Sunday Services
Matins - 8:50 am
Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am
Sunday School - Immediately following Holy Communion
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
In giving birth you remained a virgin, and in your dormition you did not forsake this world, O Theotokos. For as the Mother of Life, you have yourself passed into life. And by your prayers you deliver our souls from death.
Kevin Lawrence Red Hymnal, pages 222-223
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53
At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.
Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."
1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11
At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).
As you know, the Orthodox Church condemns abortion. Life begins at conception and the willful termination of a fetus, of life in the womb, is a grave sin. Anyone who has an abortion is prohibited from receiving the Sacraments until such time as a Father Confessor allows. Please see information below on the annual National Life Chain. Our parishioners have participated the last few years in this event and I hope many do this year as well. It's across the street and even a few minutes would be appreciated. You may also find this Amicus Curiae of interest.
National Life Chain Winchester - October 7th
GIVE AN HOUR-CHANGE A HEART-CHANGE A LIFE!: Join the National Life Chain in Winchester
Sunday,October 7, 1-2:00 pm. Arrive at 12:45 pm.
Stand prayerfully & peacefully for: Unborn children, Women victimized by abortion, God’s gift of life. Be a link in this year's Life Chain. We will stand along Amherst St. Meet at Keating Dr. Official signs provided. Rain or Shine! Families welcome. Ice cream social after.
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Committees Being Reorganized
The various parish committees and some new ones are being reorganized. If interested in serving on any of the following committees please let me know as soon as possible. Many already have a chairman in place but may find assistance helpful. A listing of our various parish organizations and committees will be published in the coming weeks.
Hope and Joy
GOYA
Parea (focusing on social events for our senior members)
Prosfora (Holy Bread)
Outreach
Stewardship
Fundraising / Development
Baking for Fundraisers
Greek Festival
Grounds and Buildings
Narthex Servers / Greeters
Church Historian
Landscape Beautification
Social Hall Transformation
Sanctuary / Altar Care
Cleaning
Decorating
Visitation
Church Photographer
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Parishioner Parish Record
As I mentioned at the Parish Assembly on June 24th, the parish records are lacking and need to be updated. Please see the attached form that everyone will need to complete. We can no longer be guessing as to who is an Orthodox Christian or not. Please see the following information from the Uniform Parish Regulations...
Article 18, Section 7
Each Parish shall maintain a Parish Record which shall include, at a minimum, the following information concerning each parishioner: baptismal and family name, occupation (optional), dates of baptism and/or chrismation and marriage, complete family record of spouse and children, date of entry into the Parish indicating if transferred from another Parish, date of death, and such other information that shall be deemed appropriate.
Article 18, Section 1
Every person who is baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church is a parishioner. The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to his/her life and to: adhere to and live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith; faithfully attend the Divine Liturgy and other worship services; participate regularly in the holy sacraments; respect all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church; be obedient in matters of the Faith, practice and ecclesiastical order; contribute towards the progress of the Church's sacred mission; and be an effective witness and example of the Orthodox Faith and Traditions to all people.
A parishioner in good standing practices all the religious and moral duties as described in this Section 1. At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be eighteen years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish, abide by all the regulations herein stated and the Parish Bylaws; and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well being of the Parish. (Stewardship is recommended to be ten percent (10%) of one’s annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.)
First Sunday of Luke
8:50 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy
Second Sunday of Luke
8:50 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy
6-month Memorial - Eleni Kavarligos
Third Sunday of Luke
8:50 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy
40-day Memorial - Fr. Nikolaos Azakas
National Church Music Sunday
Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
8:50 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy
Last Thursday, September 13th
The first presentation offered in the Ladies Philoptochos Outreach Series featured Theresa Hudson, with the FBI and a Winchester Police Officer with the Drug Task Force. They offered a presentation on Human Trafficking and Drug Trends in the Winchester area. The presentation was held on Thursday, September 13th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, and was well received.
Watch for news on the next presentation in this Series.
Thank you to the Philoptochos and to Maria Boyer
who coordinated the speakers.
Classes Started September 16th
Classes began on Sunday, September 16th and are held immediately following Holy Communion. We encourage our youth to participate in Catechism (Sunday) School to discover more about their Faith. For more details, contact Norman Wells at (304) 229-5907.
Following classes last Sunday and the distribution of the antidoron, our students, teachers and parents met in the church for a short meeting with Fr. Michael and Norman Wells following a short prayer service for the teachers and students. The students and teachers then departed for some activities outside at the front of the church, followed by a pizza party. The parents joined them after some further time with Fr. Michael and Norm. It was a fun-filled time for young and old. A better than expected turn-out and favorable weather made the events that much more enjoyable.
Many thanks to Norm and Linda Wells for all their work in making this first day run smoothly. Check out some pictures from the day's events....
Church School Fun Events after Classes
Everyone is welcome to join in fellowship during the Coffee Hour following the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. If you would like to host a coffee hour, please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board next to Father's Study.
The Ladies Philoptochos Society coordinates the hosting of our Coffee Hours. Everyone is welcome to volunteer to host a coffee hour. For more information regarding hosting a Coffee Hour, please contact Kate Conant at (240) 422-0738.
Photos, Clippings, Other Historical Items
The work of the Church Historian, Helen Sempeles, and her committee is beginning. They need your help. If you have photos, newspaper clippings, anything from the past, please contact Marie Hughes by email at... baa7@comcast.net and she will arrange to pick them up. Copies will be made and the originals returned to you if you like. This project will help preserve the history of the Dormition Church and you can help us preserve it. Thank you!!!
Assistance Needed - Help Us Help You or Those You Know
The Ladies Philoptochos Social Services Committee needs your help. If you need some assistance in getting to medical or other appointments, a ride to church, shopping or financial assistance or would welcome a quick visit just because, or know of anyone who does, the Social Services Committee would like to hear about it. Please let Father Michael know (540-667-1416 or frmichael.dormition@gmail.com) and he will pass it on to the Committee.
This information will be held in the strictest confidence by the Committee and shared with only a select number of Philoptochos members.
Help us reach out to you or those you know who could use a helping hand.
For a comprehensive list of resources in the Metropolitan Winchester area, please click on the link below.
Winchester Community Resources
Please help the less fortunate by donating non-perishable foods, pantry items clothing and baby items. Place your donations in the C-CAP collection bin in the Social Hall. Thank you.
Receiving Holy Communion / Church Etiquette
Just some reminders about receiving Holy Communion when properly prepared to do so.....
As with all the Greek Orthodox Church's Sacraments, Holy Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who are sacramentally in good standing with the Church. This would mean among other things that if married the wedding took place in the Orthodox Church, if divorced (and were married in the Orthodox Church) an Ecclesiastical Divorce has been obtained, and that you are not under penance placed by a Father Confessor, etc. The Orthodox Church does not practice open Communion.
When approaching the Chalice, please quietly say your Baptismal name as you take the red cloth and place it under your chin.
Also, please open your mouth to allow the communion spoon to enter, and once it has please close your mouth around the spoon to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Please do not sip, as if sipping soup.
Also, don't forget we have a closed-circuit real-time broadcast, with sound, of the services on the monitor in the Social Hall. If your youngster needs a short break please step into the hall until he/she feels ready to rejoin the congregation, while you continue to be able to participate in the service. Thank you.
Please remember that all movement in the church should be curtailed during all processions, the reading of the Epistle/Gospel, the recitation of the Creed and Lord's Prayer and during the sermon, and whenever the priest is facing the congregation (which indicates he is conveying the blessings of God).
Thank you for your attention to these reminders.
If you are married but have not been married in the Orthodox Church, or if divorced and were married in the Orthodox Church and have not received an Ecclesiastical Divorce, please contact Fr. Michael to discuss the process of restoring you back into the Sacramental life of the Church.
Young men between the ages of 10 to 18 are invited to be considered for serving in the Holy Altar. Altar Servers should strive to arrive by 10:00 am. For more information, please see Father Michael.
Cell phones should be silenced or turned off during Church services. Thank you for remembering.
Did you know the Church has a Lending Library?
The books available for borrowing are in the bookcase next to the Gift Shop by the wall. Most of the books on display are available to be borrowed (those not are on a separate shelf which is marked as reference only). Feel free to check out the available books. If interested in borrowing a book, fill out the card in the back of the book and leave it in the basket in the bottom corner. It's the honor system, so once you have read the book, please don't forget to return it so others may borrow it. Happy reading!!!
Upcoming liturgical services, meetings and events can be viewed on the parish’s website calendar and are listed in the Sunday bulletin. To view the Parish Calendar Click here.
All parish organizations are requested to coordinate with Father Michael the date and time of proposed meetings and events to help prevent scheduling conflicts. Email bulletin announcements or updates to frmichael.dormition@gmail.com. Everyone's cooperation is appreciated.
Wall calendars and pocket icon calendars for 2018 are available in the social hall. If you cannot come to the church, please let us know and we will mail you one.
Announcements for the Sunday e-bulletin and printed bulletin may be submitted by e-mail to frmichael.dormition@gmail.com. The deadline for announcements is Monday evenings by 8:00 pm for the upcoming bulletin.
All announcements must be in connection with Parish events, activities, fundraisers or community services. Fundraiser and community service announcements must be for non-commercial/non-profit events and activities. Submitted announcements must be furnished as desired for placement and are subject to editing. Submission does not imply acceptance for publication.
All ministries are requested to coordinate with Father Michael, as early as possible, the date and time of proposed meetings and events to prevent scheduling conflicts. E-mail new postings, updates and changes to Father. Everyone's cooperation is expected.
To ensure the privacy of our Parishioners, announcements for births, baptisms, and weddings are not automatically included. The family should make this request to Fr. Michael.
All announcements should be brief and concise including accurate contact information. All submissions are subject to approval for insertion and to editing.
We welcome you to worship with us on Sunday and whenever the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. Matins begins at 8:50 am and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
Click here for Google Map & Specific Driving Directions »
DIRECTIONS TO THE DORMITION CHURCH FROM THE NORTH:
1. Proceed south on Interstate 81 South heading toward Winchester
2. Take exit 317 for VA-37/ US-11 toward US-522 N/ US-50 W/ Winchester/ Stephenson (0.3 mi)
3. Turn right at US-11 S/ VA-37 S/ Martinsburg Pike, Continue to follow VA-37 S (3.8 mi)
4. Take the ramp to US-50 E/ Northwestern Pike (0.2 mi)
5. Turn left at US-50 E/ Northwestern Pike, Continue to follow US-50 E (0.6 mi )
6. Turn left at Omps Dr, Continue to entrance of the Church`s parking lot (100 ft)
7. Turn left into the Church`s parking lot.
DIRECTIONS TO THE DORMITION CHURCH FROM THE SOUTH:
1. Proceed north on Interstate 81North heading toward Winchester
2. Take exit 310 for VA-37 toward US-11/VA-642/ Winchester/ Kernstown/ US-50/ US-522/ Berkely Spgs/ Romney (0.2 mi)
3. Turn left at VA-37 N (5.2 mi)
4. Take the US-50 ramp to Winchester/ Romney (0.3 mi)
5. Turn right at US-50 E/ Amherst St (0.5 mi)
6. Turn left at Omps Dr, Continue to entrance of the Church`s parking lot (100 ft)
7. Turn left into the Church`s parking lot.