Sunday, December 31, 2017
Sunday before Theophany of Christ,
Which Falls on the Apodosis (Leave-taking) of the Nativity of Christ
Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome; Hieromartyr Zotikos of Rome, the friend of orphans;
Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid

Beloved ones, let us resolve at this moment
to make Christ and His Church our top priority in the new year.

Nourishment of the Soul: “A wife should respect her husband even when he shows her no love, and a husband should love his wife even when she shows him no respect.” –St. John Chrysostom

Social Hour: Scheduled contributors this Sunday morning are those whose last names begin with A-Ba.

A Reminder that your checks should be dated 2018!

Beginning Thursday, January 11, 2018, Howard Webb will be leading a Bible Study: God’s Kingdom – on Earth as it is in Heaven: The Gospel of John Chapters 1-10.” The Study will consist of 10 weekly sessions, from Jan 11 – March 22 (excluding Feb 22). It will meet at the Webb’s home, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Please invite anyone who may have an interest – the study is open to Orthodox Christians as well as those of other traditions. Please read John Chapter 1 for the first meeting and bring a Bible if you have one. Sorry, we cannot accommodate children. Howard and Rhonda Webb, 3960 E. Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, IN 47401 314-313-4275 webbrk1@gmail.com.*

Offering Envelope Books are available in the narthex: Select one and record your name on the clipboard beside the numeral found on the book. You may continue using an old book if you have unused pages. Marcia

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.

THIS WEEK

Monday January 1: Liturgy of the Circumcision of Christ and the Feast of St. Basil the Great at 9am
Wednesday, January 3: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, January 4: Bible Study at Becky’s home 3:00 – 5:00
Friday, January 5: Royal Hours of Theophany at 9:00
Friday, January 5: Divine Liturgy of Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters at 6:00
Saturday, January 6: House Blessings begin.
Saturday, January 6: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, January 7: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

Wednesday, January 10: Divine Liturgy for St. Gregory of Nyssa at 6:00
Thursday, January 11: Bible Study at the Webb’s home- 7:00-8:30 (and each Thursday thereafter)*
Monday, January 15: Liturgy for the feast of St. Peter’s Chains at 6:00
Tuesday, January 16: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home at 7:00
Saturday January 27: Screening of Becoming Truly Human movie with an explanation of the program at 7:00 after Great Vespers.

FAMILY NOTES

Anniversary Celebration: Darryl & Nancy (4th)
Birthday Blessings: Molly A (31st); Nancy J (31st); Lina T (1st); John A (5th)
Name Day Remembrance: Ss. Emmelia & Genevieve (3rd): Johanna H; Rachel L; Genevieve C; Jennifer R; Haley K
Memory Eternal: William Bardonner (December 1st); Wilber Field (December 5th); Walter Romanyshak (9th)

Please Note that the Prayer List, printed here, will be emptied on January 1st.
Please contact Marcia if you want names added in January. Father keeps another list at the altar.

Prayer List: Amal; Maria; Vivian; Walter; Becky; Greg; Emilija; Adrian (Olga’s brother); Bosa; Cathy;”For the suffering Christians of Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine and victims of recent hurricanes, earthquakes, and attacks; Fr. Steven Rudy (cancer); Finley (infant girl); Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip; Grant (Leukemia); Chris; Doug & Dorothy Barrett; Eileen; Dee and Don; Kh. Kristina; Mary Ann & Jen; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; James; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Julian; Vicki; Hoppes & Jesse Brandow (Missionaries); Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriest George; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Emily D; Emma; Nancy; Neal; Bob R; Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley: Gabriel; Mary; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; Marty; Charles; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Ruth; Steve; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer C; Brigid; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie, Caleb D; Megan & Colin; Bill & Sandy; Sabrina; Christy; Pete; Phil & Barb; Tammy K; Jennifer A.

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “All those on earth worship Thee and sing unto Thee.”
Verse: “Alleluia to God, O all the earth.”

Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Second Epistle to Timothy. (4:5-8)

Timothy, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (1:1-8)

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes He Who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Divine Liturgy Variables

Refrain of the Second Antiphon: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn there from to worship Thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come. O Lord, glory to Thee.

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 5
Let us believers praise and worship the Word; co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For, He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh to suffer death; and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Apolytikion of the Sunday after the Nativity – Tone 2
Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 3
On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in Essence; * to the Unapproachable, * the earth doth offer a small cave; * Angels join in choir with shepherds * in giving glory; * with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; * for our sakes is born a young Child, * He Who existed * before the ages as God.

Megalynarion of the Leave-taking of the Nativity – Tone 1
Magnify, O my soul, her who hath delivered us from the curse.
Verily it is easier for us to endure silence since there is no dread danger there from for us. But because of our strong desire, O Virgin, and Mother of sameness, to indite well-balanced songs of praise, this becometh indeed onerous to us. Wherefore, grant us power to equal our natural inclination.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 8
The Lord hath sent redemption to His people. Alleluia.