Sunday, Dec. 12 – Sunday of the Forefathers
9:00 AM Matins
10:00 AM Divine Liturgy
12:00 PM St. Nicholas Day Potluck
Monday, Dec. 13 – Eustratius & Others, Martyrs
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
Tuesday, Dec. 14 – Thrysus and Others, Martyrs
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
Wednesday, Dec. 15 – Eleutherius, Bishop-Martyr
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
6:30 PM Emmanuel Moleben
7:30 PM Fire-pit Social
Thursday, Dec. 16 – Haggai, Prophet
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Evening Prayer
Friday, Dec. 17 – Daniel, Great Prophet
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:00 PM Compline
Saturday, Dec. 18 – Saturday Before Christmas; Sebastian and Others, Martyrs
5:00 PM Ventura County Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Vespers
Sunday, Dec. 19 – Sunday Before Christmas; Sunday of the Holy Fathers
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Please remember the following people in your prayers: Estella Biedenbender, Ken Bosak, ,Fletes Family: Alicia, Frankie, Layla, Lupita & Veronica, Victoria Flores, Larry Goodwin, Holly Garlow, Michelle Grana, Virginia Harrington, Jeanne Hart, Michael Hefferon, Nicole Hefferon, Rob Hooper, Chris Johnson, Mary-Jo Koman-Keogh, Patricia Kurczak, Irene Lehman, Elizabeth & John Mallas, Dylan Mancia, Toni Martin, Marg Mauro, Juan Gabriel Martinez, Pedro Medina, Mina family: Mila, Diana, Rev. John & Mike, Shannon O’Neill, Denise Painter, Austin Pearce, Tanya Petach, Casandra Porch, Nicholas, Rodriguez Diane Romano, Paul Saucedo, Kathleen Savko, Robert Stamer, Leanne Steuer, Mary Washko, Dina & Matthew Wiggins, Carmen Zambrano, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Fr. Chris Zugger and all those who serve in the Armed Forces
Collection: $3,304.00; Candles: $39.95; Online: $405.00; VC Outreach: $110.00; Holydays: $20.00; Church Improvements: $135.00; Christmas: $20.00; Flowers: $45.00; Retired Religious Fund: $1,025.00
Total: $5,103.95 / Attendance- PSM: 62 VCO: 44
You’ll find an envelope in your mailing, or just write “Retired Religious” on your check. Thank you for your generosity!
Across the United States, hundreds of religious communities lack financial resources sufficient to meet the retirement and health-care needs of aging members. Many elder religious worked for years for small stipends, leaving a large gap in retirement savings. At the same time, fewer religious are able to serve in compensated ministry. Like many Americans, religious communities face the monumental challenge of funding eldercare. Additionally, today retired religious outnumber wage earners by nearly three to one.
This and next Sunday intensify our preparation for Christmas, the Nativity of Our Lord. Since Christmas is the revelation of God becoming a human, these Sundays commemorate all the humans that prepared the way for this revelation. This “Sunday of the Forefathers”, two Sundays before the Nativity, commemorates Adam, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Daniel etc. We remember all those who carried the torch of the promise made by God that he would send a messiah. We call these righteous forefathers the “ancestors of the church.” Many hymns were written specifically for these Sundays, and we pray them at Matins and Vespers. Next Sunday, the scope of our remembrance is broadened to include all of those who came before Christ, and we will hear his human genealogy as the Gospel of the day. Blessed Fast and time of preparation for the glorious feast of the birth of Our Lord!
With two feasts, hosting a young adult gathering, and the weekend celebration of St. Nicholas, it’s been a very busy week at the parish, and we are looking forward to even more beautiful busy-ness through Christmas and Theophany. Thank you to all who have helped these celebrations flow according to the Will of Our Lord.
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled.” Our gracious Lord seeks to bring all people who are willing to his heavenly banquet. His servants are called to reach out to the ends of the earth so that his house may be filled. While this is the calling of all Christians, those called to the priesthood, diaconate, minor orders, monastic and religious life do so in a special way. If this may be your calling, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Saturday, December 11 –
