Sunday, January 5, 2020
The Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ
Today’s Hymns and Readings
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 reverence the cross and to partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor, and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of Epiphany – Tone 1
By thy baptism, O Lord, in the River Jordan, worship to the Trinity hath made its appearance; for the voice of the Lord did come forth to thee with the testimony, naming thee His beloved Son; and the Spirit in the likeness of a dove, confirming the truth of the word. Wherefore, O thou who didst appear and lighted the world, O Christ, glory to thee.
Entrance Hymn – Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. The Lord is God and hath appeared unto us. O Son of God, who was baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing unto thee, Alleluia.
Apolytikion of Epiphany – Tone 1
Kontakion of Epiphany – Tone 4
Today thou hast appeared to the universe, O Lord, and thy light hath been shed upon us, who praise thee with knowledge, saying, Thou has come and appeared, O unapproachable Light.
Instead of the Trisagion Hymn (“Holy God…”), “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have truly put on Christ. Alleluia.”
Epistle – Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 (Epiphany)
Prokeimenon. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
MY SON TITUS: The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard thee.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Gospel - St. Matthew 3:13-17 (Epiphany)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it to be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
The rest of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
On “Especially…” Ninth Ode of the First Canon – Tone 2 – Verily all tongues are at a loss to praise thee properly; and every mind, even though transcending the world, is distracted in thy praise, O Theotokos. But because thou art good, accept our faith, having known our divine longing. Wherefore, since thou art the aider of Christians, we do magnify thee.
Communion Hymn – “The grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men. Alleluia.”
Instead of “We have seen the true light…” Apolytikion of the Epiphany, Tone 4
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 4:7-13 (Sunday after Epiphany)
Matthew 4:12-17 (Sunday after Epiphany)
JANUARY 5, 2020 – THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST (celebrated)
This morning we are honored and blessed to welcome our father in Christ, Most Reverend Archbishop JOSEPH, Metropolitan of New York and of all North America, to St. Mary’s Church to preside at this Hierarchical Epiphany Divine Liturgy and to bless the waters. We are also pleased to welcome Rev. Deacon John El Massih. Many years!
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, JANUARY 5 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fred Arida, Dr. Hickmet Arida, Economous Faried Farkouh, Khouria Wassila Farkouh, Anna Habib, Gabriel Hamatie, Mary Hamwi, Olga Kalaf, Robert Malouf, Madeleine Malouf, Rose Merhige, Sally Renieri, Ronald Sadaka, Melia Saydah, Edward Saydah, Edward Shoucaire, Anne Marie Smatt, Demetri Zayat, and Nazli N. Zayat. Memory eternal!
Nicholas Massab offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Donna P. McCarthy on the one-year anniversary of her passing. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Eli T. Abdallah, Juad Arida, Pearl Arida, Nora and Kalel Ballan, Samia Arida, Adele Azeez, Mary Fadool, Ameenie Freije, Edward Ghazal, Emily Ghazal, Pauline Haddad, James Hamod, Maria Hindelly, Tofeek Kaidy, Leila M. Khouri, George John Nahas, Edma Saab, Madeleine H. Salamy, Alberta Samaha, Alexander Trabolsi, Nora Trefz, and Emil Tweel. Memory eternal!
Rose Abdallah and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 10-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Eli Abdallah. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. 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.
HOLY BREAD – Karen and Matthew Spolar offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the months of January and February. Many years! The Farkouh Family also offers the Holy Bread for the month of January in memory of the Economous Farid and Khouryee Wassila Farkouh. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for March and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Parish Council will serve as ushers and readers. Because there is no church school today, the children may stay with their parents to 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.”
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Mary Ganim (Norwegian), Evelyn Shamoun (Perth Amboy), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Anissa DeGroat, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Malak Karkenny, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Raymond Saleeby, Louis Savarese, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), 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.
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH – As Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Month closes, we encourage our faithful members to consider induction into the Order when Metropolitan JOSEPH visits for Epiphany next week. We already have four new inductees. The Order supports many ministries within the Archdiocese but has always placed particular emphasis on clergy retirement and the Antiochian Village Camp. Please see Fr. Michael, Order Ambassadors Marian Russo and Dianna Russo Kitchen, or any member of the Order for more information.
CHURCH SCHOOL - On Sunday, January 12, Church School will return to our prior time frame. All students will receive Communion together, then proceed downstairs for classes. We will begin to discuss this year's Archdiocese Creative contests theme: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the word, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17) We wish everyone a safe, happy, healthy New Year and a Blessed Epiphany!
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS – Brenda and Bobby Sabbagh have donated the Christmas decorations and candles on the pews in loving memory of Beder and Sadallah Sabbagh, Eleanor and George Kalesh, George R. Sabbagh, Victoria and Edgar Saadi, Adele Trisciuzzi, Vivian and George Massab, Alice and Victor Ayoub, and Karen Ayoub. Memory eternal!
NATIVITY SET – We thank the Fallah Family for donating the new Nativity set for the lawn of the church. The Church will keep all the other donations received toward this project in a designated decorating fund for future use. Many years!
CHRISTMAS AND NATIVITY SET OFFERINGS – We acknowledge the offerings of Eli Abdallah and Christina Harvey, Albert Absey, Phyllis Arbeeny, Sandra Arida, Nicole Alrassi, Issam Arnuk, Michelle Braca, Marie and Charles Bryant, Claudette Budai, Christopher Castley, Robert Coogan, Robert and Sandra Coogan, Hassan Dagher, Elias Darzi, Gloria Darzi, Barbara Deeb, Father Michael and Leila Ellias, Anita and John Eyd, Laurice Ganim, John and Josette Generale, Lina and Samer Kaimi, George Khoury, Jr., George and Nicole Khouzami, Lily and Paul Lang, George Maalouf, Sabry, Mackoul, Carol Makhoul, Camil Malouf, Theodore Najjar, Wade Saadi, Janet Sadaka, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Sam Salhany, Eve Schornstein, Dennis and Barbara Shawah, Gary Speer, Hiam Sukkarieh, Irene Tashji, Claudette Teen, Marianne Trabuzzi, Mimi Zahka, Richard and Malakie Zogub
WINTER COAT DRIVE – Teen SOYO has placed a large container in the narthex for their annual Winter Coat Drive. The Coat Drive includes gloves, hats, socks, blankets and sweaters, and will continue through January. Thank you!
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 93 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!”
POINSETTIAS – Please feel free to take home a poinsettia after today’s Divine Liturgy. The church would appreciate any free will offerings.
PLEDGE REMINDER – As we begin the new calendar year we remind our faithful to consider prayerfully their commitment for the year ahead. There is a pledge card in the January offering envelopes, and there are pledge cards in the back of the church. And always remember to include St. Mary’s in your will or estate plan! Thank you.
2020 CHURCH CALENDARS – The 2020 Church Calendars are available in the narthex. We thank our sponsors, McLaughlin Funeral Home and Bay Ridge Honda and the Robert Sabbagh Family.
LITTLE-BIT-O-LUCK LOTTERY – We congratulate Rima and Elias Hazem (first prize), Dr. Alice B. Farkouh (second prize), and Erica Mackoul (third prize), the winners of this year’s drawings. We thank Bob Sabbagh and Deacon Farid Farkouh for managing this project once again.
ESTATE PLANNING – A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make in order to impact the ministry of the Church significantly. An estate plan can include a provision that leaves a lasting gift to St. Mary’s Church. A bequest could be a gift of specific assets, a dollar amount, or a percentage of the estate. A bequest could also be the residue of an estate after all gifts have been made to heirs.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, January 5 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan JOSEPH
Followed by Ladies’ Epiphany Luncheon
Saturday, January 11 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, January 13 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Thursday, January 16 Brooklyn Clergy Brotherhood Lecture here, 7:00 PM
Friday, January 17 Midnight Run
Monday, January 20 Endowment Fund Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 2 Presentation of Christ in the Temple
FROM THE FATHERS – “Do not delay in coming to grace, but hasten, lest the robber outstrip you, lest the adulterer pass you by, lest the insatiate be satisfied before you, lest the murderer seize the blessing first, or the publican or the fornicator, or any of these violent ones who take the Kingdom of heaven by force (cf. Mt.11:12). For it suffers violence willingly, and is tyrannized over through goodness.”
- St. Gregory the Theologian
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
When Thou, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bare witness unto thee, and called thee His beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed these words. O Christ our God, who has appeared to us and has enlightened the world, glory to thee!
- Troparion of the Feast of Epiphany, Tone 1
EPIPHANY 2020
Blessing of Homes
The blessing of homes during the season of Theophany is a long-standing tradition of our Orthodox Church. Following the Great Blessing of Water, it is customary for the priest to visit the homes of the faithful, bringing with him the “blessings of the Jordan.” Through the solemn prayers, we rededicate our home to be a place where a family is guided by Jesus Christ. Since this is the time in our Church Year when we remember the coming of Christ and the beginning of His ministry, when He descended into the Jordan to be baptized by St. John the Forerunner, it is fitting that the Lord enter our homes and our hearts now. It reminds us that we must “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) This is why our homes must be blessed and sanctified on a regular basis.
When the priest comes for the house blessing, please use these guidelines:
1. Have as many family members as possible present for the appointment.
2. Set up a place for prayer in the dining room or kitchen with an icon and candle.
3. Print a list of the first names of all family members, making a distinction between the living and the departed.
4. Turn off the television, radio, stereo, computer or any other distraction.
5. Make the priest aware of any special needs or issues you may have.
6. Tell the priest about any family members who are ill or in need of a visit.
Either complete the form below and return it to the office, or call the office at (718) 238-8008. The Church also blesses homes between Holy Pascha and Pentecost and between the Feast of the Cross and October 1.
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Dear Father Michael:
I/we would like to have you bless my/our home in 2020.
Name: _________________________________ Phone: _____________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Best Season: Between Epiphany (January 6) and Great Lent (March 2)
(Please circle one) Between Holy Pascha (April 19) and Pentecost (June 7)
Between the Feast of the Cross (September 14) and October 1
Best Day: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun (Please circle)
Best Time: ________________ AM