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 Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Saints and Feasts

May 07

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

Weekly Bulletin

Agape Coffee Fellowship: Todays Agape Coffee Fellowship is sponsored by AHEPA in honor of Nick and Anna Metaxas.

Church Life: Holy Chrismation: April 30, 2017 - Colleen Catherine Langlais of Hopewell Junction, NY was received into the Orthodox Christian Church through the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Holy Chrismation. Her sponsor is Catherine Kaselis. Long Life and Health.

Holy Baptism--May 6, 2017 - Teresa Olana, daughter of Alexandra and David Carroll of Hopewell Junction, NY. Godfather is Theodore Yantsides. Long Life and Health.

Ladies Philoptochos Society: Today our Ladies Philoptochos will pass their monthly tray. National Philoptochos Obligations for the month of May are: 75th Anniversary Founders Fund - Provides assistance to Greek Orthodox older adults and their families, continuing care facilities and special projects ($300) and Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) - Provides Orthodox Christian support to college students on campuses in the US. ($100). More information can be found at: http://www.philoptochos.org/ Thank you for your continued generous support.

The Greek Experience Festival: KEEP DATES OPEN – JUNE 9th -10^th -11^th - Get to know your fellow parishioners by working together for the benefit of our Church. We need each and every one of you to VOLUNTEER. Everyone’s HELP is needed at Festival time. This is our Community’s big fundraiser. Come be a part of it all. There is work (and fun) for all. Please do your best to sell and / or buy as many raffle tickets as possible. To volunteer, please see any Parish Council member, or contact one of the Chairpersons below:

Advertising	Allison Arvanitis 203.748.2992
Boutique	Valerie Rountos 203.664.1302
Children’s Food/Activities	Philip Herzegovitch 203.746.8940 - Nick Chryssikos 914.248.5293
Greek Dancing	Presvytera Maria Karloutsos 203.797.0685
Kafenio	Anastasia Osdranus 203.792.3268 - Ioanna Biniaris 203.743.7188 Kristalla Christou 203.770.4645
Loukoumades	Rose Koulouris 860.350.4338
Parking	Harry Manesis 203.982.9615 - Mark Vendetti 860.318.6433
Pastry	Nitsa Carino 203.470.6839 - Caryn Flannery 203.512.5698 (scheduling) Dina Athanasiou 574-329-1616 - Fevri Gkanatsios 203-512-9789
Raffle	Elena Koutoumbas 203.788.6047 - Peter Soumakis 845.878.6028
Set-up/breakdown	Jim Rountos 203.744.0756 - Greg Kallas 203.733.1983
Soda/Bar	Nick Kaplanis 203.788-1986 - Tony Kaplanis 203.312.8165
Souvlakia	Konstantine & Erin Karloutsos 203.244.5912
Taverna	John & Valerie Rountos 203.664.1302
Youth Folk Singers	Dino Kolitsas 203.263.5410
50/50 Raffle	Patrick Pyers - 860.355.3566 - Chrysse Terrill 203.948.9674 - Shannon Kaplanis 203.312.8165
Clean-up/Tables/Trash	Jim Keenan 203.885.5389

Greek Folk Dance Program: The Greek Experience Festival - June 10, 11 & 12, 2016 - Please be advised that practice has started. Please registration your children this Sunday in the Community Hall. A schedule will be posted with exact times and dates.

Festival Cooking - Dolmades: This Tuesday May 9^th - 9:00 am please mark your calendars – We need help to roll stuffed grape leaves. “On the job training” provided! First time people are always welcomed. Lunch will be provided. Please come and help for as many hours as possible - morning or afternoon. Join your fellow parishioners and enjoy working together for our church. Tuesday, May 9^th, 9:00 am until we finish - the more hands the sooner we finish.

Festival Pastry Baking: The Pastry Committee is very thankful for the many parishioners who have volunteered and donated towards the baking of our delicious pastries. We have been baking all the pastries here at Church to have uniformity in size and quality. We need your support. Please come for as many hours as you can - the more hands, the sooner we will finish! Lunch will be provided on all baking days!

Baking days are:

Wednesday, May 17^th at 10 am till we finish / 6:00 PM (baking galaktoboureko, koulourakia)
Thursday, June 1^st at 10 am till we finish / 6:00 PM (baking melomakarono, revani, kourambeithes)
Tuesday, June 6^th at 10:00 am till finished, (baking Baklava, kadaifi, karidopita, revani)
Thursday, June 8^th, Packaging the pastries: 5:00 – 8:00 pm.

The baking at the Church has been very successful. Your help is welcome and needed. Come to help and learn to make these delicious pastries. We have a wonderful time & fun as we work together for our Church. Also, monetary donations are greatly appreciated; please make checks out to AGOC - noting that it's for "baking supplies" checks can be mailed to Church or to Pastry Chairpersons - or leave your check at the candle stand.

VIP-Kali Parea: Our meeting will be held TODAY, May 7^th in the Conference Room, following Agape coffee fellowship.

AHEPA News: In May of each year, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese recognizes AHEPA for its “many decades of service and contribution to strengthening our Greek American community through scholarships, Hellenic and Classical studies programs, disaster relief, and many local and international projects.”

This year Danbury AHEPA Chapter 90 is recognizing an outstanding Hellene and Ahepan, Nick Metaxas. Today’s Agape coffee fellowship is sponsored by AHEPA in honor of Nick and Anna Metaxas.

A big thank you to all who attended, supported, and made the Papazoglou concert in Norwalk a success.

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