Afterfeast of the Beheading of St.John the Baptist

Food Giving to the Homeless 11:00 AM (Molly Rosenburg)

4:30 PM - Molieben to St. John of San Francisco

5:00 PM - Vespers and Confession

15th Sunday after Pentecost

St. Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, England (Aidan Loucks)

Jason Jones’ Birthday

Alexis Williams’ Birthday

9:00 AM - Matins

10:00 AM - Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew

All are welcome to join us for a Trapeza meal following Divine Liturgy

Begin Church Year

7:00 PM Zoom class with Fr. George. Details to join:

Topic: Catechesis and other topics
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89237455410?pwd=bDRnT3hWajhaK05QMERKZEJlSytiQT09

Meeting ID: 892 3745 5410
Passcode: 626294

Strict Fast Day

Holy Prophet Zachariah & Righteous Elizabeth (Zacharias & Elisabeth Tierney)

Zacharias Tierney's Birthday

Fast Day Wine and Oil Allowed

I wanted to give you a little background as to why we are reading these texts from Matthew where Jesus is confronting and dealing with the rulers of his day..

+Fr. George

Why the Church Appoints Matthew 22:1-14 on the 14th Sunday of Matthew

The Orthodox liturgical calendar is a therapeutic journey directed by the Holy Spirit to guide the faithful into deeper spiritual health.

The reading of Matthew 22:1-14 is appointed for the 14th Sunday of Matthew, a crucial moment in the post-Pentecost spiritual season.

To grasp the full liturgical intention behind this placement, we must observe how Christ speaks this parable during His final public confrontation with the religious leaders in Jerusalem, mere days before His voluntary Passion on the Cross.

In the Sunday Gospel sequence, this passage directly follows the Parable of the Wicked Tenants.

Having demonstrated how the leaders of the Old Covenant rejected the prophets and would soon slay the heir, Christ immediately transitions to the Parable of the Royal Wedding Feast to reveal the future of salvation history.

The Holy Fathers appointed this reading for this specific Sunday for three distinct spiritual reasons:

1. The Transition from the Old Covenant to the Universal Church

The parable clearly marks the shifting of spiritual responsibility.

Those first invited, the leaders and populace of ancient Israel who had been prepared through the Law and the Prophets, refused the invitation when the fulfillment arrived.

The King then commands His servants to go out to the main roads and thoroughfares, symbolizing the apostolic mission to the Gentiles and the gathering of all nations into the Catholic Church.

2. The Living Reality of the Holy Eucharist

The royal wedding feast is not merely a metaphor for heaven after death.

It is an immediate description of the Divine Liturgy celebrated every Sunday in the Orthodox Church. Saint John Chrysostom notes that at every Liturgy, Christ offers His own sacrificed Body and Blood as the true heavenly food.

By placing this Gospel in the late summer liturgical cycle, the Church calls believers to evaluate their reverence, attendance, and preparation for Holy Communion.

3. A Call to Spiritual Sobriety and Synergia

While entry into the Church is an unmerited gift of divine grace extended to all humanity, remaining in the Kingdom requires active cooperation, known as synergia.

By introducing the tragic figure of the guest lacking a wedding garment, the Church warns her children against spiritual complacency. Belonging to the visible Church or attending services is insufficient if the heart remains unchanged and unrepentant.

As many of you know, the financial responsibility of feeding our parish each week has grown as our community has grown. The Parish Council recently decided to begin budgeting $200 per week to help offset the cost of the ingredients for the Trapeza Teams to prepare our meals.

Accordingly, we would like to suggest a donation of $1 per person or $5 per family to help offset this expense. This donation is a suggestion, not a requirement and your generosity is appreciated! Donations should be made in the designated “Trapeza Fund” can that will be near the beginning of the serving line going forward.

Here, you’ll find important information about recent decisions, ongoing stewardship updates, upcoming projects, and ways we’re working to support the life and growth of our parish. Our goal is to keep you informed, involved, and connected as we continue to serve Christ and one another.

Parish Council members are:

We are happy to announce that we now have Zelle available for online donations to make giving easier!

To make an online donation using Zelle, please use our church email address - [email protected] or scan the QR code below. Zelle is also equipped to schedule recurring donations. Please reach out to Jacob Voyce or Michelle Brown if you would like help using Zelle or have questions about this new feature.

We have also updated the church web site with this information.

JULY 2026 Financial Report

(click the link above to take a look at where we stand with our stewardship)

New to our parish and wondering how to contribute?

We’re so glad you’re here! If you feel moved to support the life of our parish, there are a couple of simple ways to do so. While we’re currently working on setting up online donations, you’ll find a small box in the Narthex labeled “Tithes and Donations” where you can leave your offering.

Another meaningful way to help is by contributing to our Trapeza Fund, which pays for a festal meals and keeps our weekly fellowship meals going strong. If you’d like to give, there’s a clearly marked coffee can labeled “Trapeza Fund” in the Trapeza. Additionally, if you would like to join one of our four Trapeza teams, please let Elena Ellis know.

Your generosity, no matter the size, helps nourish both body and soul. Thank you for being part of our community!