Today’s Schedule: January 29th, Tone 8
33rd Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday of Zacchaeus
9:00 AM Hours: Sandy Pacak
Greeter(s):
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Prosfora: Sandy Pacak
Epistle: Sandy Pacak
Communion Aides:
Chapel Cleaners: John Brausch
Treas. Aides: Ben Lootens and Bruce Coomer
Donut Sponsor(s): The Lamb Family
11:00 AM Sunday School and Youth Group
11:10 AM 10 Minute Study Group
11:30 AM Fellowship Hour: Church Potluck
5:00 PM Adult Discussion Chapters 3-4
Today’s Hymns
Resurrection Hymn [Tone 8]: You descended from on high, O Merciful One! You accepted the three-day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection: glory to You!
Hymn for Zacchaeus [Tone 4]: The fallen man ascends the tree of life, prefiguring the passion on Golgotha’s tree. There he heard the Word of Life and he joyfully received the Lover of Humanity. Let us embrace Him whose hands were nailed upon the wood, for He has come to seek the lost.
Hymn of SS Peter and Paul [Tone 4]: O First-Enthroned of the Apostles! Teachers of the Universe! Entreat the Master of all, to grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls!
Resurrection Hymn [Tone 8]: By rising from the tomb, You raised the dead and resurrected Adam. Eve exults in Your Resurrection, and the world celebrates Your Rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
Prokeimenon [Tone 8]: Pray and make your vows before the Lord our God!
EPISTLE: My son Timothy, 1 Timothy 4:9-15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
GOSPEL: Luke 19:1-10
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."
Meditations on Today’s Epistle Reading
St. Paul 1 Tim.4: 9-15, Verse 13
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1
How many people [confronting a generalized mass of possible tasks] will have the courage to obey even the first of Paul’s instructions?
‘Give attention to reading!’ For most of us, …reading is the thing we only allow ourselves to do as a kind of luxury when the urgent things are done. It’s all too easy to let books, journals and so on pile up and then try to read several of them on a train or a plane, or a day which ought really to be a proper day off. Yet here it is at the top of the list. How are we to obey?
Part of the problem is that in modern Western culture reading feels like a form of relaxation rather than a form of work. Even if the book is demanding, and you need to make notes as you go along, you may find it easiest to sit in an armchair, perhaps with a cup of coffee, maybe with music in the background. How, you feel, can you possibly justify spending hours of a working day in such a posture? Yet reading is a form of renunciation, almost a living embodiment of the call to faith over against works: you must renounce your strenuous efforts to justify your existence by the busy-busy lifestyle that [many of us] fall into. 2
The word for reading, anagnwsis, in the N.T. appears to have also meant public reading of the scriptures: 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 and Acts 13:15. This is so perhaps because not very many people were literate in those days. But why, may we ask, is it FIRST in the list? The other words are important too. Does the prominence of reading suggest thoughtful preparation, or keeping one’s mental gear in good repair?
The next word in the list, paraklhsis can mean a summons, an appeal, an exhortation, encouragement, consolation, or comfort. 3
The third word in the list, didaskalia, can mean teaching, instruction, in both active and objective senses, most frequently the latter as here translated as “doctrine.” 4
[1] Orthodox Study Bible.
2 Wright, Tom “Paul for Everyone” The Pastoral Letters pp. 51-52, SPCK, 2004.
3 “Manual Greek Lexicon of the N.T.” 3rd ed, 1936, T & T Clark, Edinburgh.
4 Id.
MARTYRS
“Martyrs of great love, only your suffering is less than your love. Every worldly love brings suffering greater than its love. But you have loved what is deeper than time and wider than space. When your mortal brothers hear about your sufferings they consider them unbelievable and unbearable. For they can really imagine themselves only in your sufferings and not in your love, in the meaning of your sufferings. Oh, if they could only imagine themselves in your love also! All your sufferings would seem like nothing to them, just as they seemed to you. Just as the cold rain and the howling of the wind seem like nothing to a mother as she hurries home to her child.” (Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich, Prayers by the Lake, pg. 66)
ZACCHAEAUS
“It’s an epiphany for him, and in a funny, upside-down way, he is singled out by Jesus much as Jesus was singled out by God at his own baptism. Jesus, at his baptism, is identified as the son of God, and beloved; so Zacchaeus is called on by name, a name which means ‘innocent’ or ‘clean’ – not at all how he is perceived by those around him – and clearly, he gets the message that he is beloved. From that sense of beloved-ness comes his change of heart, his metanoia. It is left for us to imagine what comes from that change. But I can only think that it will ultimately change the heart of the rest of Jericho, as well. That this change of personal fiscal policy on the part of the chief tax collector is going to change the attitudes of those around him.” (Sister Katrina – Nun of Skete, Gospel Reflections, pg. 46)
CORRECTING OUR SINS NOW
“In this life we sin continually, and at the same time we are so self-loving, that we cannot endure our faults and sins to be reproved, especially before others; but in the future life our transgressions will be reproved before the whole world. Remembering this terrible judgment seat, let us bear reproof here humbly and gently, and let us correct ourselves of all our faults and sins; let us especially bear reproof from our superiors, and may the Lord teach them to reprove our faults, not maliciously, but lovingly, and in the spirit of meekness. Love to be reproved of sin by others, justly or unjustly here, in preference to being reproved at the dreadful judgment seat, before the whole world, before all the Angels and men. O, the unbearable fear and shame of Thy terrible judgment seat, Lord!” (St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ, pg.65)
Psalm 74:16 - In Praise of the God of Creation
Free Will and Tradition Comments of St. Gregory of Nyssa
Joshua and Jesus The Patristic view of the Old Testament saint Joshua as a type of the Messiah
Baptismal Waters are the Jordan River From the early days of Christianity came a theology which is still present in our Orthodox prayers of baptism - that the waters now become the Jordan River which is a symbol of the eternal waters of heaven.
The Lord Protects Infants A Sanctity of Human Life message from St. John Chrysostom
San Diego Favorites A slide show of photos from Fr. Ted
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CELEBRATIONS: Birthday(s): Paul Vicen, Kira McIntosh, Christina Brausch, John File, Gavin Mouat, Sini Abraham Name Day(s): Ann McLarnan, Mark Pearson Anniversaries:
JANUARY CHARITY: Our January Charity will be given to support the work of the Orthodox pro-life organization, ZOE for Life! ZOE helps support unwed mothers who decide to give life to their babies rather than abort them, and also helps with adoption of babies whose mothers choose to bring them to life rather than abort them.
WEDNESDAY MORNING ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP: Our Wednesday morning group will continue our discussion of Chapter 5, St. Matthew's Gospel, from the book, HOW TO READ THE NEW TESTAMENT by Etienne Charpentier.
SUNDAY EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION: Tonight we will be discussing Chapters 3-4 of David Bell’s MANY MANSIONS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY OF MEDIEVAL THEOLOGY. Even if you don't have a copy of the book you are welcomed to join the group's discussion.
NEW CATECHISM/INQUIRER’S CLASS BEING PLANNED: Fr. Ted is planning on offering the introduction to Orthodox class for those seeking to learn more about the Orthodox faith or those who are considering becoming members of the Orthodox Church. If you or someone you know would like to join that class please tell Fr. Ted ASAP (FrTed@StPDayton.org) so that he can include you in the planning process.
SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY is Sunday, February 5 and the Youth Group will once again be collecting canned goods to be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul of Dayton food bank. Boxes will be available for collection in the coat room next Sunday, January 29 through the Sunday following the SouperBowl, February 12. We will also be collecting money following Liturgy on February 5 to be donated to the IOCC. As in past years, you are welcomed and encouraged to bring soup for Fellowship Hour to share in our super SouperBowl of giving!
NEW PARISH MEMBERS: We would like to take a photo of all who became new members of St. Paul in 2011 today following Divine Liturgy. Please see Cindy Coomer to participate.
ORTHODOX SCOUT SUNDAY: From the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North America: Sunday, February 5th is Orthodox Scout Sunday. This Sunday is set aside to honor God and remind us that we are all His creatures and made in His image. Whether your parish starts a new troop, sponsors an existing one, or encourages their young people to join another scouting troop, the results are a brighter future with more and certainly better leaders! Read about the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting EOCS on the website: www.eocs.org (To read the letter in its entirety, please see the posted copy on the bulletin board.)
CLIMACUS CONFERENCE: There is a conference being held February 24-25th at St. Michael Orthodox Church in Louisville, KY. The topic is Byzantium: You are Not Forgotten. There are many several scheduled including Molly Sabourin, Bobby Maddex, and Professor Kyriacos C. Markides. They will be discussing topics such as history, culture, iconography and theology. Complete details and registration fees can be found on www.climacusconference.org as well as on the bulletin board.
2012 Pledges/Members as of January 27, 2012
Number of Pledges for 2012: 78
Total Number of Members: 120
Total Pledges: $189,404
2012 Annual Budget: $197,261
Percentage of Budget Pledged: 96%
The Parish council is grateful for the generosity and support of our parishioners and promises to use these gifts wisely for the glory of God.
NEW LOOK FOR DIOCEASAN WEBSITE: From Bishop Matthias: I am very excited to announce that a "new look" is coming to our Diocesan website and anticipate it will be launched on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. I am hopeful that this website will keep our
Diocesan Clergy and Faithful up to date on the activities of the Diocese of the Midwest primarily, but also the news of the Orthodox Church in America and Orthodoxy in general.
As your Archpastor and Father of the Diocese of the Midwest, I encourage us to be working more closely together as a family unit. We need to know what is going on in individual parishes and the diocese as a whole. To that end, I would like parishes to submit articles, photos and other items that would benefit the Diocese to Trudy Ellmore,
who will be managing our Diocesan Website
This is just one of the first steps in providing a closer unity for the Diocese of the Midwest. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am hopeful that cooperating with this effort will bear much fruit.
THE FEAST OF THE MEETING OF THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE: This is one of the Twelve Major Feasts of the Orthodox Calendar year. The Feast commemorates the event of Christ’s parents bringing Him to the temple as a 40 day old child in fulfillment of Torah as described in Luke 2:22-40. The Gospel text originally was read as part of the Scripture readings for Christmas but by the late 4th Century the Feast was celebrated 40 day after Christmas. The Feast appears to have originated in Jerusalem. “The emphasis of the Feast is on the Incarnation, particularly on the meeting of the Incarnate God and faithful Simeon, who represents the old dispensation and awaits the fulfillment of prophecy; after seeing the fulfillment of the promise Simeon departs from the scene, ready (according to some of the hymns) to spread the news of the Incarnation to the dead.” (John Baggley, Festival Icons for the Christian Year, pg. 41). We will celebrate the Feast on Wednesday evening, February 1st, with Vespers Liturgy beginning at 6 PM followed by the blessing of candles (a custom associated with this Feast). So if you have any candles you would like to have blessed, bring them to church on Wednesday evening. We will continue our celebration of the Feast on Thursday morning with Festal Matins at 8:30 AM.
This Week’s Schedule
Monday, January 30
Hieromartyr Hippolytus
1 Peter 2:21-3:9 Mark 12:13-17
8:30 AM Matins
9:15 AM Office Hours
Tuesday, January 31
Ven. Nikita (1108)
1 Peter 3:10-22 Mark 12:18-27
Wednesday, February 1
Ven. Vendemianus (ca. 512)
1 Peter 4:1-11 Mark 12:28-37
8:30 AM Matins
9:15 AM Office Hours
11:00 AM Adult Discussion Group (How to read the New Testament, Chapter 5)
6:00 PM Vespers Liturgy
Blessing of Candles
7:30 PM Festal Potluck
Thursday, February 2
THE MEETING OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, IN THE TEMPLE
1 Peter 4:12-5:5 Mark 12:38-44
8:30 AM Matins
9:15 AM Office Hours
Friday, February 3
Martyrs Adrian and Eubulus (ca. 308-309)
2 Peter 1:1-10 Mark 13:1-8
NO MATINS OR OFFICE HOURS
Saturday, February 4
Hieromartyr Abramius (ca. 344-347)
2 Tim. 2:11-19 Luke 18:2-8
5:00 PM Great Vespers
5:45 PM Confession
Sunday, February 5
Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
2 Tim. 3:10-15 Luke 18:10-14
9:00 AM Hours: Brad Miter
Greeter(s):
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Prosfora: Audrey Makris
Epistle: Brad Miter
Communion Aides:
Chapel Cleaners:
Treas. Aides: Maria Brausch and Ben Lootens
Donut Sponsor(s):
11:00 AM Church School and Youth Group
11:10 AM 10 Minute Study Group
11:30 AM Fellowship Hour: Church Potluck
5:00 PM Adult Discussion Group – Many Mansions Chapters 4-5