Bring a Friend Sunday
September 1, 2024
“Would you like to go to church with me?”
Bring a Friend Sunday aligns with our mission to “Bring People Closer to God.” It is designed as a day of Christian worship and fellowship for parishioners to share the good news with their friends, families, neighbors, and co-workers, by inviting them to “come and see” – experience the Orthodox Christian Church and the Tradition established by Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles.
I’m Too Shy to Invite Someone to Church
We hear this a lot. That’s why we suggest that you ask the people closest to you to go to church with you. Think about the family member who has become inactive at church - your spouse, adult child, cousin, parent. Perhaps a close friend or neighbor who you’ve been praying for... or even a family member who attends another Orthodox parish. The Gospel reading on Bring a Friend Sunday is in itself, a reminder for us to share the good news with others, so that they, too may have everlasting life:
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that Hegave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:13-17
Ok, so How Do I Invite Someone to Go to Church with Me? “...where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20
The best way is to ask your guest(s) in person as part of a regular conversation or phone call, but we know that’s not always possible. In the digital world that we live in, we’ve made it easy for you to share the details for Bring a Friend Sunday with social posts, emails, and postcards which you can add a personal note to for your friend(s). Stop by the Outreach & Evangelism table at coffee hour during the month of August to pick up suggested conversation starters, invites, postcards, and car magnets.
What Do I Get if I Bring a Friend to Church on September 8?
Everyone who brings a friend to church on September 8 will earn entry for a chance to win one (1) of two (2) “Come and See” Stainless 16 oz. Coffee Mugs and $25 Starbucks card packages. Your friend will earn entry for a chance to win the book, “Introducing The Orthodox Church, Its Faith and Life,” By Anthony M. Coniaris.
What To Expect on Bring a Friend Sunday
A morning prayer service, “Matins” and a “Teaching Liturgy” are offered in English for those visiting to better understand the Orthodox Tradition. Father Niko will “pause” at several key parts of the Liturgy to explain the “what and why” of worship for those visiting for the first time. It also serves as a nice spiritual refresher for those who attend services regularly.
Please arrive on time and wait outside of the church for your friend(s)on Bring a Friend Sunday so that you can gather and sit together for the service. Our Welcome Ministry Team will greet you and your guests, and are available to answer any questions, usher you and your guests to an open pew, and offer liturgy books to follow along during the service.
Fellowship and Ministry Expo
Fellowship is an important part of Bring a Friend Sunday. This is your chance to talk with your friend(s) about the service and answer their questions over a cup of coffee, finger foods, and desserts. Don’t “desert” your friend(s) at this point– connect them with our loving community and more information about our parish at the Ministry Expo!
Each Ministry Leader will have a table with information about their meetings/activities and group members to share. Parishioners may use this opportunity to sign up for the 2024-2025 Ecclesiastical Year ministry programs their family is interested in joining. All are welcome to attend our programs and activities – parishioners, guests, seekers, converts, etc.
The Greek Orthodox Christian Church is for all people.
Bring a Friend Sunday
September 1, 2024
“Would you like to go to church with me?”
Bring a Friend Sunday aligns with our mission to “Bring People Closer to God.” It is designed as a day of Christian worship and fellowship for parishioners to share the good news with their friends, families, neighbors, and co-workers, by inviting them to “come and see” – experience the Orthodox Christian Church and the Tradition established by Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles.
I’m Too Shy to Invite Someone to Church
We hear this a lot. That’s why we suggest that you ask the people closest to you to go to church with you. Think about the family member who has become inactive at church - your spouse, adult child, cousin, parent. Perhaps a close friend or neighbor who you’ve been praying for... or even a family member who attends another Orthodox parish. The Gospel reading on Bring a Friend Sunday is in itself, a reminder for us to share the good news with others, so that they, too may have everlasting life:
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that Hegave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:13-17
Ok, so How Do I Invite Someone to Go to Church with Me? “...where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20
The best way is to ask your guest(s) in person as part of a regular conversation or phone call, but we know that’s not always possible. In the digital world that we live in, we’ve made it easy for you to share the details for Bring a Friend Sunday with social posts, emails, and postcards which you can add a personal note to for your friend(s). Stop by the Outreach & Evangelism table at coffee hour during the month of August to pick up suggested conversation starters, invites, postcards, and car magnets.
What Do I Get if I Bring a Friend to Church on September 8?
Everyone who brings a friend to church on September 8 will earn entry for a chance to win one (1) of two (2) “Come and See” Stainless 16 oz. Coffee Mugs and $25 Starbucks card packages. Your friend will earn entry for a chance to win the book, “Introducing The Orthodox Church, Its Faith and Life,” By Anthony M. Coniaris.
What To Expect on Bring a Friend Sunday
A morning prayer service, “Matins” and a “Teaching Liturgy” are offered in English for those visiting to better understand the Orthodox Tradition. Father Niko will “pause” at several key parts of the Liturgy to explain the “what and why” of worship for those visiting for the first time. It also serves as a nice spiritual refresher for those who attend services regularly.
Please arrive on time and wait outside of the church for your friend(s)on Bring a Friend Sunday so that you can gather and sit together for the service. Our Welcome Ministry Team will greet you and your guests, and are available to answer any questions, usher you and your guests to an open pew, and offer liturgy books to follow along during the service.
Fellowship and Ministry Expo
Fellowship is an important part of Bring a Friend Sunday. This is your chance to talk with your friend(s) about the service and answer their questions over a cup of coffee, finger foods, and desserts. Don’t “desert” your friend(s) at this point– connect them with our loving community and more information about our parish at the Ministry Expo!
Each Ministry Leader will have a table with information about their meetings/activities and group members to share. Parishioners may use this opportunity to sign up for the 2024-2025 Ecclesiastical Year ministry programs their family is interested in joining. All are welcome to attend our programs and activities – parishioners, guests, seekers, converts, etc.
The Greek Orthodox Christian Church is for all people.
Bring a Friend Sunday
September 1, 2024
“Would you like to go to church with me?”
Bring a Friend Sunday aligns with our mission to “Bring People Closer to God.” It is designed as a day of Christian worship and fellowship for parishioners to share the good news with their friends, families, neighbors, and co-workers, by inviting them to “come and see” – experience the Orthodox Christian Church and the Tradition established by Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles.
I’m Too Shy to Invite Someone to Church
We hear this a lot. That’s why we suggest that you ask the people closest to you to go to church with you. Think about the family member who has become inactive at church - your spouse, adult child, cousin, parent. Perhaps a close friend or neighbor who you’ve been praying for... or even a family member who attends another Orthodox parish. The Gospel reading on Bring a Friend Sunday is in itself, a reminder for us to share the good news with others, so that they, too may have everlasting life:
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that Hegave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:13-17
Ok, so How Do I Invite Someone to Go to Church with Me? “...where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20
The best way is to ask your guest(s) in person as part of a regular conversation or phone call, but we know that’s not always possible. In the digital world that we live in, we’ve made it easy for you to share the details for Bring a Friend Sunday with social posts, emails, and postcards which you can add a personal note to for your friend(s). Stop by the Outreach & Evangelism table at coffee hour during the month of August to pick up suggested conversation starters, invites, postcards, and car magnets.
What Do I Get if I Bring a Friend to Church on September 8?
Everyone who brings a friend to church on September 8 will earn entry for a chance to win one (1) of two (2) “Come and See” Stainless 16 oz. Coffee Mugs and $25 Starbucks card packages. Your friend will earn entry for a chance to win the book, “Introducing The Orthodox Church, Its Faith and Life,” By Anthony M. Coniaris.
What To Expect on Bring a Friend Sunday
A morning prayer service, “Matins” and a “Teaching Liturgy” are offered in English for those visiting to better understand the Orthodox Tradition. Father Niko will “pause” at several key parts of the Liturgy to explain the “what and why” of worship for those visiting for the first time. It also serves as a nice spiritual refresher for those who attend services regularly.
Please arrive on time and wait outside of the church for your friend(s)on Bring a Friend Sunday so that you can gather and sit together for the service. Our Welcome Ministry Team will greet you and your guests, and are available to answer any questions, usher you and your guests to an open pew, and offer liturgy books to follow along during the service.
Fellowship and Ministry Expo
Fellowship is an important part of Bring a Friend Sunday. This is your chance to talk with your friend(s) about the service and answer their questions over a cup of coffee, finger foods, and desserts. Don’t “desert” your friend(s) at this point– connect them with our loving community and more information about our parish at the Ministry Expo!
Each Ministry Leader will have a table with information about their meetings/activities and group members to share. Parishioners may use this opportunity to sign up for the 2024-2025 Ecclesiastical Year ministry programs their family is interested in joining. All are welcome to attend our programs and activities – parishioners, guests, seekers, converts, etc.
The Greek Orthodox Christian Church is for all people.