December 30, 2007 Church Bulletin
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Sunday, December 30, 2007
SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY
Today's Celebrants: V. Rev. Fr. Timothy Ferguson;
Rt. Rev. Fr. Constantine Yanney; Rev. Dn. Nicholas Belcher; Subdeacon Douglas Howdy;
Subdeacon Khalil Samara; Subdeacon Chadi Saad; Subdeacon James Irving
VARIATION IN TODAY'S DIVINE LITURGY
At the entrance (Service Book page 97):
1) TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION - Tone 6: When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou held hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
2) THE ENTRANCE HYMN: O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. O son of God, who art risen from the dead save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.
3) Repeat #1 above.
4) TROPARION AFTER THE NATIVITY - Tone 2: Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.
5) TROPARION OF THE NATIVITY - Tone 4: Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn there from to worship thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest thou didst come O Lord, glory to thee.
6) TROPARION OF ST. GEORGE - Tone 4: As deliverer of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the infirm, champion of kings, victorious, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God for our soul's salvation.
7) KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY - Tone 3: Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Transcendent in essence; the earth offereth the cave to the unapproachable One; the angels with the shepherds glorify him; and the Magi with the star travel on their way; for a new child hath been born for our sakes, God before the ages.
Prokeimenon: God is wonderful among his saints. Bless God in the congregations.
The Epistle Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians (1:11-19)
Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
The Gospel Reading according to St. Matthew (2:12-23)
When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he has ascertained from the wise men.
Then was filfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more."
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Special note: Except for those who are elderly and/or disabled, please remain standing during Holy Communion.
NEXT WEEK'S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Matthew 3:13-17.
Teen SOYO Progression Dinner - Saturday January 12
It's time for the annual Progression Dinner. Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and fabulous food! That's right, appetizers, dinner, and dessert at three different houses. Host houses will be announced soon. Great Vespers will begin at 5:00 pm, and we will depart to the first house immediately after Vespers. If you can attend, please RSVP to Carolyne or Nadine Moussa
Antiochian Village
Winter Camp - January 18-21 or February 15-18
It's just like summer camp, but in the winter! A weekend of fun, friends, and spiritual growth at the Village. Winter Camp begins Friday at 7 pm, and ends Monday morning, and is open to anyone in grades 7 to 12. Visit www.antiochianvillage.org/camp for more info.
Summer Camp
Summer camp registration will begin soon! Please check the Village website for details. Our church usually attends Session 3 (July 13-25) as a group, and we are looking into renting a bus to drive down together. The Village is open for any one ages 9-17.
Calling all College Students!
All College Students are asked to email their current contact information (address, email, phone, school, graduation year) to our Youth Director Khalil at khalilsamara@yahoo.com. This will help us keep an accurate record of where our students are attending college, and to keep them up to date on any activities and programs for college students. College students can also join the "St. George Boston College Students" group on Facebook. Thank you!
Jesus Youth Fan Club - Ice Skating: Saturday, January 12, 1-4 pm
The Jesus Youth Fan Club (grades 4, 5, and 6) will be going Ice Skating for their January event. We will meet at the church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 12. Dress warm as we hopefully will be going to an outdoor skating rink (if the weather is good!). Please RSVP to Amal Hourani if you can attend. If any parents are interested in helping with the Jesus Youth Fan Club, please see Amal Hourani or Khalil.
Teen SOYO - Snow Tubing: Friday, January 18
Join us for an evening of Snow Tubing at Nashoba valley. All teens (ages 12-18 are welcome to join us. Please RSVP to Carolyne or Nadine Moussa.
Looking Ahead...
Teen SOYO Diocese Retreat: March 21-23, 2008 - Contoocook, NH
ARABIC TRANSLATOR NEEDED
We would like to have several volunteers to translate articles for our new WEB PAGE from English to Arabic. Must be computer literate with Arabic text in Unicode. Please contact Father Timothy if you can assist with this important task. Thank you.
WINTER COAT DRIVE FOR ST. FRANCIS HOUSE - we will be collecting new or clean, gently used adult winter coats, hats, gloves, scarfs and hooded sweatshirts. If you have any of these items, please bring them to church by Sunday, January 13th . We will be delivering them on Monday, the 14th of January. If you have any questions please talk to Valerie Irving. If anyone can help with the delivery, please let Val know.
URGENT!
St. George Orthodox Church of Boston is made possible through the generous contributions of faithful people like you.
We are thankful for all the families who support St. George Parish through our Annual Pledge Program - our Pledge is the foundation of our budget and all that we are able to accomplish here at St. George. This year, unfortunately, our Pledges are lagging behind and, as it looks now, we will not meet our needs by the end of the year. Please help out now.
- If you made a Pledge and haven't contributed on it yet - we ask you to please do so now - we urgently need your commitment and financial support before the close of the year [just a few weeks away].
- If you are contributing on your Pledge and have a remaining balance - now is the time to send it in.
- If you did not made a Pledge and appreciate and benefit from all the community has to offer you and your family - we urge you to make a donation of support now - your assistance is urgently needed.
Total Pledged $227,474.16
Total Received $216,337.92
Difference $ 11,136.24
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PLEDGE FORMS and ENVELOPES are at the Candle Stand |
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COFFEE HOUR PREPARATION & CLEAN UP December - Parish Council January - Parents Guild |
Please note that during Coffee Hour today books will not be available for sale, however, the Religious Items case will be open. 14 Carat gold crosses available
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, December 30th
- 31ST SUN. AFT. PENTECOST
- SUN. AFT. NATIVITY
- Matins - 8:45AM
- Divine Liturgy - 10:00AM
- Presentation of Michael G. Hamaty Scholarships
Monday, December 31st
- New Year's Eve
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
- CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST
- St. Basil the Great
- Happy New Year!
- AA Meeting - 7-8:30PM
Wednesday, January 2nd
- St. Seraphim of Sarov
- St. Sylvester, Pope of Rome
Thursday, January 3rd
- St. Genevieve
Saturday, January 5th
- Arabic School - 10AM-12Noon
- GREAT VESPERS - 5:30PM
Sunday, January 6th
- EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
- Blessing of Water
- Matins - 8:45AM
- Divine Liturgy - 10:00AM
- Ladies Society Meeting - 12Noon