Saints and Feasts

September 30

2nd Sunday of Luke

October 06

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas

The name Thomas means, "twin." He was one of the Twelve, a Galilean by birth. Sophroneus (not the famous Patriarch of Jerusalem [7th Century, celebrated March 11], but a friend of Jerome's), quoted also by Jerome, says that Saint Thomas preached to the Parthians, Pesians, Medes, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and neighbouring nations. According to Heracleon, the Apostle died a natural death; according to other accounts, he was martyred at Meliapur His tomb was known by Saint John Chrysostom to be at Edessa in Syria, to which city his holy relics may have been translated from India in the fourth century.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.

Apolytikion for Gregory the Illuminator in the Fourth Mode

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Gregory. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

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

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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 Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11.

Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

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.

Let us then, bearing in mind all the things which have been said, show forth great love even towards our enemies; and let us ease away that ridiculous custom, to which many of the more thoughtless give way, waiting for those that meet them to address them first.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 18 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

Ministry News

Church Calendar:

Thursday, October 18 - St. Luke - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Friday, October 26 - St. Demetrios - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Sunday, November 4 – Fall General Assembly

Adult Bible Study begins on Friday, Oct. 5 at 12 pm. We hope to make this a weekly gathering for about an hour each week. Please let Fr. A know if you are interested. All are welcome. Please bring your Bible.

Adult Choir Meeting: Sunday, Oct. 14 at 11:30 am. Fr. A is inviting all adults that are interested in joining the choir to meet and discuss this ministry. This is a follow up to the Sat., Sept. 15 Choir Kick-Off Meeting which also included the youth. Please let Fr. A know if you will be attending. Thank you.

Fellowship Hour: Contact John Giannouris at (610) 680-7507 or john.giannouris@comcast.netif you are interested in sponsoring Fellowship Hour. Thank you.

Sunday School: Please find the registration table at Fellowship Hour and register your students today. We still need parent volunteers and subs. Please contact Aimee with any interest. Contact: aimeedouvris@gmail.com

Greek School -Anyone interested in an adult Greek class should contact Maria Sfondouris or Father Anastasios with their interest and possible day of the week to hold classes. We welcome all new students! Contact: msfondouris@gmail.com

PTO - Welcome back! We look forward to another great Sunday School and Greek School year. Our first event, the PTO “Welcome Back” potluck brunch will be held on Sunday, October 7 and we hope you will sign up to bring a dish to share! See Sofia Manoussakis or Kristen Diagelakis for more information.

Iconography Update: We anticipate that the iconographer will be back to install the icons in the Dome and the back wall sometime in November. We have very few icons left, so if you would like to donate towards them, please see the list posted in the bulletin board at the church or contact John Kaldes, Jorge Ferreira or Father Anastasios.

The iconostasion has been completed and is currently being stained. It will be shipped to the US sometime in late October or early November. We will try to expedite the shipment through customs.

Stained Glass Windows: There is an opportunity to donate towards the stain glass windows in the Dome. There are 8 windows and the donation for each window is $4,000. All windows have the same design. Donors can contribute the entire amount for the window or a portion of the amount towards the windows.

Wine and Dine event cancelled

Please Note: The Wine and Dine event planned for Saturday Oct 6 has been cancelled due to logistical reasons. Those who have already paid towards the event, the donation can be applied to Stewardship, Iconography, for any other donation, or refunded. The PC Treasurers will be happy to assist you. Please see Jorge Ferreira or Peter Zannikos.

Craft Vendor Event: On Saturday November 17 and 18 (Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine) from 12 pm to 7 pm we will hold our last fundraising event for 2018 - the new Craft Vendors event. We agreed to hold this event in January in order to benefit the Church and all the ministries, however in order to have a successful event we need people to come forward and volunteer their time and talent. We need a volunteer to chair this event. We also need Parishioners to let us know of any vendors who may be interested in participating. Finally, we need volunteers to serve food, clean up tables, and set up and clean up, etc.

Vendors: Sofia Manoussakis (S_Manoussakis@yahoo.com)and Kristen Diagelakis (kristen81081@aol.com)have volunteered to lead the vendors effort. Please contact them if you know of any vendors who might like to participate.

Advertising: Diana Grina (dianag2003@yahoo.com)is leading the advertising effort.

Food preparation and serving: Margaret Panageas (MPanageas.mp@gmail.com) is chairing the food preparation and serving and anything associated with the Philoptohos

John Kaldes (jskaldes@aol.comand phone 908-764-0220) is the temporary chair, but only until someone else comes forward. Please see him if you are interested in becoming the Event Chair. We need all of you to make this event successful for our church and ministries!

Bulletin Inserts

Sunday School Registration Form 2018-19

For the upcoming 2018-19 school year. First day on Sunday, September 23.

Greek School Registration Form 2018-2019

For the upcoming 2018-19 school year. First day on Monday, September 24.

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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