Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12.

Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Saints and Feasts

August 21

Bassa the Martyr of Edessa & her sons Theogonius, Agapius & Pistus

The Martyrs were from Edessa of Macedonia. Bassa was the wife of a certain Valerian, a priest of the idols, to whom she bore three sons and raised them in piety. She was betrayed with her sons to the proconsul by her own husband; each of her sons was tormented before her and beheaded. For refusing to worship the idols, she was imprisoned, cast into water and then fire, was stoned, and remaining unharmed, was brought to the temple to worship the idols. Laying hold upon the idol of Zeus, she overturned it and broke it to pieces. After being preserved through further torments, she was beheaded, about the year 290, in the reign of Maximian.

Holy Consecration

We invite humbly everyone to make their contribution or pledge to assist our efforts in elevating this Sacramental moment in the life of our Parish. Donors are likened to Godparents in the sense that they resolve to offer their spiritual presence, prayerful nurturing, and tangible assistance in the life of the Church, and at this time for the benefit of Her once-in-a-lifetime Holy Consecration.

If you did not receive your pledge card in the mail, they are available in the Church Narthex or contact the Church office at 203-748-2992 or email office@agoc.us.

Hospitality Ministry

Thank you to Effrosyni Aroni for sponsoring today's Coffee Fellowship.

Thank you to Laurie Lane and Ann Katsarakes for hosting today’s Coffee Fellowship.

If you'd like to be a hostess or host, please sign up on the board that is located in our Parish Hall or on line at: Sign up for July and August

Hosting duties include setting up, serving the coffee and cleaning up. We will always pair you with an experienced hostess!

Questions? Please contact Barbara Soldano or Caryn Flannery (philoptochos@agoc.us).

For Agape Fellowship Sponsoring opportunities/availability and guidelines please contact Margot Racano at: office@agoc.us.

Parish News

Artoklasia

The Artoklasia today is offered for the Feast of Panagia Prousiotissa by Effrosyni Aroni.

Sunday Collection Basket

We are very thankful for the support of so many families and individuals who financially support the Ministries of our Assumption Church. Your Stewardship Commitment and donations for candles, Feast Days and special offerings help our Church meet the Yearly Budget. Our Parish Council has decided to continue placing the traditional Collection Basket on a table in the Narthex. Parishioners and visitors may offer a donation if they wish following Divine Liturgy and other Services as they exit the Church. Thank you for your gifts that support the many Ministries and programs of our Church. God Bless you.

Ladies Philoptochos Society

September Meeting Date Change

Please join us on Sunday, September 10th at 12:30pm in the Parish Hall for our monthly meeting.

Youth and Adult Choir

Calling all Youth & Adult Choir Members, past & present!

Join our Consecration Home-Coming (HoCo) Choir! Please join us every Wednesday evening @ 7:00 pm from this Wednesday until Wednesday, September 27, to rehearse music for a performance that will take place on Sunday, October 1, during the Consecration Luncheon at the Amber Room. Please contact Cindy Ziemnicki, youthchoir@agoc.us for information. Rehearsals will also be 'broadcast' via Google Meet to accommodate summer travels and/or any difficulties attending rehearsals.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

Unknown, 18th century

Links for Livestreaming Services

Pray with us by subscribing to the Assumption YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tD5mB_u3GgO1J8ikwIW0g

Or by visiting our Assumption page on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pg/assumptiongreekorthodoxchurch/videos/?ref=page_internal

Live events will be streamed on both these services on programmed service hours.

Calendar

Month at-a-Glance

August 20 to September 17, 2023

Sunday, August 20

11th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

2:00PM Baptism

Saturday, August 26

12:00PM Baptism

Sunday, August 27

12th Sunday of Matthew

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Friday, September 1

7:00PM Consecration - Breaking of Bread

Saturday, September 2

7:00PM Consecration - Breaking of Bread

Sunday, September 3

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Sunday, September 10

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

12:30PM Philoptochos Meeting

Thursday, September 14

☦️ The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Saturday, September 16

11:00AM Baptism

Sunday, September 17

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins