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January 21, 2018
Wonders, Miracles, and Signs in the New Testament
Wonders: Angelic annunciations, Wondrous pregnancies.
Barren Elizabeth conceives John the Baptist ( Luke 1:5-25). “In
the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah,
who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth
was also a descendant of Aaron.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all
the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were
childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were
both very old. Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he
was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according
to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord
and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense
came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an
angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of
the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and
was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be
afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth
will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice
because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the
Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he
will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will
bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And
he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the right-eous—to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be
sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of
God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good
news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the
day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will
come true at their appointed time.” Meanwhile, the people were
waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the
temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized
he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to
them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was
completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became
pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has
done this for me,” she said. “In these days He has shown His favor
and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
January 21, 2018 Issue 607
�18100 Merriman Road � Livonia, Michigan 48152 �
www.saintmarylivonia.com � Office: (734)-422-0010 �
Sunday Services
Confession: 8:30AM
Matins: 9:00AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:00AM
St. Mary’s Cultural
and Banquet Center
(734) 421-9220
Daily Confession by Appointment - Call the Church Office
“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
Acts 11:26
The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
Fr. George Shalhoub - Pastor Fr. Jim King - Pastor of Youth
& Pastoral Outreach Programs Archdeacon Issa Rizkallah
313-690-2030 Deacon Dr. Dennis Bojrab Deacon Samer Hanna Salim
Sessine - Parish Council Chairman Linda Lawson - Choir Director
Stacey Badeen - Church Administrator Sonya Kassis - Parish
Ministries Coordinator Bill Lawson - Olive Awad Administrative
Assistants Haitham Fakhouri - Communications Richard Shebib/Sami
Azzouz - Ushers Dr. Tom Saba - Young Adults- St. John Divine Joanne
Kharsa - Ladies Society President Michael Nunu - Teen Soyo
President Lina Nunu - Arabic School Montessori School - Abeer
Samaan, Director - 734-743-5601 Keith Rowe - Cultural Center
General Manager 734-421-9220
The Light of Christ
AL-NOUR
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY:
THE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX BASILICA OF ST. MARY
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Page 2 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
THE EPISTLE
The Lord will give strength unto His people. Bring unto the
Lord, ye sons of God; Bring unto the Lord glory and honor!
The Reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy
Chapter 4:9-15
MMMM y child Timothy, faithful is the saying, and worthy of all
acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach,
because we have our hope set on the living God, Who is the Savior
of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command
and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to
those who believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in spirit,
in faith, and in purity. Till I come, give heed to reading, to
exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you,
which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands
of the priests. Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to
them; that your progress may be manifest to all.
THE GOSPEL
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke
Chapter 19:1-10
AAAA t that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector,
and rich. And he sought to see Who Jesus was, but could not, on
account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on
ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for He was
to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up
and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must
stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and
received Him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He
has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my
goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of
anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today
salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of
Abraham; for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”
We Would Love To Visit You! It’s House Blessing Season
House blessings have begun as we celebrate the Feast of
Epiphany. All those who wish to have their house blessed, please
call the church office at 734-422-0010 to make an appointment for
one of the clergy to come and visit you and your family to pray
together and bless your home.
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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 3
Please visit www.saintmarylivonia.com for details about events
and ac�vi�es happening
at the Basilica of Saint Mary. If you have any ques�ons
regarding Youth and Outreach Events,
please contact Fr. Jim or Sonya Kassis at (734) 422-0010.
The Basilica of Saint Mary
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 26: SOYO Mee�ng at 5:30
February 9: Wine Tas�ng
February 11: Godparent Sunday
February 16-19: Winter Camp at An�ochian Village
March 3: Marriage Seminar
SOYO Family Ski Retreat Weekend Nearly two dozen teens and their
families took part in a wonderful, edifying retreat this past
holiday
weekend at Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, Michigan. It was a
weekend of reflec�on, fellowship and
recrea�on. Thanks to all who joined us!
PLEASE TAKE AN IMPORTANT SURVEY!!
Father George is gathering informa�on regarding parishioner
involvement in our church. Please share your input by taking
a
short survey available at this link:
h/ps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BASILICASURVEY
Thank you in advance!
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Page 4 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
PRAYER CORNER memorials
IIII am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me
shall never die.” (John 11:25)
Jan. 21st - 9 day memorial in loving memory of Moneer Darouich
offered by the family, Jan. 28th - 6 month memorial in loving
memory of Basim Warra offered by his wife Ferial Warra and
family,
Thank You
“A Vigil Light is Burning” In Loving Devotion
FFFF or The Health and Well Being Of: Phiebe Musallam, Mary
Lusko,
IIII n Memory Of: Joseph Michael Mouaikel, George Abodeely,
HOLY BREAD OF OBLATION
HHHH oly Bread of Oblation is offered by the families, for the
month of January, in loving memory of:
Adil Ghannam Fuad Ghannam
Jad Harb Raji and Fahdeh Kakish
Lina Iqal Miller Tala Musallam
Said Qaoud Ibrahim Rizkallah Abdalla Rizqalla
George and Wadia Shami
LLLL ord, You are the physician of our souls and body. We pray
You grant the following parishioners good health and blessings:
Metropolitan PAUL Yazigi, Archbishop Youhanna Ibrahim, Nazih,
Linda, Nadia Ayoub, George Elias Gharib, Marcus, Marie Abouassaly,
Art, Abe Azzam, Laila Hassan, Mohammed Osman, Almaz Jaafer,
Dolores, Jim Badeen, Rosie Hajjar,
TTTT he following parishioners and friends of the Basilica of
St.
Mary have given special donations to the Church in the past few
weeks: $100-For the health and well being of Nabiha Kazaleh, on the
occasion of her 93rd birthday, offered by Sylvia and Natalie
Kazaleh, $100-Anonymous donation towards Food for the Hungry,
$100-In loving memory of Fuad Ghannam offered by his wife Suham
Ghannam, $250-In loving memory of Lina Iqal Miller offered by her
mother Badia Iqal and brother Tarick and Samantha Iqal, $500-In
loving memory of sister Ghada Khoury offered by Maurice and Jyzelle
Khoury, $520-In loving memory of Ghada Khoury offered by friends,
$1000-For the health and well being of newlyweds Jonathan and Payal
Samaan,
Condolences
TTTT he clergy and parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary
extend their deepest sympathy to Mazen and Merna Darouich, Habib
Hadad, Monefa Darouich, Fadi and Alexa Darouich and the entire
Darouich family on the passing of father Moneer Darouich in
Syria.
May his memory be eternal.
OUR NEW ARRIVALS
CCCC ongratulations and best wishes to Drs. George and Jennifer
Zacur on the birth of their baby girl Mariam Sophia. Proud
grandparents are Jorge and Najat Zacur and Bruce and Marianne
Reeve.
C ongratulations and best wishes to Gabriel and Kristen Moaikel
on the birth of their baby girl Reagan Estelle. Proud grand-parents
are Nazih and Judy Moaikel and Steve West and Kathy West.
May God bless parents, grandparents and children.
Senior Heritage Fellowship
Happy New Year!
Please join us on:
Date: Thursday, January 25th Place: Cultural Center East Room
Time: 11:00am Menu: Breakfast - American Style Scrambles Eggs
Sausage Hash Brown Potatoes Bagels French Toast Cost: $5.00 per
person
Hope to see you!
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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 5
18100 MERRIMAN ROAD � LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48152
Return service requested
Dated Material
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visit our website: www.saintmarylivonia.com
The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
Parish Council News
Anyone interested in running for the Parish Council for 2018
should inform the Nominating Committee (Fr. George Shalhoub, Don
Hayes, Salim Sessine, or Emeel Ajluni) immediately. Those nominated
must meet the following qualifications as stated in Article VI,
Sec., 2 of our Constitution: “A candidate must be twenty-one (21)
years of age or over and must have been a voting member of the
Parish for a period of two (2) years and has fulfilled the
Canonical requirements of the Faith.”
HE/SHE MUST BE A PLEDGED MEMBER AND HAVE FULFILLED THEIR PLEDGE
FOR TWO (2) YEARS.
Please make sure all nominations are in prior to, or at the
General Parish meeting on January 28, 2018 in the Cultural Center
immediately following Liturgy. Due to term limitations, Salim
Sessine, Robert Ajlouny and Nidal Fakhoury will be stepping down.
Amelia Brady and Nicholas Maloof are eligible to run for a second
term.
The General Parish meeting will be held on Sunday, January 28,
2018
immediately following the Liturgy in the Cultural Center.
