Saints and Feasts

August 19

12th Sunday of Matthew

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Mode

In giving birth you retained your virginity, and in dormition you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were translated unto life, being the Mother of Life. And thus by virtue of your intercessions you deliver our souls from death.

Apolytikion for St. Anna (Dec. 9) in the Fourth Mode

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee."

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1-11.

Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Wisdom of the Fathers

The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.

St. Ephraim the Syrian

ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.

Wherefore then doth Christ thus reply to him, saying, "There is none good?" Because He came unto Him as a mere man, and one of the common sort, and a Jewish teacher; for this cause then as a man He discourses with him. And indeed in many instances He replies to the secret thoughts of them that come unto Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 63 on Matthew 19, 4th Century

Ministry News

Church Calendar:

Monday, August 27: St. Phanourios - at 9 am

Wednesday, August 29: Beheading of St. John the Baptist - Orthros/Divine Liturgy at 9 am

Saturday, September 1: Indiction (Beginning of Ecclesiastical New Year)-Orthros /Divine Liturgy 9 am

SUNDAY SCHOOL - The 2018-2019 Sunday school year begins on September 23. If you would like to teach, assist, or substitute please contact Father A or Aimee Douvris. Be involved with our youth, and help teach them about our faith, pageants, events and church worship. Contact: aimeedouvris@gmail.com.

GREEK SCHOOL -For those of you with children in the Greek school program, we are happy to inform you that we have hired a new teacher for the new school year. Greek School will begin on Monday, September 24. If you have any questions please contact Father Anastasios or Maria Sfondouris, our Greek School Director. Contact: msfondouris@gmail.com

Fellowship Hour: There is no official Fellowship Hour Sponsorship through September 16, but you can contact John Giannouris at (610) 680-7507 or john.giannouris@comcast.netif you are interested in sponsoring Fellowship Hour in the summer months or this fall. Thank you

OPA

It's OPA! Time again! The parish's biggest fundraiser is 3 weeks away and it is time to fill volunteer slots. Look for the "Signup Genius" link below. For the last 3 years our OPA! has won 'Best Foodie Event' in Hunterdon. It has grown every year and, with good weather, we can expect an even bigger crowd. We need "all hands on deck" to service our guests. Faster service helps boost sales. Please volunteer to help as much as you can. The days are broken up into shifts, but one can sign up for multiple shifts and some people have worked full days or the whole weekend.

OPA Volunteer Chair - Anna Fallon - contact: missannoula@hotmail.com.

Kitchen help: If you have experience working in the "OPA! kitchen", please consider signing up again for these crucial slots.

If you have previously verbally committed to an area chair, you still need to signup so we know the slot is covered.

The Carnival Games' signup is handled separately via Maria Tattoli, to ensure we comply with state gambling laws. Her email is mtattoli@gmail.com. We need adults at the games to help guide the game players and enforce the rules and additional teens can help setup the games.

Let's help make this "OPA!" the best yet!

Here is the Sign up Genius link for the Festival: 2018 Flemington Opa! Festival

OPA Food Donation Transport: Please contact Bill Panageas at vpanageas@gmail.comif you can help pick up food donations during the last week of August/first week of September.

Fall Wine & Dine - The Best from the West in the US…Featuring top wines from California, Oregon and Washington paired with 5 dishes.

Saturday, October 6, 6:30 pm (rain or shine) at the Soteropoulos Residence; 12 Vail Lane, Flemington

Cost is $75 per person.Contacts: George Staikos at 973.699.2199 or george@theeducatedgrape.comor Christi Staikos at cstaikos@comcast.net. Please send payment (check payable to St Anna) to Christi Staikos at 43 Fox Grape Road, Flemington, NJ 08822

Stewardship

STEWARDSHIP: Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2018 Stewardship Status: 135 Pledges totaling $137,279 for an average of $1,017 and $91,016 received to date. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward.. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted on bulletin board by the water cooler.

If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your Stewardship commitment and submit a 2018 pledge card as soon as you can.

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much...

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