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.
This most holy man, a Prophet of God from childhood, was the last judge of the Israelite people, and anointed the first two Kings of Israel. He was born in the twelfth century before Christ, in the city of Armathaim Sipha, from the tribe of Levi, the son of Elkanah and Hannah (Anna). He was the fruit of prayer, for his mother, being barren, conceived him only after she had supplicated the Lord with many tears; wherefore she called him Samuel, that is, "heard by God." As soon as Hannah had weaned him, she brought him to the city of Silom (Shiloh), where the Ark was kept, and she consecrated him, though yet a babe, to the service of God, giving thanks to Him with the hymn found in the Third Ode of the Psalter: "My heart hath been established in the Lord . . ." Samuel remained in Silom under the protection of Eli the priest. He served in the Tabernacle of God, and through his most venerable way of life became well-pleasing to God and man (I Kings 2: 26). While yet a child, sleeping in the tabernacle near the Ark of God, he heard the voice of God calling his name, and foretelling the downfall of Eli; for although Eli's two sons, Ophni and Phineas, were most lawless, and despisers of God, Eli did not correct them. Even after Samuel had told Eli of the divine warning, Eli did not properly chastise his sons, and afterwards, through various misfortunes, his whole house was blotted out in one day.
After these things came to pass, Samuel was chosen to be the protector of the people, and he judged them with holiness and righteousness. He became for them an example of all goodness, and their compassionate intercessor before God: "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; yea, I will serve the Lord, and show you the good and the right way" (ibid. 12:23). When he asked them -- having God as witness -- if he ever wronged anyone, or took anyone's possessions, or any gift, even so much as a sandal, they answered with one voice: "Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, nor afflicted us, neither hast thou taken anything from anyone's hand" (ibid. 12:4). When Samuel was old, the people asked him for a king, but he was displeased with this, knowing that God Himself was their King. But when they persisted, the Lord commanded him to anoint them a king, saying, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them" (ibid. 8:7); so Samuel anointed Saul. But Saul transgressed the command of God repeatedly, so Samuel anointed David. Yet, since Samuel was a man of God, full of tender mercy, when the Lord told him that He had rejected Saul, Samuel wept for him the whole night long (ibid. 15:11); and later, since he continued to grieve, the Lord said to him, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul?" (ibid. 16:1). Having lived blamelessly some ninety-eight years, and become an example to all of a God-pleasing life, he reposed in the eleventh century before Christ. Many ascribe to him the authorship of the Books of judges, and of Ruth, and of the first twenty-four chapters of the First Book of Kings (I Samuel).
Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12.
Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a sister as wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35
The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
• Marketing Field Team Needed: 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
Church Calendar
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.
please volunteer to help make this year's Festival a success
Please register early. Classes begin on September 24.
Please register early. 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 123 Pledges totaling $154,210 for an average of $1,254 and $117,863 received to date. We also have 9 families who have contributed $4,535 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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