Rev. Economos Peter J. Thornberg, Proistamenos Metropolis of New Jersey

Transcript

1 St. Sophia/SS. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Orthodox Church of Valley Forge 900 South Trooper Road Jeffersonville, PA, Tel.: (610) Fax: (610) Sunday Worship: 8:45 am Orthros: 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Office Hours - 9 am to 3 pm Rev. Economos Peter J. Thornberg, Proistamenos frpeterstsophia@verizon.net Metropolis of New Jersey

2 February 1, 2015 Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee Triodion Begins Today Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple Trypho the Martyr Perpetua & her Companions ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion Tou Lithou Sfrayisthentos ( The Stone Had Been Sealed ) The Jews had sealed the stone that was set before Your Tomb and around Your Grave soldiers guarded Your Pure and Sacred Body, yet Savior You arose the third day and granted to the world Your gift of Life. For this do the powers of Heaven acclaim You the Life bestower. Glory to Your Resurrection and glory to Your Kingdom. Glory to Your dispensation, O only Friend of man. Apolytikion for the Forefeast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple The choir of heaven's hosts, from the vaults of the heavens, * bends forward to the earth and beholds as an infant * the first-born of all creation being carried in the embrace * of His holy virgin Mother unto the Temple. * And with us they sign today a fore-festal anthem, * in awe and astonishment. Apolytikion for the Martyr Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You * the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. * Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons' powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls. 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. Seasonal Kontakion With our hearts instead of arms * today, believers, * with most pure and righteous thoughts * let us receive in our embrace * the Lord and Master who comes to us, * and let us offer our fore-festal hymns of praise.

3 Church Beautification Update February 1, 2015 We continue to focus on meeting our mortgage obligations (please see below for the latest) as well as to take care of buildings and grounds. We are also continuing the process of beautifying the church. We are pleased to announce that the Bishop s Throne was recently sponsored by an anonymous donor for $17,000. God Bless them! Many sponsorship opportunities are still available for both iconography and the furnishings. Our new Narthex furnishings have been completed by the world-renowned artisans at S. Kavroulakis Company of Chania, Crete; the same firm that carved our beautiful icon screen and other artifacts. The Narthex furnishings have been shipped from the ancient seaport of Pireaus. We expect to have the furnishings delivered in the next few weeks. The beautiful furniture will greet everyone who enters the church! Some of these items are still available for sponsorship. In order to protect our iconography and artifacts, we have installed a special humidity control system which will help stabilize the humidity levels especially during the winter months. We will be installing a donor plaque to acknowledge those who have contributed to make our new church and its decoration possible. Our iconographer, Dr. George Kordis may return for a brief visit later this year to decorate the donor plaque and apply a protective varnish to the icons on the icon screen and other items. St. Sophia Church Mortgage The current mortgage balance as of 12/31/2014 is $1,398, EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 8:28-39 Among the saints who are in his land, the Lord has been wondrous. Verse: I see the Lord before me continually. Brethren, we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Ρωμαίους 8:28-39 Τοῖς ἁγίοις τοῖς ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ ἐθαυμάστωσεν ὁ Κύριος. Στίχ. Προωρώμην τὸν Κύριον ἐνώπιόν μου διαπαντός. Ἀδελφοί, οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν τὸν θεὸν πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν, τοῖς κατὰ πρόθεσιν κλητοῖς οὖσιν. Ὅτι οὓς προέγνω, καὶ προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς οὓς δὲ προώρισεν, τούτους καὶ ἐκάλεσεν καὶ οὓς ἐκάλεσεν, τούτους καὶ ἐδικαίωσεν οὓς δὲ ἐδικαίωσεν, τούτους καὶ ἐδόξασεν. Τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν πρὸς ταῦτα; Εἰ ὁ θεὸς ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, τίς καθʼ ἡμῶν; Ὅς γε τοῦ ἰδίου υἱοῦ οὐκ ἐφείσατο, ἀλλʼ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πάντων παρέδωκεν αὐτόν, πῶς οὐχὶ καὶ σὺν αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα ἡμῖν χαρίσεται; Τίς ἐγκαλέσει κατὰ ἐκλεκτῶν θεοῦ; Θεὸς ὁ δικαιῶν τίς ὁ κατακρίνων; Χριστὸς ὁ ἀποθανών, μᾶλλον δὲ καί ἐγερθείς, ὃς καὶ ἔστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ, ὃς καὶ ἐντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν. Τίς ἡμᾶς χωρίσει ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Χριστοῦ; Θλῖψις, ἢ στενοχωρία, ἢ διωγμός, ἢ λιμός, ἢ γυμνότης, ἢ κίνδυνος, ἢ μάχαιρα; Καθὼς γέγραπται ὅτι Ἕνεκέν σου θανατούμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐλογίσθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς. Ἀλλʼ ἐν τούτοις πᾶσιν ὑπερνικῶμεν διὰ τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντος ἡμᾶς. Πέπεισμαι γὰρ ὅτι οὔτε θάνατος οὔτε ζωὴ οὔτε ἄγγελοι οὔτε ἀρχαὶ οὔτε δυνάμεις οὔτε ἐνεστῶτα οὔτε μέλλοντα οὔτε ὕψωμα οὔτε βάθος οὔτε τις κτίσις ἑτέρα δυνήσεται ἡμᾶς χωρίσαι ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν.

4 Stewardship Update February 1, 2015 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Luke 18:10-14 The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται. The 2015 campaign is now underway. We are asking all of our stewards to commit not only of your Treasure, but of your Time and Talent as well. To continue to grow as a parish and provide the programs and support to the Orthodox faithful in the region, we really need everyone s help! We truly appreciate all of the support from our many stewards and friends. The theme across the Archdiocese for this year is focusing on the Stewardship of Family. When we refer to family, we mean both our personal families as well as our Parish and Orthodox family. As an Orthodox family, the success of our parish and our Ministries are dependent upon everyone s support. We need help in all areas, including with your Time, Talent and (of course) Treasure. Please consider what commitment you are going to make for 2015 to God, our Orthodox faith and our parish. Stewardship is our way of thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. What are you personally doing to show your gratitude to Him for your own blessings? Are you giving back to Him and the Church of your Time, Treasure and Talents? Our parish needs all three from us! Thank you to everyone who has supported our 2014 Stewardship Program. If you have not yet paid up your 2014 Stewardship Pledge, please do so today! Please be sure to indicate 2014 on the memo line of your check to receive proper credit. God Bless You! 2014 (Year End) 2015 (1/30/15) Pledge Unit Goal Pledge $ Goal $210,000 $210,000 Number of Pledges Amount Pledged $211,822 $13,330 Average Pledge $ $ New Stewards 23 1

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6 One in six Americans go hungry each day. Your gift of $1 and one canned good can change that. Today our GOYA will take up a special collection to feed the hungry (to be sent to IOCC). There will also be a collection box in the Community Center for canned goods. All canned goods will benefit the Patrician Society of Norristown. Let s turn the biggest weekend in football into a super day of giving!

7 February 1, 2015 Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee Triodion Begins Today Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple Trypho the Martyr Perpetua & her Companions Today is Godparent Sunday: Join us for lunch with your Koumbari. The Souper Bowl luncheon fundraiser is hosted by the Parish and is being presented by Mediterranean Catering. Welcome Hellenic University Club! Members of the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia are here today to present and discuss their scholarship offerings to undergraduate and graduate students in our parish and the surrounding Greek Orthodox community of Philadelphia. Souper Bowl of Caring : One in six Americans go hungry each day. Your gift of $1 and one canned good can change that. Today our GOYA will take up a special collection to feed the hungry (to be sent to the IOCC). There is also a collection box in the Community Center for canned goods. All canned goods will benefit the Patrician Society of Norristown. Let s turn the biggest weekend in football into a super day of giving! Girl Scout Cookie Sales: It is that wonderful time of year again for our local Girl Scout Troops to sell their delicious cookies! Please support our local Girl Scouts that belong to our parish. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Coffee Hour Sponsors Needed! : We are in need of coffee hour sponsors for the upcoming weeks. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please put your name on the list at the back of the hall AND contact the Parish office (by , if possible; or call Elaine at ) National Scout Sunday: Next Sunday, February 8, 2015, is National Scout Sunday, and we will recognize all those children and adults who are part of scouting. All Scouts MUST be in their Class A uniforms. We are very excited to support scouting in this community. Please remember that there are numerous religious service awards that our children can works towards earning for all levels of Scouting. Please see Fr. Peter for more information! PTO Family Night Bingo Sat. Feb. 21 st -- The planning of the Family Night Bingo continues. We are still asking for donations from our St. Sophia family: gift cards, movie tickets, sporting events, any unwanted new toys, or even a monetary donation. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Please give donations to (or if you have any questions reach out to Vanessa Papadimitriou, Patty Nazzaro, or Maria Papadimitriou. Thank you for your help!

8 CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Monday, Feb 2 nd 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy Presentation of our Lord in the Temple Tuesday, Feb 3 rd 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study in the Cultural Center Wed, Feb 4 th Thurs, Feb 5 th Friday, Feb 6 th SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS TODAY Mon, Feb 2 nd Tues, Feb 3 rd Sun, Feb 8 th Tues, Feb 10 th Fri, Feb 13 th Sat, Feb 14 th Sun, Feb 15 th Tues, Feb 17 th Sat, Feb 21 st Sat, Feb 21 st Sun, Feb 22 Wed, Feb 25 th Fri, Feb 27 th Sat, Feb 28 th GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Godparent Sunday /Food Drive/Special Collection (IOCC) Souper Bowl Luncheon Fundraiser Hellenic University Club Scholarship Committee to visit 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study in the Cultural Center National Scout Sunday 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy St. Haralambos the Martyr DVYC GOYA Valentines Dance (details enclosed) 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy 1 st Saturday of Souls Meatfare Sunday / AHEPA Cheesesteak luncheon fundraiser 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study in the Cultural Center 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy 2 nd Saturday of Souls PTO Family Night Bingo (details enclosed) Cheesefare Sunday Philoptochos Tiropites (Cheese Pocket) Fundraiser 10:00 am - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm - 1 st Salutations to the Theotokos 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy 3 rd Saturday of Souls Sun. Feb 15 th Meatfare Sunday Cheesesteaks Valley Forge AHEPA Chapter 432 will be having a Cheesesteak fundraiser. For $9 you get a Philadelphia Cheesesteak, french fries and a drink. What a deal! Sun. Feb 22 nd - Cheesefare Sunday Tiropites: The Philoptochos will be selling tiropites cheese pies for $3 each. Last year, we sold out early, so we are taking pre-orders to meet the highly anticipated demand this year. Please call ahead to ensure that we have your tiropites reserved just for you! For advance orders or information contact Maria or Kathy Tsipras (610) Saturday of Souls: The first Saturday of Souls is Saturday, February 14 th. Forms for the names of the departed are enclosed and also available at the Pangari. Please submit your form to the Parish office by February 11 th. Please remember that the names you submit will be read on all three Saturdays. Please PRINT CLEARLY, AND ONLY FIRST NAMES ARE NECESSARY. Sitari for Sale: The first Saturday of Souls is on February 14 th. Sitari (wheat) will be available for purchase every Sunday during coffee hour beginning today. The sitari will be sold in 1 lb. and 2 lb. $2.50/lb. Readers for Salutations to the Theotokos: The first Salutations to the Theotokos are on Friday evening, February 27 th. We need readers for Greek and English for that Friday and the following four. If you are interested in reading, please call Elaine ( ) to put your name on the list. Also, if you are interested in bringing flowers and decorating the icon of the Panagia on one of the Fridays, please call Elaine as well to let us know which Friday you are choosing. Movie Tavern Tickets: This is the fabulous movie theater in town that offers first run movies as well as an "in-house" 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 showtimes visit For 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. SHOP-RITE 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 Ecclesiastical Calendars: The new calendars are now available for pick up in the back of the Cultural Center. Each calendar is in an envelope addressed to each family (2014 stewards) of our parish. If you cannot find your packet, please call the Parish Office. 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 PLEASE NOTE: Any information or announcements for the Sunday bulletin must be received by 3pm on the Wednesday prior to publication. Please information to elaine.stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian

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