Weekly Services
(Please note schedule subject to change. Please call church office to confirm times.)
Sunday Services: Orthros 8:15 am; Divine Liturgy 9:15 am. Followed by Sunday School and Fellowship Hour in our Community Center.
Weekly Feastday / Major Saint Day Liturgies: 9 am Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy.
All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Saint Nektarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, 1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nektarius went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarius was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.
On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarius was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarius' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarius had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarius, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarius of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarius to leave Egypt.
Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarius is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10.
Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
5th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31
The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"
TODAY the Fall General Assembly will take place following Fellowship Hour. Please make every effort to attend.
TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Martini family.
Church Calendar:
Thursday, November 8: Archangels Michael and Gabriel, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 am
Friday, November 9: St Nektarios, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 am
Monday, November 12: Great Vespers of St. John Chrysostom, 5 pm at the GOMNJ, Westfield, NJ
Tuesday, November 13: St. John Chrysostom, 9 am at the GOMNJ, Westfield, NJ
Friday, November 16: St. Matthew, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 am
Wednesday, November 21: Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 am
Thursday, November 29: Great Vespers of St. Andrew, 7 pm at St. Andrew Church, Randolph, NJ
Thursday, November 8: Archangels Michael and Gabriel, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 am
Monday, December 3: Great Vespers of St. Barbara, 7 pm at St. Barbara Church, Toms River, NJ
Wednesday, December 5: Great Vespers of St. Nicholas, 7 pm at Roseland and Wyckoff churches, NJ
SAVE THE DATES
Saturday, December 8: Great Vespers of St. Anna, 7 pm
Sunday, December 9: Parish Feastday - Conception by St. Anna of the Virgin Mary, Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
EDUCATION: There is ongoing registration for both the Sunday School and Greek School. Forms are located in the Narthex and online at www.stannagoc.org.
Sunday School contact: aimeedouvris@gmail.com. Greek School contact: msfondouris@gmail.com
Beginning TODAY, November 4 through December 9, our Community is invited to donate food and personal care items for the Flemington Area Food Pantry. The Flemington Area Food Pantry provides food and personal care items to needy Hunterdon County families.
All Sunday School and Greek School students will be coming home with a bagto hopefully be returned with an item. A box will be located outside the Fellowship Hall. Your help in filling the box is most appreciated.
SAVE THE DATE: Our Sunday School Christmas Pageant and Greek School Christmas Program will held be on Sunday, December 23. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
Adult Greek School -Anyone interested in an adult Greek class should contact Maria Sfondouris or Father Anastasios. We welcome all new students! Contact: msfondouris@gmail.com
Adult Bible Study: Current class schedule for November 9 and 16 is focused on 1st Corinthians. Bible Study is on Fridays from 12 – 1 pm. Please let Fr. A know if you are interested. All are welcome!
PC CORNER:
Eat and Shop Eventwill be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18. Please contact the following people to volunteer your time for this event.
Preparation and Set-Up: John Kaldes (jskaldes@aol.comand phone 908-764-0220). Preparation begins on Wednesday evening, November 14 at 6:30 pm at the Church.
Vendors: Sofia Manoussakis (S_Manoussakis@yahoo.com)and Kristen Diagelakis (kristen81081@aol.com)
Advertising: Diana Grina (dianag2003@yahoo.com)
Food preparation and serving: Margaret Panageas (MPanageas.mp@gmail.com)
Since no one else stepped in, John Kaldes (jskaldes@aol.comand phone 908-764-0220) is the chairperson of this event.
Iconography: The Iconostasion was delivered to the Church this week, and we are waiting for the wood carver to install it sometime this month. Next week, we expect the installation of the stained glass windows and for the Iconographer to return.
Emails:Please make a concerted effort to let a PC member know if you do not receive email information from the Church and/or if your email address has changed. The PC is working to improve the email delivery system.
Fellowship Hour: Contact John Giannouris at (610) 680-7507 or john.giannouris@comcast.netif you are interested in sponsoring Fellowship Hour. Thank you.
For the upcoming 2018-19 school year. First day on Sunday, September 23.
For the upcoming 2018-19 school year. First day on Monday, September 24.
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: We have 144 Pledges totaling $141,435 for an average of $ 982 and $117,271 received to date. We also have 8 families who have contributed $5,900 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List is printed below and is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.
We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $175,000. If the remaining 27, 2017 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards.
…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much...
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