Saints and Feasts

November 24

13th Sunday of Luke

November 25

Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.

November 30

Andrew the First- Called Apostle

This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist's witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First-called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name's sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X," the first letter of "Christ" in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Today is the prelude of God's good will and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfilment of the Creator's dispensation.

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 Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For 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." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Love of money is the worship of idols, a daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a herald of hunger.

St. John Climacus

The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but he who is bound by it never attains to pure prayer.

St. John Climacus

The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

Ministry News

Don’t forget: Parish Council Elections – next Sunday, December 1

Church Calendar:

40 Days of Liturgy: through Tuesday, December 23, 10 am daily

(no services on Tuesday, Nov 26 and Wednesday, Nov 27)

Monday, November 25: St. Katherine - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Saturday, November 30: St. Andrew - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Wednesday, December 4: St. Barbara - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Thursday, December 5: St. Savvas - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Friday, December 6: St. Nicholas - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Sunday, December 8: Great Vespers of St. Anna – 7 pm

Monday, December 9: St. Anna - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Thursday, December 12: St. Spyridon - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Liturgy – St. Basil, 9 am

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Day Liturgy – 10:30 pm

Christmas 'Concert Choir' for Adults and Youth: The choir is planning for a short program of some beautiful Christmas carols on Sunday Dec 22nd during our Christmas program. As in last year, the youth performed Pachelbel's Christmas Canon and also joined with the adults in Ode to Joy. We will do this or something similar, depending on participation. This is a good opportunity for those who like to sing but cannot commit to regular choir participation. If you are interested in singing, please contact Choir director Diana @ dianakg2003@yahoo.com or 908-392-7449. There will be a few rehearsals coordinating with people's schedules.

BeeTreat

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Union will host a Pan-Orthodox Retreat, on December 14, 2019. Parishes from all canonical Orthodox jurisdictions in the area are invited to this BeeTreat -a special retreat for youth, young adults, adults and families- based on Y2AM’s “Be the Bee” video series.

The BeeTreat will be led by Stephen Christoforou, the director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and host of the popular YouTube series “Be the Bee”. Steve and his BeeTreat team will lead the workshops for youth in Grades 6-12, Youth Workers, Sunday School teachers, adults and parents. For children in preschool through fifth grade, we have organized a “mini BeeTreat”. Young adults ages 18 and up will have their own Orthodox social at a local restaurant in the evening.

The BeeTreat is a special day of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth for everyone. It is a FREE event, with the exception of the evening social at the restaurant. As the host Parish, we will provide breakfast and lunch for everyone, in accordance with the fasting guidelines of the Nativity season. Parking is free and available both in our own and the neighboring lots. Free will donations are welcome. We must let St Demetrios know of the number and age of our before Friday, December 6, 2019.

Philoptochos News: Thank you for your donations to the food drive.

Seminars: The next seminars will be Sunday December 15 after coffee hour from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Both Seminars will be conducted on both dates. The seminars are open to all of those who use the internet and those who use the 401k, IRA and others to make donations to the church.

1. Internet Security - How to protect yourself from Scams by Peter Grina

2. Donating to Church - Options available and tax benefits by Chris Kamnitsis

Bulletin Inserts

Veterans Day Encyclical

Encyclical

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 153 Pledges totaling $162,554 for an average of $1,062 and $144,208 received to date. We also have 8 families who have contributed $4,300 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 52, 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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