Contents

The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. I, No. 31 – Sunday, August 18, 2002

Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

CAN WE DO LESS?

    So, what do you think? Should we start a Sunday School for our Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County? A good argument against it is that we have very few children coming to our Mission Church. We have very few members presently who have children for the Sunday School.

   The New Testament describes a similar situation and the Disciples reacted in a similar way. Read this:

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Luke18:15-17).

   As members of this mission we are just as responsible for spreading the teaching of Christ, as any missionary. One of the ways of spreading the Faith is to reach out to families with children. Thus, we could say that we don’t have an alternative to starting a children’s education program.

    But there is another reason for starting such a program. We have decided to become a parish of our Archdiocese. To grow, we must serve the Orthodox Christians of Hernando County. We must encourage people to come. Parents with children will come if we have programs for them.

   Not only does the Lord require this of us, it is to the advantage of our growth into the future. We all should support this effort. If you have experience in Sunday School teaching and organization or are willing to learn, please help!

   There will be an organizational meeting for the Sunday School on Thursday, September 12 at Father and Presbytera Harakas’ home at 7:30 p.m. Call Fr. Stanley today, to learn how you can help.

Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Evening Services as announced.

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8^th  Sunday of Matthew – After the Dormition of the Theotokos

EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

   Brethren, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

GOSPEL – MATTHEW 14:14-22

At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

                                       GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS              

Dismissal Hymn – Grave  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Katelysas to Stavro”).Hymnal,  88-89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) (“O Lord by Your sacred Cross”). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of the Dormition

   (Read) In giving birth / you have preserved your virginity / and in falling asleep / you did not forsake the world, / O Mother of God. / You have passed to life / being the Mother of Life. / Through your intercession, / save our souls from death.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Nicholas

   (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111

Kontakion of the Dormition

      (Read) Neither death nor the tomb / could hold the Mother of God, / our watchful Protectress and our unfailing hope. / Since she is the Mother of Life, / Christ who dwelt in her ever-virginal womb / lifted her up to the life eternal.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

   STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Connie Mourgides 8/18; George Nikas 8/25; Fran Triantafilon 9/1; Venice Cosmadelis 9/8. Prosforon bakers, remember to include names of living and deceased members of your family for commemoration. We need more Prosforon Bakers! Please contact George Nikas for simple recipe and seal – 597-1375.

    RECOVERING AT HOME after hospitalization is Harriet Pasisis. We pray for a rapid recovery!

    FORMER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS and others interested in helping start a Sunday School, please contact Fr. Stanley. Thanks! Call 688-2382.

Sponsor the Bulletin! $20. Call Connie Mourgides -686-0589

     LIBRARY & BOOKSTORE NEWS: The Library/Bookstore Committee has decided to have an unofficial opening of the Parish Library next Sunday August 25. The “Official Opening” will take place a month or so later. Take out a book this coming Sunday!

   PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM: The result of the survey conducted last Sunday was that nearly all of the attendees want a study of one of the Gospels for the P.E.P. Bible Study. We start this coming Friday, August 23. We will study the Gospel of John together. We will begin with a “Bible Study Introduction.” Next week there will be an announcement of the alternating theme, based on all responses received. We start at 2:00 p.m. Come join us! You will find it spiritually stimulating.          

  UPCOMING EVENTS: We will have a Fund-Raising Flea-Market Sale in October at the USA Flea Market on Rt. 19. Bring your donations to the Fellowship Hall. For information call Paul and Venice Cosmadelis at 686-1199.

   SUMMER! A great time to get caught up on your Stewardship Pledge! We are now paying rent to the Olympic Village Foundation. Please make your payments regularly. Make your check to “Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County.”

                                                 come to church!

A CHURCH SIGN: “A CH__CH is a CHURCH when U R in it.”

 HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION

OF HERNANDO COUNTY

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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