Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Martyrs Menas, Eugraphos & Hermogenes of Alexandria
Venerable Thomas Dephourkinos of Bithynia
Thought for Today: “What words, O Mother of God and Virgin, can describe your divinely radiant beauty? Your qualities cannot be circumscribed by thoughts or word, for they transcend our minds and speech. But it is possible to sing your praises if you – in your charity – so permit. In you, all graces are to be found. You are the perfection of nobility in all its forms- the living portrait of every virtue and kindness.” – St. Gregory Palamas-
VARIABLE 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 SS. Menas, Eugraphos & Hermogenes – Tone 8
Since they had slain through their abstinence and struggles * the fiery ragings and fierce motions of the passions, * the staunch Martyrs of Christ God laid hold on the graces * to drive off the pains and illnesses of the sick * and work wonders both while living and after death. * Strange indeed is the miracle: * that these bare bones should pour forth * such overflowing streams of cures. * Glory be to our only God.
Kontakion of Prepartion of Preparation of Christ’s Nativity –Tone 3
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
The Lord is my strength and my song. With chastisement hath the Lord chastened me.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (6:10-17)
Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Gospel
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 in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.
Antiochian Village: Summer Camp 2024, Registration Opens Sunday January 7 at 6pm.
www.avcamp.org
Save the Date! His Grace, Bishop ANTHONY, will be visiting All Saints on the first weekend in February. Please block out the 2nd, 3rd and 4th on your calendar and prepare to spend a great weekend with our beloved Bishop. Details to follow…
LOOKING AHEAD
Christmas Service Schedule:
Friday, December 22: Hours of the Nativity 9am
Saturday, December 23: Great Vespers 5pm
Sunday, December 24: Matins and Liturgy for Christmas Eve 9am; Great Vespers 5pm
Monday, December 25: Matins and Liturgy for the Nativity of Christ 9am
THIS WEEK
Today, Sunday: We will celebrate Saint Nicholas day, following the Divine Liturgy.
Monday, December 11: 6th hour Prayers at 12 noon.
Tuesday, December 12: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am; St. Mardarije of Libertyville, St. Peter the Aleut, St. Juvenaly of Alaska.
Wednesday, December 13: 1st Hour Prayers with Akathist to St. Herman of Alaska at 6:00 am; Divine Liturgy for St. Herman at 9:00 am; Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm (followed by Orthodoxy 101)
Thursday, December 14: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Friday, December 15: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Saturday, December 16: Bible Study at the Webb’s home at 9:00 am; (followed by Ask Abouna); Jr. SOYO at 3:30pm; SOYO at 6:30pm. Teen SOYO will deliver neighborhood gift baskets in the afternoon on Saturday the 16th. Details will follow by email/text message.
Sunday, December 17: Matins at9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am (Followed by Santa Lucia visit).
FAMILY NEWS
Names Day Celebration: Subdn. Dan Barrett; Daniel Yeager, St. Daniel the Stylite (11th);Jeremy Coffman, St. Spyridon (12th); Aaron Hsu; Eric Crandall, St. Herman (13th); Lucia Toadere, St. Lucia (13th).
Birthday Celebrations: Rhonda Webb (11th).
Memory Eternal: Toni, Dylan, Marjie, Leslie Gina, Archpriest Michael, Dn. Sergius, Marcia.
Prayer List: Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mat. Raisa; Mary Ann; Emma (Mary Ann’s granddaughter); Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Wes (infant with brittle bone disorder); Wes’s grandfather; Megan (lymphoma); Mark (CHF) and (caregiver) Barbara;Josiah; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter; Steve Crandall; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Marvin; Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew (Texas/military); Isaac (Germany/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; John; Stanley; Macrina;; Anne; Allen; Linda; Marilyn; Mary Barger; Allison and children; Nino with child, Kip, Taylor with Amanda and Cole Nicholas child, Erica with child.
Gift Baskets for our Neighbors: Teen SOYO is overseeing the collection of items for gift baskets to be distributed to our 25 nearest neighbors. Here is a list of items the teens have decided to gather for the baskets:
Summer Sausage (25)
Fine Cheeses (25)
Hummus (25)
Fancy Crackers (25 boxes)
Lindt Truffles (100 truffles)
Hot Chocolate Packets (100 packets)
Pellegrino Water Bottles (25 ~1L bottles or 50 smaller ones)
Organic Candy Canes (100)
Dog/cat Treats (25)
Small Beeswax Candles (25)
Please place any of these items you’re able to provide in the wooden boxes next to the St. Nicholas Tree in the Fellowship Hall this weekend. Thomas Andrew is assisting SOYO with logistics on this project, so any questions may be directed to him by email (thomaslp517@yahoo.com).
Coffee Hour Host: Wendy Carter with Parishioners C-G.
Next week Host: Nina Rogers with parishioners H-R.
Giving Opportunities:
Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support.
Benevolence Fund: Donations may be made to this fund throughout the year, and are mainly used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments.
In-House Food Pantry: The Food Pantry is in need of marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned vegetables, fruit, and soups. The pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the greater Bloomington community. Thank you for your continued support
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.