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 Friends in Christ,
I look forward to worship and friendship with you this Sunday at Saint Gregory. From our life-changing Divine Liturgy and enriching Sunday School classes to the vital Philoptochos meeting and heart-warming Nativity Pageant rehearsal, this will be another special day at our parish home. Also, don't forget that our new Knitting Ministry launches during Fellowship Hour--come join!
Further, I am so grateful to the six Stewards who have offered themselves for our Parish Council. Phil LaFond, Greta Loukos, Lou Zagami, George Psilakis, Steve Christo and Steve Drugas are dedicated, caring Stewards who will serve well for the glory of God. I am also thankful to their families for sharing them with us. We’ll confirm them during the Dec. 15th election.
Read on in your eBulletin for further updates on coming services, ministry events and community happenings.
See you in Church, and I wish a blessed journey through this winter Lent,
Fr. Alex
ALTAR SERVERS: Team Archangel Gabriel: Eliot Hess, Leland Hess, Linus LaFond (Asst. Cap.) and Mark Saad. Cap., Mario Salzillo.
MYRRHBEARERS: Cap., Eleni LaFond.
Dec. 8th: Callie LaFond.
Dec. 15th: Elena Salzillo.
EPISTLE: Brian Hess.
HOMILY: "Christmas: What's Good About It?"
ALTAR FLOWERS: Please consider sponsoring altar flowers for a coming Sunday. The donation for flower sponsorships is $75. Please contact Gina in the church office to learn more or sponsor.
KOLIVA PREPARATION: Parishioners often ask for help in preparing Koliva and may contact Gina Drugas to order a plate for a memorial ($100 per Koliva).
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: All are welcome to join us following Divine Liturgy. This month and beyond, Fellowship Hour sponsors 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
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.
24th Sunday after Pentecost
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.
10th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
This Saint was from the Thebaid of Egypt and struggled many years in the wilderness. He departed for Constantinople, and having performed many miracles and healings, he reposed in peace in a mountain cave on the Gulf of Corinth, where his holy relics are found incorrupt to the present day.
SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, THE 10TH SUNDAY OF LUKE
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory:
Orthros, 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am
Each week, Sunday School classes begin immediately after Holy Communion. All are warmly invited to join us for refreshments and fellowhip after Divine Liturgy.
STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
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"
PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th & UPDATES
KNITTING MINISTRY, THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th
Join Kristin Lewis and friends during Fellowship Hour today. The group will gather at a table, knit, chat and enjoy. Over the coming weeks and months, knitted items will be donated to charitable organizations. Contact Kristin for further details: [email protected].
NATIVITY PAGEANT REHEARSAL, THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th
The pageant is coming December 15th, and this is our last Sunday of rehearsal before the big day. All participants and helpers are kindly asked to join Brian Kaufman in the church following Sunday School. Contact Brian for further information: [email protected].
2024 CHRISTMAS CARDS SIGN UPS, THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th
This Sunday is the last day to participate in our 2024 parish Christmas card. Please fill out the form in the Narthex and drop it in the church office after services.
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15th
During the Parish Potluck Stewardship Chair Phil LaFond will launch our 2024 Stewardship Ministry campaign, sharing insights in the year’s theme and sharing gratitude for the dedicated Stewards of Saint Gregory. We look forward to finishing our 2024 year with enthusiasm and to another wonderful year of sharing our time, talent and treasure in 2025. Visit the Stewardship pages of our parish website to learn more about Stewardship and access convenient giving options: Stewardship Program 2024 | Saint Gregory the Theologian
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS, DECEMBER 15th
Our Elections Committee is excited to share the names of our candidates for the December 15th Parish Council elections: Steve Christo, Steve Drugas, Phil LaFond, Greta Loukos, George Psilakis and Lou Zagami. There are six candidates for six seats, and we thank them all for their dedicated service to Saint Gregory.
CHRISTMAS POTLUCK, DECEMBER 15TH
Following services and the pageant, join us for a celebratory Lenten potluck in the hall. Help is needed with set up and clean up, and of course we hope our parishioners will offer main and side dishes, desserts and drinks. Learn more and sign up here: CHURCH: St Gregory Christmas Potluck
FELLOWSHIP HOUR SIGN-UP RESOURCES
All parishioners are invited to host Fellowship Hour on a coming Sunday. 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: [email protected]
RIDES TO CHURCH
George Dimitriou, our Driving Ministry chair, would be happy to help you or a loved one make it to Saint Gregory for worship and events. Contact George directly: [email protected]; 781.769.2085.
LOST & FOUND
When parishioners find items about the church, they leave them with the church office. You will find a mail tray labled for lost and found. If you have misplaced a small item, or found one, please stop by the office.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. & Thur., 9 am - 1 pm. Wed., 1 - 4 pm; or by appointment when convenient for our parishioners. Please note that on occasion, Fr. Alex may be seeing to a pastoral situation, visiting with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event, or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours.
Church Secretary Gina Drugas: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursdays: 1 - 3 pm; Fridays 7 am - 11 am. Gina is also available remotely via email or phone on Tuesdays, 8 am - 2 pm. Contact Gina: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School/Pageant rehearsal
11:30AM Philoptochos One Warm Coat Drive
11:30AM Philoptochos Mtg
6:30PM Parish Council Christmas Potluck
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School
11:30AM Philoptochos One Warm Coat Drive
11:30AM Parish Pot Luck
11:30AM Nativity Pageant
11:30AM Stewardship Sunday
11:30AM Parish Elections
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School
It is that time of year again! From now through December 8th, parishioners are able to add their name(s) to our annual Christmas Card. Please see the flyer for more details.
Many thanks to the sponsors of our 29th Annual Tournament!
Please see the attached PDF on how to set up your weekly donations through Servant Keeper's online giving platform.
Did you know that the Nativity Fast prepares us to experience the true meaning of Christmas?
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over a special session of the Holy Eparchial Synod today, which convened via teleconference following a venerable Patriarchal edict.