Father Seraphim will serve as Fr. Peter Jon and family quarantine.
Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ
Herman of Alaska, Enlightener of the Aleuts
Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestes at Sebastia;
Virgin-martyr Lucia of Syracuse; Hieromartyr Gabriel, patriarch of Serbia
Nourishment of the Soul: “Know that the Lord made His Holy One wondrous; The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.” – Psalm 4:4
Annual Gift Card Drive: Please, place gift cards (or cash in an envelope) on the small tree at the back of the nave. They will be distributed to families who need a special gift of love at this time of the year. (Cards and cash do not remain on the tree after Liturgy, but are put in a secure space.)
Fall Catechism Classes: Classes will be held in the church and also live-streamed each Wednesday evening after daily vespers. This week’s class on the Life of the Theotokos will be presented by April Blair.
Today, Santa Lucia, adorned with her crown of candles and carrying her tray of individually wrapped buns, will bless us with her appearance in the nave following the Divine Liturgy.
DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Nativity Fast until December 24
Saying Goodbye to the Mosleners – December 20
Christmas Eve Morning, December 24th
Royal Hours at 9:00
Vesperal Liturgy at 10:00
Christmas Day, December 25th
Festal Matins at 9:00 am; Festal Divine Liturgy at 10:00
Let us all keep praying for Father Peter Jon and his family as they quarantine
after Father’s diagnosis of Covid.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 16: Live-Streamed Daily Vespers at 6:00; O101 follows.
Saturday, December 19: Live-Streamed Great Vespers at 5:00: SOYO at 6:00 – 8:00
Sunday, December 20: Live-Streamed Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (3:4-11)
(For the Holy Forefathers)
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us.
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 Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (14:16-24)
(For the Holy Forefathers)
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.”
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Thank you for continuing to support the church.
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 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.
Apolytikion of St. Herman of Alaska – Tone 1
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds and gracious intercessor for the whole world, teacher of the Orthodox Faith, good instructor of piety, adornment of Alaska and joy of all America, holy Father Herman, pray to Christ God that He save our souls.
Kontakion of the 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
Aunt Ruth’s Toffee is ready for pick up in the social hall. It is labeled with the name of each one who ordered it. Checks written to Vicki Gans can be placed on Marcia’s desk.
Coffee Hour Procedures: Safety directives are being followed. Rhonda, serving as chair of the Myrrh Bearers, is the point person. Please contact her to volunteer donations.
Happy Birthday: Fr. Peter Jon (18th)
Name Day Blessings: Lucia T(St. Lucia – 13th); Aaron H (St. Herman – 13th); Wyatt C (St. Herman – 13th) ; Daniel R ( Prophet Daniel – 17th); Elijah G (St. Boniface – 19th)
Memory Eternal: Archbishop David of Alaska
Prayer List: Gillquist family; Sandy;Becky;Immimk family with Covid;Fr. Dragan; Heidi; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Seraphim Aldea; our nation and our nation’s leaders at all levels of government; world-wide pandemic; nursing home residents and caregivers; schools, school children, youth and personnel across the nation. The People of Beirut; Bonnie Thelen (awaiting kidney transplant); Wadia; Jayci; Dee, Patricia, Marvin A, Benedict, Judith Ann, Cleo, Michael; Olga, Eileen; Kitsa Wiersteiner; Aphrodite and son Angelos in Greece; Violet; Kim; Dusty; Betsy; Allison; Robin & Janet; Mary Ann; Vicki; Mat. Raisa; Isaac (Covid) – in Air Force; Andrew for education decisions; Fr. Marc; Fr. George; George; Catherine (not in this parish); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Alice & Marvin; Kh. Kristina; Bonnie; Emma; Patricia; Mary & Robert; Shirley; Rose; Lexi, Ross & Vivian; Theo; Doug Barrett; Jeremy; Charles; Grayson; Marcia & Deacon; Nick; Bruce; Joanna & Demetrios; Ashlee W; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Nancy & Shalana; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation, flood damage, and earthquake damage; those suffering in the Middle East
SAFETY PRACTICES
…The Monroe County Health Department requires masks to be worn by those worshipping outdoors when social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be observed. All are still required to wear masks indoors unless a medical condition prevents them from safely doing so, or unless one is a designated chanter/server.
…If you wish to attend Sunday Matins & Divine Liturgy, please respond in the positive to the email from Fr. Peter that you will find in your inbox. Ex. Smith -2 (Family name – number)
… …Everyone is welcome to attend all non-Sunday services without signing up. Face masks and safety precautions are in place.
…Teen SOYO gather after Great Vespers each Saturday while respecting social distancing practices.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Thank you for continuing to support the church.