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.
Beloved Parishioners and Friends:
I wish you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! If you're traveling this week, do so safely--if you're remaining local, I hope you'll join us for worship and friendship at Saint Gregory this weekend.
Looking to activities at your home this week, with friends, family and perhaps even some people we don't know well joining us, many of us may want to begin our Thanksgiving meal with prayer but might not know exactly what to do. It can be nerve wracking to lead anything, and while praying may feel natural and conversational when we have our private talks with God, it can be different in the presence of others.
With these things in mind and to help out, I offer the prayer below for your Thanksgiving table. Also, remember, you can share it--invite everyone to join you or even ask one of your children to begin and lead:
Master, Lord, God Almighty, we have gathered together to praise Your majesty, to bless You, to glorify You, the only true God, and to offer thanks to You with a grateful heart for all the blessings You have bestowed upon us, and You continue to do.
As we sit down to the bountiful gifts You have set before us, we lift up our hearts to You and ask You to accept our prayer of thanksgiving, along with all the people of this land.
We are especially thankful, Almighty God, for Your ineffable love toward us, Your loving but unworthy servants, and for the sacrifice on the Cross of Your only begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, and for the gifts of Your all Holy Good and Life-giving Spirit.
Gratefully we unite our voices and we pray to You, with the prayer taught us by Your Son and our God Jesus Christ, saying, (recite and close with the “Our Father”).
Again, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you soon at Saint Gregory. This week, among my many prayers of thanksgiving will be those for all of you and our mutual ministry at our parish home.
Fr. Alex
HOMILY: "The Eucharist as Thanksgiving"
EPISTLE: Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.
TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Georgia Stavros. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Eleni LaFond or Fr. Alex.
TODAY'S ALTAR TEAM: Archangel Gabriel (Eliot and Leiland Hess; Linus LaFond). Altar Captain: Chris Botchis; Spencer Riley: Assistant Captain.
ALTAR FLOWERS: Please consider sponsoring Altar flowers on a coming Sunday or feast day. The donation for flower sponsorships is $50. Please contact the Church Office to learn more or sponsor.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Fellowship Hour sponsorships are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or 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
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ACCESS SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
St. Gregory The Theologian Live - YouTube
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 - 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 anyone, for they were afraid.
13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22
Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27
At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
This Saint was from the city of Bythlaba and was of noble birth; he was the closest and most honoured friend of Isdiger (or Yazdegerd) I, King of Persia (reigned 399-420). Though a Christian from his youth, James renounced Christ because he was allured by the King's friendship and flatteries. When his mother and his wife learned of this, they declared to him by letter that they would have nothing more to do with him, since he had preferred a glory that is temporal to the love of Christ. Wounded in soul by these words and coming to himself, the Saint wept over his error, and repudiated the worship of the idols. Therefore, becoming exceedingly wroth, the King - this was Bahram (or Varahran) V (reigned 421-438), Isdiger's son and successor - condemned him to a most bitter death, the likes of which not even a brute beast was ever condemned to: that is, his body was dismembered at every joint of his arms and legs. And so, when he had been cut asunder limb by limb to his very hips and shoulders, the courageous Martyr was finally beheaded, in the year 421.
SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER 27, THE 13TH SUNDAY OF LUKE
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely: Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Sunday School classes have begun. If you have not already, please register your children here for another year of learning and growth in the Orthodox Faith.
STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR NOVEMBER 27
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 video
PHILOPTOCHOS "ONE WARM COAT" DRIVE, CONT. NOV 27
Thank you to everyone who supported our Veterans Day Drive. We were able to purchase 5 winter coats and send $380.00 in Stop & Shop and Ocean State Job Lot gift cards to the Mansfield Veterans Affairs Office. Our current outreach effort is the "One Warm Coat" Drive, and it is underway! Please bring gently used coats for donation to the Narthex bin. This collection of child and adult-sized coats will go through Dec. 11.
GOYA GIVING TREE CONCLUDES, NOV 27
Our unwrapped presents for the giving tree are due at Saint Gregory this weekend. They can be dropped off in the hall by the Giving Tree. Many thanks for your support of families served by West Side Benevolent Circle during this season of giving and compassion.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY "BUILD DAY," DEC 3
We finally received our assigned day this past weekend, which will be Sat., Dec. 3. The workday will be from 9:30 am to about 3 pm, and our volunteers may be doing everything from helping build a stone wall to doing construction clean up around the Pike Ave., Attleboro site. We have room for 20 workers, and children 14 and older may help with the presence of a parent. Please let Fr. Alex know if you are interested in joining our work team at your earliest convenience. Further, as there is a financial donation component to our church's involvement, we welcome your loving offerings to the project. Many thanks to Philoptochos for starting us out with a generous donation of $250 several months ago. Our goal offering for the project is $2500. Please contact Father if you can help. You do not have to work on the 3rd to donate, and you do not have to donate to work on the 3rd. Just do what you can with your time, talent and treasure.
2022 STEWARDSHIP REMINDER & STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY, DEC 11
Our Stewardship Ministry Committee is grateful for the support and generosity expressed thus far in 2022. As we look toward the end of this year’s campaign and begin planning for 2023, this would be a wonderful time to complete a 2022 Commitment Card and/or fulfill your existing commitment. Commitment Cards are in the Narthex, and they can also be filled out electronically within the Stewardship pages of our website. Online giving options are also available there for convenient and instant commitment fulfillment. In addition, we are all warmly invited to our Stewardship Sunday event on Dec. 11. Details will soon be available, but save the date!
NEW PLASTIC BOTTLE AND CAN FUNDRAISER
This fall, we launched a fund-raising effort utilizing the new drop-off bin in the parking lot. As of now, you can bring your deposit-stamped plastic bottles and cans to drop off at the shed, and our parish will trade them in for donations on a monthly basis. No glass, please—and do make sure to rinse your donations before dropping them through the window in the bin.
USHERING AND "RIDES TO CHURCH" MINISTRIES
This spring and summer, those interested in our Ushering Ministry are invited to contact George Dimitriou: 781-769-2085; Gdimitriou@yahoo.com. Offering yourself as an usher is a wonderful way to meet new people and helps create a welcoming environment at Saint Gregory. Throughout the coming months, we will also reinvigorate our efforts to provide rides to church for anyone who needs one. Once again, contact George Dimitriou if you could use a “lift” or would like to help drive.
LITURGICAL SINGING
This ministry engages musical leadership not only for Sunday liturgy but all the liturgical needs of the year, from Vespers services to Great Lent and Holy Week. Your time and talent is most welcome within our Liturgical Singing Ministry. Please contact Kathy Kalogeras to learn more: kalogeras1@earthlink.net.
MYRHHBEARERS MINISTRY
Within the context of our fledling Myrrhbearers Ministry, our girls and young women are invited to hold Antidoro during Divine Liturgy, read the Epislte and otherwise participate in the entire life of the Church. Please contact Eleni LaFond to pick a date for Antidoro service and Fr. Alex to plan a date for an Epistle reading.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR & SPONSORSHIPS
Join us in the hall for Fellowship Hour following Divine Liturgy after Sunday services. We are also welcoming sponsors for Sundays this summer. Please sign up this Sunday during Fellowship Hour or simply contact the Church Office.
WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Within our Youth Ministry pages, you'll soon see two new June 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.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. (1 pm – 5 pm), Wed. (9 am – 1 pm) & Thur (9 am – 1 pm); or by appointment when convenient for our parishioners. 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: Tue. (9 am - 1 pm) and
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Nativity Pageant Rehearsal
11:30AM Parish Elections
6:00PM GOYA Dinner & Wheaton College Concert
Saint Nicholas
8:30AM Orthos
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
Stewardship Sunday
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Nativity Pageant Rehearsal
Enjoy our latest newsletter, highlighting worship events like our Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Vesperal Liturgy and vital fundraising efforts such as the Nov. 20 Philoptochos Bake Sale. Enjoy!
Our Parish Council offers these financial updates monthly, so our parishioners can be fully aware of financial and Stewardship trends within Saint Gregory.
One day only, November 28th, 2022, shop and receive 20% off sitewide. Find religious gifts and books for sale for you and your loved ones. Sale items include icons, prayer books, bibles, children’s books, Light & Life publications, and more. Mark your calendars!