August 13
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-08-13
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:
- 2017-08-20
- Publish Date:
- 2017-08-06
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-30
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-23
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-16
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-09
Saints and Feasts
August 15
The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.
With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.
These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode
The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.
Apolytikion for Apodosis of Transfiguration in the Grave Mode
You were transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us, sinners though we be, shine Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of light. Glory to You.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode
You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.
Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Gospel Reading
10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23
At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."
Wisdom of the Fathers
Yet if his unbelief was the cause ... why does He blame the disciples? Signifying, that even without persons to bring the sick in faith, they might in many instances work a cure.
Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 4th Century
For as the faith of the person presenting oftentimes availed for receiving the cure, even from inferior ministers; so the power of the doers oftentimes sufficed, even without belief in those who came to work the miracle.
Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 4th Century
Ministry News
TODAY Fellowship Hour is hosted by the Coutsouridis family in memory of Juanita Yoanna Verenes, beloved mother of Denise and grandmother of Alexia. May her memory be eternal.
OPA " Up-a-date"
20 days to OPA...
It's Opa time again and we need everyone's help to make it a success. In an effort to improve the volunteer sign up process for everyone we have an 'Volunteer availability form' that is simple to fill out. The form is attached to this e-bulletin and can be printed out and returned in person or by email. Simply fill it out, snap a picture (or scan) and send it back using the contact info on the form.
Questions? email Dianakg2003@yahoo.com
• Marketing Field Team Needed: Flyers are in! We need volunteers to help put these up in key locations. Contact Dianakg2003@yahoo.com ASAP to help.
• SAVE THE DATES: FOOD PREP BEGINS WEEKEND OF AUGUST 26TH… STAY TUNED.
• Food Donations: Great progress on the donations already. We will outreach to our prior ‘food procurement’ team for donations from their contacts as before. A separate email will detail the updated needs list.
• Volunteer Signups: We need everyone’s help to make this most important fundraiser a success. Over the next 2 weeks, please fill out the attached availability form and return to the church or email dianakg2003@yahoo.com with your availability.
• Community Service for Youth: Check www.opafestival.com/Volunteers for the community service form.
• Amusement Games: Staffing will be handled directly by Maria Tattoli: mtattoli@gmail.com
• Sponsors: We need your help to reach our goal. Please consider becoming a ‘Opa Friend’ sponsor. Please See the new “Opa Friends” flyer with this email. We have made tremendous progress but are still behind last year’s $21,000 in sponsorships. We are also looking for new business sponsors.
• Food PIckup: We are looking for a few people who can be ‘on call’ to pick up food donations starting August 21st. A minivan or truck and some ‘muscles’ are required! Contact Dianakg2003@yahoo.com.
Check for OPA updates: www.opafestival.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook/opafestival
Festival Chair: Diana Grina: 908-392-7449; dianakg2003@yahoo.com
Festival Co-Chairs: Dr. John Douvris, Dr. Nick Kritharis
Committee Co-Chairs
Sponsors: Elaine Markos, Dr. Nik Kritharis
Vendors: Sofia Manoussakis, Kristen Diagelakis
Food & Menu: John Kaldes, Costa Tsatsos
Food Donations: Bill Panageas
Food Pickup: Dan Roupas
Pastries: Zoi Kaldes
Beverages/Alcohol Procurement: Peter Zannikos, George Staikos, Sofia Rudy
Site Planning, Rentals, Setup: Stephen Kehayes, Jorge Ferreira
Grill: John Kaldes
Sign Committee: Maria Sfondouras, Arge Mardakis, Zoi Kaldes
Carnival Games: Maria Tattoli
Dancers: Lisa Soteropoulos
Volunteer sign up: Anna Fallon
Our award winning Opa! has become a flagship foodie event for the county which is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers, excellent food and fun atmosphere. We need you once again to keep the tradition going.
Please find attached to this bulletin:
- "Festival Friends" Sponsor Form to help us reach our fundraising goal
- Festival Volunteer Form- to help us with volunteer planning.
Many thanks to all of the various committees working behind the scenes with the planning, food prep, procurement, sponsors, vendors etc. This year promises to be another great OPA!
Church Calendar
Sunday, August 13: Paraklesis (Supplication) Services for the Dormition of the Theotokos, 7 pm
Monday, August 14: Great Vespers of the Dormition of the Theotokos, 7 pm at Kimisis Tis Theotokos Church, Holmdel, NJ
Tuesday, August 15: Dormition of the Theotokos, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 am at St Anna Church
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: Please register early. First class: Sunday, September 24.
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: Please register early. First class: Monday, September 25.
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.
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 volunteer sign up form
please volunteer to help make this year's Festival a success
Sunday School Registration Form 2017-18
Please register early. Classes begin on September 24.
Greek School Registration Form 2017-18
Please register early. 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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