Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Nativity of the Theotokos
Thought for Today: “When you see an icon of the Theotokos with the infant Christ in her arms, do you know what you are looking at? Heaven and earth! Heaven is Christ, Who is above the heavens; He is the Creator of heaven and earth. And the Mother of the Lord represents all the people on the face of the earth, for she was chosen from among us. She was born from both royal and priestly lineage. The arms of the Mother of the Lord are more powerful than shoulders of the Cherubim and the most blessed Thrones. Who does she hold in her arms? Do you know? She holds the One Who made heaven and earth, all things visable and invisible! – Elder Cleopa of Romania
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 2
When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hades with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos –Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe; for from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos –Tone 4
By thy holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee: The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18)
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17)
The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
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.
Welcome Hannah Valentine!
Hannah serves as a missionary to Albania. She is always in our prayers and is one of two missionaries we support financially as a parish. It is our joy to have her with us.
Congratulations Ian and Taylor (Shahadey) Hunter on your marriage. May God grant you many years!
Looking Ahead
Mark Your Calendars for Fun: Next Saturday, September 21, all are invited for a game of kickball at Bryan Park from 1-3pm. Contact Andrew of Amanda Holland to RSVP hollandandrewa@gmail.com; hollandamanda90@gmail.com, or simply show up! All ages and skill-levels welcome.
The Festival on Fairfax is Saturday, October 12th.It is a glorious day of community outreach, when we warmly welcome visitors from our neighborhood and the greater Bloomington area. It is also an important time of fellowship and growth among the members of our parish.
There will be Greek and Arabic food booths outdoors and donated baked goods indoors. We will have live music and children’s activities. There is a GREAT need for volunteers. You may contact the following to volunteer or ask about specific needs:
Daniel Rigsby, chair for the event daniel_rigsby@yahoo.com
John and Lisa Alexander, Greek food johnja5815@gmail.com
John Labban, Arabic food jlabban@962@aol.com
Nina Rogers, indoor food robert8121@att.net
Rhonda Webb, children’s activities webbrk1@gmail.com
This Week
Today, Sunday: After dismissal we will pray a memorial for Olga’s brother, Adrian. Hannah Valentine will speak briefly during the Sunday Meal. All will be invited to contribute to the success to her missionary labors.
Monday, September 9: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am, Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna.
Tuesday, September 10: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am; OCF dinner and discussion, 6:30pm at the Webb’s home.
Wednesday, September 11: 6th Hour Prayers at 12:00 noon; Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm. Hannah Valentine will speak about missions during Orthodoxy 101. A meal will be provided.
Thursday, September12: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Friday, September 13: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Saturday, September 14: Matins for the Elevation of the Cross at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10 am; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm (Ask Abouna to follow). Teen and Junior SOYO 6:30-8 pm.
Sunday, September 15: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Parish Council will meet following Divine Liturgy.
Family News
Names Day Celebration: Nanette Maria, Mary Ann Griggs, Mae Sampanis, Mary Barger, Kh. Marilyn Gillquist, Theotokos (8th);Braylan Smith, Righteous Joachim (9th);Ariana Vician, LilyBlair, Cora Bidulescu, Patricia Finchum, Rachael Schuck, Righteous Anna (9th); Steve Blair, St. Cornelius the Centurion (13th).
Birthday Celebration: Dan Rigsby (9th); Elena Radchenko (10th); Felicity Arthur (11th); John Alexander (12th); Max Pitchkite (14th); Donovan Gartlett (14th).
Prayer List: Durlin family;Stephanie and child born to her; Mary and child born to her; Meaghan and child born to her; Fr. Matthew; Marvin; Fr. Peter; Thomas Andrew;Nina; Nectaria (Released from ICU);Taylor and infant Houston(congenital heart defect);Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Megan (lymphoma); Josiah; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; Missy; Rebecca with child;John; Stanley; Macrina; Anne; Allen; Linda; Mary Barger; Allison and children; Kip; Alexis with child; Ann with child; Anna with child; Amanda with child, Engy with child, Dymphna with child, Erica with child; Taylor with child.
Memory Eternal: Jack; Don; Brenda; Sandra.
Giving Opportunities:
Food Pantry: The Cupboard is Bare! Thank you for the generous support of our in-houseFood Pantry. The pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the greater Bloomington community. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are desperately needed now.
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.
All Saints’ Sunday Meal: 2nd Sunday Host – Gillquist thru Leflore; Wendy Elizabeth lead hostess.
Next Week: 3rd Sunday Host-Lewis thru Schnieder; Nina Rogers lead hostess.
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.