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 following Holy Communion. Please see weekly updates from our ministry leaders for updates on each class. All are welcome to join us for Fellowship Hour after Divine Liturgy.
Dearest Parishioners & Friends:
I hope this note finds you well and, somehow, beating the heat. Joking with a few parishioners the other day, I was saying that it was a rough week for those of us who wear black on a regular basis!
Looking to this Sunday, July 4, if you’re in town I hope and pray you’ll join us for worship at Saint Gregory. It’s always a pleasure to see our faithful for worship—and then to have the opportunity to break bread and spend some quality time together in the hall during Fellowship Hour. Following Divine Liturgy, in lieu of a sermon I’ll present Archbishop Elpidophoros’ July 4th Encyclical, reminding us of the greatest source of freedom, our Lord Jesus Christ. If worshipping from home is on the docket for Sunday, rest assured our streaming ministry will continue via You Tube and Face Book.
Though it was mentioned in the eBlast, I want to say it again: many, many thanks to all those who made the 26th Annual Friends of Saint Gregory Golf Class a beautiful, successful event this year. A great deal of effort went into planning and advertising, and we appreciate our sponsors and golfers so much. Our next event at Saint Gregory is, of course, the July 13 Mansfield Family Fun Night event—a fundraiser, yes, but also a great opportunity to present our parish to the greater community and connect with friends old and new. Please read on within your eBulletin to learn all the details, including how you can help out. In addition, here's a terrific article about the event, so you can share the excitement and know what to expect.
A happy, safe 4th of July to you, and I hope to see you Sunday.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Alex
EPISTLE READER: Isabella CaraDonna. 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.
ALTAR SERVERS: All servers welcome this Sunday. Contact Fr. Alex or Tom Moustakis if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.
ANTIDORON SERVER: Ashleigh Cromack. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Kyri Stavros: kyri910@icloud.com
MEMORIALS: No memorials today.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us in the hall following Divine Liturgy for friendship and refreshments--all are welcome to join us. Fellowship Hour sponsorships are open to the entire parish family. Please contact the Church Office to schedule your special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special occasion or just to enable wonderful fellowship at Saint Gregory.
WORSHIPPING FROM HOME: STREAMING AND INTERNET MINISTRY
ACCESS SERVICES VIA FACEBOOK:
St. Gregory the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church | Facebook
ACCESS SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
St. Gregory The Theologian Live - YouTube
STREAMING MINISTRY DETAILS/SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Access Services via You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg
Access Services and join our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian
Join our community on Instagram
@saintgregorythetheologian • Instagram photos and videos
ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF MATTHEW, JULY 4
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. While Youth Religious Education classes have concluded until fall, we hope as many of our beloved children as possible will keep attending services or worshipping online. Worship and community never "break" at Saint Gregory!
FELLOWSHIP HOUR, JULY 4--AND SPONSORSHIPS THIS SUMMER
If you feel comfortable doing so, please join us in the hall for Fellowship Hour following Divine Liturgy. We are grateful for the opportunity to once again enjoy friendship and refreshments in our hall. In addition, all parishioners are invited to pick a special Sunday to sponsor Fellowship Hour this summer. Please contact the Church Office.
ANTIDORON SERVERS MINISTRY, JULY 4
In addition to Divine Liturgy this Sunday, there will be a need each Sunday this summer. Please contact Fr. Alex to join this wonderful ministry and confirm service dates.
METROPOLIS OF BOSTON SUMMER CAMPING MINISTRY, STARTS JULY 5
MBC is gearing up for five faith and fun-filled sessions this summer, beginning July 5. Visit the MBC site at your earliest convenience (space is limited) for all the details and registration information: REGISTER - METROPOLIS OF BOSTON CAMP.
MANSFIELD FAMILY FUN NIGHT, JULY 13
We are looking for volunteers on Tuesday, July 13 to help with the preparation, cooking, serving and general support for this yearly Saint Gregory fundraiser in downtown Mansfield. It is a great opportunity to get our name out into the local community and a wonderful evening of fellowship for all involved. We are looking for support for 1-2 hour shifts between 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm on the 13th. Please contact Steve Christo if you would like to help: smchristo@comcast.net
FOOD & FRIENDS, JULY 20
For July, we may be preparing "to go" meals or returning to a sit down meal approach. Interested in helping us prepare/serve or making a donation in support of this ministry? All are welcome to get involved. Please contact Cathy Cooper: ccooper126@verizon.net. Each meal we prepare and package feeds about 40-50 people and the total cost per event is about $150. We meet at St. Gregory's at 12 pm. Everything usually wraps up by 5 pm, but you are welcome to plug in whenever you are able. This is such a rewarding and much appreciated ministry for Saint Gregory's! If you can make the time to take part you'll be happy you did.
STEWARDSHIP IN 2021
Many thanks to all of our Saint Gregory parishioners who have already committed for 2021. 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/. GivePlus is another great option for parish giving: Home | St Gregory The Theologian Church (myvanco.com)
MEMORIAL GARDEN EFFORT
If you would like to add a memorial brick to our outdoor walkway this spring/summer, please fill out the form in our Narthex and Church Office. With the funds we raise, we would like to refurbish and install the iron fencing from our previous iconostation to frame the walkway, as well as add some outdoor icons and landscape features to update this wonderful area. Contact Cathy Cooper for further details and with questions: ccooper126@verizon.net.
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING LEADERS
Singing leaders are needed to help our parish get familiar with our new hymnal, as well as lead congregational singing of the Divine Liturgy this summer and fall. Please contact Fr. Alex to learn more about coming practices and how you can be a part of this vital ministry of Saint Gregory.
SAINT GREGORY PARISH BOOKSTORE
Parishioners are invited to visit our bookstore by appointment or otherwise receive assistance by contacting the Church Office. Cathy or Fr. Alex would be happy to help you find that encouraging book or meaningful gift for a loved one during these unique times.
WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Within our Youth Ministry pages, you'll now see two new resources under "Youth and Family Resources": "Saintly Lives" and "For Your Home." Both can be a resources for parents as they strive to bring the life of the Church into their homes. New entries for May will soon be available.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. (9 am – 1 pm), Wed. (11 am – 3 pm) & Thur (9 am – 1 pm); or by appointment when convenient for our faithful. Please note that on occasion, Fr. Alex may be seeing to a pastoral situation, visitingn with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours. Cathy Cooper: by Appointment.
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
6:30PM Parish Council
6:00PM Mansfield Family Fun Night Event
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
Join us for this annual fundraiser and wonderful community event.
All parishioners are invited to get involved through hands-on efforts or donations.
Recommendations & Guidelines Updated May 2021
Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.
2nd Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 2:10-16
Brethren, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
2nd Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 4:18-23
At that time, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
Saint Andrew was from Damascus; his parents' names were George and Gregoria. He became a cleric and secretary of Theodore and Patriarch of Jerusalem; from this, he is called "the Jerusalemite." He was present at the Sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, which was convoked in 680 during the reign of Emperor Constantine IV (668-685). He became deacon of the Great church in Constantinople, that is, the Church of the Holy Wisdom of God, then Archbishop of Crete. He reposed in 720 or 723. Beside his other sacred writings, he also composed various hymns, among which is the famous Great Canon, which is chanted during Great Lent (see the Thursday of the Fifth Week of the Fast).
Our faithful are invited to submit the names of the living to be lifted up in prayer by Fr. Alex and our entire parish family. Please contact the Church Office or Father to add or remove names.
Please pray for the servants of God:
Nicole; Alexa; Tony; Amanda; Nicholas; Lea; Irene; Diana; Jeanne; Sam; Michael; Teddy; Annette; Johanna; Joyce; Elaine; Joseph; David; George; Elaine; Gia; Michelle; Kay; Maria; Andreas; Nicholas; Barbara; Timothy; Mark; Bonnie; Andrea; Marissa; Helen; Bessie; Peter; Gina; Christopher; Ginny; Stella; Dorothy; Jack; Dorothy; Ethel; Greg; Vesallie; Helen; Benjamin; Andonea; Diana