January 7, 2007

ST.  ANTHONY ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

385 Ivy Lane,  Bergenfield, NJ 07621

                                           January 7, 2007

PARISH

PHONE:    (201) 568-8840        V. Rev. Joseph Allen,  Pastor

FAX:          (201) 568-6933       Dn. Peter Boulukos, Assistant

         St. Anthony’s web page: http://www.stanthonysorthodox.org

Antiochian Archdiocese web page: http://www.antiochian.org

                     THE SYNAXIS OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Epistle: Acts 19:1-8                                                                                         St. Julian The Deacon

Gospel: John 1:29-34

Tone:  Five

                                                               THE EPISTLE

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

IN THOSE DAYS, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesos. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.

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 Kramer Families.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

“REMEMBERING OUR PAST, BUILDING OUR FUTURE”

1.       Today, the Synaxis of St. John the Baptist, January 7^th on our Liturgical Calendar, we will “bless the waters” for Holy Theophany (also known as “Epiphany”). The word “theophany” literally means the “revelation of God,” while “epiphany” merely says “revelation,” as a shortened form of speaking about this feast day. This is the celebration of God revealing his true nature, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which the scripture says occurs when St. John the Baptist agrees to baptize the Lord in the River Jordan.

2.       We will say the three prayers of the Blessing of the Waters after the Liturgy is completed. Please do listen carefully to these prayers which, although we do not do the entire service, includes the critical components of that service. It is edited for purposes of our parish; it is actually a complete Vespers Service, served after Liturgy.

3.       NEXT SUNDAY, January 14^th is OUTREACH SUNDAY! On that day we celebrate our Patronal Feast Day of ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT. It is especially appropriate, then, that on that day our parish family REVIEWS OUR COMMITTMENT TO St. Anthony’s. Every family has received via the mail the pertinent information regarding this most important day in our parish life. This day describes “who we are, what we are about, and what we do” as brothers and sisters in Christ, within the Orthodox Christian Tradition – and that means beyond our national and ethnic distinctions.

1. During this week, please do fill out the pledge card you received and place it in the accompanying envelope. NEXT SUNDAY THESE WILL BE COLLECTED and placed on the Altar as a sign of our “pledge” to God. We expect a card from every family, no matter the pledge amount. As we have done over the past years, we ask our parish to return to God ONE HOUR’S WAGE of your weekly income as your pledge, and certainly, if nothing else, we should be contributing one dollar more per week than what we offered last year. The Holy Scripture asks for 10%; this is far less than that!
2. Also next Sunday, after reverencing the Cross, we will gather in the Church Hall for the ARTOCLASIA (The Breaking of the Breads), followed by a Brunch, offered every year by the Fellowship of St. Anthony’s. Since it is OUTREACH SUNDAY, our Outreach Team, chaired by Stella Vagias and Robin Robinson, oversees this day. This year Michael Hakim will be our “witness,” that is, will bear witness to our community life together. PLEASE BRING THE CHILDREN TO THE BRUNCH; THIS IS OUR FAMILY DAY FOR WHICH THERE IS NO CHARGE.

4.       HOLY OBLATIONS (OFFERINGS) BOOK IS NOW READY TO RECEIVE THE NAMES FOR 2007. Our loved ones, both living and departed this life, should be commemorated on Names Days, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and also on the Sunday nearest the date of the “falling asleep in Christ” of our beloved departed ones. PLEASE RECORD THESE NAMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE ALSO PRINT CLEARLY – DO NOT WRITE. And remember: we must schedule Memorial Services, celebrated after Liturgy,  by speaking directly with Father Joseph or Secretary, Genny Mandalakis.

5.       HAVE YOU SIGNED UP TO OFFER THE COFFEE HOUR? Please let us remember the importance of our time together following the Liturgy. Please do not wait to offer this “family time.” EVERY FAMILY SHOULD TAKE THEIR TURN – SEE LAST YEAR’S SCHEDULE. Two families can join this effort, but let us all take our responsibility seriously.

6.       HOME VISITATIONS during this week for the season of Epiphany starting tomorrow. Please follow the instructions sent to your home.

Sunday, Jan. 7^th                   The Great Blessing of Water will follow The Divine Liturgy

Monday, Jan.8^th                   Bergenfield, Englewood, Fairlawn

Tuesday, Jan. 9^th                  Tenafly, Englewood Cliffs

Wednesday, Jan.10^th                        Alpine, Demarest, Closter, Cresskill

Thursday, Jan. 11^th                  Dumont, Haworth, New Milford

Friday, Jan.12^th                    Leonia, Palisades Park, Fort Lee, Cliffside Park

Sunday, Jan. 14^th                 Outreach Sunday, Artoklasia (Breaking of Bread)

7.       NEW FOR 2007 – A CALENDAR TO LIST ALL CHURCH RELATED EVENTS: This calendar is posted outside the church office near the All Purpose Room. All heads of organizations, committees, or other groups should list their activities. If the Hall is needed this also needs to be noted on the Rental Calendar (down in the room with the Xerox Machine). Please see Ellen Thomsen if you have any questions.

8.       Choir Practice  Schedule: Wednesdays January 10, 17, 24, 31 (Everyone). Tuesdays January 9 and 23 (Tenor/Base). These rehearsals begin at 7:30 PM. Please save Saturday, January 13^th from Noon to 3:30 PM for a full rehearsal with everyone. All choir members are needed at these rehearsals. Contact Stratos if you cannot make these rehearsals.