Publish-header
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-05-12
Bulletin Contents
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Ministry News
Bulletin Inserts
Stewardship
Myrrbear
Organization Icon
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (908) 968-4004
  • Fax:
  • (908) 968-4002
  • Street Address:

  • 85 Voorhees Corner Road,

  • Flemington, NJ 08822

Contact Information

St. Anna Office staff

stannagoc@gmail.com | (908) 968-4004

Proistamenos Rev. Fr. Anastasios Kousoulas

frakousoulas@gmail.com | mobile (908) 528-1077

Services Schedule

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.

Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

Myrrbear
May 12

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).

BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day Thou didst arise, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

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 Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Ministry News

Agia_anna

TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Gianos family.

 

Church Calendar:

Monday, May 20:  Great Vespers of Sts. Constantine and Helen, 7pm, Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Church, Roseland, NJ

Tuesday, May 21: Saints Constantine and Helen, 9 am,  Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, June 5:  Great Vespers of Ascension, 7pm, Ascension Greek Orthodox Church, Fairview, NJ 

Thursday, June 6:  Ascension Thursday, 9 am,  Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, June 11:  Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, 8 am,  Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Saturday, June 29:  Saints Peter and Paul, 9 am,  Orthros and Divine Liturgy

 

Education:  The last class of Sunday school will be held on May 19.  The last day of Greek School will be June 10.

There will be a Sunday school meeting on May 30 in the conference room. If you would like to teach, substitute teach, or volunteer please let us know. The planning for the 2019-2020 Sunday school will begin soon.  This ministry for our Orthodox youth is vital. Please consider sharing your time and talents for our next school year.  Contact:  aimeedouvris@gmail.com

Graduating Seniors:  If you have a student who is graduating from High School this year, please contact Aimee Douvris at aimeedouvris@gmail.com.  The Philoptochos would like to recognize them for this milestone. 

Scholarships: The St. Anna Scholarship program is available for eligible HS Seniors (information at www.stannagoc.org).

 

 

St. Anna Bistro on May 18 & 19: Bistro time is approaching and we will need everyone to help us to succeed.  We need help with food preparation, set up, and also during the event on Saturday and Sunday.  We also need you to spread the word about the event.

Food Preparation Dates and Times:  Tuesday May 14 to Friday 17, daily at 6:30 pm 

Please let John Kaldes know at jskaldes@aol.comor 908-764-0220 if you can help.   You can also register during Also in the next two Sundays register at the church during Fellowship Hour.   

 

Marketing:  Our Greek Bistro parish fundraiser is around the corner! Here's how you can help spread the word.  Invite your family and friends (see flyer in e-bulletin and in separate email notice). Additional hard copy flyers and cards are at the church for your use as well.  

Share the news on Facebook: For those of you on Facebook, please visit Greek Bistro Flemington to share the posts with your friends list and other fb groups you may be in. Make sure to 'like & follow' the Bistro Facebook Page so you can stay up to date with posts and share them. This will help generate additional excitement. 

The full Bistro menu can be found on the event website: http://www.greek-bistro.com.

Bistro Hours are  Saturday 12-9 pm and Sunday 12-7 pm.

We look forward to another successful event serving our most delicious food

 

 

YiaYia's Attic:  This year’s YiaYia's Attic will take place on Saturday, June 8, from 8 am – 1 pm. Donations will be collected starting June 2.  As you do your Spring Cleaning consider donating unneeded items to our sale: clothing, toys, household goods, jewelry, bicycles, seasonal décor, etc.  Please no electronics or large items such as furniture, which is difficult to sell.  We are also collecting lightly worn women's business attire for the organization "Dress for Success".

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

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.

 

2019 Stewardship Drive:  We currently have 118 Pledges totaling $134,964 for an average of $1,144 and $86,828 received to date.  We also have 11 families who have contributed $6,095 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 and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $170,000.  If the remaining 60, 2018 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards.

If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your stewardship commitment and submit a 2019 pledge card as soon as you can.

 

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

 

 

BACK TO TOP