Upcoming Community Events Today, Thursday 5.
7p/ Home Orthodox Lives Study, Hosted by Fr. Christos and Presvytera Joanna at their home, 1363 Foxglove Dr. Jamison, PA 18929.

Friday 6.
6:30 p/ Youth Dance Practice

Saturday 7.
7p/ Fellowship Fundraiser Dinner, hosted by Frank and Marianne Marmarou at their home, 6321 Musket Court. Bensalem, Pa. 19020. Please RSVP to Marianne at 215-752-5878 by 11/4/09.

VII Sunday of Luke, November 8. Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel.
8:45a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY.

Memorial for the repose of the souls of the servants of God: Loizos Degaitis (2-year), and Marie Degaitis (1-year), beloved parents of Stephanie Degaitis.
Family and friends are invited to attend
6p/ Metropolis Awards Banquet at Concordville Inn, Concordville, PA.

Monday 9.
7p/ Stewardship Committee Meeting at the Fisfis Residence.

Tuesday 10.
11a/ Bible Class at Church, studying the Book of James, the Brother of our Lord.
4:30p/ Greek Language Classes.
7p/ Parish Council Meeting.

Thursday 12.
6:30p/ Philoptochos Annual Bid-n-Buy.

Friday 13. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, Damaskinos the New Martyr of Mount Athos.
8:45 a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY at THE METROPLIS CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN IN TENAFLY, NJ.
6:30 p/ Youth Dance Practice
6:30p/ PTO Holiday Baking (Tiropites).

Saturday 14.
9a/ Regional JOY KidMission, hosted by St. Demetrios parish, Upper Darby.
1p/ Church Hall Rented.

8th Sunday of Luke. November 15. Gurias, Samonas, & Avivos, Martyrs & Confessors of Edessa, Thomas, Archbishop of Constantinople. From today we begin the Christmas Fast.
8:45 a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY

Monday 16. Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist.
8:45 a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY.

Tuesday 17.
11a/ Bible Class at Church, studying the Book of James, the Brother of our Lord.
4:30p/ Greek Language Classes.

Wednesday 18.
7:30p/ DVYC Meeting at St. Thomas, Cherry Hill.

Thursday 19.
7p/ Book of the Apocalypse Study at Church.

Saturday 21. The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple.
8:45 a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY.
1p/ Delaware Valley Region Parish Council Members Seminar @ St. Luke, Broomall.

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:

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.


Share-a-Ride to Church Do you, or someone you know, need a ride to Church?
A number of parishioners have indicated on their Stewardship Card that they are willing to volunteer to give persons a ride to Church.
Please contact the office, 215-635-0316, and we will connect you with someone in your area who can bring you to Church, and take you back home.

JOY Kids Mission JOY age children are invited to the Delaware Valley Region JOY KIDS MISSION on Saturday November 14, 2009, starting at 9:00 am, hosted by the Church of St. Demetrios, Upper Darby, PA.
The theme this year is "The Lives and Travels of Various Saints".
For further information amd registration, please contact Toula Pithis 215-750-9757, or Nikki Pieces, 215-464-8492.

Sunday School News Gentle reminder that if you have not yet registered your children for Sunday school, please do so by contacting Stella Nikolopoulos, PTO. Fee for the year is $10, small - in comparison to the knowledge that is gained from faithful attendance!
Three years ago, the Sunday school started a stewardship program for the children. In the past, this has enabled the children to support our parish by buying a brick for the parking lot, making a generous contribution to one of our members currently attending Holy Cross Seminary, making a donation to help a young boy whose family was devastated when a fire consumed their home, and making a donation to PTO who supports the Sunday School program. As Stewardship – Time, Treasure and Talent, is part of the learning within the 6th grade class room, these children 'administer' the program for the entire Church School, passing a tray each Sunday both for Stewardship and for IOCC mission. Please remind your children about the intrinsic rewards of stewardship and encourage them to participate fully in both the programs.
Looking ahead, this year our 'theme' will be in-line with the Patriarch's message to 'Go Green'. The 3rd grade will be investigating the possibilities of recycling paper, plastics, printer ink cartridges and more within our community.
In addition, several classes have 'service' projects lined up including "Heart to Heart" in the 2nd grade, "Project Mexico" in the 5th grade, and the 7th/8th grades will be servicing our parish by providing and maintaining flower pots near the entrances of the Church. Look for more information in the upcoming weeks to be communicated through your children.
In the forthcoming weeks, we will be working to establish a presence on the www.Annunciation-elkinspark.org website in an effort to better communicate with parents about our program, and to keep the children current regarding any classroom activities. In addition, it is our hope to also include an update in the Sunday bulletins. Sincere apologies for the delay in publishing communications! As we strive to be diligent in our communication to those we serve, we also need your loving feedback in order to improve. Please help us succeed!
If you are interested in becoming involved with the Church School program as a teacher or aid, please contact either Fr. Christos and/or Mary O’Hara through the church office, or at mohgec@comcast.net. We welcome and encourage your involvement and support, so that the children can continue to be enriched with orthodox Christian instruction as identified by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese with guidance from Fr. Christos.

What is the Orthodox Church? We learn that the Orthodox Church is the Kingdom of God. Therefore, to learn about the Orthodox Church, the Kingdom of God, we need three strong pillars: The Church, the Home, and the Church School (Orthodox Observer, Oct 2009). The essence of this article is that all three are needed in order to provide a solid Orthodox Christian foundation for our children - the future of our Orthodox Church. This article has been posted on the Church School board ~ Please take the time to read it!
“If artists who make statues and paint portraits of kings are held in high esteem.
Will not God bless ten thousand times more those who reveal and beautify.
His royal image (for man is the image of God)?
When we teach our children to be good, to be gentle, to be forgiving (all these are attributes of God), to be generous, to love their fellow men,
to regard this present age as nothing, we install virtue in their souls,
and reveal the image of God within them.
This, then, is our task: to educate both ourselves and our children in godliness;
otherwise what answer will we have before Christ’s judgment-seat?
. . . Let us be greatly concerned for our wives and our children and for ourselves as well . . .
The good God Himself will bring this work to perfection, so that all of us may be counted
Worthy of the blessings He has promised.”
~ St. John Chrysostom

Last Sunday`s sermon began with the acknowledgment that cell-phones are dangerous to our physical health. Some how they have the `capacity` to take our minds away from observing our immediate surroundings. We also agreed that the environment we live in can influence our whole being. We also understood that whatever happens with the physical environment in its relation with me, the same happens with the social and especially our spiritual environment as it relates to us and we relate with it since we live and move in it.
From our relations with our environment, all around us, we receive influences especially on our Christian beliefs and in our capacity as members of the Church. This environment-world-has its own ideas and thought, its own behavior, its own `I believe`. These philosophies of the world and also its life and order of living, have a tremendous influence on Me/Us. This `sinful and adulterous generation, as the Lord Jesus called it, brakes down slowly and systematically, our personal convictions and our faith towards the Church, our Lord, our trait as a member of the Church, as a member of Christ`s body.
How and how much has the world affected me? I can only judge it by how lazy and indifferent I have become towards the gift of God hidden in Him before all ages, THE CHURCH. Therefore, even though I am a member of Christ`s Church, I see the Church with a very secular eye. I judge her with worldly criteria. I see her as a club or a social organization. Sometimes, I even see the Church as a place where I go to have some fun. The Church then becomes a museum, something half dead-it becomes a museum of language and culture and mentality. Therefore, the Church has no relation with my life issues; with my every day actions and deeds. Of course I will visit her at Christmas, Pascha night, and at some other less important feasts or at funerals, baptisms,and weddings in order to satisfy my social responsibilities. Oh YES, I visit the Church especially when there is a PANYGIRI -FESTIVAL - IN ORDER TO BRAKE THE MONOTONY FROM MY OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS. Have you noticed how many Orthodox people come to the Food Festivals that no one knows who they are? The saddest story that I have ever heard from the mouth of a 35 year old Orthodox person is this, "Father, I have NEVER been inside an Orthodox temple, MY PARENTS, WHO WERE BORN IN GREECE, HAVE NEVER BROUGHT US TO THE CHURCH". It is time for tears and wailing. Is this the only such case? Where there is one, there are two or more. WHAT A GREAT ACCIDENT!
But, is this the only `accident`? There are Christians who sit on a pew Sunday after Sunday and hear sermon after sermon and if you ask them the question, "What is Church", they will not be able to answer you at all. This is my condition-when I see the Church as an earthly institution; it is not a simple dusting of the soul but a great accident, an uprooting and distortion of the real character of the Church. I MUST MAKE A DECISION!I must begin, even at my 60 or 70,to see the Church as Her member; as one who deeply wishes to belong to Her, not in a superficial way, rather in a substantial way. I need to clear up inside of me once and for all what it means that "I belong to the Church". Who is going to teach me about Her? It will be foolish to ask the world. I will ask an expert, someone who saw Her whole glory. In his Epistle to the Ephesians 1:16-23 St. Paul reveals the icon of the Church. Please read the whole text at home. WE only took the last two verses. "And God the Father put all things under His feet (Jesus Christ) and gave Him to be HEAD over all things to the Church which is His BODY, the fullness of Him who fills all in all".

What does Paul say about the Church? He presents Her with a symbolic expression, very vivid, descriptive, concise and comprehensive. Paul names the Church-THE BODY OF CHRIST-.Have you ever thought the Church as a body? The Church is presented as a body. In another place Paul preaches. "And He, Christ, is before all and in Him and by Him all are governed and preserved. And He is the HEAD of the BODY of the Church". Wait inquirer, there is more. And to the Corinthians he says, "You are the BODY of Christ and members of His body Individually". Please tell me that you have an interest in all these things. According to these words of Paul the Church constitutes a spiritual organism where its worth stands first, that it has as its head Christ, and second, in that it has as its members every single man, woman and child. All of us together constitute His body. Can we for one second contemplate on this great mystery and at the same time reality. "I belong to Jesus", "I am a member of His body".

How important is this? It is about my whole Christian identity. It is about my salvation. And it has the following implications. If I believe that I am Jesus` hands then I must use them like He did; to greet the stranger, to lift up the sick, to feed the hungry. If I believe that I am His feet, I must walk in righteousness; I must walk towards every person that needs my help no matter what his/her nationality is. If I am His mouth, then I must preach the Good News of His Gospel; I must utter words of comfort and hope, not gossip and cursing. If I am His eyes then I must look to save the lost; I must look towards heaven. If I am His body, I must keep it clean and undefiled; away from the dirt of the world.
Now I see more clearly that the Church is something else not what the world wants me to believe. Therefore I declare to the whole world:World,The Church is not; neither an institution, some kind of social or ethnic establishment nor a club, not even a union of people who have common worldly interests and secular pursuits. The Church, world, is not a political or cultural or social movement. The Church is a great mystery, incomprehensible for my poor brain, but it is a real, existing and substantial body, THE BODY OF CHRIST!!! Now world, you know how I feel about my Church.
Brothers and Sisters of the only true God, do we understand the seriousness of this truth? Just like the human body is one body but has many members and all the members of the body, even though are many, constitute one and only body, the same happens with Christ. All of us who believe in Him, we are one, because we were baptized by the same Holy Spirit in the same font and we became one body. All of us are one body, the body of Christ!!! We are not a mass of people that have no organic relation and unity among us. One member of the body depends on the other. Each one member can not live apart from the whole. What one does, good or evil, affects the whole body. The right hand can not do the will of God, and the other, the left, remain outside the law of God. One eye can not look at Christ and at the same time the other to look at the world. The left foot can not say to the right foot, you go that way and I will go this way. Within a family and a parish, each member or organization/ministry, is a member of the whole and same body. One organization can not take its own course and do as it pleases, disregarding the other. The ethical law of the Gospel as we have said in the past, holds true for all ages. There is only one Gospel, only one body. Let us never forget who is the head of the Church, Christ Jesus the Lord. The body can not live, survive, exist without its head. The head is also the rudder, the control tower. Christ is the unifying power, the center (observe the dome of the temple), the purpose, the skopos, the beginning, the end, the reason for the Church`s existence. We are not autocephalous. Without Christ, there is no Church!!! Without obedience to the head, to the leader of our lives, the Church is a dead body, a sick body, a non-functional body.
It is therefore my debt as an Orthodox Christian to study with humility and love; with piety and respect this great truth. Let me leave you with three things today.
A) Is there love, genuine love, among us?
B) Do we have the joy of the Holy Spirit and transit this joy to others?
C) Do we feel blessed that we are members of the Orthodox Church?
Valid questions that need deep contemplation and require honest and straight answers for the Head knows and sees all things.
The Cross is the pride of the Church. Father Christos

Are you a Current Steward in Good Standing? The 2009 year is almost over!  We are trying to reach out to all parishioners who have not pledged in 2009.  You have received several 2009 Pledge Cards throughout the year including this past week. We are appealing to you to become a supporting Steward of your Church. You are receiving the blessings of all the ministries that your church has to offer you and as a faithful steward, God expects you to contribute your share for the financial well-being of the community (“Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required” Luke 12:48). 
Please do not neglect this most important responsibility to your Church.

Philoptochos News On Thursday November 12, 6:30 pm, we will be holding our Annual Bid N Buy. The Theme this year is “An Evening At Tiffany`s”. All are invited.

Fellowship Fundraiser Host Families Needed 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 Philadelphia, 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.

Here are the dates for the upcoming Fellowship Fundraisers:

Saturday November 7, 7:00 pm: Frank and Marianne Marmarou Residence. 6321 Musket Court. Bensalem, Pa. 19020. Please RSVP to Marianne Marmarou at 215-752-5878 by November 4, 2009.

Please contact the Parish Council or the Church office if you are interested in hosting the next Fellowship Fundraiser.

Fall General Assembly and Parish Council Elections The Fall General Assembly of our parishioners will be held on Sunday November 22, 2009, in our Cultural Center, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Official invitation should have arrived to your home by post mail.

Parish Council Elections will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2009. Nominations for Parish Council will open on November 2, and close at the General Assembly on November 22. Election information and Petition for candidacy for the 2010 Parish Council should also have arrived to your home by post mail.

You are invited to attend both of these important events, and take an active part in decision making process and the administration of your parish.


GREATER PHILADELPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCHES TO HOST THE METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY SIXTH ANNIVERSARY AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS BANQUET ANNUNCIATION YOUTH NOMINATED AS PARISH AMBASSADORS
Four Annunciation youth were named to represent our parish in the inaugural Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards Program, on Sunday November 8. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey created this a award to recognize young men and women in the Southern Jersey, Greater Philadelphia area and Delaware region who have contribute greatly to their church and community while growing stronger in their faith.

The following young men and women were selected based on their personifying the attributes of the four basic components of Orthodox Life: Worship, Service, Witness and Fellowship.

Matthew Christofidis was nominated as an Ambassador of Faith, someone who embodies the spiritual qualities of an Orthodox Christian;

Georgianna Sandilos was nominated as an Ambassador of Love, one who exemplifies the spirit of service;

Maria Karidas was nominated as an Ambassador of Hope, a person who lives life with Orthodox Christian values; and,

George Spiro Armentani was nominated as an Ambassador of Peace, a young person who addresses the cultural diversity of our society with compassion and love for all.

In today’s world there are many things drawing young people away from the Church. The Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards program recognizes those young people who have not been led away from their faith.
These Parish Ambassadors will join Parish Ambassadors from other Greek Orthodox Churches at a November 8 Awards Banquet where Regional Ambassadors will be announced.

TWO ANNUNCIATION PARISHIONERS TO BE HONORED AT THE NOVEMBER 8 Peggy (Pappas) Lambrou. The Annunciation -Evangelismos Philoptochos recognizes Peggy Lambrou who has been an active member of the Evangelismos congregation since she arrived in Philadelphia from Athens at the age of 14, along with her parents Christos and Irene Pappas, and her brother George and sister Elise.

Peggy was one of the many devoted parishioners who helped build the original portion of the Elkins Park Church in 1968 (now the classroom building and reception hall).
Peggy has served on the Philoptochos Board off and on for 30 years, and has held the offices of secretary and treasurer. She continues to be an active planner and participant in various church functions.
Peggy is married to Peter Lambrou and is the proud mother of 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Peggy, who lives in Elkins Park, is fortunate to spend part of each year in Nafplion, Greece.

Peter Nikolopoulos. The Annunciation- Evangelismos, Elkins Park Community recognizes Peter Nikolopoulos for his outstanding and faithful contributions to our Greek Orthodox Community. Peter has been a member of Evangelismos since 1968. He has served our parish for ten years as a member of the Parish Council and as Assistant Treasurer for nine years. Peter spends countless hours every month at the church in his capacity as Treasurer. He quietly works behind the scenes to help Feastdays and holidays run smoothly. Peter is an integral part of our annual OPA festival. He is the proud father of two lovely daughters, Maria and Eleni. He has been married to his lovely wife Stella for 25 years.

PTO Christmas Bake Sale Preparation Schedule It`s this time of year again that we need to start preparing for our Christmas Bake Sale. Below is the schedule for baking. Please every effort to give a couple of hours on the days listed below so we can complete our baking. We need many hands to accomplish this task.

Friday, 11/13/09 - Tiropitas (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm)
Sunday, 11/22/09 - Spanakopitas (Following coffee hour)
Sunday, 11/29/09 - Baklava (Following coffee hour)
Wednesday, 12/9/09 - Breads (9:30 am until done)
Saturday, 12/12/09 - prepare for bake sale, fill orders, set up for bazaar and bake sale (10:00 am until done)
Sunday, 12/13/09 - Bake Sale (help needed to sell items)


PTO ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAKE SALE ORDER FORM ____ Baklava, small tray (10 pieces) each $25.00 ______

____ Kourambiedes (12 small) each $9.00 ______

____ Melomakarona (12 small) each $9.00 ______

____ Galatobouriko -
Ready-to-Bake with Syrup (12 pieces) each $18.00 ______

____ Spanakopetas (12 pieces, frozen) each $6.00 ______

____ Tiropetas (12 pieces, frozen) each $6.00 ______

____ Vasilopetas (Large Holiday Loaf) each $9.00 ______

Total due with order: ___________

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Name:____________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________

Telephone Number: (______) ______________________

Please leave orders in church office or mail orders to: Annunciation PTO-Bake Sale, 7921 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 by December 6, 2009. Checks made payable to: Church of the Annunciation-PTO. Pick up orders following liturgy on Sunday, December 13, 2009 during Holiday Bake Sale/Bazaar. Any questions, please call Stella Nikolopoulos 215-343-7643.


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, Michael, Olivia...

2010 OPA Journal We are looking for a TEAM of volunteers to work on the 2010 Journal that is seen by thousands of people at the OPA festival.  Responsibilities include:  Soliciting Ads, Graphic Design, Data Input, Compilation of Articles, Financial Management. 
Come and get involved in this very important fundraiser! 
We are starting early this year to make it the most successful journal yet!
If you are interested in participating, please contact the Church Office at 215-635-0316 
or Ginny Markos 215-643-5815.

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.

Holy Metropolis Fundraiser A concert - fundraiser for the Metopolis of New Jersey- will be held at the Lyric Opera House, 140 West Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore MD, on Sunday November 22, 2009 at 5:00 pm. This concert will feature the music of several famous Greek Composers: Theodorakis, Hatzidakis, Xarhakos, Plessas, etc. and will be performed by Anastasia Christofilaki, Nikos Stefanou, Elpiniki Zervou and Nikos Tsaousis with Panagiotis Barbatis as the Conductor. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.