Today’s Readings:
Epistle: Colossians 3:12-16
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
Schedule of Services:
Saturday, February 10th, Great Vespers at 4pm.
Sunday, February 11th, Divine Liturgy at 10am. Hours begin at 9:40am.
Announcements:
-Memory eternal to the departed parishioners of February. Raymond Polansky (2.7.2003), Ireni Paraskevas (2.9.2003), Subdn. Michael Zolar (2.10.1993), and Mary Zolar (2.10.1994).
-Thank you to Nellie for hosting coffee hour last week. And many thanks to Stephanie V. for hosting today.
-The SGP Growth Committee needs your help. As mentioned at the Annual Meeting last Sunday, we looking to update the parish website. If you have photos from services, coffee hour, Sunday School, picnic, etc. that you are willing to share, please email them to Vinni at vinni1234@live.com or text them to 908.247.8994. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
-Please note that Michele Lelo's cell phone number has changed. It is now 908.329.8702.
-For the time being, please bring only canned goods for the food pantry. If you would like to drop off goods at the donation center, please feel free to do so. The Flemington Food Pantry on Rt. 31 behind Wal Mart. The Address: 154 NJ-31, Flemington, NJ 08822
-Church School for children will be on the Sundays of February 11th and 25th.
-Steve W. is currently residing at Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington, NJ. He is happy to welcome any visitors. His room number is C 120.
-Please text Robert Fisher at (609) 306-4714 if you would like to visit or are able to bring him to church. His address is 47 Lincoln Ave., Lambertville, NJ.
-Don’t forget the needy. Shop Rite gift cards or non-perishable foods are greatly appreciated.
Prayers for:
Departed: Archpriest Moses, Helga (Jan. 10), Michel, Teresa
Living: Michael, Elena, Janis, David, Robert, Karen, Steven, Archpriest Paul, Melissa, Stephen, Michele, Janet, Teresa, Irina, Victor; Metropolitan Onuphry and the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; the suffering people and innocent victims of the Ukrainian/Russian war and those being persecuted; the suffering people of Yemen, Syria and Turkey; and the suffering victims of the war in Israel and Palestine.
Words for the Day
"I love them that love me, and glorify them that glorify me." (Proverbs 8:17, I Kings 2:30,) says the Lord of His saints. The lord gave the Holy Spirit to the saints, and they love us in the Holy Spirit. The saints hear our prayers and have the power from God to help us. The entire Christian race knows this.
(St. Silouan the Athonite, Writings, XII.1,8)
When the soul by the Holy Spirit comes to know the Mother of God; when in the Holy Spirit the soul becomes kin to the Apostles, the Prophets, and all the Saints and Righteous Ones, then she is irresistibly drawn to that world, and cannot remain, but is bothered, and thirsts, and cannot cease from prayer, and although the body becomes exhausted and wants to lie down on a bed, even while lying in bed the soul longs for the Lord and the Kingdom of the Saints.
(St. Silouan the Athonite, Writings, I.28)
Next Week’s Readings:
Epistle: 1 Timothy 1:15-17. Brethren, The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28. At that time Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.