Sunday, June 3, 2018
First Sunday after Pentecost: All Saints Sunday
Tone 8 and Eothinon 1
Martyrs Lucillian of Byzantium and the Children Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, and Dionysius
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of All Saints – Tone 4
Thy Church, O Christ God, hath regaled herself in the blood of thy Martyrs, throughout all the world, as in porphyry and purple. Through them she lifteth her voice, crying, Turn with thy compassion to thy people, and grant peace to thy city, and to our souls the 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.
Kontakion of the Saints – Tone 8
To thee, O Lord and Author of all creation, the universe offereth as first-fruits of nature the divinity-bearing Martyrs. Wherefore, by their implorings preserve thou thy Church in perfect safety, for the sake of the Theotokos, O most Merciful One.
Epistle – Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2 (First Sunday and the Sunday of All Saints)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 67.35, 26. God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse. Bless God in the congregations.
BRETHREN, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.
Gospel – Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 (Sunday of All Saints)
THE LORD SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundred-fold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
Next week’s homework:
Romans 2:10-16 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 4:18-23 (Second Sunday of Matthew)
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and pagers are turned off in church.
JUNE 3, 2018 – FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS
We are pleased to welcome you to worship with us today. Please note that only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves with prayer, fasting and a recent confession may approach to receive Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome to reverence the cross and to partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor, and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Mission Statement - The mission of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church of Brooklyn, NY, is to love and worship God through participation in the liturgical life of the Church, and to live and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We carry out this mission through education, outreach, fellowship, and works of mercy with love for each other, our neighbors, and our diverse world.
TODAY, JUNE 3 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Adele and Joseph Abouchar, Joseph G. Corey, Patricia Khouri Costa, Rose Haddad, Nour El Khoury, Rose Khoury, George Monier, Alice Muscat, Sam Shamas, Adolph, Nicholas and Rose Smatt. Memory eternal!
Lily and Paul Lang, Irene Tashji, Marie Tashji, Yvonne, Anthony, Christina, and Andrea Zrake, and Rose Zrake offer Prayers of Oblation for the good health of Audrey and Charlie Sahadi and Family. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 10 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fouad Allawh, Nesen Coury, Shafica Debagie, Kathleen Halloran, Michael Haje, Georgette Jabbour, Eleanor Khoury, Eduardo Khouzami, Emile Malluk, Edward, George, Georgette and Olga Manessa, Joseph G. Mashamesh, Betty Massab, Wadih Massab, Fred Massad, Nicholas Orfaly, Albert T. Sabah, Blanche Shahood, Nicholas Ablan Shahood, Henrietta Shawah, Adele Unis, Wadia Zain, and Alfred Zrike. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Parish Council will serve as ushers. Please allow the Church School students, teachers and volunteers to receive Holy Communion first so that they can proceed to their classes and begin in a timely fashion. The ushers will assist us in proceeding row by row so that we can distribute Holy Communion “decently and in order.”
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for the month of June and subsequent months. Linda and George Salamy have also made a donation through the rest of the year.
COFFEE HOUR – In the absence of a sponsor for today’s Coffee Hour the Parish Council will place a basket on the table for our free will offerings.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Lorraine Diahy, and Khalil Eid, (Hamilton Park), Edward Ateyeh (TX), Joey Ganim, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Malak Karkenny, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Brenda Samman, Louis Savarese, Leon Smatt, Marie Tashji, Claudette Teen, Marianne Trabulsi (PA), Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home). If a member of your family is in the hospital or recuperating at home, please call the church office and let us know as soon as possible.
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to announce that the servant of God Sebastian Rothhammer departed this life on Tuesday, May 29. Visitors may pay their respects at St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday, June 5, from 7-9 PM. The funeral will be on Wednesday at 10:00 AM. Memory eternal!
APOSTLES FAST - The Apostles Fast begins tomorrow, the day after All Saints Sunday, and lasts through Thursday, June 28, the eve of the commemoration of the Holy and Chief Apostles Peter and Paul. During this fast we observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with katalysis for fish, wine, and olive oil on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
MIDNIGHT RUN - Please consider giving a homeless person a sense of dignity by giving them a new package of undershirts. You can bring a new package of undershirts in any size Medium, Large, XL and XXL that will be delivered directly to the homeless on the Midnight Runs on June 22 hosted by the Holy Cross Brooklyn Outreach Center every month. Please give your undershirt donations to Angela Athineos. Thank you for your generosity to the poor.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will have their annual Closing Dinner at Hunter’s Steakhouse on Thursday, June 14, at 6:30PM. All ladies are welcome. RSVP to Sandra Arida at (212) 535-1404.
OCMC – Our June pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Please support global Orthodox mission efforts with your contributions.
CATHEDRAL PHOTOS – St. Nicholas Cathedral is looking for old photos from the Cathedral, especially those that show the church architecture. There is a Ph.D. candidate who is doing her project to get St. Nicholas on the Registry of Historical Places, and she needs historical photos showing the building. Please contact Fr. Thomas Zain at (718) 855-6225 or abounathomas@me.com.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF OUTING – Save the date, Thursday, September 27, for our largest and most important fundraiser of the year! This year our beloved Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh will receive the parish’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and our long-time supporter, the late Susan Rohan will be honored with the Victor J. Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. An information packet will go out in the mail this month. The deadline for submissions to the Journal will be August 31.
BIBLE STUDY – We will conclude our study of the Acts of the Apostles on Wednesday at 7:00 PM in preparation for the Bible Bowl at the Parish Life Conference. Bring your Orthodox Study Bible.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE – It’s time to sign up for Summer Camp at the Antiochian Village. Please do not delay as some sessions have already filled. Scholarship assistance is available. Please see Fr. Michael. Go to www.avcamp.org asap!
EMAIL ADDRESSES – Please use the welcome card in the pew book racks to submit or update all your family email addresses so that we can contact our parishioners with timely news.
PTO SIDEWALK SALE – The Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) will host its annual Sidewalk Sale this Saturday, June 9, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Donors may drop off gently used items and unwanted gifts on Friday, June 8, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, or on Saturday after 8:00 AM. All proceeds will benefit the Church School. For more information contact PTO President Michael Regnier at (347) 860-1206, or go to www.smaoc.org. Volunteers are welcome and appreciated!
RHAPSODY PLAYERS – St. Mary’s Church will welcome back its “house band,” the Rhapsody Players, for their “Summer in the City” program on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at 7:30 PM. The evening will feature songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Parishioners can contact Daria Mayrose for more information at (917) 862-4608 or dmayrose3@gmail.com. The cost is $25 per person. Coffee and dessert are included. Wine and beer will be available for sale, and there will be a 50/50 raffle.
2018 PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – Registration is now open for the 2018 Dioceses of the East Parish Life Conference at the beautiful Antiochian Village Heritage and Conference Center in Bolivar, PA. St. Philp Church of Souderton, St. George Church of Upper Darby, PA, and Holy Ascension Church of West Chester, PA, are the co-hosts. Go to www.antiochianevents.com for more information, to register, or to sponsor the souvenir journal.
WORD MAGAZINE – The Word is the official news magazine of the Antiochian Archdiocese. If you are a member of St. Mary’s Church in good financial standing and do not already receive a free copy of The Word, or would like to subscribe for $20 per year, or change your address, you can do so at www.antiochian.org/address-updates.
PARISH WEBSITE – Did you know that we post the weekly bulletin on the web? Simply go to www.smaoc.squarespace.com/bulletin, and view the bulletin at home. Also, find us on Facebook.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, June 3 Fall Festival Meeting after Divine Liturgy
Monday, June 4 Apostles Fast Begins
Saturday, June 9 PTO Sidewalk Sale
Monday, June 11 Parish Council
Thursday, June 14 Ladies’ Closing Dinner
Saturday, June 16 Piano Recital
Saturday, June 23 Rhapsody Players, 7:30 PM
June 27-July 1 Parish Life Conference at Antiochian Village
Thursday, September 27 Saints and Sinners Golf Outing
FROM THE FATHERS – “At all times indeed, but especially when I reflect upon the achievements of the saints, it comes over me to feel despondency concening my own condition, because we have not even in dreams experienced the things among which those men and women spent their whol lives, not paying the penalty of sins, but always doing rightly and yet always afflicted.”
St. John Chrysostom
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America