10748 E. 116th Street • Fishers, Indiana 46037 (317) 845-7755 • www.stgindy.org

V. Rev. Father Nabil L. Hanna, Pastor (317) 919-0841 • pastor@stgindy.org

Rev. James A. Childs, Deacon (317) 626-3943 • jachilds555@gmail.com

Rev. Joseph S. Olas, Deacon (317) 201-8151 • jsolas@stgindy.org

A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America • Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America

His Grace Bishop ANTHONY, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo

JANUARY 6, 2019

THE THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

SAINT THEOPHAN THE RECLUSE

About the beginning of our Lord’s thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Savior according to the flesh and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the area of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism, though He was the Master, and John was but a servant.

With this, the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized, and the voice was heard from the Heavens bearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). These events demonstrated the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity.

L I T U RGY VA R I AT I O N S

FIRST ANTIPHON (PSALM 113.1, 2, 3, 5 LXX)

When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language.

Refrain: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion. Refrain

The sea saw it and fled: Jordan was driven back. Refrain

What aileth thee, O Sea, that thou fleest? O Jordan, that thou turnest back? Refrain

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Refrain

Schedule of Regular Weekly Services

Sundays: Matins, 8:50 AM

Divine Liturgy, 10 AM

Wednesdays: Vespers, 6:30 PM

Saturdays: Great Vespers, 5 PM

Confession: After Saturday Vespers

During Sunday Matins

Or by Appointment Remember to turn cell phones off!

See Calendar for Feast Days and Other Weekday Services Scheduled

Order for Holy Communion Members of the Orthodox Church age seven and above must prepare for Holy Communion with a recent confession, prayer, fasting from all food and drink from midnight (unless medical condition preclude it), being in church before the Epistle and Gospel readings, and being at peace with everyone.

As there are NO CHURCH SCHOOL classes today, children should sit with their parents and come to Communion with them. An usher will dismiss your row from the center aisle. Then return to your place by a side aisle for the prayers of thanksgiving and the final blessing and dismissal. Please let choir members pass when they come down for Communion.

A Warm Welcome to Our Guests We are glad you are worshipping with us. Please note that participation in Holy Communion is limited to members of the Orthodox Church in good standing, who have prepared through prayer, fasting and confession.

For all others: though we cannot share Communion with you—since it is an expression of membership and full unity in faith—you are welcome to come forward after the dismissal, receive a blessing and partake of the blessed bread (from the large bowls). Please also sign our guest book, and introduce yourself to Fr. Nabil during the coffee hour. You may inquire with him how you can become a member.

SECOND ANTIPHON (PSALM 114.1, 2, 3, 5 LXX)

I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.

Refrain: O Son of God, Who wast baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing unto Thee: Alleluia.

He has inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. Refrain

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hades took hold of me: I found trouble and sorrow, and I called upon the Name of the Lord. Refrain

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous, and our God is Merciful. Refrain

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O only-begotten Son….

THIRD ANTIPHON (PSALM 117.1, 2, 3, 4 LXX): TROPARION OF THEOPHANY AS REFRAIN (TONE 1)

O give thanks to the Lord for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.

Refrain: When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the likeness of a dove, confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

Let the house of Israel now confess that He is Good: for His mercy endureth forever. Refrain

Let the house of Aaron now confess that He is Good: for His mercy endureth forever. Refrain

Let them that fear the Lord now confess that He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Refrain

ENTRANCE HYMN (PSALM 117. 25, 26 LXX; TONE 2)

Clergy: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is God and hath appeared unto us. Save us, O Son of God, Who wast baptized by John in the Jordan,

People: who sing unto Thee: Alleluia.

APOLYTIKIA AFTER THE ENTRANCE

Troparion of the Theophany (Tone 1)

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized….

Kontakion of the Theophany (Tone 4)

On this day Thou hast appeared unto the whole world, and Thy light, O Sovereign Lord, is signed on us who sing Thy praise

and change with knowledge: Thou hast now come, Thou hast appeared, O Thou Light un-approachable.

INSTEAD OF THE TRISAGION (GALATIANS 3.27)

As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ! Alleluia.

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Prokeimenon (Psalm 117.25; 135.1 LXX; Tone 4)

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

Epistle of St. Paul to Titus (2.11-14; 3.4-7)

TITUS, MY SON, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to re-nounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the ap-pearing of the glory of the great God and Sav-ior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for Himself a people of His own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

But when the goodness and the loving kind-ness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in right-eousness, but in virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by His grace and be-comes heirs in hope of eternal life.

Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (3.13-17)

AT THAT TIME, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me? But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all right-eousness.” Then he consented. And when

Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God de-scending like a dove, and alighting on Him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased.”

WE SERVE THE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL TODAY

Because of the greatness of this Feast, wherever there are two columns in the service book, we follow the right column, labeled “Basil the Great.”

COMMUNION HYMN REFRAIN (TITUS 2.11; TONE 8)

The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Alleluia.

POST-COMMUNION: TROPARION OF THE FEAST (TONE 1)

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized….

The Great Blessing of the Waters

After the Prayer behind the Ambon at the end of the Liturgy,

the clergy go in procession with lights and incense to the

place where the Blessing of the Waters is to be held, the priest

holding the book of the Holy Gospels and, in his hand, the

Precious Cross. Meanwhile the following stichera are sung.

PROCESSIONAL HYMNS

TONE EIGHT

(by Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem) The voice of the Lord upon the waters cries aloud saying: “Come ye all, and re-ceive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of un-derstanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, from Christ, Who is made manifest.”

Today the nature of the waters is sancti-fied, and the Jordan is parted in two; it holds back the stream of its own waters, seeing the Master wash Himself.

O Christ the King, Thou hast come unto the river as a man, and in Thy goodness Thou dost make haste to receive the baptism of a servant at the hands of the Forerunner, for the sake of our sins, O Thou who lovest mankind.

Glory to the Father…, now and ever….

At the voice of one crying in the wilder-ness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord,” Thou hast come, O Lord, taking the form of a servant, and Thou Who knowest not sin dost ask for baptism. The waters saw Thee and were afraid; the Forerunner was seized with trembling and cried aloud,

saying: “How shall the lamp illuminate the Light? How shall the servant set his hand upon the Master? O Saviour who takest away the sin of the world, sanctify both me and the waters.”

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

READING FROM THE PROPHET

ISAIAH (12:3–6) Thus saith the Lord: With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabit-ant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Is-rael in the midst of thee.

PROKIMENON (PSALM 26:1) TONE 3 The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?

Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

READING FROM THE FIRST

EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE

CORINTHIANS (10:1-4) Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fa-thers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

ALLELUIA (PSALM 28 3) TONE FOUR Verse 1: The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.

Verse 2: The God of glory thundered, the Lord is upon many waters.

READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL

ACCORDING TO ST. MARK (1:9-11) IN THOSE DAYS, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when He came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven: “Thou art My beloved Son; with Thee I am well pleased.”

THE LITANY OF PEACE

Then the deacon sings the Litany,

and the people respond, “Lord, have

mercy,” to each petition. In peace let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God and the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.

For our father, name, the honorable pres-bytery, the diaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our president, civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city and every city and country-side and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

For healthful seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For travelers by sea, by land and by air, the sick, the suffering, captives and their salva-tion, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may be sanctified by the might and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

For these waters, that the cleansing opera-tion of the Trinity supreme in being may come down upon them, let us pray to the Lord.

For these waters, that they may be given the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be enlightened by the light of knowledge and godliness through the de-scent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may become a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, for the healing of soul and body and for every pur-pose that is expedient, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may become a foun-tain springing up unto eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may serve to the averting of every evil purpose of enemies visible and invisible, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who draw from this water and take it for the sanctification of their dwell-ings, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may bestow cleans-ing of soul and body upon all who draw it with faith and partake of it, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be deemed worthy to be filled with holiness through partaking of these waters, by the invisible manifesta-tion of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may hearken unto the entreaty of us sinners and have mercy upon us, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from every tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Calling to remembrance our all-holy, im-maculate, most-blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ, our God.

ANAPHORA OF THE

SANCTIFICATION OF THE WATER O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son, Who art in the bosom of the Father, True God, Source of life and immortality, Light of Light, Who camest into the world to en-lighten it, shine upon our understanding with Thy Holy Spirit, and accept us who of-fer unto Thee glory and thanksgiving for all Thy great and wondrous works from all ages and for Thy saving dispensation in

these last times. For Thou hast clothed Thyself in our poor and infirm nature and hast submitted Thyself to servitude, Thou Who art King of all; and moreover Thou hast accepted to be baptized in the Jordan by the hand of a servant, that having sanc-tified the nature of the waters, O sinless Lord, Thou mightest lead us to a new birth through water and Spirit, and restore us again to our original freedom. Keeping feast in remembrance of this divine mys-tery, we entreat Thee, O Master Who lovest mankind: sprinkle upon us, Thine unwor-thy servants, according to Thy divine promise, cleansing water, the gift of Thy compassion; grant that the petition of us sinners over this water may be acceptable unto Thy goodness, and that thereby Thy blessing may be granted to us and to all Thy faithful people unto the glory of Thy holy and venerated Name, for unto Thee, together with Thy Father Who is without beginning, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, are due all glory, honor, and worship, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then the priest continues with the prayer

of Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem. O Trinity supreme in being, in goodness and in Godhead, almighty, Who watchest over all, invisible, incomprehensible, Maker of spiritual beings and rational na-tures, innate Goodness, Light that none can approach and that enlightens every man that comes into the world: Shine also upon me, Thine unworthy servant. Enlighten the eyes of my understanding that I may make bold to sing the praises of Thy measureless beneficence and Thy might. May the prayer be acceptable that I offer for the people

here present. Let not my faults hinder Thy Holy Spirit from coming to this place, but suffer me now uncondemned to cry to Thee, O most good Lord, and to say:

We glorify Thee, O Master who lovest man-kind, almighty, pre-eternal King. We glorify Thee, the Creator and Maker of all. We glo-rify Thee, O Only-begotten Son of God, born without father from Thy Mother, and without mother from Thy Father.

In the preceding feast we saw Thee as a child, while in the present we behold Thee full-grown, our God made manifest, perfect God from perfect God. For today the time of the feast is at hand for us: the choir of saints assembles with us, and angels join with men in keeping festival. Today the grace of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended upon the waters. Today the Sun that never sets has risen, and the world is filled with splendor by the light of the Lord. Today the moon shines upon the world with the brightness of its rays. To-day the glittering stars make the inhabited earth fair with the radiance of their shin-ing. Today the clouds drop down upon mankind the dew of righteousness from on high. Today the Uncreated of His own will accepts the laying on of hands from His own creature. Today the Prophet and Fore-runner approaches the Master, but stands before Him with trembling, seeing the con-descension of God towards us. Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the whole creation is watered by mystical streams. Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jor-dan. Today Paradise has been opened to men, and the Sun of Righteousness shines down upon us. Today the bitter water, as

once with Moses and the people of Israel, is changed to sweetness by the coming of the Lord. Today we have been released from our ancient lamentation, and as the new Israel we have found salvation. Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God. Today the whole creation shines with light from on high. Today error is laid low, and the coming of the Master has made for us a way of salvation. Today things above keep feast with things below, and things below commune with things above. Today the triumphant assembly of the Orthodox keeps this holy festival with great joy. Today the Master hastens to-wards baptism that He may lift man up to the heights. Today He that bows not bows down to His own servant that He may set us free from bondage. Today we have pur-chased the Kingdom of Heaven: for the Lord’s Kingdom shall have no end. Today earth and sea share the joy of the world, and the world is filled with gladness. The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid. The Jordan turned back, seeing the fire of the Godhead de-scending bodily and entering its stream. The Jordan turned back, beholding the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove and flying about Thee. The Jordan turned back, seeing the Invisible made vis-ible, the Creator made flesh, the Master in the form of a servant. The Jordan turned back and the mountains skipped, looking upon God in the flesh; and the clouds gave voice, marveling at Him who was come, the Light of Light, true God of true God. For to-day in the Jordan they saw the triumph of the Master; they saw Him drown in the

Jordan the death of disobedience, the sting of error, and the chains of hell, and bestow upon the world the baptism of salvation.

Therefore, sinner and unworthy servant though I am, I recount the majesty of Thy wonders and, seized with fear, in com-punction I cry aloud to Thee:

The priest then says in a louder voice: Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvelous are Thy works: no words suffice to sing the praise of Thy wonders. (3 times)

The people respond each time: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The priest continues: For Thou by Thine own will hast brought all things out of nothingness into being, by Thy power Thou dost hold together the creation, and by Thy providence Thou dost govern the world. Of four elements hast Thou compounded the creation: with four seasons hast Thou crowned the circuit of the year. All the spiritual powers tremble before Thee. The sun sings Thy praises; the moon glorifies Thee; the stars supplicate before Thee; the light obeys Thee; the deeps are afraid at Thy presence; the foun-tains are Thy servants. Thou hast stretched out the heavens like a curtain; Thou hast established the earth upon the waters; Thou hast walled about the sea with sand. Thou hast poured forth the air that living things may breathe. The angelic powers minister to Thee; the choirs of archangels worship Thee; the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, standing round Thee and flying about Thee, hide their faces in fear of Thine unapproachable

glory. Thou, the uncircumscribed God without beginning and beyond speech, hast come upon earth, taking the form of a servant and being made in the likeness of man. For Thou, O Master, in Thy merciful compassion couldst not bear to see man-kind beneath the tyranny of the devil, but Thou hast come and saved us. We confess Thy grace, we proclaim Thy mercy, we hide not Thy beneficence. Thou hast set free the offspring of our kind. Thou hast hallowed a Virgin womb by Thy Nativity. At Thine Epiphany the whole creation sang Thy praises. For Thou, our God, hast appeared on earth and dwelt among men, Thou hast sanctified the streams of Jordan, sending down from on high the most Holy Spirit, and Thou hast broken the heads of the dragons hidden therein.

The priest makes the sign of the Cross

over the water three times, saying: Therefore, O King Who lovest mankind, do Thou Thyself be present now as then through the descent of Thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this water. (3 times)

The people respond each time: Amen.

The priest continues: And confer upon it the grace of redemp-tion, the blessing of the Jordan. Make it a source of incorruption, a gift of sanctifica-tion, a remission of sins, a protection against disease, a destruction to demons, inaccessible to the adverse powers and filled with angelic strength: that all who draw from it and partake of it may have it for the cleansing of their soul and body, for

the healing of their passions, for the sanc-tification of their dwellings, and for every purpose that is expedient. For Thou art our God, who hast renewed through water and Spirit our nature grown old through sin. Thou art our God, who hast drowned sin through water in the days of Noah. Thou art our God who, through the waters of the sea, at Moses’ hand hast set free the Hebrew nation from the bondage of Phar-aoh. Thou art our God who hast cleft the rock in the wilderness: the waters gushed out, the streams overflowed, and Thou hast satisfied Thy thirsty people. Thou art our God who by water and fire through Eli-jah hast brought back Israel from the error of Baal.

The priest makes the sign of the Cross

over the water three times, saying: Do Thou Thyself, O Master, now as then sanctify this water by Thy Holy Spirit. (3 times)

The people respond each time: Amen.

The priest continues: Grant to all those who touch it, who anoint themselves with it or drink from it, sancti-fication, blessing, cleansing, and health.

And save, O Lord, Thy servants, our faithful rulers.

Keep them in peace under Thy protection; put under their feet every enemy and ad-versary; bestow upon them whatsoever they ask unto salvation and eternal life.

Remember, O Lord, our Bishop (name), and all the priests, the diaconate in Christ, the

whole order of clergy, and the people here present, together with all our brethren ab-sent for a just cause. Have mercy upon them and upon us according to Thy great mercy.

So, by the elements, by the angels and by men, by things visible and invisible, may Thy most holy Name be glorified, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Priest: Peace be with you all.

People: And with Thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

People: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: Incline Thine ear and hearken unto us, O Lord who hast accepted baptism in the Jordan and hast sanctified the waters. Bless us all who by the bowing of our heads outwardly show Thee our servitude; and count us worthy to be filled with Thy sanctification through partaking of this water and being sprinkled with it, and may it bring us, O Lord, health of soul and body.

For Thou art the sanctification of our souls and bodies, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, thanksgiving, and worship, with Thy Father without beginning and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

The priest now makes the sign of the

Cross over the water with the Cross.

Then, holding the Cross upright in both

hands, he plunges it into the water, and

lifts it from the water once again. As he

does this, the priest sings:

TROPARION OF THE FEAST,

TONE ONE When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee the beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His word as sure and steadfast. O Christ our God, Who hast ap-peared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

The priest then plunges the Cross a

second and a third time in the water,

doing as before, and the troparion is

repeated each time.

Next the priest dips a branch of basil in

the water and sprinkles the whole church,

as the people sing the following

sticheron:

STICHERON OF DRAWING THE

WATER, TONE SIX Ye faithful, let us praise the greatness of God’s dispensation toward us, for, becom-ing man on account of our transgression, He Who alone is clean and undefiled was cleansed in the Jordan that we might be made clean, sanctifying us and the waters, and crushing the heads of the dragons in the waters. Let us then draw water in glad-ness, O brethren: for upon those who draw with faith, the grace of the Spirit is

invisibly bestowed by Christ, the God and Savior of our souls.

The people then sing: “Blessed be the Name of the Lord….”

Then the dismissal of the Liturgy is given

in the usual way.

The rest of the clergy, and then the

people, approach and kiss the Cross, and

the priest sprinkles water on the head of

each one with the branch of basil.

Clergy and people also drink from the

water which has been blessed.

During this time the people continue to

sing the troparion.

HOLY OBLATIONS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

A sign-up sheet for baking and offering the prosphora (altar bread) is posted on the bulletin board, next to the elevator. You can also contact Thelma Hoover at (317) 782-1633.

MAY GOD BLESS YOUR HOME AND ALL WHO DWELL IN IT

After the Twelve Days of Christmas we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, whose celebration includes taking the blessed water to the homes of all our parishioners.

Thus Fr. Nabil would like to come and visit with you, pray with you and ask God to bless your home. It would help in setting up his schedule if you would kindly return the coupon below. Father would like to do his best to see as many as possible before Lent (which will start March 11, 2019).

Please Join Us for Fellowship after the Liturgy Following the dismissal and verbal announcements, come forward for a blessing, then exit via the north (left side) doors, and join us in the fellowship hall for refreshments, hosted today by Deacon Joseph Olas.

House Blessing Scheduling Form

Name Telephone

Address Email

Check ALL Possible Days: ❑ Sun ❑ Mon ❑ Tue ❑ Wed ❑ Thu ❑ Fri ❑ Sat

Check ALL Possible Times: ❑ Mornings ❑ Afternoons ❑ Evenings

Please place in tray in church, or mail back as soon as possible.

ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP

Camp is one of the most important aspects of our youth ministry. The programs at the Antiochian Village Camp fill up fast, and we don’t want anyone left out. (Some children are already being put on the waiting list). We hope every child age 9-17 will go to Camp. Our parish will be going to Session II, June 30-July 12, 2019.

Registration is NOW open for Antiochian Village Summer Camp, and it fills up fast. Sign up for Session 2 at www.avcamp.org

Our parish will help with $600 of each child’s camp tuition, which comes with a commitment on the part of the child/parents to help with fundraising to offset this expense. In the past, the church pro-vided transportation. Note that it will now be up to the parents to carpool/vanpool their children to camp, since we have increased the camp scholarship amount, instead.

Please let our office know when you have successfully registered your children. You can just pay the $100 deposit now, then let us know that your children been registered and to what ses-sion they are going, so that we include them in the scholarship funds we send to the AV Camp. Email office@stgindy.org

STEWARDSHIP

Thanks and blessings on all who already stepped up and made their stewardship commitments for 2019. This is the pledge we make to continue the operational support of our new church for the coming year and is separate from the building fund pledge.

If you haven’t done so yet, please place your pledge card in the offering box at the candle stand, or

return it by mail. You will find extra pledge cards in the narthex, or you can enter your pledge as a recurring donation online yourself at www.stgindy.org/donate

MY BIBLE, MY FRIEND

By Very Rev. Father James Meena – Word Magazine, September 1987

In the Gospel of St. Matthew, we hear Jesus quote the ancient scripture from the prophesies of Isaiah and from that moment on, He began to preach this message: “Repent for the king-dom of heaven is close at hand,” (4:12-17). Those particular words have stirred up some anxiety and fear in the hearts of people without warrant for many years. Jesus was not threatening us, nor should we interpret this statement, as do some of our fellow Christians, as being just a precautionary admonition, “repent or else,” because the scriptures are filled with “or elses.” It was not necessary for Jesus to come and to utter another one. What He was saying is, in effect, prepare yourself for it because there is no way that you can enter into that kingdom so long as you bear in your conscience the brands of sin and guilt for hav-ing transgressed the commandments of God.

Now Jesus, though He is the Son of God, was steeped in scripture. All throughout the testa-ments of the four evangelists, we find Jesus quoting the scriptures and it is necessary for us to learn from His example that it is necessary for us to be able to understand scripture, not merely to memorize chapter and verse, for Jesus simply stated: “The prophet Isaiah said,” and He knew that the people to whom He was speaking understood because they knew the scriptures. It is necessary however for us to know the spirit of scripture, its teachings, its in-tent.

There are many ways to read the Bible. There are those who read it as history, and they en-joy it purely from that perspective. There are those who read it as a study of personalities, and they enjoy trying to understand the motivations of some of the great characters that we find in both the Old and the New Testaments. Others read the scriptures more for inspira-tion than for information, however. I think that Christians must read it for both purposes, to be informed to be sure, but more so to be inspired. We should never read the scriptures with the intent that we are going to arm ourselves with sufficient information to be able to argue down all our fellow Christians who have made it a practice to memorize chapter and verse for that very purpose, but rather we should come to understand personally the content, the spirit and the nature of scripture and we should become intimately familiar with our Bible. We need to turn to it devoutly and on a regular basis for information and inspiration.

I’ve had a certain Bible for less than four years, so that makes it new, but it’s well used. My fingerprints can be found throughout it. You can see all kinds of bookmarks, scraps of paper, Icons, anything that I might lay my hands on at a particular time to mark certain pages that I might want to read again at a later time. But more than that, this Bible belongs to me and I belong to it and if you were to go through my Bible you would find all sorts of colored lines and markings so that whenever I feel like just sitting and turning the pages, certain passages jump out at me to refresh me anew. Turn any page and you will find such inspiring state-ments as: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father also. From this moment you know him and have seen him,” (St. John, 14:6-7). When the Bible becomes intimately a part of us it

becomes ours. It is no desecration to mark it so that we might have landmarks to turn to as we seek inspiration and information. What God has made clean you have no right to call pro-fane,” (Acts: 10:14).

I read my Bible regularly and I find that it is a great source of strength for me. Whenever I am troubled, or frustrated, or confused, whenever I am upset or at odds with myself I turn to my friend, the Bible, and rediscover my source of strength....“and what we ask God is that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding you should reach the fullest knowledge of His Will,” (Col., 1:9). Now at some time in the past I underscored that line because it meant something to me. Had I not underscored it I could have leaped through this Bible and the words on the page would have jumped up at me as a crowded mass having no meaning, but because this Bible is mine and I belong to it and we are intimate friends, its wisdom is there for me to tap whenever I need it. “It is all to bind you together in love and to stir your minds so that your understanding may come to full development until you really know God’s secret in which all the jewels of wisdom and knowledge are hidden, (Col. 2:2).

Get to know your Bible, make it an intimate part of you, make it your friend and it will be a source of wisdom, of understanding, of comfort, of peace of heart.

LADIES OF ST. GEORGE STUDYING TOGETHER

Together with the Antiochian Women throughout the Archdiocese, we are reading the book The Sweetness of Grace. Copies are available in our bookstore now.

We will gather for discussion and reflection about the book at 7 pm on January 17 at the Roberts’ home (3254 Smokey Ridge Way, Carmel).

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Please include in your daily prayers the following—those struggling with acute illness and those newly departed this life—from our parishioners and those for whom they have requested our prayers. (Names are kept for 40 days, the date indicated after the name, and may be renewed upon request.)

LIVING Metropolitan Paul and Archbishop John

Domnikya Butenko, 2/12

Hana Musleh, IU North Hosp., 1/30

Cynthia Egly, 1/27

Jamal Omeish, 1/25

Elias AlTawil, Carmel Care Rehab., 1/24

Fouad Fred Musleh, Copper Trace Rehab., 1/24

Carol Abraham, Carmel Care Rehab., 1/8

Kiki Nafekh, cousin of Doug Fadel, 2/14

Mary Lou Saikley, Margaret Sankey’s aunt, 1/22

John Meyer, Fr. Nabil and Elaine Hanna’s brother-in-law, 1/18

Thomas Fedor and Christine Cataldo, Liza Nahas’ father and aunt, 1/17

Susan Moore and Andrea Tabanelli, Joanne Beck’s sister and sister-in-law, 1/7

Trenton Wesley, deployed in Afghanistan

All those suffering from illness, violence or want throughout the world

DEPARTED George Belovic, 2/2

Naif Khleif, father of former parishioner Ramz Khleif, 2/9

Thomas Doney, friend of Tony Nasser, 2/9

Katherine Ratliff, friend of Deanna Tingwald, 2/2

Kristin, friend of Al and Martha Sleder, 1/28

Lewis Campbell, Jeff’s uncle, 1/23

Paul Thomas, friend of the Kiritsises, 1/23

Hani Sarweh, cousin of Oussama, Samer and Amer Nahas, 12/25

Mohy Saleh, Iman Kiritsis’ father, 1/16

President George H. W. Bush, 1/9

Lauretta Hood, Joanne Beck’s mother, 1/6

The victims of violence throughout the world

ST. GEORGE PARISH CALENDAR

January 2019

Sun. 6

Great Feast of the Theophany

Matins, 8:50 am

Choir practice, 9 am

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

• Great Blessing of Water

Teen SOYO meeting, 4 pm at the Sankeys’ (1142 Linden Ln, Carmel)

Mon. 7 Church School Staff meeting, 7 pm

Wed. 9 Vespers, 6:30 pm

• Teen SOYO dinner and discussion

Sat. 12 Great Vespers, 5 pm

• Confessions heard afterwards

Sun. 13

Matins, 8:50 am

Choir practice, 9 am

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

• Church School

• Ladies of St. George meeting

Tue. 15 Parish Council, 7 pm

Wed. 16 Vespers, 6:30 pm

Thu. 17

Feast of St. Anthony

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

Ladies’ Book Discussion, 7 pm at the Roberts’ (3254 Smokey Ridge Way, Carmel)

Sat. 19 Teen SOYO service project, tentatively

10 am

Sun. 20

Matins, 8:50 am

Choir practice, 9 am

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

• Church School

See the full calendar and the latest additions and updates at www.stgindy.org/calendar