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 3, 2024
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 2 and Eothinon 8
Martyrs Akepsimas, Joseph and Aeithalas of Persia
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 for the Persian Martyrs – Tone 4
Thy martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For, since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
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 11:31-12:9 (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117.14, 18. The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse. The Lord has chastened me sorely.
BRETHREN, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.
I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows – and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, but I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Gospel – Luke 16:19-31 (Fifth Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SAID, “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.’”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 1:11-19 (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 10:25-37 (Eighth 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 to “chat.”
NOVEMBER 3, 2024 – NINETEENTH 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, NOVEMBER 3 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nicholas L. Assatly, Stanley Fadel, Henry Hadad, Assad Hanna, Olga and Salem Jabara, Delores and Paul Jabara, Evelyn Mouracade, Josephine Tadross, and Mary and Richard Zraick. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Michele Ateyeh, John L. Boojamra, Leila Dahdouh, Rashida Marie Haddad, Wajiba Kaba, Victoria Khoury, Dorothy Madey, George Massabni, Gabriella R. Sadaka, and Nicholas Sahadi. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Alice Farkouh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, and Rose Zrake (at home).
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! The Zarr Family will offer 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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR NOVEMBER – We observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) on Wednesdays and Fridays. The fasting period of Advent begins on November 15 and continues until Christmas Day.
OUR TIME – Our senior fellowship, “Our Time,” will meet on Wednesdays, November 6 and 20. The fellowship also sponsors pickleball on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9. Everyone is welcome!
HURRICANE AND LEBANON RELIEF – In response to the appeals of Metropolitan SABA we continue to receive offerings in support of our churches and people who sustained losses during the recent hurricanes and in support of the suffering people of Lebanon. Please make checks payable to St. Mary’s Church with “hurricane” or “Lebanon” in the memo line.
HARVEST LUNCHEON - The Parish Council invites the parish family to the Fall Harvest Luncheon on Sunday, November 10, in the church hall following Divine Liturgy. Volunteers are needed to donate either completed theme-based gift baskets or items that can be used to assemble gift baskets for the raffles. Anybody who wishes to donate or donate towards the raffles please see Lorraine Deeb. Nahla Bittar is once again organizing the menu donations, so anyone wishing to contribute a tray, or donate toward any item on the simple preset menu should see Nahla.
FALL BIBLE STUDY – We continue our Bible Study at 7 PM on Wednesdays. We will study the Gospel of Luke. We will use the Orthodox Study Bible which is available from our parish bookstore. Please see Lorraine Deeb to obtain a copy. For remote access use the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE – The Ladies of St. Mary's are preparing for the Christmas Boutique in Couri Hall on Saturday, December 7, from 9:30 AM to 4 PM, and on Sunday, December 8 after church. Items will be sold and the gift baskets and 50/50 raffles 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 donations of china, elegant glassware, collectibles and new items. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS on Sunday afternoon December 8 to assist packing up after the Boutique. Please contact Gale Zarr (917) 771-2427 if you are available to help or have any questions.
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 – Why should I include St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan? To honor my parents who bequeathed me their faith. To provide for the spiritual life of my children in this secular age. To provide a legacy for my grandchildren. To offer a place of refuge for the stranger and seeker.
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, November 6 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Bible Study, 7 PM
Saturday, November 9 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, November 10 Fall Harvest Luncheon
Friday, November 15 Advent Fast Begins
Saturday, November 16 Pet Blessing, 2 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “If the Holy Spirit is peace of soul, as He is said to be, and as He is in reality, and if anger is disturbance of heart, as it actually is and as it is said to be, then nothing so prevents His presence in us as anger.”
- St. John Climacus
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America