Weekend Update

Sunday Before Holy Cross, September 10, 2017

On September 10, we commemorate: the holy women martyrs Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora; the holy martyr Barypsabas; St. Pulcheria the Empress; the holy Apostles Apelles, Luke and Clement; the holy woman martyr Ia who died by the sword. By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

8:30am MATINS 9:30am DIVINE LITURGY.
Start of Catechism School & Little Apostles classes. Please register here
Memorial prayers are offered for the repose of the soul of Nicholas Chiartas of blessed memory (40-day). The congregation is invited to join in prayer with the family of the departed.
40-day mother and child blessing: Konstantina, daughter of Dimitra & Leontios Diamantas. Congratulations!
Youth ministries registration continues today during fellowship hour.
All are invited to the Parish Council ‘invite a friend’ cookout.

Tuesday 12

5pm Greek School Agiasmos & back to school night.
6pm Ecclesiastical Year Agiasmos at the Metropolis of New Jersey.
6:30pm Sights & Sounds planning meeting, & DVYC meeting at St George, Media.
7pm Philoptochos Board meeting.

Wednesday 13

7pm Bible study with the book: ‘Miracles of Christ’. All are invited

Thursday 14 The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross.

8:30am MATINS, 9:30am DIVINE LITURGY (Please bring basil for the blessing).

Friday 15

6:30pm Start of JOY folk dance practice. Please register here
7:30pm Start of GOYA folk dance practice. Please register here

Saturday 16

3pm WEDDING: Lydia Changalis to Steve McDermott. Congratulations!

Next Sunday (after Holy Cross) September 17, 2017

8:30am MATINS, 9:30am DIVINE LITURGY
Philoptochos Collection to benefit Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund.
Catechism classes follow Holy Communion.
40-day mother and child blessing: George Evangelos, son of Alexandra (Moller) & Evangelos Pappas.
Blessing of Catechism classrooms.
Fellowship hour will be hosted by Greek School.
12pm Council of Ministries meeting.

Saints and Feasts

September 10

Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

O Faithful, let us sing a hymn of praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, who was born of the Virgin for our salvation. Of His own will He went upon the Cross in the flesh and suffered death, to raise the dead through His glorious Resurrection.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.

Η γέννησίς σου Θεοτόκε, χαράν εμήνυσε πάση τή οικουμένη, εκ σού γάρ ανέτειλεν ο ήλιος τής δικαιοσύνης, Χριστός ο Θεός ημών, καί λύσας τήν κατάραν, έδωκε τήν ευλογίαν, καί καταργήσας τόν θάνατον, εδωρήσατο ημίν ζωήν τήν αιώνιον.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

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."

Ιωακείμ καί Άννα όνειδισμού ατεκνίας, καί Αδάμ καί Εύα, εκ τής φθοράς τού θανάτου, ηλευθερώθησαν, Άχραντε, εν τή αγία γεννήσει σου, αυτήν εορτάζει καί ο λαός σου, ενοχής τών πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς εν τώ κράζειν σοι, Η στείρα τίκτει τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Third Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

Third Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 16:9-20

᾿Αναστὰς δὲ πρωῒ πρώτῃ σαββάτου ἐφάνη πρῶτον Μαρίᾳ τῇ Μαγδαληνῇ, ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἐκβεβλήκει ἑπτὰ δαιμόνια. ἐκείνη πορευθεῖσα ἀπήγγειλε τοῖς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ γενομένοις, πενθοῦσι καὶ κλαίουσι. κἀκεῖνοι ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ζῇ καὶ ἐθεάθη ὑπ᾿ αὐτῆς, ἠπίστησαν. Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα δυσὶν ἐξ αὐτῶν περιπατοῦσιν ἐφανερώθη ἐν ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ, πορευομένοις εἰς ἀγρόν. κἀκεῖνοι ἀπελθόντες ἀπήγγειλαν τοῖς λοιποῖς· οὐδὲ ἐκείνοις ἐπίστευσαν. ῞Υστερον ἀνακειμένοις αὐτοῖς τοῖς ἕνδεκα ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ὠνείδισε τὴν ἀπιστίαν αὐτῶν καὶ σκληροκαρδίαν, ὅτι τοῖς θεασαμένοις αὐτὸν ἐγηγερμένον οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πορευθέντες εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἅπαντα κηρύξατε τὸ εὐαγγέλιον πάσῃ τῇ κτίσει. ὁ πιστεύσας καὶ βαπτισθεὶς σωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ἀπιστήσας κατακριθήσεται. σημεῖα δὲ τοῖς πιστεύσασι ταῦτα παρακολουθήσει· ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου δαιμόνια ἐκβαλοῦσι· γλώσσαις λαλήσουσι καιναῖς· ὄφεις ἀροῦσι· κἂν θανάσιμόν τι πίωσιν, οὐ μὴ αὐτοὺς βλάψει· ἐπὶ ἀρρώστους χεῖρας ἐπιθήσουσι, καὶ καλῶς ἕξουσιν. ῾Ο μὲν οὖν Κύριος μετὰ τὸ λαλῆσαι αὐτοῖς ἀνελήφθη εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ. ἐκεῖνοι δὲ ἐξελθόντες ἐκήρυξαν πανταχοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου συνεργοῦντος καὶ τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων. ἀμήν.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. 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.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18.

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.

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."

Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.

Focus On Our Church Family

Celebrations, Milestones, Gratitude, Comfort & Support

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 to add someone to the prayer list.

Let us pray to the Lord for the health and salvation of: Suffering and persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian world, Polly, John, Iakovos, Nicholas, Esther, Kyriaki, John, Stephanos, Katina, Michael.

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. For You are the source of healing and to You we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Χρόνια πολλα! Happy birthday! God grant you many years! To those celebrating next week: Ana Cosmatos, Roman Justice, Alexandra Kyriakatos, Anna Pagano, Demetrius Pashos, Matthew Stolarczyk, Elaine Storace, Randy Cunningham, Peter Gabriel, Sofia Dinneen, Gregory Mariani, Lemonia Paidas, Amanda Gutchigian, Dimitria Trula Sfarnas, Emmanouil Villanueva, Stefanie Gutchigian, Penelope Pappas, Evangelos Vassilakis, Alba Couppas, Irene Halkias, Anna Marie Loizos, Barbara Louridas, Christopher Matarangas, Efthimia Bastas-Christie, Michael Bouikidis, Maria Holahan, Ana Kiscaden, Joseph Kiscaden, Penelope Kyriakatos, Antonios Pitsakis.

Happy wedding anniversary! To those celebrating this week: Arniotis, John & Kristin; Petronis, Frank & Jennifer; Sarver, Joseph & Theodora Karagianni-Sarver; Mitsas, Stefanos & Claudia.

Our deepest sympathy: to the Papacostas, Pantazopoulos, and Sandilos families for the passing of their beloved sister, aunt, mother, grandmother & great grandmother, Catherine Papacostas, 93, on 9/4/17. Funeral was held at Annunciation Church on 9/7/17. May her memory be eternal.

Community News & Events

2017-2018 Youth Ministries Registration

Register here for 2017-2018 Youth Ministries

Invite a Friend to Church on Sunday September 10

Image result for invite a friend to church

82 percent of people are likely to attend church if invited by a friend or relative.

Invite a relative, friend, neighbor or coworker to church on Sunday September 10.

It could change their life forever.

Happening in September

Start of Catechism and Little Apostles classes. Chancel Choir begins. Youth Ministries kick off and Parish Council invite a friend Sunday: Sunday, September 10
Greek School Agiasmos & back to school night: Tuesday, September 12
Start of youth dance classes: Friday, September 15
Council of Ministries meeting: Sunday, September 17
Start of Greek School classes: Tuesday, September 19
Young at Heart coffee and planning meeting: Wednesday, September 20. Please join us for lunch and bring your suggestions for this year’s activities. Please RSVP by September 15 with Agnes Louridas (215) 947-2992, or Helen Papanicolaou (215) 646-8752.
Fundraising luncheon to benefit the Diocese of Kisumu, Uganda, Africa (His Grace Bishop Athanasios Akunda attending): Sunday, September 24
Philoptochos cooking @ Ronald McDonald House on Erie Ave.: Monday, September 25
HOPE/JOY soccer drills & free play @ Total Soccer in Warminster, PA. debbiehopejoy@gmail.com : Saturday, September 30

Little Apostles Ministry Starts this Sunday!

Reminder!

Annunciation's newest youth ministry, Little Apostles, officially launches this fall. We welcome all 2-3 year olds (accompanied by a parent or guardian) to join us Sundays after Holy Communion in the large Greek school room for faith-themed stories crafts, and play.

The fun kicks off September 10! For more info and to register: http://www.anngoc.org/ministries/youth-ministries/little-apostles-ministry.

Hurricane Harvey Relief

Beloved Annunciation Parishioners,

In Galatians, St. Paul inspires us to "carry each other's burden and in this way fulfill the law of Christ (Love)." As a church family, our hope and prayer is that you, in turn, are inspired to actualize St. Paul's command in the wake of the unprecedented and catastrophic flooding brought on by Hurricane Harvey.

Throughout Texas and Louisiana, more than 300,000 people are without electricity. There are billions of dollars in property damage, and many are in critical need of resources. Our Annunciation Church family will focus two such resources: $50 Portable Cribs and $12 Pillows. Our Goal is 50 Cribs and 100 Pillows.

Make your Check out to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, and place 'Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund' in the memo line, or go online to our website at www.anngoc.org and click on Parish Giving.

The American Red Cross has partnered with Amazon.com through its Amazon Wish List. Our Annunciation project leaders will take your designated donation monies and purchase the Cribs and Pillows through Amazon's Wish List.

These two items are will then be shipped directly to the American Red Cross, free of charge.

For more information, please contact Stela Fisfis, gpkstella@mac.com, or Christina Hadgimallis teena21beena@comcast.net

Archbishop Demetrios of America Urges Faithful to Pray and Support the Victims of Hurricane Harvey

NEW YORK – In response to the unprecedented catastrophic Hurricane Harvey, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, speaking on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the entire Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said:

“In the wake of Hurricane Harvey that hit Texas and continues to ravage through neighbouring states causing unprecedented destruction, trauma and loss of life, we share in the pain of our brothers and sisters and express our solidarity, care and concern. As Orthodox Christians we are called to prayer and fervently pray that God gives strength to those so adversely affected by this natural disaster and delivers them safe through this continuing calamity. We are also praying for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives and for comfort and strength to be granted by the merciful God to their families and friends. Our prayers however, should be accompanied by tangible assistance to those who are now in dire need. We ask all faithful Orthodox Christians to contribute their donations directly to IOCC, the International Orthodox Christian Charities, which is an agency under the auspices of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.”

To make your donations go to www.iocc.org

Hello, HOPE/JOY Families!

I am so happy to kick off this year's HOPE/JOY activities and what better way than a friendly game of soccer!

I’ve coordinated some soccer drills for all ages with some free play on Saturday, September 30th at 11:30 am at Total Soccer in Warminster, PA.

Please email me at debbiehopejoy@gmail.com to RSVP to this event by September 27^th and sign up here to help at the event!

Hope you can all join us and, stay tuned for some really fun happenings I have planned for the upcoming year!

Looking forward to seeing all of you! And, please feel free to contact me at any time!

Debbie Sourias 215.407.1872

Philoptochos News & Events

Save the Date!

The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' annual Bid n Buy will be on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 6:30 pm. It will be held again this year at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA.

To reserve your tickets please contact Argie Fentross: 215-659-5622, tybee24@comcast.net or Stella Nikolopoulos: 215-850-4066, stellaniko811@gmail.com, or any Philoptochos board member. Donation includes dinner: $25.00 if purchased by October 22 or $30.00 at the door.

Click here for the event poster.

Click here for the Philoptochos Bid 'n Buy Donor letter.

A Note of Thanks!

The PTO Board and the entire Annunciation community wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to outgoing PTO President Stella Nikolopoulos.

Stella, we thank you for all your years of dedication, hard work, and leadership in PTO. You have been there every step of the way, making sure the youth of Annunciation have had desks, chairs, white boards, books, costumes, dance instructors, parade buses, breakfasts, celebrations and much, much more.

More importantly, you have shown our youth and this entire community what it means to live the mantra "Our Children are Our Future".

As we embark on our journey as PTO leaders, we are grateful to have your example of steadfast commitment to our youth and our parish. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

“Young at Heart” Meeting

Please join us for lunch and a planning meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, 1PM.

Bring your suggestions for this year’s activities.

Please RSVP by September 15 with Agnes Louridas (215) 947-2992, or Helen Papanicolaou (215) 646-8752

Reminders

Bulletin Announcements: Please submit your material by Wednesday 12 noon for the upcoming Sunday’s bulletin. All submissions will be placed on a first-come, first-served, space available basis and all submissions are subject to editing and review.
Sunday Special Services: Please contact the parish office at least one week in advance if you would like to have a 40-day Mother & Child Blessing, Memorial, or Artoklasia. All requests are considered based on the ecclesiastical calendar.

Bulletin Inserts

Your Stewardship Gifts

Annunciation Current Stewards as of August 31, 2017

We look forward to having all of our parishioners signed up as 2017 Stewards!

You may find a 2017 Stewardship Card at the narthex, church office, or here

Have You Signed Up for Parish Giving Yet?

Make ALL your church contributions from one secure, simple, and convenient place!

Log on to our website www.anngoc.org and click on the Parish Giving Logo and follow the easy registration instructions under

“Create a New Account”.

For questions or assistance, please contact the parish office (215) 635-0316, office@anngoc.org

Beyond Annunciation

St. Sophia Grecian Festival, Jeffersonville, PA. September 7-10
St. Anna OPA Greek Festival, Flemington, NJ. September 8-10
St. Philip International Food Festival, Souderton, PA. September 15-16
St. Luke Greek Affair, Broomall, PA. September 20-24
St. George A Taste of Greece in Media, Media, PA. October 5-8
St. Thomas Agora, Cherry Hill, NJ. October 5-8
Evangelismos Greek Festival. Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia. September 29-October 1
St. Demetrios Greek Festival. Upper Darby, PA. October 28-29

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