October 15, 2017
Numbers and Their Significance in the Bible
Four, Forty: Balanced forces for healing or a new creation:
Eden birthed four rivers - Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates (Genesis 2:10-14). “A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.”
The deluge raged for forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:12) “And the rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.”
The Israelites wandered for forty years in the desert (Numbers 32:13) “The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in His sight was gone.”
Forty thousand troops fought the battle of Jericho (Joshua 4:13) “About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.”
David and Solomon reigned for forty years (2 Samuel 5:4; 2 Chronicles 9:30) “David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.” “Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.”
Nineveh was warned for forty days (Jonah 3:4) “Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’”
October 15, 2017 Issue 594
�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 - Director 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 Haitham Fakhouri - Communications Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz - Ushers Dr. Tom Saba - Young Adults- St. John Divine Nancy Ghannam - Ladies Society President Michael Nunu - Teen Soyo President Lina Nunu - Arabic School 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
Page 2 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
THE EPISTLE
Blessed are Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers. For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done to us!.
The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to St. Titus Chapter 3:8-15
MMMM y child Titus, faithful is the saying and concerning these things I desire you to affirm confidently, that those who have believed in God may be thoughtful of how to preside in honorable occupations. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, and genealogies, and contentions, and controversies about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man who is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject, knowing that such a one is subverted, and sins, being self-condemned. When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicos, give diligence to come tome to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that they may be lacking in nothing. And let our people also learn how to preside in honorable occupations, so as to help in cases of urgent need, that they should not be unfruitful. All who are with me salute you. Salute those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
THE GOSPEL
The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 8:5-15
TTTT he Lord spoke this parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.” And when His Disciples asked Him what this parable meant, Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
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
……………………………………………….. Teen SOYO Begins New Year
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
October 13-15: Fall Gathering at St. George in Grand Rapids– Informa�on can be found at www.an�ochian.org
October 15: Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive Begins-Compe��on between the classes
October 29: Annual Trunk-N-Treat
November 4: Annual Gala- “Pu9ng on the Glitz” Old Hollywood Theme
November 20: Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner
The Basilica of St. Mary Teen SOYO kicked off An�ochian Youth Month by selec�ng a new board,
preparing plans for the new school year, and gathering for fellowship. They also served as ushers and
readers during Divine Liturgy. The new officers are: President-Michael Nunu, Vice President: Melissa
Ansara, Treasurer: Issa Hosari. May God Bless them as they take on new endeavors!
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)
Oct. 15th - 40 day memorial in loving memory of Elysa Moussa offered by the family, Oct. 22nd - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Wedad Ajluni offered by the family, Nov. 5th - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Fouad Kazaleh offered by his wife Nabiha Kazaleh and family,
Thank You
“A Vigil Light is Burning” In Loving Devotion
FFFF or The Health and Well Being Of: Natalie Cameron, Phiebe Musallam,
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 October, in loving
memory of:
Abdelnour Abdelnour
Albert Abdelnour
Jalil and Najla Azzouz
Mufid Harb
Sami and Asma Harb
Mary Harb Melof
Jerry Mughannem
Shauqi Mughannem
Amjad Saba
Boulos Jiries and Helen Saba
Nahil Warra
HHHH oly Bread of Oblation is offered by the families, for the
month of October for the health and
well being of:
Analya, Frank, Brandon and
Derek Callendar
Ed and Julie Azzouz
Laila Azzouz
Andrew, Miranda, Vincent and
Michael Azzouz
Alana, Salem, Harper and
Charlie Hassan
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, baby Hanna Alrabady,
Suad Jameel, Marina Madany, Mary
Obeidi, Art, Marie Bojrab, Ann
Ajlouni, Said Shahin, Stella Kallil,
Alyssa,
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-In loving memory of Mufid
Harb offered by his wife Nada
Harb and family,
$200-For the health and well being
of Dr. Khalil Nahra offered by
Andrew Ansara,
$200-In loving memory of David
and Wardeh Ajluni offered by their
daughter Linda Thomopoulos and
family,
$200-In loving memory of Said
Qaoud offered by his wife Labeeba
Qaoud and son Peter Qaoud,
$350-For the health and well being
of newly baptized Luka Kosta
offered by parents Ferras and Anita
Khzouz,
$500-For the health and well being
of newly baptized George Pierre
offered by parents Dr. Tom and
Lillian Saba,
Thought for the Day
Grief never ends….but it
changes. It’s a passage,
not a place to stay. Grief is
not a sign of weakness,
nor a lack of faith….
It is the price of love.
Anonymous
Condolences
TTTT he clergy and parishioners at the Basilica of
St. Mary extend their deepest
sympathy to wife Labeeba Qaoud,
son Peter Qaoud and the entire
family on the passing of Said
Qaoud.
May his memory be eternal.
Public Announcement
Quality Care of Howell is an assisted
living facility in Howell Township that
are looking to add qualified individuals
to our team. Positions available are
resident care aides and housekeeping.
All interested candidates please e-mail
Nidhal Ghraib at:
to schedule an interview.
Festival News
The Festival Committee has started
planning for next year. They will be
meeting on Monday, October 9th at
6:30pm, Monday November 13th at
6:30pm and Monday, December 11th
at 6:30pm. All meetings will be held in
the library. We need your help in all
areas of the Festival. Please join us.
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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
THANK YOU!
On behalf of Fr. George, the clergy and the Ladies Society, I wish to thank Michelle Shaya Toma and her
committee for all their time, support and hard work putting on our annual “A Flashing Night of Fashion”
Fashion Show. A special thank you to each of our generous donors and contributors. Your support is greatly
appreciated. Thanks to the Steering Committee, office staff, and the Cultural Center staff for their help. Last,
but not least, we thank all those who attended our event. Without your support, this event would not have
been possible.
Nancy Ghannam Ladies Society President