Sunday, October 20, 2019
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 1 and Eothinon 7
Great-martyr Artemius at Antioch
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of the Great Martyr Artemius – Tone 4
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
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 Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – II Corinthians 9:6-11 (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 32.22,1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
BRETHREN, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Gospel – Luke 8:27-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gad’arenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as he stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me.” For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.] Jesus then asked him “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all of the people of the surrounding country of the Gad’arenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into a boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming through the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 11:31-12:9 (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 8:41-56 (Seventh Sunday of Luke)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church.
OCTOBER 20, 2019 – EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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.
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 receive the blessing and partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor during the coffee hour and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE.
TODAY, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Selma Abouchar, Edward Arida, Selma Assatly, Hazel, Fareed, Mary and Sophie Fauty, Angel Folsey, Henry Hadad, Sr., George P. James, George and Samia Khoury, Marie Khoury, Adma Razook, Beder and Sadallah Sabbagh, and Temam Samra. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Zakia Abdalla, Ameen K. Arida, Spiro Haddad, Afif Hazem, Gabriel Kouchary, John Martin, Selma McKaba, Maria Ann Sabah, Michel Al-Kirsheh, Matilda Couri Boutross, Aleer Couri, Delia Deeb, Alfred Farkouh, Rose Jabron, Lily Karkenny, Anthony Kinge, Gabriel Kouchary, Najla Sahadi, and Susan Texeira. Memory eternal!
Georgette Macrina and Louise Sahadi will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of their parents, Virginia and George Sahadi. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – October is Youth Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Members of Teen SOYO will serve as ushers and readers. Because Church School is taking place during Matins, the students can remain with their parents so that families can receive Holy Communion together. The ushers will assist us in proceeding row by row so that we can distribute Holy Communion “decently and in order.”
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.
THEOLOGICAL OFFERING – Our October pledge envelopes included a green envelope marked “Theological Offering.” This account is one of the three mandatory “trays” we collect each year for the Antiochian Archdiocese and supports our seminaries in North America. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. 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 generous support of our seminaries.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Clair Banat (Norwegian), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Anissa DeGroat, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Rayanne (Haddad) Harney, Malak Karkenny, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, George Lewis, Jr., Loulou Malouf, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (PA), 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.
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
EPISTLE READERS – We would like to include as many people as possible in the liturgical celebrations. If you would like to read the epistle in either English or Arabic, please see Fr. Michael.
HUMANITARIAN PROJECT - The Ladies of St. Mary’s invite all of our parishioners to join them in a vital humanitarian project this Fall. We will be preparing hygiene kits once again, to be distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Runs. Our goal is 100 kits! In a one gallon Ziplock bag, please include: 1 washcloth, bar of soap, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, disposable razor, and 3 band-aids. You may give your kit to any member of the Ladies, and we will forward them. Thank you for your generosity and charity!
INQUIRER’S CLASS – We will offer “An Introduction to Holy Orthodoxy” on Wednesdays in October at 7:00 PM. No experience necessary. Please see Fr. Michael for more information.
ADULT EDUCATION – Our Adult Education class for the fall will be a reading of The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan KALLISTOS (Ware) on the Thursdays of October at 7:30 PM. Please see Fr. Michael on how to obtain a copy of the book. All are welcome!
FALL HARVEST LUNCHEON – St. Mary’s Church School/PTO invites everyone to a Fall Harvest Luncheon on Sunday, November 10. We will feature raffles for gift baskets, including from Battleview Orchards. There will also be a buffet of Thanksgiving favorites. All proceeds from the sale of tickets and free will donations will support the new Nativity Set. In order to bring a little holiday joy to the homeless, we are accepting donations towards the meal and raffle baskets. Our Thanksgiving-themed baskets contain fruit, vegetables, pantry goods, and hostess items to help make the winners’ Thanksgiving celebrations special. Basket donations can be in the form of items, complete baskets, or donations toward the purchase of items. For more information, please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (917) 755-4758.
NEW NATIVITY SET – The Parish Council has declared “Christmas in July!” We are replacing our lawn Nativity set which was damaged during the renovation and expansion of the church hall. Although the temperatures are in the 60’s, Winter will be here soon, and we want to be ready. If you would like to contribute to this special project, make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church earmarked “Nativity Set.” Please see Parish Council Chair Daria Mayrose or Fr. Michael for more information.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE - The Ladies of St. Mary's are preparing for the Annual Christmas Boutique in Couri Hall on Saturday, December 7, (9:00am - 4:30pm) and Sunday, December 8, (12:30pm - 3:30pm). 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, or Nahla Fattouh at (718) 909-6727. By Sunday, November 3, 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 on Thursday, December 5, 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 Sunday afternoon, December 8, to pack up after the Boutique. Please contact Gale Zarr at (917) 771-2427 if you are available.
ON-LINE GIVING – St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or check. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
ARABIC WISDOM - With the help of one of our priests, we hope to begin sending out spiritual passages for the salvation of our souls, in the Arabic language. If you or anyone you know is interested in receiving quotes of the day, writings of the Fathers, lives of the saints, etc., in Arabic, please send your name and email address to meletioszafaran@yahoo.com.
LOST AND FOUND – We have placed a box for items left behind in the hallway opposite the church office. We will hold things there for one month and then donate them to the homeless.
BOOKSTORE VOLUNTEERS – We are looking for volunteers to help with the management and operation of our parish Bookstore. If you are interested and available, please see Lorraine Deeb or Parish Council Chair Daria Mayrose.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, October 20 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas Cathedral
Wednesday, October 23 Inquirers Class, 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 24 Adult Education, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 26 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Wednesday, October 30 Inquirers Class, 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 31 No Adult Education
Friday, November 1 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Family Pot Luck Supper and Game Night
FROM THE FATHERS – “Let us maintain an attentiveness which keeps our body in permanent tension. Thanks to this tension, even when we sleep we can bear in mind the aim of our life. Prayer can penetrate as far as what psychologists call the subconscious. A true ascetic keeps control over what happens in himself at all times, even during sleep. If bad thoughts arise, he gets up and prays. Thus, little by little, our conscience will illuminate everything we do in daily life.”
- Archimandrite Sophrony of Essex
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America