Upcoming Community Events Friday 9.
12p/ Delaware Valley Clergy Meeting, at Annunciation, Elkins Park.
6:30 p/ Youth Dance Practice.
7p/ PTO Meeting.

Saturday 10.
1p/ Church Hall Rented.

Sunday of The Seventh Ecumenical Council, October 11, 2009
8:45a/ THE ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY.
Kalosorisma by Parish Council.

Monday 12.
10a/ Viewing, followed by the Funeral Service for Georgia Laynas.
Family and friends are invited to attend.
7:30p/ Parish Council Meeting.

Tuesday 13.
9:30a/ Trip to the Metropolis Headquarters in Westfield, NJ.
Bible Class is Cancelled Today.
4:30p/ Greek School Classes.

Thursday 15.
7:30p/ Delaware Valley Youth Commission Meeting at Annunciation, Elkins Park.

Friday 16.
12p/ Delaware Valley Clergy Meeting, at Annunciation, Elkins Park.
6:30p/ Youth Dance Practice.

Saturday 17.
9:30a/ Spiritual Retreat, featuring Fr. Luke Veronis as the speaker.

Sunday October 18. St. Luke the Evangelist
8:45a/ THE ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY
40-day Memorial for the repose of the soul of Krystallo Sandilos. Family and friends are invited to attend.
GOYA Basketball Season Starts.

Our Deepest Sympathy to the family of Georgia Laynas, 87, who fell asleep in the Lord Wednesday October 7.
Georgia of blessed memory, and her late husband, John Laynas, were part of the core group of 30 families who relocated to Elkins Park from South Philadelphia in 1963. Georgia was a lifelong active member of Philoptochos, and served as president from 1964 to1965, 1967 to 1971, and 1987 to 1989.
The Funeral Service for Georgia will be Monday October 12 at 11am, preceded by Visitation at 10am.
Family and friends are invited to attend.

Bible Studies at Annunciation The Morning Weekly Bible Study takes place every Tuesday morning, 11:0 am at Church (please see Weekly Bulletin for possible changes due to the ecclesiastical calendar & Fr. Christos’ availability). The group is currently studying the book of James the Brother of our Lord, with plans to go through all the General Epistles this year.

HERE ARE THE DATES AND PLACES OF THE UPCOMING
EVENING ORTHODOX STUDIES:
Monday Oct. 26, 7pm/ Book of The Apocalypse Study at Church.
Thursday Nov. 5, 7pm/ Orthodox Lives Study: Theme to be determined. Hosted by Fr. Christos and Presvytera Joanna at their home, 1363 Foxglove Dr. Jamison, PA 18929.
Thursday Nov. 19, 7pm/ Book of The Apocalypse Study at Church.
Thursday Dec. 3, 7pm/ Orthodox Lives Study: Theme and host family to be determined.
Monday Dec. 7, 7pm/ Book of The Apocalypse Study at Church.
Mark your calendars and make the effort to attend these soul-enriching and edifying activities.


Trip to Metropolis Headquarters, Tuesday October 13, 2009 The trip to the Metropolis has been rescheduled for This Tuesday October 13. A bust will depart from St. Thomas Church in Cherry hill at 9:30 am. You can either drive directly to St. Thomas, or be at Annunciation at 8:45, and drive together with Fr. Christos. Please let Fr. Christos know if you are going, and how you are planning to go.

" UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE,THOSE WHO BUILD IT LABOR IN VAIN;UNLESS THE LORD GUARD THE CITY,THOSE WHO GUARD IT STAY AWAKE IN VAIN " Psalm 126:1 Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Last Sunday we heard the words of Jesus, "And if you love those who love you, what profit is that to you; for even sinners do the same". Sinners here also means the unbelievers. Is it possible that Christians are not obeying the Lord`s commandment (love your neighbor as your self) and the unbelievers do so? Oh, what a condemnation this would be at His Second Coming for those who confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Some times it takes a young soul to put us in the right mindset. A certain young parishioner has asked of us to show love towards those whom we do not know. How? To place shoes on little feet that have no money to buy them. The box, the picture, tells the whole story. From the wisdom books we learn to do good to others for in time of need God will be merciful to you. It is beneficial to us to be charitable. Charity is like an insurance policy with cash value. In time of need you can draw from it.
After a brief exhortation on the Gospel passage we turned our attention to Saint Paul`s Second Epistle to the Corinthians. We discussed Chapter 6 verses 11-18. To our surprise we learned that Paul had a "peculiar" request from the church of Corinth. He wanted of them to return to him the same feelings he had for them. " I opened my heart to you, open your hearts to me also". OK Paul, do you want us to send you a money order? "NO,I work with my own two hands for my daily needs" Do you want us to send someone to pick you up from Rome and bring you here? "NO, I walk for the Lord is my companion". Then, what do you need from us? "I heard that there are divisions among you; that you have brought false teachers in the congregation; I want the divisions to cease. Who died for you on the cross? None of those leaders that you extol neither I, but Jesus the Lord. Show me that you love me by obeying the Gospel that I preached to you while I was with you".

Did not the Lord say the same thing to His disciples just before His ascent on the cross? "They will know that you are mine if you love one another (and remain united)". So, we show love to God when we obey His Gospel and remain united. But Paul also asked for one more thing which is the same thing God has been asking from His people from day one. DO NOT MINGLE WITH UNBELIEVERS. Stay away from idolatry. Have nothing to do with the works of darkness. "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you". Just like an earthly father asks of his children not to mingle with bad company and to avoid their evil deeds, so also God asks of His children. If a child loves his earthly father, he will obey his request, correct?
This Christian principle, to avoid the deeds of darkness and to keep away from unbelievers is great but at the same time most Christians err against it and do not understand how to handle it. Some clarification is needed especially today since the whole world wants to brake down all barriers. First we have to establish the facts; the world is against Christian principles; the world wants to destroy the truth of the Gospel; the world wants to establish a different kingdom opposing God`s kingdom in Jesus Christ; the world wants to silence Christians from calling upon the name of Jesus; the world is drenched in the spirit of the Antichrist. Therefore, whatever is not true and honest according to the Word of God, Christians must reject and avoid. Should a Christian be involved with people who blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Should Christians be partners with people who defraud others or manipulate them as to cause them physical, spiritual, monetary loss? Should Christians be involved in unethical business pursuits? (casinos, night clubs, horse race tracks, just to mention a few). But someone may say, "We live in this world and we must mingle with other people. Are we to become recluse, monks, and avoid neighbors and friends?" During our conversation in church we said that as long as we do not violate our Christian principles and we have the freedom to express them and even the opening to make them known to others, we can mingle with non-Christians. Whenever there is a chance to do good, be good Samaritans, we can mingle with non-believers. As citizens of a country, we cannot refuse to uphold the laws of the state or refuse to help establish them because there are non-believers around us. Can you imagine a soldier or a police officer refuse to do his duty because there are non-believers in the force? I think enough examples were given that Sunday in order to understand the spirit of the Word of God and Saint Paul`s admonition to the Corinthians. In the case of worship Paul`s request becomes ever more important. "And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?" Should we pray with people who do not confess One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the two natures of Jesus Christ? And in verse 14 Paul says, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers". One important application of this passage is that the Church calls us to marriage between those of like faith.
We concluded the lesson by calling all Christians to remain steadfast to the Faith and to keep our Orthodox Traditions alive and true. Without the spirit and the attitude of the Pharisee we are called to spread the Good News of the Gospel to the world and to do deeds worthy of the name Christian.
"I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people"
Father Christos.

2009 Stewardship Update As of 8-Oct-09 2009 Operating budget: $490,00.
Weekly operating expenses: $9,423.
Last week’s stewardship collection: $3,234.40.
Total pledges received as of 8-Oct-09: 259 Stewards.
Average pledge: $874.
Total dollars pledged: $226,450.
Total dollars received: $166,402 (79%).
Please pledge and give according to what God has blessed you.

President`s Corner Dear Fellow Parishioners,
Each day we turn on the TV, radio and computer to hear about unemployment rates, global recession and the worst economic situation since the Great Depression. Families have less and are more cautious about where they spend their money. Businesses and companies are reporting lower margins and earnings and unfortunately our church is facing the same dilemma and deficits. Are we unique as a church community? No. All over the Metropolis and in other areas of the country I have spoken with Parish Council members who are facing the same issue this year.
At the present time we are projecting a $25,000-30,000 deficit by December if we do nothing. But we have 12 weeks or three months before the end of the year to move a small mountain. I am sure that you are asking yourselves where this deficit came from and I would like to summarize the overall situation for you. So, was this deficit due to one particular situation or event? No. It is a collective that reflects our world and our actions as individuals and as a community.
Our stewardship budget for 2009 is $280,000. As of August 31, we have received $223,500 in pledges and collected $161,280. The rate at which those dollars are coming in to the church has slowed. In previous years we were able to cover stewardship budget shortfalls through our benefactor programs, journals and the OPA festival. However, the OPA journal this year netted $4000 less than last year. Our OPA festival after expenses netted $10,000 less than in 2008. When we introduced the parking lot project over three years ago we asked for community support and participation to pay for a much needed improvement and we got your support to undertake the venture and we thank those of you who participated for your generous donations. However, only 35% of the community participated and we still have pledges that are outstanding. We took an equity loan from Abington Bank in the amount of $210,000 and we are paying $2590 per month to pay that off.
As I told all of you in the first President’s Corner and at the first General Assembly this year, one of our objectives for 2009 was to maintain and/or reduce our spending with no new capital expenditures for the year. The Parish Council has not undertaken any new projects this year in line with that objective. Our expenses are on par with the last two years and have remained stable. We have reviewed the budget and identified areas where we can reduce expenses. We have identified some simple solutions such as refinancing the parking lot loan and reducing our flower and supplies expenses. However, we are continuing to look at further expense reductions as necessary.
Furthermore, our Archdiocese Commitment, which is the stewardship that we pay to the Mother Church, was unexpectedly raised this year as it was for every community in the Metropolis and throughout the United States. We have appealed that increase to the Metropolis and provided supporting data to reduce the amount but we are still awaiting the outcome and decision of that appeal.

As we heard in the Epistle Reading on Sunday, II Corinthians v4 and 6: “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses and further by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love…”
So we need each member and family and each ministry to be responsible for supporting our community. How can this be done?
First and most simply, by fulfilling our stewardship pledges. For those of you who have not filled out a stewardship card, we need your support now more than ever.
Second, by examining our current stewardship pledge and if possible, increasing it. For example, if everyone added an additional $100 annually to their pledge we could cover our expenses. But even those who cannot do this, every little bit will help. Three months ago we sent out a recommitment letter and pledge card to 400 families. We received virtually no response.
Third, fulfilling your parking lot pledges. This will allow us to pay down the equity loan sooner.
Lastly, I would like to introduce a unique fundraiser that we will quickly implement over the next few weeks and ask your support and participation. We all spend money each week eating out in restaurants, bringing in takeout or purchasing prepared meals at the grocery store. We are looking for 10 or more host families throughout the NE, Bucks and Montgomery counties to invite families and friends to their homes for dinner. The menu will be a simple and standard one at all homes: Pizza, salad, dessert, soda and coffee. The people who attend the dinner bring the money that they would have spent that week eating out, put it in a sealed envelope and at the end of the dinner, the money collected will go to the church. No one will open the envelopes except the Treasurer who will deposit the money. So, if you eat at Burger King on a Saturday night for $15 or at a gourmet restaurant for $150 bring that donation with you and have a pizza party. The host family will be responsible for providing the food but not for giving a donation. It is a great opportunity for fellowship, meeting new people and reconnecting with friends and our church family. Please contact the Parish Council or the Church office if you are interested in hosting.
Finally we need other ideas from the Parish that you will be willing to support and ideas that can be pulled through quickly without great expense. I am confident that through prayer, God’s grace and your help we can close this gap. We have strong ministries and programs at Evangelismos and a great community. I believe that together we can overcome this difficulty.
Ginny Markos, Parish Council President.

Fellowship Fundraiser for Bucks County We all spend money each week eating out in restaurants, bringing in takeout or purchasing prepared meals at the grocery store. Join us at the Saphos residence for our first Fellowship Fundraiser and enjoy pizza, salad and dessert. Bring the money that you would have spent that week eating out, put it in a sealed envelope and at the end of the dinner, the money collected will go to the church. It’s a great opportunity for fellowship, meeting new people and reconnecting with friends and our church family.
Where: Diane and Alex Saphos
5 Poppy Court
Newtown, PA 18940
When: Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 7 P.M.
What: Bring a donation in the amount that you would have spent eating out that week.
RSVP: To Diane Saphos at 215-579-4426
By October 22, 2009.

Annunciation Fall Spiritual Retreat With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Elkins Park, PA is pleased to host a Fall Spiritual Retreat on Saturday, October 17, 2009 with FATHER LUKE A. VERONIS, Speaking on the topic:

“Lessons from a Turn-Around Church”

Retreat Agenda

9AM Paraclesis in the church
9:30 Registration & light refreshments in the church hall
10:00 1st Talk: “Capturing the Mission Spirit”
10:50 Q & A
11:10 Break
11:30 2nd Talk: “Lessons from a Turn-Around Church”
12:30 Q & A
1PM Lunch
1:30 Closing prayer

About Fr. Luke Veronis:

Fr. Luke has been involved in Orthodox missions for the past 20 years. He served as an OCMC missionary in Albania from 1994 – 2004, where he taught at the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy. He also served as a missionary in East Africa for 18 months. Fr. Luke is the author of Lynette’s Hope: The Witness of the Life and Death of Lynette Katherine Hoppe and Missionaries, Monks, Martyrs: Making Disciples of All Nations. He has written numerous articles for both lay magazines and professional missiological journals. Presently, Fr. Luke pastors the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, MA and is an adjunct instructor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Hellenic College.

***Limited complimentary babysitting will be available – we just ask that you register in advance for this service.

--- REGISTRATION ---

Registration fee before 10/15/09: $20 ($5 student rate)
Registration at the door: $25 ($5 student)

Name _______________________________________

Address________________________________

City,State,Zip_________________________

Email__________________________________

Phone______________ No. of Children needing babysitting___

Checks should be made out to: Annunciation Resource Center

Mail registration and check to:
Church of the Annunciation
Attn: Annunciation Resource Center
7921 Old York Rd., Elkins Park, PA 19027

For more information or reservations, please contact Jane Papacostas at 215.635.8863 or jjcempapa@aol.com.

The Prayer Corner “For Health and Salvation”
If yourself or a loved one is going through a difficult time and would like the community to pray for you, please contact Fr. Christos or the Parish Office, and request to be added on the prayer list. We will list the first names only in the weekly bulletin for six months, or until you ask to be removed from the list. Fr. Christos will also make a special mention of these names at the Proskomede.
We also need to remind you to call Fr. Christos when someone is ill and hospitalized so Fr. Christos can visit the hospital or nursing home.

Prayer for Healing:
Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent our Lord to heal every sickness. Visit and heal us. Grant patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us to pray for each other that we may be healed. We pray that You heal, guide and protect your servant (s)
(pray by name for those who are sick)
and grant them the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Please add the following to your daily prayer list:
Anastasia, Donna, Eleni, Eleni, Frederica, Garyfalia, George, John, Kyriaki, Maria, Mary, Nicholas, Panagiota, Thalia, Thomas, Chris, Chris, Chrysanthi, Nicholas, Eusebia, Mary, Themistokles, George, Panagiotis, Fr. Anthony, Presvytera Eleni, Cora, Fr. Kyriakos, Soteria, Konstantina, Panagiotis, Eleftheria, Francis, Beverly, Allan, Ella, Fr. John, Presvytera Elizabeth, Peter, Irene, Leila, Liz, Panagiotis, Andreas, Kyle, Penelope, Petros, Olivia...

Parish Development Synaxis The Parish Development Synaxis (gathering) has been rescheduled for Thursday October 22, at 7:00 pm. All Parish Organizations are invited to attend.

Shoes For Orphan Souls NEW SHOES ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
YOURS AND THEIRS.

Shoes For Orphan Souls is an organization whose mission is to collect shoes for children in need across the globe. Over ten years, this organization has provided over 1.8 million children with new pairs of shoes. This summer, Philoptochos has partnered with this organization and has adopted the same goal. Our aim is to collect seventy five pairs of shoes for this cause throughout the month of September and October. There will be bins set up to drop off the shoes in the church hallway. Notes are encouraged to be placed within the shoes to be sent to the orphans.
GOAL: Seventy five pairs of new shoes
KIND: Athletic, dress and casual shoes for children toddler to teens.
DEADLINE: Beginning September to the end of October
COORDINATOR: Alexa Verros ~ averros007@comcast.net or 215-657-7973
We need every member of our church to participate in this very important cause to make this a success.

Do you shop at Genuardi’s or Macy’s ? If you do, you could help the Church earn some money.
It is free, and it is easy.
Simply go to www.eScript.com, enter our group ID 500000937, and follow the instructions.
For further information, please see Sophia Penning.

Metropolis Awards Banquet, November 8, 2009 GREATER PHILADELPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCHES TO HOST THE METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY SIXTH ANNIVERSARY AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS BANQUET
All Orthodox Christians are invited to the Saint John Chrysostom and Ambassadors Awards Banquet on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at the Concordville Inn in Concordville, Pa. This event, sponsored by the clergy and churches of the Delaware Valley, will honor our Archbishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos on the sixth anniversary of his ordination and ascendancy as primate of the Metropolis of New Jersey. This event will also enable Metropolitan Evangelos to specially recognize outstanding members of our parishes and most importantly, our youth who will be participating in the Ambassador Awards Program. Leading members of our parishes are invited to join the Fellowship 1000 Endowment Fund by contributing $1,000 a year for ten years for a total of $10,000. The donation for the banquet is $50 (including the meal). A commemorative journal will be issued. To place a personal message in the journal or to honor a loved one please see Father Christos or call the church office. The donation for the message is GOLD PAGE $750, FULL PAGE $500, 1/2 PAGE @250, 1/4 PAGE $125. All proceeds from this anniversary event will benefit the Metropolis of New Jersey Building Fund. To join the Fellowship 1000 Endowment Fund, for tickets for the banquet or for more information about this event, please see or call Father Christos. A formal invitation has been mailed to you. Please try to attend.