Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10.

Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Gospel Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Saints and Feasts

September 27

Callistratus the Martyr & his 49 Companions

These Martyrs contested for the Faith during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288. Saint Callistratus was arrested as a Christian, and after being tormented, was enclosed in a sack and cast into the sea. The sack burst, and the Saint came to dry land safe and sound. Forty-nine soldiers, seeing this, also confessed Christ, and with him were cast into prison, then beheaded.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Κατέλυσας τώ Σταυρώ σου τόν θάνατον· ηνέωξας τώ ληστή τόν Παράδεισον· τών Μυροφόρων τόν θρήνον μετέβαλες· καί τοίς σοίς Αποστόλοις κηρύττειν επέταξας· ότι ανέστης Χριστέ ο Θεός, παρέχων τώ κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.

Κatelisas to Stavro sou ton thanaton, ineoxas to listi ton Paradison, ton Miroforon ton thrinon metevales, ke tis sis Apostolis kiritin epetaxas, oti anesti Hriste o Theos, parehon to kosmo to mega eleos.

O Lord by Your sacred Cross You abolished death, and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The Apostles did preach the Good News at Your command, that You had risen from the dead O Christ Our God, bestowing Your mercy upon the world evermore.

Apolytikion for Martyr Callistratus & his Companions in the Fourth Mode

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You / the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. / Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, / dashing the demons' powerless displays of defiance. / O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

A protection of Christians unshameable, / intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, / reject not / the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. / Instead, / come to us for you are good; / Your loving help bring unto us / who are crying in faith to you: / Hasten to intercede/ and speed now to supplicate, / as a protection for all time, / Theotokos, for those who honor you.

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 pleased to announce that we have been given permission by Metropolitan Savas to enter into the “GREEN Phase”. Please note, ALL services and Divine Liturgies will continue to take place as scheduled but with the following guidelines:

Those over 65 years of age CAN now attend church services. Everyone must still wear a mask. We must continue to practice social distancing.
The church cannot be filled to more than 50% capacity. The only entrance that will be open is the glass doors by the elevator ~ all other entrances will be locked. Following services, we kindly ask that you return to your vehicle and enjoy the rest of your day. Those with immunocompromised conditions, no matter their age, should not be in church but rather follow the service online at home
LIVE services can be viewed on our Parish YouTube Page ~ click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKfvvY35FtK8GWWctrUqENg

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 ~ 11:30 a.m. Sunday School via ZOOM. Contact Toni Mannarino at SundaySchool@stpaulgoc.org for further instructions.
Today ~ 11:30 a.m. Adult Catechism via ZOOM with Elaine Poulos.
Today ~ 4:00 p.m. GOYA (for those in grades 7^th – 12^th) Kick-Off Party at the Popadiuk home in Brecksville. Masks are required.
Today - Wednesday ~ Virtual Grecian Festival Fundraiser through Facebook. Donations can be made with credit card on Facebook without fees or by check mailed to the church office. You don’t need a Facebook account to donate. Special perks for business donors as well. All donors will have an opportunity to get a $25 gift card to next year’s Festival ~ July 15 – 18, 2020.
Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group with Elaine Poulos via ZOOM.
Thursday ~ 7:00 p.m. Bible Study with Father Costas via ZOOM. Look for email with link that will be sent out on Thursday morning.
Stewardship ~Thanks to all who completed and returned their 2020 Stewardship Commitment Card. 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. Visit https://www.stpaulgoc.org/about-us/candles. Questions? Call the church office.
New Digital Parish Directory. This Thursday, Oct. 1^st, the NEW DIGITAL DIRECTORY will go live. You can download the app on your mobile phone or on your laptop. An email will be sent out this week with the directions. Only parishioners will have access to the information. Any questions, you can email to: directory@stpaulgoc.org, When you access your account, you will be able to edit your information, include as much or as less information as you wish and add a picture.

Upcoming Events in Our Parish – Respond Early

Next Sunday ~ Epistle Reading Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1, Gospel Luke 6:31-36.
October 5 ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School begins via ZOOM. Registration is open and MUST BE COMPLETED ASAP. Register at https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=Fi1giPL8kwX_Oe1AO50jRk9gxeIvCGlLI5b9TBk4CbUS2zfZgdvtsgHvl4ll5gbek0PpduXvnt8gXUeZjQYbnxGOHy9hBb0WFRjqFT8OtyM=.
October 11 – 17 ~ Philoptochos Men Who Cook Special Edition. Donations can be made on Philoptochos Facebook Group.