Commemoration of Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King,
and James the Brother of the Lord
Welcome to All Saints. Visitors are always welcome.
Nourishment of the Soul: “The humble soul is blessed. The Lord loves her. The Mother of God is higher than all in humility, and therefore all races bless her on earth, while the heavenly powers serve her. And the Lord has given us this blessed Mother of His as a defender and helper.” – St. Silouan the Athonite
Memory Eternal: Today the six-month memorial for Nicholas Alexander will be prayed.
THIS WEEK
Fast-Free until January 5th
Monday, December 31: Evening Liturgy at 6:00 – Circumcision of our Lord – St. Basil the Great
Wednesday, January 2: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Friday, January 4: Royal Hours of Theophany at 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 5: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 5: Great Vespers at 5:00 – O101 and SOYO at 6:00
Sunday, January 6: Theophany – Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00;
Great Blessing of the Waters follows immediately after Divine Liturgy.
Prayer List: Amber Smith (surgery);Jeremy P; Grayson (9 year old boy-friend of the Blair family);Laura (Friend of John and Debbie C.); Sue (elderly woman-friend of the Baldwins); Nancy Jones; Bruce; Joanna Zaharako; Impey and Tudorica families; Alice & Marvin; Charles; Vicki; Linda’s sister Dee; Mary Ann;Griggs family;Alexander family; Emilija with child (doing well on bed rest); Kristina (Weber) with child; Sharon Catherine; Lillian Purcell; Eileen; Leanne; Ashlee W; Kh. Kristina; Vivian; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George; Fr. Basil; Iva Lee; Nancy & Shalayna; Ty & Hannah (with child); Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation, with flood damage or hurricane damage in the USA; those suffering in Syria and the Middle East; safety in public places, in our schools and on our southern border; Metropolitan Paul; Archbishop John; our church and our nation.
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. Approach to the cup starts at the front rows; the choir and preschool go first.
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter the Galatians. (1:11-19)
God is wondrous in His saints. Bless God in the congregations.
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.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according St. Matthew. (2:13-23)
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.”
DIVINE LITURGY VARIABLES FOR CHOIR and PARISH
Second Antiphon’s Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
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 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.
FAMILY NOTES
…Anniversary Blessings: Darryl & Nancy (4th)
…Happy Birthday: Adriana (30th); Molly (31st); Nancy (31st) ; Lina (1st); Emily (3rd); John A (5th);
…Blessed Name Day: St. Seraphim of Sarov 2nd: Linda ; Leanne ; Neumann J
St. Emilia 3rd: Johanna H; Rachel L; Emily W
St. Genevieve 3rd: Jennifer R; Genevieve Christensen
Coffee Hour: Scheduled contributors and cleaners for today are those with last names beginning A-B. You may notice on the calendar some changes to the donation list. We Myrrh Bearers are trying to readjust the donation weeks to reflect the current membership. This is just a trial, so we will see how it works! Direct any questions, please, to Rhonda of the Myrrh Bearers.
Contribution Envelopes are still available in the narthex. If you have unused envelopes at home, you may continue to use them…we keep a record of the number on each booklet, not the date on the individual envelope. Using an envelope, however, is an easy reminder to plan ahead!
An Opportunity to Serve: If you are available to help Alice and Marvin with laundry or other tasks, please contact Nina Rogers who is coordinating this benefit for these beloved family members.
Food Pantry: The shelves are well-filled…thanks: Your usual donations are welcome.
Help fill the gift bag with children’s hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves. This ministry will continue through the cold months of winter.
LOOKING AHEAD
…House Blessings begin January 8th.
…O101 Topics in Coming Weeks:, Salvation as Participation, Orthodox Worship, A Beautiful Hymn, The Journey Continues,.
…Monthly Crafting Workshop: Everyone is welcome to bring projects, ideas to share, or willingness to learn. Even if you don’t have a craft, or don’t think you are crafty, please join us! We have some very simple crafts that anyone can do – no experience necessary – that we hope to sell at the next Festival on Fairfax. Emily Wood is the coordinator. The next meeting is January 12th at 3:00 in the Social Hall.
…Antiochian Village Summer Camp: Reserve a place for your child now for 2019!