The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
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.
We meet for divine worship every Sunday morning starting with Orthros (Matins) 7:30, Divine Liturgy 8:30-10AM, followed by a fellowship hour in our community center. All are invited!
Please see Community Calendar for a complete listing of all weekday feast-days and worship services.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross / Κυριακὴ πρὸ τῆς Ὑψώσεως, September 9, 2018
On September 9 is the Synaxis in honor of righteous Joachim and Anna. The holy martyr Severian died when he was hung from a wall with a stone tied to his feet; our devout father Theophanes the Confessor who led an ascetic life before Diocletian’s reign; St. Chariton died by the sword. On this day we remember the holy 200 God-bearing fathers of the Third Ecumenical Council. By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Friday, September 14, 2018. The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Sunday after Holy Cross, September 16, 2018
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.
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
Fourth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:1-12
Καὶ τὸ μὲν σάββατον ἡσύχασαν κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν, Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων ὄρθρου βαθέος ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα φέρουσαι ἃ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα, καί τινες σὺν αὐταῖς. εὗρον δὲ τὸν λίθον ἀποκεκυλισμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι οὐχ εὗρον τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Κυρίου ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαπορεῖσθαι αὐτὰς περὶ τούτου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο ἐπέστησαν αὐταῖς ἐν ἐσθήσεσιν ἀστραπτούσαις. ἐμφόβων δὲ γενομένων αὐτῶν καὶ κλινουσῶν τὸ πρόσωπον εἰς τὴν γῆν εἶπον πρὸς αὐτάς· τί ζητεῖτε τὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τῶν νεκρῶν; οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε, ἀλλ᾿ ἠγέρθη· μνήσθητε ὡς ἐλάλησεν ὑμῖν ἔτι ὢν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, λέγων ὅτι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθῆναι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ σταυρωθῆναι, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστῆναι. καὶ ἐμνήσθησαν τῶν ῥημάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέψασαι ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου ἀπήγγειλαν ταῦτα πάντα τοῖς ἕνδεκα καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς λοιποῖς. ἦσαν δὲ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ Μαρία καὶ ᾿Ιωάννα καὶ Μαρία ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ οἱ λοιπαὶ σὺν αὐταῖς, αἳ ἔλεγον πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ταῦτα. καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς. ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς ἑαυτόν, θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός.
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.
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.
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, Debra, Konstantinos, Antonios, Angela, Sophia, Stephen, Gina, Demetrius, Anastasios, Anthony, George, Chryssie, Sandra.
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 this week: Rosalie Elenitsas-Gilliland, Evangelia Mackrides, Mary O'Hara, John Topakas, Christopher Tsinontides, Linda Valenzano, Ana Cosmatos, Roman Justice, Alexandra Kyriakatos, Anna Pagano, Demetrius Pashos, Matthew Stolarczyk, 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.
Happy wedding anniversary to those celebrating this week: Fournaris, Christina & Constantine; Nikolopoulos, Stella & Peter; Psihogios, Constance & Pavlos; Devincent, Alexis & Robert; Arniotis, Kristin & John; Petronis, Jennifer & Frank; Sarver, Theodora & Joseph.
Congratulations! To Ada & George Voutsinos on the birth of their son, Lucas, on 8/17/2018.
To Penelope McClintock and Joshua Tait on their wedding on 9/2/2018. Kristin Metropoulos is the sponsor.
Online Youth Ministries Registration
We are blessed here at Annunciation/Evangelismos Church with many Christ-centered Youth Ministries, headed by faithful and caring parishioners who have completed background clearances based on Pennsylvania state laws.
We invite you to visit our website and learn more about each Annunciation Youth Ministry: PTO, Catechism School, Little Apostles, JOY/HOPE, GOYA, Greek School, Greek Folk Dance.
You will see that the following goals are at the core of every Youth Ministry:
Why Youth Registration?
We request every young person participating in youth ministry (regardless of how much or how little) to be registered through the parish office. The information allows us to have home / emergency information on hand as well as birth dates and interests of each youth involved.
We kindly ask you to register now to give us time to organize our volunteers and be ready to welcome our youth in September.
The online 2018-2019 Youth Ministries Registration Form takes just a few moments to complete from any computer or mobile device. Most Youth Ministry events are already planned for 2018-2019 and you can see them on our web calendar.
Annunciation Youth Ministries are led by parent volunteers and we encourage you to get involved in Youth Ministry with your child. Please review the various Youth Ministries on our website and don’t hesitate to reach out to Fr. John if you are able to assist.
Philoptochos General Meeting and Career Wardrobe Event
All current and prospective Philoptochos members are invited to attend our General Meeting on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at 7:00 pm in our Cultural Center.
We will also be supporting the Career Wardrobe organization in Philadelphia by collecting clean, contemporary, stylish, & suitable for today’s workplace clothing. Career Wardrobe provides interview appropriate clothing for individuals in transition at the start of their job search, as well as services to help support education and skill building to increase confidence and promote self-sufficiency.
Please see meeting notice for details. Contact Diane Saphos at 215-208-5832 or dsaphos@msn.com with any questions.
Save the Date - Philoptochos Annual Bid n Buy
The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' annual Bid n Buy will be on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at 6:30 pm. It will be held again this year at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA.
Please contact Bid n Buy Co-Chairs Cathy Avgiris and Stella Fisfis with any questions.
It feels like summer but Matthew 25 is preparing for a very busy fall. We will begin collections once again for our September 25th delivery. As a reminder, we deliver to Seeds of Hope, a food pantry in Dresher. We accept all non-perishable food items. Among some of the pantry favorites are soups, pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, cereal, feminine hygiene products, and paper towels.
These are just suggestions. If there is something you like at the market, a family in need will love it! Donations are welcome in any quantity. Our ministry feeds and impacts so many families for the better. We will ask for your support throughout the year. If you haven’t donated in the past, start now. We need everyone’s help in order to minimize the number of people who struggle with hunger. Look for Sign Up Genius as another way to donate and get ideas on the types of foods the pantry is looking for each month.
Matthew 25 at a glance:
Acts 20:35-In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, How He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Starting in September
Starting in September
October 12-14, 2018
October 13, 2018
Friendly Reminder
We are grateful to the 281 parishioners who have already pledged for 2018. We look forward to receiving everyone’s 2018 Commitment Card of Time, Talent, and Treasure soon!
As in the past few years, you have two options for registering your pledge:
1. Use the paper 2018 Commitment of Time, Talent, & Treasure that you have received in the mail and also located in the narthex.
2. Save yourself postage & time by filling out the online 2018 Commitment of Time, Talent, & Treasure, with just a few clicks on our website.
For those who are making regular donations through Parish Giving, or their bank’s Bill Payer, please remember to: