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 Most Reverend 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, December 8, 2024
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 7 and Eothinon 2
Forefeast of the Conception of the Theotokos
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 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 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 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed and not on the sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 1:8-18 (Hieromartyr Eleutherios)
Luke 14:16-24 (Ancestors of Christ)
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.
DECEMBER 8, 2024 – 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.
TODAY, DECEMBER 8 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Jean Fadool, Charles Farkouh, Jamiel Howie, Laura Makhoul, Robert Mouracade, Josephine Razook, Nicholas Sabah, Nancy Schmidt, Evelyn Shamoun, Isabel Zrake, and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
Matthew Gregory and Alessandra Grace Ellias offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of their Tata Laila for her birthday this week. Many years!
Barbara Izzard offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Evelyn and Robert Mouracade and Gladys Schroeder. Memory eternal!
Madeline Rosenberger of Overland Park, KS, offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of her father and aunt, the servants of God George Zrike and Isabel Zrake. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, December 15 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Alexander Deeb, Anna Ghiz, Gloria Hawaweeny, Nabeeha Klam, Charles Macrina, Edward Mamary, Elizabeth Nader, Louis Savarese, and Najeeb and Eli Zrake. Memory eternal!
Sandra Coogan will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her uncle, the servant of God Louis Savarese. Memory eternal!
The Deeb Family will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Laurice and Alexander Deeb, Mary and Nadim Antaky, and Zakieh and Emile Deeb. Memory eternal!
The Zrake Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Rose Zrake. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
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.”
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made an offering for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for December and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
COFFEE HOUR – In the absence of a sponsor for Coffee Hour this week the Parish Council will place a basket on the table for our free will offerings.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Dr. Alice Farkouh (Eger, Staten Island), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Marie Bryant, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Diana Finger, Gloria Jabara, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, William Robinson, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
DECEMBER IS ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH MONTH – Members of the Order will read the epistle and assist the ushering. We ask current members to wear the ribbons or lapel pins. We have lost several members of the Order in the recent past, and we invite new members to step forward to continue this vital ministry. Please see Fr. Michael, any member, or our Order Ambassadors Dianna Russo Kitchen and Marian Russo for more information.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE – The Ladies of St. Mary's will conclude their annual Christmas Boutique in Couri Hall after the Divine Liturgy. Items will be sold, and the gift baskets and 50/50 raffles will be drawn. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS to assist packing up after the Boutique.
ADULT FELLOWSHIP – “Our Time” Adult Fellowship will meet this Wednesday, December 11, 1-3 PM. Please call Marilyn Tulaney at (718) 208-3616 for more information.
FALL BIBLE STUDY – Our study of the Gospel of Luke will continue on-line only on Wednesday at 7 PM. For remote access use the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09.
BOB SABBAGH MEMORIAL LOTTERY – Dianna Russo Kitchen and George Trisciuzzi are managing this year’s annual Little-Bit-o-Luck Lottery in Deacon Farid’s absence. Please see Dianna or George for a ticket.
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 as soon as possible. We will distribute all items to the Pan-Orthodox Holy Cross Outreach Center on 4th Avenue.
NARROWS COMMUNITY THEATER – Our own Connor Mayrose and Susanna Regnier will appear in the Narrows Community Theater production of “The Best Christmas Pageant” today at 2 PM at the Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater. Go to www.nctheaterny.com and use the code “cheerio” for tickets and information.
CHOIR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – St. Mary’s Choir will offer its annual Christmas Concert and Parish Sing-Along next Sunday, December 15, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Everyone is welcome. Word sheets will be provided!
CHRISTMAS GATHERING – Metropolitan SABA and the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch invite everyone to a Christmas Gathering at the Church of the Virgin Mary, 236 Grandview Blvd., Yonkers, on Friday, December 20. Vespers will begin at 6:30 PM followed by dinner, a few remarks, and Christmas caroling. RSVP to theorder@antiochian.org, or call (724) 238-3677 X410 before December 13.
COLLEGE CONFERENCE – Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) invites all college students and college-aged young adults to the annual College Conference at the Antiochian Village Heritage and Learning Center on December 27-30, 2024. Please go to www.ocf.net/cc24 for more information. Scholarship assistance is available.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY – Make your reservations now for our New Year’s Eve Party in Couri Hall. Call or text Sam Maalouf at (718) 288-7677, or text Terize Khouri at (347) 432-1859.
HUMANITARIAN APPEAL – The Pastor’s Discretionary Account would welcome donations to assist members of the community who have experienced hardships. The funds will assist with rent, utilities, clothing and household items, especially during the holidays and winter months. Out of respect for privacy, the pastor will make confidential distributions. Please make your tax deductible contributions to St. Mary’s Church with the memo “Pastor’s Discretional Account.” Your assistance with this appeal is a great blessing. Thank you!
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 help secure the church against any unforeseen economic collapse, natural disaster, or political unrest until the Lord returns!
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, December 9 Parish Council, 7 PM
Wednesday, December 11 Our Time Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Bible Study, 7 PM
Saturday, December 14 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Concert at St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7 PM
Friday, December 20 Archdiocese Christmas Gathering in Yonkers
Tuesday, December 24 Royal Hours for the Nativity, 9 AM
Festal Orthros, 9 PM
Divine Liturgy for the Nativity, 10 PM
Wednesday, December 25 No Services
Saturday, December 28 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Tuesday, December 31 New Year’s Eve Party
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Since salvation comes to you as a free gift, give thanks to God your savior. If you wish to present Him with gifts, gratefully offer from your widowed soul two tiny coins, humility and love, and God will accept these in the treasury of His salvation more gladly than the host of virtues deposited there by others.”
- St. Theognostos
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America