Sunday before Nativity of Christ (Sunday of the Genealogy),
Which Falls on Paramon (Eve) of Nativity of Christ
Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome and those with her
Thought for Today: “This night gave peace to the whole world, and so, let no one threaten. This is the night of the Most Meek One; let no one be cruel!” – St. Ephraim the Syrian-
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
Blessed are Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers .For Thou art justified in all that Thou hast done for us.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (11:9-10, 32-40)
Brethren, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (1:1-25)
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, Who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ were fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His Name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called His Name Jesus.
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.
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of The Sunday before Nativity in Tone-2
Great are the accomplishments of faith; for the three holy youths rejoiced in the fountain of flames as though at waters of rest. And the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Apolytikion for the Paramon (Eve) of the Nativity in Tone -4
As the fruit of David’s seed, Mary was registered of old * with the Elder Joseph in the little town of Bethlehem, * when she conceived with a seedless and pure conception. * Behold, the time was come that she should bear her Child, * but no place was found within the inn for them; * yet the cave proved a delightful palace * for the pure Lady and Queen of all. * For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
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.
LOOKING AHEAD
Looking Ahead to Theophany: We will celebrate the Hours of Theophany at 9am on Friday, January 5. Vesperal Liturgy for Theophany with the Great Blessing of the Waters will be at 6pm that evening.
Save the Date: There will be an all-parish “dream session” with our architect and building project manager on Saturday, January 6 from 9-11am. Festal brunch will be served.
Ladies Christmas Holiday Party: Saturday, January 13 hosted by Johanna Hsu at her home.
Save the Date! His Grace, Bishop ANTHONY, will be visiting All Saints 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.
THIS WEEK
Today, Sunday: Great Vespers of the Nativity at 5:00 pm.
Monday, December 25: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am, for the Nativity of Christ.
Tuesday, December 26: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Wednesday, December 27: 6th Hour Prayers at 12 noon; Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm (no Orthodoxy 101 tonight)
Thursday, December 28: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Friday, December 29: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Saturday, December 30: No Bible Study; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm; (followed by Ask Abouna); Jr. SOYO at 3:30pm; SOYO at 6:30pm.
Sunday, December 31: Matins at9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
FAMILY NEWS
Names Day Celebration: Christopher Stroguiludis, Christmas (25th).
Birthday Celebrations: Amber Smith (26th); Adriana Calinescu (30th).
Aniversary Celebrations: Bob and Nina Rogers (26th).
Memory Eternal: Archpriest Michael, Dn. Sergius, Marcia, Janice, Gina, Justin.
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 child, Erica with child.
Coffee Hour Host: Rhonda Webb with Parishioners S-Z.
Next week Host: 5th Sunday, all welcome to participate.
Giving Opportunities:
The Saint Nicholas Tree is located in the fellowship hall. Gift cards for families in need may be placed on this tree between now and the Nativity. God loves a cheerful giver!
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.