Welcome to our guests! Thank you for attending today’s Divine Liturgy. Please register your visit by completing the guest book located on the table in the narthex. We would appreciate getting to meet you, so feel free to join us for refreshments & fellowship in the Cultural Center.

We believe Holy Communion to be a sign that in Christ we have all things in common, share an identical faith, and are united fully to the Orthodox Church. Anyone interested in learning more about our faith are encouraged to speak with one of our clergy. Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, & regular confession are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

& Fifth Sunday of Luke

The Holy Martyrs Zenobius & Zenobia

2250 East Paris Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

616-954-2700 ▪ stnicholasgr@sbcglobal.net ▪ stnicholasgr.com

V. Rev. Fr. Michael Nasser, Pastor 616- 216-3537 frmichaeln@gmail.com

V. Rev. Fr. Elias Mitchell, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Archdeacon David Khorey Rev. Dn. Clement Nicoloff Rev. Dn. Justin Adolphson

When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee * received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. * For, since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants * and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. * O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Thy work of justice did show thee to thy congregation a canon of faith, the likeness of humility, a teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore, by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by meekness richness. Intercede, therefore, with Christ to save our soul.

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.

Blessed are Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers. For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (11:31-12:9)

Brethren, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He Who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Para-dise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revela-tions, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (16:19-31)

The Lord said, “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like man-ner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

For the health & blessings of Sarah Kaufman on her birthday and for Rebekeh Kaufman on her adoption day offered by their parents. May God grant them many years! For the health & blessings of Aelitta, Arianna, Aemelia Kazarov on the occasion of their birthdays offered by their loving parents. May God grant them many years!

10/01/1974 Fedwa Khaleefey 10/01/2002 Mary Wawee 10/01/2004 Alice Bendekgey 10/02/1985 Mary David 10/02/2008 Eugenie Dudkin 10/03/1993 James Maloley 10/05/2012 Margaret Abraham 10/05/2015 Rosemary Sears 10/06/2011 Virginia Bander

10/09/1968 Salem Bashara 10/13/1996 James McAllister 10/15/1994 Walter Kitolski 10/22/1988 Oscar Sears 10/25/1964 Rose Joseph 10/27/1972 Lilly Sickrey 10/28/1963 Nazera Sayfee 10/29/1959 Leo Derwich

Metropolitan Paul (in captivity) Archbishop John (in captivity) Archpriest Elias Bitar Archpriest William Olnhausen Archpriest George Rados Archpriest Patrick Kinder

Priest Basil Koory Dn. Benjamin Mann Kh. Khristina Gillquist Kh. Charlotte Smith Clemence Bassett Dawn Shaheen Thomas & Jean Joseph

Sylvia Yova Jim Nassar Millard Laramy Vera Mijatovic Halie Nicola Cam David

Archimandrite Athanasius Archbishop Michael Priest Elias

Priest George Dn. Bassam Paul Sielaff

Margaret Cook Victims of the continued conflicts in the Middle East

There will be a 1-year Trisagion (Memorial Service) for the handmaiden of God Rosemary Sears as well as for servant’s of God Oscar and George Sears offered with love by their Family. May their memory be Eternal!

Thank you for your prayers and the wonderful gift basket while I was in the hospital for back surgery.

Today is the final Sunday of Youth Month. Teens, we appreciate all you did this month and hope you continue to make an impact in our parish and the community!

Thanks to the generosity of our St. Nicholas family last year we blessed 9 needy families with gift baskets. Included in these baskets were gift cards and a variety of food items. The recipients were full of gratitude. Let’s demonstrate this level of generosity again this year!

For the next 3 Sundays: November 6, 13, & 20, we are asking everyone to bring the following items in so that we can prepare Thanksgiving gift baskets: stuffing mix and cans of sweet potatoes, pumpkin, green beans, corn, mushroom soup, and cranberries. Additionally, gift cards are needed so that the families can purchase their turkey and fresh vegetables.

Please place the food items in the bins located in the narthex or outside the Church office. Gift cards can be given Abe or Marge Simon. Our goal is that every person regardless of age walks into Church for the next 3 Sundays (November 6, 13, & 20) with a donation for a needy family.

Please contact Abe or Marge Simon (455-1513) if any of the following apply:

You know of a family in need. (We’ll need their contact information: name, address, & phone number.)

You can assist packing baskets Monday, November 21

You can deliver baskets on Tuesday, November 22

You have questions

The Renucci Hospitality House provides affordable, homelike accomodations for families whose loved ones are hospitalized at Butterworth & Blodgett Hospitals & the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Join us as we serve breakfast to some families who will be spending their time caring for sick loved ones at Spectrum Hospital.

Needed: 6-8 volunteers to cook, serve, & clean-up a pancake & scrambled egg breakfast

When: Saturday, November 19 from 8:00-11:00 am

Where: Meet at the Renucci Hospitality House 290 Ransom Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

How to be Included: Contact Leo Olson (Leo@LeoOlson.com

If you brought items in today, please place them in the box located outside the Church Office or in the Narthex.

We are so proud of YOU--the St. Nicholas members who gave of your time and talents to make this year's Middle Eastern Dinner a huge success!

We served over 850 dinners and raised a little over $16,000. It was so much fun serving together as a church family! Thank you to each person who contributed and especially to the Core Committee Members!

Committee forms have been distributed asking which committees you desire to be a part of for the planning & execution of the Archdiocese Convention in 2019. If you received a form, please complete it and submit it to Alan Abraham, Kathy Abraham, or the Church Office. If you have not received a form please take one from the table in the Narthex, complete it, and submit it next week.

If you have questions, please contact Alan (abrahama@sasinc.com) or Kathy (kathy.abraham@savoryfoods.com)

Come to the St. Joseph of Damascus Chapel for Sixth Hour Prayer Wednesdays at Noon. Give yourself the refreshing spiritual break that your soul longs for! Prayer and a short reflection end before 12:30 pm.

The game began with such high expectations for the Spartans, but for the second consecutive year, they did not have the stamina to overthrow the valiant Wolverines.

Our annual UofM/MSU fundraiser broke last year's astounding total donations of $10,420 for a new record of $14,155!

Congratulations to everyone who participated to raise money to support the Orthodox education of our children, as well as assist in reducing our mortgage debt and relieving our children from that burden! Thank you Ben Coleman & Joe David for championing this worthy cause.

As a reminder all pledge money is due today.

Margaret Cook (age 91), mother of Loisann Rogowyi, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 23, 2016.

Memorial Contributions can be made to:

St. Nicholas Antiochian Camp Scholarship Fund. Condolences can be sent to:

Paul & Loisann Rogowyi (Sophie) 9400 Prarie Dr. SE Alto, MI 49302

Our St. Nicholas Day banquet is coming up on Sunday, December 4 following the Divine Liturgy. Please plan to attend this all-parish event. More details forthcoming.

On Sunday evening, November 20 at 6:00 p.m. St. George will welcome Scott Griffin back. He will be playing a concert on their new Rodgers organ. Scott will play beautiful pieces by composers from around the world. Invite your family and friends to come and enjoy the music. A free will offering will be taken to help with the expenses. Immediately following the concert, there will be a reception downstairs in the Church School Hall where everyone will have an opportunity to meet Scott.

SOYO: Saturday, November 12 * Chicago Trip to see St. John the Baptist’s weeping Icon Saturday, November 19 * Thanksgiving at Family Haven

Forerunners: Thursday, November 17 * Forest Hills FAC “Annie” 7:30 pm

Liturgical Focus: Saturday, November 19 * Festal Vespers Sunday, November 20 * Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Wednesday, November 23 * Akathist Thanksgiving Sunday, December 4 * St. Nicholas Day Banquet/Celebration Friday, December 23 * Royal Hours Saturday, December 24 * Pre-Feast Matins * Festal Vespers Friday, January 6 * House Blessings begin

Today * Matins & Orthodox Education (8:50 am) * Divine Liturgy (10:00 am)

Tuesday, November 1 * Middle Eastern Dinner Exec. Committee mtg. (6:00 pm) * 2019 Convention Exec. Committee mtg. (6:30 pm) * Choir Practice (7:00 pm) * Chanting Practice (8:00 pm)

Wednesday, November 2 * Sixth Hour Prayer (Noon) * No Family Night Bible Study & Introduction to Orthodoxy Thursday, November 3 * KIK mtg. at Panera—28th & Kraft (6:00 am)

Saturday, November 5 * Family Haven Breakfast (9:30 am) * Vespers (6:00 pm—Sung by SOYO) * Turn clocks back 1 hour

Today: Next Week:

Coffee Hour Hosts: Victor & Sarab Hajjar Mark Sielaff

Tithes & Offering Team: Sam, Dan, Bob Brian, Mike, Emily

Greeters/Ushers: Leah & Rebecca

Epistle Readers: Hamilton

Collection Tray Passers: Elena, Nalana, Sara, Josie

Teen Reflections: Josh