St. George Orthodox Church of Spring Valley Sunday, October 1, 2017 Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, first bishop of Damascus Righteous Father Romanos the Melodist Matins, 9:00 am :: Divine Liturgy, 10:00 am Saint Ananias baptizes Saint Paul (Latin icon) Pastor: Father Andrew Kishler Parish Council officers: Chair, Michael Kasap Vice Chair, Matthew Rowan Secretary, Lynette Forsa Treasurer, Anysia Medawar Address: 211 E. Minnesota St. Spring Valley, IL 61362 www.stgeorgeorthodox.org frandrew@stgeorgeorthodox.org 815-664-4540 (church office) 773-575-3272 (Fr. Andrew s cell)
Today s Epistle Reader: David Anderson Holy Bread/Coffee Hour: Fr. Andrew and Patty Kishler, and David Anderson Next Sunday: The Medawar and Sanders families Hymns of the Day, immediately after the Small Entrance: Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 8): From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee. Troparion for St. Ananias (Tone 3): O holy Apostle Ananias, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of sins. Troparion for St. Romanos the Melodist (Tone 8): Through thee, the divine likeness was securely preserved, O father Romanos; for thou didst carry the cross and follow Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body, because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels. Troparion for St. George the Great-Martyr (Tone 4): Since thou art a liberator and deliverer of captives, a help and succour of the poor and needy, a healing physician of the sick, a contender and fighter for kings, O great among martyrs, the victory-clad George: Intercede with Christ God for the salvation of our souls. Kontakion for Ordinary Sundays (Tone 2): O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee. 2
THE EPISTLE For the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. God is known in Judah; His Name is great in Israel. The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians (6:16-7:1) Brethren, we are the temple of the living God; as God said, I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God. THE GOSPEL For the Second Sunday of Luke The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (6:31-36) The Lord said: As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 3
Announcements and Upcoming Events For a full calendar of events and services at St. George, see our website, www.stgeorgeorthodox.org. Today: Children s Sunday school, downstairs immediately after Holy Communion. This week: Wednesday, Oct. 4: Evening Prayer and Intro to Orthodoxy class, 6:00 pm. Saturday, Oct. 7: Vespers, 6:00 pm. The Sacrament of Confession is available before and after. Next Sunday, Oct. 8: Matins, 9am; Divine Liturgy, 10am, followed by Sunday school. Also next Sunday: Teen SOYO during coffee hour. Our newly-formed Teen SOYO group met last Sunday, and will meet with Fr. Andrew during coffee hour on the 2 nd and 4 th Sundays of each month. Melanie Thompson has also graciously offered to help out our teens and our church with a fall pastry sale see the flyer downstairs or talk to Melanie for more information. Many thanks to Wayne Sanders, Mike Kasap, and the Harshman family for their work on the new parish house! There are some extensive repairs and updates yet to be completed. In addition to your regular tithes and offerings to the church, please consider making a special gift to this project. Checks may be made out to St. George Church as normal, with parish home in the memo line. Bev Malooley has agreed to oversee events for our church s 100 th anniversary celebration in the fall of 2018. More details are forthcoming! Diocese of Toledo Fall Gathering is October 12-15! Bishop Anthony proudly announces our diocese s Clergy Retreat and Fall Gathering, hosted by Fr. John Winfrey and the faithful of St. George Church in Grand Rapids, MI. This event is for all of our clergy, and members of our Antiochian Women, Teen SOYO, and Young Adult ministries. Do you have an announcement for the bulletin? Please contact Fr. Andrew no later than Friday each week for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin. 4
Sunday Volunteer Schedule Holy Bread/Coffee Hour Epistle Reader TODAY Anderson/Kishler David Anderson Sunday, Oct. 8 Medawar/Sanders Kenneth Wiltse Sunday, Oct. 15 OPEN Matt Rowan Sunday, Oct. 22 Richard/Bette Malooley Keeley Thompson Sunday, Oct. 29 OPEN George Forsa Sunday, Nov. 5 Matt/Olly Rowan Matt Rowan Sunday, Nov. 12 Anderson/Kishler Alan Harshman Sunday, Nov. 19* Ron/Dottie Malooley Keeley Thompson Regarding HOLY BREAD, you are welcome to bake your own, or use the bread provided by the church (donations of any amount are appreciated). On your Sunday, please also provide to Father Andrew a list of names (living and departed) for prayers during the Liturgy. COFFEE HOUR may be as simple or elaborate as you want. While CLEAN UP is primarily the responsibility of those who provide coffee hour, all of us should help by bussing our own tables and cleaning up as we are able! * SHADED DATES indicate fasting. No meat should be served on these dates. 5
October Birthdays and Anniversaries May God grant you many years! (Please let Father know if we are missing anyone!) Oct. 15 Jessica Malooley Oct. 16 Jennifer Harlay Oct. 20 John Ball Oct. 24 George Forsa Oct. 24 Richard and Bette Malooley (anniversary) Oct. 28 Cary Miller Church Finances August 2017 Operating Income: $3504.16 Operating Expense: $5397.19 Cash Flow: -$1893.03 January to August 2017 Operating Income: $49691.73 Operating Expenses: $46261.41 Cash Flow: + $3430.32 Thank you for your faithful contributions! Please continue to tithe and give faithfully for the ministry and work of St. George Church. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) 6
:: Holy Apostle Ananias :: By Professor Edith M. Humphry From her weblog A Lamp for Today at www.ancientfaith.com This weekend we remember our father in Christ, the apostle Ananias, who was also one of the seventy whom Jesus sent out to preach during his ministry. Having learned so much with Jesus and the twelve Apostles, Ananias was made strong enough to obey God when the murderous Saul first was illumined by Christ on the road to Ananias home-town of Damascus. This courageous man was prepared to meet with one who had been out to hurt him and those whom he loved. Tradition tells us also that he was the first Bishop of Damascus, who went out to preach at Eleutheropolis, where he healed many, showing the mercy of God. When the prefect of the city tried to convince Christians to offer sacrifice to idols, Ananias gave a firm and good example, refused to comply, and was tortured. Then, as he was being stoned, he prayed, like the proto-martyr Stephen, for those who put him to death. So then, we have before us the radical command of Jesus to be as God, the reminder of the apostle Paul that we are the very sanctuary of God, and the luminous example of Ananias, who witnessed with his life to the holiness and goodness of our LORD. We are called to be different for the sake of others, and for the glory of God, who aims to make all things new. Holiness is not a quaint idea of past days, nor a thing reserved for Liturgy and Heaven, but something that God intends to bring to maturity in us and among us through His Holy Spirit. As we have come to the time of harvest, and see the mature crops of fruit ready for us to enjoy, let us take the gospel passage, the epistle reading, and the example of Ananias as bracing challenges, and glimpses of hopeful harvest that that God intends to gather, with our co-operation. For no one can even imagine the things that He has in store for those who love Him! 7
Daily Bible Readings October 1-7 Sunday, Oct. 1 Holy Apostle Ananias Luke 24:36-53 / 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 / Luke 6:31-36 Monday, Oct. 2 Blessed Andrew the Fool-for-Christ 1 Timothy 1:12-17 / John 10:9-16 Tuesday, Oct. 3 Hiero-Martyr Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens Acts 17:16-34 / Matthew 13:44-54 Wednesday, Oct. 4 Hiero-Martyr Hierotheus, Bishop of Athens Ephesians 5:24-33 / Luke 6:46-7:1 Thursday, Oct. 5 Martyr Charitina of Amisus Ephesians 5:33-6:9 / Luke 7:17-30 Friday, Oct. 6 Holy Apostle Thomas, and St. Innocent, Apostle to America 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 / John 20:19-31 Saturday, Oct. 7 Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus of Syria 1 Corinthians 15:39-45 / Luke 5:27-42 "Building up a parish is one of the hardest challenges Christians can face. It involves cooperation with others, love, patience, perseverance, and sacrifice of our own desires and total commitment to God s will." ~ His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH Videos of sermons and Feast Day services are available on our website, www.stgeorgeorthodox.org. Follow St. George Church on Facebook for daily Bible readings and the lives of the saints. Please be aware that photographs and videos from our church appear on our website and Facebook page. Please feel free to let us know if you would prefer not to have your pictures online. 8