September 6, th Sunday of Matthew The Commemoration of the Miracle Wrought by Archangel Michael in Colossae (Chonae) Holy Martyr Calodote

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1 September 6, th Sunday of Matthew The Commemoration of the Miracle Wrought by Archangel Michael in Colossae (Chonae) Holy Martyr Calodote ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion - Ton Sinanarhon Logon ( The Word Who Always Was ) O, The Word Who always was with the Father and Spirit, who for us and our salvation was born of a Virgin let us faithful believers praise and adore, For it did please Him to ascend the Cross in the flesh and Death to endure. And to raise up the dead with Him through His own glorious Resurrection. Apolytikion for the Archangel Michael Ton ouranion stration ( Ο Chief Commander of the heavenly armies ) Ο Chief Commander of the heavenly armies, * we the unworthy ones entreat you in earnest, * that you might with your supplications fortify us, * guarding us who run to you and beneath the protection * of the pinions of your immaterial glory, * and who with fervor shout: Deliver us, * from every danger, as Captain of the hosts on high. Apolytikion of St. Sophia/Ss. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Oς ελαία κατά καρπος ανεβλάστησας, έν ταίς ανλαίς του Κυρίου, Σοφία μάρτυς σεμνή, καί προσήγαγες Χριστώ καρπόν η δύτατον, τούς τής νηδύος σου βλαστούς, δί α γώνων εύαγων, Αγάπην τε καί `Ελπίδα σύν τη θεόφρονι Πίστει, μεθων δυσώπει υπέρ πάντων ήμων. English Phonetics for Greek Os elea kata karpos anevlastisas, en tes avles tu Kyriou Sofia martys semni, ke prosigages Christo karpon idytaton, tus tis nidyos su vlastus, di agonon evagon, Agapin te ke Elpida, syn ti theofroni Pisti; meth on dysopi yper pandon imon. English As an olive tree laden with fruit you sprouted forth, in the courtyards of the Lord, Sophia martyr dignified, and you brought to Christ a fruit most sweet, Namely your womb s own sprouts, brought up by instructive deeds: your daughters Faith and Hope, along with God-minded Love; together intercede with God for us all. Kontakion for Joachim and Anna Ioakim ke Anna Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility's stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality's ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, "The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life."

2 Stewardship Update September 6, 2015 On September 1 st we marked the start the new Ecclesiastical year. Summer is over, kids are back to school and people are returning from their vacations. As we begin the new year, now is a most appropriate time to make sure we return to church (for those we haven t seen during the summer months). Also, as we gear up for the very busy fall, it is important to make sure we keep God in our schedules -- not just on holy days and Sundays, but every day of the week Orthodox Christian Stewardship is our way of thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. To be considered good stewards of our parish and the faith, we must give back in gratitude to Him by giving of our time, talent and treasure. Our Parish and His Ministries need all three from each of us! What are you personally doing to show your gratitude to Him for your own blessings? Are you truly giving back to Him to support His ministries here on Earth? For those of us with children, we also need to make sure they become active in the faith as well and learn that our faith is even more important than fall sports!! Please register your children for Sunday school if you have not already done so. SAVE THE DATE! St. Sophia s Feast Day Dinner Dance is on Saturday, October 10, 2015 MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW! We would like to thank everyone who has supported our parish thus far in 2015 with your Time, Talent and Treasure. We continue to welcome new families to our parish; it is great to see so many new faces become involved with the spiritual life of our community! If you have not yet become a steward for 2015, there is still time! Stewardship forms are available at the Pangari or by calling the Parish office at God Bless you! REMINDER: The fall festival is coming. We really need EVERYONE S HELP!! 2014 (Year End) 2015 (9/4/15) Pledge Unit Goal Number of Pledges Pledge $ Goal $210,000 $210,000 Amount Pledged $209,857 $201,002 Average Pledge $ $1,046 EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4 You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us. Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed. BRETHREN, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 1:21-24, 2:1-4 Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος. Ἀδελφοί, ὁ βεβαιῶν ἡμᾶς σὺν ὑμῖν εἰς Χριστόν, καὶ χρίσας ἡμᾶς, θεός, ὁ καὶ σφραγισάμενος ἡμᾶς, καὶ δοὺς τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν. Ἐγὼ δὲ μάρτυρα τὸν θεὸν ἐπικαλοῦμαι ἐπὶ τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχήν, ὅτι φειδόμενος ὑμῶν οὐκέτι ἦλθον εἰς Κόρινθον. Οὐχ ὅτι κυριεύομεν ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως, ἀλλὰ συνεργοί ἐσμεν τῆς χαρᾶς ὑμῶν τῇ γὰρ πίστει ἑστήκατε. Ἔκρινα δὲ ἐμαυτῷ τοῦτο, τὸ μὴ πάλιν ἐν λύπῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐλθεῖν. Εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼ λυπῶ ὑμᾶς, καὶ τίς ἐστιν ὁ εὐφραίνων με, εἰ μὴ ὁ λυπούμενος ἐξ ἐμοῦ; Καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν τοῦτο αὐτό, ἵνα μὴ ἐλθὼν λύπην ἔχω ἀφʼ ὧν ἔδει με χαίρειν, πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ πάντας ὑμᾶς, ὅτι ἡ ἐμὴ χαρὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐστίν. Ἐκ γὰρ πολλῆς θλίψεως καὶ συνοχῆς καρδίας ἔγραψα ὑμῖν διὰ πολλῶν δακρύων, οὐχ ἵνα λυπηθῆτε, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀγάπην ἵνα γνῶτε ἣν ἔχω περισσοτέρως εἰς ὑμᾶς. New Stewards 23 13

3 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 22:2-14 The Lord said this parable, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen." ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 22:2-14 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ, ὅστις ἐποίησε γάμους τῷ υἱῷ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἀπέστειλε τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ καλέσαι τοὺς κεκλημένους εἰς τοὺς γάμους, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελον ἐλθεῖν. Πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους λέγων Εἴπατε τοῖς κεκλημένοις ἰδοὺ τὸ ἄριστόν μου ἡτοίμασα, οἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ τεθυμένα, καὶ πάντα ἕτοιμα δεῦτε εἰς τοὺς γάμους. οἱ δὲ ἀμελήσαντες ἀπῆλθον, ὃς μὲν εἰς τὸν ἴδιον ἀγρόν, ὃς δὲ εἰς τὴν ἐμπορίαν αὐτοῦ οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ κρατήσαντες τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὕβρισαν καὶ ἀπέκτειναν. Ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐκεῖνος ὠργίσθη, καὶ πέμψας τὰ στρατεύματα αὐτοῦ ἀπώλεσε τοὺς φονεῖς ἐκείνους καὶ τὴν πόλιν αὐτῶν ἐνέπρησε. Τότε λέγει τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ Ο μὲν γάμος ἕτοιμός ἐστιν, οἱ δὲ κεκλημένοι οὐκ ἦσαν ἄξιοι πορεύεσθε οὖν ἐπὶ τὰς διεξόδους τῶν ὁδῶν, καὶ ὅσους ἐὰν εὕρητε καλέσατε εἰς τοὺς γάμους. Καὶ ἐξελθόντες οἱ δοῦλοι ἐκεῖνοι εἰς τὰς ὁδοὺς συνήγαγον πάντας ὅσους εὗρον, πονηρούς τε καὶ ἀγαθούς καὶ ἐπλήσθη ὁ γάμος ἀνακειμένων. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς θεάσασθαι τοὺς ἀνακειμένους εἶδεν ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἐνδεδυμένον ἔνδυμα γάμου, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ Ἐταῖρε, πῶς εἰσῆλθες ὧδε μὴ ἔχων ἔνδυμα γάμου; Ο δὲ ἐφιμώθη. Τότε εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς διακόνοις Δήσαντες αὐτοῦ πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ἄρατε αὐτὸν καὶ ἐκβάλετε εἰς τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων. Πολλοὶ γάρ εἰσι κλητοὶ, ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοί. Church Beautification Update September 6, 2015 As you can see, our iconographer, Dr. George Kordis, and his team arrived this past Wednesday night and have been hard at work ever since. We have received sponsorships for the Holy Ascension of Christ icon, which will be painted over the altar area. We appreciate the support of our many donors, including the most recent anonymous donor in support of this new beautification project. In addition, Dr. Kordis and his team of world renowned artists will be painting in the Narthex, including the Donor Wall. They will also be varnishing and sealing all of the icons in the iconastasion and lower walls to protect them from damage. Please be sure to welcome Dr. Kordis and his team when you see them around the church! Many sponsorships are still available for both iconography and the furnishings. Please check out the exhibit next door in the Fr. John A. Limberakis Cultural Center. A draft of the names that will be listed on the donor plaque has been posted in the Fr. John A. Limberakis Cultural Center. Please double check your name and listing to make sure it is accurate. If you have questions or concerns, please see any Parish Council member. St. Sophia Church Mortgage Mortgage balance as of 8/30/15 is $1,341, We recently negotiated a lower rate with QNB Bank, which will lower our payment by $1,000/month.

4 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Popcorn Sales: St. Sophia supports Scouting by allowing our Boys Scouts to sell popcorn after church in the Cultural Center. The following Sundays are available for popcorn sales: 9/27, 10/11, 10/18 and 10/25. If your son would like an opportunity to sell popcorn, please contact Cathy Cox at (484) or her at Movie Tavern Tickets: This is the fabulous movie theater in town that offers first run movies as well as an "inhouse" dining experience. The Ladies Philoptochos is selling discounted MOVIE TAVERN movie tickets for $8.50 each. They can be used on any day and even for new releases. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Maria or Kathy Tsipras. For show times visit SHOP-RITE or GIANT shoppers: We have enrolled in their Gift Card Program and the gift cards are on sale during coffee hour. If you are interested, please see Alexis Witt. Register Tapes: Don t forget to save your Shop-Rite register tapes. We can only use receipts from any of the ten Brown s stores located in: Bensalem PA, East Norriton, PA, Fairless Hills PA, Cheltenham, PA and in Philadelphia, PA, on Island Ave., Oregon Ave., 52 nd & Parkside, Haverford Ave., and Ridge Ave. in the Roxborough section. They also have one store in Brooklawn, NJ. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Please submit receipts timely, only tapes from within 4 months of the transaction date are accepted. REDNER S Register Tapes: We are now collecting Redner s Market register tapes. Remember to use your Pump Perks card when making purchases. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Coffee Hour Sponsors Needed!: There are several opportunities to be a coffee sponsor in the next several weeks.. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please put your name on the list at the back of the hall or contact Elaine in the Parish office. Parish List: If you have not yet given us your address (or if it has changed recently) please let the Parish office know so that we can update our files. You may either call the Parish office with your information or you may it directly to stsophia@verizon.net. Pastoral Visits - A Request to All Parishioners: If you desire a pastoral visit in case of a hospitalization or for someone who is homebound, in a nursing facility, or in prison, please have an immediate family member notify the Parish office at so that a visit can be arranged. In Case of Emergency: If you are having an extreme medical emergency and are in need of an Orthodox priest, please call the Parish office at Any information or announcements for the Sunday bulletin must be received by 3pm on the Wednesday prior to publication. Please information to stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian

5 September 6, th Sunday of Matthew The Commemoration of the Miracle Wrought by Archangel Michael in Colossae (Chonae) Holy Martyr Calodote On Sundays during summer hours, Orthros begins at 8:15 am. The Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am. Welcome to Fr. James Thayer! We wish to welcome to our parish Rev. Fr. James Thayer, who is celebrating the Divine Liturgy today in Fr. Peter s absence. Fr. James comes to us from St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA. Welcome Iconographers! A warm welcome to Dr. George Kordis, Mr. Kanellos Kanellopoulos, Mr. Polychronis (Chronis) Vichos and Mr. Alkiviades (Alki) Pappas. GOYA Trip to Lancaster: As GOYA has done in the past, a group of us will be traveling to Lancaster to pick fruit and vegetables that will be used at the festival. We will also pick some extra that will be donated to the food pantry at Manna on Main Street in Lansdale. We will be meeting at the Shady Maple in Lancaster on Monday (Labor Day) between 8:30 and 8:45 am. Please let Mr. Pogas know ASAP if you will be able to help. Everyone is invited back to the Pogas home afterward for a refreshing swim and a BBQ. Community Food Drive: Thank you to those parishioners who brought in non-perishable food to help the needy. If you didn t have a chance to bring in food this time, don t worry we will be doing another food drive in the future. CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Mon., Sept. 7 th Tues., Sept. 8 th Wed., Sept. 9 th Thurs., Sept. 10 th Fri., Sept. 11 th Sat., Sept. 12 th Sun., Sept. 13 th Labor Day The Parish Office Is Closed 8:00 am 1:00 pm Festival Set-Up and Food Prep 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Nativity of the Theotokos 8:00 am 1:00 pm - Festival Set-Up and Food Prep 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Tent Set-Up 8:00 am 1:00 pm Festival Set-Up and Food Prep 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Tent Set-Up Festival Begins Today! Help is Needed in the Kitchen And on the Food Line And Under the Tent GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday School Registration Has Begun: Sunday school begins on September 20 th. Registration forms for Sunday school are available at the Pangari and on our Parish website -- Greek Dance Groups: Dance Group registration forms are available at the Pangari and on our Parish website All students MUST be registered in order to participate. Thanks to a generous contribution from the ASTERA Foundation, we will not be charging tuition for St. Sophia Stewards this year. Greek School Registration: The Greek school registration form is available at the Pangari and on our website. For questions regarding the program, please contact Erietta Fotiadis at or eriettafotiadis@gmail.com AFTER September 10 th. For questions regarding registration, please contact Roula Matsiras at or rmatsiras@hotmail.com, or Christine Bailey at or christinebailey@outlook.com. Please complete form and return along with your payment to St. Sophia Parish Office by August 30, Yiayia's Attic - Just a reminder that our Fall Festival is around the corner. So, start cleaning out that garage, basement, spare room or even that junk drawer today. NO clothing, mattresses, pillows, any type of quilted items, stuffed animals or food products will be accepted. Any items unsold will be donated to a local thrift store. All proceeds benefit the St. Nicholas National Shrine. Any items brought in must be placed directly in the balcony. When you bring items up to the balcony, please take a few minutes to place the items in the proper departments. Volunteers will be needed during the festival hours to sell these treasures. Please call Maria or Kathy Tsipras (610) if you have any questions or to volunteer. FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!!! Our Fall Grecian Festival is 4 days away. We desperately need the help of everyone -- young or old for as much or as little time as you can offer. To sign up, go to: Please take a moment to review the available volunteer slots, and sign up for as many as you are able. All help is appreciated! Mum Sale: The St. Sophia Philoptochos will be selling beautiful fall mums the weekend of the festival. On Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13 th, look for the beautiful mums for sale outside in front of our Cultural Center. To All Our Baking Ladies of the Parish: Our Vesper service on Wednesday evening, September 16 th, will be followed by a reception featuring sweets and coffee or tea. Typically, the sweets need to be eaten without a fork, so we re looking for cookies, cookie bars, Greek specialties, etc., to grace our tables. If you are able to contribute, please bring your goodies (homemade or store bought) to church on Wednesday between 9am and 3pm, or you can bring them with you to church that evening before Vespers. We ll be in the kitchen waiting for your delicious contributions which you will have brought ready-to-serve (bars, brownies in muffin cups, for example).

6 PRAYERS BEFORE RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION (The Communion Prayers are recited silently by those prepared to receive the Holy Mysteries) I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. Amen. How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me. Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation. Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your adversaries. Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom. PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION We thank You, loving Master, benefactor of our souls, that again today You have counted us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Set us a straight path; make us all firm in reverence of You; keep watch over our lives; safeguard our movements; through the prayers and intercession of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin, Mary and of all Your saints. Amen.