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 26, 2023
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 3
Venerable Alypios the Stylite of Adrianople
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 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 for the Preparation for the Nativity – Tone 3
Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest, and glorify with the angels and shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God before the ages.
Epistle – Ephesians 4:1-7 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11,1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is only body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Gospel – Luke 18:18-27 (Thirteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 5:8-19 (Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 18:35-43 (Fourteenth 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.”
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION – The Advent Fast is one of the four major periods when the Church recommends that believers participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession/Repentance. The pastor is available before or after any of the divine services or by appointment.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
NOVEMBER 26, 2023 – TWENTY-FIFTH 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 26 - We 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!
Carol Furer offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Paul T. Dib. Memory eternal!
George Khoury, Jr. offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his parents, the servants of God Toni and George Khoury, Sr. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Jamiel Howie, Very Rev. Abdallah Khoury, Laura Makhoul, Lian Massab, Robert Mouracade, Josephine Razook, Nancy Schmidt, Herta Schroers, Marianne Trabulsi, Nellie and George Ellien, and Virgina Zarr. Memory eternal!
Carol Makhoul and Denise McBride will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of their mother, the handmaiden of God Laura Makhoul. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Charlie Bryant (UPenn), Alice Farkouh (Ocean Medical Center), 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.
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.
MEMORY ETERNAL! The servant of God Robert Mackoul departed this life last Monday in the hope of the Resurrection. His funeral was yesterday here at St. Mary’s Church. We extend our sympathies to his wife Debbie and to his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Memory eternal!
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including next Wednesday, December 6, from 1-3 PM. All are welcome. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information. In addition, Our Time sponsors Pickleball on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 PM. All players and spectators are welcome.
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.
LITTLE BIT ‘O LUCK – Once again Deacon Farid Farkouh has tickets available for the annual Little Bit ‘o Luck Drawing. Please see Deacon at the Coffee Hour, or contact him at farkouhfarid@gmail.com.
ST. BARBARA COSTUME PARTY – Please see the flyer in this bulletin about the December 9 St. Barbara Costume Party for children. All are welcome!
CHOIR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - St. Mary’s Choir will offer a program of Christmas music immediately following Liturgy on December 17. We cordially invite all our parishioners to enjoy! Happily, this year we can all sing Christmas carols together. Word sheets will be provided.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, November 30 Boutique Set up
Friday, December 1 Boutique Set up
Saturday, December 2 Ladies’ Christmas Boutique, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 3 Ladies’ Christmas Boutique after Church
Tuesday, December 5 Orthros & Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 6 PM
Wednesday, December 6 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, December 9 St. Barbara Costume Party after Great Vespers
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Observe fasting, temperance and simplicity in food and drink; do not seek after riches or luxury; strive to be contented with little; keep peace with all, respect and love all, envy none; and, above all, strive ever to bear Christ in your heart, and you shall live in peace.”
- St. John of Kronstadt
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America