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.
In 451, during the reign of the Sovereigns Marcian and Pulcheria, the Fourth Ecumenical Council was convoked in Chalcedon against Eutyches and those of like mind with him. After much debate, the Fathers who were the defenders of Orthodoxy, being 630 in number, agreed among themselves and with those who were of contrary mind, to write their respective definitions of faith in separate books, and to ask God to confirm the truth in this matter. When they had prepared these texts, they placed the two tomes in the case that held Saint Euphemia's relics, sealed it, and departed. After three days of night-long supplications, they opened the reliquary in the presence of the Emperor, and found the tome of the heretics under the feet of the Martyr, and that of the Orthodox in her right hand. (For her life, see Sept. 16.)
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10.
BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.
5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
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
The St. Anna Community is vibrant throughout the summer months, not only because of our Feast Day 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
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 at the Pangari or can be downloaded from this bulletin.
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 who may be interested in teaching at our school, please let Fr. A or Joanne Diver know.
GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PANGARI OR CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THIS BULLETIN. Families 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.
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.
Please register early. Classes begin on September 24.
Families that register before July 31 receive $50 discount/student. Classes begin on September 25.
For use with those that have supported our OPA Festival in the past (not new supporters)
For use with new Festival Sponsors
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. |
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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. |
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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.
2017 Stewards
128. Zapantis, Melanie |