Sunday, November 24, 2019
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 1
After-Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple – Tone 4
Today the Virgin is the foreshadowing of the pleasure of God, and the beginning of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. Thou hast appeared in the Temple of God openly and hast gone before, preaching Christ to all. Let us shout with one thrilling voice, saying, Rejoice, O thou who art the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.
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 – Ephesians 2:4-10 (Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 27.9, 1. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Gospel – Luke 18:18-27 (Thirteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 2:14-22 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 18:35-43 (Fourteenth Sunday of Luke)
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.
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.
HOLY BREAD – Gale Zarr and Marie Zarr will offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George Zarr, Sr., Gregory Zarr, Gail Hall Zarr, Rose Zarr, and Dolores Marinacci for the month of November. Donors are welcome for December and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
NOVEMBER 24, 2019 – TWENTY-THIRD 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.
TODAY, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Basil Kazan, Paul Dib, Albert Ganim, Diab Hattoum, Eva Jobe, Antonia Khoury, Zakia Tannous Khoury, Theresa Kirshy, Mary Monier, Pauline Nehme, Elias Rahhal, Edward Sarkis, Melkon Sayegh, Freda Sayegh, and Souhaila Jada Sciacchitano. Memory eternal!
Leila and Ray Trabulsi of Lincoln, RI, offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of Joseph and Kristi Khouzami, George and Nicole Khouzami, and Samir and Lorraine Katen and Families. Many years!
Albert Absey offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Sarkis, Fred Sayegh, and Melkon Sategh. Memory eternal!
George Khoury, Jr. offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his mother, Antonia Khoury. Memory eternal!
Gerald Scrosati offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Robert L. Sabah. Memory eternal!
The Family of Mikhail Elsouss offers Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Joseph Davis, Rasheed Hajjar, Alfred Hanna, Eva Jobe, Sylvia Khouri, Jasmine Lattof, Tewfik Lewis, Pauline Maloof, Albert Massab, Lian Massab, Rose Nahmee, Herta Schroers, Felipe Trabolsi, and Virginia Zarr. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Parish Council 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.”
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.
COFFEE HOUR – In the absence of a specific donor for today’s Coffee Hour the Parish Council will place a basket on the table for our free will offerings. Thank you!
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
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 (NJ), 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.
NATIVITY FAST – The Nativity Fast began on Friday, November 15. This Fast is divided into two periods: the first is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil) is observed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with katalysis for wine and olive oil (some also permit fish) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine, and olive oil on Saturdays and Sundays; the second is the period of the Forefeast, December 20 through 24, when the traditional fasting discipline is observed Monday through Friday, with katalysis for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday. There is an informal dispensation for Thanksgiving Day!
HUMANITARIAN PROJECT - The Ladies of St. Mary’s thank everyone who has donated a hygiene kit for the Midnight Run to the homeless. We have collected 85 kits so far, and our goal is 100! If you have not had the chance to donate one yet, please try to make one and forward it to any of the Ladies. In a one gallon Zip-lock bag, please put one washcloth, one bar of soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, one disposable razor, a comb, and three band-aids. Thank you as always for your kindness and charity!”
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. 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 Sunday afternoon 11/24 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 (917) 771-2427 if you are available.
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH – Save the date for the Order of St. Ignatius Christmas Gathering on Friday, December 20, following Great Vespers at 6 PM at St. George Church in Little Falls, NJ. This year everyone is invited, not just current members of the Order. A formal invitation will follow. For more information contact Zlata Ryan, Administrator of the Order, at (724) 238-3677 x410, or email theorder@antiochianvillage.org. Please consider induction into the Order when Metropolitan JOSEPH visits on January 5. Please see Fr. Michael, Dianna Russo Kitchen, or any member of the Order for more information. We already have four new commitments!
CHRISTMAS WREATHS – For the first time, the Ladies of St. Mary’s invite everyone to sponsor a wreath to hang on our fence. You may offer a wreath in a loved one’s memory or to honor a living person. Your name and dedication will appear on the inside of the wreath. For more information, please see Gale Zarr, Sandra Arida, or any member of the Ladies.
ADULT EDUCATION – We will offer three weeks of meditations on the theme of the Nativity of Christ on Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:30 PM. Please see the flyer in this bulletin.
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Toast the New Year at St. Mary’s Church. Enjoy a full course Middle Eastern mazza, dinner, dessert, including Black Label, wine, and soft drinks. $100 per adult, $65 for children 4-15. RSVP to Josephine Zgheib at (718) 666-8973 or Lama Rajha at (929) 372-5711.
LITTLE-BIT-O-LUCK LOTTERY – Please see Bob Sabbagh or Deacon Farid Farkouh after church to secure one of 100 $100 tickets for the annual drawing. Only 10 remain.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, November 30 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, December 2 Endowment Foundation Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 4 Advent Reflections, 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 5 Ladies baking and Christmas Boutique set-up, 9:30 AM
Friday, December 6 Christmas Boutique set-up, 11:30 AM
Saturday, December 7 Christmas Boutique, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 8 Christmas Boutique after Divine Liturgy until 3:30 PM
FROM THE FATHERS – “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.
- II Corinthians 9:6-11
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America