THE EPISTLE

Prokeimenon: God is wonderful among his saints.

Bless God in the congregations

The reading is from
Saint Paul's Letter to the Hebrews.

BRETHREN, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated-of whom the world was not worthy-wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.

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 Mandalakis and Thomsen Families.

The Coffee and Reception in the Church Hall is offered today by the Thomsen and Soldo Families. NOTE: Please do not wait to sign up for offering the Coffee Reception held every Sunday after Liturgy. The chart is posted in the hall, as well as the list of responsibilities and items needed.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Today we celebrate a Memorial Service for the late servants of God +JULIA and TRIANTAFELLOS TRIANTAFELLIDES, parents of our parishioner and Church Secretary Genny Mandalakis, and Grandparents of Stratos, Maria, Theodore, and Peter. MEMORY ETERNAL!

2. Today is the First Sunday after Pentecost which is known in the Orthodox Church as “All Saints’ Sunday.” On this day we commemorate all those who have “witnessed” to Jesus Christ through their sacrifice and martyrdom. Indeed the Greek work “martyria” (martyr) literally means “witness”. Beginning this day the Sundays begin to “sequence”, that is, they begin to be “counted” as follows: the First Sunday, the Second Sunday, the Third Sunday, etc. after Pentecost. This count continues until the next Great Lenten Season begins, exceptions being made only for special feast days, etc. Then it becomes Lent/Easter/Pentecost once again.

3. PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE, June 29^th – July 3^rd. This year the PLC is in our “back yard:” Headquarters Plaza Hotel,
Morristown, NJ. For reservations call 1-800-225-1941. Since it is held so close to St. Anthony’s we hope to see many of our families – especially mothers and fathers of our
Church
School students and Teen SOYO members – TO BE PRESENT!

4. MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF
ANTIOCH: The Order of St. Ignatius will hold its annual dinner meeting at the Eastern Diocese Parish Life Conference at the Headquarters Plaza Hotel in
Morristown, NJ on Thursday, June 30^th at 6 PM. There will be a duet of filet mignon and filet of sole for dinner at $60 per person. All members should reserve their places now so the host parish will be aware of how many to prepare for. For further information please call or see Ed or Arlene Assile or Peter or Thelma Dacales.

5. NEW CELEBRATION and REMEMBRANCE PROGRAM. Please remember you can use the new “Sanctuary Candles” to celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, namesdays, etc. (Red Candles), as well as remembering our departed loved ones (Blue Candles). Special Celebration/Remembrance Envelopes will soon be available in conjunction with this program. Please see any steward in the Narthex of the Church to offer one of these week-long “prayer offerings.”

6. This year the Biennial ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION will gather in
Detroit, Michigan, July 25-31^st. All the works, reports, committees, etc. are held every other year (odd numbered years) at this Convention. Votes are allowed for each clergyman, and one vote per 100 persons in each parish. This will be the first Archdiocese Convention which we will hold since we have been granted “Self-Rule.” Also this will be the first Convention at which our newly consecrated Hierarchs will be present, representing their various Dioceses. If you are interested in attending this Convention, please do not wait to make your reservations.

7. Now that the
Church
School year is finished, we take this opportunity to thank all those who have worked so hard this past year in our
Church
School, as well as in our Teen SOYO, Ladies’ Guild, Fellowship, and Choir. And don’t forget those Altar Boys! Its been a great year for St. Anthony’s.

8. BUT DO NOT FORGET THAT OUR GOLDEN JUBILEE WILL SOON BE UPON US – 2006. Although it seems far away, it is NOT! We will begin our GOLDEN JUBILEE in September of 2006 and culminate at “Jubilee Weekend,” June 2-4, 2007. Please RESERVE THAT WEEKEND AND DO NOT PLAN ANYTHING ELSE! PLEASE!

9. In anticipation of our Fifty Years, St. Anthony is also in the process of refurbishing, “re-golding’ and refinishing all our Altar and Liturgical items – which honestly have not be replated for many, many years. This program will be integrated into our Golden Jubilee Celebration.

10. There will be Liturgy here at St Anthony's on July 3rd. Usually we serve Liturgy with all the other parishes in the Eastern Region at the Parish Life Conference, but due to a change in schedules, this year it will be here. As usual, it will begin at 10:00 AM"

June 26, 2005

THE EPISTLE