Sunday, October 18, 2020
Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke
Tone 2 and Eothinon 8
Martyr Marinos the Elder at Anazarbos
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, 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 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 – Colossians 4.5-11, 14-18 (Apostle Luke the Evangelist)
Prokeimenon. Their voice has gone into all the earth.
Verse. The heavens declare the glory of God.
BRETHREN, conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.
Tychicos will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place.
Aristarchos my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions – if he comes to you, receive him), and Jesus who is called Justos. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippos, “See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 12:16-21 (Ninth Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
As he said this, Jesus called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Next week’s homework: Galtaians 1:11-19 (20th Sunday After Pentecost)
Luke 8:26-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please reverently hear these prayers before beginning an online “chat.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church/home.
OCTOBER 18, 2020 – HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE
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.
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, OCTOBER 18– We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Selma Abouchar, Edward Arida, Selma Assatly, Hazel, Fareed, Mary, and Sophie Fauty, Angel Folsey, Henry Hadad, Sr., George P. James, Samia and George Khoury, Marie Khoury, Adma Razook, Beder and Sadallah Sabbagh, and Temam Samra. Memory eternal!
Gail and Wade Saadi offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Donald A. Ballan. Memory eternal!
Audrey and Charlie Sahadi offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Helen Haddad. Memory eternal!
Audrey and Charlie Sahadi and Malakie and Richard Zogob offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Terry Tashji. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Zakia Abdalla, Ameen K. Arida, Spiro Haddad, Afif Hazem, Gabriel Kouchary, John Martin, Selma McKaba, Maria Ann Sabah, Michel Al-Kirsheh, Matilda Couri Boutross, Aleer Couri, Delia Deeb, Alfred Farkouh, Rose Jabron, Lily Karkenny, Anthony Kinge, Gabriel Kouchary, Susan Texeira, and Lorraine Zraick. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Gladys Schroeder (CareOne, Creskill, NJ), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Dr. Alice Farkouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Gary Gangone, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Eddie Hanna, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Tony Tadross, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, 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.
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
MEMORY ETERNAL! Last Sunday the servant of God Terry Tashji departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection. Funeral services were on Wednesday at St. Mark Syrian Orthodox Church in Paramus, NJ. We extend our sympathies to his daughters Laura, Janette, Georgette and Irene and their families.
MEMORY ETERNAL! Last Saturday Helen Haddad departed this life after a prolonged illness in Maine. She was the wife of Dr. Robert Haddad, retired professor at Smith College in Northampton, MA, and a long-time advisor to Metropolitan PHILIP of thrice-blessed memory. Helen was also the sister-in-law of Josette Generale. Services will be private. May she be granted Paradise.
PLEDGE GIVING – During these extraordinary times we ask everyone to maintain their pledge giving as much as possible. Please remember that 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.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We have increased capacity in line with civil and Archdiocese guidelines while still maintaining the social distancing of 6 feet. There is always a possibility that the church may reach social distance capacity in which case worshippers may wait safely 6 feet apart outside the church. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy people outside may enter the church as attendees exit to receive Holy Communion, holy bread, and/or light a candle. We still ask everyone who wants to attend in person either to call the church office or email pastor@smaoc.org ahead of time.
BIBLE STUDY – During the ongoing pandemic we will offer zoom Bible studies on Wednesday at 7:00 PM (https://zoom.us/j/95074870450?pwd=VmJsdEo3Sjh1STh5RFE3dVlNY1FWdz09). This week’s texts will be II Corinthians 9:6-11 and 9:44-50. All are welcome. Sessions will last 40 minutes.
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.
HOUSEHOLD HELP – A neighbor seeks cleaning help weekly or biweekly. Arabic required. Please contact Olga at (718) 696-7449.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 21 Bible Study, 7:00 PM via Zoom
Saturday, October 24 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
We will livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “You should realize that the acquisition of material things and their lavish use is only a short-lived fantasy, and that a virtuous way of life, conforming to God’s will, surpasses all wealth.”
- St. Anthony the Great