September 10
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-09-10
Bulletin Contents
Parish News
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
Bulletin inserts
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (908) 968-4004
- Fax:
- (908) 968-4002
- Email:
- stannagoc@gmail.com
- Street Address:
- 85 Voorhees Corner Road,
- Flemington, NJ 08822
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy 9:30 am.
Weekday Services: See parish website calendar link for updates.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2023-09-17
- Publish Date:
- 2023-09-03
- Publish Date:
- 2023-08-27
- Publish Date:
- 2023-08-13
- Publish Date:
- 2023-08-06
- Publish Date:
- 2023-07-30
Parish News
Memorial Service today - for the parents of Leo Sideris: the Rev. Fr. Theodore Sideris (1-year) and Presvytera Anna Sideris (3-year). May their memory be eternal! The Sideris family is offering the Fellowship Hour refreshments in memory of Father Theodore and Presvytera Anna.
Weekday services: Thursday, Sept. 14 - The Elevation of the Holy Cross. Orthros begins at 8:30 AM, followed by Divine Liturgy and the procession of the Holy Cross (blessed basil branches will be distributed at the end of services.)
The Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian in Tenafly, New Jersey. (All are invited to the Enthronement!) The following day, Sunday, September 17, His Eminence will also celebrate his first Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral as the new Metropolitan of New Jersey. As of now, the Enthronement Luncheon at the Venetian on Sat., Sept. 16 is sold out (waiting list).
DEADLINE TODAY: Dinner at Local Greek will take place on Monday, September 18th, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm at Local Greek Lambertville located at 2 Canal Street in Lambertville, NJ. We hope that you will join us for this fun-filled evening of delicious Greek cuisine and fellowship with both old friends and new ones. Admission to the event will be $50 a person which includes a selection of appetizers, a main course, sides, and dessert. Seating is limited so Please Reserve Early. Please visit www.greekdinners.com to purchase your tickets/ reservation. Reservations are needed by TODAY September 10th. Please see event chairs Bill Johnson or Diana Grina with any questions.
YOUTH MINISTRIES: Yes! Another wonderful year is here for our youth!
YOUTH MINISTRY REGISTRATIONS: Each of our youth ministries will be taking registrations for the 2023-2024 ecclesiastical year.
Please sign up at the registration table during fellowship hour TODAY. We have so many exciting plans for our youth!
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 1ST DAY OF CLASSES IS SUNDAY, SEPT. 24. Please see Fr. A if you want to volunteer to help this vital ministry.
GREEK SCHOOL: 1st DAY OF GREEK SCHOOL CLASSES IS MONDAY, SEPT. 25. Please see Maria Sfondouris during fellowship hour to register. (Registration can also be found in the "Bulletin Inserts" tab of this e-bulletin.
GOYA: The Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 event is CANCELLED due to the Enthronement Ceremony in Tenafly that morning.
On Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, all NJ parishes ARE NOW OPEN! (The Holy Cross celebration will take place on Sept. 24th at the St. George Church in Ocean, NJ).
HOPE & JOY: Please see Kristen Diagelakis during fellowship hour to register our youth in grades K-6th grade.
GREEK DANCE: Thanks to our dedicated dancers for all their wonderful performances! Please see Larisa Trumpy or Fr. A to be sure that all new teens join the Dance Troupe. We are hoping to add to our numbers as we continue to grow this ministry. All are welcome!
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, 10/8th 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. We are happy to announce that our youth in grades K-12th grade are invited to a team building Fall Field Day to kick off our youth ministries. This is a FREE event. It will be an afternoon of outdoor field day games and refreshments. Please see Nikol Toulatos and Maria Tattoli during fellowship hour to register your youth and/or to volunteer with the event. Or you may email Nikol Toulatos at nikoltoulatos44@gmail. RSVP deadline is 9/30th. You don’t want to miss out on this fun event!
PHILOPTOCHOS: Congratulations to the new board that was sworn in last week! All are asked to support this vital ministry of loving outreach to those in need. The Ladies have many outreach events planned this year so please get involved and continue your support.
Choir NEWS: As always, the choir looks forward to growing participation. Anyone interested in joining the choir- please contact Choir Director Diana Grina- 908-392-7449, dianakg2003@yahoo.com
Young Adults - Please be sure that Fr. A has the email and cell numbers of all our 18-35-year-olds so that he can reach out to them.
OCTOBER WINE AND DINE: Be sure to mark your calendars for our Wine & Dine fundraiser on Saturday, October 21 at 6 p.m. For many years prior to the pandemic, this was always a highly anticipated annual fundraiser as it combines fellowship, wine education, and wonderful food and wine pairings in a reception-style, intimate in-home setting. Parishioner George Staikos, who is a sommelier and wine educator, will lead this event with his wife Christi along with the executive chef/co-owner of the Sergeantsville Inn, Daniel Brunina, who will prepare the menu for us that evening. This event will be held in the home of parishioner Dan Vlahakis in nearby Ringoes (Copper Hill Country Club) who has generously offered to host this not-to-be-missed fundraiser.
Stewardship: Please be sure that you have submitted a Stewardship Commitment Card for 2023. Also, those 2022 Stewards who have forgotten to submit a card for this year can expect a gentle reminder via email and mail in the coming weeks. The refinancing of our Mortgage in August is dependent on having a strong stewardship count with all our families participating. The Stewardship Card is critical for this accounting of our "Committed" Stewards. Please reach out to treasurer@stannagoc.org if you have any Stewardship questions. See the Stewardship update below. Thank you.
2023 Stewardship Status: We have 148 Pledges totaling $190,930 and $154,928 received to date. We also have 9 families who have contributed $4,570 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. The current Stewardship List and other stewardship information are posted on the bulletin board by the water cooler.
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Regional News: Greek Festivals this weekend in Union and Ocean, NJ. See times on the Flyer on the Bulletin Board near the office.
Save the date! The Flemington Area Food Pantry's main fundraiser is happening this year on Friday, September 29th at the Pantry from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. "The Empty Bowl" is an annual drive-up lunch event that raises funds to provide food and personal care items to approximately 1,600 income-qualified Hunterdon County families who are food insecure.
This year's $30 donation will provide a delicious take-out lunch with a restaurant soup, a mini sandwich, a dessert, water, and a handcrafted bowl. Purchase your ticket online and just drive up to the Food Pantry, located across the parking lot from the Flemington Walmart, and your tasty lunch and unique bowl will be delivered right to your car. More than 80% of the Pantry's income is derived from contributions of monetary donations and groceries. For more information, visit https://flemingtonfoodpantry.org/empty-bowl. Tickets will be available in late August. Please check back as participating restaurants are confirmed.
Andrea Kalliaras is a parishioner within our Metropolis who has a health need. She has been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia that can only be cured by a stem cell transplant. We have an opportunity to help Andrea by volunteering to take a test to determine donor suitability. This 10-second cheek swab test can be done in the convenience of one's home and is free of charge. We ask that you please include Andrea in your prayers and consider participating in the donor process.
Please use the following link to learn more about Andrea's situation and to find the instructions for ordering a test kit. www.swab4andrea.com.
(See Fr. A for more info). Thank you.
Saints and Feasts
September 10
Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs
These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.
September 10
Poulcheria the Empress
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Tone
Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the 4th Tone
Thy Nativity, O Theotokos, hath procliamed joy to the whole world; for from thee hath dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, annulling the curse and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone
In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
Wisdom of the Fathers
Our Redeemer and Maker, Who was Son of God before the ages, became Son of Man at the end of ages. Thus the One Who, through the power of His divinity, had created us to enjoy the happiness of everlasting life, might Himself restore us, through the weakness of our humanity, to recover the life we had lost.
Homilies on the Gospels, 2.18. 7th Century. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 126.
For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century
Bulletin inserts
2023 Stewardship Commitment Card
Thank you for supporting your St. Anna Parish and all her ministries, payroll, and needs.
Greek School Registration 2023-24
Please complete this form and return to the St. Anna Office. Thank you.