81st Street and Ridge Boulevard Website: www.smaoc.org
Brooklyn, NY 11209 Church Office: (718) 238-8008
Email: churchsecretary@smaoc.org Rectory: (718) 745-8481
His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Great Feast of Holy Pentecost
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
During the Little Entrance – O Lord, in Thy strength the king shall be glad, and in Thy salvation shall he rejoice exceedingly. The desire of his heart hast Thou granted unto him, and hast not denied him the request of his lips. Thou wentest before him with blessings of goodness, Thou has set upon his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest him length of days unto ages of ages.
Entrance Hymn – Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength. We will sing and praise thy mighty acts. Save us, O good Comforter, as we sing to Thee: Alleluia.
Apolytikion of Pentecost – Tone 8
Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, who has revealed the fishermen as most wise, having sent upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them thou has fished the universe, O Lover of mankind, glory to thee.
Kontakion of Pentecost – Tone 8
When the high One descended, confusing tongues, he divided the nations. And when he distributed the fiery tongues he called all to one unity. Wherefore, in unison we glorify the most Holy Spirit.
Instead of the Trisagion Hymn, “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have truly put on Christ. Alleluia.”
Epistle – Acts 2:1-11 (Sunday of Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 18.4, 1. Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse. The heavens declare the glory of God.
WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
Gospel – John 7:37-52, 8:12 (Sunday of Pentecost)
ON THE LAST DAY OF THE FEAST, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
When they heard these words, many of the people said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.”
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2 (First Sunday and Sunday of All Saints)
Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 (Sunday of All Saints)
FASTING DISCIPLINE – The week following the Sunday of Pentecost is fast-free.
JUNE 12, 2022 – GREAT FEAST OF HOLY 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, JUNE 12 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fouad Allawh, Edward Ateyeh, Jr., Michael Haje, Kathleen Halloran, Eduardo Khouzami, Joseph Mashamesh, Betty Massab, Nicholas Orfaly, Albert Sabah, and Marianne Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Michele Ateyeh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Edward Ateyeh. Memory eternal!
Rose Zrake offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of her son, the servant of God Gregory Zrake. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 19 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Rose and George Samman, Olga and Albert Wardi, and Wadia Zain. Memory eternal!
Marwan Allaham and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of his sister, the handmaiden of God Laila Allaham. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Charlie Bryant (Morristown Memorial), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, John Eyd, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Renee Setteducato, Tony Tadross, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the balance of the year. Donors are welcome for June and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
APOSTLES FAST – Each year the “Apostles Fast” or the “Fast of Saints Peter and Paul” extends from the Monday following All Saints Sunday (next week) until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29). Let’s use this short fast to pray for all those who lost their lives during the pandemic, for those surviving families who sustained losses, and for the Holy Spirit to draw everyone back to church.
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP – “Our Time,” the new fellowship group at St. Mary’s for those over 50, will meet for a pleasurable two hours on Wednesday, June 22 from 1- 3 PM. This gathering will be our last event until September. So, bring your cards, games and friends for an afternoon of fellowship and fun. Share your thoughts and ideas with Marilyn Tulaney at (718) 208-3616.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
FAMILY NIGHT – We have resumed our Family Night gatherings at the church. Our next gathering will be on Friday, June 24 at 7:00 PM. Among other offerings Leen Zgheib will give Debkeh lessons! All are welcome!
MIDNIGHT RUN – On the third Friday of each month Deacon Farid leads a group to participate in the Midnight Run which distributes food and clothing to the homeless on the streets of New York City. Volunteers can help in the early evening to prepare food for distribution, or they can make the actual trip a little later. The next Midnight Run is this Friday, June 17. Please see Deacon Farid to volunteer or for more information.
YOUNG ADULT EVENT – The Young Adults will sponsor a Whiskey and Wine Tasting on Saturday, June 18. Please see the flyer in this bulletin, or call Diana Kaiami at (718) 216-4807 or Amanda Alexander Rich at (917) 703-6043.
OCMC – Our June pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Please support global Orthodox mission efforts with your contributions.
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.
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. Consider naming St. Mary’s as a beneficiary on your retirement accounts (such as an IRA). Qualified charities are able to receive the full value of dollars in these plans without incurring income taxes
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, June 13 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 18 Young Adult-Sponsored Whiskey & Wine Tasting, 7:00 PM
June 20-28 Apostles Fast
Wednesday, June 22 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, June 24 Family Night, 7:00 PM
June 29-July 3 Parish Life Conference @ Antiochian Village
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “You are surprised that the world is losing its grip? That the world is grown old? Don’t hold onto the old man, the world; don’t refuse to regain your youth in Christ, who says to you: ‘The world is passing away; the world is losing its grip; the world is short of breath. Don’t fear, your youth shall be renewed as an eagle.”
- St. Augustine of Hippo