All Saints Orthodox Christian Church

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Wednesday Evening, November 24th at 6:00, begin your Thanksgiving celebration by attending the Akathist of Thanksgiving.

Newly elected members of the Parish Council include Linda Barrett, James Finchum, Nina Rogers, and Subdeacon Nicholas Storrs. We congratulate the new members and the two who are returning to the Council. Father Peter Jon will appoint 2-3 others to complete the council's required membership number. All members of the Council meet Monday Night at 7:00. Next Sunday the entire Council will be installed with the blessings and prayers of the parish.

Today we commemorate: The Presentation; Venerable Colomba of Ireland
Thought for Today: (Writing about the traditional American Thanksgiving meal) “And when the afternoon is finished, everyone goes away, back to his own daily round of living strengthened once more in the sense of oneness with this family. This conviction of unity and mutual support will bolster each person often in times of frustration or loneliness which come into all our lives.” His Grace Bp THOMAS
The Annual Meeting will be held today, Sunday, November 21st (The Presentation of the Holy Theotokos) with Mother Macrina as guest speaker. A pitch-in meal will be served.
Social Hour: Parishioners present finger foods according to the schedule for each week of the month: A-B; C-K; L-R; S-Z. Thank you for participating. Questions? Ask Marcia or Linda.
Pictorial Directory Update: If you wish to submit a photo, please give it to Marcia by next Sunday, November 28th. We are so happy to extend the due date. A small photograph on photo quality paper is required. We learned at Wednesday’s planning session that submitted photos can be returned. The cost is $10. Tell us how we may help your portrait be included.
Robin Freeman would like to invite you to her upcoming concert, “Charpentier’s Te Deum and Carols.” She will conduct the Te Deum, a work for choir, orchestra, and soloists. The concert is Friday, December 3rd, 7:00 PM, in Merrill Recital Hall on the IU Campus. Admission is free. (Recital Hal is located on the first floor of Merrill Hall, 1201 E. Thirds Street. Enter by the main doors on Third Street and the hall is directly in front of you. Further questions? Ask Robin and she’ll be happy to direct you further!
Receiving Communion: Ushers help the line progress from the first row to the last. Communicants in the over-flow area may follow the row to their left or join the last row.
Marcia is updating the yearly calendar and phone directory. Is your information current?
Contact her at alsntssec@bluemarble.net.
November 21st is IOCC Sunday. Orthodox Christians are encouraged to support the humanitarian work of IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities). Make your donation directly or through All Saints. Visit antiochian.org for more information.
THIS WEEK at ALL SAINTS

Memory Eternal, Bob Neukomm, on his birthday Nov. 28
Prayer List: Hannah, Ben, & Fiona Rose (open heart surgery Friday, Nov. 19—Nancy and Darryl’s granddaughter); Linda Campbell (Jennifer Lopushok’s mother, hospitalized with serious health problems); Eadie Holcomb (Miriam’s mother now in assisted living); Moretti Family; Rose Kelley; Bob Rogers; Jerry Heil; Jad; Jill (young woman with terminal cancer); Lon (stage 3B lung cancer – Jennifer Patterson’s father); Jill Patterson (David’s mother); Megan Barrett; Michael & Darlena; DannyThoms; Dick Barrett; Ross Barbour; Blair Family; Rose Kelly; Przybyla family; Jennifer Patterson; Sandy and Zachary Webb; Deborah; Kelly’s Aunt Sue with stage 4 cancer; Ruth; Steve; Margaret, Daniel Mullis’s mother; Preston Sise; Ruby Barrett; Kevin; Romaine Fredrick; Derek, Claire and Micah; Maggie; Joe & Carol; Jack J; Gardiner & Harris families; Aaron; Robert; Tim Richards; Charles; Laura; Bethany; Jemma (Bethany’s niece); Rdr. James; Dr. Robert & Phyllis Walker; Ginny Kapellas; Archpriest Michael; Archpriest Alexander; Jerrilyn; Subdeacon James.
Memory Eternal: Mona; Gordon (Sept. 28); Marcie (October 22); Russell (Kelly’s grandfather); Jeff Ashby (former parishioner-Nov. 4); Robert; Donna
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Epistle: Hebrews 9: 1-17
Brethren, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lamp stand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
Gospel: St. Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28
At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
As Jesus said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts that You sucked!” But Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Thought for Today: “Never cease to give thanks for what you have received. Perhaps we are not rich men when it comes to money and property, but we are wealthy men in the eyes of God. He has given us many unseen gifts, eternal ones, ones that cannot be taken from us. We have been given more than we labored for. Rejoice, for God is generous and merciful. He is the God of Love, and He loves us all."
-- His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH

Social Hour: Parishioners present finger foods according to the schedule for each week of the month: A-B; C-K; L-R; S-Z. Thank you for participating. Questions? Ask Marcia or Linda. The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 21st (The Presentation of the Holy Theotokos) with Mother Macrina as guest speaker. She will also speak after 5 pm Great Vespers at a spaghetti meal on Saturday. Those on the e-mail list of the church should receive notification. Those without an e-mail address will receive a hard copy by mail. The Parish Council has agreed also to send the annual report by e-mail. A few hard copies will be available at the church.

"We observe the fast so that we can rely more on God and less on ourselves. In other words, we're focusing on the heavenly and rejecting the worldly. It's more important to be reading from the prayer book and from the Scripture than reading the fine lines on the back of soup cans." His Grace, Bishop Thomas of Pittsburgh (and locum tenens of Toledo)
“The man who endures accusations against himself with humility has arrived at perfection. He is marveled at by the holy angels, for there is no other virtue so great and so hard to achieve.” St. Isaac the Syrian

"Those who labor little, and build the life of their soul on sensual shallowness, build on sand, which cannot uphold anything, even in this transitory world - and even more so in eternity." -- St. Nicholai of Zica
“As many times as the enemy attacks you, either through passion or through sadness or despondency or despair, immediately grab the weapon of prayer, and you shall see how much it disappears and not even a trace of it remains.” Father Philotheos Zervakos
“Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” Proverbs 22:24, 25
"How does one boast …in the cross? Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have preached the Cross, displayed the Cross in their homes and altars, venerated the Cross in the liturgy and signed themselves with the Cross in worship of the Holy Trinity and during times of fear or temptation.”– OSB notes on Galatians 6:14
"Two unequal kingdoms are at war. Each is spiritual in nature, each stamps its image on its subjects and requires strict obedience. Yet they are opposites. The king of the lesser realm is a created being, Satan….He is the author of disobedience, rebellion. The beginning of his rule is spiritual death…The King of the other Kingdom is uncreated, God the Father…He rules by mercy and love. The beginning of His rule is redemption to eternal life…” – OSB notes on Ephesians 2:1-7

"Becoming a Christian is not so much inviting Christ into one’s life as getting oneself into Christ’s life. What is true of Christ must become true of one who is in Him.” – OSB notes on Ephesians Chapter 1

“Prayer revives the Divine breath which God breathed into Adam's nostrils." -- Father Sophrony
“Humility is the only thing we need; one can still fall having virtues other than humility – but with humility one does not fall.” Elder Herman of Mt. Athos
“Ammon complained to the Venerable Sisoes the Great that he could not memorize the wise sayings that he read, in order to be able to repeat them in conversation with men. The saint replied to Him: "That is not necessary. It is necessary to attain purity of mind and to speak from that purity, placing your hope in God." (The Sayings of the Desert Fathers)
“Fear is the fruit of atheism, and so the fearful man or woman has rejected God. We must examine ourselves, find these fears, and ask God to enter into us every more fully, that our fears will subside.” His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH
“We do not always see things the way they really are, especially in our own lives. Only when we look back after many years do we see the joys in the things we take for granted now. My beloved, I ask all of you to take the time each day to think of your blessings. Thank God for the things you have right now, and appreciate them.” His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH
“Oh, what great happiness and bliss, what exaltation it is to address oneself to the Eternal Father. Always, without fail, value this joy which has been accorded to you by God’s infinite grace and do not forget it during your prayers; God, the angels and God’s holy men and women listen to you.” St. John of Kronstadt
Abba Isidore said, ‘If you fast regularly, do not be inflated with pride, but if you think highly of yourself because of it, then you had better eat meat. It is better for a man to eat meat than to be inflated with pride and glorify himself.” (The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, p. 106)
“Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.” St. John Chrysostom
St. Hyperechius said, “Let your thoughts be ever in the kingdom of heaven and soon you will possess it as an heritage.” The Sayings of the Desert Fathers p. 239
“They said of Abba Or that he never lied, nor swore, nor hurt anyone, nor spoke without necessity.” The Sayings of the Desert Fathers p. 246
“I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to gluttony, and about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I shall say nothing on my own account, but only what I have received from the Holy Fathers. They have not given us only a single rule for fasting or a single standard and measure for eating, because not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal: to avoid over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied.” (St. John Cassian)
“Acts of charity, almsgiving and all the external good works do not suppress the arrogance of the heart; but noetic meditation, the labor of repentance, contrition and humility—these humble the proud mind.” (Elder Joseph the Hesychast)

“If the soul is vigilant and withdraws from all distraction and abandons its own will, then the spirit of God invades it and it can conceive because it is free to do so.” (Abba Cronius)
“The Holy Spirit often visits us; but if He does not find rest, how can He remain? He departs. Joy is in the hearts of those who are cleansed and who are able to maintain within themselves the grace of the Holy Spirit of the All-holy Trinity. There is no greater joy and happiness for man. I am not able to describe to you how one feels then.” (Elder Ieronymos of Aegina)
“You cannot destroy the passions on your own, but ask God, and He will destroy them, if this is profitable for you. “ (St. Anatoly of Optina)
Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience. (St. John of the Ladder)
I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world, and I said groaning, “What can get through from such snares?” Then I heard a voice saying to me, “Humility.” (St. Anthony the Great)
God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts. Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the devil – for the devil is cold—let us call on the Lord. He will come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but also for our neighbor, and the cold of him who hates the good, will flee before the heat of His countenance. (St. Seraphim of Sarov)

Do you wish to free yourself of sorrows and not be burdened by them? Expect bigger ones -- and you will calm down. Rembember Job and other Saints -- what sorrows they had endured! Acquire their patience and your spirit will be consoled. [Sts. Barsanuphius and John]
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emman’u-el” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called His name Jesus.
“To give our alms out of that which one needs: this is true almsgiving.” [The Prologue of Ohrid, Vol. 2, p. 657.]
“Let us keep the Feast, not after the manner of a heathen festival, but after a godly sort; not after the way of the world, but in a fashion above the world; not as our own, but as belonging to Him who is ours, or rather as our master's; not as of weakness, but as of healing; not as of creation, but of re-creation.” [St. Gregory of Nazianzus 380 A.D.]
“An elderly lady who was noted for her youthful look was asked one day, ‘What do you do to preserve your youthful appearance?’ She replied, ‘I use: for the lips, truth; for the voice, prayer; for the eyes, compassion; for the hand, helpfulness; for the figure, uprightness; and for the heart, love – the love of Jesus.’” [Holy Joy: The Heartbeat of Faith; Coniaris; p. 124]
“The story is told of a rural congregation in which one of the member families had been burned out in a terrible fire. The Pastor called the congregation to prayer at the site of the fire. They all appeared except one family who came very late. That family arrived in their wagon, the back of which was laden with food, clothing, and furniture. The Pastor chided them about being late and missing the prayer meeting. But the father of the family responded, ‘Pastor, we brought our prayers in the wagon.’” [The Resource Book for Orthodox Evangelism, V.Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr; p. 171]
"Abba Agathon was wise in spirit and active in body. He provided everything he needed for himself, in manual work, food, and clothing.” [The Sayings of the Desert Fathers; p. 22]
“Abba Minus of Belos said, ‘Obedience responds to obedience. When someone obeys God, God obeys his request.’” [The Sayings of the Desert Fathers; p. 150]

“One day some Arians came to see Abba Sisoes on Abba Anthony’s mountain, and they began to speak against the Orthodox faith. The old man gave them no answer but he called his disciple and said to him, ‘Abraham, bring me the book of Saint Athanasius and read it.’ Then they were silent as their heresy was unmasked, and he sent them away in peace.” [The Sayings of the Desert Fathers page 217]
Abba Isidore said, ‘If you fast regularly, do not be inflated with pride, but if you think highly of yourself because of it, then you had better eat meat. It is better for a man to eat meat than to be inflated with pride and glorify himself.” (The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, p. 106)
"If but ten among us lead a holy life, we shall kindle a fire which shall light up the entire city." -- St. John Chrysostom