Sunday, December 8, 2019
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 3
Forefeast of the Conception of the Theotokos
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 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
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 4:1-7 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11,1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is only body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Gospel – Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed and not on the sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 1:8-18 (Hieromartyr Eleutherios)
Luke 14:16-24 (Sunday of the Holy Forefathers of Christ)
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.
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
DECEMBER 8, 2019 – TWENTY-FIFTH 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 8 – We 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 offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Gloria Hawaweeny and Charles Macrina. Memory eternal!
Madeline Rosenberger of Leawood, KS, offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Isabel Zrake and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation and an 18-month memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Sebastian Rothhammer. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Bertha Abouchar, Josephine Awad, Alexander E. Deeb, Kazan El-Hajj, Jean Fadool, Charles Farkouh, Richard Farkouh, Hafina Haddad, Gloria Hawaweeny, James Jobe, Najla Khoury, Nabeeha Klam, Edward Mannessa, Edward Mamary, Elizabeth Nader, Michael Takla, Edward Thabit, Zouhat Thabit, Eli Zrake, and Najeeb Zrake. Memory eternal!
Nicole and George Khouzami and Kristi and Joseph Khouzami and Families will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Nouhad Khouzami. Memory eternal!
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.
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.”
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!
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, 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 invite everyone to join them for the second day of their Christmas Boutique this afternoon.
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 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!
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 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 two more weeks of meditations on the theme of the Nativity of Christ on Wednesdays, December 11, and 18 at 7:30 PM. Please see the flyer in this bulletin.
2020 CHURCH CALENDARS – We will distribute the new calendars at the end of the Divine Liturgy, and a supply will be available in the narthex. We thank our sponsors, McLaughlin Funeral Home and Bay Ridge Honda and the Robert Sabbagh Family.
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.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES – The Pastor’s Discretionary Account welcomes contributions during the Christmas-Epiphany season to support cases of urgent need both inside and outside the parish. Make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church earmarked “PDA.”
YEAR END GIVING – Avoid capital gains taxes on appreciated securities, or reduce the pain of declining issues, by donating them to St. Mary’s Church!
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, December 8 Christmas Boutique after Divine Liturgy until 3:30 PM
Monday, December 9 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 11 Advent Reflection Series, 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 14 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Family Night – Saints Nicholas and Barbara
Wednesday, December 18 Advent Reflection Series, 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 19 DGK Parochial School Christmas Program, 6:00 PM
Friday, December 20 Great Vespers @ St. George Church, Little Falls, NJ, 6 PM
Saturday, December 21 Retirement Banquet for Fr. Joseph Allen
Sunday, December 22 Choir Christmas Concert after Coffee Hour
Tuesday, December 24 Vespral Divine Liturgy, 10:00 AM followed by Pageant
Festal Matins, 10:00 PM, Divine Liturgy, 11:00 PM
FROM THE FATHERS – “All the unpleasant things which are within your soul and cause you anxiety can become occasions for the glorification of God and cease to torment you. Have trust in God. Then you will forget your worries and become His instruments. Distress shows that we are not entrusting our life to Christ. Doesn’t St. Paul say, ‘We are afflicted on every side, but not distressed?’ Deal with everything with love, kindness, meekness, patience and humility. Be rocks. Let all the waves break over you and burn back leaving you untroubled. You’ll say, ’That sounds fine, but is it possible?’ The answer is ‘Yes, always – with the grace of God.’ If we look at things in human terms, of course, it is impossible. But instead of affecting you adversely, all these things can be of benefit to you, increasing your patience and your faith. Because all the difficulties that surround us represent a kind of gymnastics for us. We exercise ourselves in patience and endurance.
- Elder Prophyrios the Kapsokalyvite
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America