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St. Luke Church
Publish Date: 2024-01-07
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St. Luke Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (413) 525-4551
  • Fax:
  • (413) 525-4552
  • Street Address:

  • 400 Prospect Street

  • East Longmeadow, MA 01028
  • Mailing Address:

  • 400 Prospect Street

  • East Longmeadow, MA 01028


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

O Christ, the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the guards were as dead, and Mary stood by the sepulcher, seeking Your sacred body. You destroyed Hades yet remained untouched by it. You encountered the Virgin and through her, bestowed Life. Glory to You who has risen from the dead!

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Theophany in the First Mode

Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of John the Forerunner in the Second Mode

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

Dismissal Hymns for Saint Luke and Saint Nicholas in the Third Mode

Third Tone

O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins

Fourth Tone

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

 

 

 

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 19:1-8.

In those days, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.


Gospel Reading

Synaxis of John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, & Forerunner
The Reading is from John 1:29-34

At that time, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."


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Memorial and Trisagion Prayers

Memorial and Trisagion Prayers

01/07/2024

TODAY*, we are having a 6 Month Memorial for John Spiridoulias and a 4 Year Memorial for Evangelia Spiridoulias, parents of Alexandra (Jeffrey) and Presbytera Eleni (Fr. Panteleimon); grandmother of Evangelia, Panagioti, Theodore, and Elianna.

May her memory be eternal!

* weather permitting


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Parish News

Parish News

01/07/2024

PLEASE NOTE -- All Parish Events have been moved to January 14 in light of the weather.

Notice of services and times for tomorrow will be made by this evening or Sunday morning.

1. SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

2. Upcoming Services

January 17 -- Saint Anthony the Great @ 9 am

3. House Blessings -- it's not too early to begin planning for your 2024 House Blessing!

4. Road to 50 Dinner Dance will be on March 9!  Tickets will begin to be sold in the New Year!

5. Philoptochos News:

Join us on SUNDAY, JANUARY 14!!!
 
Philoptochos will once again sponsor this community event following Divine Liturgy in the fellowship hall. Please join us in celebration as we ring in the New Year while also administering our Philanthropic duties. Each year, we are all called to remember the children living and serviced by St. Basil Academy. In doing so, Philoptochos will be raising funds to support the children by holding a Vasilopita Basket Raffle. With the purchase/donation of each $10 raffle ticket, you will have the chance to win one of the six Vasilopita baskets. Each basket will contain a homemade Vasilopita bread, champagne, and other specialty items to enhance your holiday festivities! With your help from the St. Luke community, our chapter here at St. Luke can offer hope while spreading an abundance of joy and love to these special children. Raffle tickets will continue to be available after liturgy. 
 
There’s Still Time TODAY! To support the children at St. Basil Academy!
 

Did you know?

In March 1944, The Philoptochos Society purchased the 250-acre Rupert Estate in Garrison, New York, located on the shores of the Hudson River, directly across from the United States Military Academy at West Point. With that purchase and establishment of the Academy of St. Basil, Philoptochos undertook the lasting commitment to the children who reside there. TODAY, Philoptochos remains a significant financial supporter of the Academy through two ministry commitments:

 

Vasilopita: Held in January by every chapter in the United States, this event provides a major funding source for the Academy’s operating expenses.

Sisterhood: The Sisterhood Fund provides for the ongoing needs of the children of the Academy, such as clothing, furnishings, equipment, and other essentials for the dormitories and kitchen, as well as support for Graduation ceremonies and special awards for students.

 

TODAY as we celebrate Vasilopita Sunday together as a parish, please know that Philoptochos is grateful to the many parishioners who so generously participated in today’s raffle drawing, coffee hour, and the monetary donations throughout the year that keep our chapter here at St. Luke able to contribute year after year to such a historic accomplishment founded by the Philoptochos ministry. 
 
 
Save the Date: Sunday, January 21, 2024

Time for Soup! Philoptochos is happy to bring back and host the Soup Cook-Off.  

Please visit the Philoptochos table after Liturgy in the fellowship hall to purchase your tickets, or call the church office to reserve your tickets. 

Event Details: With the $10 ticket fee, YOU will get the opportunity to sample the soup-making skills of our contestants! Each contestant will offer samples of their warm, uniquely delicious soup. YOU will then vote for your favorite soup! Once the voting has taken place, YOU will make your way to a beautiful buffet-style luncheon organized by the Ladies Philoptochos Society. The buffet will include a selection of hot and cold food options, including a large batch of Avgolemono soup, a GREEK favorite for all to enjoy.

In addition to purchasing a ticket for the event, YOU may also purchase a $1 raffle ticket or 15 for $10 for a chance to WIN a handcrafted wooden Winter decoration. 

Fundraising proceeds will benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of Veteran’s Day! 
 
Save the Date: Sunday, February 11, 2024 
 
Super Bowl LVIII Tailgate Themed Coffee Hour
Please see Melissa Kaitis to offer an item to share for this FUN event!

Save the Date: Sunday, February 18, 2024

Philoptochos Membership Drive Coffee Hour & Go Red for Women Sunday!


6.  STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY -- JANUARY 14!  Join us for our annual lamp-lighting ceremony.
 
7. Members of the Lighthouse Clubhouse will be joining us on January 14 to thank us for our Christmas gift card outreach ministry.


 

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Words from the Saints and our Fathers

Words from our Fathers

11/19/2023

Don’t envy people who have money, comforts, fame and power, but envy rather those who live virtuously, rationally and devoutly.

Saint Païsios the Athonite


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Saints and Feasts

07_john2
January 07

Synaxis of John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, & Forerunner

Today we celebrate the Synaxis in honour of the most sacred Forerunner, since he ministered at the Mystery of the Divine Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rest from labour. Fish allowed.


Baptisma1cp
January 07

Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ


Allsaint
January 07

Cedd, Bishop of Scotland


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