THE ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

THE ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist Please Welcome Father Deacon John and Diakonissa Maria Thrasher from Phoenix, Arizona Rev. Fr. Joseph Gingrich, Parish Priest Sunday, June 24, 2018 Altar Boys All Available Ushers On Duty 2 Epistle Reading Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 Gospel Reading Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76-80 TODAY S DIVINE LITURGY HYMNS AND SCRIPTURE READINGS: HYMNS AFTER THE LITTLE (GOSPEL) ENTRANCE RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN THE THIRD MODE Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world. Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. APOLYTIKION FOR NATIVITY OF JOHN THE FORERUNNER IN THE FOURTH MODE O Prophet and Forerunner of Christ God's coming to us, all we who with longing now extol thee are at a loss to honour thee worthily. For thy mother's barrenness and father's long silence, by thine all-renowned and hallowed birth, were both ended, and the Incarnation of the Son of God is preached unto all the world. Προφήτα καί Πρόδρομε, τής παρουσίας Χριστού, αξίως ευφημήσαί σε ουκ ευπορούμεν ημείς, οι πόθω τιμώντές σε, στείρωσις γάρ τεκούσης, καί πατρός αφωνία, λέλυνται τή ενδόξω, καί σεπτή σου γεννήσει, καί σάρκωσις Υιού τού Θεού, κόσμω κηρύτεται. APOLYTIKION OF THE ANNUNCIATION FOURTH MODE On this day when our salvation is crown d for eternity, and the revelation of the mystery of the ages. With Divine Grace the Son of God becomes the Virgin s Son and Gabriel s good tidings proclaim the news, for this we rejoice in song unto the Holy Theotokos. Hail to You who are fill d with grace, the Lord is with You! Σήμερον της σωτηρίας ημών το κεφάλαιον και του απ αιώνας μυστηρίου η φανέρωσις, Ο Υιός του Θεού, Υιός της Παρθένου γίνεται, και Γαβριήλ την χάριν ευαγγελίζεται. Διό και ημείς συν αυτώ τη Θεοτόκω βοήσωμεν. Χαιρε, κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά σου. SEASONAL KONTAKION IN THE SECOND MODE

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee. Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. EPISTLE READING PRIEST: Let us attend. READER: The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord. Oh God, hear my cry. PRIEST: Wisdom READER: The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4. PRIEST: Let us attend. READER: Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand. LUKE 1:1-25, 57-68, 76-80 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilos, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, "Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zacharias after his father, but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this

name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways." And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel. SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 MATINS AND DIVINE LITURGY 40 DAY BLESSING: Sarah and Ilina Eletheria Kordalis 8:15 AM FELLOWSHIP COFFEE HOUR - A wedding reception is scheduled in the Community Center today. Fellowship Coffee Hour will be hosted by GAPA and served in the Athenagoras Room. MEETING AND EVENT SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 25 TH Mon. 25 th Vacation Church School 9:00 am St. Paul the AOC MEFGOX Choir/Skit Practice 6:00 pm Community Center Tue. 26 th Vacation Church School 9:00 am St. Paul the AOC Wed. 27 th Vacation Church School 9:00 am St. Paul the AOC Marian Prayer 3:00 pm Church Choir Practice/MEFGOX Skit Practice 6:30 pm Church Ellas Dance Practice 7:00 pm Community Center Thur. 28 th Vacation Church School 9:00 am St. Paul the AOC Festal Vespers 6:00 pm St. Paul the AOC Fri. 29 th Vacation Church School 9:00 am St. Paul the AOC Divine Liturgy of St s Peter and Paul 9:30 am St. Paul the AOC EXTEND, O LORD, YOUR MERCY AND PROTECTION UPON YOUR SERVANTS Please pray for the health and salvation of your brothers and sisters in Christ during today s Divine Liturgy and throughout the week: Konstantinos Haritos, Mary Saloom, Mike Mokas, Katherine Xidas, Magdeline Tisinger, Peter Mihalislis, Elli Bambakidis, Stephanie Michaelson, Mary Leakas, Maria Polychronis, Alex Gounaris, Athie Zavakos, Stephen Fricioni, John Wagner, Marilyn Lusa, Cynthia Yonts, Margie Polites, Toula Stamm and Don Hanel FROM FATHER JOSEPH -MORALITY CLASSES. The Morality Seminar for Juniors and Seniors is being moved to October 20th, 2018 and May 11, 2019. -VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL. Vacation Church School will take place at St. Paul s Orthodox Church Monday, June 25 to Friday, June 29 from 9:00 AM to 12:40 PM. Ages are 5 to 11.

-APOSTLE S FAST. The Apostle s Fast takes place from June 4 to June 29. For anyone wishing to keep the traditional fast no meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, or alcohol are to be consumed on June 6,13, 15, 20, 22, and 27. Fish and alcohol are permissible on all other days of the Apostle s Fast while meat, eggs, and dairy products continue to not be consumed according to the fulness of our fasting tradition. Our rule of fasting, to be sure, is not intended to be a "straight-jacket" for Orthodox Christians, nor a source of pharisaical pride for anyone who keeps the fulness of the Church s fasting discipline. It is rather the rule, the standard, against which each is to measure his own practice, and towards which we individually must always strive, according to our strength and circumstances. Whenever, for sickness or any other reason, one falls short of the rule, he applies to himself the spiritual medicine of self-reproach and strives to enter more fully into the spirit and discipline of fasting, which is indeed of great spiritual benefit to those who sincerely strive to follow it. -DONATION. I would like to thank Dr. Nicholas and Mrs. Nadine Shamma for their generous $10,000.00 donation for plaster repair in our beloved church. May our Lord remember them in His Kingdom.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FESTIVAL NEWS This year we will be celebrating our 60 th Festival Anniversary and we are looking for pictures from past festivals, anything dating back to 1958! If you have pictures that you are willing to share with us, we will make sure that they are returned to you after the festival. Please put you name and phone number on the back of the picture and place in envelope to the attention of Festival Chairs. Please mail or drop off to the Church office no later than Tuesday, July 31, 2018. Please email andreacasey6789@gmail.com with any questions. MEFGOX CONVENTION INFORMATION Non-singing parish members are welcome to: attend the Thursday Workshops -- tentatively "Repertoire for Hymns During Communion" [2:00-3:30], and "How to Teach and Learn New Music" [3:45-5:15]. come for the Friday night dance and entertainment. join friends/spouses at meals by making a reservation by June 30th. Forms will be found in the Community Center. JUNE COMMUNITY CARE MINISTRY - PROJECT BELIEVE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE Help make Magic happen for kids going back to school! A bin will be in the Community Center lobby for collection of school supplies for children in foster care or who are homeless. Please check the School Supply Wish List: Backpacks, Pens, Glue sticks, Colored pencils (no erasers) Crayons, Markers, Folders (no metal fasteners please) Notebooks (no metal spirals please) Pencil pouches or boxes, Calculators, Highlighters, Rulers (no metal edges) Chairpersons: Cynthia Barron and Libby Stamas COMMUNITY SANDWICH MAKING The next community sandwich making day will be on Monday, July 2 nd at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Center everyone is welcome to participate. APPEAL FOR PROSPHORA We are in need of Prosphora (Offering Bread) for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for this weekend and following. Please prepare one or two loaves and bring them to church during the week. We thank all of you who are able to offer this special gift to the church! WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS! If you are visiting our Parish, please fill out the "Visitor Information Card," located in the Narthex, and hand it to one of the Welcome Committee greeters. You are welcome to come forward to receive a piece of antidoron (blessed bread) at the conclusion of the service and join us in the Memorial Center for our Fellowship Hour following the Divine Liturgy. If you are a newcomer to our Parish, please introduce yourself to our priest. He would be most happy to schedule a time to meet with you and discuss the ministries and fellowship opportunities available within our Parish. For Orthodox Christians GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION When preparing to receive Holy Communion, please remain quietly in your pews until an Usher/ Parish Council Member directs you to approach from the center aisle. Your prayerful attention helps sustain the solemnity of the

Divine Liturgy for those praying the "Prayers of Preparation and following Holy Communion the "Prayers of Thanksgiving. You will find these prayers in the burgundy Divine Liturgy book located in the pew backs. The Prayers of Preparation begin on page 29 and the Prayers of Thanksgiving begin on page 40. Please allow the acolyte to place the Holy Communion Cloth beneath your chin. This ensures that no particle of the Eucharist falls from your lips. Recite your baptismal name aloud; open your mouth wide; and close your mouth as the Communion Spoon enters your mouth. After receiving Holy Communion, blot your lips on the cloth and return to your pew by the side aisles. You will find an acolyte offering you a bowl of antidoron from which you should take a single piece to ensure you consume all traces of Holy Communion. For Non-Orthodox Christians We welcome to our worship those Christians not fully united with us (canonically). It is a consequence of the sad divisions of Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Orthodox Christians believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life, and worship. Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist and for which we must all pray.