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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2020-08-09
Bulletin Contents
Messages from Fr. John and Parish Council President
Weekend Update
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Annunciation Community Calendar
Community News & Events
Homeless Ministry News
Focus on Our Church Family
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Metropolis of New Jersey News
Allsaint
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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


Messages from Fr. John and Parish Council President

Update from Parish Council President Dean Dalson

Dear Annunciation Community,

I want to provide an update on the activities and decisions we have made related to the upcoming Ecclesiastical New Year.

First, I want to highlight the continuing activities of the Ladies Philoptochos and Outreach Ministries to help people in need.  As you have seen in the weekly bulletins, they continue to provide assistance in many ways.  Thank you to the many folks who volunteer and support these worthwhile and necessary efforts.  Please continue to provide support to their efforts.

Second, we are thankful to the Stewards of the community.  Stewardship contributions this year are at a strong pace, helping to offset the loss of candle, tray, and hall rental income so that our finances are in manageable shape.  We recently introduced the concept of Sustaining Stewardship with two main objectives, first to fund the Church’s operating budget entirely via Stewardship, and secondly, making Stewardship contributions on a regular and self-renewing basis.  For example, you may set up your Stewardship contribution to occur automatically every other week through the Give+ app, and as part of Stewardship Sunday you could review your contribution and decide to increase it for the upcoming year.  Sustaining Stewardship makes it easier to manage your own contributions and makes it easier for the Church to manage to pay its bills.  Please consider converting your Stewardship to Sustaining Stewardship.

Our priority throughout the Corona Virus is to provide the means to worship while protecting everyone’s health and safety. Our live-streaming of services continues on Facebook even while we have limited in-person attendance. 

Also, we have made the following decisions for the upcoming year:

  • Sunday School and Greek School will start the year as 100% virtual classes.  The education of our children is a critical activity and we want to provide the best possible learning environment while protecting student and teacher safety.  However, our classrooms do not have sufficient ventilation and are too small to provide the recommended social distancing between students.  Also, other solutions such as holding classes in the Hall or switching to more frequent, smaller classes are not practical.  Details about registration and the organization of classes will be coming shortly.
  • We will not have an OPA festival in 2020.  The OPA team reviewed the issues and risks and identified potential solutions, including making the festival a much smaller event, but in the end, the uncertainty about the trends of the virus and the potential risks to festival volunteers were too much for us to feel we can safely hold a festival.  Our OPA festival has always provided us an opportunity to enjoy working together to provide financial support for our community and its ministries and will be missed.  I want to thank Peter Gouris for his leadership and the OPA team in working through these questions.

Finally, for the services on August 15th, the Dormition of our Most Holy Theotokos, we are making arrangements to allow more people to attend in person while maintaining safe practices and social distancing.  More details further down in the bulletin. You will still be required to register in advance to attend services.

Prayerfully yours,

Dean Dalson

President, Parish Council


A Letter from Fr. John to Choir Director Stacy Lagakos

Dear Stacy,

It is with mixed feelings that I accept your retirement as our Annunciation’s Director of Music after 5 years of faithful service. I know I speak on behalf of our beloved church when I say you will be greatly missed and that you brought ”leadership and enthusiasm” (Gouris), “professionalism that you encouraged among us” (Connie Bandy), you “furthered the musical abilities” (Teri Douris) of the choir members, you fostered “camaraderie, discipline, and mission among us” (Bill Sandilos), and that “under your leadership, we continually improved and added beautiful and difficult new pieces, thank you for your hard work.” (Dean Dalson).

Stacy, it has been said, “Music is the chariot of theology!”  Indeed, the message of the Apostles, and its very meaning in Greek, is to go out in the world…to reach out to all with the voice of salvation.  The Church teaches that the harmony of the shepherd’s staff with the creativity of an accomplished conductor’s baton writes a beautiful icon of cooperation that exists between melody and the truth found in the Word of God.  It expresses the exaltation of creation’s Eternal Composer!   Stacy, I know that for you music has always been something more than a voice, an ode, or composition as it seeks to both praise and express God.  We all could see that!

In the hands of such faithful directors as you, the spiritual hymns of Orthodoxy are able to lift even the “weightiest” of sheep to the choir loft of heaven.  Thank you! You and Susan will be missed.

In His Service,

+Father John


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Weekend Update

Please sign up HERE  to attend in person any of the church services 

For those unable to attend in person, click on the service to see the text and pray with us through our Facebook Livestream

Let us know if you would like for us to light a votive candle for you HERE

Friday, August 7, 2020

ΙΧ Sunday of Matthew, August 9,  2020

Κυριακὴ Θ’  Ματθαίου, 9 Αυγούστου, 2020. Το κήρυγμα ΕΔΩ

Monday, August 10, 2020

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Friday, August 14, 2020
Forefeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Saturday, August 15, 2020
The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

* Please note the following adjustments we are making to welcome and accommodate as many parishioners as we can for the Feast of the Dormition on Saturday, August 15.

Due to the current reopening directives by the Civil Authorities and our Metropolitan, we still need to keep the number of persons in the church proper to 75 (65 parishioners plus ten staff members). For the Feast of the Dormition, we are making the church hall available where we can accommodate an additional 25 persons, which is the maximum number of persons permitted by the state for indoor social gatherings. The liturgy will be live-streamed in the church hall on the large screen.

The Signup Genius reflects this change. Please sign up HERE as usual. Seating in the church will be on a first-come, first-seated basis for the first 65, and the additional 25 will be seated in the church hall. For those attending in the church hall and wishing to receive Holy Communion, the ushers will escort you into the church at the proper time.

We will also place the icon of the Dormition and a candle box outside the main church entrance under the portico. Anyone is welcome to come, light a candle, venerate the icon, and stay in the courtyard to hear the liturgy. You do not need to sign up in advance for courtyard attendance, but we will ask you to sign in when you arrive.

Whether you are in church, church hall, or courtyard, you must follow the directions of the ushers, keep your distance, and wear your face mask at all times.

Χ Sunday of Matthew, August 16, 2020

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
  • We will offer memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of Kaliopi Tsikni of blessed memory (40- days, beloved aunt of Despina Twyman, died in Greece)
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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
August 09

The Holy Apostle Matthias

After Judas by transgression fell from his apostleship (Acts 1: 25), and hanging himself out of despair ended his life with a wretched and shameful death (Matt. 27: 5), then, that the number of the Twelve not be lacking, all the disciples gathered in one place after the Ascension of the Savior (the number of men and women being 120), and they chose two men from among them, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias, and they set them in the midst. Then they prayed to God and cast lots, "and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" (Acts 1: 15-26). And thus, having taken the place of Judas, Matthias fulfilled the work of apostleship and the prophecy concerning Judas, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David: "And his bishopric let another take" (Ps. 108(109):8). After this, it is said, Matthias preached the Gospel in Ethiopia, and completed his life there in martyrdom.

Dormitio
August 15

The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.

With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.

These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 3:9-17.

Ἀδελφοί, Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί· θεοῦ γεώργιον, θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε. Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον τέθεικα, ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ. Ἕκαστος δὲ βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ. Θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον τοῦτον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην, ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει, ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται· καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστιν τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μένει ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήψεται. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται· αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ναὸς θεοῦ ἐστε, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν; Εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός· ὁ γὰρ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἅγιός ἐστιν, οἵτινές ἐστε ὑμεῖς.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

9th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:22-34

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Καὶ ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ᾽ ἰδίαν προσεύξασθαι. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ. Τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἀπεῖχεν, βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων, ἦν γὰρ ἐναντίος ὁ ἄνεμος. Τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. Οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν. Εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν [ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς] αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε, ἐγώ εἰμι· μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν, Κύριε, εἰ σὺ εἶ, κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ᾽Ελθέ. καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν ᾽Ιησοῦν. Βλέπων δὲ τὸν ἄνεμον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων, Κύριε, σῶσόν με. Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ᾽Ολιγόπιστε, εἰς τί ἐδίστασας; καὶ ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος. Οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ᾽Αληθῶς Θεοῦ υἱὸς εἶ. Καὶ διαπεράσαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν εἰς Γεννησαρέτ.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Thy disciples Thy glory as each one could endure. Shine forth Thou on us, who are sinners all, Thy light ever-unending, through the prayers of the Theotokos. Light-bestower, glory be to Thee.
Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.
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Annunciation Community Calendar

  • Annunciation Community Calendar

    August 9 to August 24, 2020

    Sunday, August 9

    9th Sunday of Matthew

    8:30AM MATINS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    Monday, August 10

    Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

    6:30PM SMALL PARAKLESIS/SUPPLICATION TO THE MOTHER OF GOD

    Tuesday, August 11

    Euplus the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Cantania

    Wednesday, August 12

    Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

    6:30PM SMALL PARAKLESIS/SUPPLICATION TO THE MOTHER OF GOD

    Thursday, August 13

    Apodosis of the Transfiguration

    10:00AM Visitation: Anastasios Angelis of blessed memory

    11:00AM Funeral: Anastasios Angelis of blessed memory

    Friday, August 14

    Forefeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

    6:30PM GREAT VESPERS

    Saturday, August 15

    The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

    8:30AM MATINS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY. The artoklasia (blessing of the bread, wine, and oil) for health and salvation is offered today by the Montis, Sandilos, Karidas & Dalagelis families.

    Sunday, August 16

    10th Sunday of Matthew

    8:30AM MATINS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    11:00AM We will offer memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of Kaliopi Tsikni of blessed memory (40-days, beloved aunt of DespinaTwyman, died in Greece)

    Monday, August 17

    Myron the Martyr of Cyzicus

    Tuesday, August 18

    Floros & Lauros the Monk-martyrs of Illyria

    7:00PM Parish Council meeting

    Wednesday, August 19

    Andrew the General & Martyr & his 2,593 soldiers

    Thursday, August 20

    Samuel the Prophet

    7:00PM Youth Ministry Council Meeting (Kickoff)

    Friday, August 21

    The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus

    Saturday, August 22

    The Holy Martyr Agathonicus

    Sunday, August 23

    11th Sunday of Matthew

    8:30AM MATINS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    11:00AM We will offer memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of Ioannis Fisfis of blessed memory (40-days, beloved father of Apostolos Fisfis & Maria Grigorakakis, died in Greece)

    12:00PM Baptism: Psaroudis family

    Monday, August 24

    Eutyches the Hieromartyr & Disciple of St. John the Theologian

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Community News & Events

In Honor of The Dormition (Kimisis) of The Mother of God, August 15

Paraklesis/Supplication Service will be prayed on:

  • Monday, August 3, 6:30 pm
  • Wednesday, August 5, 6:30 pm (Vespers)
  • Friday, August 7, 6:30 pm
  • Monday, August 10, 6:30 pm
  • Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 pm
Please submit the names of your loved ones (living) HERE to be lifted up in prayer during these services.
 
Friday, August 14
  • 6:30 pm Great Vespers
 
Saturday, August 15
  • 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Liturgy *
 
* Please note the following adjustments we are making to welcome and accommodate as many parishioners as we can for the Feast of the Dormition on Saturday, August 15.

Due to the current reopening directives by the Civil Authorities and our Metropolitan, we still need to keep the number of persons in the church proper to 75 (65 parishioners plus ten staff members). For the Feast of the Dormition, we are making the church hall available where we can accommodate an additional 25 persons, which is the maximum number of persons permitted by the state for indoor social gatherings. The liturgy will be live-streamed in the church hall on the large screen.

The Signup Genius reflects this change. Please sign up HERE as usual. Seating in the church will be on a first-come, first-seated basis for the first 65, and the additional 25 will be seated in the church hall. For those attending in the church hall and wishing to receive Holy Communion, the ushers will escort you into the church at the proper time.

We will also place the icon of the Dormition and a candle box outside the main church entrance under the portico. Anyone is welcome to come, light a candle, venerate the icon, and stay in the courtyard to hear the liturgy. You do not need to sign up in advance for courtyard attendance, but we will ask you to sign in when you arrive.

Whether you are in church, church hall, or courtyard, you must follow the directions of the ushers, keep your distance, and wear your face mask at all times.


Agia Sophia Cathedral Updates

Visit agiasophia.org  to learn about Agia Sophia


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Homeless Ministry News

3rd ANNUAL PARISH BACKPACK DRIVE

Please help us supply backpacks filled with essentials for those experiencing homelessness 

to help them survive on the streets!

 

The Homeless Ministy is grateful to be partnering with FOCUS North America on their annual backpack project. This year the backpacks will be distributed to those experiencing homelessness.

Would you like to help? Here's what to do:

Fill a zip loc bag with the following essential items:

Essentials for Men                                                                 

  • 1 Pair of white cotton socks
  • 1 Mask
  • Small bottle hand sanitizer 
  • Bandaids (a few assorted sizes)
  • Deodorant 
  • Lip balm/chapsitck
  • Lotion (travel size)
  • Sunscreen (small size)
  • Tissues
  • Toothbrush (if possible with covers) and toothpaste (travel size) 
  • Wet Wipes
  • Multivitamins or EmergenC 
  • Beef Jerky 
  • Breakfast bars or cereal bars
  • Mints (gum is not preferred because of dental issues)
  • Peanut Butter crackers
  • Applesauce or pudding cups

Essentials for women

  • Same as above plus 
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Hair ties or scrunchie

Kindly return items by Sunday, October the 4th. Place your filled ziplock bags in the Homeless Ministry basket located on the balcony by the Resource Center (bookstore).

Backpacks will be supplied by FOCUS North America. Please include a $10 check made payable to FOCUS North America in the zip loc bag. All checks will be mailed to FOCUS once the drive is completed. 

Thank you for helping us show our unhoused neighbors kindness and respect! 

In Christ's service,

The Homeless Ministry

GodshallA@aol.com (Angela Godshall)

scorp1371@msn.com (Talia Hatzopoulos)

Bsanginiti@yahoo.com (Bonnie Koletas)

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Focus on Our Church Family

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, Anthony, Janet, Dionysios, Elizabeth, Peter, Athanasia, Earnest, Virginia, Sandra, Tom, Stephen, Betty, Chryssie, Stacey, Athena, Konstantinos, Donna, Fr. George, Helen, Luke, Lia, Mary.

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

Χρόνια πολλά & ευλογημένα!  God grant you many years!  To those who are celebrating birthdays this coming week: George Armentani, Joy Gabriel, Dimitrios Kambouris, Athanasios Verros, Andrea Falbo, Helena Fournaris, Anthe Valais, Antonios Vlahos, Constantino Niamonitos, Stella Nikolopoulos, Christopher Ramey, Catherine Avgiris, Jack Downie, Katharine Verros, Evangelos Exarchos, Zoe Kaldes, Petra Lambrou, Alexandra Litvinas, Aprille Pappas, Philip Chapalas, Harvey Fishman, Panagiota Mazer, Andrew Oratis.

We extend our love and sympathy to the family of Alexander E. Skoures, 88, who fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on July 29, 2020. May his memory be eternal.

 

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Free Preview of “Effective Christian Ministry” Training Program

08/05/2020

We all know that the Church faces critical ministry challenges. Research shows that 60% of young people fall away from the Faith as they grow into young adults. And did you know that a new study has found that ⅓ of people have stopped attending church altogether during the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve completely disconnected, and aren’t even streaming services. Why? And what can we do to connect people (especially youth and young adults) to the Church?
https://www.goarch.org/-/preview-effective-christian-ministry

From One Spoon to Many

08/05/2020

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Orthodox Church has found itself in an existential crisis. The situation has challenged our traditions and even the way that we receive Holy Communion. One of the points of disagreement that has arisen concerns the manner in which Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful from the common cup by means of a common spoon.
https://www.goarch.org/-/one-spoon-to-many

GOARCH Launches Spanish Ministry Initiative's Facebook

08/05/2020

In August, 2019, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America identified the need for this ministry and tasked His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos to coordinate the development of Spanish-language materials, resources, and outreach ministries throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, supporting efforts of its Metropolises, Parishes, and Institutions nationwide.
https://www.goarch.org/-/spanish-ministry-initiative-facebook
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Metropolis of New Jersey News

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Metropolitan Evangelos' Latest Encyclicals


Metropolis of New Jersey Home Page

https://www.nj.goarch.org/


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