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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2019-02-03
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Symeongodreceiver
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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (215) 635-0316
  • Fax:
  • (215) 635-8301
  • Street Address:

  • 7921 Old York Road

  • Elkins Park, PA 19027


Contact Information




Services Schedule

We meet for divine worship every Sunday morning starting with Orthros (Matins) 8:30, Divine Liturgy 9:30-11AM, 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.


Past Bulletins


Weekend Update

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Ypapanti—The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY

16th Sunday of Matthew, February 3, 2019

On February 3 we commemorate the holy and just Symeon the God-receiver and Anna the Prophetess; the holy martyrs Adrian and Evboulos; holy martyr Blaise the cow herder; Prophet Azariah, son of Addo; the martyrs Paul and Simon died by the sword; St. Claudius reposed in peace; the holy new martyrs and brothers Stamatios and John from Spetses, and Nicholas their companion, who died by the sword in Chios in the year 1822.  By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY (Youth serving)
  • Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of Katina Chokas (40-day), and Dimitrios Maris (3-years) of blessed memory. Family and friends are invited to attend
  • IOCC ‘Souper Bowl’ tray and collection of canned goods
  • Fellowship hour/pita sale hosted by Philoptochos
  • GOYA monthly meeting
Monday, February 4, 2019
Fr. John will be participating in a 3-day Metropolis Clergy Retreat at Ocean City, Maryland
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
  • 5 pm Youth Greek School classes
  • 5:15 pm Parent/Greek School Board conference
  • 7 pm Adult Greek language class
  • 7 pm Philoptochos Board meeting
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
  • 7 pm Bible study
Thursday, February 7, 2019
  • 7 pm Choir rehearsal
  • 7:30 pm Del Val Youth Commission meeting at Holy Trinity Church, Wilmington, DE
Friday, February 8, 2019
  • 5 pm Youth Greek School classes
  • 6:30 pm JOY dance practice
  • 6:35 pm Friday with Father
  • 7:30 pm GOYA dance practice
Saturday, February 9, 2019
  • 2:30 pm HOPE/JOY Ice skating at the Bucks County Ice Sports Center
Sunday of the Canaanite, February 10, 2019
  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
  • Godparent Sunday
  • Memorial prayers will be offered for the repose of the soul of Fotina Moller of blessed memory (3-years). Family and friends are invited to attend
  • Fellowship hour hosted by PTO
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Saints and Feasts

Symeongodreceiver
February 03

The Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver and the Holy Prophetess Anna

Yesterday we celebrated the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple; today we honor the righteous Elder Symeon and Prophetess Anna, who prophesied concerning Him by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and were the first in Jerusalem to receive Him as the Messiah.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode

Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.
Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἀνέτειλεν ὁ Ἥλιος τῆς δικαιοσύνης, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, φωτίζων τοὺς ἐν σκότει. Εὐφραίνου καὶ σὺ Πρεσβύτα δίκαιε, δεξάμενος ἐν ἀγκάλαις τὸν ἐλευθερωτὴν τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν, χαριζόμενος ἡμῖν καὶ τὴν Ἀνάστασιν.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord by His Might, has created a Dominion. He has conquered death by death, and become the first-born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades, and has granted the world great mercy.
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

The Apolytikion of the Annunciation/Evangelismos in the Fourth Mode

Today is the summary of our salvation, and the revelation of the age-old mystery. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good news of grace. Therefore, let us join him, and cry  aloud to the Theotokos: “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

Cήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ Κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ' αἰῶνος Μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ σὺν αὐτῷ τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν· Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.
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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. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10.

Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Προκείμενον. Third Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 46.6,1.
Ψάλατε τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, ψάλατε.
Στίχ. Πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κροτήσατε χεῖρας.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 6:1-10.

Ἀδελφοί, συνεργοῦντες δὲ καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ εἰς κενὸν τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ δέξασθαι ὑμᾶς - λέγει γάρ, Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσά σου, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι· ἰδού, νῦν καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος, ἰδού, νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας - μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπήν, ἵνα μὴ μωμηθῇ ἡ διακονία· ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ συνιστῶντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι, ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις, ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις, ἐν κόποις, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν νηστείαις, ἐν ἁγνότητι, ἐν γνώσει, ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ, ἐν χρηστότητι, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ, ἐν λόγῳ ἀληθείας, ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ, διὰ τῶν ὅπλων τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῶν δεξιῶν καὶ ἀριστερῶν, διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας, διὰ δυσφημίας καὶ εὐφημίας· ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς· ὡς ἀγνοούμενοι, καὶ ἐπιγινωσκόμενοι· ὡς ἀποθνῄσκοντες, καὶ ἰδού, ζῶμεν· ὡς παιδευόμενοι, καὶ μὴ θανατούμενοι· ὡς λυπούμενοι, ἀεὶ δὲ χαίροντες· ὡς πτωχοί, πολλοὺς δὲ πλουτίζοντες· ὡς μηδὲν ἔχοντες, καὶ πάντα κατέχοντες.


Gospel Reading

16th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 25:14-30

The Lord said this parable: "A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." As he said these things he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

16th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 25:14-30

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπος ἀποδημῶν ἐκάλεσε τοὺς ἰδίους δούλους καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ᾧ μὲν ἔδωκε πέντε τάλαντα, ᾧ δὲ δύο, ᾧ δὲ ἕν, ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν εὐθέως. πορευθεὶς δὲ ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν εἰργάσατο ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐποίησεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα. ὡσαύτως καὶ ὁ τὰ δύο ἐκέρδησε καὶ αὐτὸς ἄλλα δύο. ὁ δὲ τὸ ἓν λαβὼν ἀπελθὼν ὤρυξεν ἐν τῇ γῇ καὶ ἀπέκρυψε τὸ ἀργύριον τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ. μετὰ δὲ χρόνον πολὺν ἔρχεται ὁ κύριος τῶν δούλων ἐκείνων καὶ συναίρει μετ᾿ αὐτῶν λόγον. καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν προσήνεγκεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα λέγων· κύριε, πέντε τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας· ἴδε ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς. ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ· εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ! ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω· εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου. προσελθὼν δὲ καὶ ὁ τὰ δύο τάλαντα λαβὼν εἶπε· κύριε, δύο τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας· ἴδε ἄλλα δύο τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς. ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ· εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ! ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω· εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου. προσελθὼν δὲ καὶ ὁ τὸ ἓν τάλαντον εἰληφὼς εἶπε· κύριε· ἔγνων σε ὅτι σκληρὸς εἶ ἄνθρωπος, θερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας καὶ συνάγων ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισας· καὶ φοβηθεὶς ἀπελθὼν ἔκρυψα τὸ τάλαντόν σου ἐν τῇ γῇ· ἴδε ἔχεις τὸ σόν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πονηρὲ δοῦλε καὶ ὀκνηρέ! ᾔδεις ὅτι θερίζω ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα καὶ συνάγω ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισα! ἔδει οὖν σε βαλεῖν τὸ ἀργύριόν μου τοῖς τραπεζίταις, καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐγὼ ἐκομισάμην ἂν τὸ ἐμὸν σὺν τόκῳ. ἄρατε οὖν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸ τάλαντον καὶ δότε τῷ ἔχοντι τὰ δέκα τάλαντα. τῷ γὰρ ἔχοντι παντὶ δοθήσεται καὶ περισσευθήσεται, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ μὴ ἔχοντος καὶ ὃ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ. καὶ τὸν ἀχρεῖον δοῦλον ἐκβάλετε εἰς τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον· ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων.


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Community News & Events

"Souper Bowl" Sunday, February 3, 2019

VICTORY AGAINST HUNGER
Help feed the hungry alongside IOCC. Let’s carry the excitement of the big game into our homes and lives of people throughout the world! Please bring your non-perishables and store them in the “Matthew 25” bins by February 3rd.

All non-perishables collected will be distributed to the “Matthew 25” Seeds of Hope food pantry at the conclusion of the drive and funds from the passing trays will go directly to IOCC.

If you have further inquiries don’t hesitate to contact: Zaffie Zoubroulis zgirl4life7@gmail.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Learn more at iocc.org/souperbowl


Philoptochos News & Events

Homemade Pita Sale this Sunday, February 3

The Ladies Philoptochos Society 'Nausica' will hold a Homemade Pita Sale during Kalisorisma/Coffee Hour on Sunday, February 3, 2019. The platter will include Hortopita with Homemade filo (Pita with feta, greens, and herbs), tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, dolmada & olives, and a soft drink. A $10.00 minimum donation is requested. Proceeds of the Pita sale will benefit the ministries of The Ladies Philoptochos Society 'Nausica'.

Ronald McDonald House Event

On Monday afternoon, January 28th, the kitchen at the Ronald McDonald House on Erie Ave. in Philadelphia was bustling with activity as our Annunciation Philoptochos Nausica women prepared and served dinner to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. 
The Ronald McDonald House serves as a haven, a home away from home, for families whose children are receiving treatment at St. Christopher's and Shriners Hospitals. 
This is one of the most heartwarming projects we do. Chaired by Kiki Malitas, the women cooked a traditional Greek dinner of roast chicken and potatoes, Spanakopita with homemade filo by Olga Econome, Greek string beans, tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice, Greek Salad and baklava by Dea Papadopoulos. The 50 parents, children, and staff members were most appreciative of the delicious home cooked dinner. Many thanks to our chair Kiki Malitas, Maria Mountis, Olga Ecomome, Sophia Penning, Dora Mikroulis and Diane Saphos who cooked today. May God bless your hands as we seek to fulfill our Philoptochos mission of assisting those in need.

Looking Ahead Beyond Next Week...

  • Triodion (pre-Lenten preparation): Starts on Sunday, February 17.
  • Young at Heart Pre-lenten Potluck Luncheon: Wednesday, February 20.
  • Greek Education Seminar: Saturday, February 23, at St. Thomas, Cherry Hill.
  • Del Val JOY Bible Bowl: Saturday, February 23, at St. Luke, Broomall.
  • Spring General Assembly of Our Parishioners: Monday, February 25. Information forthcoming in the mail soon.
  • Saturdays of Souls: March 2, 9, 16.
  • Annual March 25th Dinner Dance: Saturday, March 2, in our community center. Look for your invitation in the mail.
  • Lenten Retreat (with Dr. Papanikolaou, from Fordham U): Saturday, March 9.
  • Holy and Great Lent: Starts on Clean Monday, March 11.
  • Regional Sights & Sounds Youth Arts Festival: Saturday, March 23, at Holy Trinity Church, Egg Harbor, NJ.
  • Greek School March 25th Greek Independence Day Program: Sunday, March 24.
  • Annunciation/Evangelismos Feast Day & Greek Independence Day: Monday, March 25.
  • Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade: Sunday, April 7.
  • Holy Week-Pascha: April 21-28.

Save the Date!

Annual Feast Day and March 25 Celebration Dinner

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Join us for dinner, music, and dancing!

Look for your invitation in the mail.


New Sunday Inclement Weather Policy

In our ongoing efforts to serve our community as best as we can, in the event of a snowfall we are implementing an OPENING ONE HOUR LATE option for Sunday liturgy to give everyone extra time to drive to church safely.

What this means for you:

  1. Sunday services will start an hour later: Matins at 9:30, liturgy at 10:30 am.
  2. Based on the weather forecast, a decision will be made by Fr. John and the Parish Council by Saturday noon if there is a need to go to OPENING ONE HOUR LATE for Sunday.
  3. If the snowfall is such that the roads are dangerous, Sunday services may be CANCELLED all together.
  4. You will be notified by email Saturday afternoon if we are OPENING ONE HOUR LATE, or if Sunday services are CANCELLED all together.
  5. A message will also be posted on our webpage, Facebook page, and church voice mail.
  6. The time change and message will apply to all Sunday activities. 
  7. If you do not receive a message from church on Saturday, it means that liturgy times are normal on Sunday.
  8. As always, please use your best judgment when you choose to drive in snow, drive safely and remember: the ‘turtle’ wins this race!

We are also pleased to inform you that we have a new snow plowing company that takes care of our parking lot, sidewalks, pathways, and entrances to our church building. In the event of snowfall, everything will be cleaned and properly salted prior to Sunday’s liturgy and every weekday liturgy and church activity.


Help Wanted: Church Sexton/Caretaker

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Elkins Park, PA is seeking a full or part-time Sexton/Caretaker.

The qualified applicant will have a demonstrated knowledge of building cleaning, building maintenance, basic repairs, grounds care, and kitchen and banquet hall setup and cleanup. He/She must be trustworthy, reliable, willing to follow instructions, and be able to work flexible working hours with minimal supervision.

For further information and consideration, please contact Parish Council President Mrs. Cathy Avgiris, 215-635-0316.

H Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου στο Elkins Park, PA, ζητά να προσλάβει Νεωκόρο/ Eπιστάτη, πλήρους ή μερικής απασχόλησης.

Ο/Η κατάλληλος/η υποψήφιος/α πρέπει να κατέχει βασικές γνώσεις καθαρισμού και συντήρησης οικοδομής, γνώσεις βασικών επισκευών, και προετοιμασίας και καθαρισμού κουζίνας και αίθουσας. Πρέπει να είναι ειλικρινής, αξιόπιστος/η, να ακολουθεί οδηγίες πρόθυμα, να μπορεί να εργάζεται με ελάχιστη επίβλεψη και να είναι προσαρμόσιμος/η σε ευέλικτο ωράριο.

Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες  και ραντεβού για συνέντευξη, παρακαλώ απευθυνθείτε στην πρόεδρο του Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου κ. Αικατερίνη Αυγήρη, 215-635-0316


Help Needed at the Church Office

We are processing our Spring Assembly mailing this Wednesday, February 6,  starting at 10 AM. Any amount of time you can offer would be appreciated!

Just let us know you are coming, 215-635-0316. Thank you in advance!


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 two weeks 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.

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Bulletin Inserts

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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, Debra, Antonios, Sophia, Stephen, Gina, George, Chryssie, Sandra, Donna, Anthony, Alice, Eugene, George, Patrick, Anne, Virginia, Irene, Konstantinos, Sophia, Dimitrios, Yianni.

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

Happy wedding anniversary to those celebrating this week: Scanlon, John & Emily; Maragoudakis, Athanasios & Maria.

Χρόνια πολλα!  Happy birthday!   God grant you many years!  To those celebrating this week: Alexander Maltezos, Heather Fkiaras, Paraskevi Hagiandreu, Rebecca Johnson, Athanasios Makris, Eric Angelucci, Alexander Dalson, Beverly Economopoulos, Joackim Mechikas, Anthony Ballas, Yiannis Exarchos, Stacy Pappas, Brenna Zervos, Stefanos Zoubroulis, Kimon Angelikas, Nicolette Cosmas, Constantine Dalson, Diamantis Diamantas, Alison Horatagis-Connelly, Athanasios Limvanovnos, Ekaterini Nanos, Eleni Vafiadis, Kaliopi Mountis, Daniel Pithis, Irene Skarvelis, Emmanuel Topakas.  

We offer our deepest sympathy to the Vlachos and Metzger families for the loss of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather George Vlachos  74, who reposed in the Lord on January 19, 2019, while visiting Greece. The funeral was held in his home island, Kerkyra. May his memory be everlasting.
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Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey

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Spiritual Wisdom

 

The Generous Soul (part 3 of 4)

by Mark R. McMinn

Insights and articles to help us develop a mindset of generosity, and the true meaning of Stewardship

Grace, Gift, Gratitude, and Generosity

I have no affinity for alliteration, but it happens that four concepts I need to connect all begin with the same letter. Grace is first—the first word of these four, the first movement of God that leads us to faith, and one of the first descriptors of Jesus, the Word who became flesh and dwelled among us (John 1:14). The second word is gift, which turns out to be almost synonymous with grace. Pauline scholar John Barclay begins his book, Paul and the Gift, by noting that the Greek word for gift or favor (charis) is translated as grace in many of Paul’s writings.

Every day is filled with moments to pause and consider the gifts—the common graces—that surround us. Consider the cloud formations that will never be exactly the same as they are right at this moment. Ponder the companionship of a partner or friend, the tastes and smells of good food or fresh coffee. Notice the colors and sounds and textures of nature—of rainfall or sunshine or new snow, of shrubs and trees, of critters who scurry or fly or swim. Here, in the swirl of everything beautiful, we see that grace is not just a lofty theological concept but is comprised of moment-by-moment gifts from a God who loves us so deeply, and so values the goodness of creation, that the eternal Word would become human and live among us. Immanuel—God is with us.

Gratitude is the only proper response to a gift, especially such an enormous one. The science of gratitude is even more robust than the science of generosity. When compared with less grateful peers, grateful people enjoy a more positive mood, higher self-esteem, a greater sense of well-being, and more life satisfaction. They are less likely to be depressed or anxious or addicted, have fewer eating disorders, and are less materialistic than others. Those who are grateful experience stronger social relationships are more willing to forgive and help others and experience greater social support. Some recent evidence links gratitude with physical health benefits, including better cardiovascular function.

With gratitude comes generosity. At first glance, this connection is filled with paradox because gratitude is about receiving, and generosity is about giving. But if we can break away from linear assumptions, we begin to see a loop where gratitude and generosity are deeply connected and intertwined. The process that begins with divine grace leads to profound gratitude for the gifts of each day and then comes full circle and produces a sort of human grace where we give generously to one another. As we live with open hands, gratefully remembering God’s sustaining and gracious presence in every moment, our relationships thrive and the miser in us recedes.

(To be continued next week)

Mark R. McMinn is a professor of psychology at George Fox University and author of The Science of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church (Brazos Press, 2017).

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