Saints and Feasts

July 02

4th Sunday of Matthew

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Robe of the Theotokos in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O Ever-Virgin Theotokos, shelter of mankind, thou hast bestowed upon thy people a mighty investure, even thine immaculate body's raiment and sash, which by thy seedless childbirth have remained incorrupt; for in thee nature and time are made new. Wherefore, we implore thee to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

O godly shelter that dost cover all mankind, the sacred robe that covered thy sacred body hast thou bestowed on all the faithful graciously, O pure Virgin, as a robe of divine incorruption. As we celebrate with love its august deposition, we cry to thee with fear, O graced of God: Rejoice, O modest one, boast of the Christian race.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Gospel Reading

4th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:5-13

At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Let us hearken, as many as are to receive Christ: for it is possible to receive Him even now. Let us hearken, and emulate, and receive Him with as great zeal; for indeed, when you receive a poor man who is hungry and naked, you have received and cherished Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 26 on Matthew 8, 4th Century

Ministry News

Church Calendar

Monday, July 24: Great Vespers of the Dormition of St. Anna, 7 pm

Tuesday, July 25: Dormition of St. Anna- Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Paraklesis (Supplication) Services for the Dormition of the Theotokos begin nightly on August 1 at 7 pm

OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA

The St. Anna Community is vibrant throughout the summer months, not only because of our Feast Day (the Dormition of St. Anna on July 25), but also because of our OPA Festival! We look forward to the fun and fellowship of the OPA Festival all summer long and it is rapidly approaching!

This year's OPA festival takes place on September 8-10. Sponsor commitments help cover our fixed costs and are very important to the overall financial success of the event. There are sponsor opportunities for budgets large and small. Businesses, families, and individuals can sponsor. This year we have sponsorship forms for those who sponsored before in addition to forms for those who never sponsored. Both sponsor forms and cover letters provide all the details and are available on our festival website www.opafestival.com. Please help by approaching businesses, especially those you frequent, and asking for a sponsorship. Contact the Sponsor Chairperson Elaine Markos (pmarkos2@verizon.net) as well as John Douvris (jsdouvrispc@gmail.com) and Nik Kritharis (nikolaos.kritharis.dmd@gmail.com) with any questions or for more information on your efforts to help.

In addition, the initial Festival food preparation dates are as follows:

Monday, July 10 -Baklava baking - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Tuesday, July 11 - Galaktoboureko - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Wednesday, July 12 - Galaktoboureko - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Friday, July 14 - Ravani baking - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Tiuesday, July 18 - Spanakopita- 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Look for the Sign-up Genius in your email to sign up.

OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA

St. Anna will be conducting its “Pave the Way” Fundraiser all summer long. You can become a part of our legacy by purchasing commemorative pavers to line the walkway to our Church. The brochure with all details can be found at the Pangari. Deadline for orders is September 30, so that we can install them before the winter months. Contacts: Evan Sakellos and John Douvris.

Byzantine Music Workshop and Choir: For confirmation of meeting times, please contact our cantor Stathis directly or through email (stathisleon@gmail.com) with subject matter "Byzantine Choir.”

Education Programs: Registration forms for the next school year are now available.

Sunday School: We are in need of Sunday School teachers for next year - please consider taking part in this very important ministry! Any interested parties are welcome to attend our Teachers’ meeting, or they can contact Father A or Joanne Diver at sjdiver@verizon.net.

Greek School: We are also in need of Greek School teachers for the next school year. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY POTENTIAL GREEK SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE AREA, PLEASE LET FR. A OR JOANNE DIVER KNOW ASAP. Registration forms are now available. Greek School students who register early (by July 31) will once again be offered a tuition discount this year of $50/student.

Summer Youth Programs: Camp Good Shepherd 2017 dates.

JOY (ages 8-12): July 9-15.

GOYA week #1 (ages 13-18): July 16-22.

GOYA week #2 (ages 13-18): July 23-30. GOYA Campers can register for one or both sessions.

Father A will be at camp for GOYA #2 (week of July 23).

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

Bulletin Inserts

OPA Festival Sponsor packet - Previous Supporters

For use with those that have supported our OPA Festival in the past (not new supporters)

OPA Festival Sponsor Packet - New Supporters

For use with new Festival Sponsors

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.

2017 Stewardship Status: we have 119 Pledges totaling $152,610 for an average of $1,282 and $111,134 received to date. We also have 9 families who have contributed $4,825 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.



We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $175,000. If the remaining 2016 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards.


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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