December 24/25, 2006
PARISH
PHONE: (201) 568-8840 V. Rev. Joseph Allen, Pastor
FAX: (201) 568-6933 Dn. Peter Boulukos, Assistant
St. Anthony’s web page: http://www.stanthonysorthodox.org
Antiochian Archdiocese web page: http://www.antiochian.org
THE SUNDAY OF GENEALOGY AND THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST
Epistle: Hebrews 11: 9-10, 17-23, 32-40 and Galatians 4:4-7 Eugenia of
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25 and Matthew 2:1-12 The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Tone: For the Feast Day
THE EPISTLE
Prokeimenon: Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For you are just in all you have done.
The reading is from
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS
The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Agouras/Pantel, DeBellis, Franz, Jockel, Muculj, and Serafim Families.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. This morning is known as “Genealogy Sunday,” or “The Sunday Before Christmas.” It is marked by the Gospel Reading from St. Matthew in which the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ is read in the Church. One will notice, however, due to the arrangement of the days (Sunday/Monday) that the listing of the Epistles and Gospel is for BOTH this morning’s Liturgy and this evening’s schedule, Christmas Eve, when we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord in Bethlehem of Judea. PLEASE BE ON TIME TONIGHT!
2. This evening, CHRISTMAS EVE, SUNDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 24(25):
A. At 8:00 PM, we will gather in the Church where our Church School Children, our Teen SOYO and our Choir, will present what has come to be known as a “living Ikon” of the Nativity of Christ – our Christmas Tableau. The Christmas Narrative is read from the various Gospel accounts; the choir will sing the appropriate Christmas Carols, with the parish joining them in certain carols; and the
B. The Tableau will be followed immediately by the Great Doxology, the great censing of the Church and the Eucharistic Liturgy. Certainly we should all be prepared to receive the Holy Eucharist on this evening, which is the proper way for Orthodox Christians to celebrate this beautiful feast day.
C. The brief “Egg Nog and Cookie” reception, held in the Church Hall immediately after the Liturgy, is offered by the Lestishock sisters, Mary Chimel, Stephanie Mehler, Eva Meyer, who along with their respective families, welcome our parish to great each other on this holy day. We thank the Lestishock family for their Christmas Eve reception which they have been offering for many Christmas Eves. MANY YEARS!
3. From Christmas Day, December 25th, through January 4th, there is NO FASTING. It is a general dispensation from the usual fasting (abstaining), due to the celebratory nature of the season.
4. If for some reason you missed the opportunity to participate in the St. Anthony’s “Christmas Wishes Program” through which we greet other parishioners during this Christmas Season (in place of sending Christmas Cards), please see EVE MEYER who annually collects for this program. These names will then be included in next week’s Bulletin.
5. Our 50th Anniversary THEME contest was won by DREW DERANEY; “Remembering Our Past, Building our Future.” This is a most challenging theme! We thank Drew for his offering and we will begin using it regularly for the remainder of our Jubilee celebration!
6. HOLY OBLATIONS (OFFERINGS) BOOK IS NOW READY TO RECEIVE THE NAMES FOR 2007. These new commemorations beings
7. LOOKING TO THE NEW YEAR, 2007
A. Next SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31st. Because of the way the calendar falls this year, we will celebrate the New Year’s Liturgy (the Liturgy for the Circumcision of the Lord and for St. Basil the Great), on Sunday, December 31st. The prayers and hymns for this New Year’s Liturgy will be sung at that time. Thus there will be no service on January 1st itself. This Liturgy will begin at the usual time,
B. SUNDAY, JANUARY 7th We will bless the waters for the celebration of Theophany (Epiphany). As above, the Liturgy for this Feast Day will be sung on that Sunday; therefore there will be no Liturgy on Saturday, January 6th (the actual date of Epiphany) since it will be celebrated the next day, January 7th, which is also the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist.
C. SUNDAY, JANUARY 14th This is OUTREACH SUNDAY, upon which we celebrate our Patronal Feast Day of St. Anthony. PLEASE READ YOUR MAIL regarding the procedures for that day. But do plan to be here for this “family day,” with YOUR CHILDREN. This is OUR day, St. Anthony’s day!
8. Choir Practice Schedule: Wednesday January 3rd (Everyone). Tuesday January 2nd (Men only). These rehearsals which begin at
9. NEW FOR 2007 – A CALENDAR TO LIST ALL CHURCH RELATED EVENTS: This calendar is posted outside the church office near the All Purpose Room. All heads of organizations, committees, or other groups should list their activities. If the Hall is needed this also needs to be noted on the Rental Calendar (down in the room with the Xerox Machine). Please see Ellen Thomsen if you have any questions.
10. There will be a very short meeting of Teen SOYO Parents today immediately following Divine Liturgy to receive and discuss the schedule for the rest of the year.
