Sunday, October 6, 2019

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Tone 7 and Eothinon 5

Thomas the Apostle Called “The Twin”

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 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 St. Thomas – Tone 3

O holy Apostle Thomas, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

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 6:1-10 (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people

Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

BRETHREN, working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Gospel – Luke 7:11-16 (Third Sunday of Luke)

AT THAT TIME, Jesus went to a city called Na’in, and many of his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”

Next week’s homework: Titus 3:8-15 (Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council)

Luke 8:5-15 (Fourth Sunday of Luke)

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.

EARLY NOTICE – Please notice that there will be no services at St. Mary’s Church on Saturday, October 19 or Sunday, October 20. Metropolitan JOSEPH has directed us to close on those days so that our people can share the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral. Over that weekend we will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the original founding of the Cathedral, the 100th Anniversary of its State Street location, the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Thomas Zain, and the elevation of Fr. Adrian Budica to the dignity of the archpriesthood

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.

OCTOBER 6, 2019 – SIXTEENTH 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 6 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dorothy Howie, Gary Kassatly, Bernice Wardi Lutfy, Nora Manolescu, Elias Massabni, Alice S. Merhige, Edmund Shawah, Herbert Trabulsi, Fred Zahka, Antoun Zgheib, Edna and Philip Zrike. Memory eternal!

NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Doris Farkouh Creidy, Zahaya Dahab, Janet M. Gehshan, John G. Golam, James Haddad, Raymond Halabi, Margaret Mackoul, Joan Maffetone, Lynda Massawir, Helen Orfaly, Rose Rowady, George A. and Virginia M. Sahadi, Edith Khoury Tadross, Mitchell A. Tadross, Michael Zarouni, Victor N. Zrake, and George Zraick. Memory eternal!

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 – 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.”

COFFEE HOUR – Nahla Bittar sponsors this week’s Coffee Hour in loving memory of her departed husband Ghassan Fattouh. Memory eternal!

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.

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.

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 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 Balleview Orchards. There will also be a buffet of Thanksgiving favorites. All proceeds from the sale of tickets and free will donations will support the Holy Cross Brooklyn Outreach Center. 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.

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.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD – We are looking for a volunteer or an organization to manage this year’s Community Christmas Card. We will provide the contact information and mailing instructions both for the solicitation of subscribers and distribution of the card. If you would like to take on this task, please see Parish Council Chair Daria Mayrose or Fr. Michael.

LADIES OF ST. MARY’S – The Ladies of St. Mary’s will hold the regular monthly meeting today on the balcony following the Divine Liturgy. All women of the parish are welcome and encouraged to participate. Please see Ladies’ President Sandra Arida for more information.

NEW NATIVITY SET – The Parish Council has declared “Christmas in July!” We are hoping to replace our lawn Nativity set which was damaged during the original 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.

FALL RETREAT – The Antiochian Women of the East (AWE) will host a one-day retreat at Holy Protection Monastery, in White Haven, PA, (approximately 2 hours from Brooklyn) on Saturday, October 12. Fr. Donald Shadid will be the keynote speaker. For registration email AWEOrthodox1973@gmail.com by October 2, or call Angela Saliby at (703) 582-4232. For more information, please see Ladies of St. Mary’s President Sandra Arida.

PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, October 9 Inquirer’s Class, 7:00 PM

Thursday, October 10 Adult Education, 7:30 PM

Saturday, October 12 AWE Retreat @ Holy Protection Monastery

Great Vespers, 5:00 PM

Monday, October 14 Parish Council, 7:30 PM

Saturday, October 19 No Great Vespers at St. Mary’s Church

Hall Rental

St. Nicholas Cathedral Celebration Banquet

Sunday, October 20 No Divine Services at St. Mary’s Church

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas Cathedral

FROM THE FATHERS – “I always emphasize that young people should try to live as spiritually as they can before marriage, since preserving their chastity secures their physical and spiritual health. The spiritual life is a basic prerequisite to whatever life one chooses. The world has become like a wheat field that is ready for harvest, but swine enter and trample it. So now everything is in disarray – weeds, mud, wheat stalks; but here and there on some edge, there is an occasional wheat stalk stranding upright. The more spiritual work one does during his youth, the easier it will be for him in all things later in life.”

Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos

A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America