A Word from Father Alex

Beloved Parishioners and Friends:

This Sunday is Stewardship Sunday, a day when we celebrate you, our Stewards, and look forward to a new year of offering our time, talent and treasure at Saint Gregory. On behalf of your Stewardship Ministry Committee, I invite you to this special program, which includes a pancake breakfast, poignant testimonial and terrific fellowship.

As you've heard me say many times before, I believe we have something very special here at Saint Gregory, something many parishes hope and strive for--I am grateful and I know you are too. Let's come together and confirm this together this Sunday.

In addition, we can look forward to our Nativity/Christmas pageant rehearsal, the final day of the Philoptochos "One Warm Coat" drive and more this Sunday. Read on in this eBulletin for all the details.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex

Sunday Notes

HOMILY: "That My House May Be Filled"

EPISTLE: John Chani. Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.

TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Kalotina Vallas. 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: Join us today for the Stewardship Sunday breakfast--all are welcome. 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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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Epistle Reading

11th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11

Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 14:16-24

The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

Saints and Feasts

December 11

Martyrs Acepsius and Aeithalas

December 11

11th Sunday of Luke

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we commemorate Christ's forefathers according to the flesh, both those that came before the Law, and those that lived after the giving of the Law.

Special commemoration is made of the Patriarch Abraham, to whom the promise was first given, when God said to him, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 22:18). This promise was given some two thousand years before Christ, when Abraham was seventy-five years of age. God called him and commanded him to forsake his country, parents, and kinsmen, and to depart to the land of the Canaanites. When he arrived there, God told him, "I will give this land to thy seed" (Gen. 12:7); for this cause, that land was called the "Promised Land," which later became the country of the Hebrew people, and which is also called Palestine by the historians. There, after the passage of twenty-four years, Abraham received God's law concerning circumcision. In the one hundredth year of his life, when Sarah was in her ninetieth year, they became the parents of Isaac. Having lived 175 years altogether, he reposed in peace, a venerable elder full of days.

December 11

Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople

This Saint was from the village of Marutha in the region of Samosata in Mesopotamia. He became a monk at the age of twelve. After visiting Saint Symeon the Stylite (see Sept. 1) and receiving his blessing, he was moved with zeal to follow his marvellous way of life. At the age of forty-two, guided by providence, he came to Anaplus in the environs of Constantinople, in the days of the holy Patriarch Anatolius (see July 3), who was also healed by Saint Daniel of very grave malady and sought to have him live near him. Upon coming to Anaplus, Saint Daniel first lived in the church of the Archangel Michael, but after some nine years, Saint Symeon the Stylite appeared to him in a vision, commanding him to imitate his own ascetical struggle upon a pillar. The remaining thirty-three years of his life he stood for varying periods on three pillars, one after another. He stood immovable in all weather, and once his disciples found him covered with ice after a winter storm. He was a counsellor of emperors; the pious emperor Leo the Great fervently loved him and brought his royal guests to meet him. It was at Saint Daniel's word that the holy relics of Saint Symeon the Stylite were brought to Constantinople from Antioch, and it was in his days that the Emperor Leo had the relics of the Three Holy Children brought from Babylon. Saint Daniel also defended the Church against the error of the Eutychians. Having lived through the reigns of the Emperors Leo, Zeno, and Basiliscus, he reposed in 490, at the age of eighty-four.

Wisdom of the Fathers

What was the nature of the invitation? God the Father has prepared in Christ for the inhabitants of earth those gifts which are bestowed upon the world through Him, even the forgiveness of sins, the cleansing away of all defilement, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the glorious adoption of sons, and the kingdom of the heavens.

St. Cyril of Alexandria

Translation courtesy of "The Orthodox New Testament" Volume 1, 4th Century

Come, O faithful, Let us enjoy the Master's hospitality, The banquet of immortality. In the upper chamber with uplifted minds Let us receive the exalted words of the Word Whom we magnify.

Last Ode of the Compline Canon

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR DEC. 11, THE 11TH 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 DEC 11
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

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY EVENT, DEC 11
We are all invited to the annual Stewardship Sunday breakfast and program this Sunday followingDivine Liturgy. The morning’s event will also include a testimonial on the importance of Stewardship and information on the 2023 Archdiocesan theme: “Giving Thanks: Eucharistic Worship.” Commitment cards and other resource materials will be available today and will soon be accessible within the “Giving” pages of our parish website. Many thanks to our devoted Stewards for their dedication to Saint Gregory.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PAGEANT DRESS REHEARSAL, DEC 11
Following Holy Communion today, our children will have a short classroom session and then head to the nave for a pageant dress rehearsal. We are all excited for the pageant on Dec. 18, when our children will remind of the true “reason for the season”: Christ’s Nativity. As there is a small wedding at 1 pm, the rehearsal will stop by 12:30 pm, and Fr. Alex asks that our Sunday School parents help us quickly clean up the nave (chairs put away, manger stowed in Narthex, etc.) for the wedding. Many helpful hands will make this a quick job. Thanks in advance!

PHILOPTOCHOS BAKE SALE THANKS & "ONE WARM COAT" EFFORT CONCLUDES, DEC 11
Today is the last day to donate gently used child and adult-sized coats for the “One Warm Coat” Drive. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Also, we thank everyone who participated in the Philoptochos annual Fall Bake Sale! Through your generosity, we raised $890 to support our national and local commitments and charities. We are grateful to all of our bakers and eaters!

PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD FORMS DUE DATE, DEC. 13
It’s time again for our Christmas card campaign. We will be mailing this card out to all of our parishioners and friends of Saint Gregory. When you include your name(s) on the parish Christmas card it saves you the time and expense of buying cards and stamps, plus it benefits our church and helps you reach our entire parish family. Forms are available in the Narthex and Weekly eBulletin—and have been emailed to our parish. Please return them to the Church Office by Dec. 13.

METROPOLIS YOUNG ADULT RETREAT, JAN 6 - 8
Our young adults (21 and over) are invited to this weekend of fun and relaxation at the Saint
Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. A casual and low-key atmosphere is on the agenda, along with optional outdoor activities (including skiing at Pat’s Peak), discussions, music nights and more. Attendees can stay one night or both, and donation rates for the event are very reasonable, ranging from $100 per person for a shared cabin to $250 per person for a retreat house single. Interested or just want to learn more? Visit boston.goarch.org/youngadultretreat.

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

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

December 11 to December 25, 2022

Sunday, December 11

Stewardship Sunday

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:30AM Sunday School classes

11:30AM Nativity Pageant Rehearsal

11:30AM Last Day for "One Warm Coat" Drive

4:00PM Parish Council Christmas Party

Sunday, December 18

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:30AM Christmas/Nativity Pageant

Saturday, December 24

Eve of the Nativity

5:00PM Vespers & Divine Liturgy

Sunday, December 25

The Nativity/Christmas

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:30AM No Sunday School classes

Coming Events & News

Archdiocese News

Centennial Pilgrimage Continues in Jerusalem

12/04/2022

GOARCH Centennial Pilgrims made their way to the Holy Land on Thursday after paying respects to the Mother Church at the Phanar last week.

https://www.goarch.org/-/centennial-pilgrimage-continues-jerusalem

General Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

A Word from Father Alex

Sunday Notes

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Saints and Feasts

Martyrs Acepsius and Aeithalas

11th Sunday of Luke

Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople

Wisdom of the Fathers

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

December 11 to December 25, 2022

Coming Events & News

Parish Christmas Card Dec 2022

Nov/Dec Mustard Seed Newsletter

October Financial Trends Update

Archdiocese News

Centennial Pilgrimage Continues in Jerusalem

12/04/2022