Presentation (Meeting) of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Transcription

1 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church سينيكيدرألا ةيألاطلألن سيدقرواسنكيدقلا ةسينك / Fax REVEREND FATHER GEORGE M. AL-DEHNEH, PASTOR Very Reverend Father Jehad T. Michael, Pastor Emeritus Very Reverend Father Bob Bethoney, Attached. أهال وسهال A warm welcome to our visitors and guests St. George is an Eastern Orthodox Church of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America We are glad to have you worshipping with us today. We minister to Orthodox Christians of all backgrounds. Holy Communion is a sign of our full unity of faith. Therefore, only Baptized and Confirmed Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer and Sacramental Confession may partake of this Sacr ament. However, all are welcome to partake of the Blessed Bread of Fellowship and receive a Priest blessing at the end of the Divine Liturgy. We also invite you to join us for light refreshments and coffee following the Service, where we will be happy to meet with you and answer any question you may have about the Orthodox Faith. FEBRUARY 02, 2014 Presentation (Meeting) of Our Lord Jesus Christ Tone 7 Eothinon 10 Sunday Service: Orthros 9:20 AM, Followed by the Divine Liturgy Epistle: Lauren Ferris. Ushers: Upon Availability. Altar Boys: All are encouraged and welcome to serve. Confessions by Appointment Only RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION (TONE SEVEN) Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointmentbearing women into joy. And didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning, that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy. APOLYTIKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST (TONE ONE) Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous elder, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us Resurrection. KONTAKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST (TONE ONE) Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind. Holy Bread will be offered by: Paul and Laila Ferris and family: In memory of Peter Rizk and for the health of Skee Rizk, the Ferris, Rizk, Samore, Ghanayem, Al-Hanna, and Nasser families. HOME BLESSING Started Monday, January 06, 2014 and will end Sunday, February 02, Please call the office or Fr. George to arrange for your home to be blessed. and God Bless you all.

2 THE EPISTLE My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the humility of His servant. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (7:17-17) Brethren, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (2:22-40) In those days, the parents of Jesus brought Him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel. And His father and his mother marveled at what was said about Him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him. DONATIONS Georgette Abraham: For the good health of Sallie Malooly, Albert Malooly Jr., Ken, Marilyn, and Jennifer Drahan. Susan E. Assi: For the health of Sudie & Deanna Nasser, Father Bob & Kh. Elizabeth Bethoney. Salma Isaac & Family: Happy birthday Malik, Tiffany; for the health of the Thomas & Elias families. Bryan & Annette Haddad: For the health of Lorri Halow. Salma Isaac & Family: For the health of Sallie Malooly, Ken & Marilyn Darhan, Albert Malooly Jr. Salma Isaac: For the health of Sudie Nasser & family. In Memory of Rose Ghanayem Jamie Isaac Salah & Nada Al-Hanna In Memory of Mitchell Abraham Salah & Nada Al-Hanna Martin & Sharon Madsen The Barakat family In Memory of Nicholas Malooly Georgette Abraham Seamone Haddad Bryan & Annette Haddad Salma Isaac & family John & Frieda Aboud George & Angie Al-Hanna & family In Memory of David E. Assi Susan E. Assi The Barakat family

3 DONATIONS (Cont.) In Memory of Dale Nasser Susan E. Assi Jamie Isaac Blanca Anaipakos Salma Isaac Archdiocese Dues Milad & Laurice Farrah Blanca Anaipakos Sami & Antoinette Esper Father s Retirement Lon Silagi Edward Abraham Scholarship Fund Salma Isaac Bishop BASIL Endowment Fund Yani & Susana Payides Total Sunday Collections ( $ ) Donations+ Archdiocese Dues End of 2013 pledges + Bishop Basil s Fund $ Memorials Donations $ Remember our Abducted Syrian Innocent Hierarchs Honor Bishop BASIL on his Name s Day: The Feast of St. Basil the Great January 1, 2014 Bishop BASIL Mission Endowment Fund Dioceses of Wichita and Mid America (DOWAMA) Contribute by January 31, 2014 Please make check payable to St. George Church earmarked BB Name s Day All St. George Parishioners The Ladies Society will be hosting a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at Applebee's on Mesa on Saturday, February 8, 2014 between 8-10 AM tickets are $ Please come & support us with family & friends. Sylvana Aldouri On behalf of the Ladies Society, I want to thank Kh. Mageda & Hend Odeh for helping me buying all the items needed for 10 baby kits and 24 health kits. Also, many thanks for Jaime Isaac for helping us with packing the kits. We shipped the items on Friday, January 24, 2014 to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in order to be distributed to Syria needy children. Many thanks to Annette & Bryan Haddad for their generous donation toward this great charity project. Sylvana Aldouri HOLY BREAD Please see the New Holy Bread Calendar for the year If 2 families offer every Sunday ( For the health of the living and/or in Memory of the departed members). We should be OKAY for the whole year. We have 52 Sundays in the year. Family Night The teens are planning a family night on Valentine s day Friday, February 14, More details coming soon!!!!! Noel Shaheen

4 Choir and Chanter's Corner A Happy New Year to all. May our Lord bless you and your families with peace and good health. With the start of the 2014 year, I want to extend and invite our Parishioners (teens and adults) to join the Choir. If you know how to read music, please share your talent with the Parish. Choir practice is scheduled on Mondays from 7:00-8:00 pm, in the Church. There is also a Chanting class scheduled on Mondays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. I wish to remind the Choir and Chanters that what the Church expects of the Clergy it also expects of the Choir and Chanters. Those who sing must prepare themselves for the task of serving the Parish by constantly pursuing a life of spirituality, coming to practice, and being on time. Singing in the Church is far beyond musical settings and hitting notes: it is about prayer, and singers must first be people of inward prayer before they become people of outward prayer. When He dwells within us, then His beauty within us will come out when we are properly prepared, and the liturgical music will be performed in a prayerful way. For the words of the Chanters and Choir are meant to enter the ears of the congregation and transform their minds during the worship of God. As we glorify Him, He transforms us. Sub-Deacon Michael, Choir Director The St. George Sunday School Staff Wish to thank the St. George ladies Society for their generous monetary gift. It will help support the Sunday School in so many ways. We truly appreciate, with our whole hearts, your thoughtfulness, care & love. May our Lord bless you and your families always. CAMP ST. RAPHAEL (CSR) CAMPER SCHOLARSHIPS Are available in the Church Office through the Order of St Ignatius of Antioch. CAMPER REGISTRATION FORMS will be available online at on on January 31st. Space is limited, so please promptly register your children. First Come First Reserved. Deadline to apply is February 16, THE DATES for CAMP ST RAPHAEL 2014 are: 1- Staff Training: June 20th - 22nd. 2- Session One: June 22nd-28th. 3- Session Two: June 29th - July 5th. APPLICATIONS FOR 2014 ARCHDIOCESAN SCHOLARSHIPS Are available online at Several "Francis Maria Memorial Scholarships" in the amount of $2, each will be awarded to 2014 graduating high school seniors who are members of a parish/mission of our Archdiocese. Our Sunday School Students Are now working on their Creative Festival Projects, for the Parish Life Conference in San Antonio, TX. All students need to be in attendance in order to work on & complete their projects by the due date. St. George Church Sunday School We are very proud of the following students who were in attendance at this past Sunday s Church School: Pre-School: Nia Isaac. Grades Kinder/1: Kendall Olivas. Grades 2/3: James Isaac, Sami Odeh. Grades 4/5: Rylee Isaac, Anthony Jarjour, Teresa Salloum, Zoe Tsoukalas. Grades 6/7: Joseph Odeh, Angela AL-Hanna, Luke Tsoukalas. Grades 8-12+: William Shaghoury, Johnny Odeh, Sam Salloum, Christian Khouri, James Shaheen, Rose Barakat, Jonathan Jarjour. Parents & Students and teachers, please remember that Sunday School begins at 9:15 AM with opening prayer from Fr. George. It is important for us to be on time, to pray together, and learn about our faith.

5 THE FEAST OF THE THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD The celebration of the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan River reveals wondrous salvific events: The Mystery of the Holy Trinity was revealed. The waters were blessed by Christ and ceased to be waters of the fall and became waters of renewal (Holy Water). Any demonic influence over water was ended. A model of Baptism was established for the followers of Jesus Christ. The sin of the old Adam was washed away and buried in the waters. The Forerunner John the Baptist was blessed by Christ. The word Theophany (meaning manifestation of God) comes from the apostolic passage, God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16). Another name for the Feast is Epiphany (meaning manifestation from above), the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11). A third name is the Feast of Lights, as Christ reveals Himself as the Light of the House Blessing: The Purpose The annual blessing of homes is a custom of special beauty and significance. We again ask Christ to bless and enter into our homes and our lives. We ask Him to be with us, as we desire to be with Him. We ask that by the sprinkling of blessed water, the Holy Spirit renew us, our families and our lives in our homes. As Christ brought salvation to the house of Zacchaeus; we ask for the same for all dwelling in our homes. House Blessing: The Order The house being cleaned and ready, we dress in an honorable manner (as we would for Church). When the Priest arrives, we greet him at the door, having turned off any radio, TV, or other noise based element. Animals that may cause disruption should be placed out of the way. On a small table before icons, a small but wide-mouthed bowl full of newly blessed water is placed. Together with a list of names of those who reside in the home, a lighted candle and censor (if you have one) are also placed on the table. These items are arranged prior to the arrival of the Priest. At the beginning of the service for the blessing of the home, a family member leads the Priest throughout the home, carrying the lighted candle. The rest of the household follows and then returns to the table for the final prayer and blessing with water upon those present. House Blessings It is the custom among many Orthodox Christians to have their homes blessed with the Holy Water sanctified on Theophany (the Feast which commemorates the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan River). If you would like your home blessed, please call the Church office or talk to Fr. George. APPLICATIONS FOR 2014 DOWAMA SCHOLARSHIPS Two scholarships are offered through our Diocese each year through the generosity of MR. JIM COHLMIA (JCohlmia@aol.com) of St George Cathedral/Wichita, KS. The "Harry & Florence Kouri Memorial Scholarship" in the amount of $2, will be awarded to a 2014 graduating high school senior who is a member of a parish/mission of DOWAMA. The "Bill Cohlmia & Joan Cohlmia-Razook Memorial Scholarship" in the amount of $2, be awarded to a DOWAMA priest or deacon for continuing education which will enhance his ministry. Please note that completed applications for both scholarships must be postmarked no later than May 1st and mailed to the Chancery North Woodlawn Street - Wichita, KS Recipients will be announced and scholarships presented at our 2014 Parish Life Conference which will be hosted this June by St Ephraim/San Antonio, TX.

6 FEBRUARY 2014 SUNDAY ORTHROS 9:20 AM Followed by the DIVINE LITURGY SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 PRESENTA- TION OF OUR LORD PROPHET ZACHARIAH 9 SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN & PHARISEE SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON 23 MEATFARE SUNDAY To request a Dome Lighting, please contact Fr The donation is $ per lighting For Pastoral Emergencies, or to notify the Clergy of ill or hospitalized parishioners, please call: Rev. Fr. George Al-Dehneh: The Very Rev. Fr. Jehad Michael: MAY DINNER TICKETS Please turn the money for your unpaid tickets. REMINDER Parishioners, please remember to use your COMMUNITY card at Albertsons, because we get 1% donation to the Church. (That is easy fundraising)