Sunday, November 11, 2018
Holy Martyr Menas of Egypt
Tone 7 and Eothinon 2
Martyrs Victor and Stephanie in Damascus
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.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 7
Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross. Thou didst open paradise to the thief. Thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim a warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world thy 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 Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple – Tone 4
The all-pure temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today entered the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit: whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle.
Epistle – II Corinthians 4:6-15 (Holy Martyrs Menas of Egypt and Victor of Damascus)Prokeimenon. Psalm 67:35, 27. God is wondrous in His saints.
Verse. In the churches bless ye God!
BRETHREN, seeing that it is the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, the same also shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of power is from God, and not from us. We are pressed on every way, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; smitten down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.
But having in us the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke,” we also believe, and therefore we also speak, knowing that the One who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up through Jesus, and will make us stand together with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, which is multiplied through the thanksgiving of many, may abound to the glory of God.
Gospel – Luke 10:25-37 (Eighth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And the lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”
But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The lawyer said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Next week’s homework:
Ephesians 4:1-7 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 12:16-21 (Ninth Sunday of Luke)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and pagers are turned off in church.
NOVEMBER 11, 2018 – HOLY MARTYR MENAS THE WONDERWORKER
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, NOVEMBER 11 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. John L. Boojamra, Linda Cassatly, Leila Dahdouh, Stanley Fadel, Charlene Alekel Goldrick, Rashida Marie Haddad, Victoria Khouri, Dorothy Madey, George Malouf, George Massabni, Nora K. Nahas, Gabriella R. Sadaka, Nicholas Sahadi, Charles Salloum, Victor Smatt, and Alex Zahka. Memory eternal!
Michele Ateyeh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Victoria Khouri. Memory eternal!
The Family of Fawzi Semaan offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of his soul. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Michelle and David Solano offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Leila Dahdouh. Memory eternal!
Janice Hili offers Prayers of Oblation and a Five-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of her father, Stanley Fadel. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Eva Abdalla, Antanius N. Arida, Fred Brahamsha, Louise Dibbs, Sahab Dibbs, Alice Elkas, Richard H. Habeeb, George R. Haddad, Henry Haddad, Jr., Paul David Khoury, John G. Klele, Sophie Kotite, John A. Livreri, Louis Orfaly, Dorothy Dillon Page, Fuad Salamy, Adele Sarkees, George Shamyer, Moufid Taweel, John Trabulsi, and Gregory Zarr. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Alice Elkas. Memory eternal!
Claudie Hadad and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Henry Hadad, Jr. They also pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Saleem Jabara, Olga Azkoul Jabara, Delores Jabara, and Paul Jabara. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – The Family of George Malouf offers the Holy Bread for the month of November in his memory. Memory eternal! Linda and George Salamy have also made a donation through the rest of the year. Because we are ordering more bread, and the cost has gone up slightly, we will now ask for a donation of $50/week.
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will meet tomorrow, November 12, at 7:30 PM.
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.
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.”
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Lorraine Diahy, and Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Tiriz Alsaifi, George Arbeeny, Clair Banat, Charlie Bryant, Nadim Dahdouh, Robert Forcina, Joey Ganim (MD), Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Gregory Hamaty, Louise Hamwi, Malak Karkenny, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Brenda Samman, Louis Savarese, Susan Schocket-Obel, Nancy Schmidt, Leon Smatt, Marie Tashji, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (PA), Kathleen Zarr, 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.
MIDNIGHT RUN – Teen SOYO and the Young Adults will participate in this Friday’s Midnight Run. Please meet at Holy Cross Church at 8 PM for food and clothing preparation. Please see Deacon Farid, Andrea Zrake, or Diana Kaiami for more information.
IOCC SUNDAY – Our November pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for “International Orthodox Christian Charities” dated November 18. We annually receive this collection on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Our faithful can either drop their envelope in the collection tray on Sundays or return it to the church office. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes, please inform the church office so that we can add you to our list of supporters. Thank you for your support of IOCC.
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH – Save the date for the Order of St. Ignatius Christmas Gathering on Saturday, December 22, following Great Vespers at 6 PM at St. Anthony Church in Bergenfield, NJ. This year everyone is invited, not just current members of the Order. There will be appeal for the new cabins at the Antiochian Village Camp. A formal invitation will follow. Please consider induction into the Order when Metropolitan JOSEPH visits on January 6.
LADIES’ CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE – The Ladies of St. Mary’s are preparing for the Annual Christmas Boutique in Couri Hall on Saturday, December 1. We are hoping that our very talented bakers will generously donate their specialties. If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact Marian Russo at (718) 836-7876. We would appreciate receiving donations of costume and better jewelry, liquor, and new merchandise for the raffle baskets. Other new items and gently used items should be brought to the church by Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30 to be sold at the Ladies’ tables. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS on a Sunday afternoon (date will be determined shortly) to pick up Christmas decorations. MEN VOLUNTEERS are also needed on the afternoon of December 1 to pack up after the Boutique. Please contact Gale Zarr at (917) 771-2427.
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.
Cries of the Heart: Words of Assurance
Using the Psalms to Make it through the Day
The Psalms are great songs of our dignity and fallibility, they serve as tools that help us get in touch with our feelings and realize that we are never alone, never forgotten, never overlooked, no matter how bleak or broken we may feel. They are honest to God, raw, harsh, unexpurgated and very adult in content and sentiment.
The Psalms express human cries of Anger, Despair, Loneliness, Anxiety, and Hopelessness. They express what it feels like to be broken, worried for your children, your parents, your partners and your friends. The poison we feel when we are full of resentments toward those we envy or have the desire to get even with those who have hurt us. They are also songs of Hope, Joy and Praise.
For ages upon ages these songs have been used as guideposts and safe havens for those of many faiths, of lost faith, of no faith or of other spiritual traditions and temperaments.
For six weeks we will read selected psalms and use them therapeutically to ease our fears and heighten our gratitude and joy that we are not alone and that God is working with us. All this makes for lively dialogue and wonderful way for us to come together as a community.
Please join Fr. Michael and Dr. Jim Maroosis as they discuss how the Psalms free us from shame, teach us to live healthier, happy lives through good times and times of difficulty or extreme hardship and concern.
Remaining Schedule of Psalms and Themes to be discussed:
10/10 You Are What You Eat
“Blessed is the man / Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…
Nor sits in the seat of the troublesome” – Psalm 1
10/17 Family Betrayal
“Oh Lord, why do those who afflict me multiply” - Psalm 3
10/24 Trust in God
“The Lord is my Shepard: I shall not want” - Psalm 23
11/7 Feeling Forsaken and Confused
“Oh God, my God, hear me: Why have you forsaken me” – Psalm 22
11/14 The Joy of Forgiveness
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy” – Psalm 50/51
11/21 Jump for Joy
“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord” – Psalm 150
RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE – We remind our faithful parishioners that we will celebrate all divine services in Couri Hall. We anticipate that the restoration of the church will take approximately six months. As we stated in our letter to the parish, we will need to make alternative arrangements in the event of baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
To date the following friends and families have made pledges or donations towards this project:
Renee Abate, Rose Abdallah, Albert Absey, Fadi Albishara and Ann Nardone, Beverly and Alexander Araman, Dr. Kenneth and Euginia Arida, Sandra Arida, Michele Ateyeh, Angela & Christopher Athineos, Kenneth Azar, Michael and Maria Azar, Joan Bacon, Charles and Marie Bryant, Drs. Gregory and Amal Dalack, Michael Nassif Dalack, Gloria Darzi, Fr. Michael and Laila Ellias, John and Anita Eyd, Peter Elkas, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Diana Finger, Alice Carolyn and David Furer, Marc and Helen Galloway, Mary Ganim, Josette and John Generale, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Ghiz, Nissar Haddad, Gregory Hamaty, Lola Hamra, Marianne Hindelly, Joyce Katen, Anthony Kirshy, Shelly and Patricia Kaufman, George Khoury, Jr., Dr. Nidal and Christine Khoury, Debbie and Robert Mackoul, Sabry and Anne Glynn Mackoul, Rafik Mahab, Carol Makhoul, Michael and Corrine Mallia, Linda Mantia, Denise and Christopher McBride, Edith Tadross O’Donnell, Dr. Amer and Chaza Rafiaa, Maria Russo, Karen Sadaka, Theodore Sadaka, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Linda and George Salamy, Victor and Joyce Samaha, Louis Saverese, Gladys Schroeder, Dennis and Barbara Shawah, William and Nadia Soued, Anthony Speer, Karen and Matthew Spolar, Hiam Sukkarieh, Michael Tadross, Irene Tashji, Marie Tashji, Marilyn and Michael Tulaney, Gisele and George Wardi, Henry Wardi, Jeffrey Zahka, Gale Zarr, Marie Zarr, Malakie and Richard Zogob, Cindy & Gregory Zrake, and Rose Zrake.
If you have not yet made a pledge or contribution toward this project, please find a pledge card on the table at the back of the hall, or see any Parish Council member. The pledge card will provide an opportunity to make a one-time donation or a pledge for payment over a period of six months.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my estate plan?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, November 12 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 14 Adult Discussion Group, 7:00 PM
Thursday, November 15 Advent Begins
Friday, November 16 Midnight Run, 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 17 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Thursday, November 29 Ladies Baking and Boutique Set up
Saturday, December 22 Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Christmas Gathering
FROM THE FATHERS – “Consider all men to be your brothers, and sick brothers at that. And if you come to feel that God has given you better health than others, now that it is given through mercy, so in health you may serve your frailer brothers.”
St. Nikolai Velimerovich
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America