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
January 25, 2015 15 th Sunday of Luke Gregory the Theologian Archbishop of Constantinople ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion Ex Ipsus Katilthes ( From On High You Descended ) From on high you descended, O merciful Lord. You accepted the cross and three days in the tomb to free us from the bondage of sin, O our life and resurrection. Glory to You, O Lord. Apolytikion for Gregory the Theologian O pimenikos avlos ( The shepherd s pipe ) The shepherd's pipe of your theology overpowered the trumpets of the orators; for as you delved into the depths of the Spirit, so you were endowed with the power of eloquence. Father Gregory, intercede with Christ God, 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 Faith and Hope, along with God-minded Love; together intercede with God for us all. Seasonal Kontakion O Mitran Parthenikin ( You sanctified the virginal womb ) You sanctified the virginal womb by Your birth, O Lord, and blessed the hands of Symeon fittingly, O Christ God; and even now You came and saved us. Now, give peace to our Nation in time of war, and empower our Leaders, so loved by You, the only one who loves humanity.
Church Beautification Update January 25, 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 $1,398,624.73 EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2 My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding. Verse: Hear this all you nations. Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 7:26-28; 8:1-2 Τὸ στόμα μου λαλήσει σοφίαν καὶ ἡ μελέτη τῆς καρδίας μου σύνεσιν. Στίχ. Ἀκούσατε ταῦτα, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη. Ἀδελφοί, τοιοῦτος γὰρ ἡμῖν ἔπρεπεν ἀρχιερεύς, ὅσιος, ἄκακος, ἀμίαντος, κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καθʼ ἡμέραν ἀνάγκην, ὥσπερ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, πρότερον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἰδίων ἁμαρτιῶν θυσίας ἀναφέρειν, ἔπειτα τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦτο γὰρ ἐποίησεν ἐφάπαξ, ἑαυτὸν ἀνενέγκας. Ὁ νόμος γὰρ ἀνθρώπους καθίστησιν ἀρχιερεῖς, ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν ὁ λόγος δὲ τῆς ὁρκωμοσίας τῆς μετὰ τὸν νόμον, υἱὸν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τετελειωμένον. Κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς λεγομένοις τοιοῦτον ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα, ὃς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, τῶν ἁγίων λειτουργός, καὶ τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς, ἣν ἔπηξεν ὁ κύριος, καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος
GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Luke 19:1-10 At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 19.1-10 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διήρχετο τὴν Ιεριχώ καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης, καὶ οὗτος ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν Ιησοῦν τίς ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν. καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθε καταλῦσαι. σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Κύριον ἰδοὺ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ὑπαρχόντων μου, Κύριε, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα, ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς Αβραάμ ἐστιν. ἦλθε γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός. Stewardship Update January 25, 2015 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. Please join us after Divine Liturgy today for a thank you luncheon sponsored on behalf of the parish by the Parish Council. 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! 2013 (Year End) 2014 (12/31/14) Pledge Unit Goal 230 240 Pledge $ Goal $200,000 $210,000 Number of Pledges 223 215 Amount Pledged $210,485 $211,822 Average Pledge $943.88 $985.22 New Stewards 46 23
One in six Americans go hungry each day. Your gift of $1 and one canned good can change that. On Super Bowl Sunday, February 1 st, our GOYA will take up a special collection to feed the hungry in our community. We will also set up a collection box in the Community Center for canned goods. All canned goods and funds will benefit the Patrician Society of Norristown. Let s turn the biggest weekend in football into a super day of giving!
January 25, 2015 15 th Sunday of Luke Gregory the Theologian Archbishop of Constantinople 40 Day Baby Blessing: Today Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Emelia Bachman present their second child, a girl, for the traditional 40 day blessing. Today is Steward Appreciation Sunday: The 2015 Stewardship campaign is now underway. Please check your mail at home for your 2015 Stewardship letter and Commitment form. Today marks the first Stewardship Sunday of 2015. 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. Please join us after Divine Liturgy today for a complimentary thank you luncheon sponsored on behalf of the parish by the Parish Council. 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. PTO/Bingo Meeting Today: There will be a PTO/Bingo meeting after Divine Liturgy today. 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 e-mail, if possible.) It s Girl Scout Cookie Time! Beginning today through Sunday, March 8th, Girl Scouts will be selling cookies during coffee hour after church. For those parents who would like their daughter(s) to participate, please contact Presvytera Katherine at pkstfamily@verizon.net or speak to her directly to coordinate dates. Please be sure to let her know your first and second choices and she will do her best to accommodate you, but it is on a first come/first serve basis. For those already signed up, parents are responsible for helping their daughter(s) set-up their table and have their own cash box. Thank you. National Scout Sunday: 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! Please submit to the Parish office (by e-mail, if possible) the names (children and adults), ranks and branch of scouting you are in by Wednesday, January 28 th in order to be included in the program at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Monday, Jan 26 th Tuesday, Jan 27 th Wed, Jan 28 th Thurs, Jan 29 th Friday, Jan 30 th 10:00 Divine Liturgy Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Sun, Jan 25 th Fri, Jan 30 th Sun, Feb 1 st 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 Steward Appreciation Sunday / AHEPA meeting after Divine Liturgy 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs Godparent Sunday /IOCC food drive/ Souper Bowl Luncheon Fundraiser Hellenic University Club Scholarship Committee to visit 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy Presentation of Our Lord 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 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. 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. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Sun. Feb 22nd - 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) 539-5413. 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. PLEASE NOTE: Any information or announcements for the Sunday bulletin must be received by 3pm on the Wednesday prior to publication. Please e-mail information to elaine.stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian 2015 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 the Parish Office.