Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ
Venerable Daniel the Stylite; Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon
Thought for Today: “The world is on fire! Do you understand? There is so much temptation. The devil has started such a blaze that all the fire-fighters in the world will not be able to put it out: it is a spiritual fire! There’s nothing left. And there’s no other help for us: only prayer can save us now. We must pray to God to take pity on us. You see, when a fire spreads and the fire-fighters can do nothing about it., people are forced to turn to God and pray for Him to send heavy rain. It’s the same with spiritual fire started by the devil: we must all pray to God for Him to help us.” + St. Paisios the Athonite +
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 1
While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of the Forefathers – Tone 2
Thou hast justified by faith the ancient Forefathers, and through them Thou hast gone before and betrothed unto Thyself the Church of the Gentiles. Let the saints, therefore, take pride in glory; for from their seed sprouted forth a noble fruit, and it was she who gave birth to Thee without seed. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, save our souls.
Kontakion of Prepation 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
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (3:4-11)
Brethren, when Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (14:16-24)
The Lord spoke this parable: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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.
Saint Lucia will visit today during Coffee Hour.
Parish Council meets today, Sunday after Divine Liturgy.
Hat and Glove donation: As tradition we collect child size winter hats and gloves; donations are given to area schools to distribute to the children.
Gift Card donation: Please add gift cards you’ve purchased to “Giving Tree” in the fellowship hall. They will be collected throughout Nativity for Fr. Peter to distribute to those in need.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 14: Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm; followed by Orthodoxy 101.
Saturday, December 17: Digging into Romans: Our Saturday morning Bible Study has begun to dig into St. Paul’s letter to the Romans – this is the perfect time to join us as we go deeper into this important epistle, verse by verse. Howard Webb is leading this study which meets Saturdays 9:00-10:30 at the Webbs home at 3960 E Fenbrook Lane, 47401. Feel free to come whenever you can for lively discussion and fellowship. Be sure to bring your Bible!
Saturday, December 17: Great Vespers at 5:00 pm; Jr. SOYO at 3:30 and Teen SOYO at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, December 18: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
FAMILY NEWS
Birthday Celebrations: Rhonda Webb (11th);Samuel Schlimpert (16th).
Names Day Celebrations: Heather Sherrod Rachel (11th); Subdn. Daniel Barrett Daniel the Stylite (11th); Naomi Burhoe Ruth (11th); Aaron Hsu, Wyatt Crandall Herman of Alaska (13th); Lucia Toadere Lucia (13th); Daniel Rigsby Prophet Daniel (17th).
Anniversary Celebrations: Glen and Wendy Carter (17th).
Memory Eternal: Marcelle and Chris, David Archpriest Anthony (Gabriel), David.
Prayer List: Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Toni;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mat. Raisa; Mary Ann; Melanie & daughter (Adrian’s
coworker and child-loss of parent and serious health issues);Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Wes (infant with brittle bone disorder); Megan (lymphoma); Mark (CHF) and (caregiver) Barbara; Wes’s grandfather;Josiah; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter;Arianna; Vician; Linda; Steve Crandall; Fr.Athanasius; Fr. Gabriel;Jack;Christopher; Nancy; Fr. Jerome; Mother Nektaria; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Kristy, Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew and Isaac (Korea/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; Nelson; Rhea and John; Stanley; Anna with child (Coran’s friend); Malory with child (Reed’s sister);, Megan with child; Brigida with child; Paulina with child; Anne; Allen; Linda, Marilyn; Mary Barger, Norma.
Coffee Hour Host: Wendy Carter’s Team with Parishioners C-G.
Next week Host: Nina Rogers’s Team with Parishioners H-R.
Food Pantry: Thank you to all that donated; the shelves have a nice variety of food. Please leave donations on the floor in front of the shelves.
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.