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, August 25, 2024
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 9
Return of the Relic of the Apostle Bartholomew
The holy Apostle Titus of the Seventy
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 for Saints Bartholomew and Titus – Tone 3
O Holy Apost.es, intercede with our merciful God, to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Apolytikion of the Dormition of the Theotokos – Tone 1
In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for living thou wast translated, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from 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 Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
By thy holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, the barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
Epistle – I Corinthians 3:9-17 (Ninth 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, we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw – each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.
Gospel – Matthew 14:22-34 (Ninth Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was in the middle of the sea, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against it. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
And Peter answered him, saying, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the mighty wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind became calm. And those in the boat came and worshipped Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes’aret.
Next week’s homework: I Timothy 2:1-7) (Indiction: Ecclesiastical New Year)
Luke 4:16-22 (Indiction: Ecclesiastical New Year)
AUGUST 25, 2024 – NINTH 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.
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, AUGUST 25 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nassif K. Arida, Laurice and Zakieh Deeb, Michael Gehshan, Dr. Gabriel Jureidini, Rose Marie Sabah, Louise B. Savarese, Gladys Senior, and George S. Zarr, Sr. Memory eternal!
Sandra and Robert Coogan offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Louise B. Savarese. Memory eternal!
The Deeb Family offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Laurice and Alex Deeb, Mary and Nadim Antaky, and Zakieh and Emile Deeb. Memory eternal!
June Sabah offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Rose Marie Sabah. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raphael Arida, Helen Allison, Khouryee Alice Kerbaway Dalack, Linda S. Fauty, Dr. Antoine Fernaine, Irene Karkenny, Judith Kassatly, Baheeya Jabara, William Nafesh, Hanna Nehme, Watfa Richeh, and Oscar Salloum. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – The Arnuk and Spolar Families offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of August in loving memory of the servant of God Dr. Issam Arnuk. Memory eternal! James Harris offers the Holy Bread of Oblation in loving memory of his sister, the handmaiden of God Barbra Ann Harris. Memory eternal! The Zarr Family offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of August in loving memory of their parents Marie George and Zarr. Memory Eternal! Additional donors are welcome for September and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Howard Samara, Victoria Sleyman, and Rose Zrake (at home).
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.”
CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION – Church School Superintendent Lorraine Deeb has posted a registration form on the bulletin board, and she has placed additional forms at the bengari. Classes for students 4-19 will resume on Sunday, September 15, following the procession with the Holy Cross.
SPECIAL ADULT EDUCATION CLASS – During September we will offer a 3-week class as an introduction to the Orthodox Church for the non-Orthodox spouses of Orthodox parishioners. No commitment to join the Church is required. Anyone who is interested should contact Fr. Michael at pastor@smaoc.org. We are planning one-hour sessions on Wednesdays September 11, 18, and 25. Please also let Father know if participants would prefer to meet in person or on-line. Orthodox spouses are also welcome!
NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS – On Sunday, September 8, we will celebrate the patronal feast of our church. Depending on the weather there will be a modified picnic either inside or outside after the Divine Liturgy with shawarma and sojok sandwiches with fries for sale. Please see Leen Zgheib or Sam Malouf for more information.
ON-LINE CHANT CLASS – The Archdiocese’s new Antiochian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Online Music School will offer virtual classes for Byzantine chant and choral singing for church musicians, new or experienced, starting the week of September 9. The school will also offer a course on the Typicon and how to arrange the divine services. Registration began August 18.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The next edition of the Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing will take place on Monday, September 30, at the Hempstead Country Club. Please see the insert in this bulletin for journal and sponsorship opportunities, pick up a form at the bengari, or go to saintsandsinnersgolfclassic.com. The Journal deadline is September 9. Everyone should do something!
ESTATE PLANNING – August is National Make-a-Will Month (MAWM). As Christians, our ultimate security in life comes from God and the truth revealed in His Word; however, that does not mean we play a passive role in preparing for the future. We are called to be diligent stewards of the time and resources God entrusts to us. A will allows us to provide for our loved ones and steward all the resources God has given us. By including a legacy gift in our wills, we can sustain and strengthen the ministry of St. Mary’s Church for future generations.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, September 6 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, September 7 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, September 8 Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Tuesday, September 10 Orthodoxy for the Non-Orthodox Spouse, 7 PM
Wednesday, September 11 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, September 21 Fall Hafli
Monday, September 30 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.