Sundays: Orthros (Matins): 9:00 am - Divine Liturgy: 10:00 am
Sunday School: Begins following Holy Communion
Weekdays: Orthros (Matins): 9:00 am - Divine Liturgy: 10:00 am
For information on our services please contact the Church office at (716) 882-9485 between the hours of 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
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.
Sunday before Holy Cross
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.
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.
On behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Archbishop Elpidophoros expresses his deep condolences to the Orthodox Church in America for the falling asleep of Archbishop Nikon.
The Choir will return to singing during the Divine Liturgy on September 22nd. In preparation for this, the Choir is rehearsing on different days this month. This week’s rehearsal will occur on THURSDAY, September 12th at 6:30 pm at the Church, 4th floor in the Choir Room.
We encourage you to consider becoming a member of the choir – choosing us as your “niche” to contribute to Annunciation Church, as Father Christos encouraged last Sunday. Choir is a great way to actively participate in the Divine Liturgy and learn more about the yearly cycle of our faith. And it’s also a rewarding way to fulfill your stewardship, giving of your “time and talents” to enhancing the worship of our church. Give us a try – come to a rehearsal or just come over and sit near us on Sundays to see how it works.
Friday, October 25th, 2019 at the Family Life Center from 5:30PM-8:30PM
$5 per person- 4 years and younger are free.
Pizza and refreshments will be served.
Fr. Christos will lead a Bible study on Thursday evenings at 7pm at the Family Life Center.
We will study the Gospel of Mark, one of the earliest and more vivid eyewitness accounts of the words and deeds of Christ.Throughout the Bible study, we will also talk about the faith and practice of the Orthodox Church. The first study will be on September 19. The following dates will be: October 3 and 24; November 7, 14 and 21; December 5 and 12. Please join us.
Today’s Coffee Hour and Bulletin is sponsored in memory of Barbara Veanes and Nicholas Curtis by their loving families. May God grant them rest where all the saints repose.
Youth, grades 7-12, on 9/15 we'll meet to discuss this year's events and goals. We will also schedule our election of officers. I hope that you will be an active member or even be a leader.
Greek School is held every Saturday at the 10:30AM at the FLC
5992 Genesee Street
Lancaster , NY 14086
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY.... to drop off the Back to School supplies for the Seneca C.D.C. If you forgot to pick up supplies this year, Philoptochos will gladly take a donation, and fill-in any additional items that are needed. Please see Michele during Fellowship Hour if you are interested in donating.
BOARD MEETING TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17 6:30 pm @ F.L.C.
TASTE OF GREECE Saturday, October 19. For reservations and to make payment, please contact Maria Androulakis at 510-3046.
BAKING DATES FOR TASTE OF GREECE:
Monday October 7: Koulourakia
Monday October 14: Melamakarona
For today’s Liturgy has been offered by Michele Hiczewski.
Do you have questions about our church you want to ask? About our faith, about how our church is administered, about stewardship, about social issues, about our traditions, about our future? If you do, then please join the Stewardship Committee for one of our upcoming informal conversations -- Annunciation Church “Meetups”. Father Christos, Committee members, and Parish Council members will be present to discuss any topic related to our church. We particularly want to emphasize how to help the church increase participation in our services and activities. Anyone who is part of our community is welcome. Non-Orthodox friends who are interested in our church are also welcome. The first meetup will be Monday, September 16, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, at the home of Vicki Pappas, 8457 Chadway Court, Williamsville. You are welcome to stay for as little or as long as you'd like. Directions to Vicki's house: Vicki lives in a development called “The Hollows,” on Chadway Court, which is off of Roll Road. Roll Road runs between Transit Road and Harris Hill Road. From Roll Road, turn south onto Avon Lea, and you’ll see Vicki’s house on the corner of Avon Lea and Chadway Court (number 8457 Chadway Court). If you plan to attend the September 16 th Meetup at Vicki's house, you can RSVP and leave a message for her at 812-361-9500 or email her at pappas@indiana.edu. An RSVP is welcome, but you can also come at the last minute. The second meetup will be Monday, September 30, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, at The Spot Coffee, in the West Seneca Main Public Library, at 1300 Union Road. The library is on Union Road about a mile and a half south of where Clinton Street crosses Union. There is ample public parking in the lots behind the Library. If you plan to attend the second meetup in West Seneca, please RSVP by calling Angeline Pappas at 716-674-1750 or emailing her at angeline1angel@gmail.com. You can also indicate your interest by clicking the Meetup event posted in Facebook. We look forward to seeing you and talking with you about our beautiful church and its activities. John Melithoniotes Stewardship Committee
Sunday, September 29th, 2019 check in and lunch will be at our 146 W. Utica location and we will depart from St. George's OCA Church at 1:30PM. Please pick up a pamphlet in Church for more information on sponsors and collecting pledges.
Grades 1-12 are encourgaed to participate on Youth Sunday's. Grades 1-6 practice the hymns during their Church School lessons. You can sing, you can greet, you can read.
Youth Sundays 2019-2020
10/6/19
11/10/19
12/8/19
01/12/20
02/9/20
03/8/20
04/12/20
05/10/20
We thank the 46 parishioners who have donated $5000 and become the founders of the Family Life Center. The Capital Campaign Committee would like to conclude this opportunity as soon as possible. There are 4 spots left!!
Stop in the library to peruse our table of books for Lent: cookbooks, devotionals, commentaries, and St. John the Ladders adaptation by Father John Mack, Ascending the Heights (we have many copies). Reading is a great way to prepare and observe Great Lent.
Of the many ways of supporting our Church, there are few which stand out as uniquely personal offerings of faith. The offering of Prosforo bread for the Divine Liturgy is one of them. Please contact Fr. Christos if you would like to donate Prosforo for a Divine Liturgy.
We are pleased to announce the introduction of an electronic option for making regular offerings. Contributions can now be debited automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your credit or debit card. Our new electronic giving program offers convenience for you and provides much-needed donation consistency for our parish.
Your online gift is completely secure through the external monitoring and protection of Vanco Payment Solutions. Also, as with all offerings given through traditional means, your online gift is kept completely confidential.
Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Simply follow these easy steps:
1) Visit the church website at www.greekorthodoxchurchbuffalo.org
2) Click on the “Support our Ministries” button which is located on the right side of the homepage
3) Click on the Create Profile button, then
4) Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring contributions for items such as stewardship and the Capital Campaign.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate in contacting the Church Office.