Sunday, January 21, 2018
Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost
Venerable Maximos the Confessor; Martyr Neophytos of Nicaea;
Venerable Zosimas, Bishop of Syracuse in Sicily; Venerable Maximos the Greek of Russia
Sanctity of Life Sunday
Nourishment of the Soul: “If a person wants to get an idea about the pyramids of Egypt, he must either trust those who have been in immediate proximity to the pyramids, or he must get next to them himself. There is no third option. In the same way a person can get an impression of God: He must either trust those who have stood and stand in immediate proximity to God, or he must take pains to come into such proximity himself.” – St. Nicholas of Serbia
Chili Fundraiser Cook-off! On Sunday, January 28th, Orthodox Christians for Life Bloomington is sponsoring a fundraiser with a goal of $600 to benefit families who seek help through the Women’s Care Center. We encourage each person to donate $5.00; however, to reach the goal, OC for Life hopes some will donate more. A variety of chili recipes is expected! YUM!
Removal of the Crowns: Rejoice with us as we celebrate the removal of the wedding crowns of Ben and Heidi Swakopf near the end of the Divine Liturgy. May God grant them many years!
Social Hour: Scheduled contributors on Sunday morning are those whose last names begin G-H.
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.
House Blessings: Due to the relatively short house-blessing season this year (since Great Lent begins very early), Father will be contacting you in an attempt to cluster blessings by neighborhood and proximity. You are also welcome to email him your availability. It will be JOY to be with each and every family during this holy season!
Asking your Prayers: Several weeks ago, we were exuberant with joy to learn of a new little Rigsby in our midst. Now with very heavy hearts, buoyed by hope in our gentle and triumphant Savior, Dan and Jennifer, with Ava and Tristan, ask your prayers as they mourn their anticipated and deeply-cherished unborn baby. If one member suffers, all suffer together (1 Cor. 12:26). Memorial prayers will be said at the outdoor Resurrection Shrine following the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Parish Council meets today.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, January 23: OCF at the Webb’s home 6:00-8:00
Tuesday, January 23: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home – 7:00
Wednesday, January 24: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, January 25: Bible Study at Becky’s home – 3:00 – 5:00
Thursday, January 25: Bible Study at the Webb’s home – 7:00 – 8:30
Friday, January 26: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6:00
Saturday, January 27: Mandatory meeting for all altar servers at 3:30.
Saturday, January 28: Great Vespers at 5:00 – Screening of Becoming Truly Human movie with a discussion of the program at 6:00 with meal provided
Sunday, January 28: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Fundraiser Chili Cook-off to benefit the Women’s Care Center. Myrrh Bearers meet. Triodion begins.
LOOKING AHEAD
…Thursdays through March 22nd (excluding Feb. 22nd): Bible Study on the Gospel of John at the Webb’s home – 7:00-8:30 at 3960 E. Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, IN 47401; 314-313-275; webbrk1@gmail.com.
…Friday, February 2: Feast of the Presentation
…Orthodoxy 101 resumes on Saturdays in February after Great Vespers.
…Bible Study at Becky’s is not planned for February.
…Meatfare (Feb. 11th); Cheesefare-Judgment Sunday (Feb. 18th)
…February 19th: Great Lent begins.
… Sunday of Orthodoxy (Feb.25th)
…March 3-4th: Myrrhbearers Retreat with Mother Nektaria Veloff of St Paul Skete, Grand Junction, Tennessee. Details coming soon!
FAMILY NOTES
Birthday Blessings: Lydia F (23rd); David P (26th); Ashley P (27th)
Name Day Remembrance: Max W (St. Maximos – 21st); Laura C (St. Xenia – 24th)
Memory Eternal: Jack (9th)
Prayer List: Marvin & Alice; Kh. Kristina; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George R.; Iva Lee; Jennifer A’s family; Jeri R.
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “The Lord will give strength to His people.”
Verse: “Bring to the Lord, O sons of God; bring to the Lord honor and glory.” Psalm 28:11,1
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (4:9-15)
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties; devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (19:1-10)
At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see Who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Divine Liturgy Variables
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 8
From the heights Thou didst descend, O Compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of Saint Maximos, the Confessor – Tone 8
Thou hast shown thyself, O God-inspired Maximos, as a guide to the Orthodox Faith, a teacher of true worship and purity; O star of the universe and companion of the bishops, O wise one. Through thy light thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the spirit. Therefore, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.