PARISH COUNCIL TO MEET WITH BISHOP APOSTOLOS
On Sunday, March 14th, we welcome His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, who was recently assigned as the bishop responsible for the Metropolis of New Jersey. The faithful will have the opportunity to meet him by attending the Divine Liturgy on that Sunday. Unfortunately, due to the continuing Coronavirus restrictions, there will be no reception following services.
UPDATE: SOUND SYSTEM DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR CHALLENGE
We are into our third week of the dollar-for-dollar challenge up to $1,000. We have, to date, a total challenge donation of $100.00; which is now a $200.00 donation for the sound system. We only need $1,515 more to reach our goal of $5,000 for a new sound system. Let’s get there! The total collected for the sound system is now $3,485. We have until the end of this month to take advantage of the dollar for dollar challenge, let’s not miss this opportunity! If you are among those who cannot hear Father's sermons, or want to help others who have a hard time hearing, please contribute to this challenge. Please send your donation earmarked for SOUND SYSTEM to the Church Office. Thank you!
STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
As St. John Chrysostom reminds us, "A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever!"
Are you a Steward of St. Demetrios?
We now have 55 Stewards of St. Demetrios with 36 stewardship pledges towards our 2021 goal of 100 and totaling $76,755. This is 38 percent of our goal of $200,000.00 for 2021 and 36 percent of our stewardship pledge goal of 100 stewardship pledges. If you are already a steward, encourage your church friends and family to join you! If you are not a steward please become one! It takes all of us for stewardship to do the work of the church in our community of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. All gifts to St. Demetrios are truly appreciated! The stewardship pledge allows the Council to plan financially for the year. Even though you may have already decided what you plan to give each week, month, or annually, without a stewardship form completed the Council has no way to accurately understand where we are headed.
If you can’t find your stewardship pamphlet/card or need a new one there are additional stewardship forms and envelopes available as you enter the church on the left along with a drop box for your completed stewardship pamphlet/cards. You can also send a letter to St. Demetrios with Stewardship noted on the front. Please complete a stewardship form and be counted on the Stewards listing inside the glass doors as you enter the building.
As St. Paul (Corinthians 9:6-7) admonishes us, "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
Although Church services are now available, the collection tray is not being passed and many are not attending out of abundant caution. With limited attendance, our collections are still down. You can continue to contribute through our web page www.stdemva.com, send your weekly offering checks by mail, or use PayPal for your convenience.
