Weekly Bulletin

Sept 13th -Sept 19th

Sept 19th: Sunday After the Elevation of the Cross






The Sunday after the Elevation of the Life-Giving Cross

Today, on this Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross, we are once again reminded of the blessings that our Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross has given us. The Lord was crucified on Golgotha, and it was there that He took upon Himself the iniquity of sin, and all the personal sins of humanity. They were nailed to the Cross with Him, “killing” these sins and destroying them. Or, as the Prayer of 6th Hour says, our Lord Jesus Christ, “by His precious Cross destroyed the record of our sins, triumphing over the source and power of darkness”; Every person who believes in Christ when they are baptized is freed from their sins, and when they come out of the waters of Baptism, a new life in Christ begins. The record of their past sins is purged, and they start fresh. Indeed, in our baptism we participate in the death and burial of Christ. As St. Paul writes: “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Romans 6:6). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). (from a sermon by Metropolitan Sotirios)


Weekly Services:

Saturday, Sept 18th @6pm- Great Vespers

Sunday, Sept 19th @10am- Divine Liturgy

Announcements:

1.) Book Club: I would like to resume our book club. A few people have suggested reading the Scriptures, beginning with Genesis. We will be meeting on Zoom on Sunday nights at 6pm. I will announce the date of the next meeting soon.

Volunteering:

1.) The Food Cupboard: We are collecting personal hygiene items for this organization, to include: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, mouthwash, shampoo, etc. Please bring any items you can donate to church and place in the bin in the foyer.


2.) Open Door Mission: This organization is looking for donations of men's socks. If you are able to donate, there will be a bin in the foyer.


Prayer Requests:

Diane D. Charlsie B. Bonita H.

Birthdays:

Amy P. (September 15), Abby H. (September 16), Connor D. (September 19), George K. (September 21), and Ghenet A. (September 21)


Anniversaries:

Ann Michael and Mark Henry (September 20)


Grant, O Lord, a prosperous and peaceful life, health, salvation, and furtherance in all good things, unto Thy servants Amy, Abby, Ann Michael, Mark, Connor, George and Ghenet who are celebrating their anniversaries and birthdays, and preserve them for many years!


Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:13-24

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. 19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen





Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-42

33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. 35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?