Divine Liturgy, June 4, 2023 

Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (Pentecost Sunday)

Page 1

Sunday, June 4, 2023

 Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (Pentecost Sunday)

NO FAST

          Father Micah Chisholm       Phone: (989) 324-8773

[www.stsebastianorthodoxchurch.org]

Instead of “O come let us worship…”, the Priest intones the entry verse:

“Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Thy strength; we will sing and chant of Thy mighty acts.” 

Troparion: Pentecost: Descent of the Holy Spirit – Tone 8

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Thou hast revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit; through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net.  O Lover of Man, glory to Thee. 

     Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

      Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

Kontakion: Pentecost: Descent of the Holy Spirit – Tone 8

When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations; but when He distributed the tongues of fire He called all to unity.  Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the all holy Spirit!

Page 2

The Prokeimenon (in the 8th Tone): Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe.

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.

Epistle Reading (Acts 2:1-11 (§3))

In those days, when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.  Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?  And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?  Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

Gospel (St. John 7:37-52; 8:12 (§27))

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, "Truly this is the Prophet."  Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee?  Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"  So there was a division among the people because of Him.  Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.  Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?"  The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!"  Then the Pharisees answered them, "Are you also deceived?  Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?  But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed."  Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?"  They answered and said to him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee."  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Page 3

Hymn to the Theotokos

Rejoice, O Queen, glory of mothers and virgins.  No tongue, however sweet or fluent is eloquent enough to praise thee worthily.  Every mind is overawed by thy child-bearing.  Therefore with one voice we glorify thee.

Communion Hymn

Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Pre-Communion Prayer

     I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  Moreover, I believe that this is truly Thy most Pure Body, and that this is truly Thine Own Precious Blood.  Wherefore, I pray Thee: Have mercy on me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance.  And vouchsafe me to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries unto the remission of my sins and life everlasting.  Amen.

     Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the Thief do I confess Thee:  Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

     Let not the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be unto me for judgment, or condemnation, O Lord, but for healing of soul and body.  Amen.

The Many Years

Our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and All the Rus, Our Lord the Very Most Reverend Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Our Lord the Most Reverend Peter, Archbishop of Chicago and Mid-America, and their God-protected flock, this land, its civil authorities and armed forces, the God-preserved Lands of Rus, The Rector of this Holy Parish and all Orthodox Christians: Preserve, O Lord, for many years!

* * * * *

Note: The Parish Council has decided to regularly publish our latest financial health status for general awareness.   The information will be freshened each month.  Here is the 2023 status as of end of May:   

   Non-Operational    Operational      Total

                     Income to Date:                                           $ 3,911               $ 22,990        $ 26,901

                     Expenses to Date:                                       $ 5,168                $ 19,172 *     $ 24,340 *

                     Current Building Fund Balance                                                                   $16,062

                      Building Fund Total “Pledged”                                                                    $76,000

* Includes Diocesan Assessment increment

If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox faith, 

or are interested in learning how you can become a part of Saint Sebastian Orthodox Christian Church, 

please speak to Father Micah.

We welcome everyone to Saint Sebastian Orthodox Church.  
Please stay and join us for fellowship and refreshments after the service today.