Sunday, December 1, 2019
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 7 and Eothinon 2
Holy Prophet Nahum
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 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 Pre-Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 3
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to God the Word ineffably, Who was before all the ages. Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the ages is God.
Epistle – Ephesians 2:14-22 (Twenty-Fourth 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, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Gospel – Luke 18:35-43 (Fourteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 4:1-7 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
DECEMBER 1, 2019 – TWENTY-FOURTH 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.
DECEMBER IS ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE
TODAY, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 – We 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!
Lauraice Ganim offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Albert Ganim. Memory eternal!
Souad Haddad and sons Andrew and Anthony offer Prayers of Oblation and a 20-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of their husband and father, the servant of God Ghassan Haddad. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Assatly, George Ayoub, George Ellien, Nellie Ellien, Helen Figuccio, Maria Hajjar, Jamiel Howie, Very Rev. Abdallah Khoury, Fred Khoury, Laura Makhoul, Faris Razook, Josephine Razook, Nicholas Sabah, Nancy Schmitt one year, Edith B. Shagoury, Mary Shahin, Mike Simon, Adele Sullivan, Sarah Zarouni, Isabel Zrake, and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
Georgette Macrina and Louise Sahadi will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Gloria Hawaweeny and Charles Macrina. Memory eternal!
Rana Yaziji offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raja Yaziji, Iskandar Yaziji, and Maher Khayat Kahale. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi will offer Prayers of Oblation and the Trisagion Prayers for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Sebastian Rothhammer. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch 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.
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for December and succeeding months. Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the rest of the year. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.
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!”
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has placed specially marked boxes in the narthex for their annual Canned Food Drive and Winter Coat Drive. Both of these projects will benefit the hungry and homeless of Brooklyn and New York City.
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. MEN VOLUNTEERS are 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. Please consider induction into the Order when Metropolitan JOSEPH visits on January 5.
CHRISTMAS WREATHS – For the first time, the Ladies of St. Mary’s invite everyone to sponsor a wreath to hang on our fence. Your name will appear beside 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.
RETIREMENT BANQUET - Fr. Joseph Allen, the pastor of our sister parish of St. Anthony in Bergenfield, NJ, is retiring after 53 years. A celebration weekend is planned, December 21-22. If interested in attending, details are available at www.stanthonybergenfield.org.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT - ‘Tis the season! St. Mary’s Choir invites all our parishioners and friends to join them for a Christmas Carol Sing in the Church immediately following Coffee Hour, on Sunday December 22, 2019. Bring your voices! Words provided!
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.
EPIPHANY LUNCHEON - The Ladies of St. Mary’s cordially invite our parishioners to the annual Epiphany Luncheon, to be held in Couri Hall, on Sunday, January 5, 2020, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH will be our honored guest. Tickets are $60 for adults and $25 for children under 12. Please contact Linda Mantia at 718-836-7146 for reservations.
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 four tickets remain.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE - Summer Camp registration will open on Tuesday, December 10. Go to www.avcamp.org/summer-camp. Winter Family Camp will be January 17-20. Go to www.avcamp.org/other-programs/winter-camp.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my estate plan?
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.
LOST AND FOUND – We have placed a box for items left behind in the narthex. We will hold things there for one month and then donate them to the homeless.
DATES TO REMEMBER
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
Monday, December 9 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 14 Family Night – SS Nicholas and Barbara Party
FROM THE FATHERS – “All Christians, clergy, laity, and monks, when rising from sleep must first think of and remember Christ.”
- St. Paisius Velichkovsky
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America