We invite you to worship with us on Sundays and on holy days to Matins at 8:30 and Divine Liturgy at 9:30-11 a.m. Join us for coffee fellowship afterwards.
OUR MISSION is to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, sanctify the faithful through the liturgy and the Holy Sacraments, grow the church by receiving new members, live the Orthodox Christian Faith, and serve humanity through Christ-centered ministries.
OUR VISION is to be a loving, caring, and welcoming Christian community where all belong and grow in the Orthodox Christian Faith through worship, witness, fellowship, and service to others.
HOLY COMMUNION is offered to those baptized and confirmed in the Eastern Orthodox Christian Faith who have prepared according to the Orthodox Tradition. Guests and visitors are welcome to worship with us and receive the antidoron (“instead of the gifts”) blessed bread at the dismissal.
Please allow Catechism School children to receive Holy Communion first, followed by the newly baptized infants. When you approach the chalice, please give your baptismal name to the priest.
GUESTS AND VISITORS: Enter your contact information in the Guest Book at the narthex if you want us to contact you and join us for fellowship hour in our church hall following the liturgy.
15th Sunday of Luke, January 28, 2024
Κυριακὴ ΙEʹ Λουκᾶ, 28 Ιανουαρίου, 2024. Το κήρυγμα της Κυριακής εδώ
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom
Σύνταξις των Τριών Ιεραρχών: Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου και Ιωάννου του Χρυσοστόμου
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Friday, February 2, 2024
The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Ἡ 'Υπαπαντή τοῦ Κυρίου
15th Sunday of Matthew, February 4, 2024
Godparents Sunday.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Friday, February 9, 2024
Saturday, February 10, 2024
16th Sunday of Matthew, February 11, 2024
Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:9-15.
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον α' 4:9-15.
Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος καὶ πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος. Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ κοπιῶμεν καὶ ὀνειδιζόμεθα, ὅτι ἠλπίκαμεν ἐπὶ θεῷ ζῶντι, ὅς ἐστιν σωτὴρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, μάλιστα πιστῶν. Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε. Μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πνεύματι, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ. Ἕως ἔρχομαι, πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. Μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου. Ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ ἐν πᾶσιν.
15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."
15th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 19:1-10
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διήρχετο τὴν ῾Ιεριχώ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης, καὶ οὗτος ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν τίς ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν. καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθε καταλῦσαι. σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Κύριον· ἰδοὺ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ὑπαρχόντων μου, Κύριε, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα, ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς ᾿Αβραάμ ἐστιν. ἦλθε γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός.
We are pleased to present the members of our 2024 Parish Council who have been elected by our community, approved by the Metropolis of New Jessy, and taken the Oath of Office.
Constantine Dalson, President
Anthony Vlahos, Vice President
James Papacostas, Secretary
Demetrios Papakirk, Treasurer
Panagiotis Giannoumis, Assistant Treasurer
Leontios Diamantas
Evangelos Exarchos
Chris Fifis
Apostolos Fisfis
Peter Gouris
Panagiotis Kyriakou
Russell Penning
Led by our priest, the Parish Council is the body of practicing Orthodox Christians in good standing, sacramentally, with the church. They are elected by the members of our parish for the purpose of working together with the priest in fulfilling the goals and needs of our parish. This brief description of the local governing body also describes the fundamental structure of the Orthodox Church. That is we, as clergy and laity together, are the "People of God" seeking to fulfill the mission entrusted to us by our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ to the best of our human abilities.
Opportunity to Help!
Our Philoptochos will be cooking for Caring for Friends on Tuesday, February 6, starting at 10:30 AM
Any help is appreciated!
THANK YOU! Our annual “Grab & Go Foods” drive for college students experiencing homelessness was a big and helpful success! We especially want to thank our Hope-Joy members and their families who “dove-in” to help!
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:1
Thank you everyone!
The Homeless Ministry
REMINDER: Our next scheduled date to serve at Aviator Park is 2/29. Please join us! Thank you!
It has come to our attention that some are ‘replying’ to the electronic Weekly Bulletin thinking they are sending a message to the parish office.
Please note that those ‘replies’ do not reach us at the parish office.
Please e-mail us directly to office@anngoc.org or frjohn@anngoc.org
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 add someone to the prayer list.
In Our Prayers: “Pray for one another that you might be healed.” (James 5:16): Josephine, Emma, Paulette, Virginia, Effie, James, Grace, Hollie, Valerie, Virginia, Rizos, Brad, Anastasia.
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.
Happy Wedding Anniversary to those Celebrating this Week:
Χρόνια Πολλά & Ευλογηµένα! God Grant You Many Years! To Those Who are Celebrating Birthdays this Coming Week: Aspasia McGrath, Lukas Rodenhausen, Olivia Speir, Kostas Staparounas, Joshua Tait, Annamaria Topakas, Isabella Weggel Nicholas Panagiotakis, Maria Georgiou, Marianne Marmarou, Anastasia Niamonitos, Juan Nunez, Andrew Voutsinos, George Voutsinos, Parashos Koltsaklis, Georgios Koskinas, Zoe Melisiotis, Sophia Rega, Eleftherios Topakas, Linda Koltsaklis, Dimitrios Stoupakis, Leslie Contoudis, Nicole Gilliland, Maria Makrisis, Panteleimon Telegadis, Ioannis Haviaras, Alexander Maltezos, Stelios Melekos, Jannina Nika.
Your 2023 Church Contributions Statement should have arrived to you by email (or postal mail for those who haven’t given us an email address) last week.
If you haven't received it or have any questions about your church contributions, don't hesitate to contact us at the parish office at 215-635-0316.
Last November, you received your 2024 personalized Stewardship Pledge Card of Time, Talent, and Treasure and the 2024 Stewardship Increase Request in the mail.
Thank you to the 71 parishioners who have already returned their 2024 Pledge Card or pledged through VANCO.
If you are already a Sustaining Steward, that is, you have set up regular payments through VANCO or your bank bill payer service:
This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about a short man named Zacchaeus who climbed a tall sycamore tree to see Jesus. But what does his height have to do with his spiritual life? And how is the tree connected to the Cross? Also, why did the Lord invite Himself to Zacchaeus’ house?
Registration for all summer programs of the Ionian Village will open on Thursday, February 1st at 11:00 am ET. Ionian Village will once again offer three programs, catering to high school students and young adults. Registration will be available online at ionianvillage.org. Spots are limited and fill quickly, and are offered on a first-come first-served basis. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this life-changing ministry!
OCMC is looking for Ambassadors in all-sized parishes, whether actively involved in missions or just exploring. Ambassadors play a vital role in spreading awareness and understanding of missions, answering the call to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Represent OCMC to foster a missions mindset in your community. Join existing Ambassadors to expand the Gospel's reach, contribute to global mission work, and help spread Christ's message worldwide.
On January 20-21, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey visited the community of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Vineland, New Jersey for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Community.
Demetrios S. Katos has been appointed President of Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC). He will start February 1, 2024. He comes to HCHC from Northeastern University, where he is Associate Director of Leadership Giving. He is a higher education professional of 25 years, having also been Dean, Professor of Religious Studies, and Registrar at Hellenic College.
On January 19, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officiated a vigil and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Epiphany at the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos on Mount Athos. Clergy and pilgrims joined Archbishop Elpidophoros for this special service. The intricate iconography and beauty of the monastery glistened under the soft lighting of the candles used during the service, truly embodying a sacred atmosphere.
Join a monthly Zoom call led by parish leaders across the nation to take a deep dive with your parish leadership and ministry team into strategies and techniques that your parish can use to enhance its vitality.
February 24, 2024