October 19, 2014 3 rd Sunday of Luke Joel the Prophet St. Varys the Martyr St. John of Rilas ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion - Ote Katilthes ( When Thou Descended ) When You descended to the Realm of Death, You, the Life that is deathless, then did You Hades lifeless rend with the Lightning of Divineness. And when You did raise up those dead from deep within the earth, Then did all the powers that are in the Heavens above cry out, O Lifegiving Christ, You Who are our God, Glory to You. 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 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. 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. 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.
EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 11:31-33; 12:1-9 The Lord is my strength and my song. Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely. BRETHREN, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 11:31-33; 12:1-9 Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος. Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος. Ἀδελφοί, Ὁ θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ οἶδεν, ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ὅτι οὐ ψεύδομαι. Ἐν Δαμασκῷ ὁ ἐθνάρχης Ἀρέτα τοῦ βασιλέως ἐφρούρει τὴν Δαμασκηνῶν πόλιν, πιάσαι με θέλων καὶ διὰ θυρίδος ἐν σαργάνῃ ἐχαλάσθην διὰ τοῦ τείχους καὶ ἐξέφυγον τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ. Καυχᾶσθαι δὴ οὐ συμφέρει μοι ἐλεύσομαι γὰρ εἰς ὀπτασίας καὶ ἀποκαλύψεις κυρίου. Οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρὸ ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων - εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα ὁ θεὸς οἶδεν - ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ. Καὶ οἶδα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἄνθρωπον - εἴτε ἐν σώματι, εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος, οὐκ οἶδα ὁ θεὸς οἶδεν - ὅτι ἡρπάγη εἰς τὸν παράδεισον, καὶ ἤκουσεν ἄρρητα ῥήματα, ἃ οὐκ ἐξὸν ἀνθρώπῳ λαλῆσαι. Ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι, εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου ἐὰν γὰρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι, οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ φείδομαι δέ, μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με, ἢ ἀκούει τι ἐξ ἐμοῦ. Καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος Σατᾶν, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι. Ὑπὲρ τούτου τρὶς τὸν κύριον παρεκάλεσα ἵνα ἀποστῇ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ. Καὶ εἴρηκέν μοι, Ἀρκεῖ σοι ἡ χάρις μου ἡ γὰρ δύναμίς μου ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελειοῦται. Ἥδιστα οὖν μᾶλλον καυχήσομαι ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου, ἵνα ἐπισκηνώσῃ ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἡ δύναμις τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Luke 7:11-16 At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 7.11-16 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐπορεύετο εἰς πόλιν καλουμένην Ναΐν καὶ συνεπορεύοντο αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἱκανοὶ καὶ ὄχλος πολύς.ὡς δὲ ἤγγισε τῇ πύλῃ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐξεκομίζετο τεθνηκὼς υἱὸς μονογενὴς τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὕτη ἦν χήρα, καὶ ὄχλος τῆς πόλεως ἱκανὸς ἦν σὺν αὐτῇ.καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὴν ὁ Κύριος ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ μὴ κλαῖε καὶ προσελθὼν ἥψατο τῆς σοροῦ, οἱ δὲ βαστάζοντες ἔστησαν, καὶ εἶπε νεανίσκε, σοὶ λέγω, ἐγέρθητι.καὶ ἀνεκάθισεν ὁ νεκρὸς καὶ ἤρξατο λαλεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ.ἔλαβε δὲ φόβος πάντας καὶ ἐδόξαζον τὸν Θεόν, λέγοντες ὅτι προφήτης μέγας ἐγήγερται ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο ὁ Θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ λόγος οὗτος ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Ιουδαίᾳ περὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ περιχώρῳ. Philoptochos Old Fashioned Bake Sale Our Ladies Philoptochos will be participating in St. Sophia's Craft Show again this year with the theme of "Old Fashioned Bake Sale". This event is a great opportunity for you to help Philoptochos on your schedule. We are looking for baked goods to sell at the craft show on November 7-9. There's one catch...the sweets cannot be any of the delicious pastries that our sisters make each year for our festivals and craft show. So, that means, NO baklava, galaktoboureko, fenikia, kourambiedes, paximadia, koulourakia or tsoureki. Other than these few items, the options are unlimited! Please contact Cathy Zarcone (610-687-2735) to let her know what you are planning to make and drop off. Philoptochos Candle Sale: Looking for a candle that burns for 100 hours? Then search no more. The Ladies Philoptochos is selling candles in 16 oz. mason, 3.5 oz. mini mason and assorted gift packs. They also make great gifts! There are limited quantities of each scent. Please stop by the Philoptochos table on Sundays after church to purchase your candles!
Building Committee Update October 19, 2014 While many of our stewards and friends have been on vacation, many people vacationing in this area came to St. Sophia over this past summer. Our church is truly a shining beacon of our faith. And we have become a regional landmark as well! She should always remember to give thanks for our beautiful church and how much has been accomplished. Of course, no matter how much has been accomplished, the work to continue our progress goes on. The second phase of our iconography project has been completed. These include the icons of the Icon Screen, the Pulpit, the Bishop s throne, and the large murals on the western wall. Many of the icons and artifact items are still available for sponsorship; please ask any member of the Parish Council or Fr. Peter if you wish to help and/or commemorate a loved one. The installation of the two mosaic medallions in the Narthex (entryway) and on the Solea in front of the altar has been completed, and they are just beautiful. In the Narthex, the floor medallion shows two peacocks drinking from a fountain. Peacocks were symbols of eternal life in the early Church. On the Solea, we installed the double headed eagle, the symbol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the traditional symbol of the Byzantine Empire. In other exciting news, we recently ordered the new Narthex furnishings which will be carved by S. Kavroulakis Company of Chania, Crete; the same firm that carved our beautiful icon screen and other artifacts. It will take a few months for the artisans to complete their task and so we can expect delivery sometime in early February of 2015. Many of these items are available for sponsorship. On the chart below you can see the progress on our mortgage. If you still have an outstanding balance on your building pledge or can make a new pledge, please pay the amounts due to help your church reduce its debts. St. Sophia Church Mortgage The current mortgage balance as of as of 9/29/2014 is $1,429,598.92
Stewardship Update October 19, 2014 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 holy days and Sundays, but every day of the week To be considered a true steward of our faith, we need to LIVE the faith. True Stewardship begins with giving of our time-especially by attending services regularly as well as volunteering (sharing our talents). God has blessed us all with many talents. We have many ministries that could use yours! There is always much to do. Your service is much appreciated! 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. We would like to thank everyone who has supported our parish thus far in 2014 with your Time, Talent and Treasure. This has been a record breaking year for our parish based on the number of stewards, involvement in our many ministries and financially. We have many new families this year; it is great to see some many new faces become involved with the spiritual life of our community! If you have not yet become a steward for 2014, there is still time! Cards are available at the Pangari, in the Hall or by calling the Parish office at 610-650-8960. God Bless you! 2013 (Year End) 2014 (10/17/14) Pledge Unit Goal 230 240 Pledge $ Goal $200,000 $210,000 Number of Pledges 223 200 Amount Pledged $210,485 $206,051 Average Pledge $943.88 $1030.26 New Stewards 46 22
October 19, 2014 3 rd Sunday of Luke Joel the Prophet St. Varys the Martr St. John of Rilas Coffee Hour: Today s coffee hour is sponsored by Mrs. Christine Samaras and Ms. Helene Vellios AHEPA Meeting Today: There will be an AHEPA meeting today in the Flex Room immediately following the Divine Liturgy. CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Monday, Oct 20 th 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Craft Fair Baking Spanakopita/Kourabiedes Tuesday, Oct 21 st 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Craft Fair Baking Spanakopita/Kourabiedes 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study Wed, Oct 22 nd 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Craft Fair Baking Spanakopita/Kourabiedes Thurs, Oct 23 rd 10:00 am to 12 noon Senior Parea Meeting Friday, Oct 24 th SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Tues, Oct 21 st 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study Sun, Oct 26 th Fall General Assembly Meeting after Divine Liturgy Philoptochos Breakfast Fundraiser Pumpkin Patch Breakfast Bash 5 th Annual Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards Program Tues, Oct 28 th 9:00 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Holy Protection of the Theotokos Sun, Nov 9 th PTO Meeting after Divine Liturgy- regarding Family Night Bingo Sat, Feb 21 st SAVE THE DATE Family Night Bingo SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Update on Fr. Peter: Fr. Peter continues to heal at home several weeks after his automobile accident. He is working very hard with his physical therapy. He misses our parishioners and sends his love to everyone. Fr. Peter looks forward to returning to his pastoral duties here at St. Sophia Church as soon as he is able. Fr. Peter and his family would like to thank everyone for their concern and continued prayers. Keep sending cards, emails or best wishes to Fr. Peter in care of the Parish office. You can follow Fr. Peter s progress by visiting the CaringBridge site. CaringBridge is a caring social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event. You can visit Fr. Peter s site to stay updated and share messages of encouragement and compassion in the Guestbook. Visit online at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/frpeterthornberg Site Name: frpeterthornberg 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. 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.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Senior Citizen Ministry: St. Sophia s Senior Parea is open to all senior citizens of the community. The next meeting of the Senior Parea will be on Thursday, October 23 rd in the Cultural Center from 10:00 am to 12 noon. 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 www.movietavern.com. 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. Children s Choir: Children s choir practices take place on Sundays after Holy Communion. Children s Choir performances will be held on the first Sunday of each month (11/2, 12/7, 1/4, 2/1, 3/1, etc.) Children should arrive at 9:45 am on those Sundays for a quick practice in the Cry/Bride room. Also, the Christmas Pageant will be on Christmas Eve again. Practices will be held during Sunday school. Dress rehearsals will be held after church on 12/7, 12/14 and 12/21. Permission slips will be distributed to the students. All children need to hand in a signed permission slip in order to be permitted to participate in the pageant. AHEPA Basket-of-Cheer Raffle: The Valley Forge Chapter of the Order of AHEPA will be holding a Basket of Cheer raffle on Sunday, November 16, 2014. Tickets are $5 for an arm s length and are being sold in the back of the hall on Sundays. Winners need not be present to win. Proceeds will benefit AHEPA Chapter 432, to help further the chapter s mission to support the St. Sophia Community and promote Greek culture and education. Please see Socratis Tsipras, Tom Novitski or any AHEPA member to purchase tickets.