Divine Liturgy for Ss. Barbara and John of Damascus at 9am Saturday
with a Memorial for Frank Hrisomalos and George Orfanos (Dec. 4)
Teens and Veterans: On Saturday evening (Dec. 4) Teen SOYO will host veterans from multiple branches of the U.S. armed forces as part of their Gift Bags for Veterans outreach.
Sunday, December 05, 2021
God-bearing Father Sabbas the Sanctified
Martyr Diogenes; Venerable Nektarios of Yagaris Kelli and Philotheos of Karyes on Athos; Gurios, Missionary Bishop of Kazan; Venerable Nektarios of Bitol in Bulgaria
Nativity Fast
Thought for Today: “We were created for eternal life by our Creator. We are called to it by the word of God, and we are renewed by holy Baptism.” – St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Saint Nicholas Celebration on Sunday: This year we will be graced by a visit from Saint Nicholas following the Divine Liturgy (Dec. 5). Our celebration will take place in the pavilion, where we expect the weather to be rainy but relatively warm. We encourage everyone who is able to bring a hearty soup (salmon chowder, anyone?) or a loaf of homemade bread (or like homemade) for our Coffee Hour. Of course, side dishes are also welcome.
Teen SOYO Diaper Drive: Please place donations for Newborn and sizes 1 and 2 in the box in the social hall. The Women’s Care Center will distribute them to families in need.
St. Nicholas Tree: Continuing our local tradition, we encourage you to place gift cards on a small tree in the fellowship hall. Fr. Peter Jon will then give the cards to families who need help during this Christmas season. Cards from Kroger, Sam’s Club and other local merchants as well as gas cards are always helpful. God loves a cheerful giver!
LOOKING AHEAD
The Adult Bible Study will meet Saturday mornings 9:00 -10:30 am December 11 and 18 to study the Old Testament book of Tobit (available in Orthodox or Catholic Bibles). We will then break for the holidays and resume meeting on Saturday mornings (same time) beginning January 8th. Topic is yet to be determined. We meet at the Webb’s, 3960 E Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, 47401. Contact Rhonda for more information in person or at webbrk1@gmail.com 314-313-4275
Baptisms and Chrismations will take place on Sunday, December 19th.
Annual Calendar: If your information was not on this year’s calendar or incorrect, please email Marcia at lbald3368@aol.com or leave a note on her desk. We print dates for anniversaries, birthdays, and name days.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 8: Daily Vespersat 6:00; Ask Abouna and O101 follow with Howard Webb presenting “Chrismation”.
Thursday, December 9: OCF Dinner and Discussion at the Webb’s 6:00 -8:00 “Please pray for our students as they take their final exams, finish projects and essays, and travel over the Christmas break.”
Saturday, December 11:Adult Bible Study at the Webb’s 9:00-10:30
Saturday, December 11: Great Vespers at 5:00; Jr. SOYO at 4:00; Teen SOYO at 6:00
Sunday, December 12: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. (5:22-6:2)
(For St. Sabbas the Sanctified)
The saints shall boast in glory. Sing unto the Lord a new song.
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a person is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a one in a spirit of meekness; looking to yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (13:10-17))
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by Him.
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 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 St. Sabbas the Sanctified – Tone 8
The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou hast given fruit through thy struggles a hundred-fold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star for the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father Sabbas, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion of Preparation of Christ’s Nativity – Tone 3
The Virgin cometh today, to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word Eternal. Therefore, rejoice O Earth, at the message. With the angels and shepherds give glory to Him Who shall appear by His own will, as a young child, He Who is from eternity God!
FAMILY NEWS
Memory Eternal: Catherine ‘Amy’ McCormick, former All Saints parishioner and Marah Polit’s mother, for whom we have been praying, fell asleep in the Lord Wednesday. We are so grateful for the Church’s prayers during this time! – Adrian and Marah
Sympathy cards may be mailed to 117 Cooper Rd, Blythewood , SC 29016.
O Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever!
The Nativity Fast: The first period is November 15 through December 19 – no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, but wine and oil are permitted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and fish, wine and oil on Saturdays and Sundays. The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed with katalysis for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday.
Birthday Celebrations: Zane N (10th); Rhonda W (11th)
Name Day Blessings: Ben C and Nicholas S (St. Nicholas – 6th); Subdeacon Daniel (Daniel the Stylite – 11th)
Memory Eternal: Lois; Richard; Barb; Catherine ‘Amy’ McCormick
Prayer List: Adrian and Marah Polit;Jake Immimk (hospitalized); Fr. Athanasius Wilson; Jack;Christopher:Catherine, Lance, Abigail; 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;; 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