Confession schedule can be found in the bulletin OR by clicking here: Monthly Calendar. For those who are hesitant to worship in person, Fr. John is available to meet with you, either at home or in church, to participate in the Sacraments ofHoly Confession and Communion. Please email or call Fr. John to set up an appointment.
Coffee Hour Request: There is a need of volunteers for this service ministry. Please see Deborah Silowka to find out how you can help.
Looking Ahead....
The Men's Club with host a Parish Picnic at 7 Acres Park on Saturday, September 12th at 1:30PM, in honor of their 50th anniversary as a club. All parishioners are welcome to attend. There is NO CHARGE for this event!
Volleyball, Cornhole (not a tournament), Horseshoes, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Sausages, Beer, Desserts, Smores? Please help us celebrate our 50th with us.
The First Church School Class of the 2026-27 academic year will be held on Sunday, September 13th.
A Welcome-to-the-Parish Housewarming Shower for The Jovels will be held on Sunday, September 13, at 1:00PM, in the hall. This special afternoon will be an opportunity to better meet and greet Fr. John, Matushka Sophia and their children and spend time getting to know them in a relaxed and casual setting. As they settle into the rectory and start making beautiful memories, the family has put together a registry/wish list of some items they still need. Parishioners are invited to look at the list, but there is absolutely NO OBLIGATION to buy anything. If you so desire, you may also consider joining with other parishioners, friends and/or family members to purchase a larger item from the registry. Again, NO GIFT is necessary to attend; your presence and warm welcome are what will make this gathering of joy, laughter, and fellowship special. RSVP to Allison Steffaro by Thurs., Sept. 10, if you are coming. Let's make the family feel at home in our parsih community! (NOTE: The registry website link is www.withjoy.com)
A Parish Cornhole Tournament, hosted by the Senior R Club, will be held on Sunday, September 27th; details to follow.
We continue to collect food to help keep the South River Food Bank stocked. Please leave your donations of non-perishable items on the table in the hall narthex.
The Altar Society is sponsoring an Atlantic City Bus Trip to Resorts Casino and Hotel on Tues, September 29th. Boarding will begin at 8:30am in the parking lot on Whitehead Ave.; departure will be at 9:00 am sharp.Cost is $40, which includes $18 back in slot play and a bag lunch. Try your luck, shop the outlets, or enjoy a walk on the beach without making the long drive. For reservations, see Sonja Neumayer during coffee hour or phone Elaine Mazzei (732-254-5815)
Come out and support the Annual Parish Fall Festival on Saturday, October 24th. Co-chairpeople Tanya Davis and Deborah Silowka can use your help, as we share our Slavic culture with all our friends and neighbors. If you have a few hours to spare, see Tanya or Deb and lend a hand..no volunteer will be turned away!
FOOD CARD PROGRAM : Food cards are available for various supermarket chains after Divine Liturgy, and do not cost any more than the face value of the card. The church receives a percentage as a free fundraiser! See Judy Znaiden in church or at jznaiden@optonline.net.
The celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary to Saints Joachim and Anna. This feast, observed on September 8th, marks the beginning of our salvation history, as Mary's birth prepared the way for the Incarnation. The Church honors Mary as the bridge between the Old and New Testaments.
Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.
St. Silouan the Athonite
The 20th-century Russian monk of Mount Athos known for his mystical experiences and spiritual writings. Silouan experienced divine visions and taught the prayer 'Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.' His spiritual notes, preserved by his disciple, reveal profound insights into Orthodox spirituality and the experience of God.
Holy Baptism
The sacrament of initiation into the Orthodox Church, through which a person is united with Christ in His death and resurrection. The baptismal candidate is immersed three times in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ. Baptism cleanses from original sin, grants adoption as God's child, and makes the person a member of the Body of Christ. In Orthodox practice, baptism is immediately followed by chrismation and first communion.
Vespers
The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection.
Holy Confession
The sacrament of reconciliation through which the faithful confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Also called the sacrament of repentance or penance, confession restores the baptismal purity lost through sin and reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. The penitent stands before an icon of Christ while confessing to the priest, who acts as a witness and minister of God's forgiveness. The priest then covers the penitent's head with his epitrachelion (stole) and pronounces the prayer of absolution.
Elevation of the Holy Cross
The commemoration of the finding of Christ's Cross by St. Helena and its elevation by St. Macarius for veneration. Celebrated on September 14th, this feast is both joyful (for the Cross's discovery) and solemn (remembering Christ's suffering). Flowers and basil are often blessed, and a strict fast is observed.
