September 17
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-09-17
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:
- 2017-09-03
- Publish Date:
- 2017-08-20
- Publish Date:
- 2017-08-13
- Publish Date:
- 2017-08-06
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-30
- Publish Date:
- 2017-07-23
Saints and Feasts
September 17
Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love
These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.
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 Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
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 Galatians 2:16-20.
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gospel Reading
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
Wisdom of the Fathers
And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
Ministry News
A great big OPA! Thank You to all who volunteered for this year's festival. While the full results are being tallied, the top line news is that our event was very successful and grew over last year. More details will be forthcoming in the near future, but, in short, 'we did it!'
Our success did not come easily, but was the result very hard work. There were volunteers working behind the scenes for many months planning, cooking and securing donations. During the festival weekend many parishioners and friends came to help. All areas were important to the success of our event. We know it is difficult to volunteer one's time when so much else is also going on in everyone's lives and we are truly grateful for any time people were able to give. Together everyone helped making the Opa! the most successful yet. Working together, it will only continue to get better every year. Once again, thanks to all!
Registration forms for all 2017-2018 education programs are available at the Pangari or can be downloaded from this bulletin.
SUNDAY SCHOOL: First day is next Sunday, September 24.
Please register so that we can work out our class lists. Next Sunday, September 24, will be the first class for all levels. Students and teachers will be dismissed to their classes after Communion. There will be a brief presentation to parents following Church services and then they will be dismissed to go to their student's classrooms for introduction.
We are also in DIRE need of Sunday School teachers - 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 join us to "Meet the Teachers" on Sunday, September 24. First class is Monday, September 25.
We are pleased to announce our new Greek School Principal, Mr. Nickolas Vosinas, whom many of you may know as our inspired Sr Greek Dance instructor. Kyrie Niko comes to us with experience teaching Language at Piscataway High School, and we are lucky to have him both teach and also set the direction for our Greek School program with the help of our teachers Kyria Anna Kalogridakis and Kyria Lisa Soteropoulos.
Come meet and greet our Greek School teachers next Sunday, September 24 and find out what our Greek School has to offer! Please register as soon as you can so that we can work out our class lists. Payment plans are available.
LAST CALL FOR THE PAVER FUNDRAISER: St. Anna has been 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.”
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.
SAVE THE DATES
Saturday, October 28 - Taverna Night. If you are interested in chairing or becoming a team member for this event, please contact John Douvris.
Sunday, November 5 - Fall General Assembly, following services.
Bulletin Inserts
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.
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 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. |
|
|
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….. 2017 Stewards
|