Announcements

JOIN US FOR COFFEE FELLOWSHIP

We welcome everyone for Coffee Fellowship today, and every Sunday, in the Fellowship Hall following services. If you have children in the Sunday School, please wait for them in Coffee Fellowship. They will be dismissed when their class is completed.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

While Sunday School classes continue in person each week, we welcome students who have not yet participated this year to join in. All are welcome. The teachers have worked hard to put together some wonderful lessons and are excited to teach our children about the faith and share the love of Christ with them.

OUR CONGRATULATIONS

We extend our congratulations to John Thibault who was inducted into the Archon of the Ecumenical Throne class of 2020 & 2021 with the title, Exarchos. This is indeed a great honor for John, but also for the Transfiguration parish. The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate not only support the Patriarchate, but advocate for religious freedom and the Orthodox faith throughout the world. For more information on the Archons go to archons.org.

ADOPT A CHILD/FAMILY PROGRAM

Your generosity in the past has made Christmas special for 75 children/family members. Due to the COVID 19 restrictions, Community Teamwork, Inc. has requested the giving be in the form of $25.00 gift cards to either Walmart, Target, or Amazon. Our goal is to match that with 75 gift cards.
Gift cards and/or monetary donations in any amount may be mailed or brought to church on Sundays on or before Sunday, December 5. Donations may be made payable to Ladies Philoptochos Society with Adopt a Child/ Family in the memo section.
For further information, please contact one of the chairpersons: Sandra Gulezian at gulezians@gmail.com or Deb Sevigny at 603-860-0743 debsevigny@comcast.net.

PHILOPTOCHOS 68TH VIRTUAL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TEA FUNDRAISER

You are cordially invited to participate in this year’s Philoptochos 68th Virtual Christmas Tea Fundraiser taken place on Sunday, December 5, 2021. All proceeds will benefit our annual outreach ministries, as well as several additional charities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Let’s share our Christian value in the true spirit of giving by helping others in wake of this unprecedented pandemic. With many thanks to the generosity of our loyal Raffle patrons, three cash gift cards in the amounts of $250, $300, and a grand prize of $500 will be awarded as part of this year’s Fundraiser. One complimentary raffle ticket is included for each $50 donation. The raffle will be drawn after church at noon on Sunday, December 5, 2021. We invite you to tune in to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/TransGOC to watch the drawing in real time! Please contact Ellen Dobi at 978-505-1764 or ekdobi@verizon.net for the form, or give online directly at philoptochos-tea-2021.eventbrite.com.

GOYA APPLE PIE SALES

This is the last week to place your order for the annual GOYA Apple Pie Sale. These delicious apple pies will be available for pick-up on Sunday, November 21 following liturgy. You can order your pies, baked, unbaked, and sugarless. Each homemade pie is just $15. Perfect for Thanksgiving. Please see the GOYAns at the lobby table following services. See the Flyer below.

COVID PROTOCOLS REMINDER

As we continue to gather for worship, we ask that you follow the current CDC and state guidelines. Those who are vaccinated, masks are optional. Those who are not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to continue mask usage to help protect themselves and others, especially our children. Children 2 years and older are strongly encouraged to wear masks. You are welcome to seat yourself as you enter the church. As you move around the facility, please keep social distancing in mind.

If you are not feeling well, please stay at home. If you have taken a COVID test and are waiting for the results, please stay home until you receive your negative test result.

We are excited to welcome you back for worship as you feel comfortable. We are also excited to begin reinstalling many of our ministries and events. Please offer your assistance as we begin the process of ramping up our calendar.

CHECK OUT OUR INSERTS AND FLYERS

Weekly, in the section following the announcements you will find inserts and flyers about special events and ministries. Please make sure to check out this section.

WATCH SERVICES ONLINE

Worship services continue to be live streamed through YouTube at www.youtube.com/transgoc. A weekly listing of services can be found on our website www.transchurch.org and listed on the calendar found in this bulletin.

Trinity votive candles (To Sponsor a Candle please call the Church Office.)

†Vigil Light at the Side Altar (Icon of the Theotokos): In Memory of those who have died during the pandemic and for the health of those recovering. - Chuck and Amelia Karayianis

†Vigil Light at the Icon of Christ: In Loving Memory of Deborah Victoria Skrekas and George Skrekas

†Vigil Light at the Theotokos: In Loving Memory of Ioannis "John" Zaralidis from his family

†Vigil Light at the Icon of the Forerunner: Available

†Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: Forever in our hearts and forever missed. In Memory of our cousin Marcus Jorge Oslan. Love Daniel Stone & Nicholas George Regan

Weekly Inserts

GOYA Apple Pie Sales

Adopt A Family

Adopt A Family 2021

Philoptochos Virtual Christmas Tea

Philoptochos 68th Annual Virtual Christmas Tea

IOCC Bake Sale

Weekly Calendar

We will be live streaming services through our YouTube channel whenever possible - www.youtube.com/TransGOC Please see the online calendar for the full schedule.

Sunday, November 14 EIGHTH SUNDAY OF LUKE
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
Coffee Fellowship following Liturgy

Wednesday, November 17
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am

Sunday, November 21 ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS
†Orthros, 8:30 am
†Liturgy, 9:30 am
Coffee Fellowship following Liturgy
IOCC Bake Sale
GOYA Apple Pie order pickup

Thursday, November 25
Thanksgiving - Office Closed

TODAY’S PARISH COUNCIL: Jimmy Demetri, Stephanie Dubay & Michael Fokas

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 28
Thirteenth Sunday of Luke
40 Day Memorial for Harry Stamas

December 1
Bible Study (online), 10:00 am

December 5
Tenth Sunday of Luke
Monthly Trisagion
1 Year Memorial for Irene Manelas
1 Year Memorial for Samuel Zouzas
Philoptochos 68th Annual Tea (Virtual), noon

December 6
St. Nicholas - Liturgy, 9:30 am

December 8
Bible Study (online), 10 am
Parish Council Meeting, 6:30pm

December 12
Eleventh Sunday of Luke
2 Year Memorial for Esther Kokas
5 Year Memorial for Peter Kokas

December 15
Bible Study (online), 10 am

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.

Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 10:25-37

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

The joyful news of your resurrection was proclaimed by the angel to the women disciples. Having thrown off the curse that fell on Adam, they ran elatedly to tell the apostles: Death has been vanquished; Christ our God is risen from the dead, blessing all the world with his great mercy.

Apolytikion for Apostle Philip in the Third Mode

O Holy Apostle Philip, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Apolytikion of the Church

When You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, You showed Your disciples Your glory as far as they could bear. So now, for us sinners also, let this same eternal light shine forth through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Giver of Light, glory to You.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Behold the temple of the Savior, his precious bridal chamber. Behold the virginal and sacred vessel of God's glory. Today she enters into the house of the Lord, bearing within her the grace of the Holy Spirit. For this, the angels exclaim: She is indeed the heavenly tabernacle.

Wisdom of the Fathers

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.

St. Ambrose of Milan

Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

But you cannot be a neighbour unless you have compassion on him; for no one can be called a neighbour unless he have healed, not killed, another. But if you wish to be called a neighbour, Christ says to you: "Go and do likewise."

St. Ambrose of Milan

Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

Saints and Feasts

November 14

Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica.

November 15

Nativity Fast Begins

The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. Beginning on November 15 and concluding on December 24, the Nativity Fast gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior in the Flesh on December 25. By abstaining from certain food and drink, particularly from meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil, and wine, as well as focusing more deeply on prayer and almsgiving, we can find that the primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God.

November 16

Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist

This Apostle, who was also called Levi, was the son of Alphaeus and had Galilee as his homeland. A publican before being called by Christ, he became one of the Twelve Apostles, and an Evangelist. While still in Palestine, he wrote his Gospel first in Hebrew, being also the first of all to write the Gospel. When he is depicted in icons, there is portrayed next to him the likeness of a man, one of the symbolic living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1.10), which, as Saint Irenaeus writes, is a symbol of our Saviour's Incarnation.

November 17

Gregory the Wonderworker & Bishop of Neo-Caesarea

Saint Gregory was born in Neocaesarea of Pontus to parents who were not Christians. He studied in Athens, in Alexandria, in Beirut, and finally for five years in Caesarea of Palestine under Origen, by whom he was also instructed in the Faith of Christ. Then, in the year 240, he became bishop of his own city, wherein he found only seventeen Christians. By the time the Saint reposed about the year 265, there were only seventeen unbelievers left there. Virtually the whole duration of his episcopacy was a time of continual, marvellous wonders worked by him. Because of this, he received the surname "Wonderworker"; even the enemies of the truth called him a second Moses (see Saint Basil the Great's On the Holy Spirit, ch. 29).

November 18

Plato the Great Martyr of Ancyra

Saint Plato contested in martyrdom in 266, when Agrippinus was proconsul. He was from the city of Ancyra in the province of Galatia.

November 19

Obadiah the Prophet

The Divine Scriptures do not tell us with any certainty when the Prophet Obadiah lived nor what was his homeland. Thus, some say that he is that Obadiah who was Ahab's steward, who, because of Jezebel's wrath, hid one hundred prophets in a cave and fed them with bread and water (III Kings 18:4), and that he later became a disciple of Elias the Prophet about 903 B.C. But others surmise from the words of the same prophetical book that he is somewhat later than Joel (celebrated on Oct. 19). He is also called Obdiu, or Abdiu, or Obadiah; his name means "servant of God." His book of prophecy, which consists of only one chapter, is ranked fourth among the minor Prophets.

November 20

Gregory the Righteous of Decapolis

Saint Gregory who was from Irenopolis of the Decapolis of Asia Minor, was the son of Sergius and Mary. He became a monk as a young man, and after struggling for many years in virtue and prayer under obedience to a wise spiritual father, he was informed by revelation that it was the will of God for him to live, like the Patriarch Abraham, with no certain dwelling, moving from place to place. His journeyings took him to Ephesus, Constantinople, Corinth, Rome, Sicily, Thessalonica, and again to Constantinople, where, after many labours in defence of Orthodoxy against Iconoclasm, he reposed in peace in the first half of the ninth century. He had two disciples, one of whom was Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (see Apr. 3), who wrote the Menaion service for Saint Gregory, his father in Christ.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins