THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST AT THE TEMPLE

Next week, we will be celebrating for the first time, the Feastday of our Mission. On Sunday, February 1, at 4:00 p.m. Vespers of the Presentation of Christ at the Temple will be held. A Vesper Service Book has been prepared to help all of us to participate. The best way to understand the meaning of our Feastday is to read the Gospel passage appointed for the Divine Liturgy on February 2, 2004.

THE GOSPEL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTATION

At that time, the parents brought the child Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens 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 Symeon, 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 let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Symeon 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 of many hearts may be revealed." And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, 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.

Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

15th sunday of luke (zaccheus)

Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

EPISTLE – Hebrews 7:26-8:2 (St. Gregory the Theologian)

rethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.

GOSPEL– Luke 19:1-10 (Zaccheus)

  RENEW YOUR STEWARDSHIP!:  Forty-five of last year’s Stewards have renewed their Stewardship. If you haven’t as yet returned your Stewardship declaration cards for 2004, please do it as soon as possible. If you need additional cards, call Bill Pasisis, Stewardship Committee Chairman at 688-7465, who will send them to you. Your help is essential!
     P.E.P CLASS: Friday, January 23, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. We continue our study of the Gospel of John, Chapter 8:31-47, “The True Sons and Daughters of Abraham.”