Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Our Righteous Father Ephraim the Syrian
Venerable Palladios of Antioch; Venerable Theodosios of Totma
Thought for Today: “Be humble and loving before all people, and if you cannot love everyone, at least treat everyone with good will. Kindness will open to you the gates of Paradise, humility will lead you there, and love will reveal God to you. God is seen only in truth and divine love, for ‘God is Love.’” – St. Gabriel of Georgia
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 St. Ephraim the Syrian – Tone 3
Out of Paradise, a river floweth, * flooding all the earth with joy unending, * cheering souls with compunction and saving fear: * Ephraim, the wine bowl of gladness inspired of God, * from all eternity chosen to light the Church * with his sacred hymns, his sermons, his shining canticles, * whereby he filleth faithful souls with godliness.
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.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (1:15-17)
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Gospel
The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:35-43)
At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to Him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
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
Pledge of Support for the Parish Council
We, the Parishioners of All Saints Orthodox Christian Church as members of this one body in Christ, do now commit ourselves to the support of you, our leaders, chosen by the Holy Spirit in our annual assembly to guide us in the coming year.
We pledge our love in Christ to each of you, to support you with our prayers and our ready response when called upon, as we, led by you, work for the greater Glory of God.
We pledge to commit ourselves anew to the task of becoming One Body in Christ, with One Lord, One Spirit, One God and Father, Who is above all, through all and in all of us. Amen.
House Blessing Season has Begun! Expect to be contacted by Fr. Peter Jon in the coming weeks.
This coming weekend! His Grace, Bishop Anthony, will be visiting All Saints.
THIS WEEK
Today, Sunday: Parish Council Installation takes place at the end of Divine Liturgy. A brief Parish Council meeting follows the dismissal. The choir will also have a special practice to prepare for the Bishop’s visit following Divine Liturgy.
Monday, January 29: 6th Hour Prayers at 12 noon.
Tuesday, January 30: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am for the Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom.
Wednesday, January 31: 6th Hour Prayers at 12 noon; Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm (followed by Orthodoxy 101).
Thursday, February 1: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am for Saints Brigid, Perpetua and Felicity.
Friday, February 2: Akathist to Saints Symeon and Anna at 9:00 am; (The Presentation Liturgy will be celebrated Sunday.) Children, their parents and Young Adults are invited to a family-style dinner and Q&A with Saida Anthony from 4:00 to 5:30 pm; Wonderlab Open House 6-9pm. Fun with Father. Everyone welcome!
Saturday, February 3: Luncheon with Bishop Anthony, 2-3pm; His Grace speaks followed by Q&A, 3-4pm; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm.
Sunday, February 4: Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Presentation of Christ in the Temple at8:50 am with the Elevation of Fr. Peter to Archpriest. Bring your candles to be blessed by Bishop Anthony! 30th Anniversary Celebration 3-7pm at Woolery Mill with a program honoring Fr. Peter and our Founders, together with the Unveiling of the New Temple Design and the Formal Launch of our Building Fundraising Campaign.
Special Music for the Bishop’s Visit: All are encouraged to view the following short video of what the Trisagion Hymn will look like next Sunday. Don’t be caught off guard! The choir will lead with strength! https://youtu.be/J1KA9alS-Vo?si=46IQ5L61XkUUZT9E
FAMILY NEWS
Names Day Celebration: Reed Hepburn St. Ephriam (28th); Rhonda Webb St. Pertetua (1st); Felicity Arthur St. Felicity (1st); Shannon Richardson, Bridgid Kozak St. Bridgid (1st); Perry Sampanis St. Panagiotis (2nd); Amber Smith St. Anna (3rd).
Birthday Celebrations: Jax Schulz (29th); Michael Shahadey (30th); Don Haney (2nd); Karen Tabbal (3rd).
Anniversary: Fr. Peter Jon’s Ordination (2nd).
Memory Eternal: Archpriest Michael, Dn. Sergius, Marcia, Janice, Gina, Justin, Bob.
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.
Giving Opportunities:
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
Coffee Hour Host: Rhonda Webb with Parishioners S-Z.
Next week Host: Melissa Barabarick with Parishioners A-B
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.