Transfiguration Orthodox Church

This Sunday we welcomed Sandy Thorpe into the church through the sacrament of Chrismation with Kim Belessis as her sponsor. She has taken Saint Olga of Alaska as her patron saint. Sandy has been a part of our Transfiguration Orthodox Church family for quite some time and we are happy to make it official. Welcome to the church, Sandy Olga!

Our St. Emilia Moms and Tots group met for their October meeting on the 2nd. This month they learned about the Holy Protection of the Theotokos through, story, song and video. They also used Marigold flowers to decorate bookmarks to help them remember the Theotokos’s aid and pray to her.

Tonight - Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Akathist for Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd at 6:30pm

Today in Sunday School we learned about the church censor. We had a guest speaker today, Mr. Shawn, who brought out the censor for us to look at in Sunday School and explain the different parts of the censor and their meaning. Thank you Mr. Shawn!! Then we made and decorated our own censors and took them home with us. We loved the sounds of the bells. "Our prayers rise as incense."

Tomorrow - Sunday, September 27, 2026
+ Matins at 8:15am - Divine Liturgy at 9:30am

+ Sunday School for the smaller children

+ Four Windows into Christ Bible study following fellowship meal

Daily Spiritual Vitamins for September 26

"Then the King will say to those at His right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you gave Me clothing, I was sick and you took care of Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ Matthew 25

Grace & works.
For centuries now there have been debates among Christians about the grace of God and our works. Are we saved by the grace of God alone? Or is our salvation dependent on our good works? Is it both or neither?

The Orthodox Church has always taught, based on the words of Christ, that we are saved by the grace of God. But this does not mean that our behavior is irrelevant, as this reading clearly illustrates.

The righteous people will be saved, inherit the Kingdom of God prepared for them, because they do something right. They feed the hungry, welcome the strangers, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned. But that's not really the point. The point is that they do it without even thinking about it twice.

That's what separates the sheep from goats, the righteous from the cursed, those who are saved from those who are condemned. Right now, right at this moment, all of us are saved. Christ has died on the Cross, and resurrected, trampling down death by death, and bringing salvation to humanity. Our behavior is the reflection of this fact. If we truly believe that we are saved, then we will act accordingly, that is feed the hungry, welcome the strangers, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned, etc.

In other words, we are not saved because of our supposed good works, rather we do good works because we are saved, because God has bestowed His grace on us. Our behavior is the reflection of our salvation.

St John the Baptist Orthodox Church: Little Falls, NJ

Tonight - Thursday, September 24, 2026

Paraklesis to St Anastasia of Rome (6:30pm)
St Anastasia Fellowship follows the service (an Archdiocese ministry offering hope and healing for addiction)

Daily Spiritual Vitamins for September 23

Connecting with God
Fr Theodore Stylianopoulos
Much of everyday life in our divisive and confused times, which people call modern and post-modern, is marked by disconnectedness. Because of busy schedules and innumerable distractions, not to mention our own evil passions and the social and political problems all around us, a spouse is often disconnected from spouse, a parent from child, a friend from friend, a neighbor from neighbor. Disconnectedness harms families, schools, places of work, communities, nations, and even churches. The worst kind of disconnectedness, and the root cause of all others, is disconnectedness with God.
Christians know God primarily as revealed in the person and the life of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the Orthodox faith, everything in the Church begins and ends with Jesus the Lord. The specific person of Jesus and the specific things he taught and lived by way of example, define the character and will of God as love, goodness, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, truthfulness, justice, compassion, joy, and gift-giving. It is the incarnate God the Son who speaks to us: “Come to me…and I will give you rest. Learn from me…and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). And again: “I am the vine and you are the branches… Abide in me…abide in my love…and you shall bear much fruit” (John 15:1-9).

But how can one, even if desired, make the connection in the context of a whirlwind personal and cultural world? Whether one is new or old to the Christian faith, whether one is a lay or clergy person, there can be no other starting point, than an honest assessment and acknowledgment of one’s own condition. Ask yourself: What are my goals? How do I think and live every day? How is my time spent? What is God’s role in my life? What is His will for me? Do I believe in Christ? Am I attentive to find what to do, and how to do it, according to where God has placed me and according to the provisions He has made available to me?

A Christian, whether clergy or lay, may not be truly devoted to Christ; indeed, he or she may no longer have the inspiration and strength for such devotion. He or she may not be knowledgeable about the true significance of the Church, the Bible, and spiritual matters. But every one can have an earnest will and seeking spirit. Each person can choose to have faith by personal decision and commitment. By faith we mean a yearning for God, recognition of our need of Him, and a willingness to turn to God with courage and repentance.

Genuine faith is not a theoretical affirmation of the idea of the existence of God but a personal search for God as our loving Father and unfailing hope. A simple prayer is effective, if it is humble, sincere, persistent: “Lord, I belong to You; help me in my unbelief; create a new spirit in me; give me understanding; strengthen my soul that I may be obedient to Your commandments. You, Lord, are my refuge and my strength, my light and my hope!” God looks straight into the depths of the soul. He responds to the longings of sincere and obedient hearts. God’s grace becomes active as desired, as needed, as asked for, as prayed for, as welcomed, as applied in humble obedience each day.

The new life in Christ is not an achievement of human wisdom, academic skills, or efficient methods. It is a gift that is received by the redirection of our souls and minds to God, working to do the right thing in all situations, and at the same time loving God and putting our trust in Him. As long as the Christian remains prayerful, humble, open, and sincere in his daily obedience to Christ’s teachings, God’s grace will empower and guide him in astonishing ways. Christ said: “I came to cast fire upon the earth” (Luke 12:49! This is the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of God’s healing and renewing love. It is the holy fire that moved the Apostles, the saints, and myriads of men and women throughout the centuries. The same fire is real and active today for those who love God and commit themselves to live by His love within the life of the Church.

Dear Transfiguration family and friends, Liturgy in the Park in cancelled. We will worship at our normal location and time. We look forward to celebrating our parishioners and friends during fellowship.