Fellow Parishioners and Friends: 

We have much to look forward to this Sunday at Saint Gregory. First and foremost, we have the experience of timeless Orthodox Christian worship—you and I, all of us, at table with the Lord. This is something that is easy to take for granted, and with the new ecclesiastical year here (began Sep. 1), we have an opportunity to renew our sense of “awe” and thanksgiving before the Lord.

Then, after services, we will enjoy our annual Fall Picnic and Ministries Celebration. I look forward to seeing you there for great food and even better friendship. Plus, Sunday School leaders, Philoptochos friends and other ministry leaders will be there to share the joy of our ministries. A GOYA leadership meeting and fun outdoor activities for our children are also on the agenda.

I look forward to seeing you there—and try and bring a family member or friend who hasn’t joined us in a while. This is a great opportunity to invite someone to Saint Gregory.

On a personal note, like so many of you I have been preoccupied and heart broken by the terrible Minneapolis shooting at the Annunciation Church and School. In the wake of this devastation, and so much pain and suffering in our country and the world, our holy house is a true comfort, a force for good. Let’s gather this Sunday in prayer, unity and commitment to the Holy Gospel: the ultimate source of good, compassion, love and salvation.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex

TODAY'S ALTAR SERVERS: All servers welcome.
Parish Altar Team Members
Altar Team Archangel Michael: Matthew Cromack, AJ Georgilas (Asst. Cap.) and Matthew Georgilas
Altar Team Archangel Gabriel: Eliot Hess, Leland Hess, Linus LaFond (Asst. Cap.) and Mark Saad
Cap., Mario Salzillo

TODAY'S MYRRHBEARER: Sydney LaFond.
Caps., Elena Salzillo and Sydney LaFond. 
Schedule: 
Sep. 14th: Carla Saad
Sep. 21st: Elena Salzillo

TODAY'S EPISTLE: Justin Valanzola.

HOMILY: "Saving Our World."

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Following Divine Liturgy, join us for the annual Parish Picnic and Ministry Celebration. Great food, outdoor games, fun and friendship are on the agenda. This month and beyond, Fellowship Hour sponsors are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or use our SignUpGenius link. 

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).

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

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH, SUNDAY BEFORE THE HOLY CROSS
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory: 
Orthros, 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 AM

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA FOR THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH

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

FINAL DAY OF PHILOPTCHOS SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE, THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday is the last day to donate school supplies to benefit Attleboro Public Schools. Please place donated items into the designated bin located in the Narthex. Our Amazon link (emailed to the parish) details specific items that are needed. Please contact Yvette Politis or any member with questions.

FALL PICNIC AND MINISTRY CELEBRATION, THIS SUNDAY
The new ecclesiastical year has begun, and our ministries and programs are about to kick into high gear. Let’s celebrate the “new year” and our wonderful community today at the annual picnic. Following Divine Liturgy, chefs Joe, Paul and Kosta will serve up burgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers/dots. We’ll also have a host of outdoor games and activities setup for our children. Many thanks to these gentlemen and to everyone who brought a dish for today and otherwise offered support for the picnic.

GOYA MEETING, THIS SUNDAY
All GOYA-age children (grades 6^th – 12^th) are warmly invited to gather for our first meeting of the year today. After having some lunch during the picnic, Fr. Alex and Mrs. Politis (our new GOYA advisor) will meet with our children for reflection and planning. We look forward to another terrific year of faith, witness, friendship and philanthropy within this important ministry.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES BEGIN, SEPTEMBER 14TH
Welcome to another year of Sunday School! On the 14th, please have your children sit up front during Divine Liturgy, and they will enjoy a special youth homily from Fr. Manny. After Holy Communion and a new-year blessing they can head up to their classrooms as usual. Please register your children at your earliest convenience. This helps us plan and welcome our children properly for another great year of Sunday School. 

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY & FELLOWSHIP, SEPTEMBER 16TH
Join us for dinner, a special blessing from the Feast of the Cross service, study and friendship on the 16th, beginning at 6:30 pm. Please bring Christ in the Psalms if you have it and come prepared to share and reflect on a chapter or entry that has meaning for you. Contact Fr. Alex with questions and to confirm.

METROPOLIS CLERGY LAITY, OCTOBER 4TH
Our local clergy laity will take place on the 20^th at Saint Demetrios Church in Weston, MA. In addition to our parish delegates, all ministry/program leaders and interested parishioners are invited to join us observer participants. Please contact Fr. Alex or Steve Drugas to learn more and obtain the registration link.

BLESSING THE NEW YEAR
September 1st marked the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year, a time of gratitude and reflection—a time to offer the first fruits of our spiritual lives to the Lord. May it be a year of grace and redemption for all: 
“Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us.”  --Apolytikion of the New Ecclesiastical Year

SAINT GREGORY GOLF TOURNAMENT, OCTOBER 9TH
As last year, our tournament will be held at Top Golf in Canton, MA. The tournament web page—along with registration and sponsorship information—is now available and has been emailed to our parish family. Please save the date and plan to join us.

GIVING LIFE TO OUR PARISH LIBRARY
Throughout the summer, one of our loving parishioners has been working diligently to revitalize our library area with Fr. Alex. The goal will be to have this area newly organized, cleaned and ordered according to subject area (prayer, pastoral theology, history, etc.) and author. Our hope is to make this area usable, inviting and helpful. We will keep you updated on progress and still need a librarian to manage borrowing and the ongoing maintenance of this beautiful space. Please contact Father if interested.

STEWARDSHIP CHECK IN: “YOUR OWN OF YOUR OWN”
Our Stewardship Ministry leaders kindly ask us all to consider our 2025 commitment to Saint Gregory. If you have already committed and begun to offer your time, talent and treasure, we are of course grateful for your attention and generosity. If you have not yet completed your commitment form, we hope and pray you will in the weeks to come. Visit the Stewardship pages of our parish website to learn more about Stewardship and to access our 2025 materials, from an explanation of our ministry goals to convenient online giving options.

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., 9 am - 1 pm; Wed., 1 - 4 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, visiting with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event, or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours.

Church Secretary Gina Drugas: Monday, 7 - 10:30 am; Thursday and Friday, 7 - 11 am. Contact Gina: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.