Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
After-feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Venerable Theodora of Alexandria; Righteous Euphrosynos the Cook
Thought for Today: “I cannot describe to you how much our Panagia likes chastity and purity. Since she is the only pure Virgin, she wants and loves everyone to be like that. As soon as we cry out to her, she rushes to our help. You don’t even finish saying, ’All-Holy Theotokos, help me’ and at once, like lightning, she shines through the nous and fills the heart with illumination. She draws the nous to prayer and the heart to Love.” +St. Joseph the Hesychast+
Welcome OCMC Missionary Hannah Valentine: Hannah will be speaking with us after Divine Liturgy. She is raising funds for her upcoming missionary efforts in Albania.
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
Resurrectional Apolytikion -Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
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.
Kontakian 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.
Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, O my God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18)
Brethren, see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the Cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised do themselves keep the Law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Henceforth, let no one trouble me; for I bear in my body the brand-marks of the Lord 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.
Opportunity to Support Babies and their Families: Orthodox Christians for Life will be accepting donations of diapers, formula, gently used maternity and baby clothing and equipment during the month of September. SOYO will help with delivery/distribution of collected items.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, September, 13: OCF will meet at the Webb’s home; 6:00pm.
Wednesday, September, 14: Evening Liturgy for the Elevation of the Holy Cross at 6:00pm.
Saturday, September, 17: Bible Study will be at the Webb’s at 9:00am. All are welcome to attend – 3960 E Fenbrook Ln 47401 – (314) 313-4275 –webbrk1@gmail.com.
Saturday, September, 17: Great Vespers at 5:00pm; Jr. SOYO at 3:30pm; and Teen SOYO at 6:00pm.
Sunday, September, 18: Matins at 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, September, 24: The Crowning of Alexander and Samantha Koutsares at 11:00 a.m, followed by a reception in the St. George Pavilion.
Saturday, October, 1: 20th Annual Festival on Fairfax.
FAMILY NEWS
Birthday Celebrations: Felicity Arthur (11th); John Alexander (12th); Max Pitchkite (14th); John Labban (17th).
Names Day Celebration: Steve Blair St. Cornelius (13th); Kiya Crandall St. Sophia (17th).
Anniversary Celebrations: Matthew and Gabriella Crandall (11th); Subdn. Daniel and Linda Barrett (12th).
Memory Eternal: Metropolitan Herman Swaiko; Metropolitan Kallistos Ware; Vi; Matuska Ann Hopko; Archpriest Dwayne; Joyce; Eric; Dn. Richard, Kevin, Bob, Sheila.
Prayer List: Rigsby/Young family; the suffering community of Uvalde, Texas; Displaced Ukrainian refugees, those who remain in their war-torn country, those with loved ones in Ukraine; Mat. Raisa (now at home, Bell Trace #309);Emma Griggs (Mary Ann’s granddaughter) and George (Mary Ann’s brother); Melanie & daughter (Adrian’s coworker and child-loss of parent and serious health issues);Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Wes (infant with brittle bone disorder); Megan (lymphoma); Mark (congestive heart failure) and Barbara (Mark’s caregiver); Wes’s grandfather;Josiah; Terra (formerly Terra Pitzak with cancer); Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter;Arianna Vician;Mary Ann; Linda; Steve Crandall; Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Gabriel;Jack;Christopher; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Nancy; Don and Dee; Fr. Jerome; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Michael; Olga; Eileen; Soren; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Kristy, Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew and Isaac (Korea/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; Nelson; Rhea and John;
Stanley (Adrian’s uncle), Jake (Rhonda’s great nephew, state board injury) Tabitha with child; Malory with child (Reid’s sister); Joelle with child (local homeschooling friends).
Coffee Hour Host: Wendy Carter’s Team with Parishioners C-G
Next week Host: Nina Rogers’ Team with Parishioners H-R
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.