Rev. Economos Peter J. Thornberg, Proistamenos

July 12, 2015 6 th Sunday of Matthew Proklos & Hilarios the Martyrs of Ancyra Our Holy Father Michael of Maleinus Veronica, the woman with the issue of blood who was healed by Jesus 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 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 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.

Church Mortgage and Beautification Update July 12, 2015 We are pleased to let you know that we recently negotiated a lower mortgage rate, which will allow us to put more money into the principal payment and help speed up the payoff of our mortgage. We are also continuing the process of beautifying the church. God bless the recent anonymous donor for the Bishop s throne. In addition, a non-parishioner has donated $17,000 to sponsor the candle stands! God bless so many stewards and friends who have taken great interest in the beautification of His house!! 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. As you ve probably noticed, we have new Narthex furnishings. They were carved by the world-renowned artisans at S. Kavroulakis Company of Chania, Crete, the same firm that carved our beautiful icon screen and other artifacts. This beautiful furniture now greets everyone who enters our church! Some of these items are still available for sponsorship. We have installed a donor plaque to acknowledge those who have contributed to make our new church and its decoration possible. You can see the framework in the Narthex. Please note that the white color is the primer. 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. 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 6/29/2015 $1,350,032.23. We recently negotiated a lower rate with QNB Bank, which will lower our payment by $1,000/month. EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:6-14 You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us. Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed. BRETHREN, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Ρωμαίους 12:6-14 Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος. Ἀδελφοί, ἔοντες δὲ χαρίσματα κατὰ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν διάφορα, εἴτε προφητείαν, κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως εἴτε διακονίαν, ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ εἴτε ὁ παρακαλῶν, ἐν τῇ παρακλήσει ὁ μεταδιδούς, ἐν ἁπλότητι ὁ προϊστάμενος, ἐν σπουδῇ ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι. Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος. Ἀποστυγοῦντες τὸ πονηρόν, κολλώμενοι τῷ ἀγαθῷ. Τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες. Εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς διώκοντας ὑμᾶς εὐλογεῖτε, καὶ μὴ καταρᾶσθε.

GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 9:1-8 At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:1-8 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπε τῷ παραλυτικῷ θάρσει, τέκνον ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὗτος βλασφημεῖ. καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν ἵνα τί ὑμεῖς ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας - τότε λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ ἐγερθεὶς ἆρόν σου τὴν κλίνην καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἐγερθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐθαύμασαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Stewardship Update July 12, 2015 Did you know that our ministries continue throughout the summer? When in town, please join us for Divine Liturgy on Sundays. With the new summer hours (Liturgy at 9:30 am), you can worship with us, enjoy coffee hour and fellowship and still have lots of time to enjoy summer activities with family and friends. Although we all like to take vacations, let s please be sure to keep Christ in our summer schedule. After all, we would not want God to take a vacation from us! Worshipping together helps to refresh all of us spiritually each week as we prepare to face the earthly demands of the following week. God is calling each and every one of us! Are you listening?? 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? How are you giving to Him to support His ministries here on Earth? Our 2015 Stewardship Program is off to a great start. If you have not yet returned your Pledge Card please do so today. As a busy parish, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved by giving of our time and talents to support His work. Actively participating is not only spiritually rewarding it can be really fun too! God Bless You for your support of His Work and our parish! 2014 (Year End) 2015 (7/10/15) Pledge Unit Goal 240 240 Number of Pledges 215 186 Pledge $ Goal $210,000 $210,000 Amount Pledged $209,857 $198,642 Average Pledge $976.08 $1,067 New Stewards 23 9

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) 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 E-mail List: If you have not yet given us your e-mail 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 e-mail 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 610-650-8960 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 610-650-8960. Any information or announcements for the Sunday bulletin must be received by 3pm on the Wednesday prior to publication. Please e-mail information to stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian

July 12, 2015 6 th Sunday of Matthew Proklos & Hilarios the Martyrs of Ancyra Our Holy Father Michael of Maleinus Veronica, the woman with the issue of blood who was healed by Jesus GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Senior Citizen Ministry: St. Sophia s Senior Parea is open to all senior citizens of the community. The Senior Parea will be taking a break for the months of July and August and will resume monthly meetings in September. Meetings are on the third Thursday of each month in the Cultural Center from 10am to 12 noon. Empties4Cash: We are always accepting empty inkjet printer cartridges for recycling. Undamaged ORIGINAL cartridges with a print head qualify for payment -- that includes most Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Canon, Dell, Sharp and Epson cartridges. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Help us recycle trash for cash! Greek School Registration: The Greek school 2015-16 registration form is available at the Pangari or on our website. For questions regarding the program, please contact Erietta Fotiadis at 484-716-6059 or eriettafotiadis@gmail.com AFTER September 10 th. For questions regarding registration, please contact Roula Matsiras at 484-744-9374 or rmatsiras@hotmail.com, or Christine Bailey at 610-256-1087 or christinebailey@outlook.com. Please complete form and return along with your payment to St. Sophia Parish Office by August 30, 2015.

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Paraklesis Services: During the first fifteen days of August the Church sets aside time for the Chanting of the Small Paraklesis Service. During the Service we honor the Theotokos and ask for her intercessions for those who are living. If you would like to submit names to be read, please list the BAPTISMAL FIRST NAMES ONLY (for example, Nicholas not Niko) of those living and return them to the Parish Office by August 1 st. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PANGARI. Sun., July 12 th Fr. Peter departs for a week at Camp Good Shepherd following Divine Liturgy Sat., Aug. 1 st Dormition fast begins Aug. 1 14 Mon., Aug. 3 rd 6:30 pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos Wed., Aug. 5 th 10:00 am Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30 pm Great Vespers Thurs., Aug. 6 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Holy Transfiguration The blessing of the grapes & fruit will follow. Please bring your favorite fruit to be blessed and shared! Fri., Aug. 7 th 6:30 pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos Mon., Aug. 10 th 6:30 pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos Wed., Aug. 12 th 10:00 am Paraklesis to the Theotokos Fri., Aug. 14 th 6:30 pm Great Vespers for Falling Asleep of the Theotokos Decoration of the Kouvouklion: On Friday, 8/14, starting at approximately 5:00 pm we will be decorating the kouvouklion with flowers for the Vesper Service and Divine Liturgy for the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos. Everyone is welcome to bring flowers from their gardens and to stay and help decorate the kouvouklion. Sat., Aug. 15h 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Dormition of the Theotokos Sat., Aug. 29 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Beheading of St. John the Baptist THIS IS A STRICT FAST DAY Tues., Sept. 1 st 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year Mon., Sept. 7 th Labor Day The Parish Office is Closed Tues., Sept. 8 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Nativity of the Theotokos Sept. 10-13 Thursday through Sunday Fall Grecian Festival Mon., Sept. 14 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wed., Sept. 16 th 6:30 pm Great Vespers for Feast of St. Sophia Thurs., Sept. 17 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Feast of St. Sophia Sun., Sept. 20 th WINTER HOURS RESUME 8:45 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Sunday school begins Luncheon for Fr. Peter celebrating 10 years since his Ordination to the Priesthood. Mon., Sept. 21 st Greek school begins this week.