Nourishment of the Soul: “The Season of the Nativity is about nothing other than preparing a little room for the Lord Jesus Christ to come and shine in our souls.” — His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH

The installation of the Parish Council occurs near the end of the Liturgy today. The parish response is in your bulletin. Newly elected members are Jan Gudaitis, Don Haney and Darryl Jones. Other members include Marcia Baldwin, Charles Coats, Barbara Grinder, Galina McLaws, Shirley Richardson, Daniel Rigsby, Nina Rogers, Lucia Toadere, and Subdeacon Jon (Jeff) Weber.

The Akathist of Thanksgiving is prayed on Wednesday, November, 23rd instead of Daily Vespers and Orthodoxy 101.

If you plan to be away from Bloomington during Thanksgiving holiday, you can offer your tithes online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org.

Food Pantry: Please leave non-perishables in Marcia’s office, but if you donate frozen entrees or meats, please tell Marcia that you have placed them in the freezer. We encourage you to make charitable cash donations as well during the Nativity Fast.

Thursday, November 24th, Annual Thanksgiving Meal at 2:00. Since this is a pitch-in, people may see Charles to coordinate food for the meal. There are signup sheets on the hall bulletin board. Charles says that if your plans change and you did not sign up for food donations or to attend, please come anyway. Bring a friend who will be alone on Thanksgiving. there is always a lot of food.

Parish Council meets after Divine Liturgy today around noon in Father’s office.
Officers for 2016-2017 will be elected.

THIS WEEK
The Nativity Fast continues,
but you may relax the fast during your Thanksgiving celebration.

Wednesday, November 23: The Akathist of Thanksgiving at 6:00
Thursday, November 24: Thanksgiving Meal at 2:00 — All are invited.
Friday, November 25: Divine Liturgy for St. Katherine at 9:00 a.m.
Friday, November 25: Akathist to the Protection of the Theotokos at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 26: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, November 27: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 — Myrrh Bearers meet briefly.

LOOKING AHEAD

…December 3: St. Nicholas Night – Great Vespers at 5:00: Celebration at 6:00-7:30 (Cookies and Cider donations are needed)
…December 10: Women’s Pre-Christmas party, hosted by Dee Haney and her daughters in Mitchell

FAMILY NOTES

Birthday Greetings: Lisa A ((21st)
Name Day Blessings: Mary Ann G (21st- Holy Theotokos)
Memory Eternal: Bruce; Paul; Phil (11/2)

Prayer List : “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in Ukraine.” Fr. Basil; Fr. Philip: Chris; Shalayna (gall bladder surgery); Doug & Dorothy Barrett, Subdn. Daniel’s brother and sister-in-law; Eileen & Olga; the Tabbals; Mary Ann; Dee and Don; Kh.Kristina; Betsy and Hannah; Leslie (paralysis); Jasmine; Deborah & Thomas; Iva; James; Alex John; Becky H.; Alexis T; Tom; Annie; Catherine; Janett; Julian; Kh. Mary Sue Walker; Vicki; Hoppes & Jesse Brandow (OCMC Missionaries); Vivian; Natalie; Senior Saints; Patricia; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests George & Stephen; Adrian; Heather; Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Geni; 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; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Dennis; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie, Caleb D; Megan & Colin; Bill & Sandy.

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Verse: ” For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden!” Luke 1:46-48

Epistle: The Reading from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews. (9:1-7)

Brethren, the first tabernacle had ordinances of the divine services and an earthly sanctuary. For the first tabernacle was prepared, in which were the candlestick, and the table, and the bread of the offering, which is called the Sanctuary. and behind the second veil stood the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, which contained a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the two tablets of the covenant; and above it the two Cherubim of glory overshadowing the Ark’s lid; of these things, we cannot now speak in particular. Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the divine services; but into the second the high priest enters alone, once in the year, not without blood which he offers for himself, and for the ignorances of the people.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:38-42; 11:27-28)

At that time, Jesus entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Him and said, “Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As He said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that Thou didst suck!” But He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Divine Liturgy Variables

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 Entrance of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Today the Virgin is the foreshadowing of the pleasure of God, and the beginning of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. Thou hast appeared in the Temple of God openly and hast gone before, preaching Christ to all. Let us shout with one thrilling voice, saying: Rejoice, O thou who art the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.

We do not sing THROUGHOUT THE WORLD (the apolytikion of the patron saint of All Saints)

Kontakion for the Entrance of the Theotokos – Tone 4
The all-pure temple of the Savior, the most precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today enters the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit: whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle.

Megalynarion of the Entrance of the Theotokos – Tone 4
The Angels beholding the entrance of the all-pure one were overtaken by surprise; how hath the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies?
Since thou art a living temple of God, O Theotokos, no impure hand shall touch thee. But the lips of believers, let them ceaselessly laud thee, crying unto thee joyfully with the voice of the angels: Verily, O undefiled Virgin, thou art more exalted than all creatures.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) – Tone 8
I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. Alleluia.

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.