Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

Saints and Feasts

August 09

The Holy Apostle Matthias

After Judas by transgression fell from his apostleship (Acts 1: 25), and hanging himself out of despair ended his life with a wretched and shameful death (Matt. 27: 5), then, that the number of the Twelve not be lacking, all the disciples gathered in one place after the Ascension of the Savior (the number of men and women being 120), and they chose two men from among them, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias, and they set them in the midst. Then they prayed to God and cast lots, "and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" (Acts 1: 15-26). And thus, having taken the place of Judas, Matthias fulfilled the work of apostleship and the prophecy concerning Judas, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David: "And his bishopric let another take" (Ps. 108(109):8). After this, it is said, Matthias preached the Gospel in Ethiopia, and completed his life there in martyrdom.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Εξ ύψους κατήλθες ο Εύσπλαχνος, ταφήν κατεδέξω τριήμερον, ίνα ημάς ελευθερώσης τών παθών, η ζωή καί η ανάστασις ημών, Κύριε, δόξα Σοι.

Εx ipsous katilthes o Evsplahnos, tafin katedexo triimeron, ina imas, eleftherosis ton pathon, I zoi ke I anastasis imon, Kyrie, doxa si.

From on high did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us, sinners though we may be, shine Your everlasting light, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of light. Glory to You.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

Upon the mountain were You transfigured,/ and Your disciples beheld Your glory/ as far as they were able, O Christ our God;/ so that when they would see You crucified/ they might understand that Your Passion was deliberate,/ and declare to the world that in truth You are the Father’s radiance.

Welcome

This Weeks Announcements

We extend greetings and a warm welcome to all visitors worshipping with us today. Please fill out a“visitor information card” located in the narthex and hand to one of the greeters. Following the Liturgy, please join us in our social hall for the coffee social.
Holy Communion in our Church is offered only to Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through the disciplines of our faith. Speak to Fr. Costas for further details.

PLEASE NOTE: In light of the COVID-19 Virus, and until further notice, the following precautions will be taken:

We are again the “Yellow Phase”. Please note, ALL services and Divine Liturgies will continue to take place as scheduled but with limitations:

No more than 25 people can be in church, including the priest, canter, ushers, and altar server
In order to attend ANY church services, you must register ahead of time* at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44ada622a5fb6-church
Those over the age of 65 and/or with immunocompromised conditions should not be in church, but rather follow the service online at home
The only entrance that will be open is the glass doors by the elevator – all other entrances will be locked
Liturgy begins at 9:30 a.m. so we ask that you arrive promptly so that our ushers may also take part in the Liturgy
LIVE services can be viewed on our parish YouTube PAGE. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKfvvY35FtK8GWWctrUqENg.

All other activities in the parish have been SUSPENDED until further notice

All meetings will be done virtually through Zoom

During these difficult days, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Fr. Costas on his cell at 440-669-1316.
Today ~ MNYMOSINO: 22 years for Amelia (Millie) Gallas; TRISAGIA: for George Gallas, for Steve and Theophane Gallas; for George and Panagiota Russ.
Today ~ 12:30 a.m. Virtual Coffee Social for our parishioners. Look for email with instructions.
Stewardship ~Thanks to all who completed and returned their 2020 Stewardship Commitment Card. Monday ~7:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis. *
Tuesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Paraklesis. *
Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. virtual Parish Council meeting.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis. *
Friday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Vesper for the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary. *
Saturday ~ Falling Asleep of the Theotokos; 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Liturgy.
Please continue to mail your stewardship donation to the church office or submit on our website. If there is anything the committee can do for you, call the office, leave a message, and someone will get back to you! God bless you and be safe.
Light a Candle and Say a Prayer ~ those attending church will have the opportunity to light a candle with the assistance of the ushers. Those at home can still light a candle online, but must place their request by 3:00 PM on Friday for the candles to be lit on Sunday. Go to https://www.stpaulgoc.org/about-us/candles and follow the instructions listed. Questions? Call the church office.
Final Phase of PAVE THE WAY ~ the parking lot is completed and the entire parking lot is striped with fresh line. Extra handicap spaces were added to assist our elderly and those in need. You can still donate towards this project if you have not done so yet. Donations can be made on the Stewardship page of our website by clicking on PTW Phase II: https://www.stpaulgoc.org/ministries/stewardship/.
Philoptochos Membership ~ “Come join us!” Please remember to join your local St. Paul Philoptochos in 2020 and become a “friend of the poor.” Forms and contributions can either be mailed to the church office or paid online at this time.
Philoptochos Thankful Hearts ~ donations being accepted to say “Thank You” to all our essential workers who are on the front lines during this time. Donations can be made on our website at: https://www.stpaulgoc.org/ministries/adult-ministries/philoptochos/.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Corinthians 4:9-16, Gospel Matthew 18:23-35.
Next Sunday ~ MNYMOSINO: 1 year for Mike Sfekas.
Other Events ~ All other events in our parish have been suspended until further notice.