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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2019-10-06
Bulletin Contents
Weekend Update
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Annunciation Sunday Catechism School
Community News and Events
Greek School News
Bulletin Inserts
Focus on Our Church Family
Beyond Annunciation
Thomas
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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

Presiding Priest: Rev. Fr. John L. Johns


frjohn@anngoc.org | (215) 635-0316

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

Third Sunday of Luke, October 6, 2019

Κυριακή Γ’ Λουκά, 6 Οκτωβρίου, 2019. Το κήρυγμα ΕΔΩ

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY. National Church Music Sunday
  • IOCC presentation & collection.
  • The fellowship hour will be hosted by Philoptochos.
  • 12 pm GOYA monthly meeting.
Monday, October 7, 2019
  • 7 pm Annunciation Facilities Master Plan review with B&H architects.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 7 pm Intermediate/Advanced adult Greek class.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
  • 7 pm Bible Study.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
  • 3 pm Del Val clergy meeting at St. George Church, Media, PA.
  • 6:30 pm Sights & Sounds meeting at St. George Church, Media, PA.
  • 7 pm Choir rehearsal
  • 7:30 pm Del Val Youth Commission meeting at St. George Church, Media, PA.
Friday, October 11, 2019
  • 10 am Matthew 25 Ministry delivery to Seeds of Hope.
  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 6:30 pm Beginners adult Greek class.
  • 6:30 pm JOY dance practice.
  • 7:30 pm GOYA dance practice.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
  • 9 am Couples’ Retreat. Please register HERE.
Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council, October 13, 2019
  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
  • 40-day memorial prayers will be offered for the repose of the soul of Renee Zissios of blessed memory. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
  • Artoklasia (blessing of five loaves, wine, and oil) will be offered for health and salvation by the Sourias family.
  • The fellowship hour will be hosted by the Greek School.
  • 1 pm Baptism: Damian family.
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Saints and Feasts

Thomas
October 06

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas

The name Thomas means, "twin." He was one of the Twelve, a Galilean by birth. Sophroneus (not the famous Patriarch of Jerusalem [7th Century, celebrated March 11], but a friend of Jerome's), quoted also by Jerome, says that Saint Thomas preached to the Parthians, Pesians, Medes, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and neighbouring nations. According to Heracleon, the Apostle died a natural death; according to other accounts, he was martyred at Meliapur His tomb was known by Saint John Chrysostom to be at Edessa in Syria, to which city his holy relics may have been translated from India in the fourth century.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

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. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1.
Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει.
Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν.

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

3rd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 7:11-16

At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"

3rd Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 7:11-16

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐπορεύετο εἰς πόλιν καλουμένην Ναΐν· καὶ συνεπορεύοντο αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἱκανοὶ καὶ ὄχλος πολύς. ὡς δὲ ἤγγισε τῇ πύλῃ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐξεκομίζετο τεθνηκὼς υἱὸς μονογενὴς τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὕτη ἦν χήρα, καὶ ὄχλος τῆς πόλεως ἱκανὸς ἦν σὺν αὐτῇ. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὴν ὁ Κύριος ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· μὴ κλαῖε· καὶ προσελθὼν ἥψατο τῆς σοροῦ, οἱ δὲ βαστάζοντες ἔστησαν, καὶ εἶπε· νεανίσκε, σοὶ λέγω, ἐγέρθητι. καὶ ἀνεκάθισεν ὁ νεκρὸς καὶ ἤρξατο λαλεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ. ἔλαβε δὲ φόβος πάντας καὶ ἐδόξαζον τὸν Θεόν, λέγοντες ὅτι προφήτης μέγας ἐγήγερται ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο ὁ Θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

That dead man was being buried, and many friends were conducting him to his tomb. But there meets him Christ, the Life and Resurrection, for He is the destroyer of death and of corruption; He it is "in Whom we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28); He it is Who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally was; and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the bonds of death.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 36.42, p. 153., 5th Century

The virgin's son met the widow's son. He became like a sponge for her tears and as life for the death of her son. Death turned about in its den and turned its back on the victorious one.
St. Ephrem the Syrian
Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron, 6.23. (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. vol. 3: Luke, Intervarsity Press)

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Annunciation Sunday Catechism School

As autumn arrives the weather is beginning to change. God said that He created every season for a purpose. Not only do seasons have their purpose, but times of our lives have a purpose too. That means that there will be times when we will laugh, dance, love others, be loved, and have peace. There will also be times when we will cry, mourn and grieve, give up, fix something that is broken, and have to deal with war.

But you have to know that God will never change. If you have a relationship with Him, He will never leave you. He will always be there to help you through. God says that He has made everything beautiful in its time. That means that He can take even the worst seasons of life and turn them into something more beautiful than we could ever have imagined. Our God is incredible!

The transition from summer to fall can be challenging for our children! Let us remind them of the bigger picture. Ask your children what they learned in class to continue the discussion at home. Thank you all for giving your children the gift of orthodox education!

This Sunday, October 6th, normal classes will continue. Please have your children line up on the left side of the church to receive communion so they can be expedited to class. Also, please register for Sunday school if you have not done so already.

Many blessing,

Directors Tina Hadgimallis & Stella Fisfis

 

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Community News and Events

National Church Music Sunday, October 6, 2019

Today, our parish community observes National Church Music Ministry Sunday. It comes each year in the month of October, the Sunday close to the feast day of Saint Romanos, the Melodist (October 1st).

On this day, we recognize those women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians: that is, parish cantors and choir singers. As church musicians, these people represent the laity in the liturgical dialogue of our worship services. In glory to God, the Holy Trinity, they commit themselves to learn the hymns of our Orthodox faith, understanding the sequence of our liturgical worship, and actively offering their prayers in song to enhance the beauty of our worship.

We ask each of them, and our congregation as well, to be mindful of the special ministry they fulfill in singing the hymns of our faith and leading us to worship.

One of the Oldest Prayers for Cantors and Church Singers
Through the prayers of St. John the Damascene, St. Romanos the Melodist, St. John Koukouzelis, and all of our Holy Fathers, Our Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us!

We pray to You to open and consecrate our spiritual and physical healing and give us the strength to testify with our modest mouth Your endless perfections in the fullness of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.

Help us to clean ourselves, in body and soul, in clear thoughts and calm spirit, and that through singing that we dress in light of love and life, in communion with You and all the saints.

Help us to praise and glorify You through singing in a proper way, fervently praying and endlessly praising You for all the undeserved gifts that you have poured upon us, and not to sing in vanity and to judge ourselves, but to join the Angelic choirs who constantly glorify You with Your Eternal Father and with Your Most Holy, Meek, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.

A Prayer for before Singing
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, whose saints and angels delight to worship in heaven:

Be ever-present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by Your people on earth;

And grant to them even now a glimpse of Your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it forevermore.

Through the prayers of the Theotokos and of all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.

A Prayer for after Singing
Bless us, O Lord, Your servants, who minister in Your Church;

Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts we may practice and show forth in our lives.

For unto You we offer glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.


Philoptochos News & Events

Tuesday, October 17, 2019
Wednesday, November 6, 2019

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 


You Are Invited!

To the Fall General Assembly of our parishioners, Sunday, October 27, 2019, after the liturgy.

Your invitation is HERE as well as forthcoming in the mail.


Reminders

Bulletin Announcements: Please submit your material by Wednesday 12 noon for the upcoming Sunday’s bulletin. Send your submission to office@anngoc.org, and always Cc Fr. John at frjohn@anngoc.org for his review and approval. 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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Greek School News

Greeek_school_emblem

ANNUNCIATION ELKINS PARK GREEK SCHOOL

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!

Ελληνικό Σχολείο Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου

Oι Eγγραφές ‘Eχουν Kλείσει

 

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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 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, Mary, Maria, Noel.

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

Our “Happy Anniversary” list will not be available for a few weeks because we are in the process of doing some reindexing work in our system. Thank you for your patience!

Χρόνια πολλα!  Happy birthday!   God grant you many years!  To those celebrating this week:  Pauline Borras, James Kambouris, Eugenios Dardeshi, Jacklyn Gouris, Nina Heinze, James Papacostas, George Vlahos, Michael Zevitas, George Gaugler, Maria Gregory, Alkis Martinos, Jennie Niamonitos, Helen K Pappas, Ada Voutsinos, Costas Grigorakakis, Mihalis Louvaris, Michelle Marmarou, Katherine Moore, Kostas Sfiridis, Nicholas Calliagas, Anthony Kosmatos, Andara Quigley, Jonathan Torres, Anastasia Voutsinas, Dimitrios Voutsinas, Eleni Apostolidis, Evangelia Avrich, Elaine Dietz, Marisa Downie, Yanni Mamounas, Marina Stolarczyk.

Congratulations! To Achileas & Afrodite Patounas on the baptism of their daughter Ourania Maria on September 28, 2019. Anna Psilos is the godmother.

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Beyond Annunciation

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