St. Mark Antiochian Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian - - PDF document

• St. Mark Antiochian Orthodox Church

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, Diocese of the West 17840 Sky Park Circle, Irvine CA 92614 (949) 851-8933 Church Office Hours: M-F, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm Website: www.st-mark-church.org Archpriest Michael Laffoon, Priest Patrick Irish Protodeacon George Moubayed, Dn. Nicholas Mamey, Sub Deacon Athanasius Fakhouri Choir Director Barbara Scholl Chanters: Jacob Bahbah, Mark Ellis, Theresa Joubran, Karim Youssef Church Office Secretary: Lydia Wakileh Teen Advisor: Fatin Fakhouri Church School after Holy Communion

FEBRUARY 2ND, 2020 PRESENTATION (MEETING) OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Refrain of the Second Antiphon Save us, O Son of God, Who wast borne in the arms of righteous Simeon; who sing to Thee. Alleluia. During the Little Entrance Troparion of the Presentation Tone 1: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace! From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those who sat in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous elder, you accepted in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, who grants us the Resurrection. Entrance Hymn Priest: The Lord hath made known His salvation; in the sight of the nations hath He revealed His righteousness. People: Save us, O Son of God who art risen from the dead, who sing to Thee: Alleluia HYMNS AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE Troparion of the Resurrection in the Eighth Tone: From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee. Clergy: Kontakion of the Presentation Tone 1: Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin's womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon's arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind. Prokeimenon (Luke 1: 46, 48) My soul doth magnify the Lord. For He hath regarded the humiliation of His handmaid. The reading from Saint Paul's Letter to the Hebrews (7:7-17) Brethren, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he

• lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes

through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchiz'edek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levit'ical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchiz'edek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.

For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchiz'edek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz'edek." Alleluia Verses (Luke 2:29, 30, 32) Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. A lighten to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people, Israel. The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Luke (2:22-40) At that time, the infant Jesus was brought up to Jerusalem by his parents to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that

• pens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice

according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." And Joseph and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Special Hymns of the Day Instead of “It is truly meet…” we sing O Theotokos, thou hope of all Christians; keep and shelter and preserve them that set their hope in thee. In the shadow and letter of the Law, let us the faithful contemplate a prefiguring: Every male child that openeth the womb is holy unto

• God. Therefore, do we magnify the first-born Word, the Son of the Father Who is

without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who hath not known wedlock. Communion Hymn for the Feast in Tone 8 I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Holy Oblations are offered today by Walid, Danice, Anthony, & Marina Najjar in memory of Walid’s father, Assaad Najjar, passed away 10 years ago (on February 1, 2010) and his mother, Gladys Najjar, passed away 2 years ago (on December 12, 2017). Coffee Hour is given today by the Coffee Hour Committee + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Please remember in your prayers: Eleanor Wackeen, Jamal El-Sayegh, Francois & Maureen Maatouk, Tarek Fakhouri, Adele Bahbah, Paul Qaqundah, Theresa Joubran and the suffering people of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Palestine, Venezuela, Ukraine, and all people afflicted by disease and violence. Ushers this week: Maurice Karkar & Wael Kashou Ushers next week: Isa Khamis & Sammy Khamis Please call the Church Office to schedule your home and/or business for Blessing with the Theophany Water. The House blessing Season is from Theophany (January 6) to the start of the Triodion period (February 9). Good Samaritan Fund Several years ago, St. Mark Church established a fund for assisting those in need, both within our parish and in the general community. From time to time we ask for contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund, and this is one of those times. If you are in need of assistance or you are aware of someone in our parish that needs financial assistance, please speak with Fr. Michael.

Church Etiquette

• Please be on time for services; those arriving late should not approach the

Chalice for Communion.

• To receive Communion, one must be a baptized/chrismated Orthodox

Christian who has prepared by prayer, fasting, alms giving, and regular confession.

• Confessions are heard on Wednesday and Saturday evenings after Great

Vespers and during the week by appointment.

• Men, women, and children: please dress modestly for services.
• Please remove lip balm or lipstick before receiving Communion or kissing

the holy icons, Chalice, or Gospel. TO THE PARENTS OF OUR YOUNG CHILDREN

• Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in

God’s home. All are welcome!

• Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear

what’s going on at the altar. They tire of seeing the back of others’ heads.

• Quietly explain the actions of the Liturgy (what the priests, deacon, altar

boys are doing)

• Sing the hymns and responses. Children learn how to worship in church by

copying you.

• Incidental noise and movement are not reasons to take your child out of
• church. If a child’s crying or movements become a distraction to others, then it is

time to leave until they are calm.

• If you have to leave the church with your child, do so but please come back.

Our Lord said, “Let the children come to me and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

• Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the

way they respond to the Church, to God, and one another. Let them know that they are at home in our house of worship. TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR PARISH The presence of children is a gift to the Church and they are a reminder that our parish is growing! Please welcome our children and give a little encouragement to their parents. Today Feast of our Lord Presentation in the Temple Super Bowl Viewing Party 3:00 p.m.

The new Calendars for 2020 are here. Please take one per family from the table by the bulletin board. Grades 7 & 8 Confessions today Next Sunday Confessions for grades 5 & 6 This Week Fr Michael will be at the Diocese of the West Clergy Seminary. Therefore there is no Tuesday night class or Wednesday Vespers. Next Week Monday February 10, Parish Council Meeting 6:30 p.m. Tuesday February 11, Adult Education 6:45 p.m. Wednesday February 12, 7:00 p.m. Vespers Upcoming Services & Event Saturday February 15 -17, 2020 Big Bear Retreat (Orthodoxy 24/7). Please see flyer included for more details. Tarneeb Tournament, Sunday March 29, after Coffee Hour (mark the date) Mark your calendar for the 68th Annual Diocese of Los Angeles and the West Parish Life Conference hosted by St. Nicholas Church – San Francisco, CA July 1st –July 5th 2020. Register on-line: www.laplc.org BUY SCRIP Our Ladies Guild buys scrip from many and various stores and Restaurants (see list included in this Bulletin) at a 3 to 10% discount. When you buy the scrip, which is accepted just like cash at the issuing store, the Parish benefits. You pay no more for these goods and services and are making a donation to our parish. You can purchase this scrip from Saeda Turk at the coffee hour.

• St. Mark 2020 Stewardship Pledge Drive – We’re getting closer to our goal

for the New Year! Since we started the pledge drive, we’ve had a great response with 84 families turning in their 2019 Pledge cards! So far, we’ve raised $145,150, which is approximately 75% of our goal of $205,000. We still have some pledge cards out there so please take the time to fill them out today. Your financial pledge and

commitment is important and supports the work of the church, the parish itself and those who work for St. Mark. We appreciate your prayers and support. Additional pledge cards are available in the back of the church and can be dropped off in the white box between the church and the hall. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask a parish council member. In Christ, St. Mark Stewardship Committee Presentation (Meeting) of the Lord (February 2) When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy

• Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he

had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading

• f prayers of purification.