Welcome to our guests! Thank you for attending today’s Divine Liturgy. Please register your visit by completing the guest book located on the table in the narthex. We would appreciate getting to meet you, so feel free to join us for refreshments & fellowship in the Cultural Center.

We believe Holy Communion to be a sign that in Christ we have all things in common, share an identical faith, and are united fully to the Orthodox Church. Anyone interested in learning more about our faith are encouraged to speak with one of our clergy. Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, & regular confession are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

The Holy Apostle James the “Brother of God”

& Sixth Sunday of Luke

2250 East Paris Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

616-954-2700 ▪ info@nicholasgr.com ▪ stnicholasgr.com

V. Rev. Fr. Michael Nasser, Pastor 616- 216-3537 frmichaeln@gmail.com

V. Rev. Fr. Elias Mitchell, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Archdeacon David Khorey Rev. Dn. Clement Nicoloff Rev. Dn. Justin Adolphson

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

Since thou art a Disciple of the Lord, thou didst receive the Gospel, O righteous James. And since thou art a martyr thou art never rejected, and since thou art a brother of God, thou art privileged, and since thou art a High Priest, it is thy right to intercede. Wherefore, beseech thou Christ God to save our souls.

Thy work of justice did show thee to thy congregation a canon of faith, the likeness of humility, a teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore, by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by meekness richness. Intercede, therefore, with Christ to save our soul.

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

His voice has gone out into all the earth. The heavens declare the glory of God.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (1:11-19)

Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God vio-lently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He Who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other Apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (8:26-39)

At that time, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as He stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech Thee, do not torment me.” For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.] Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these. So He gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so He got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.

For the health & blessings of Nick Nicola on the occasion of his birthday offered by the Nicola, Ellis, & Alley families. May God grant you many years! We love you! For the health & blessings of Stephanie & Michael Soukar offered by their parents. May God continue to bless you! For the health and blessing of Nick Nicola, Kim Nicola, & Bruce Nicola on their birthdays offered by Barbara Thomas. May God grant you many years!

10/01/1974 Fedwa Khaleefey 10/01/2002 Mary Wawee 10/01/2004 Alice Bendekgey 10/02/1985 Mary David 10/02/2008 Eugenie Dudkin 10/03/1993 James Maloley 10/05/2012 Margaret Abraham 10/05/2015 Rosemary Sears 10/06/2011 Virginia Bander

10/09/1968 Salem Bashara 10/13/1996 James McAllister 10/15/1994 Walter Kitolski 10/22/1988 Oscar Sears 10/25/1964 Rose Joseph 10/27/1972 Lilly Sickrey 10/28/1963 Nazera Sayfee 10/29/1959 Leo Derwich

Metropolitan Paul (in captivity) Archbishop John (in captivity) Archpriest Elias Bitar Archpriest William Olnhausen Archpriest George Rados

Dn. Benjamin Mann Kh. Khristina Gillquist Kh. Charlotte Smith Clemence Bassett Dawn Shaheen Thomas & Jean Joseph

Sylvia Yova Jim Nassar Millard Laramy Vera Mijatovic Margaret Cook Halie Nicola

Archimandrite Michael Dn. Bassam

Ed Khouri Larry Kaleefey

Victims of the continued conflicts in the Middle East

Thank you for your prayers and the wonderful gift basket while I was in the hospital for back surgery.

October is Youth Month. Thank you teens for all of your good works!

Join the friendly MSU vs. UofM completion today during Coffee Hour! Your financial support will help to underwrite scholarships for our children & teens to attend the Antiochian Village, provide Orthodox educational materials for the Church School, & provide seed money for teen programing. Additionally, 1/3 of all of the money you give will go toward reducing our mortgage debt.

Now is the time to dig deep into your pockets to support the programing that underwrites the Orthodox faith of our children & teens. Give generously!

Blood pressure readings will be held today during Coffee Hour in the St. Herman & St. Sophia classrooms.

New handmaiden of God, Lucille Marie came into the world on Tuesday, October 18 at 3:45 pm. She weighs 6 lbs. 13 oz. and is 20 inches long. Congratulation Nathan & Ashley Adolphson! Address: 925 Chrlotte NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Many of our neighbors in the Camelot community will face a cold Michigan winter with insufficient clothing to keep them warm, but we as a St. Nicholas family can make a difference. All this week including next week Sunday please consider bringing hats, gloves, and socks—all of which will be distributed to our neighbors in need. Place your clothing donation in the box located outside the Church Office or in the Narthex.

Our goal is to fill at least 4 boxes.

If you have questions, contact Greg Storey: gregory_storey@yahoo.com.

Don’t miss the opportunity to pause and set your mind on things above each Wednesday during Sixth Hour Prayer. The service is from 12:00–12:30 pm in the St. John of Damascus Chapel.

Bring work gloves and be ready to rake some leaves! We will depart from St. Nicholas at 7:00 am on Saturday, October 29 and carpool to the Dormition Monastery in order to arrive for the Liturgy. Afterwards, we will rake leaves and enjoy lunch at the monastery. Contact Scott Storey for further details: srstorey@umich.edu

Please plan to join us in the gathering room for a potluck and training session in icon decorating on Saturday, October 29 from noon to 1:20 pm.

Committee forms have been distributed asking which committees you desire to be a part of for the planning & execution of the Archdiocese Convention in 2019. If you received a form, please complete it and submit it to Alan Abraham, Kathy Abraham, or the Church Office.

Forms can be obtained from the table in the Narthex.

If you have questions, please contact Alan (abrahama@sasinc.com) or Kathy (kathy.abraham@savoryfoods.com)

You’ll want to read the book: A Sacred Journey to Better Health in preparation for the upcoming Nativity Fast. This nutrition-based approach to fasting is a training tool of hands-on activities, recipes, resources, as well as quotes from our Church Fathers. You will be blessed and challenged! Stop by the bookstore to look at this and many more great books.

It is not too late to attend our Wednesday Family Night/Bible Study. We will be meeting on the following evenings: October 26; November 9 & 16.

Schedule: 6:00 pm: Dinner & Fellowship 7:00 pm: Bible Study

Introduction to Orthodoxy (Adults) A Study on the Book of St. Matthew (Adults) A Study on the Epistle to the Ephesians (Teens) Child care available

Join the Men of St. Nicholas on Fridays in the month of October from 8:00-9:00 am at Arnie’s restaurant for a time of fellowship coupled with a discussion of the daily Epistle & Gospel readings. Contact Sam Bander for details: drsambander@gmail.com.

There are a number of coats that have been left over the past 3 weeks. If you are missing a coat please take it home today. Unclaimed coats will be donated to the Camelot Community.

November: * 12—SOYO: Chicago trip to see Weeping Icon * 15—Advent Fast begins * 17—Forerunners Forest Hills FAC: “Annie” * 19—Works of Mercy: Renucci Center outreach * 19—SOYO: Thanksgiving at Family Haven * 19—Presentation of the Theotokos Festal Vespers * 23—Akathist Thanksgiving * 30—Advent Parakleis begins (Every Wednesday)

December: * 03—St. Nicholas Day Pancake Breakfast * 03—St. Nicholas Day Banquet * 04—St. Nicholas Day * 23—Royal Hours of the Pre-Feast of Christmas * 24—Matins of the Pre-Feast of Christmas * 24—Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Feast of Christmas * 24—Festal Vespers * 25—Christmas Matins * 25—Christmas Divine Liturgy January: * 06—House Blessings begin

Sunday, October 23 Matins & Orthodox Education (8:50 am) Divine Liturgy (10:00 am) * MSU vs. UofM fundraiser * Blood Pressure Checks * Parish Council meeting

Tuesday, October 25 * Parish Connection meeting * Choir Practice (7:00 pm) * Chanting Practice (8:00 pm)

Wednesday, October 26 * Sixth Hour Prayer (Noon) * Family Night Bible Study & Introduction to Orthodoxy (6:00 pm Dinner & 7:00 pm Bible Study)

Friday, October 28 * Breakfast w/ the Boys (8:00 am)

Saturday, October 29 * Dormition Monastery—Young Adults/College (7:00 am) * Feast Icon Decorating Ministry luncheon/training (Noon-1:30 pm) *Vespers (6:00 pm)

Today: Next Week:

Coffee Hour Hosts: Michael & Maria Jammal Victor & Sarab Hajjar

Collection Counting Team: Brian, Emily Mike Sam, Dan, Bob

Greeters/Ushers: Elena & Nalana Leah, Rebecca

Epistle Readers: Leah Hamilton

Collection Tray Passers: Elena, Isabelle, Cece, Leah Elena, Nalana, Sara, Josie

Teen Reflections: Elena Josh