Sunday of the Elevation of the Cross

Nourishment of the Soul: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

LIVESTREAMING will not be available for this weekend’s services. If you are not yet comfortable worshipping indoors, consider driving to the All Saints parking lot to pray with us as you hear the Divine Liturgy amplified through the outdoor speakers. Father Seraphim will serve communion to those outdoors who are prepared to receive it. There is no sign-up required for outdoor worshippers.

We are overjoyed with the return of coffee hour (outdoors) following Sunday Liturgy!  The church is providing chilled juice boxes, water bottles and hot coffee. Food contributions are covered for the 13th and 20th, but please consider signing up to contribute food on a subsequent Sunday. Please, nothing that needs a fork or plate – only items that can be served on a napkin (to feed about 50).  We also need your time and strength… Two tables need to be set up and taken down and all the tables & picnic tables need to be wiped down each Sunday morning. We are happy that Cathy, Glenn and Charles are willing to serve again September 13th; however, going forward we need to share the joy a bit.  (Contact Rhonda if you can donate food items or your time on a Sunday!)  For those who don’t know, everything is served with masks, gloves, tongs and safe distancing.  Welcome back to fellowship!

Father Peter Jon continues to post short videos daily at www.allsaintsbloomington.org to connect with us, inspire us and inform us. At the home page, scroll down to find the current postings under “Videos from Father Peter.” Father Peter is finishing up his series on the “Fools for Christ” and will be talking next about the little-known “dendrite” saints.

Trek4Missions wraps up Monday, September 14th.  Cash donations can still be made to All Saints. We will forward your gifts to help spread the Gospel Message through OCMC.

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.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, September 16: Streamed  Daily Vespers at 6:00

Saturday, September 19: Streamed Great Vespers at 5:00: SOYO at 6:00

Sunday, September 20: Streamed  Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

…Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Conception of St. John the Baptist – 9 am Orthros and Liturgy

…Friday, Sept. 25 – Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian – 6pm Vesperal Liturgy

Epistle and Gospel Readings

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (1:18-24)

Exalt ye the Lord our God. The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble.

Brethren, the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.”  Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35)

At that time, the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And they came to Pontius Pilate saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no crime in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He has made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid; he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where art Thou from?” But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to Him, “Wilt Thou not speak to me? Knowest Thou not that I have power to release Thee, and power to crucify Thee?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over Me unless it had been given you from above.

When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, and in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus and led him away, and He went out, bearing His own Cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew “Golgotha.” There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the Cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

Now standing by the Cross of Jesus were His mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the Disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the Disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the Disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now fulfilled, said, “It is finished’; and He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.

Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true.

Divine Liturgy Variables for Choir and Parish

Apolytikion of the Elevation  of the Holy Cross – Tone 1

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thine estate.

• Please Do NOT sing the apolytikion of the patron saint of the temple.

Kontakion of the Elevation of the Holy Cross – Tone 4

Do Thou, Who of Thine own good will was lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in Thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in Thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.

Anti-Trisagion Hymn

Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, Master, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.And we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection.

Megalynarion of the Feast – Tone 8

O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which being untilled hath blossomed forth Christ, by Whom the life-bringing Tree of the Cross was planted in the earth. In worshipping Him now through its elevation, thee do we magnify.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the Feast – Tone 8

The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, hath been signed upon us. Alleluia.

FAMILY NEWS

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.

Happy Birthday: John L (17th); Stephanie H (18th); Catherine C (19th)

Name Day Blessings: Steve B (Cornelius the Centurion – 13th); Kiya C (St. Sophia – 17th)

Prayer List: The People of Beirut; Dee, Patricia, Marvin A, Benedict, Judith Ann, Cleo, Michael I. Matthew C at the passing of his beloved grandfather; Michael S at the passing of his cousin EJ Mike; Kitsa Wiersteiner; Steven Sajkich; Aphrodite and son Angelos in Greece; Eileen; Violet; Kim; Dusty; Betsy; Allison; Robin & Janet; Mary Ann; Vicki;  Mat. Raisa; Taylor with child; Isaac in Air Force; Andrew for education decisions;  Fr. Marc; Kh.Vanessa & Anthony Kinder; Fr. George; Fr. Basil & Kh. Cana; George; Catherine (not in this parish); Olga; 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; our nation and our nation’s leaders at all levels of government; world-wide pandemic; schools across the nation.

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.

… …Everyone is welcome to attend all non-Sunday services without signing up. Face masks and safety precautions are in place.

…Teen SOYO will gather outdoors after Great Vespers each Saturday while respecting social distancing practices.