Saints and Feasts

June 30

Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles

The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, the First-called; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who was also the Evangelist and Theologian; Philip, and Bartholomew (see also June 11); Thomas, and Matthew the publican, who was also called Levi and was an Evangelist; James the son of Alphaeus, and Jude (also called Lebbaeus, and surnamed Thaddaeus), the brother of James, the Brother of God; Simon the Cananite ("the Zealot"), and Matthias, who was elected to fill the place of Judas the traitor (see Aug. 9).

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 Synaxis of the 12 Apostles in the Third Mode

O Holy Apostles, intercede with the merciful God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offenses.

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. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.

Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Gospel Reading

Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles
The Reading is from Matthew 9:36, 10:1-8

At that time, when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaios, and Thaddaios; Simon the Cananaean. and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay."

Wisdom of the Fathers

He puts an end to the woman's fear ... He sets her right, in respect of her thinking to be hid ... He exhibits her faith to all, so as to provoke the rest also to emulation ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

But of what laborers doth He speak here? Of the twelve disciples...He sent them out alone. ...Because though they were but twelve, He made them many from that time forward, not by adding to their number, but by giving them power. ...He Himself at once ordains them...Whence it is evident that Himself is the husbandman, Himself the Lord of the harvest...Still the Spirit was not yet given...How then did they cast out the spirits? By His command, by His authority. ...Seest thou the greatness of their ministry? Seest thou the dignity of apostles?...See how He provides for their conduct, and that no less than for their miracles, implying that the miracles without this are nothing. Thus He both quells their pride by saying, "Freely ye have received, freely give;" and takes order for their being clear of covetousness.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 32 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

Ministry News

Church Calendar:

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

Financial Aid Seminar

TODAY June 30, 11:30 am after Fellowship Hour in the Church office

GOYA NEWS: Over Memorial Day weekend, St Anna GOYANs participated in the Outdoor Olympics at Monmouth University. The following participants placed in these events:

Evangelos Kousoulas placed 1st in backgammon (Indoor Olympics)

Nicole Kazantzis placed 2nd for softball throw and 1st for shot put

Christopher Ticas placed 3rd for the senior mile

Stephanie Ticas placed 3rd for the junior 400m

Maria Logothetis, Grace Trumpy, Nicole Kazantzis and Stephanie Ticas placed 3rd for the 4x200 senior relay

2019 Very Important Dates:

Sept 6-7-8 -OPA

Nov 3 -Fall General Assembly

Nov 16-17 -Eat & Shop

PC News

Policies and Procedures

One of the main objectives for this year presented at the last 2 GAs was the development of Policies and Procedures to guide our ministries. The PC will dedicate some time in the upcoming months to put the necessary Policies and procedures in place before the new ecclesiastical year starts in September

Volunteers

We always welcome volunteers who can dedicate the time and effort to help with the ministries, events, cleaning, etc. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering for 2019-2020

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 129 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. You can check to see if you are on the Stewards List attached to this bulletin.

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

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