Sunday & Weekday Services
Orthros/Matins: 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 am
Youth Religious Education Ministry is currently offered Sundays in person and remotely. Please see weekly updates from our ministry leaders for updates on each class.
Beloved Parishioners & Friends:
I hope you had a beautiful, peaceful Christmas, and I wish you a New Year of spiritual growth and physical health. So many of us will be quite pleased to see 2020 in our collective rear view mirror. Yet the challenges we have before us will not disappear with the changing of the calendar—as always, we will move forward facing what we must, putting our trust in God, serving one another’s true needs and doing our best in all aspects of life. In our relationship with our Lord, there lies relief and an opportunity to alter ourselves, to recalibrate as we engage 2021. Let’s celebrate and seize this immense spiritual opportunity in the days to come!
And speaking of 2021 and the New Year, if you are able please join us for worship at Saint Gregory on January 1 (The Circumcision of the Lord & Saint Basil Day; will not be broadcast online), as well as on Sunday, January 3 (online and face to face). If you plan to attend either service in person, please make sure to sign up at your earliest convenience. In addition, we will offer services on Holy Theophany (January 6) and the Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist (January 7). Details and sign up opportunities for these services will soon be offered.
Thank you to all those who helped make last week’s beautiful Christmas services a reality, from our Parish Council members who greeted us in the Narthex to our cantors, Altar servers and Vesperal Liturgy readers, who all offered so much to our services. Though this was a unique Christmas and there were many things we no doubt missed (including Christmas carols at the end of the services!), it was still this great, inspirational feast of our Lord—the Child was born and we are changed because of it, if we only open our hearts to Him.
This Sunday (January 3) is the last Sunday to bring coats for the Philoptochos “One Warm Coat” drive; the effort has thus far been a great success—please bring what you can this Sunday for our neighbors who could use a little bit of help. Thanks to all who have donated so far.
Looking further into the new year, our Youth Religious Education families are asked to save the evening of January 10 for a “Trading Places” event. That evening (time TBA) our parents will enjoy a virtual learning and enrichment event. Dr. George Stavros and I will host, as we reflect upon the Feasts of Christmas and Theophany and how our celebration of them can truly affect our homes and families, especially during these challenging times. Join us!
Finally, our Stewardship Ministry Theophany Kit deliveries are underway, with our faithful drivers making their way through our respective towns and cities. Remember, these deliveries are contactless (for the safety of all), and you don’t need to be home to have yours dropped off. These offerings of love have been well-received—we hope and pray they are reminders of the presence of Christ in our lives and the love of your Saint Gregory parish family.
God bless you and have a happy New Year!
Fr. Alex
EPISTLE READER: Our youth are especially encouraged to contact Fr. Alex to read on a coming Sunday, in person or remotely. Parents, please let Father know if your daughter or son might like to read.
HOMILY: Christmas Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios
MEMORIALS: No memorials today.
ALTAR SERVERS: Mario Salzillo & TJ Dimitriou. Contact Fr. Alex if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.
PRE-REGISTRATION: Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience with the pre-registration process. We will continue with this practice, for the well-being of our parish family, this month. Please register as space is limited.
Pre-register each week right here:
https://signup.com/group/52966497203
ACCESS SERVICES VIA FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian
ACCES SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg
ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY, Jan 3
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Youth Religious Education classes continue this week following Holy Communion or later in the afternoon; parents, please see this week's emails from your child's teacher for details. If you plan to worship with us in person, make sure to pre-register early in the week
Please note that in accordinace with Gov. Baker's latest COVID-19 restrictions, Saint Gregory's maximum capacity limit is now 50 individuals. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Pre-register each week right here:
https://signup.com/group/52966497203
Access Services via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian
Access Services via You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg
PHILOPTOCHOS "ONE WARM COAT" CONCLUDES AFTER THIS SUNDAY, JAN 3
This year our donations will benefit Health Penelope's Place (women and children's shelter) in Brockton. We have spoken with the donations coordinator and the needs are great this year. They are looking for all new and gently used coat donations, with particular emphasis on coats for women and children ages 12 and under. If you are cleaning out your closet, or want to donate a new coat, please consider this cause. There is a collection box in the Narthex--thanks in advance for your support. This is our last Sunday of collections!
THEOPHANY & SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST SERVICES, JAN 6 & 7
We will celebrate Holy Theophany on January 6 and the Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist on January 7 (8:30 am, Orthros and 9:30 am Divine Liturgy on both days). Out of an abundance of care regarding COVID, we will forego the Eve of Theophany service for this year. Sign up information is forthcoming.
YOUTH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION "TRADING PLACES" EVENT, JAN 10
Back by popular demand, we'll enjoy a virtual learning and enrichment event for our Youth Religious Education parents on the 10 (time and Zoom information TBA). Dr. George Stavros and Fr. Alex will host us, as we reflect upon the Feasts of Christmas and Theophany and how our celebration of them can truly affect our homes and families, especially during these challenging times. Join us!
FOOD & FRIENDS, JAN 19
A big thank you goes out to all of the 2020 volunteers and also all of the generous donors that have kept this program going the last few years. We will begin next year on January 19th, with further details coming when we get closer to that date. Each meal we prepare and serve feeds about 50 people and the total cost per event is about $150. This is such a rewarding and much appreciated ministry for St. Gregory's! If you can make the time to take part you'll be happy you did! If you would like to sponsor one of our events, make a donation of food items and/or join us in preparing and serving, contact Cathy Cooper at 781-799-5134 or ccooper126@verizon.net.
STEWARDSHIP IN 2021
We are all grateful for the moving, inspiring testimonials of both Chris Botches and Kathy Kalogeras (videos soon to be available to our parishioners), as well as the leadership of Stewardship Chair Phil LaFond on Stewardship Sunday in December. Many thanks to all of our Saint Gregory parishioners who have already committed for 2021--we're off to a great start! 2021 Commitment Cards have been mailed to all our Stewards and are available via the Church Office. You can also fill out yours, and give online, via our website Stewardship Page:
www.saintgregorythetheologian.org/stewardship/
ADULT EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT IN 2021
After another wonderful session of Orthodox Life on Dec. 9, we are now breaking for the holidays. We'll pick up again with "Eleven Stories" early in the New Year, along with the revisitation of a long-standing Saint Gregory favorite: "Trading Places." This Zoom event (January date TBA) will provide an opportunity for Youth Religious Ed parents to "trade places" with their children and become learners in the faith. We look forward to sharing all the details in the weeks to come.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE MINISTRY: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
In coordination and support of the pastoral efforts of Fr. Alex, this ministry has been formed to communicate with parishioners who may be homebound, hospitalized, nursing facilities or otherwise unable to regularly make it to Saint Gregory. If you are aware of a parishioner who would welcome such communication and support, or if you would like to connect yourself, please contact the Church Office.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex
Tue (9 am - 1 pm), Wed (11 am - 3 pm) & Thur (9 am - 1 pm); or by appointment anytime.
In person or via Zoom. With the COVID situation please contact Father ahead of time to help keep our campus safe.
Cathy Cooper
By appointment: stgregorytheologian@earthlink.net
Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18
At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
The Prophet Malachi ("messenger of God") is the last of the twelve minor Prophets, and also of all the Prophets of the Old Testament. He prophesied in the days of Nehemias, a wise man among the Jews, who also held a high and powerful position in the court of Artaxerxes the Long-armed, King of the Persians, who reigned from 465 to 424 B.C. Malachis' book of prophecy is divided into four chapters; he foretold the coming of Christ as the Sun of Righteousness (4:2)
In these dark nights of Winter, the brightest Star that ever shone arises. It glimmers in our hearts to illumine the way the Nativity of God in the Flesh. May you know His presence shining in you like the Star, and may it guide you to a blessed and prosperous New Year.