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 SABA
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, November 19, 2023
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 7 and Eothinon 2
Holy Prophet Obadiah
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 7
Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross. Thou didst open paradise to the thief. Thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim a warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world thy Great Mercy.
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 – Ephesians 2:14-22 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
BRETHREN, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
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: Ephesians 4:1-7 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 18:18-27 (Thirteenth Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – The Zarr Family offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of November in loving memory of their dearly departed family members George Zarr, Marie Zarr, Rose Zarr, Gregory Zarr, Gail Hall Zarr, Dolores Marinacci and Nazeer Almumen. Memory Eternal! Additional donors are welcome for November 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 to “chat.”
FEAST OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS – We will celebrate Orthros at 9:30 and the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 21, for the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
NOVEMBER 19, 2023 – TWENTY-FOURTH 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.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Richard Eadeh, Alice Elkas, Albert Ganim, Antonia Khoury, Zakia Tannous Khoury, Aziz Malika, George Malouf, Gladys Schroeder, Souhaila Jada Sciacchitano, and Moufid Taweel. Memory eternal!
Marie and Charlie Bryant, Laura, James, Luke and Oliver Wallace offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Zakia Tannous Khoury. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his mother, the handmaiden of God Alice Elkas. Memory eternal!
The Family of George Malouf offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Paul Dib, Pauline Nehme, Edward Sarkis, Freda Sayegh and Melkon Sayegh. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Charlie Bryant (UPenn), Alice Farkouh (Woodcliff Lake Rehab), Robert Mackoul (Mount Sinai South Nassau), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patty Deluca, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Raymond Saleeby, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISICIPLINE – On November 15 we began the traditional 40-day Advent Fast in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on December 25. The Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, oil and their by-products) is observed. On Tuesdays and Thursdays during this time, wine and oil are permitted. On Saturdays and Sundays during this time, fish, wine and oil are permitted. Some Orthodox eat fish on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays. The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed, with wine and oil permitted on Saturday and Sunday. From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
IOCC SUNDAY – Our November pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for “International Orthodox Christian Charities” dated November 19. We annually receive this collection on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. 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 support of IOCC.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, will not meet this Wednesday. The next gathering will be on Wednesday, December 6.
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has placed two large boxes in the vestibule for their annual Canned Food and Winter Coat Drives. Please bring your contributions between now and December 13. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
TEEN SOYO – The Teens invite everyone ages 11-19 and their parents to submit their updated contact information to the code @f282cf to the number 81010, or go to remind.com/jf282cf to opt in to St. Mary’s Teen SOYO text messages to get alerts about meetings and activities.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE - The Ladies of St. Mary's are preparing for the Christmas Boutique in Couri Hall on Saturday. December 2, and Sunday, December 3 after church. Items will be sold and the gift baskets and 50/50 raffle will be drawn. We are hoping that our very talented bakers will generously donate their specialties. If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact Nahla Bittar at (718) 909 - 6727. This year we are accepting only donations of costume and better jewelry. If you can donate jewelry, please contact Marianne Hindelly at (917) 309-5302 today. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS on Sunday afternoon December 3 to assist packing up after the Boutique. Please contact Gale Zarr (917) 771–2427 if you are available or have any questions.
COLLEGE CONFERENCE – We are encouraging all of our college students and college aged members to consider attending this year’s College Conference at the Antiochian Village during the week after Christmas. We are also seeking donors to underwrite the cost of tuition and transportation for a number of our young people. See Fr. Michael for more information.
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 checking account. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
ESTATE PLANNING – The Fathers gives us His Son at Christmas for eternity. What will I offer to my Mother, St. Mary’s Church, for her future?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, November 21 Orthros, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30
Saturday, November 25 No Great Vespers
Thursday, November 30 Boutique Set up
Friday, December 1 Boutique Set up
Saturday, December 2 Ladies’ Christmas Boutique
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Saturday, December 9 St. Barbara Costume Party
Sunday, December 17 Choir’s Annual Christmas Program and Carol Sing-a-Long
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
- Ephesians 1:3