St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Well, you’ve all worked extremely hard, prayed exceedingly fervently, and been incredibly generous. As of last Saturday’s Tables Extraordinaire event, we passed our goal of raising $1.5M to put a down payment on our new church home. I’ve been speaking, writing, preaching, praying and announcing this effort, together with many faithful leaders of our community, the worth and spiritual benefit of this endeavor.

The continued spiritual maturation of our parish and the ability to raise a large amount of money for the sake of a church has been a beautiful witness of Christ’s love, St. Anna’s intercession and your vision. Soon, very soon, we will close on our property, begin initial modifications, move in, and prayerfully plan on the construction of our sanctuary.

This is all very exciting and motivational.

But now, now while our attention in on our success…

While we are filled with enthusiasm and joyful anticipation…

While we are overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving…

Now is when I remind myself, and all of our faithful parishioners that owning a church building is not the end-all, or final purpose of our existence.

Our parish was established on the basis of love – love for God, love for the Church, love for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and love for all His children.

Our church building will be a source of love that will flow from our Altar and impact the lives of all who encounter us. Our love for the neighbor, the greater community, our society and surroundings must always be on the forefront of our priorities. Please, let us never, ever lose sight of that.

We prayed for a church so we can come together to worship God in all His greatness and power. We must also look upon Him as a true and humble Servant-Leader. He came to serve, not to be served. Let’s continue to adopt for ourselves the same, empathetic and genuine love for humanity, as exhibited by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Of course, our dedicated love for humanity does not begin once we are property owners, or end at the corner of 9200 South and 1300 East. Our St. Anna compassion stretches beyond borders and embraces the world.

To that end, please be reminded that this Sunday, October 20th, the participants of our home building mission trip to Project Mexico and St. Innocent’s Orphanage will offer our Sunday Fellowship, present a slide show of our activities, and give you the opportunity to share in our experience. We’ll be reminded of not only the suffering and injustice that exists in the world, but more importantly, God’s mercy and compassion, which overcome the evils of a fallen existence.

Please join us after the Divine Liturgy and learn of the exciting work that is being done south of the border, by fellow Orthodox Christians, who long to ease suffering and provide stability and protection.

As a parish, we have been blessed that soon, very soon, we will occupy the four walls of our church., As a Project Mexico mission team, we were blessed to construct the four walls of a humble, yet dignified home. We were blessed with an opportunity to serve.

For the remainder of this month, Project Mexico and St. Innocent’s Orphanage have a donor that will match all donations made, up to $50,000. If on Sunday, we raise $1,000, their ministry will receive $2,000. If we raise $30.00, then their organizations will receive $60.00. It’s a rare opportunity when your generosity is doubled. This Sunday is just that opportunity.

The past several months of our capital campaign efforts have proven, without a doubt, that we are a blessed community of believers.Let’s pass on those blessings and share in the joy, especially to the most vulnerable.

Thank you in advance for your continued and sacrificial support.

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

Don’t forget that Friday Night at 7:00 PM is our Family Night Harvest Festival.
Costume Contest, Karaoke, Magician, DJ, GOYA Firepit, and more. Come Join the Fun!!!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have attached, together with this week’s Bulletin and Flyer for our upcoming Family Night Harvest Festival, a Flyer for our upcoming Inquirer’s Class.

Each Fall, we gather together a group of people who wish to learn the theology, doctrine, history, traditions, practices and worship of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

The Church is One, as She is still in tact after centuries of division, heresy, conflict and departures.

The Church is Holy, as She is the Body of Christ, gifted to us by the Father, and sustained through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Church is Catholic, as the Greek word “Catholike” means universal and far-reaching. This is Her mission and identity.

The Church is Apostolic, as She is the continual, unbroken, and undivided Church; established by Jesus Christ, through the work of His Disciples-made-Apostles.  

This is Orthodox Christianity.

Please be reminded that the Evangelical Christian Calling is not left only to zealous proclaimers and dedicated missionaries, toiling in foreign fields. It is our collective responsibility to share the Gospel and spread the fire of Faith.

Please print off the attached Flyer (not the Harvest Festival, as fun as that may be) and share it with anyone you know:

Who is Starving for a Relationship with God,

Who is Thirsty for the Mysteries and Sacraments of the Church,

Who is Needing to be Newly-Introduced to Christ,

Who is Estranged from the Church and Pines to Return,

Who has been Scandalized or Marginalized by the Political Fallout of our Larger Community’s Past, and not Currently Worshiping in an Orthodox Church,

Who is a Neighbor who Asks Questions about Your Faith,

Who is a Co-Worker that is Lost and without a Spiritual Compass,

Who is an Acquaintance Who now Calls Themselves an Atheist or Agnostic, but You Know Better; that, that is only Hurt, Anger and Disillusionment Talking,

Who is Someone Who can Appreciate and Embrace Christ’s Love,

Who is Someone that would enjoy Worshiping with Us in English, as to understand every Prayer, Hymn, Sermon and Message,

Who would like to be a Vital Part of a Growing Parish during Exciting and Historic Times.

Do you know anyone like that? If so, can you overcome your shyness and fear of rejection, and approach that person with an invitation to visit, participate in worship, and attend our class?

Be brave. Help gather lost souls into the Kingdom of God. Help them discover what you already know: that St. Anna’s is a special, welcoming, loving and place, where we, as sinners, come together and celebrate our life in Christ.

Our Inquirer’s Class begins on Tuesday, October 22nd. By the time we finish this class, and begin the Lenten Season, we’ll likely be in our new facility. Many, many transformations and changes will take place within our St. Anna family very shortly. Please do your part, and introduce our Faith and our Church to those in need who are in your sphere. St. Anna’s likely has what they are missing.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

“When Your Children are Still Small, You Have to Help Them Understand What is Good. That is the Deepest Meaning of Life.”                                         

Elder Paisios of Athos

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I believe that in all of volunteer church work, the most important is in the hands of those dedicated to our youth. Anything with our youth. We take them on outings, we teach them sports, we teach them dance, we sponsor parties and service projects. Indeed, any time spent in bringing our children closer to God, through their relationships with each other is time that is anointed and blessed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Then, of course, there is another level of time dedicated to our children. The teachers and administrators of Sunday School programs are systematically and perpetually tied to the spiritual development and sacred knowledge that our children will develop and maintain. Of course, the primary source of instruction comes from the home. Kids watch mom and dad. They listen to the spoken word and they pick up on the unspoken language of faith. They feel when it is real. They life the Faith if their parents life the Faith.

But in this world, parents need partners in the development of their children’s relationships with God. They need knowledgeable people who take the time and put in the effort to prepare engaging lessons, then stand in a classroom and deliver that message with creativity, conviction, consistency and love.

Love. Love for the Lord. Love for Children. Love for the Gospel. Love for the Church.

These are motivations that drive the Sunday School Teacher. These are the qualities that define our St. Anna Sunday School Teachers.

Then, there are the administrators. They set the course, maintain the tone, inspire the vision and tie it all together. We’ve had the best.

From the time before our parish was even a parish, Kim Mallas has served in the capacity as our Sunday School Director. She vehemently dislikes any attention in her direction, and I usually comply with her demands to this end, but today is different. Today, there are not enough words to thank Kim Mallas for all she has done, and continues to do for our kids.

After serving as our Sunday School Director from the inception of our parish, Kim Mallas has prayerfully decided to step aside from this sacred position; the position she created and has so nobly served. I will be ever grateful for her sacrificial love for the young people of St. Anna’s – in both capacities of GOYA Adviser and in leading our Sunday School. Kim will be staying on for the remainder of this school year and retiring at the conclusion of this School Year.

As I look to the past and present in gratitude for the enthusiastic embrace of service to the youth of St. Anna’s, I can assure you that our future is just as bright.

Brandee Mau has accepted my request that she transition into the position, working side by side with Kim for the remainder of this year, and carry on as our new Sunday School Director, starting in preparation for the 2020-2021 Season. Brandee will also remain a teacher in our High School Class.

Professionally, Brandee is a teacher of teachers, and a dedicated, well-read and Christ-centered individual who is more than capable to continue the work that Kim has established.

I ask that you support Kim in her decision and Brandee in her new ministry. Pray for them, as they pray for your energies, inspiration and strength in service to our youth.

From the time St. Anna’s came to be, through Kim very specifically, there was a demand that a Sunday School program be created. Not later, not tomorrow, but today. The parish leadership responded and supported her in her efforts to establish our program.

The finest, and I mean the FINEST teachers are still assembled to this day. I pray continually for them. They have had, and for the remainder of this year, they will have an advocate and a friend in Kim. The time will come and the calendar will usher in a change. I have the utmost trust and respect for Brandee and her abilities to attain new levels for the sake of our kids and our teachers. From now, she is crafting and shaping a glorious vision.

May God continue to bless our precious children through the people and influences He places in their lives.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS PICTURES ARE THIS SUNDAY. BRING YOUR KIDS. PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THIS
LASTED MEMORY AND RECORDED HISTORY.