Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Martyr Paramonos and the 370 Martyrs in Bithynia; Martyr Philoumenos of Ancyra;Venerable Akakios of Sinai; Hieromartyr Dionysios, Bishop of Corinth;Urban, Bishop of Macedonia; Nicholas, Archbishop of Thessalonica
Nourishment of the Soul: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Father Peter Jon continues to post short videos at www.allsaintsbloomington.org to connect with, inspire and inform us. On the home page, find the current postings under “Videos from Father Peter.”
Fall Catechism Classes: Classes will be held in the church and will be live-streamed each Wednesday evening after daily vespers for those unable to attend in person. Dr. John Craton will teach on baptism on Wednesday.
DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Nativity Fast – Now – December 24
St. Nicholas Vespers – December 5
There will be no in-person Saint Nicholas night this year due to Covid-19 restrictions,but parents should watch for an email later in the week with information about gifts and a special message from Saint Nicholas.
Saying Goodbye to the Mosleners – December 20
Christmas Day services – December 25
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, December 2: Live-Streamed Daily Vespers at 6:00; O101 follows.
Saturday, December 5: Live-Streamed Great Vespers (served by SOYO teens) at 5:00: SOYO at 6:00 – 8:00
Sunday, December 6: Live-Streamed Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (4:1-7)
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
God is known in Judah; His Name is great in Israel.
Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, Who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:18-27)
At that time, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Divine Liturgy Variables for Choir and Parish
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.
Kontakion of the Preparation of Christ’s Nativity – Tone 3
The Virgin cometh today to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word Eternal. Therefore, rejoice, O earth, at the message, with the angels and shepherds give glory to Him Who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He Who is from eternity 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.
FAMILY NEWS
Coffee Hour Procedures: Safety directives are being followed. Rhonda, serving as chair of the Myrrh Bearers, is the point person. Please contact her to volunteer donations.
Happy Birthday: Dan Mullis (30th); Gregory Gillquist (Dec. 2nd)
Name Day Blessings: Don Haney (St. Andrew – 30th); Andrew Labban (St. Andrew – 30th)
Memory Eternal: Metropolitan Theodosius; Patriarch Irenei.
Prayer List: Sandy (lingering illness);Immimk family with Covid;Fr. Dragan; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Seraphim Aldea; our nation and our nation’s leaders at all levels of government; world-wide pandemic; schools, school children, youth and personnel across the nation. The People of Beirut; Bonnie Thelen (awaiting kidney transplant); Wadia; Jayci; Dee, Patricia, Marvin A, Benedict, Judith Ann, Cleo, Michael; Olga, Eileen; Kitsa Wiersteiner; Steven Sajkich; Aphrodite and son Angelos in Greece; Violet; Kim; Dusty; Betsy; Allison; Robin & Janet; Mary Ann; Vicki; Mat. Raisa; Isaac in Air Force; Andrew for education decisions; Fr. Marc; Fr. George; Fr. Basil & Kh. Cana; George; Catherine (not in this parish); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Alice & Marvin; Kh. Kristina; Bonnie; Emma; Patricia; Mary & Robert; Shirley; Rose; Lexi, Ross & Vivian; Theo; Doug Barrett; Jeremy; Charles; Grayson; Marcia & Deacon; Nick; Bruce; Joanna & Demetrios; Ashlee W; Paul; Cathy; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Nancy & Shalana; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer & Regina; those suffering in the drug crisis, with fire devastation, flood damage, and earthquake damage; those suffering in the Middle East
SAFETY PRACTICES
…The Monroe County Health Department requires masks to be worn by those worshipping outdoors when social distancing (6 feet apart) cannot be observed. All are still required to wear masks indoors unless a medical condition prevents them from safely doing so, or unless one is a designated chanter/server.
…If you wish to attend Sunday Matins & Divine Liturgy, please respond in the positive to the email from Fr. Peter that you will find in your inbox. Ex. Smith -2 (Family name – number)
… …Everyone is welcome to attend all non-Sunday services without signing up. Face masks and safety precautions are in place.
…Teen SOYO gather after Great Vespers each Saturday while respecting social distancing practices.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S. mail. Thank you for continuing to support the church.