Sunday, July 15, 2018
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Fourth Ecumenical Council
Great Prince Vladimir (Basil) of Kiev, Equal-to-the-Apostles; Martyrs Kyrikos and his mother Julitta of Tarsus
It is our joy to welcome visitors to worship with us at all services.
Nourishment of the Soul: “There never was and there never will be a place on earth free from sorrows. The only sorrowless place possible is the heart, when the Lord is present there.” – St. Nikon of Optina
Coffee Hour: Scheduled contributors this Sunday are those whose last names start with G-H; however, your donations are appreciated at all times.
Remember to give all announcements to Father Peter Jon before each Divine Liturgy.
Note of Gratitude: There are NO words to describe the depth of my gratitude to each and every one of you for contributing to my recent move to Evergreen Village! It is a beautiful apartment, tailor made for my limited mobility, but scenic enough to watch hawks, vultures and clouds on my bad arthritic days! Today, I sit here giving thanks to God for the kindness and generosity of my church family! May you all be blessed beyond measure! And, for those of you wondering about Gabe ( my son), he came through hernia surgery with flying colors. Thank you for all your prayers for both of us! Much love to all of you. ❤ Leanne Bissell
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.
Dear Parish Family, this Sunday is Tabitha Burchett‘s last service with us here in Bloomington. We’d like to send her off to her new job in Georgia with a cake and a card shower. Please bring a card on Sunday and extend your best wishes to her.
The Parish Council meets today at noon!
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, July 17: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home at 7:00
Wednesday, July 18: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Saturday, July 21: Great Vespers at 5:00 – Cars to be Blessed*
Sunday, July 22: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
LOOKING AHEAD
…Bible Study at Becky’s will NOT meet July 19th, but will resume July 26th.
*… All are welcome to bring their “chariot” (car) to be blessed at Great Vespers on Saturday, July 21st in celebration of St. Elijah’s (Elias’) day. You may recall that St. Elijah the Prophet was swept up to God in a chariot of fire at the conclusion of his earthly ministry (2 Kings 2:11).
…Akathist to the Protection at 6:00 – Friday, July 27th
…Myrrh Bearers meeting – Sunday, July 29th
…The Dormition Fast begins on August 1st with the Paraklesis on Friday, August 4th & 11th.
FAMILY NOTES
Anniversary Blessings: Deacon Lucian & Dnssa. Miriam (21st)
Birthday Celebrations: Cleo S (17th); James T (19th); Neumann J (21st)
Name Day Remembrance: Marina S (Great Martyr Marina – 17th); St. Seraphim of Sarov – 19th: Linda (Seraphima) B; Neumann (Seraphim) J; Leanne (Seraphima) B;
Alicia Barrett (Prophet Elijah/Elias – 20th
Memory Eternal: Nicholas (26th); Bill (12th)
Prayer List: Mary Ann; Alexander family; Lillian Purcell (urgent need for Linda’s colleague); Eileen; Charles; Lucia & Cora (Romania); Leeanne; Ashlee W; Kh. Kristina & Anthony; Vivian; Paul; Caden, Dylan & Maddie; Marvin & Alice; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George; Iva Lee & Jim; Adrian T; Nancy & Shalayna; Hannah & Ty; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; those suffering in the drug crisis in the USA; safety in public places; Metropolitan Paul; Archbishop John; our church and our nation
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.”
Verse: “For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us.” (Daniel 3:26,27)
Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to Titus. (3:8-15)
(For the Holy Fathers)
Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (5:14-19)
(For the Holy Fathers)
The Lord said to His Disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Divine Liturgy Variables
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 6
When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise Who didst establish our Holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to Thee.