July 23
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-07-23
Bulletin Contents
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Ministry News
Bulletin Inserts
Stewardship
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (908) 968-4004
- Fax:
- (908) 968-4002
- Email:
- stannagoc@gmail.com
- 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
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-16
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-09
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-02
- Publish Date:
- 2017-06-25
- Publish Date:
- 2017-06-18
- Publish Date:
- 2017-06-11
Saints and Feasts
July 25
Dormition of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos
According to tradition, Anna, the ancestor of God, lived for sixty-nine years, and her spouse Joachim, for eighty; according to one account, Saint Joachim died two years before Saint Anna. The Theotokos had been orphaned of both her parents already when she was eleven years of age, when she was living in the Temple (see Sept. 8 and Nov. 21). Saint Anna is invoked for conceiving children, and for help in difficult childbirth.
July 26
Paraskeve the Righteous Martyr of Rome
Saint Paraskeve, who was from a certain village near Rome, was born to pious parents, Agatho and Politia. Since she was born on a Friday (in Greek, Paraskeve), she was given this name, which means "preparation" or "preparedness" (compare Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31, where 'Friday' is called "the day of the preparation"). From childhood she was instructed in the sacred letters and devoted herself to the study of the divine Scriptures, while leading a monastic life and guiding many to the Faith of Christ. During the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was apprehended because she was a Christian and was urged to worship the idols, but she answered with the words of Jeremias: "Let the gods that have not made heaven and the earth perish from off the earth" (Jer. 10:11). Because of this she endured exceedingly painful torments, and was beheaded in the year 140. The faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments.
July 27
Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer
This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs.
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode
When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.
Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Phocas in the Fourth Mode
As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Phocas. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.
Apolytikion for St. Anna (Dec. 9) in the Fourth Mode
Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee."
Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode
O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7.
BRETHREN, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Gospel Reading
7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
Wisdom of the Fathers
He puts an end to the woman's fear ... He sets her right, in respect of her thinking to be hid ... He exhibits her faith to all, so as to provoke the rest also to emulation ...
Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century
And then at last He for His part lays His hand upon them, saying, "According to your faith be it unto you." And this He does to confirm their faith, and to show that they are participators in the good work ...
Homily 32 on Matthew 9, 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
The St. Anna Community is vibrant throughout the summer months. Thank you to those that worked tirelessly at preparing the Festival pastries and spanakopita this month. 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 AND WE NEED BUSINESS SPONSORS! We ask every family to PLEASE approach your local business and ask them to consider becoming an OPA Festival Sponsor this month! Sponsor commitments help cover our fixed costs and are CRITICAL to the overall financial success of the Festival. Our Sponsors provide a direct positive "bottom line" impact to the net proceeds from the Festival.
There are sponsor opportunities for budgets large and small. Businesses, families, and individual families can also sponsor. This year we have sponsorship forms for those who sponsored before, in addition to forms for those who never sponsored( see bulletin attachments). 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.
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.
Parish Council meeting TODAY after Fellowhip Hour.
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 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. YOU HAVE 15 DAYS LEFT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS DISCOUNT!
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
Sunday School Registration Form 2017-18
Please register early. Classes begin on September 24.
Greek School Registration Form 2017-18
Families that register before July 31 receive $50 discount/student. Classes begin on September 25.
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.
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2017 Stewardship Status: we have 121 Pledges totaling $153,610 for an average of $1,270 and $114,154 received to date. We also have 9 families who have contributed $4,530 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. …Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much….. 2017 Stewards
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