Saints and Feasts

November 03

5th Sunday of Luke

November 08

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Martyrs Ascepsimas, Joseph & Aeithalas in the Fourth Mode

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19.

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

Gospel Reading

5th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31

The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Wisdom of the Fathers

By these words it is surely shown that in his [the rich man] daily feasting he had frequently sinned by his tongue, seeing that, while burning all over, he demanded to be cooled especially in his tongue. Again, that levity of conduct follows closely upon gluttony sacred authority testifies ... For the most part also edacity leads us even to lechery, because, when the belly is distended by repletion, the stings of lust are excited.

St. Gregory the Dialogist

The Book of Pastoral Rule, Chapter XIX, 6th century

The man who has once chosen pleasure in this life, and has not cured his inconsiderateness by repentance, places the land of the good beyond his own reach; for he has dug against himself the yawning impassable abyss of a necessity that nothing can break through.

St. Gregory of Nyssa

Ministry News

TODAY there will be a 1-year Memorial Service in memory of John "Prothromos" Petromelis, beloved husband of Phyllis Petromelis and devoted father to Christopher and Georgette Petromelis. May his memory be eternal!

TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Petromelis family.

Church Calendar:

Friday, November 1: Sts. Cosmas and Damianos - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Sunday, November 3: Fall General Assembly, following services

Friday, November 8: Archangels Michael and Gabriel - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Saturday, November 9: St. Nektarios - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Saturday & Sunday, November 16 & 17 – Holiday Eat & Shop

Seminars: We are very pleased to announce that we will offer the following seminars to all of our parishioners:

1. Internet Security - How to protect yourself from Scams by Peter Grina

2. Donating to Church - Options available and tax benefits by Chris Kamnitsis

The seminars are scheduled for Friday November 22 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm and on Sunday December 15 after coffee hour from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Both Seminars will be conducted on both dates. The seminars are open to all of those who use the internet and those who use the 401k, IRA and others to make donations to the church.

This year, our Parish bas been blessed with the celebration of 3 baptisms

and 3 weddings in September and October. May God bless them all!

September 21: Baptism of Eva Elena Baltatu

September 28: Baptism of Charlotte Marie Tsentas

October 5: Wedding of Nicole Meropi Martini and Emilio Michael Verrillo

October 6: Wedding of Brittaney Nicole Daniels and Pantelis Theodoropoulos

October 19: Wedding of Polyxeni Tolis and Ryan Veneman

October 20: Baptism of Jameson Howard Lappen

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Youth Workers:

This includes adults who are involved with JOY, HOPE, GOYA, youth camps, and altar servers.

It also includes educational programs like Sunday School, day schools, and afternoon/Greek schools.

It also includes athletic programs like basketball, volleyball, and dance. It even includes adults who might occasionally assist or transport children during such events. If you work with kids, then you need to become a Youth Worker under the Policies. And that means REGISTERING, TRAINING, & SCREENING. For more information go to goarch.org/safety

Philoptochos News: Philoptochos will be holding a food drive from October 13 through November 17. We are asking our community to kindly donate food items to those less fortunate. There will be a box in the hallway outside of the community hall. Thank you for your generosity.

PC Corner

We have over 45 kids in the Sunday School program and the registration is still open. We are also looking for additional Sunday school teachers who can assist with the program.

The adult Greek School program has about 10 students this year, and we plan to offer 2 semesters of 15 weeks each.

On Sunday November 3 we will have our Fall General Assembly. We need all of you to participate and volunteer to run for a PC position, and help with the elections and the audit committees.

We are nearing the end of 2019 and we have about 145 stewards with a pledge card and 11 without pledge card. There are many who have not pledged this year. This is the time to do it. last year we finished with 170 Stewards. Let’s reach or exceed this number again this year.

And don't forget. November 16-17 we have our Eat and Shop event. We need your help. We will send you information so you can register to help during the preparation and during the event.

Please note: “The Musical Legacy of the Holy Fathers in the Orthodox Christian Church” Byzantine music concert at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, Toms River, NJ on Saturday, October 26, 2019 6:30 p.m.

Bulletin Inserts

Oxi Day Encyclical

2019 Encyclical

Stewardship

Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2019 Stewardship Drive: We currently have 148 Pledges totaling $158,489 for an average of $1,071 and $136,288 received to date. We also have 10 families who have contributed $5,805 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $170,000. If the remaining 52, 2018 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards

If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your stewardship commitment and submit a 2019 pledge card as soon as you can. You can check to see if you are on the Stewards List attached to this bulletin.

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much

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