Epistle Reading

St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 4:12-17

At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Weekly Calendar

Sun. Jan. 12: Sunday After the Theophany (Fast Free)

9:00am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy

1:00pm/2:00pm Christmas Lunch @ Grecian Gardens (1pm Salad Bar, 2pm Lunch)

Mon. Jan. 13: St. Hilary of Poitiers (Fast Free)

8:00pm The Way Catechism Class (via Zoom)

Tues. Jan. 14: St. Nina of Georgia (Fast Free)

6:00pm Scripture Talk (via Zoom)

Wed. Jan. 15: St. Paul of Thebes (Strict Fast)

7:00pm Book Club (via Zoom)

Thurs. Jan. 16: St. Romilo the Monk (Fast Free)

6:00pm Great Vespers @ St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church (Springfield, IL)

Fri. Jan. 17: St. Anthony the Great (Strict Fast)

8:15am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy @ St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church (Springfield, IL)

Sat. Jan. 18: Ss. Athanasios & Cyril (Fast Free)

9:00am Divine Liturgy (No Orthros)

5:00pm Great Vespers

Sun. Jan. 19: 12^th Sunday of Luke (Fast Free)

9:00am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy

12:30pm River Blessing (Yacht Club – Peoria Heights)

Monthly Calendar

Parish Announcements

House Blessings

At this time of year, following the Great Blessing of the Waters on the Theophany of our Lord, it is tradition to have the priest come bless our homes with Holy Water. If you would like to schedule a house blessing, please contact Fr. Theofanis (219-310-9706/frtrauch@gmail.com) to set up a time and date.

All Saints Christmas Lunch – Today, Sun. Jan. 12^th @ Grecian Gardens (1pm Salad Bar, 2pm Lunch)

Please join us for our annual Christmas Lunch today, Sunday, January 12th, 2025, at Grecian Gardens in Chillicothe. This year, we'll celebrate both Christmas and the start of the new year with a lunch gathering instead of dinner. The festivities begin at 1 PM with a salad bar, followed by a 2 PM lunch. For those who have RSVP’d to attend, please make sure to make your payment to the church before the lunch begins.

River Blessing - Sun. Jan. 19^th @ 12:30pm (Yacht Club – Peoria Heights)

Our annual River blessing will take place on Sunday Jan. 19^th at 12:30pm at the Yacht Club (5102 N. Galena Rd., Peoria Heights). We will meet there after the Divine Liturgy, do the River Blessing, and enjoy some refreshments and fellowship afterwards. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Way Catechism Class – Mondays @ 8pm via Zoom

The Way is a class for those seeking to enter the Orthodox Church and for those who are Orthodox looking to learn more about their Faith. The Zoom link is on the parish calendar, or contact Fr. Theofanis to learn more.

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.

Book Club – Wednesdays @ 7pm (via Zoom)

Our Book Club is currently working through Beginning to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom. The Zoom link to join can be found on the parish calendar.

Sunday School– Sundays following Holy Communion

Sunday School is under way! Any children (Pre-school through High School) are welcome to attend class! Sunday School children and teachers come to receive Holy Communion first, and then go downstairs for class. For any questions, please reach out to Trisha Holton (trisha.meier@gmail.com)

2025 Stewardship Form

Sunday School Registration

Wisdom of the Fathers

Today, the Uncreated is intentionally touched by the hand of His creature. Today, the Prophet and Forerunner approaches the Lord, but he serves Him with trembling, beholding God’s condescension to us. Today, by the presence of the Lord, the Jordan’s waters are transformed into cures. Today, all creation is watered by mystical streams. Today, people’s failures are wiped out in the waters of the Jordan. Today, Paradise is opened to people, and the Sun of Righteousness shines on us.

Prayer of St. Sophronius in the Great Blessing of the Waters

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