Epistle: Acts 13:25-33 St. John the Baptist Gospel: Mark 6:14-30 Tone: Five
Epistle
Prokeimenon: The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord. Hear my prayer, O God.
The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, as John was finishing his course, he said, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie." Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.
THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS
The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Battestin Family
The Coffee Reception in the Church Hall is offered today by the Koskinas and Tonkoschkur Families. We remind our parishioners that each family should take its turn in sponsoring this reception for the parish on the Lord's Day. Each family can join another family. But please do not wait to sign up for this important part of our community life. See the chart in the Church Hall.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. As we move closer to September and the fall, our minds turn to a very busy schedule. September 1st is the ecclesiastical and liturgical "New Year," after which our parishes - and the schools our children attend - begin in earnest. Here at St. Anthony's with our Annual International Festival falling as early as November 4, 5, and 6, we especially need to plan carefully this year.
2. Today Father Joseph will stop briefly at the Coffee Reception before he leaves to pick up Father Elias in Little Falls. The Antiochian House of Studies (AHOS) "Residency Program" commences this evening in Western Pennsylvania. The classes begin on Monday, August 30th and run through Friday, September 10th. It is held at the Heritage and Learning Center of the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA. This year will be a special one since we will be, both, celebrating our 30th Anniversary and the establishment of an Alumni Association.
3. On Sunday, September 5th, we will celebrate the TYPIKA Service while the AHOS Residency Program is gathered, and for which Father is the Director. What IS the "House of Studies?" Essentially it is a "theological school without walls," as entitled by Metropolitan MAXIMOS of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh, and - as it has thus become known. A combination of a Directed Reading Program, ministerial praxis and a Residency Program, along with electronic communication, the House of Studies includes three programs: St. Stephen's diploma Program, the Master of Arts Degree Program (a graduate program of the Balamand University under the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch) and a Doctor of Ministry Program (in academic Partnership with Pittsburgh Theological Seminary). A component of each of these programs is the Residency program which is held every year for two weeks, over the Labor Day weekend, i.e. the last week in August and the first week in September.
4. SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE, 2010
September 5th: TYPIKA SERVICE with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion)
September 12th: Church School Classes begin at 10 AM for the year 2010-2011. We will celebrate the Procession of the Life-Giving Cross (14th) at the end of the Liturgy. ALSO on Sunday, September 12th, the Outreach Ministry team sponsors a Family Outreach Sunday Open House. Parishioners are encouraged to invite a friend, neighbor, or newcomer to join us at liturgy. Please respond to the invitation as distributed in the Bulletin; we would like to know who will be our guests.
Tuesday, September 14th: PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, 8:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room of the North Complex.
Wednesday, September 15th: our first meeting for our annual International Festival 2010. We will meet in the Church Hall at 7:30 PM. ALL BOOTH AND FUNCTION CHAIRS MUST BE PRESENT. The General Chairs are Helen Chimel, Debbie Nagorny and John Banu.
Thursday, September 16th: The BAKERY BOOTH will meet. This year the Co-chairs for the Bakery are Genny Mandalakis and Father Joseph. The meeting will be held at 7:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room.
5. Our Sister Parish of St. Stephen the Protomartyr in South Plainfield is holding their Annual Festival on Friday (September 10th), Saturday (September 11th) and Sunday (September 12th). Please help their effort by visiting them on one of those days.
6. On Sunday, September 26th, AWARDS SUNDAY for our Church School and Teens, the various awards they won at the Parish Life Conference, will be presented to them in the midst of their home parish! Congratulations to all of them.
7. Sunday, October 3rd. Our Women's Guild is sponsoring a FALL COMMUNION BREAKFAST. Please do mark this date on your calendar from now.
8. Parents are reminded to register ALL children, from Toddler (age 2) to grade 7, for Church School. Forms are downstairs or see Irene Kavountzis or Nike Bach for information.
9. As your children go off to college, you may want them to maintain their link to the Orthodox Church. The OCF was created for that purpose, http://www.ocf.net.
10. There will be a Church School Teacher and Staff meeting today after Liturgy. It is necessary that all teachers and staff be present as we prepare for a new academic year.
