Today is the first day of the new year in the life of the Orthodox Church.  In the services for this day we prayed that God would bless "the crown of the year," thanking Him for all the blessings He's granted us in the past year and asking Him to continue to bless us and all His people with "health, salvation and good furtherance in all things." We also asked Him to "grant that we may always offer thanksgiving" to Him.  Let's take this theme of gratitude as a cue and ask the Lord to enable us to be ever more grateful for His love and His mercy, even when we don't get exactly what we want.  With St. John Chrystostom, let's say, "Glory to God in all things!"

Services this week
Tonight (Wed.) 6pm - Akathist to St. Nicholas
Friday 7:15am - 1st Hour and Men's Meeting
Friday 5:30pm - 40-day memorial for Fr. Matthew MacKay and Akathist for Departed
Saturday 5:45 - 9th Hour, 6pm - Great Vespers

Announcements
-Ladies Meeting and potluck this Sunday, Sept. 5
-Nativity of the Theotokos - services next Tuesday, Sept. 7
-Parish Council meeting next Sunday, Sept. 12
-Sunday School starts again next Sunday, Sept. 12
-PLC planning: If you haven't already, be sure to contact one or more of the committee chairs to let them know you'd like to help; Chairs - be sure to meet in the next week; contact Barry or Ted if you need any help.