Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hieromartyr Phocas, bishop of Sinope; Apostle Quadratos of the Seventy;
Martyr Phocas the Gardener
Thought for Today: “When, my beloved, your Christian life begins to become difficult and it seems like your cross is unbearable, remain steadfast, become a martyr. Say to yourself, “let us stand aright.” Remain steadfast. Say like the Panagia, Behold, the servant of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.” If you will endure, then after the storm will come the calm, and your life will again become festive. Now you will have additional insight and experience into the spiritual struggle. After this trial, after you have lifted up your cross, there will light up within you the flame of divine eros. You will acquire the most beautiful, the most strong, the most pure and the most angelic love, the love of God.”
– Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra
Ressurectional 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 for St. Phocas of Sinope – Tone 4
By choosing the Apostles’ way of life, thou hast succeeded to their throne. Inspired by God, thou didst find the way to divine contemplation through the practice of virtue. After teaching the Word of Truth without error, thou didst defend the Faith to the very shedding of thy blood, O Holy Martyr among bishops Phocas. Entreat the Lord our God to save our souls.
Ordinary Kontakion – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the Mediatrix, who is unrejected by the Creator. Turn not away to the voice of our petions, though we be sinners. Come to us with aid in time, who cry unto thee in faith, for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercession, O Theotokos who doet ever intercede for those who honor thee.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
O Lord, how magnificent are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (16:13-24)
Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (5:1-11)
At that time, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And He saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, Jesus asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Thy word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish, which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed 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.
Looking Ahead
Baptisms & Chrismations on Sunday, October 6 at 9:00 AM.
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 johnja.5815@gmail.com
John Labban, Arabic food jlabban962@aol.com
Nina Rogers, indoor food robert8121@att.net
Rhonda Webb, children’s activities webbrk1@gmail.com
This Week
Today, Sunday Little Lambs: Children ages 2-6 are invited to receive the Holy Eucharist first, then to be brought to the nursery where teachers Karen Tabbal and Stephen Burke will lead engaging lessons for young ears. Parents who want to accompany their children are welcome (with babes in arms, as needed), but please be aware that space in the nursery is very limited.
Monday, September 23: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Tuesday, September 24: Divine Liturgy for Saints Theckla, Silouan of Mt. Athos, and the Holy Martyrs Juvenaly and Peter of Alaska at 9:00 am.
Wednesday, September 25: 6th Hour Prayers at 12:00 noon; Great Vespers for St. John the Apostle at 6:00 pm. (Orthodoxy 101 with meal provided following Vespers.)
Thursday, September 26: Divine Liturgy for St. John the Apostle at 9:00 am.
Friday, September 27: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Saturday, September 28: Bible Study 9:00 am at Ross Caton’s home; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm with one-year memorial for Tim Chattin preceding (Ask Abouna to follow). Teen and Junior SOYO 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
Sunday, September 29: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
Family News
Names Day Celebration: Casey Barbarick, Sergius (25th); Jonathon Blair, John Kozak Apostle John (26th).
Birthday Celebration: Johanna Hsu (22nd).
Anniversary Celebration: Alex & Sami Koutares (24th).
Prayer List: Taylor and infant Houston(congenital heart defect);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);;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; Kevin, Ora Lee, Ashraf, Sandra; Susan.
Giving Opportunities:
Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support The Cupboard is well stocked! Our in-houseFood 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 always a great blessing.
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: 4th Sunday Host- Schuck- Yeager; Rhonda Webb lead hostess.
Next Week: 5th Sunday All are welcome to participate.
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.