Sunday, October 27, 2019
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 2 and Eothinon 8
Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
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.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
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 11:31-12:9 (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117.14, 18. The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse. The Lord has chastened me sorely.
BRETHREN, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.
I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows – and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, but I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Gospel – Luke 8:41-56 (Seventh Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus’ feet, he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
As Jesus went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed by any one, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” But Jesus said, “Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
While Jesus was speaking, a man from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well.” And when Jesus came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and James and John, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but Jesus said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand Jesus called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and Jesus directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Next week’s homework: Galatians 1:11-19 (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 16:19-31 (Fifth Sunday of Luke)
OCTOBER 27, 2019 – NINETEENTH 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.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE.
TODAY, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 – We 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 offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of their parents, Virginia and George Sahadi. Memory eternal!
The Shahem Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the servant of God Dr. Daher Shaem and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Watfa Richeh. A Coffee Hour in their memories will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Michel Al-Kirsheh, Nicholas L. Assatly, Alfred Farkouh, Henry Haddad, Farezza Hallal, Assad Hanna, Alfred Helal, Delores, Olga, Paul, Salem Jabara, Anthony Kinge, Evelyn Mouracade, Helweh Sayage, Josephine Tadross, Lorraine Zraick, and Mary and Richard Zraick. Memory eternal!
The Antiochian Village Camp Alumni will offer Prayers of Oblation and the Trisagion Prayers for the repose of the soul of the camp’s first director, Rt. Rev. Fr. John Namie. 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.
TIME CHANGE – Please remember to “fall back” one our next Saturday night as we return to Eastern Standard Daylight Time.
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 November 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!
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.
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 is reading The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan KALLISTOS (Ware) on the Thursdays; however, there is no class this Thursday, October 31. 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 70’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.
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.
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.
HOLIDAY DRAWING – Robert Sabbagh and Deacon Farid Farkouh are once again co-chairing this year’s Little-Bit-o-Luck Holiday Drawing. Please see Bob or Deacon Farid after church for more information.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 30 Inquirers Class, 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 31 No Adult Education Class this week
Saturday, November 5 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Family Night
FROM THE FATHERS – “In the Holy Spirit is peace of soul, as He is said to be, and as He is in reality, and if anger is disturbance of heart, as it actually is and as it is said to be, then nothing so prevents His presence in us as anger.”
- St. John Climacus
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America