CATHEDRAL BULLETIN Sunday December 18, 2011 27th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
THE VENERABLE SABBAS THE SANCTIFIED; ST. NECTARIUS OF BITOLA; The way of humility is this: self‐control, prayer, and thinking yourself inferior to all creatures. ‐ Abba Tithoes
Saint Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral Alhambra, California Los Angeles County
Matins 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
SAINT STEVEN’S SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL A Parish of the Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church Parish Office: 1621 West Garvey Avenue – Alhambra, California 91803 Telephone: (626) 284‐9100 Fax: (626) 281‐5045 www.saintstevens.org Right Reverend Bishop Maxim, PhD, Bishop of Western America Protopresbyter Stavrophor Nikola Ceko, Dean Protopresbyter Stavrophor Ilija Daikovich Presbyter Norman P. Kosanovich
Today DECEMBER 18, 2011 This Week 9:00 AM Matins 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy 11:15 AM Advent Concert by the Cathedral choir, joined by the children of the Sunday school 12:00 PM Luncheon and festivities for Saint Nicholas/Children’s Day
Monday, December 19 Feast of St. Nicholas Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Saturday, December 24 Vespers 6:00 PM
For those who like to “surf the web” you can see what’s new at our Cathedral website, www.saintstevens.org or on Saint Steven’s Facebook page. Also, if you would like to get regular e‐bulletins, please contact Fr. Nick.
Welcome to ST. STEVEN’S CATHEDRAL
This bulletin is your guide to the special hymns & New Testament Scripture readings this morning. In addition, it provides news & announcements from our Cathedral parish.
HYMNS FOR TODAY FIRST ANTIPHON
VERSE: Make a joyful noise to God, all the Earth! Sing of His name, give glory to His praise! REFRAIN: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. VERSE: Say to God: How awesome are Thy deeds! So great is Thy power that Thy enemies cringe before Thee! REFRAIN: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. VERSE: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. REFRAIN: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. SECOND ANTIPHON VERSE: God be bountiful to us and bless us. Show the light of Thy countenance upon us and have mercy on us! REFRAIN: O Son of God who arose from the dead, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia! VERSE: That we may know Thy way upon Earth, and Thy salvation among all nations! REFRAIN: O Son of God who arose from the dead, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia! VERSE: Glory to the Father…Both Now and Ever...Only‐begotten Son and immortal Word of God… THIRD ANTIPHON VERSE: Come let us rejoice in the Lord, let us shout for jubilation unto God our Savior! RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION ‐ TONE TWO: When You did descend to death, O Life Immortal, You did slay hell with the splendor of Your Godhead! And when from the depths You did raise the dead, all the pow'rs of heaven cried out: O Giver of Life! Christ our God! Glory to You! TROPARION TO VENERABLE SABBAS ‐ TONE FOUR: With the streams of your tears, you did cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by your sighings from the depths, you did bear fruit a hundredfold in labors; and you became a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O Sabbas our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD ‐ TONE SIX: Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant advocate before the Creator, do not despise the cry of us sinners; but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you!
The Epistle Lesson ‐ Ephesians 6: 10 ‐ 17
Celebrant: Wisdom! Let us be attentive! Peace be to all! Reader: And to your spirit! Celebrant: Wisdom! Reader: The Prokimenon in the 2nd Tone: The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. Celebrant: Wisdom! Reader: The reading is from the holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians. Celebrant: Let us be attentive!
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rethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. THE ALLELUIA VERSES: The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! Save the king, O Lord, and hear us on the day we call! COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE READING FROM EPHESIANS Life is a struggle in this fallen world, but God has provided us the “armor” needed to fight the good fight! The truth of Christ is confrontational; there is no escaping the conflict present for the soul by the very nature of His death and resurrection as the Son of God. The armor God provides reflects the love of Christ that we, by putting on Christ, are called to bring to the world.
The Holy Gospel ‐ St. Luke 13: 10 ‐ 17 Celebrant: Wisdom! Let us be attentive! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel! Peace be to all! People: And to your spirit! Celebrant: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke. People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!
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t that time Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was
bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her: “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd: “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord then answered him and said: “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound ‐ think of it ‐ for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE Christ’s actions allowed this woman to finally be at rest on the Sabbath. By Jesus healing her, she was able to use the Sabbath for its intention: praising God! The ruler of the synagogue, blinded by his hardness of heart, does not appreciate this gift of God for what it really is, rather, he sees it as a violation of unimportant, man‐made rules because of his lack of love for God and neighbor.
“Prayer is a great weapon, a rich treasure, a wealth that is never exhausted, an undisturbed refuge, a cause of tranquility, the root of a multitude of blessings, and their source.” —St. John Chrysostom
The Orthodox Church has always viewed body and soul as inseparable thus stressing the necessity for preserving both in good health, following our Lord, Jesus Christ's exhortation to his disciples to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (Matthew 10:10). This follows Christ's ministry to "heal the brokenhearted, and to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind" (Luke 4:18; see Is 61:1), and to heal "all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matthew 4:23). In healing, the Church follows the procedure prescribed by the Apostle James: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sin, he will be forgiven" (James 5:14‐15). If you or a family member are in the hospital or is in need of pastoral care, please contact Fr. Nick, our Cathedral Dean and our church office at 626‐284‐9100. Pastoral Care is the ministry provided by our priests to visit the sick in the hospital and homebound. It is an outreach program to ensure that our faith reaches all of those that are part of our parish. Additionally, our parish bulletin prayer list is maintained regularly by our Cathedral office. Please contact the office to add a name to this list, or to inform us that the person has recovered and their name may be removed from this prayer list of the sick.
CATHEDRAL BULLETIN BOARD ALMSGIVING OPPORTUNITY Two clergy families in the Western Diocese currently have serious medical issues that are exacting a tremendous financial toll. Your offering of cash or a gift card from a major retailer or credit card company will be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Cathedral office if you are able to help. “CIRCLE OF 100”: HELPING TO REBUILD MONASTERY HILANDAR His Grace, Bishop Maxim, expressed the following: “During my recent Pilgrimage to our Most Holy Monastery Hilandar on Mount Athos, it was readily apparent that the reconstruction and restoration following the devastating fire of 2004 has slowed considerably for lack of funds. The restoration to date has been outstanding but so much more has to be done.” As a result, His Grace is encouraging the faithful of the Western Diocese to take part in a pledge program called CIRCLE OF 100; it refers to individuals or families able to pledge $1,000 a year for three years (2012, ‘13, ‘14). Check the Diocesan website, www.westsrbdio.org, for more information. Bishop Maxim continued: “Today’s Hilandar was founded in 1198 by Saints Sava and Simeon. In the course of its long history, Hilandar has suffered damage time and time again as a result of conquering, plundering, earthquakes and fires, always to be restored to its perennial beauty. We express our gratitude to all people of good will who have so far selflessly and kindly aided the recon‐ struction of Hilandar. We now pray that more of our people will step forward and sup‐ port this worthy cause by joining the Circle of 100.” 2012 CALENDARS AVAILABLE IN THE R.C.A. LIVING WATER BOOKSTORE The 2012 Clergy Brotherhood Calendar and Directory of all parishes in North and South America is available for purchase in our bookstore ($15.00). Proceeds from the sale of these book calendars benefit the widows of priests in North America. Also, the small pocket size calendar published by our Diocesan Sebastian Press can be purchased from the bookstore in the social hall following church services.
BIBLE READINGS FOR THIS WEEK Monday, December 19 2 Timothy 2:20‐26; Luke 19:37‐44
Thursday, December 22 Titus 1:5‐2:1; Luke 20:9‐18
Tuesday, December 20 2 Timothy 3:16‐4:4; Luke 19:45‐48
Friday, December 23 Titus 1:15‐2:10; Luke 20:19‐26
Wednesday, December 21 2 Timothy 4:9‐22; Luke 20:1‐8
Saturday, December 24 Ephesians 1:16‐23; Luke 12:32‐40
Stewardship as a Way of Life Stewardship is not about calculations or portions or percentages. It can’t be reduced to a number of hours of service or dollars offered. Stewardship is a way of life. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to a new way of seeing things – a new way of life. Our stewardship is obedience to the greatest commandment to “love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” We are called to bring others to commit their lives to Jesus Christ in such a way that leads to the joy of knowing Him personally and profoundly. As Orthodox Christians, we see the world as God’s gift, as a sacrament of God’s presence and a means of communion with Him. And so we are able to offer the world back to God in thanksgiving as we say in every Divine Liturgy “Thine own of Thine own we offer unto Thee…” 2012 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CONCLUDES ‐ PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PLEDGE! Everyone should have received a Stewardship brochure and form for 2012 in the mail. After filling in the pledge card, please bring or mail it to the Cathedral. These estimates of financial commitment from our parishioners allow us to be better prepare our budget. Thank you for your continued support and participation as a faithful Steward of the Cathedral. May God reward you one‐hundred fold. We remind Cathedral Congregation Members that the Cathedral no longer utilizes the “dues” system for one’s financial obligation for membership. In order to continue to be a member in good standing of the Cathedral, in addition to fulfilling the canonical and sacramental components for membership, everyone must also meet their financial obligation annually through a Stewardship pledge. Only members in good standing at Saint Steven’s Cathedral have the right to participate in the sacraments with no obligation for payment of stole fees; may attend all regular and special Congregation meetings, take part in the discussions and vote; may be elected to one of the Cathedral Congregation or Auxiliary Boards; and have the privilege of utilizing the Cathedral’s social hall facilities.
