Saturdays: Vespers: 5:00 pm
Sundays: Matins: 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy: 10:15 am
Feastdays: If Scheduled: 6:30 pm
Prokeimenon. 5th Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21
The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
HOLY OBLATION
THE HOLY BREAD IS OFFERED by George & Maha for the health of their children Nicholas, Maria, Larry, Pamela and Lena. For the health of the Faddoul and Mouchaham Families, and for Betty, Elizabeth, Fred, Father Michael and his Family, his Grace Bishop Anthony and the well being of all of Saint John Parishioners.
IN MEMORY of those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to life. For the souls of the servants of God, John & Barbara, Bassam, Marwan, Ed, Jacob, Josephine, Patricia & George.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
November Birthdays
1 Dana; 2 Najwa; 3 Marcia, Jeff; 4 Alex P; 10 Michael S; 12 Michelle B; 14 Michael Z; 17 Jennifer B, LaVerne; 21 Eric; 26 Paul B; 30 David B
November Wedding Anniversaries
17 Alan & Karen; 26 Andre & Dima; 29 Robert & Milinda
May God grant you many years!
Advent
Baklava Baking
9:00AM Matins
10:15AM Divine Liturgy
Baklava Baking
4:30PM Confession
5:00PM Great Vespers
9:00AM Matins
10:15AM Divine Liturgy
Baklava Baking
4:30PM Confession
5:00PM Great Vespers
5:00PM JOY Club meeting (preceded by Vespers)
9:00AM Matins
10:15AM Divine Liturgy
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Thanksgiving!
On behalf of Khouriyeh Melanie and their children, Fr. Michael would like to wish all of the faithful of St. John's a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday this week. Father is thankful to be the pastor of this wonderful community, and he wishes you great joy and blessings as we thank God for the abundant gifts He has bestowed upon us all.
Nativity Fast began on Nov. 15th
The Nativity fast is our preparation for the Incarnation of Christ on December 25th. It will help us prepare our bodies and souls for the coming of Christ in the flesh. The general guidelines for the fast are as follows:
The Nativity Fast runs from November 15 until after Liturgy for Nativity and traditionally entails fasting from red meat, poultry, meat products, eggs, dairy products, fish, oil, and wine. Fish, wine and oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, and oil and wine are allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. As is always the case with Orthodox fasting rules, persons who are ill, the very young or elderly, and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting. Each individual is expected to confer with their spiritual father regarding any exemptions from the fasting rules, and should never place themselves in physical danger.
According to our Antiochian tradition in this country, there is a general dispensation from the fast on Thanksgiving Day.
Stewardship Pledging for 2017 Underway
You should have received your stewardship pledge packet in the mail. Included in the packet was Father Michael’s letter, the 2017 budget summary, and your stewardship pledge card. Please complete your pledge card as soon as possible and return it to the church. You may put it in the offering tray, mail it back, or give it to Don. Please try to complete your pledge card and return it by Sunday, November 20. We will not be having a Stewardship Sunday luncheon/presentation this year. We should all be familiar with the process and we are hopeful that everyone will be responsive and make a decision quickly. We are still trying to establish a reserve fund of about $10,000 each year that will show up in the budget as maintenance expense. We have recently experienced significant expenses for maintenance on the building and facilities. We can anticipate this in the future and must be financially prepared for it. If you have any questions, please speak to Don or to Nick. Thank you for your consideration and generosity in supporting St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church with your time, talent and treasure that God has provided to each of us.
Baklava Sales & Baking
Deadline for Thanksgiving orders is Nov. 20th ; Deadline for Christmas orders is Nov. 27th
Prices are as follows: Large Tray-$50 Small Tray-$30 Hostess Tray-$20
We are always looking for help. If you can volunteer with baking or boxing please see Angela.
Baking Days are Nov. 25th (9am-4pm), Nov. 26th (9am-4pm), Nov. 27th (12:30 pm-4pm),
Dec. 3rd (9am-4pm), and Dec. 4th (12:30 pm-4pm). Boxing is done on Sunday afternoons & Mondays.
Chicago Bus Trip
The annual Chicago bus trip is Saturday, December 10, 2016 will be leaving St. John's at 7 AM and will be returning around 11 PM (leaving Chicago 6:30pm Central standard time). The cost is $55 per person includes transportation, light breakfast, and appetizers and beverages on the way back. Deadline is November 28, 2016. Please make checks payable to St. John Chrysostom. Please see Andre or Ashley for questions.
Junior Orthodox Youth Meeting Saturday, Dec. 3rd
Our next scheduled Junior Orthodox Youth (JOY) Club meeting (for children 9-12), will be on Saturday, Dec. 3rd. All the children and their families are invited to come to Vespers at 5 pm that evening. After Vespers, we will enjoy a light lenten supper together in the church hall, and Fr. Michael will talk with the children about the Nativity Fast and the coming feast of the Nativity of Christ.
Parents, we need your help for this evening. Each family is asked to bring a dish for the lenten meal after Vespers (enough for 10-15 people, which includes adults.) You can bring anything you like (but please, no meat or dairy products.)
PASTOR'S CORNER
Thank You, O Lord!
The Final Sermon of Fr. Alexander Schmemann on Thanksgiving Day
Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the “one thing needed;” Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this church, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.
Bulletin info due by Monday, 11:59 pm to stjohnfortwaynebulletin at yahoo dot com.