Welcome! Καλώς ήλθατε!

OUR MISSION is to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, sanctify the faithful through the liturgy and the Holy Sacraments, grow the church by receiving new members, live the Orthodox Christian Faith, and serve humanity through Christ-centered ministries.

OUR VISION is to be a loving, caring, and welcoming Christian community where all belong and grow in the Orthodox Christian Faith through worship, witness, fellowship, and service to others.

HOLY COMMUNION is offered to those baptized and confirmed in the Eastern Orthodox Christian Faith who have prepared according to the Orthodox Tradition. Guests and visitors are welcome to worship with us and receive the antidoron (“instead of the gifts”) blessed bread at the dismissal.
Please allow Catechism School children to receive Holy Communion first, followed by the newly baptized infants. When you approach the chalice, please give your baptismal name to the priest.

GUESTS AND VISITORS: Enter your contact information in the Guest Book at the narthex if you want us to contact you and join us for fellowship hour in our church hall following the liturgy.

Weekend Update

13th Sunday of Luke, November 26, 2023
Κυριακή Θ΄ Λουκᾶ, 26 Νοεμβρίου, 2023. Το κήρυγμα της Κυριακής εδώ

8:30 am MATINS,9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY

No Catechism classes due to Thanksgiving break.
Join us in offering memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of Despina Raggousis (3 years) of blessed memory.
Coffee Fellowship: hosted by PTO.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

5 pm Greek School classes.
5 pm PTO will decorate the Church Hall for Christmas.

Thursday, November 30, 2023
Andrew the First-Called Apostle
Ἀνδρέας ὁ Πρωτόκλητος Ἀπόστολος

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
7:45 pm Homeless Ministry will serve at Aviator Park.

Friday, December 1, 2023

5 pm Greek School classes.
7:30 GOYA dance practice

Saturday, December 2, 2023

11 am BAPTISM: The Bierman family.
12:30 pm BAPTISM: The Bentz family.
6 pm PTO Youth Christmas Party.

14th Sunday of Luke, December 3, 2023
Κυριακή ΙΔ΄ Λουκᾶ, 3 Δεκεμβρίου, 2023

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
Stewardship Sunday. Please check your postal mail for your 2024 Pledge Card and return it on Sunday December 3.
Catechism classes following Holy Communion.
40-day mother and child blessing: Konstantinos, son of Kalliope and Michael Triantafellou. Congratulations!
"Ask Father" (5-7 Grades).
The Parish Council invites all to our annual Stewardship Appreciation Luncheon.
1 pm Youth Nativity Pageant Rehearsal.

Monday, December 4, 2023
Barbara the Great Martyr ~ Βαρβάρας Μεγαλομάρτυρος

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

5 pm Greek School classes.
7 pm Philoptochos Board meeting.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
Νικολάου, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Μύρων τῆς Λυκίας, τοῦ Θαυματουργοῦ

9:30 am MATINS, 10:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
Artoklasia-blessing of the five loaves, wine, and oil- will be offered for the health and well-being of the Economopoulos and LePage families.
11:30 Young @ Heart Christmas Luncheon.

Friday, December 8, 2023

5 pm Greek School classes.
7:30 GOYA dance practice

11th Sunday of Luke, December 10, 2023
Κυριακή Ι΄ Λουκᾶ, 10 Δεκεμβρίου, 2023

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
Catechism classes following Holy Communion.
40-day mother and child blessing: Stamatios Francesco, son of Melissa and Ioannis Haviaras. Congratulations!
Parish Council Elections.
Greek School Kalanda & Loukoumades Fundraiser.
4 pm Delaware Valley Ambassador Awards Banquet.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7.

Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:1-7.

Ἀδελφοί, παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς ἐγώ, ὁ δέσμιος ἐν κυρίῳ, ἀξίως περιπατῆσαι τῆς κλήσεως ἧς ἐκλήθητε, μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ πρᾳότητος, μετὰ μακροθυμίας, ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ, σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης. Ἓν σῶμα καὶ ἓν πνεῦμα, καθὼς καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι τῆς κλήσεως ὑμῶν· εἷς κύριος, μία πίστις, ἓν βάπτισμα, εἷς θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ πάντων, ὁ ἐπὶ πάντων, καὶ διὰ πάντων, καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν ἡμῖν. Ἑνὶ δὲ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Gospel Reading

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."

13th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:18-27

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων· διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει· πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο· ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε· πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες· καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.

Youth Ministries

Sunday School News

GOYA Activities

Click here for the 2023 GOYA Christmas Challenge

Community News & Events

We are pleased to announce the Annunciation/Evangelismos Parish 2023 Ambassador Awards Recipients!

The 2023 Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey Delaware Valley Ambassador Awards Banquet will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 4:00 pm, at "The Adelphia" in Deptford, NJ.
Please purchase your tickets here (no tickets at the door), and participate in the Commemorative Journal here. Offer your warm wishes and congratulations to all the recipients or those you would like to honor. The Commemorative Journal includes pictures and bios of all the honorees and will be available at the banquet.

Congratulations and best wishes to our 2023 Ambassador Awards Recipients:
Youth Ambassador of Faith (Worship): Alexander Dalson
Youth Ambassador of Hope (Witness): Nicholas Blackton
Youth Ambassadors of Love (Service): Efianna Giannoumis
Youth Ambassador of Peace (Fellowship): Anne Blackton

Community Honoree: Barbara Louridas
Philoptochos Honoree: Artemis (Diane) Saphos
Youth Worker Honoree: Evgenia Giannoumis
Senior Steward Honoree: George Kyriakodis

Arriving at Your Home by Postal Mail:

Your 2024 Stewardship Invitation
Your 2023 Stewardship Pledge Statement, if you have a balance on your 2023 pledge
The December 10 Elections Invitation & Sample Ballot
Fr. John’s Christmas Pastoral Message
The Nativity to Theophany Church Services Schedule
The Theophany House Blessings Schedule
The 2024 Wall Calendar
The 2024 Pocket Calendar

Homeless Ministry News

"Glory to God for all things"!

This Thanksgiving, the Homeless Ministry is especially grateful to Father John and our Annunciation church family for your ongoing prayers and support in sharing your time, talent, and treasure to help those in need.

We thank all those who prepared and donated food and helped serve our church family during our coffee fellowship in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Week.

We thank Matthew 25, Philoptochos, Fiesta Pizza, Weis Market, Fresh Market, and St. Luke’s Sunday School for all their generous donations, which helped provide 300 women incarcerated at PICC with Thanksgiving dinner and care bags.

Please take a moment this Thanksgiving and pray for those in prison.
“Almighty God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort come to the aid of those in prison and grant them Your peace in the midst of this difficult time in their lives. I believe, Lord, that all of the trials of life are under Your care and that all things work for the good of those who love You. Take away from those in prison all fear, anxiety, and distress. Help them to face and endure incarceration with faith, courage, and wisdom. Grant that this trial may bring them closer to You, for You are our rock, refuge, comfort, hope, delight, and joy. I trust in Your love and compassion. Blessed is Your name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”
Our Gratitude, Love, and Prayers to All for a Blessed Thanksgiving
and Nativity Fast!

In Christ's service,

The Homeless Ministry

Matthew 25 News

Matthew 25 would like to express our gratitude to all of you for opening your hearts and pockets to our annual Turkey Drive. We delivered over 180 turkeys this year. If we do the math and average approximately 14 lbs. per turkey…we put around 2,520 pounds of turkey on tables, this Thanksgiving. That is certainly something to gobble about! Donations that keep coming or arrive later than our last delivery will continue to fill tables and stomachs through Christmas.

From our families to yours…Wishing you a Blessed Feast and Thanksgiving.

In Christ’s Service,

Sophia & Lisa

“No exercise is better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up!” John Holmes

Parish Office Help Needed

We will process the 2024 Parish Council Elections mailing on Monday, November 27, starting at 10 AM.
We will process the 2024 Christmas mailing on Monday, December 4, starting at 10 AM.

Any help is appreciated!

Focus on Our Church Family

Pastoral Care: If you or someone you know is sick, homebound elderly, or scheduled for surgery, please call the church office to let us know so Fr. John can make a pastoral visit or add someone to the prayer list.

In Our Prayers: “Pray for one another that you might be healed.” (James 5:16): Noel, Kyriaki, Maria, John, Philip, Donna, Lucy, John, Smaragdi, Josephine, Emma, Paulette, Virginia, Effie, James, Grace, Hollie, George, Magda, Emmalia, Anastasia.

Names will be kept on this list for approximately 3 months. Please resubmit Names if needed. Fr. John will include the submitted names at the Psokomide “Offering of Gifts” during the first part of the liturgy when he prepares the mystical gifts of bread & wine. Please lift these names up to the Lord in your personal prayer life as well.

Prayer for healing: Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent our Lord to heal every sickness. Visit and heal us. Grant patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us to pray for each other that we may be healed. We pray that You heal, guide and protect your servant (s) (pray by name for those who are sick) and grant them the gift of complete health. You are the source of healing, and to You we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Happy Wedding Anniversary to those Celebrating this Week: Victoria & Theodore Aristoklis, Elaine & William Sandilos, Stephanie & Justin Bentz, Connie & Harry Laspee, Christa & Michael Weggel, Argie & Kay Fentross, Kara & Dean Kalogrias.

Χρόνια Πολλά & Ευλογηµένα! God Grant You Many Years! To Those Who are Celebrating Birthdays this Coming Week: Timoclea Trifonidis, Terry Contoudis, Eleftheria Dinneen, Constantine Karnavas, Harry Kyriakodis, Theodoros Matranga, Frank Petronis, George Vafiadis, Sophia Franchetti, Angela Kotsopoulos, Katerina Koukaras, Evgenia Loiacono, Constantine Metsikas, Charles Papacostas, Ourania Patounas, Voula Sidelsky, Riley Bouikidis, Jodie Dinoulis, Peggy Lambrou, Alexandra McNally, James Paidas, Brian Wittig, Katrina Chiariello, Argiris Fafalios, Chris Papakostantinou, Kristin Sourovelis, Christina Tolis, John Vellios, Evangelia Warner, Benjamin Worthington, Joyce Zeka, James Chiariello III, Arieta Kerasinis, Kayla Kontogeorgos, Demetrios Papakirk, Timothy Sutcliffe, Melissa Tsiobikas, Anastasia Bouikidis, Nicholas Kalogrias, Matthew Karagianis, David Sidelsky, Marianna Siokos, Cosmas Trifonidis.

2023 Fall General Assembly Summary

Dear Annunciation Parishioners,

We held our Fall Parish General Assembly on October 23, 2023, and are happy to give you the materials presented: The 2023 Fall General Assembly Presentation and the 2023 Fall General Assembly Minutes.

We had just over 30 stewards attending, so we are distributing these materials to all, as we want all Parishioners to have a good understanding of the operation of our community. Key points of the meeting:

Our community remains very active, with a busy calendar of Ministry, Outreach, and social activities.
Financially, we are projecting a $30,000 - $35,000 deficit this year. The Fall OPA Festival did not do as well as expected due to bad weather on the second day, and we still have many Stewardship pledges that need to be fulfilled this year. Please continue your generosity and complete your 2023 Stewardship Pledge! Also, please consider an additional Christmas Gift to help us close this shortfall.
We presented the preliminary budget for 2024 and have included only one May 2024 OPA Festival in the budget. We are asking all Stewards to increase their Stewardship pledge for 2024 to complete the budget. On average, if all Stewards increase their pledge by $1 per day, we will not need any festivals to cover the budget, and the May OPA would fund new Ministry activities and facilities improvements. Some Stewards may not be able to increase by $1 per day, but others may be able to do more, so we average $1 per day overall. When your 2024 Stewardship Pledge Card arrives in the mail this week, please increase your generosity to help us meet the goal of an additional $1 per day on average.
Please join us every Sunday in December as we enter the Advent season and have additional events each Sunday: December 3 is Stewardship Sunday, December 10 is Parish Council elections, and December 17 is the Youth Christmas Pageant and PTO Holiday Bake Sale. Our Choir has added new minor key hymns and responses to their repertoire, which adds beautifully to the Liturgy.

Thank you to those who attended the Assembly and everyone in the community for your Time, Talent, and Treasure contributions. As always, don't hesitate to contact either of us if you have any questions or comments.

Father John L. Johns, Presiding Priest

Dean Dalson, Parish Council President