Sunday, October 4, 2020
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 6
Hieromartyr Hierotheos, Bishop of Athens
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 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 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 – II Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Gospel – Luke 6:31-36 (Second Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SAID, “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Next week’s homework: Titus 3:8-15 (Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council)
Luke 8:5-15 (Fourth Sunday of Luke)
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.
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.
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.”
FASTING DISICIPLINE – We maintain the traditional fasting discipline on Wednesday and Friday through the month of October.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church/home.
OCTOBER 4, 2020 – SEVENTEENTH 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, OCTOBER 4 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dorothy Howie, Gary Kassatly, Bernice Wardi Lutfy, Nora Manolescu, Elias Massabni, Alice S. Merhige, Edmund Shawah, Herbert Trabulsi, Fred Zahka, Antoun Zgheib, Edna and Philip Zrike. Memory eternal!
Laila and Ray Trabulsi of Lincoln, RI, offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of Dr. Robert Haddad on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Many years! They also offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Herbert, Victor, and John Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Doris Farkouh Creidy, Zahaya Dahab, Janet M. Gehshan, John G. Golam, James Haddad, Raymond Halabi, Margaret Mackoul, Joan Maffetone, Lynda Massawir, Helen Orfaly, Rose Rowady, George A. and Virginia M. Sahadi, Edith Khoury Tadross, Mitchell A. Tadross, Michael Zarouni, Victor N. Zrake, and George Zraick. Memory eternal!
The Family of Loulou Malouf will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Alissar Dalloul (NYU), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Lily Lang (Fellowship Village, Basking Ridge), Gladys Schroeder (Lutheran), Terry Tashji (Lutheran), 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), Karl Zarr, 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.
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.
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 Ephesians 5:25-33 and Luke 6:46-49, 7:1. We are discontinuing the afternoon session for lack of interest. All are welcome. Sessions will last 40 minutes.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
FIRST FORTY DAYS/COLLEGE CONTACT – Orthodox Campus Fellowship (OCF) is requesting the names and contact information for all college students and college-age young adults in order to maintain contact with them while they are away. Please send the names, email address, student phone, college or military unit to pastor@smaoc.org.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – While we await a final accounting, it is safe to say that this year’s outing will clear $25,000. Bob Mackoul and Daria Mayrose thank the committee for supporting us in hosting the 11th Annual Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Classic during these difficult times through their dedication to the outing and continued hard work - Irene Tashji (Golf/Tennis), John Generale (Treasurer), Josette Generale (Raffles), Yvonne and Anthony Zrake (Registration), Ray Saleeby (Master of Ceremonies), and Parish Council Chairman Christopher Athineos (Livestream). Our outing has been very successful thanks to the support of our parish. We are grateful to all of you who contributed to our beautiful commemorative journal this year. Save the date - 12th Annual Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Classic, Thursday, September 23, 2021!
BEIRUT RELIEF – We have submitted our first contribution to the Archdiocese in support of Beirut. We continue to ask our faithful to make generous donations to alleviate the suffering of Lebanon. If writing a check to “St. Mary’s Church,” please write “Beirut” in the memo line.
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.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD – We are looking for a volunteer or an organization to manage this year’s Community Christmas Card. We will provide the contact information and mailing instructions both for the solicitation of subscribers and distribution of the card. If you would like to take on this task, please see Parish Council Chair Chris Athineos or Fr. Michael.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 7 Bible Study, 2:00 and 7:00 PM via Zoom
Saturday, October 10 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, October 12 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 17 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
We will livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “We must see God in the faces of our children and give God’s love to our children. The children should learn to pray. And in order for children to pray they must have in them the blood of praying parents. This is where some people make the mistake of saying, ‘Since the parents are devout and pray, meditate on Holy Scripture, and bring up their children (Ephesians 6:4) in the nuture and admonition of the Lord, it is natural that they will become good children.’ But nevertheless we see the very opposite result on account of coercion.”
- Elder Prophyrios the Kapsokalyvite