Today is the feast of the birth of the Birthgiver of God.

"What is this sound of feasting that we hear?  Joachim and Anna mystically keep festival.  'O Adam and Eve,' they cry, 'rejoice with us today: for if by your transgression ye closed the gate of Paradise to those of old, we have now been given a glorious fruit, Mary the Child of God, who opens its entrance to us all.'" - Hymn from Great Vespers of the Feast

Services this week
Tonight (Wed.) 6pm - Great Vespers - feast of Ss. Joachim and Anna
No services Friday - Saturday (Trip to Monastery)
Sunday services as usual

Announcements
-Parish Council meeting this Sunday, Sept. 12
-Sunday School starts again this 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.
-Elevation of the Cross: on Monday evening, Sept. 13 we will have services for the Feast of the Cross - Orthros 5:30pm, Liturgy 6:30pm.
-The Race for the Cure is next Saturday, Sept. 18; please contact Mary Blanchard with any questions about participating.
-The SOYO will meet on Sunday, September 19. 
-Ladies' Book Club: the first meeting will be on Tuesday, September 21 at 6pm at the church.  The reading is the first part of the book Steps of Transformation.
-Orthodoxy 101: A new catechism class will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 22, following Vespers (6:45pm).  An introduction for those who are new to the Orthodox Church, and a refresher for anyone else who'd like to join us!