September 30, 2018 2nd Sunday of Luke Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia Mardonios & Stratonikos the Martyrs ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion Tou Lithou Sfraghisthendos ( 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 Hieromartyr Gregory Kai Proton Metochos ( Becoming a partner ) Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life and successor to their thrones, O God-inspired Saint, in the active life you found an entrance to contemplation. Hence you rightly expounded the word of truth, and you shed your blood in struggling for the faith, O Hieromartyr Gregory. Intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to 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 Love and Hope, along with God-minded Faith; together intercede with God for us all. Seasonal Kontakion Prostasia ton Christianon ( O unfailing protection of Christians ) O unfailing protection of Christians, and our faithful advocate before the Creator: though we are sinners, do not ignore our entreaty; but in your goodness, grant your timely help to us who appeal to you in faith. Quickly make intercession; on our behalf make speedy supplication, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.
THE EPISTLE The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11 Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous. To Parents of Young Children: In case you are not aware, our church has a Cry/Bride Room in the Narthex. For those parents whose young children might understandably get fussy during a service, please feel free to take your youngster into that room for a short while. (There is a closed circuit TV showing the service in the room as well as a bathroom/changing station). The intention is NOT to relegate you to another room; rather, this will enable you to attend to your child in a quiet environment before bringing him/her back into the church. 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 610-650-8960 so that a visit can be arranged. In Case of Emergency: If you are having an extreme medical emergency ONLY and are in need of an Orthodox priest, please call the Parish office a t 610-650-8960. Please bring back any lawn signs you may have taken. You may place them in the hallway near the parish office. Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 9:6-11 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἀδελφοί, ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως, φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει καὶ ὁ σπείρων ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις, ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει. Ἕκαστος καθὼς προαιρεῖται τῇ καρδίᾳ μὴ ἐκ λύπης ἢ ἐξ ἀνάγκης ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ θεός. Δυνατὸς δὲ ὁ θεὸς πᾶσαν χάριν περισσεῦσαι εἰς ὑμᾶς, ἵνα ἐν παντὶ πάντοτε πᾶσαν αὐτάρκειαν ἔχοντες περισσεύητε εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν καθὼς γέγραπται, Ἐσκόρπισεν, ἔδωκεν τοῖς πένησιν ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Ὁ δὲ ἐπιχορηγῶν σπέρμα τῷ σπείροντι, καὶ ἄρτον εἰς βρῶσιν χορηγήσαι, καὶ πληθύναι τὸν σπόρον ὑμῶν, καὶ αὐξήσαι τὰ γενήματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης ὑμῶν ἐν παντὶ πλουτιζόμενοι εἰς πᾶσαν ἁπλότητα, ἥτις κατεργάζεται διʼ ἡμῶν εὐχαριστίαν τῷ θεῷ.
THE GOSPEL The Reading is from the Gospel of Luke 6:31-36 The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 6:31-36 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσι. καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσι. καὶ ἐὰν δανείζητε παρ ὧν ἐλπίζετε ἀπολαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσι τὰ ἴσα. πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες, καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. Γίνεσθε οὖν οἰκτίρμονες, καθὼς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστί.
September 30, 2018 2nd Sunday of Luke Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia Mardonios & Stratonikos the Martyrs St. Nicholas Shrine Vigil Candle: Thank you to The Prieston Family for sponsoring today s vigil candle for St. Nicholas Shrine. Anyone wishing to sponsor a vigil candle should sign up at the Pangari. (Each vigil candle lasts one week). Each week a new vigil candle will be placed next to the icon of St. Nicholas until the construction of St. Nicholas Shrine has been completed. The asking donation is $10. Trisagion Service: Today s Trisagion is being chanted for the soul of Mrs. LaVerne Perrotto, who fell asleep in the Lord this past Tuesday. Please pray for the repose of her soul and also for her family during this time of mourning. May her memory be eternal. Coffee Hour: Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios and Sofia Tatsis and Mrs. Irene Tsokas for sponsoring today s coffee hour. AHEPA Meeting Today: There will be a meeting of AHEPA in the Flex Room after the Divine Liturgy. Valley Forge AHEPA News: Congratulations to William Mackrides (grandson of William Mackrides) who was awarded the National AHEPA Scholarship and to Leanna Deegan (granddaughter of William Mackrides) who was awarded District 4 Scholarship. Also, congratulations go to Aidan Good, Nicholas Nikas and Nicholas Papadimitriou, who competed in the Hellenic Tournament at the Supreme Convention. Finally, Leanna Deegan was awarded Outstanding Greek American High School Scholar/Athlete in the United States. Boscov s Shopping Passes: Now available One-day shopping pass for 25% off your purchases at Boscov's on October 16, 2018. Cost is $5.00 each pass. Please see any Philoptochos Board Member for details and to purchase your pass! This is a good opportunity to start your holiday shopping early and to help the Philoptochos fundraising efforts. SAVE THE DATE: October 27 th, 2018 -- Come one, come all to the Saint Sophia PTO Annual Costume Party! Join us in what is sure to be an evening of fun for all ages, with music, games, raffles, & prizes! Fall General Assembly & Parish Council Elections: The Fall General Assembly Meeting will take place on Sunday, November 4 th, after the Divine Liturgy. Parish Council Elections will take place on Sunday, December 9 th after the Divine Liturgy. Official notification letters will be going out to the parishioners in the near future. 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 610-650-8960 so that a visit can be arranged.
Hurricane Impacts Blood & Platelet Donations More than 200 blood drives have been cancelled due to Hurricane Florence. We are asking donors in non-impacted areas to please donate blood now. American Red Cross Blood Drive: On Wednesday, October 10 th, between 2pm and 7pm, we are once again hosting the American Red Cross Blood Drive. If you are able, please schedule a time to come donate blood. This helps not only local resources, but resources that have been affected across the country. To make an appointment, just click on the link that follows: Click on the link below: https://www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code - ST. SOPHIA
Basile in Concert: One week to go buy your tickets NOW!!! Sunday, October the 7th @ 5:00 pm! This event will benefit the Greek School program of St. Sophia Church! Raffle tickets are being sold for a chance to win baskets. Winners need not be present to win! Purchase tickets at the Basile table during coffee hour on Sundays. We would like to offer you all an opportunity in becoming a Sponsor for this FUN event! It is a three tier Sponsorship: SILVER Sponsorship - $250: Includes 2 General Admission Tickets GOLD Sponsorship - $500: Includes 2 VIP Tickets PLATINUM Sponsorship - $1,000: Includes one VIP Table (10 People per table) We do hope to see you all there! And yes, we need your support to make it a successful event! OPA! Attention Vanguard employees: The Vanguard Gives Back campaign has begun. Did you know that you can pick St. Sophia as your charity and that Vanguard will match 50% of your donation? The search name is: St. Sophia/Ss. Faith Hope & Agape Greek Orthodox Church of Valley Forge. Attention employees of other companies: If your employer also offers matching gift programs, please see if they, too, may match part or all of your donations. If they provide a list of qualified charities, use the search term above to find St. Sophia. Your generous donations could be eligible! 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. It s not too early to start advertising for our Craft Fair/Food Fest! Lawn signs are now available in the Cultural Center.