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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-02-05
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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (908) 968-4004
  • Fax:
  • (908) 968-4002
  • Street Address:

  • 85 Voorhees Corner Road,

  • Flemington, NJ 08822


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Weekly Services

(Please note schedule subject to change.  Please call church office to confirm times.)

Sunday Services:  Orthros 8:15 am; Divine Liturgy 9:15  am.  Followed by Sunday School and Fellowship Hour in our Community Center.

Weekly Feastday / Major Saint Day Liturgies:  9 am Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy.


Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 05

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.


10_charalambos1
February 10

The Holy Hieromartyr Haralambos

This Saint was a priest of the Christians in Magnesia, the foremost city of Thessaly, in the diocese having the same name. He contested during the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. At the time of his martyrdom the Saint was 103 years of age.

St. Haralampus is commemorated on February 10th, with the exception when this date falls on the Saturday of the Souls preceding Lent or on Clean Monday (the first day of Lent), in which case the feast is celebrated on February 9th.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode

Lady full of grace, rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, for Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness has risen from you and He illumined those in darkness. And you, righteous Elder, be glad in heart, receiving in your embraces the One who liberates our souls and bestows on us the Resurrection.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride.
St. John Chrysostom
CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century

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Ministry News

Agia_anna

 

TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by Mary Pirres in memory of her husband Mr. George Pirres.

 

TODAY the GOYA will host a Sports Recognition Luncheon for our community to recognize our volleyball and basketball players. We will recognize our Seniors at the Luncheon as well.

 

 

 

CHURCH CALENDAR

 

Please don’t forget to contact Father Anastasios on his mobile phone (908) 528 – 1077 to schedule House Blessings this month.  With the start of Great Lent at the end of the month (Monday, February 27), the Church will be busy with many services as we prepare for the coming of Holy Week and Easter.  The House Blessing season is coming to a close in the next few weeks.  If you would like your home or business blessed with the Holy Waters of Epiphany (an annual tradition), here are the remaining days available to schedule a blessing:

 

Monday, February 6                        Tuesday, February 7                        Sunday, February 12

 

Thursday, February 16                        Friday, February 17                        Sunday, February 19

 

Tuesday, February 21                        Thursday, February 22

 

Apokriatiko Glendi – February 18, 2017, 6 pm – 11 pm (PLEASE NOTE CORRECT START TIME 6 PM)

REGISTER NOW!!  The Parish Council and Philoptochos are jointly sponsoring St. Anna’s Apokriatiko Glendi (Mardi Gras), an evening of music, dancing, food and family fellowship.  Please support this fundraiser for our beloved St. Anna, as it is part of our parish’s history on our path towards continuing growth.  Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for children under 18 and free for children under five.  You have choices to sign up to attend – every Sunday after church or contact Margaret Panageas at   908-246-7527 or Arge Mardakis at 908-253-0484.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 

EducationAll Sunday School classes Grades PreK – 9 are in session today in their respective classrooms.  Grades 7 through 12 are asked to please review the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival questions and to begin preparing for our St. Anna Oratorical Festival on March 25.  Teachers will provide the list of questions to the students, or they can be found at http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof.  There will be no Senior Sunday School Class (grades 10-12) today in the classroom; the Senior Class will remain in Church for today’s service and sermon. 

 

PTO:  Canvas Painting Party to be held on Friday, February 10 from 6:30-9pm.  Join us in the Community Center for a night of laughter, light snacks and brush strokes to create your very own masterpiece!  Adults $35, Children (ages 5-13) $25. Register 2 or more people for a $5 discount.  Please see Kirsten Diagelakis or Sofia Manoussakis to register (deadline, February 5).

 

Philoptochos NewsSocial Service Assistance - A primary function of Philoptochos is to offer help to Orthodox Christians who are in need.  If you or someone you know is in need of assistance due to issues of unemployment, medical problems, difficulty paying utility bills, or other unforeseen crisis, contact Philoptochos social service liaison, Margaret Panageas at 908-246-7527 or stannaphiloptochos@gmail.com.  All social service help is kept confidential.

 

PC Corner: 

  • Launched the new "Saint Anna Scholarship" program. Please look for the Eligibility form and Application at the Pangari or the church office.
  • St. Anna Event Request Form can be accessed on the website, for anyone who would like to hold an event at the Church, Community Center, or gym.  The Gym has been rented for 3 nights a week until March. This limits the availability for our own use to Monday and Wednesday. If you have any questions, please see Costa Tsatsos.
  • PC priority will be given to "Nicholas and Anna Memorial Hall" dedication event, donor recognition, and launch of iconography project on May 7.  Please MARK THIS DATE and plan not to miss it.  Diana Grina and John Douvris have volunteered their time to lead the Hall Dedication and Donor recognition event on May 7. Please see them but if you are willing to volunteer your talent and time. 

Key Dates for 2017.

• February 18  - Mardi Gras (PC and Philoptochos run event)

• April 2 - Spring General Assembly

• May 7 - Hall Dedication, Donor Recognition

• June 3 - Wine –n- Dine (Tentative Date - to be confirmed)

• September 8,9,10 - OPA Festival

• October 28 - Taverna Night

• November 5 - Fall General Assembly

The PC is focused on making the Mardi Gras and other events successful. Please plan to attend and bring family members and friends. We will have excellent food and music - at perfect combination for fun!

 

GOYA Bridges: We will be attending sandwich making for Bridges on Friday, February 10 at St. Barbara, Toms River. All GOYANs are welcome to come and help make over 400 bagged lunches and personal hygiene kits for the needy to be distributed on Saturday, February 11. If you are in Grades 10-11-12 and have not been on a Bridges run, please sign up with Mrs. Coutsouridis at cdc3@comcast.net.

Fellowship Hour sponsors needed!  Please sign up outside the Church office, or contact Dr. Nikolaos Kritharis at nikolaos.kritharis.dmd@gmail.com or 201-572-3420. 


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Bulletin Inserts

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Stewardship

STEWARDSHIP:  Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us.  An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2016 Stewards:  End-of-year end donor statements were handed out or mailed to all Stewards.  If anyone has any questions, please see Peter Z. or Jorge F. or email: treasurer@stannagoc.org

2017 Stewardship Status:  We have 79 Pledges totaling $137,810 for an average of $1,744 and $40,013 received to date.  We also have 5 families who have contributed $  580 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card.  It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward.

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge budget of $175,000. 

If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your stewardship commitment and submit a 2017 pledge card as soon as you can.

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much…

 

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