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 17, 2024
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 4 and Eothinon 10
Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neo-Caesarea
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Apolytikion of St. Gregory of Neo-Caesarea – Tone 8
By vigilance in prayer, and continuance in the working of wonders, thou didst acquire thine achievements as a surname; wherefore, intercede with Christ our God, O Father Gregory, to enlighten our souls, lest we sleep in sin unto death.
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 Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple – Tone 4
The all-pure temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today entered the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit: whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle.
Epistle – Galatians 2:16-20 (Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 103.24,1. O Lord, how magnificent are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
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: Galatians 6:11-18 (Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 18:18-27 (Thirteenth 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.”
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.
HOLY BREAD – 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.
NOVEMBER 17, 2024 – TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER 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.
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 17 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Claire Banat, Paul Dib, Edward Richard Eadeh, Alice Elkas, Robert A. Forcina, Charlene Alekel Goldrick, George R. Haddad, Robert E. Mackoul, Aziz Malika, George Malouf, Moufid Taweel, and Gregory Zarr. Memory eternal!
Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the servants of God Loulou and George Malouf. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Alice Elkas. 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Ganim, Antonia Khoury, Zakia Tannous Khoury, Edward Sarkis, Freda and Melkon Sayegh, Gladys Schroeder, and Souhaila Jada Sciacchitano. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Dr. Alice Farkouh (Egers, Staten Island), Raymond Saleeby (Morristown), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
FEAST OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS – We will celebrate Festal Orthros at 7 PM and the Divine Liturgy at 8 PM on Wednesday, November 20, in anticipation of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. Please begin your Eucharistic fast after an early and light lunch.
FALL BIBLE STUDY – There will be no Bible Study this week because of the services for the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos nor next week due to Thanksgiving.
OUR TIME – Our senior fellowship, “Our Time,” will meet on Wednesday, November 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.
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 10. We will distribute all items to the Pan-Orthodox Holy Cross Outreach Center on 4th Avenue.
IOCC SUNDAY – Our November pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for “International Orthodox Christian Charities” dated November 24. 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.
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.
LOTTERY – Dianna Russo Kitchen or George Trisciuzzi are managing this year’s annual Little-Bit-o-Luck Lottery in Deacon Farid’s absence. Please see Dianna or George to reserve your ticket.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, November 18 Parish Council, 7 PM
Wednesday, November 20 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Festal Orthros, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy, 8 PM
Thursday, November 21 Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
Saturday, November 23 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, November 24 IOCC Sunday
Saturday, November 30 No Great Vespers
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Cheerfulness consists in not regarding things as our own, but as entrusted to us by God for the benefit of our fellow servants. It consists in scattering them abroad generously with joy and magnanimity, not reluctantly or under compulsion.”
- St. Symeon the New Theologian
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America