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

St. Sophia/SS. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Orthodox Church of Valley Forge 900 South Trooper Road Jeffersonville, PA, 19403 Tel.: (610) 650-8960 Fax: (610) 650-8961 www.saintsophiachurch.org email: stsophia@verizon.net 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

March 29, 2015 Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt Mark, Bishop of Arethusa Martyr Cyril the Deacon and Those with him The Holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius 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 St. Mary of Egypt En si, Miter, akrivos ( In you, O Mother, is preserved ) In you, O Mother, is preserved undistorted what was made in the image of God; for taking up the cross, you followed Christ and by example taught, that we should overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And therefore, O devout your spirit rejoices with the angels. 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 Beautification Update March 29, 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. God Bless them! Many sponsorship opportunities are still available for both iconography and the furnishings. 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. 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 3/2/2015 is $1,379,295.47 EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:11-14 Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Ἀδελφοί, Χριστὸς δὲ παραγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν, διὰ τῆς μείζονος καὶ τελειοτέρας σκηνῆς, οὐ χειροποιήτου, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν, οὐ ταύτης τῆς κτίσεως, οὐδὲ διʼ αἵματος τράγων καὶ μόσχων, διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος εἰσῆλθεν ἐφάπαξ εἰς τὰ ἅγια, αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος. Εἰ γὰρ τὸ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων, καὶ σποδὸς δαμάλεως ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους, ἁγιάζει πρὸς τὴν τῆς σαρκὸς καθαρότητα, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν θεῷ ζῶντι;

GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Mark 10:32-45 At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 10.32-45 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητάς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἤρξατο αὐτοῖς λέγειν τὰ μέλλοντα αὐτῷ συμβαίνειν, ὅτι ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς Ιεροσόλυμα καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσι καὶ γραμματεῦσι, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἐμπαίξουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμπτύσουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται. Καὶ προσπορεύονται αὐτῷ Ιάκωβος καὶ Ιωάννης υἱοὶ Ζεβεδαίου λέγοντες διδάσκαλε, θέλομεν ἵνα ὃ ἐὰν αἰτήσωμεν ποιήσῃς ἡμῖν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τί θέλετε ποιῆσαί με ὑμῖν; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ δὸς ἡμῖν ἵνα εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν σου καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου καθίσωμεν ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ δυνάμεθα. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τὸ μὲν ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω πίεσθε, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθήσεσθε τὸ δὲ καθίσαι ἐκ δεξιῶν μου καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὸν δοῦναι, ἀλλ οἷς ἡτοίμασται. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ δέκα ἤρξαντο ἀγανακτεῖν περὶ Ιακώβου καὶ Ιωάννου. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς λέγει αὐτοῖς οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ δοκοῦντες ἄρχειν τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι αὐτῶν κατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν οὐχ οὕτω δὲ ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ γενέσθαι μέγας ἐν ὑμῖν, ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος, καὶ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ ὑμῶν γενέσθαι πρῶτος, ἔσται πάντων δοῦλος καὶ γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἦλθε διακονηθῆναι, ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν. Stewardship Update March 29, 2015 This past week, on March 25 th, we celebrated the Annunciation when Christ was conceived by the Virgin Mary. God gave us the greatest possible gift His only Son. God is calling each and every one of us! Are you listening?? He has blessed all of us individually, and has especially blessed our community as shown by the MIRACLE of our church and parish. It is hard to believe in just two weeks we will mark our 3 rd anniversary of the opening of the church. During this time of Lent and preparation for the ultimate sacrifice for all us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it is most appropriate to consider how we are giving back in gratitude for God s greatest gifts. God willing, we will never be killed for our beliefs in Christ which is happening TODAY in other countries. As we are true believers, we must be vigilant and not take for granted the blessings of our freedom to worship in the church of our choice. We ask that you take the time to consider this when we give back to God at an appropriate level of your Time, Talent and Treasure. 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. God Bless You! 2014 (Year End) 2015 (03/27/15) Pledge Unit Goal 240 240 Pledge $ Goal $210,000 $210,000 Number of Pledges 215 119 Amount Pledged $209,857 $147,225 Average Pledge $976.08 $1,237 New Stewards 23 4

EASTER EGG HUNT The children of the parish are invited to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt following the Agape Service on Easter Sunday. The Agape Service begins at 12:00 noon.

Saturday April 4th - Palm Folding and mini golf His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos will be visiting us on Lazarus Saturday. Immediately following Divine Liturgy we will be folding palms and enjoying a pancake breakfast. This will be followed by a round of mini golf at Waltz Golf Farm. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO BE IN CHURCH BY 10:00 A.M.!!! http://www.waltzgolffarm.com/ May 1-3 Roller coasters, wilderness and epic meals PLEASE CHECK THE LIST BELOW - Our annual camping trip to Knoebels is booked! We have 4 sites and three cabins. We can usually fit 2-3 tents on each site so there is more than enough room for everyone. All 3 cabins have been claimed. PLEASE get back to me ASAP and let me know if you would like to join us. As you know, cabins and sites go quickly. http://www.knoebels.com/

March 29, 2015 Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt Mark, Bishop of Arethusa Martyr Cyril the Deacon and Those with him The Holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius Today we are celebrating the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. The differences between this Liturgy and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom are found in the priest's prayers of the Anaphora, between pages 19 and 28 of your Divine Liturgy books. The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated on Christmas Eve, the feast of St. Basil, the Feast of Theophany, Holy Saturday morning, and the Sundays of Great Lent. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Thank you to the following individuals/families who have read the prayers during the Salutations to the Theotokos and/or have decorated the icon of the Panagia: Friday, March 29 th The readers were Matushka Angela Sydek, Mrs. Flora Poloway, Mrs. Harriet Podotas, and Mrs. Sofia Kalderemtzis. Mrs. Hariklia Goras decorated the icon of the Panagia. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Boy Scout Discount Card Sale Today: Area Boy Scouts have begun selling discount cards to help raise funds to attend summer camp and/or high adventure scout trips. This discount card can be used at many local businesses, and the cost is only $5 each. Please support the Boy Scout during coffee hour today. 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 e-mail, if possible; or call Elaine in the Parish office.) CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Mon., Mar 30 th Tues., Mar 31 st Wed., April 1 st Thurs., April 2 nd Friday, April 3 rd Saturday, April 4 th 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Spanakopita 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Spanakopita 6:30 pm Festival Planning Meeting 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Spanakopita Saturday of Lazarus Archpastoral Visit by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey 8:45 am Orthros; 10:00 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy Pancake Breakfast & Palm Cross Folding immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Palm Sunday Luncheon Palm Sunday is just around the corner on April 5th and so is the highly anticipated Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon. It is expected to be another fabulous event with a delicious meal and fellowship. Tables are still available but your reservations are needed. If you would like to attend, please be sure to stop by the Philoptochos table during coffee hour today or call Maria or Kathy Tsipras at 610-539-5413 or email us at tsipras@verizon.net AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to make reservations. We are also looking for some helping hands on Sunday in the kitchen and/or serving line. Please let us know if you are available to lend a helping hand on Sunday and in which area. Remember, the more volunteers, the faster everyone gets served, and we all get to enjoy the fellowship event. Feel free to pass this invitation onto others. Thank you and hope to see you on Sunday, April 5th. Kathy Tsipras Philoptochos President P.S. Please look for the Luncheon Menu on the bulletin insert.

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Sat., April 4 th Sun. April 5 th Sat., April 18 th Sun., April 18 th Sun., April 19 th Sun., May 17 th May 27 May 31 Saturday of Lazarus Archpastoral Visit by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey (see Ecclesiastical Calendar for schedule) Pancake Breakfast & Palm Cross Folding immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Palm Sunday Philoptochos Fish Luncheon 7:00 pm - Great Vespers for Feast of St. Thomas to be held at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church, Cherry Hill, NJ to be followed by a reception hosted by the St. Irene Philoptochos Society. 8:45 am Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of St. Thomas to be held at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church, Cherry Hill, NJ to be followed by a reception. 4 th Annual Benefit Banquet for IOCC @ Adelphia Restaurant, Deptford, NJ See Cathy Zarcone for details. Parish Spring General Assembly Meeting Spring Grecian Festival GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Philoptochos Tsoureki Sale: Pre-orders for Tsoureki (Pascha Bread) are being taken now. The Price is $15 for a 2 lb loaf. The loaf is braided without an egg. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER. The pickup date is Saturday, April 4 th. To place an order, please see Kathy Tsipras at the Philoptochos table during coffee hour. Palm Sunday Luncheon: Make your table reservations NOW for the Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2015. For reservations or information contact Maria or Kathy Tsipras by phone (610-539-5413) or email at tsipras@verizon.net or stop by the Philoptochos table during coffee hour. Pascha Candles: Easter is just around the corner and as per one of our most prominent traditions, the custom of presenting Paschal candles (the Lambatha) to our loved ones to light, symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The candles can be lit at the Resurrection Service or the Agape Service on Sunday. Again this year Philoptochos will be selling decorated candles to help raise money for their many charities that we contribute to all year long. They are decorated with 2 colored ribbons of your choosing, a cross and flowers if requested. We have many colored ribbons to choose from. Please contact Maria Tsipras at 610-539-5413 or email at tsipras@verizon.net or just stop by the Philoptochos table at the back of the Cultural Center. Please help Philoptochos as well as giving a beautiful gift to your Godchildren, Children, Grandchildren, Nieces or Nephews. Don t wait till the last minute, Pascha will be here before you know it!

Egg Cartons Needed: We are collecting empty egg cartons for the children's Good Friday Retreat. You can drop off egg cartons in the Flex Room. We specifically need paper cartons (not foam), that hold a dozen eggs only. Festival Committee Meeting: The next festival committee meeting will take place on Tuesday evening, March 31 st at 6:30 pm. Future meetings will occur on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm until the festival (with the exception of Holy Tuesday.) All those interested in participating in the organization of the festival are welcome to attend. School Excuse Letters: Letters to excuse the children from school on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday have been prepared and are available at the Pangari. Altar Servers: We will need your help for Holy Week. Families, if you have young men who serve in the Altar, please make it a priority for them to be here in church during Holy Week. Absence excuse letters are available at the Pangari if needed. We need their help. Readers for Agape Service: We are looking for readers for the Agape Service. As tradition, the Gospel is read in several languages. We have the Gospel available in Latin, French, German, and Spanish. If anyone would like to read in any other language, the specific Gospel reading is John 20:19-25. Please contact Fr. Peter if you are interested. Myrofores: We are looking for young girls of the parish who would like to serve as Myrofores on Good Friday evening. SEE ENCLOSED MYROFORES INFORMATIONAL SHEET. 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. 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 show times visit www.movietavern.com. AHEPA Track Meet: This year s AHEPA Pan-Hellenic Track Meet will take place on Saturday, May 30 th at 12 noon at Upper Darby High School (rain date Sunday, May 31 st at 12 noon at Upper Darby H.S.) Cherry Blossom Time in Washington DC: Valley Forge AHEPA Chapter 432 is planning a trip to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossoms. The trip is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2015. If you are interested in going on this trip, please see Bill Mackrides or call him at 610-279-2015. 2015 Ecclesiastical Calendars: The new calendars are still available for pick up in the Parish office. 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 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. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Bakers Wanted! Between Saturday of Lazarus and Easter there is a great need for Prosphora (the bread prepared for use in the Divine Liturgy.) It is especially nice for the priest to have freshly baked prosphora. If you would like to make the offering of prosphora, please know that Fr. Peter must have the bread before Orthros begins (which is at 8:45 am) or the afternoon or evening before the Liturgy. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Parish office.