Thursday 8/15  

Dormition of the Theotokos 2019

 
The Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy  Esteemed Members of the Metropolitan Council, Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Sisterhood, Faculty and Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools, Directors and Participants of all Youth Organizations, and all devout Orthodox Christians of the Communities of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey 
 
 
My Beloved in the Lord, 
 
 We approach the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God not in a spirit of lamentation, even though we lament her death, but rather in a spirit of joy as we have gained the most holy of all saints as an advocate for us before her Son and our God. Indeed, we lament her death because she is our common mother and she holds a particular place in our hearts and in the hearts of all Orthodox Christians. Both her life and her death are examples for us. In her life we are given her example which is the apex of saintliness and in her death we are shown that her love and dedication to God is rewarded with everlasting life. 
 
 The Panagia did not have a comfortable life and lived a life replete with trials and tribulations. At a young age she was told that she would bear a child even though she had never knew a man and she willingly told God, “Let it be unto me according to Your Word” (Luke 1:38). Along with Joseph, she had to make a long journey in order to be counted in the census while pregnant and having nowhere to bear her child. She, Joseph, and her newborn had to flee to Egypt in order to escape the wrath of Herod. Ultimately, she had to witness the death of her own Son by the excruciatingly violent method of crucifixion. Throughout all these difficulties, she continuously put her trust into God’s hands. 
 
 It is this trust and dedication to God expressed by the Theotokos to which we, as Orthodox Christians, must aim to emulate. Whereas the Theotokos was called to an immense responsibility, God knows our frailty and He asks less of us. Nevertheless, having the example of the Theotokos before us who endured her own difficulties in life, we should welcome the responsibilities to which God calls us. The spiritual responsibilities to which we are called are varied since we hear St. Paul say, “Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” (1 Cor. 12:2930). No matter how great or how modest our calling may be and no matter what trials we may
encounter, we should always approach it with the same dedication and zeal that the Theotokos expressed for God. 
 
 As we commemorate the Dormition of the Theotokos, let us continuously remember her love and dedication which not only extends to her Son, Jesus Christ, but also to each one of us since she sees us as her children also. Let us always emulate this love so that we can reflect it upon each other and upon our neighbors as we endeavor to see Christ in everyone. Praying that the Panagia continues to guard and guide each of you and your families, I remain
 
 
With Paternal Love and Blessings, 
 
 
† E V A N G E L O S Metropolitan of New Jersey

It is our summer tradition that all coffee hour trays will benefit our Ministries. We all share the responsibility of bringing food. Please bring a cake, cookies, fruit, etc. to church with you from time to time to add to our coffee hour table. Or, arrange to host a coffee hour by contacting the church office. If we do not have someone to host and/or sponsor the coffee hour, we will not be able have one on that particular Sunday. 

Thanking-you in advance for your participation this summer.

August: 8/18 Frangoudis, 8/25 Paftinos family 

September: 9/1 Philoptochos, 9/8 PTA, 9/15 no Coffee hour we will be at Asbury Park, 9/22 DOP, 9/29 GOYA

BAGELS for Sunday Coffee hour are donated by ALPHA BAGELS located on Route 10 in Randolph, NJ. We thank them for their generosity and continued support. 

Rummage Sale: To benefit St. Andrew Church

Friday, Sept. 6, from 9am-4pm & Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9am-4pm

The St. Andrew Philoptochos is looking for items you no longer want or need.

Don’t fill the landfills -- your trash may be someone else’s treasure! Electronics, small appliances and costume jewelry are popular items. We will accept any clean, unbroken, useful items (except tube TVs and baby/child car seats). You may begin dropping off your items off at church on August 16th and we would appreciate if you could sort the items by their respective category in the gymnasium. If you would like to volunteer to help starting on August 19th, the hours will be from 10am to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm and/or would like to volunteer at the Rummage Sale 9/6 & 9/7 9am-4pm please contact:  Mary Michailidis mmichailidis@yahoo.com or Eleni Constantinides, Maro Schuster, Marina Venizelos.

Stewardship Update  8/7/19:

We would like to thank everyone who submitted their 2019 Christian Stewardship Commitment. 187 families have sent in their pledges Totaling  $182,090.   

Total Operating Budget 2019 $ 800, 000

Stewardship Income $350,000 | $182,090 committed to date)

Fundraising Income $450,000

Balanced Budget $800,000.

If you have not already made your commitment to Saint Andrew church, we ask that you prayerfully consider your blessings and submit your 2019 pledge today.

Online Giving System – WeShare click on link and follow instructions  
https://standrewgonj.churchgiving.com/ws/opportunities/ our website/ or call the office

Save the dates  

Sept 6-7: Rummage Sale  

Sept 8: 1st Day of Sunday School 

Sept 12: 1st Day of Greek School 

Sept 17: Council of Ministries Meeting 

Sept 19: 1st Day of Greek Dance 

June 12-13-14, 2020: 50th Anniversary of our BigGreekFestival 

We’d like to be able to better communicate with everyone on social media where appropriate.

Please Like Us / Follow Us on our church Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Religious-Organization/St-Andrew-Greek-Orthodox-Church-Randolph-NJ-758987230951158/ 

If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. 973-584-0388

Names will be kept on this list for approximately 3 months. Please resubmit Names if needed.   Fr. John will pray for the Names above during the Proskomide “Offering of gifts” during the first part of the Divine Liturgy when our priest prepares the mystical gifts of bread and wine. Please keep these names in your prayers as well.

John, Nicos, Hannah, Christos, Theoseva, George, Genevieve, Christine, Anna, Louis, Marilyn, Suriana, Antonios, John, Maria, Dimitry Elias, Evangelia, George, Lois, Kyriaki, John, Rose, Evmorfia, Fr. Demetri, Prz Spyridoula, Eugenia, Constantinos, Eftychia, Kyzoula, Lukas, Athanasios, Angeliki, Christian, Olga, Efthimia, Demitra, Antonia,Anna Christina, Ronnie, Stephanie, Lukas, Zoe, Spyridoula, Maria, Eugenia, Alexa, Eleni, Vasiliki, Rosemary, Corinne, Sophia, Stavroula, Konstantinos, Anastasia, Pamela, Brian, Brandon, Irene, Eleutherios, Panayioti, William, Kyriaki, Panayiota, Beatrice, Demetrios, Andreas, Ioanna, Marykate, John, Konstantinos, Barbara, Despina, Eleni, Bonnie, Richard, Mary, Petros, Demosthenes, Norma, Beatrice, Geoffrey, Theonimfi, Alexandra, Kathy, John, Reggie, Shannon, Yiota, Christopher, Asimina, Margarita, Ellen, Konstantinos, Despina, Margaret, Georgia, Antonios, Maria, Kleo,

Prayer for a Sick Person:

Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal (me) Your servant from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant (me) patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health.  Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed.  I pray that You heal (me) as Your servant and grant (me) the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen