The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 34– Sunday, August 26, 2007

Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church - Presentation of Christ at the Temple

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County, Florida – “A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D., D.D. (352) 796-2377; Cell (352) 263-3005; Email:Rharakas@aol.com

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TELLING THE “GLORIOUS DEEDS OF THE LORD” TO OUR CHILDREN

School openings are in the air! Classes are beginning and children are getting accustomed to new schedules designed for learning. Here at Christ the Savior Church, we are thinking about education, as well. We have established a Youth Committee of committed and dedicated leaders, who have been planning the education and training of our young people, looking to the future of our mission parish.

The responsibility we all have for the formation of the hearts, spirits and minds of our children is great, something we as a church and every parent and grandparent must take with utmost seriousness.

In the 78^th Psalm, which focuses on “the glorious deeds of the Lord” we read in verses 4-6 a powerful affirmation about our responsibility to convey to our children the truths of our faith in the Lord and in the holy teachings of our Orthodox Christian Church.

“[4] (They) will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders which he has wrought. [5] He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children; [6] that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children.”

The message of this passage is clear. It should be our own affirmation: “We will not hide the truths of our faith from our children, but will tell to the coming generation the glorious way of life taught us by the Lord, the teachings and truths He has given us. In the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit we are obligated to teach our children and every succeeding generation of children, even the unborn, so that they may continue the Orthodox Christian way of belief and life.”

How shall we do this? By maintaining an Orthodox Christian home, with prayer and religious practice a daily experience for them. By bringing our children to church every Sunday. By enrolling our children in the Sunday School and encouraging them to participate in the activities of our church community such as the Agape Dance group. By showing them the good example of Orthodox Christian living through committed and enthusiastic Stewardship living. And by helping them grow in the image and likeness of God, so that they may become the future of the Church, successful in their lives and good citizens.

Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am

Evening Services as Announced

Saints: Martyrs Adrianos and Natalia (+303); Righeous Ioasaph; Atticus & Sosinios Maryrs, Martyr Adrian; Devout Tithoes.

13^TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 4th Tone

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal, 84-85

(Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of the Martyr Saints

(Read) O Lord our God, / Your Holy Martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality/ on of account of their good fight. / Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors / and crushed Satan’s evil might. / Through their supplications, / O Christ God, / save our souls.

(Sing) Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)

Kontakion of the Feast

The fruit of righteous Joachim and Anna / is brought as an offering to God / in the Holy Place. She who sustains our life, a young child in the flesh!/ She receives the blessing of Zacharaiah the priest. Let us in faith all call her blessed, / for she is the mother of the Lord!

Return to p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”

EPISTLE –1st Corinthians 16:13-24 (13^th Matthew) + BRETHREN, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

GOSPEL –Matthew 21:33-42 (13^th Matthew) + The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it was marvelous in our eyes?'"

ONE TRAY TODAY: Stewardship & Visitors’ DONATIONS

FOR THE RECORD: August 19 – Candles $115; Visitors’ Contributions $92; Stewardship $405; Free Will Coffee Hour Basket $32; Attendance 64. We are grateful to all who support Christ the Savior Mission.

CHRISMATION: Next week, Sept. 2, Jane Kent/Williams will be receive the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation and become an Orthodox Christian. She will receive the name Nina. Her sponsor will be Frances Porter. Congratulations!

BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT -4

SIGN AT NEW CHURCH & HALL SITE: We are hoping that by the end of this week, when you drive by the Anderson Snow Road location of our new church and hall, you will see a double, “v” shaped sign erected in the middle of the property facing the street with the message, “Future Home of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church.”

PREPARATION OF GROUND-BREAKING SITE: The area where the Ground-Breaking will take place on our property needs to be cleared and smoothed out. All parishioners who would like to help in this effort are invited to meet at the property site on Saturday morning, at 8:00 a.m. October 6. Park at the Anderson Snow Recreational Center parking lot. Do not park at the side of the road (prohibited by law). Wear flat shoes and work clothes!

COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS 8/26 Gloria Vardakis and Helen Vangel; 9/2 Diane Covington & Presbytera Emily Harakas; 9/9 Frances Porter & Jane Kent; 9/16 Sofia Cavanaugh (Benefit Agape Dance Group); 9/23 Harriet Pasisis & Denise Zotto; 9/30 Venice Cosmadelis & Nancy Kastelan.. A free will offering can be made to defray costs.

BILL PASISIS, Parish Council Stewardship Chair, writes: “Dear Parishioners, I wish to thank everyone who pledged and participated in the Stewardship program of 2007. I am very pleased with the success this year, and the success is owed to you, the parishioners and supporters of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church. Our Parish needs continued support so that we may continue our mission to move forward as a Church and as a community. Just as we are Orthodox Christians throughout our entire life, we must be supporting members of the Church throughout our entire life. I also welcome the new Stewards that have become Orthodox, and those that are now in the instructional phase of becoming Orthodox Christians. I pray that you enjoy the growth and the spiritual life and love of our Church.”
   PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – AUGUST 21, 2007, Gloria Vardakis, President chaired the meeting. Bill Pasisis offered the Minutes of June meeting which were approved. Curtis Thomas presented the financial reports for the second quarter and third quarter to date. The second quarter included “catch-up” church assessments and the third quarter had the annual insurance payment, high building repairs. As of July 31, 2007 our total income was $37,930.04 and our total expenses were $33,969.85, leaving a balance of $3,960.19. The $400 monthly mission support which was suspended in June, will be restored and we are awaiting the back payments. Fr. Harakas reported that arrangements were being made for the Archangel Michael Awards attendance on Nov. 10-11. Fr. Jerry will conduct the Divine Liturgy on November 11. Our nominees are Demetri Hazivasilis and Nanka Kastelan. P.E.P. Sessions will start Friday, Sept. 28. An evening class will also be proposed. The President’s Report included the following: Resignations. On July 1 Bill Hazivasilis submitted his resignation and on August 21 Demetri Hazivasilis submitted a resignation from the Parish Council. The Parish Council accepted them with regret and expressed its deep appreciation for service rendered to the parish. Also, the Parish Council received and accepted with regret the resignation of Betty Frangos as Parish Public Relations Person. Property Closing will take place on October 9 on the Olympic Village Lane property. Parish Assembly & Parish Elections were set for Sunday, November 4. An Elections Committee was nominated. Stewardship and Voting Issues. It was decided that henceforth, Stewardship Declarations should be accompanied by at least the first contribution (Weekly, Monthly, Semi-Annually, or 10% of the total to assure membership and voting rights). Reports on Parish Mailing Lists were made and their upgrading process. Seed Funding was approved for the Sunday School and for the Agape Dance Group. Niko Maroulis reported on the Grounds Committee with a discussion of the unsatisfactory condition of the grass, the lightning strikes disabling the phones, the use of our trash container by unknown persons, the removal of a fallen tree and the trimming of aluminum siding on one of the cabins. Carol Gymnaos reported on the Youth Committee meeting held June 24, 2007 and the two successful Kids Camp Summer events. Dorothy Triantafilon agreed to work on listing the Youth Committee activities on the website.
Sofia Cavanaugh will lead the Agape Dance Group. A good quality First Aid Kit will be put in the Church Hall. Sunday School and Agape Dance Group registration begins Sunday, August 26. Sunday School Co-Directors are Venice Cosmadelis and Nanka Kastelan. Stewardship Chair, Bill Pasisis reported 78 Steward households, with 111 individuals. The 2008 Stewardship Campaign will begin October 28 and Stewardship Sunday will be on September 18. Facilities Committee Chair Niko Maroulis reported on his investigation of the repair of the roof leak in the Hall Pantry area that will cost $3,000 to repair. Other alternatives were discussed. We have passed the Fire Department electrical, plumbing and well-water inspections. Fund Raising was discussed by Bill Pasisis. The next fund raiser is the Chicken Barbecue on September 23. We will seek Co-Chairs for the Spaghetti & Meatball Supper in September and a chair for the Christmas Card project. “Outback” is to be contacted in November. The Spring Garage Sale will take place Feb 29-March 1, 2008. Dorothy Triantafilon reported on the hosting of our website and will investigate some Archdiocese enhancements to the site. Reports were received regarding the Building Committee (Bill Pasisis) and the Ground-Breaking Committee (Niko Maroulis) including the donation of the shovels by Bill and ticket expense reduction donations. A report by Carol Gymnaos was made regarding the delivery of school supplies to Nancy Hurst of the Pine Grove Elementary School for needy students. Parishioners are urged to begin bringing items for the Food Patry – Thanksgiving will soon be here! Permission, free of charge, for personal use of the Hall was accorded to Fr. John & Presbytera Mary.
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCIES FILLED: The Parish Council, according to the By-Laws, filled existing vacancies as follows – George Maniates, Class of 2007; George Angeliadis, Class of 2008; and Venice Cosmadelis, Class of 2009. Congratulations! Swearing in will take place at the next Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday, September 26.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS: Next Sunday! Birthdays: Frances Porter 9/7; Argyri Gymnaos 9/8; George Maniates 9/12; Nick Gymnaos 9/15; Emily Thomas 9/15; Rory Atwood 9/16; Eleni Gymnaos 9/21; Karyn Underwood 9/22; John Kostsifakis 9/23; Pani Karen Miklos 9/28. Anniversaries: John & Dora Halvatzes 9/7; Bill & Harriet Pasisis. Many Years! If your name is missing, inform Fr. Stanley right away!
   THE RE-GRADING of our property entrance road was performed by Demetri Hazivasilis this past week. Thank you Demetri for this valuable Stewardship of Time and Talent!
    MISSION JOURNEY: Our intrepid Fr. Michael Miklos will be going on a Mission Trip again, from October 10-19, to the country of Cameroon, Africa. We pray for your success!

Evening Services as Announced

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 4th Tone

HONOR GOD DURING THE SUMMER! – COME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS & FEAST DAYS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH