Prokeimenon. Sixth Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
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.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Holy Bread (Prosphora) and Coffee Hour are offered by: Joseph Broz Jr.
Orthodox servants of God, that they may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation: Joseph Jr., Latayne, Tony AND Joseph Sr., Connie
The Orthodox servants of God departed this life in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal: AND Anthony
Your prayers are requested:
Nadia Abdelmaseh, Joan Aboud, George Augst, Kh. Cindy Baize, Dawneen Banks, Karl Beal, Dn. Stephen Beasley, Anita Bourgerie, Dennis Bourgerie, Jim Buckler, Teresa C., Deana Carothers, Roy Clark, George Cochran, Elisabeth Esquivel, Maria Greene, Weine Habtemariam, Jacqueline Howk, Edwin Kerley & family, Mary Ann Khoury, Michael and Robin Khoury and family, Marlo and Sue Kinsey, Sean and Valerie Lehl & family, Matthew and Erica Lockwood, Linda Love, Donna Namee, Robbie Namee, Barbara Nassif, Lee Rosenbaum, Dolores Shaheen, Ken Shaheen, Annalise Shearer, Brian Smith, Bonita Somerhalder, Rod & Becky Steven, Jerry Stitt, Jacob Taylor, Corina, Cristian, and Iulian Todorache, Autumn and Kim Volhein, Glen Willett, Jadallah Wolf, Kouri Wolf, Marcia Pinkerton-Wolfe, Elena Zamfir, Aidan, Anthony, Briana, Carlynne, Emily, Luciana, Samantha, Valerica, Xenia
May God remember all of them and us in His Kingdom.
The St. Mary Feast Day Picnic (a cherished parish tradition) is TODAY following the Divine Liturgy. The location is the same as prior years - Edgemoor Recreation Center, 5815 East 9th street, Wichita. The parish will provide a main course (fried chicken); plates, utensils, cups, napkins and ice water. Parishioners attending are asked to bring a side dish, dessert, and/or beverage. A sign-up board is in the parish hall. The chow line will open at 12:30 p.m. A softball game will commence at 1:30 p.m. on the field adjacent to the center. A Teen SOYO team will challenge a team of other parishioners coached by Mike Zarich. Please contact Mike and bring a glove if you want to participate on the parish team. Skill is not required to participate but the roster number will be kept to a manageable number.
We recently released a St Mary Guidebook for our parishioners. The Guidebook helps to provide insight into our practices, traditions, and expectations at St Mary. A hard copy of the Guidebook is available in the church foyer. If you prefer an electronic copy, let Fr Aaron know and he will email it to you. Each week we will provide a brief snippet from the Guidebook to help familiarize everyone with it. See below for this week's section.
MINISTRY TEAMS
At St. Mary we have numerous Ministry Teams within our church, in which members can offer their time and talent for the support of the church and its witness. In addition to offering financial resources, all members are encouraged to offer a portion of their time to be involved in at least one of these teams, as part of the mutual support of all members in doing the work of the Church. For more information on joining any Ministry Teams, ask for the team's coordinator or see the Parish Priest for more information. For the next several months we will be highlighting a ministry team each week.
DIGITAL LIBRARY/LIBRARY
With a 90+ year history, our parish has collected a multitude of items over the years, many of which have significant historical value. Many of these items are kept in our parish library on the northwest side of the building. In addition to these items, we have a broad assortment of books available to be checked out by parishioners and visitors. These books have been catalogued and primarily consist of books related to Orthodox history, theology, and spirituality, as well as the lives of the saints and prayer books. However, in addition to those, there are various translations of the Bible and other, more general, books about theology/spirituality/history.
Because we do not always have the space to keep all of our historical items, or a proper place to display them; and since many people now prefer to view items online, we are in the process of starting a “Digital Library” to preserve these historical items. Once established, the Digital Library will be shared on our parish website.
Many of our parishioners and friends have asked for an online option to make contributions to our parish. We now have this option on our website. You can make donations online for any reason: pledges, memorial gifts and special collections. You simply need to earmark your donation if it is for a memorial/special collection. If you choose to give online, we respectfully request you cover the associated fees. To give, you may visit the following webpage: Donate to St. Mary
Our new text message system through tithe.ly is now up and running. We need anyone who wants to receive text messages from the church to sign up for this service (even if you had already signed up using our previous Remind system). You can join by following these quick steps:
- Text the phone number 855-516-9861 with the following phrase in the message box: STMARYTEXT
- Click on the link sent back to you via text and fill out your name (having your name will make it much easier for us in the future to create separate groups, such as the Parish Council, the Belles of St Mary, etc.).
- Check the box giving permission to receive texts.
- Click the "Submit" button.
Once you have done this, you should be automatically added to our text message list. Contact Fr Aaron if you have any issues.
We have a need for Holy Bread and /or coffee hour on Sunday, September 14th & 21st. If you are able to help please sign up in the Holy Bread book in the church hall or email the church office ([email protected]) Thank you.
We will be making grape leaves for our upcoming Holiday Bake Sale on Saturday, September 20th. We will start at 9:00 a.m. We'd love to have a good crew so we can get them finished quickly. Please know that you don't have to have any experience in rolling! We will show you how it's done!! We should be done by noon if we have enough help. You can sign up here: St Mary/Wichita, KS: Holiday Bake Sale Prep Dates - 2025
Elanor Wagner (9/9), Tana Salome (9/11).
May God grant her many years!
9:00AM Matins
10:00AM Divine Liturgy w/Chrismation
12:30PM Feast Day Celebration @ Edgemoor Park
5:00PM Great Vespers ~ Nativity of the Mother of God
8:00AM Divine Liturgy ~ Nativity of the Mother of God
6:30PM Belles Meeting @ Church
6:00PM Daily Vespers
6:30PM Bible Study & Kids Night
12:00PM 3rd Annual CSA Golf Classic
7:00PM 3rd Annual CSA Golf/Gala Dinner @ Oddfellow Hall
4:00PM Men's Prayer Group
4:30PM Confession
5:00PM Great Vespers
6:00PM Chant Class
8:45AM Festal Matins ~ Elevation of the Cross
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Church School
5:00PM 20/40 Fellowship @ Fr Aaron's House (16005 W Sheriac Street)
6:00PM Daily Vespers
6:30PM Bible Study & Kids Night
5:30PM Parish Council Meeting
7:00PM Ladies Bingo Night @ Central Standard
9:00AM Roll Grape Leaves
4:30PM Confession
5:00PM Great Vespers
6:00PM Biblical Greek Class
9:00AM Matins
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Catechism Class
11:00AM Church School
12:00PM Altar Server Training
5:00PM Lord's Diner
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.
Saint Cornelius was a Roman by race, a pagan by religion, a centurion in rank, an inhabitant of Caesarea of Palestine, a man pious and God-fearing who gave many alms to the people and prayed continually unto God. In accordance with an angelic vision granted to him, he sent to Joppa that they might bring the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter catechized him in the Faith of Christ and baptized all his household (Acts, ch.10). This became the beginning and the first fruits of the calling of the nations. It is said that, after this, he became a bishop, as some say, of Caesarea; but others say of Scepsis, which is not far from Troas; and that he died as a martyr.
The Golf Classic Gala Friday, September 12, 2025 At Willowbend Golf Club.
HUMANITARIAN SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE THANK YOU!