We meet for divine worship every Sunday morning and on holy days starting with Orthros (Matins) at 8:30, Divine Liturgy at 9:30-11 AM.
Visit us at www.anngoc.org for information on how to attend church services during the COVIT-19 Pandemic.
COVID & Church Attendance
Sunday before Holy Cross, September 11, 2022
Κυριακή προ της Υψώσεως του Τιμίου Σταυρού, 11 Σεπτεμβρίου, 2022 Το κήρυγμα εδώ
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross. Please bring basil branches and plans.
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Friday, September 16, 2022
Satusday, September 17, 2022
Sunday after Holy Cross, September 18, 2022
Catechism School is seeking substitute teachers for the upcoming school year.
If you're interested in volunteering with our youth, or perhaps have a child or grandchild in Sunday School and would be willing to step in when there's a teacher absence in their classroom, please contact Jacinda at catechism@anngoc.org.
Lessons are provided by the teachers - no planning necessary for this position and we are happy to work around your schedule and preferences. Please reach out for more information and God bless!
Sunday, September 18: Catechism School Kickoff & PTO Welcome Back Buffet. Please register you children for the 2022-2023 Catechism School year and all Youth Ministries here: 2022-2023 Youth Ministries Registration Form
This Week's Children's Word from OCN
Our 3rd Annual Project Home Book Drive has begun and continues until September 30th.
The Homeless Ministry is collecting your gently used books for Project HOME Books.
One of several social enterprise programs at Project HOME, this initiative helps to provide opportunities for employment, income, community and a steppingstone in recovery from homelessness.
Accepting books in good condition including customer favorites such as books on art and design, religion, and newer academic or technical texts on topics like engineering or philosophy.
Cannot accept encyclopedias, outdated textbooks, or periodicals
All book donations may be placed in or next to the Homeless Ministry Basket located on the Mezzanine level next to our Resource Center.
The Homeless Ministry will be serving at Aviator Park on September 29th.
If you would like to help serve or donate food, please sign up here
Prayers for a Blessed Year for all!
The Homeless Ministry
Light refreshments will be provided. For more details, please contact Maria (215) 885-0242 or Susan (215) 901-6264.
Our Young at Heart ministry provides fellowship and friendship for our 65 and above mature adults.
Each person in the church is vital to the health and growth of the church. Older Christians' rich experience and seasoned gifts are indispensable resources to our congregation. In addition, our church is committed to encouraging the Young at Heart to maintain their involvement in the church's life. There's a place for you at Annunciation! Ministries need your skills, abilities, and maturity!
(All seats on the buss are already booked)
Saturday, September 17, 2022
We have chartered a 50-seat bus and invite all, including your children to come!
Due to the continuation of Covid, Agia Skepi has restricted us to 50 visitors, so please reserve your seat now. Once we have reached 50 persons, the trip will be closed.
Please reserve your seat by emailing Barbara Louridas at barbaralouridas@gmail.com. Text or call at 215 429 9605
$25.00 per person
Other donations will be given to the Monastery for our lunch meal.
DEPART from Annunciation Elkins Park, 10 am
ARRIVAL time, 11:30 am
a. Kalosorisma in the bookstore hall
b. 12 Noon, a tour of the Monastery with Sister Marina
c. Lunch at 1:30 pm. Donation basket
d. Free time 2:30 – 4 pm. Enjoy quiet time or stroll the Monastery grounds
e. Vespers from 4-5:20 pm
f. Prepare to leave the Monastery, 5:30 – 6 pm
a. Depart for Annunciation at 6 pm
b. Arrive at Annunciation at 8 pm
Also: Gifts for the Nuns. Sister Marina has given me a list of items the nuns need. Please sign up at the Resource Center.
Please pack a snack or small meal for your ride home. The Sisters will not be able to provide us with any kind of meal after services.
Happy end of summer Evangelismos family!
Labor Day BBQs, hotdogs, hamburgers, and corn on the cob are on your mind…and you probably are not thinking about Thanksgiving dinner. But Mathew 25 is. As most of you are aware, food cost inflation has impacted everyone, especially those who are more in need. Our supplier partners have notified us that turkey prices will increase again this holiday season. It is recommended that we should order earlier than usual to be assured of adequate supply and a more reasonable price than if we wait until later in the fall.
We know it’s the last thing on your mind. Thanksgiving is an especially cherished American tradition and holiday for those in need. It is also a time of added stress for families struggling to provide a nice dinner gathering for their children. PLEASE consider donating so we can ensure that families can enjoy this holiday meal. We will officially be starting our Matthew 25 Turkey Drive next week (see next week’s bulletin) and hope you will consider a donation.
As always, your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your Matthew 25 Team,
Sophia and Lisa
On the one hand, we are children of the Most High God who loved us into existence, children whose Father sent His son to die for our sins, children who, by our Baptism, have the Holy Trinity dwelling within us. On the other hand, we are children who depend entirely on God for our existence and every breath we take. The Christian steward lives with an awareness of these two realities — our great dignity as sons and daughters of God and our total dependence on Him for all that we are and have been given.
In the Wisdom of Sirach, Sirach instructs, “What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.” As Christian stewards, aware of our total dependence on God, we must be content with “being little.” We recognize that all we have are an unmerited gift from God. All bragging rights belong to Him, not us.
Our Lord speaks of true humility and the outlook that goes along with it in our Gospel passage from Luke. While at a dinner party in the home of one of the leading Pharisees, Jesus observes the guests at the party jockeying for the most prestigious spots at the table.
He takes the opportunity to tell a parable (which sounds amazingly like the real-life situation happening at the very dinner party Christ is attending. Our Lord has a wonderful sense of humor! He says if you get invited to, say, a wedding banquet, not to take the place of honor at the table. He warns that a more distinguished guest might arrive, and then embarrassment ensue as you have to make your way to a less prestigious spot.
In sharing this parable, Jesus has in mind much more than an etiquette lesson. He is reminding us that all glory belongs to God. The visual image He offers in having to slink down to a lower seat at the table points out how silly we are when we forget to give God credit for our blessings and talents. Jesus says, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” When we live in humility — recognizing that all we have is a gift from God and using those gifts to serve Him and others, then God “exalts” us by filling us with even more of Himself and His grace.
Jesus encourages us to actively seek to serve and share our blessings with people facing circumstances that would make it impossible for them to offer us any worldly advantage or prestige — people who are in poverty or have disabilities or infirmities. “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may ask you back, and you have repayment.
Our attitude and how we serve and share should be centered on true humility — recognizing that we are all “little” ones in the eyes of God. We are all His children, brothers, and sisters invited to our Father’s heavenly banquet.
Last November, you received in the mail your 2022 personalized Stewardship Pledge Card of Time, Talent, and Treasure, including our Sustaining Stewardship Initiative information.
Pledge Cards also can be found at the narthex, or you can submit your pledge with a few click at www.anngoc.org.
If you are already a Sustaining Steward, that is, you have set up regular payments through Vanco or your bank bill payer service:
We have updated some features, so please refresh it. If you haven't downloaded it yet, please do so now! You can make all your church offerings and donations in one convenient and safe location:
We have also updated the Vanco Faith Page on our website. Please login with your existing Vanco account and check out the new easy-to-use giving features.
Please stop by the church office or call us if you have questions or need assistance.
Please make all your church donations via:
Thank you for your generosity
Saturday, November 5th, 2022. 5-10:30 pm.
Green Valley Country Club, Plymouth Meeting, PA.
ALL are WELCOME!
Dancing, Dinner, Live Music, Cocktails, and Visuals take us through our first 50 years at Elkins Park as a Church Community – and unlock the many possibilities of our future!
We will be blessed with the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and His Grace Bishop Apostolos.
FUN for EVERYONE
Your participation will make this a wonderful success!
For more information, please contact the church office (215-635-0316), Mary O’Hara, or Christine Ferrello (co-chairs).
We are creating a Commemorative Album for the event. This will be gifted to each family attending the Golden Thyranoixia Gala.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit our Capital Campaign. Please contact Marina Blackton or Peter Gouris for further information.
Happy wedding anniversary to those celebrating this coming week: Jennifer & Frank Petronis, Lydia & Steve McDermott, Claudia & Stefanos Mitsas, Maria & Costas Grigorakakis, Georgianne & Andrew Pogas.
Χρόνια πολλά & ευλογηµένα! God grant you many years! To those who are celebrating birthdays this coming week: Randy Cunningham, Elena Lepage, Alexandros Varoumas, John Varoumas, Sofia Dinneen, Gregory Mariani, Lemonia Paidas, Demitra Papakostantinou, Amanda Gutchigian, Dimitria Sfarnas, Stefanie Grigorakakis, Evangelos Vassilakis, Alba Couppas, Irene Halkias, Vasilis Karasavas, Spiro Koltsaklis, Anna Marie Loizos, Barbara Louridas, Christopher Matarangas, Marigo Psaroudis, Stavros Angelucci, Efthimia Bastas-Christie, Michael Bouikidis, Maria Holahan, Ana Kiscaden, Joseph Kiscaden, Antonios Pitsakis, Leonardo Prospero, Christina Fournaris.
Our deepest sympathy to the Gabriel family for the passing of Peter Gabriel, 56, on 9/6/22. His funeral was at Annunciation/Evangelismos Church on Friday 9/9/22. May his memory be eternal.
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.
This saint lived in the fifth century. Out of remorse for the adultery that she committed with another man, she fled from her husband's house, renamed herself Theodore, clothed herself as a man, and pretending to be a eunuch, entered a monastery of men. Her identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Fall 2022
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022