Divine Liturgy and Other Services
Orthos 8:45am (live streamed)
Divine Liturgy 10:00am (live streamed)
Week Day Liturgies:
Regular Vespers/Paracleseis
Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm unless otherwise noted on the calendar.
Liturgical Services for February
February 1 Orthros at 5:15 pm followed by Divine Liturgy, Entrance to the Temple
February 10 at 8:00 am St Haralambos
February 17 at 8:00 am St Theodore of Tyro
February 24 at 8:00 am St Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist
February 18 at 6:00 pm Nameday Vespers, St. Philothea, followed by cookout and bonfire.
February 19 at 8:45 am Orthros, 10:00 am Divine Liturgy for our Matronal Feast
February 26 at 7:00pm Forgiveness Sunday Vespers
**LIVE STREAMING - Subscribe for notifications:
FACEBOOK: ST.PHILOTHEA GOC
WEBSITE: ST PHILOTHEA.ORG
YOUTUBE: ST. PHILOTHEA GOC
Inquirer's Class
02/01/2023
INQUIRERS CLASS:
Class Schedule - Wednesday, February 1st, 8th, & 22nd (All meetings at 7:15 pm for 1:15 hour, in person)
Every Wednesday following Divine Liturgy we will share a Lenten Meal (Soup, bread, salad and dessert). Sign up here if you would like to host by yourself or with someone. We will also discuss a book TBD; they can be ordered online or through the bookstore.
**Please contact Fr. Anthony if you would like to participate. A Sign-up sheet is available, along with dates, and a syllabus.
For more information contact Fr. Anthony or email prchristine@ilicons.us
Greek Language Classes
02/05/2023
Greek Classes:
Will meet following Divine Liturgy on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month offering 45 minute classes. February classes will meet on the 5th and 19th.
*Please speak with Nicholas or Thirimachos if you would like to join the class.
Stewardship
02/05/2023
Stewardship: If you have not yet turned in a Pledge Card for 2023 please do so ASAP. So far, of approximately 60 families, we have collected 40 cards for a total of $107,000. Five of those pledges have come from Associate members.
Prayerfully consider your family’s contribution of time, talent, and treasurer for your 2023 Pledge Card. If you need a pledge card, please see Stacey Cramer or Fr. Anthony.
Stewardship payments: Checks can be mailed directly to Kate McClain 1001 Kings Court, Watkinsville, GA 30677 Your donations are always confidential.
If you like to pledge your donation online, please click HERE
Philoptochos
Kickoff for Philoptochos Membership is currently underway and a gathering is meeting on Tue Jan 31. Join this ministry that is now in it's 90 year. Philoptochos means friend of the poor and we help those in need both in the community and nationwide.
See Christina W if you like to join.
Grief Support
02/06/2023
Grief Support Group Will meet Monday, February 6th, at the church from 7:00-8:00 pm. Meets every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. All are welcome.
ACTS Food Bank
02/07/2023
Volunteer at the ACTS Food Bank: St. Philothea’s remaining date to volunteer this year is Tuesday, February 7th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Let Roy Stamey or Fr. Anthony know if you plan to work.
Any and all support is appreciated! (Area Churches Together Serving)
OCF News
02/07/2023
OCF: "Chew and Chat” Will meet on Tuesday, February 7th and 21st. Place TBA
Fr. Anthony is icon painting on Campus Weekly Thurs. at Tate Center Plaza 11-3 p.m. Spread the word and stop by and say "Hello".
OCF DINNERS If you would like to host an OCF dinner for our College Students please see Fr. Anthony or sign up here.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12Hhf_y4SYpVD9QYLjYI7YZ-NeF0u35G7bRrcgEtLisk/edit
Thank you for your support.
Spaghetti Dinners
On Hold - due to repairs in Marswood Hall
Spaghetti Dinners on the second Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:00pm.
**Dinner includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and drink. Marinara sauce is available on fasting days. Live entertainment.
Volunteers are needed and eat for free. If you would like to help please contact Kristopher Knisely at 229-854-0299
This fundraiser/outreach program features delicious food, free live entertainment and is open to the public.
Adults $10.00
For more info visit our website HERE.
Youth News
02/12/2023
Sunday School will take place every week after Holy Communion.
Upcoming Second Collections - Thank you for your faithful weekly stewardship and support of St. Philothea. From time to time we have second collections to support National and Philoptochos Ministries. Below is the upcoming schedule:
Feb. 12 Souper Bowl Sunday IOCC (monetary donations as well as can goods. Sunday School hosts).
Feb. 26 Forgiveness Sunday OCMC (we will be passing out coin boxes to raise money for
SAMP during Great Lent)
- If you have any questions about our Sunday School please reach out to Panagiota Damianeas.
- We are looking for parents who can help with the Nativity Pageant - we have costumes and a program, just need to organize and do one practice (at least).
Souper Bowl of Caring
02/12/2023
Sunday, February 12th is the annual Souper Bowl of Caring sponsored by St Philothea's Sunday School team. Souper Bowl was started by a Youth Group in 1990 and has grown all over the world and has collected more than $100 Million which has been donated back into local communities.
Check your local grocery specials this week especially those that feature BOGO deals or great specials. All food collection will be taken to our local ACTS.
They will also collect monetary donations for IOCC (no amount is too small). IOCC, in the spirit of Christ’s love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond. Since its inception, IOCC and their partners have provided over $600 million in relief and self-help programs to people in more than 60 countries.
Parish Council
02/15/2023
Parish Council Meeting:
Will meet Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 pm
Nameday Celebration
02/18/2023
St. Philothea Nameday Celebration: If you have been looking for a chance to get involved at Saint Phliothea, the time is now! This event will be a special way to celebrate our patroness and share the beauty of Orthodoxy with friends and family (who we should all invite!)
We will be hosting a beautiful Vespers at 6:00pm on Saturday, February 18th followed by a bonfire/cookout. Our hall is still under construction due to flooding so we are getting creative in order to honor this Orthodox community and Saint Philothea.Philoptochos will be assisting with Regina chairing. Want to help? We need volunteers setting up, cleaning up, bringing food, and participating in the festivities (which will include bonfires, a grill-out, greek dancing, and music!)
If you can help with any of these things,Email Regina @ reginanasrallah@gmail.comor text: 678-448-6498
Pet Blessing
02/25/2023
Pet Blessing: Saturday, February 25th at 10:00 a.m. following the Divine Liturgy and Saturday of Souls Memorial at 8:30a.m.
Invite your friends to this unique witness of our Orthodox faith; caring for the environment and all of creation through the blessing of the waters. Please bring your pet on a leash unless it's a goldfish or keep them in a carrier. Let Tracey O’Malley know if you would like to help with this outreach ministry.
Bigger Vision
02/27/2023
Be a Blessing....Next Bigger Vision Meal: Monday, February 27th
Bigger Vision Providing a meal for the homeless is the 4th Monday of every month. We will need a protein, a starch, a vegetable, bread and dessert.
Drop off is at the church at 4:30 pm the Monday of the meal and Fr. Anthony will deliver it. At this time we need volunteers for the protein, dessert, and bread and a starch dish. Your help is critical in serving those in need and greatly appreciated.
Sign up HERE to offer a menu item. Sign up here to serve from 5:30-7:00 pm
You do not have to commit to every month but together we can do this. Please let Fr. Anthony know if you would like to join the team.
All contributions are appreciated!!
Book Store
Book Store is open for business: Offering books, CD’s, prayer ropes, gift items and more. Stop by and shop.
The Life of St. Philothea a beautifully Illustrated hardback book about the life of our beloved patron, are available today in the book store. Get your copy for $26.
FREE LENDING LIBRARY Visit collection of over 700 holdings related to Orthodoxy. Browse all titles online-click here TODDLER NURSERY is available at any time for parents wit
Family Life Ministry
Meal Train:
Occasionally we have people in our community that need a little extra help with meal support during challenging times. In those cases a Meal Train Announcement will be emailed out by Regina Nasrallah. It is an easy and convenient way to provide very helpful support when a meal could really help out a family. Anyone can sign up.
Athens Nurses Clinic Toiletry Collection
The Athens Nurse’s Clinic provides low-cost medical care for under-insured or uninsured patients with chronic illnesses.
Once again, the Philoptochos is collecting items for the Athens Nurse’s Clinic. The Nurse’s Clinic has had their funding decreased and are in need of these basic items. We will be collecting these items through-out the Lenten period. Please bring one or more of the following items to Church and they may be left in Fr. Anthony’s office or contact Karen Kimbaris, kakimbaris@yahoo.com or 706-310-0022 and she can collect the items.
Items Needed:
Shampoo/conditioner Soap or Body Wash
Toothbrush and Tootpaste Chapstick or Vaseline
Deodorant Shaving cream and Razor
Body Lotion Wash cloths
Socks Comb
Facebook Marketplace
FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE - Online Garage Sale.
Thanks to Kosta Vavlas and several parishioners we have already made over $600! Clean out your home and help raise funds for the Parish. Kosta is overseeing this ongoing Face Book garage sale and will guide us through this process on what we are looking to sell and how to promote it and close the sale. Your item will be picked up and delivered at the Sheriffs office where there are video cameras. If you have an item of value (~$50 or greater) that you would like to contribute so that it can be sold to raise funds for the Church please contact Kosta Vavlas (DimitriosVavlas@gmail.com 727-424-2194) to arrange for pick up. Clean, sellable items in good condition only, please. All proceeds will go to St. Philothea's operating expenses.
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour – due to water damage in the social hall, we are currently having coffee hour in the narthex. The names and dates will remain as listed.
The 2023 Coffee Hour Hosting Schedule is available online. Everyone will have an opportunity to serve. Keep it simple. Coffee will be made by the Coffee Hour Committee. A simple cookie to go with coffee is sufficient for the host to provide. Then when coffee hour is winding down, the host will be responsible for cleaning up and putting things away.
Lacas Coffee is available for purchase for $10 a bag. It is what we are serving at coffee hour and the proceeds from the coffee sales will help subsidise coffee hour.
Click here for Hosting Schedule and let Presvytera know if you can host that day or need to change. 706-340-6366
Cleaning of Sanctuary
Cleaning in the Sanctuary – The Church will need cleaning each week including dusting, vacuuming and window cleaning. See Fr. Anthony or PR Christine if you would like to help with this important ministry. Volunteers are welcome. Questions, please contact Presvytera Christine - prchristine2@gmail.com
General Assembly
02/01/2023
Fall General Assembly: Sunday, March 12th following the Divine Liturgy.
The agenda includes the following:
- Council of Ministries Reports
- Update on Marswood Hall
- Financial Report
Please put it in your calendar.
Your input on the vision and well-being of our church is important. We hope everyone plans to attend.
AIOPA Events
02/01/2023
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Click for Kids | AIOPA Online Charity Campaign. Your support has the power to make a difference. Each year, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta treats hundreds of thousands of kids. As a not-for-profit, generous contributions from fundraisers help to ensure that CHOA can continue to provide the best possible care to kids now and in the future. By fundraising through Click for Kids, you can make a greater impact than ever before. It’s simple and fast and gives you the chance to help CHOA by contributing via our existing AIOPA campaign.
JAIL MINISTRY
02/01/2023
JAIL MINISTRY: If you would like to be a part of this vibrant ministry please see Fr. Anthony or Kate McClain. Scheduled visits will be Saturdays in April from 9:00-10:00 am.
You will need a free background check from the Oconee County Jail to participate.
OCMC Coin Boxes
02/01/2023
Coin boxes will be put out on February 26 for Great Lent and collected on Palm Sunday. The money will go to suppport a Mission Priest through Orthodox Christian Mission Center, a.k.a. OCMC.
Sunday of Orthodoxy
03/13/2022
Sunday of Orthodoxy is March 5th.
Procession of icons following the Divine Liturgy. Bring your favorite icon.
Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers will take place at Atlanta Cathedral on March 5th at 5:00 pm with Bp Anthony Michaels who will also be speaking, followed by a reception. See flyer for details.
Lenten Book Study and Meals
02/01/2023
Lenten Book Study and Midweek Meals. Sign up to host a Lenten Meal Wednesday evenings during Lent after the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. Provide a Lenten soup, salad, bread and dessert. Host with a friend. For our study we will read Father Arseny, Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father. Order from Steve Duke.