All Saints Weekly Bulletin

^{Sunday, August 31st}

9:00am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy

Fellowship Hour hosted by the Parish Council

An Offering Tray will be passed in support of St. John Chrysostom Monastery

Epistle Reading

St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Weekly Calendar

Sun. Aug. 31: 12^th Sunday of Matthew (Fast Free)

9:00am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy

Mon. Sep. 1: St. Symeon the Stylite (Fast Free)

Tues. Sep. 2: St. Mammas the Martyr (Fast Free)

6:00pm Scripture Talk (via Zoom)

8:00pm Orthodox Catechism (via Zoom)

Wed. Sep. 3: St. Anthimos of Nicomedia (Strict Fast)

Thurs. Sep. 4: The Prophet Moses & Godseer (Fast Free)

Fri. Sep. 5: Ss. Zacharias & Elizabeth (Strict Fast)

Sat. Sep. 6: St. Calodote the Martyr (Fast Free)

        10:00am Pilgrimage to St. John Chrysostom Monastery

Sun. Sep. 7: Sunday Before the Holy Cross (Fast Free)

9:00am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy

Parish Announcements

Scripture Talk – Tuesdays @ 6pm (via Zoom)

Scripture Talk is a virtual Bible study ministry offered by the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) that meets every Tuesday, 6pm to 7pm CST.

Each week, a different Orthodox priest from around the country is invited to help guide the discussion. The Zoom link can be found on the parish calendar.

Orthodox Catechism – Tuesdays @ 8pm (via Zoom)

Orthodox Catechism is a class for those seeking to enter the Orthodox Church and for those who are Orthodox looking to learn more about their Faith. Our class meets weekly on Tuesdays at 8pm. The Zoom link is on the parish calendar, or contact Fr. Theofanis to learn more.

Sunday School

Sunday School classes for the 2025 – 2026 are underway! We have three classes which will welcome students from Preschool through Highschool. Sunday School students and teachers will approach to receive Holy Communion first, and then go downstairs for class. Please register your children for Sunday School at the link below.

Sacred Pilgrimage to St. John Chrysostom Monastery – Sat. Sept. 6^th

Our parish will be taking a pilgrimage to visit St. John Chrysostom Greek Orthodox Monastery in Kenosha, WI on Saturday, September 6^th. The visit will be the same time as last year’s, 10am – 1pm. This will be a chance to see the monastery property, speak with some of the nuns, venerate the relics of different Saints, and visit the bookstore. Please RSVP at the link below by Sun. Aug. 31st, and contact Jordan Cruse (309-712-7955) with any questions.

Wisdom of the Fathers

What then did Christ say? “How difficult it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” He was not criticizing money itself but the wills of those who are taken captive by it. If it will be difficult for the rich, how much more so for the avaricious! For if stinginess with one’s own wealth is an impediment to gaining the kingdom, think how much fire is amassed for taking someone else’s. But why does he say that it is hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom, to the disciples, who were poor and had nothing? He teaches them not to be ashamed of their poverty and, as it were, gives the reason why he did not allow them to possess anything. After saying it is hard, he also shows them that it is impossible, and not simply impossible but even in an exaggerated way impossible. He shows this from the comparison of the camel and the needle: “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Hence Christ demonstrates that there is a significant reward for the wealthy who can practice self denial. He also said that this had to be the work of God, that he might show that great grace is needed for anyone who is going to achieve it.

St. John Chrysostom

When the disciples were upset, he said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” But why were the disciples upset since they were poor, in fact very poor? They were upset for others’ salvation and because they possessed great love toward them all. Already they were taking on the tenderness of teachers. At least they were in such trembling and fear for the whole world from Jesus’ declaration as to need much comfort. And so after Jesus had made eye contact with them, he said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” So with a pleasant and gentle look, he soothed those whose hearts were terrorized and relieved their anguish (for this is what the Evangelist meant by “looking at him”). Then he uplifted them with his words as he focused on the power of God, and thus he gave them faith. If you also want to learn the way and how the impossible becomes possible, listen. He did not make this statement that what is impossible for man is possible for God merely so you could relax and do nothing and leave it all to God. No, he said this so you could understand the importance of calling upon God to give you help in this rigorous contest and that you might more readily approach his grace.

St. John Chrysostom