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.
On September 8 is the Nativity of our most holy Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary. On this day the holy siblings Rufus and Rufianus died by the sword; Saint Severus died by the sword; Saint Artemidoros died by fire. By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
6:30 pm. Agiasmos for the start of the new church year at the Metropolis of New Jersey, 215 E Grove St., Westfield, NJ, 07090.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Friday, September 13, 2019
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Sunday after Holy Cross, September 15, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Welcome to a new Sunday school year! We are so excited to welcome you and your children to a fun, grace-filled year of growing in faith. The fall season begins the blessing of the classrooms and our first Sunday school class today September 8th. At the end of class the children will be sending prayer bubbles to heaven. Please join us in the courtyard to celebrate Youth Sunday with a cook-out!
Many blessing for a wonderful year.
Sunday School Directors Tina Hadgimallis & Stella Fisfis
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 2019-2020 Youth Ministries Registration Form takes just a few moments to complete from any computer or mobile device. Youth Ministry events will be included as soon as they are scheduled 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.
We are pleased to announce our first event of the season will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, 10 AM, in our Church Hall.
We will be hosting “Breakfast with Fr. John”, followed by a Q & A session which will give us the opportunity to ask Fr. John questions we always wanted to ask but did not have the chance.
We look forward to seeing you! Please let us know if you will be attending.
Agnes Louridas, 201-947-2992
Helen Papanicolaou, 215-646-8752
The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' annual Bid n Buy "Havana Nights" will be on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 6:30 PM. It will be held again this year at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA. The donation includes dinner $27.00 in advance, $32.00 at the door.
Please contact Ticket Chair Stella Nikolopoulos at 215-850-4066 or email stellaniko811@gmail.com to purchase your ticket. Tickets are also easy to purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladies-philoptochos-nausica-bid-n-buy-tickets-68232038865
Fresh basil bunches for the feast of Holy Cross on Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15.
Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7 pm.
Now is the time for all interested to come and join in the singing of our beautiful hymns and praises – Come on Thursday and see what we’re all about – how we make learning the hymns we sing easy!
Our first Sunday singing will be September 8. We hope many more of you will join us!
Stacy Lagakos, Choir Director
(856) 816-0116 or swl@mayerpollock.com
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Registration is OPEN for Greek School for the year 2019-20
Children Pre-K to 6th Grade & Adult Classes
Sign up HERE
ALL REGISTRANTS MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY SEPTEMBER
*NEW* Offering Beginner Adult Classes
Every Friday from 7 pm to 9 pm
Οι εγγραφές είναι ΑΝΟΙΧΤΕΣ για το Ελληνικό Σχολείο για το έτος 2019-20
Παιδικές Τάξεις Προ-Κ έως 6ης & Μαθήματα Ενηλίκων
Εγγραφείτε ΕΔΩ
Τα δίδακτρα πρέπει να καταβληθούν πλήρως τον Σεπτέμβριο
*Προσφέρουμε Μαθήματα Ενηλίκων Beginner Greek
κάθε Παρασκευή από τις 19:00 έως τις 21:00
Our Greek School is looking for a music/vocal instructor who would be interested in volunteering twice a month with our 4th to 6th grade Greek School students. Please contact Debbie Sourias for more information debbie.thomadi@gmail.com or 215.407.1872.
Staring Sunday, September 8, 2019
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Thursday, October 17, 2019
October 18-20, 2019
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 health and salvation: Suffering and persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian world,
Athena, Stephen, Tom, Sandra, Susan, George, Betty, Antonios, Anthony, Debora, Despina, Nikolaos, George, Yiannis, Eugene.
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 Anniversary! To those celebrating this week: Telegadis, John & Kristine; Fournaris, Constantine & Christina; Nikolopoulos, Peter & Stella; Psihogios, Pavlos & Constance; DeVincent, Robert & Alexis; Petronis, Frank & Jennifer.
Χρόνια πολλα! Happy birthday! God grant you many years! To those celebrating this week: Steve Coupas, Roseanne Kaldes, Maria Mountis, Helen Papanicolaou, George Pitsakis, Demetri Samios, Rosalie Gilliland, Evangelia Mackrides, Mary O'Hara, John Topakas, Christopher Tsinontides, Linda Valenzano, Ana Cosmatos, Roman Justice, Alexandra Kyriakatos, Anna Pagano, Chris Papadeas, Matthew Stolarczyk, Randy Cunningham, Peter Gabriel, Elena LePage, Sofia Dinneen, Gregory Mariani, Lemonia Paidas, Amanda Gutchigian, Dimitria Sfarnas, Stefanie Gutchigian.
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Renee Zissios, 56, who fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, September 2, 2019. The funeral service will be at Annunciation this Saturday, September 7. May her memory be eternal.
Facilities Master Plan
Hello everyone, in the Spring of 2019 we embarked on developing a Facilities Master Plan that would incorporate the key priorities we had identified for the facilities:
In June we held a design workshop attended by over 30 parishioners where we reviewed and refined 3 design concepts. Over the summer the architects took the input and refined the ideas down to 2 concepts and developed cost estimates for both. They also identified how the work could be executed in phases and are completing their Master Plan Report.
During September we will review the concepts and cost estimates with the Community in both a separate meeting that will allow a detailed review and will make the information available in the Social Hall on multiple Sundays.
Thank you for your support and patience while we developed this exciting next step in Building the Future of our Church and Community.
Dean Dalson,
50th Anniversary Chairperson
The implementation and enforcement of the Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth take another step forward towards the goal of ensuring that every ministry and event is physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe and healthy for the children of all Greek Orthodox Churches in America.
I am writing as Archbishop to bring to your attention an important matter that is and must be an urgent concern for all of us who work with children in every aspect of the Archdiocese, in every Metropolis and in every parish and youth ministry. This letter is to call each of us to action, and to encourage us as our clergy, our lay leaders and our fellow parishioners to mobilize to serve our children and youth.
Cardinal Dolan honored Archbishop Elpidophoros of America by hosting a lunch today, September 4, 2019, to welcome him to New York. After initial introductions and warm greetings, the Cardinal and Archbishop exchanged remarks.