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 hope you can join us at Saint Gregory this Sunday. This is the beginning of the Lenten Triodion and the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. While we'd like to see ourselves as the humble Publican, most of us can probably identify most with the Pharisee. How can we move closer to where we want to journey? This Sunday is the start of this "pivot" toward the humility and transfiguration of the Publican. Join us!
Parents, this Sunday is our next "sit up front" Sunday. Our Sunday School students, and teachers, will sit up front for Divine Liturgy. This will give our children an up-front view of the service--plus, Fr. Manny will be offering a wonderful, engaging youth homily. Come on time for Liturgy and don't miss a moment.
Also, don't forget the HOPE/JOY Prosforo event after Sunday School. I can't wait to show our children how we prepare the holy bread each and every Sunday--and what meaning this has for all of them.
Wishing you a blessed Triodion,
Fr. Alex
EPISTLE: Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.
TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Callie LaFond. 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 Michael (Matt Cromack, AJ and Matthew Georgilas and Mario Salzillo). 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: Sponsored by our 4th and 5th grade Sunday School families. Join us in the hall for refreshments and friendship after services. Fellowship Hour sponsorships are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or use our new SignUpGenius link.
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
First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20
At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14
The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.
All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.
SERVICES FOR FEB 5, THE SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN & PHARISEE
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory: Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Sunday School classes will be in session this weekend. 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 FEB 5
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
SUNDAY SCHOOL "SIT UP FRONT SUNDAY," FEB 5
This Sunday, our Sunday School students and teachers will sit in the front row for Divine Liturgy. This will be a great way or our students to experience Divine Liturgy up close. Fr. Manny will share an energetic youth homily--make sure to join us on time for services!
HOPE/JOY (GRADES K - 5) PROSFORO ACTIVITY W/ FR. ALEX, FEB. 5
On the 5th following Sunday School and a quick bite to eat at Fellowship Hour, our HOPE (K - grade 2) and JOY (grades 3 - 5) are invited to join Fr. Alex in the church for an up-close look at how Prosforo is prayed over, cut and used in our services. Parents are invited to join us as well, and there will be a special gift for each child. Please contact Fr. Alex with questions, to help (this would be very welcome!) or confirm
GOYA “SOUPER” BOWL FOOD DRIVE, JAN. 29 THROUGH FEB. 12
In anticipation of “Souper Bowl” Sunday on Feb. 12, our GOYAns are leading a collection of canned/non-perishable goods now through Feb. 12, for the benefit of Mansfield Food Pantry. Items needed: Progresso Soups, canned protein foods (like Spam and corned beef hash) and snack foods (like Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Vanilla Wafers, Cheez-its, Goldfish, Belvita bars, Rice Krispie Treats and chips). Please bring your donations to the bin in the Narthex.
PHILOPTOCHOS VALENTINE COOKIE WALK, FEB. 12 & HYBRID MTG., FEB. 19
The annual Valentine Cookie walk returns on Sunday, February 12. We need your help to fill our table with delicious homemade cookies of all varieties. Please email Ann Johnson (annjohnson0195@gmail.com) to volunteer and share your cookie of choice. In addition, Philoptochos asks us all to kindly wear red to services on the 12th to support the "Go Red for Women" effort (raising awareness about women's heart health). Members are also asked to save the date of Feb. 19 for a hybrid meeting following Sunday School. Zoom info will soon be forwarded.
METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS COOKBOOK SUBMISSIONS, BY FEB. 28
Our own Saint Anastasia Philoptochos has been invited to contribute recipes to a Metropolis Philoptochos cookbook, and the invitation is also open to our entire parish family. The cookbook will be published and made available to our Metropolis parishes as a fundraiser for the Metropolis Philoptochos. Recipe suggestions include soups, fish dishes, cocktails, appetizers and even liturgical items like Prosforo and Artoklasia breads. Please contact Ann Johnson for further details and suggestions: annjohnson0195@gmail.com. The submission link is now available.
NEW FELLOWSHIP HOUR SIGN-UP RESOURCES
All parishioners are invited to host Fellowship Hour on a coming Sunday this winter and spring. In addition to the sign-up poster in the hall, we can now easily learn more and sign up online. Fellowship Hour is a beloved, significant tradition at our parish that speaks to Christian fellowship and hospitality. Thanks in advance for your support, and contact Fellowship Hour Chair Brian Kaufman with any questions: bvkaufman@gmail.com
STEWARDSHIP 2023 & TESTIMONIAL VIDEO
As we move into the new year, we now kindly ask our Stewards to read over our 2023 materials package and prayerfully complete and return 2023 Commitment Cards at their earliest convenience. This not only helps us plan for and support our parish ministries but is a visible symbol of our Eucharistic community: united in worship and dedication to the Gospel. The Stewardship pages of our parish website have been updated with our 2023 materials, and please contact Phil LaFond with any questions (phil@lafonds.net). View the Stewardship Sunday testimonial video here.
NEW ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM
Parishioners who would like to try out our new Assistive Listening System are welcome to use the receivers on our Narthex Welcome Table. The receivers are easy to use: just place the ear device on your ear, and turn on the “on/volume” on top of the receiver.
USHERING AND "RIDES TO CHURCH" MINISTRIES
This winter and spring, 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. We have also been re-initiating 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.
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. General Church Office Needs: as we are currently short staffed, please call the Church Office (508.337.9986) and leave a message. Father or another ministry leader will get back with you shortly. Thanks for your patience.
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM HOPE/JOY Prosforo Activity
11:30AM "Souper" Bowl Food Drive
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Philoptochos Cookie Walk
11:30AM "Souper" Bowl Food Drive
6:30PM Parish Council
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Orthodox Life: "The Great Commission"
11:30AM Philoptochos Mtg. (In Person/Zoom)
Children grades K - 5 are invited to join Fr. Alex for an up-close session on how we prepare Prosforo bread.
Enjoy our latest newsletter, keeping us all up to date on happenings at Saint Gregory, as well as giving us good spiritual food to reflect upon.
Our Parish Council offers these financial updates monthly, so our parishioners can be fully aware of financial and Stewardship trends within Saint Gregory.
Registration for all programs of Ionian Village 2023 opens this Saturday, January 21st at 12pm EST on ionianvillage.org!!!