ST. GREGORY S DIVINE SERVICES FOR THE WEEK Tuesday, January 23 Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Ancyra 7:00 P.M. Akathist Hymn to Christ Our Savior Friday, January 26 Venerable Xenophon & Mary 7:00 P.M. Moleben for those suffering from Alcohol or Drug Dependence Saturday, January 27 Translation of the relics of John Chrysostom 5:00 P.M. Vigil Divine Liturgy Supplications will be offered for +Fr. John H. Salko, given by Ben & Lauren Popson Sunday, Janaury 28 Sunday of Prodigal Son 9:10 A.M. Third Hour 9:30 A.M. Divine Liturgy The Epistle Reading will be I Cor 6:12-20 and the Gospel will be Luke 15:11-32. Supplications will be offered for +Helen Stasiuk, given by daughter Barbara Stasiuk. Following the Divine Liturgy, please join us in the Church hall for refreshments and Christian fellowship. The unity of the Church follows of necessity from the unity of God; for the Church is not a multitude of separate individual persons, but a unity of the grace of God, living in a multitude of rational creatures, each submitting themselves to grace. - Alexei Stepanovich Khomiakov
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee The Gospel reading for this Sunday (Luke 18:10-14) pictures a man who is always pleased with himself and who thinks that he complies with all the requirements of religion. He is self-assured and proud of himself. In reality, however, he has falsified the meaning of religion. He has reduced it to external observations and he measures his piety by the amount of money he contributes to the temple. As for the Publican, he humbles himself and his humility justifies him before God. If there is a moral quality almost completely disregarded and even denied today, it is indeed humility. The culture in which we live constantly instills in us the sense of pride, of self-glorification, and of selfrighteousness. It is built on the assumption that man can achieve anything by himself and it even pictures God as the one who all the time gives credit for man s achievements and good deeds. Humility - be it individual or corporate, ethnic or national - is viewed as a sign of weakness, as something unbecoming a real man. Even our churches - are they not imbued with that same spirit as the Pharisee? Do we not want our every contribution, every good deed, all that we do for the Church to be acknowledged, praised, publicized? Prayer for the Sanctity of Life - Fr. Alexander Schmemann O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, Who are in the bosom of the Father, True God, source of life and immortality, Light of Light, Who came into the world to enlighten it: You were pleased to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary for the salvation of our souls by the power of Your All-Holy Spirit. O Master, Who came that we might have life more abundantly, we ask You to enlighten the minds and hearts of those blinded to the truth that life begins at conception and that the unborn in the womb are already adorned with Your image and likeness; enable us to guard, cherish, and protect the lives of all those who are unable to care for themselves. For You are the Giver of Life, bringing each person from nonbeing into being, sealing each person with divine and infinite love. Be merciful, O Lord, to those who, through ignorance or willfulness, affront Your divine goodness and providence through the evil act of abortion. May they, and all of us, come to the life of Your Truth and glorify You, the Giver of Life, together with Your Father, and Your All-Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Announcements Sanctity of Life Sunday This Sunday our nation under God dedicates to the Sanctity of Life. In today s bulletin a special prayer has been published for this prayerful intention which we can proclaim as we affirm the sanctity of life, made holy by the incarnation of Christ Our Savior. Today: MAMMA MIA Meatball Cook-Off! Following the Sunday Divine Liturgy, join us in the Church hall for fellowship and to enjoy the MAMMA MIA Meatball Cook-Off. Parishioners will be able to taste a meatball and vote for it on a ballot. The winner will be determined at the end of the event. Tuesday: Akathist to Our Savior On Tuesday evening, January 23 rd, the Akathist Hymn Christ Our Savior, will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, please contact the parish office first to see if the Divine Services are being celebrated or have been cancelled. Wednesday: PAC & PFC Meeting On Wednesday evening, January 24 th, starting at 6:30 p.m. we will have the meeting of the Parish Advisory Council (PAC) and Parish Financial Board (PFC) in our Church hall. I ask all members to please be present for this important meeting. Attendance at these meetings is open to all our St. Gregory s parishioners. For those who may have parish related questions or concerns, our Parish Financial Council and Parish Advisory Council members are available to help clarify matters for you and ensure your input is heard. We also are open to comments and suggestions, and extend a warm invitation to everyone who may wish to attend any of our scheduled meetings. Friday: Moleben for Those Suffering from Alcohol or Drug Dependence Join us on Friday evening, January 26 th at 7:00 p.m. as we will offer a special Moleben-Prayer Service, during which our prayerful supplications will be offered for those suffering from Alcohol or Drug dependence. Be part of this prayerful event as we pray before the icon of the Mother of God known as the Inexhaustible Cup. House Blessing This week Fr. Val will continue with the blessing of homes in our parish. If you wish to have your house blessed, please fill out the form, which is available in the Church vestibule in order to request this blessing and pastoral visitation. Once the form has been received you will be contacted by phone to schedule this pastoral visitation. Thank you.
Super Bowl 52 Pool Fundraiser We continue running a Super Bowl pool again this year with a prize giveaways of the end of the first quarter ($50), half-time ($100), third quarter ($150) and final score ($300). To purchase a square on the Super Bowl Pool, please see our parishioner Greg Uhrlen in the Church narthex following the Divine Liturgy or call/email the parish office. A square may be purchased for $10. (Please supply your full name and email address or phone number if you do not have email) Final square purchases must be made by Super Bowl Sunday, February 4 th at 12:00 noon. All Souls Saturday The 1 st All Souls Saturday will be celebrated on Saturday, February 3 rd, at 4:40 p.m., prior to the beginning of the Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy. On these All Souls Saturdays, it is tradition in our Holy Church to prayerfully remember our beloved departed family members, loved ones, etc. Amongst your offertory envelopes you have a purple envelope for the commemoration of departed souls marked All Soul s Remembrance. Please write the names of your deceased loved ones on this envelope and drop the envelope in the collection basket or bring it to the parish office. Statement of Contribution Those parishioners who would like to receive a statement of contribution for the year 2017 for tax purposes, please contact the parish office. Collection- May God bless you The total for Sunday, January 14 th, 2018 was $2491.00 (Envelopes: $1905.00; Loose: $29.00; Candles: $15.00; Debt: $60.00; Altar Candle: $156.00; Christmas: $50.00; Initial Envelopes: $30.00; Cookie Sale: $80.00; Comedy Night: $150.00; BCW: $16.00). Sincere thanks to all of you for your kindness and generosity! St. Gregory s Prayer List Kindly remember in your prayers our parishioners and friends who struggle with sickness, pain, hardship, or any special need: John Sember, Pat Tichi, William Christoff, Georgianna Chekan, Stephen Morovich, and Michael Olixa. If you would like to add your name or the name of a loved one to this list, please contact the parish office via phone or email. In the Church vestibule, you are invited to add the names of the sick and any other intentions you would like to be remembered in our Prayer Intention book. Library Ministry Notes The new calendar year is a way for many of us to hit the reset button and to embark on a journey which we hope will move us towards becoming the best version of ourselves by making personal resolutions. Therefore, it is fitting to recognize that the month of January also includes the celebration of the Theophany, a spiritual renewal and celebration of Jesus baptism in the River Jordan by his cousin St. John the Baptist. This Holy Day commemorates the beginning of Christ s public ministry. As the temperature drops, the snow flies and we remain indoors, what better way to focus on our own spiritual renewal could there be than to check out a book from the church library and to let the words on the pages wash over us? Please stop by the church library after the liturgy this weekend and introduce yourself to our ever-growing collection of books and media that will most assuredly support your spiritual journey for the New Year!!! 9 th COMEDY NIGHT AT ST. GREGORY S: FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9 TH It's that time of the year once again and we are welcoming David Kaye back for the 9 th annual comedy night on February 9 th 2018. This year every dollar raised at Comedy Night will go directly to the installation of a Handicapped Bathroom in the Church hall in connection with the completion of the Ladies Bathroom entry. Anyone wishing to Sponsor the event for a direct donation to the Handicapped Bathroom project can do so by speaking to Fr. Valerian or Mike Kiss. Tickets will are available following the Divine Liturgy in the back of the Church. Once again those who sell 10 tickets will have reserved seating. Questions please contact Mike Kiss at 412-818-1295. If you are planning to attend this popular pre-lenten event, make sure to reserve your tickets NOW! As per last Sunday: Tickets sold 95 - Tickets remaining 130 - Ticket price is $25.00