The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 31– Sunday, August 5, 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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What’s Special About Christ the Savior Orthodox Church?-8

WHY Do The People Declare a Stewardship of Treasure?

   In the previous question, it was pointed out that people who wish to become part of Christ the Savior Church as Stewards (Members) do so by declaring to the Church what they will try to do for the coming calendar year in terms of giving of their “Time and Talent.” They also declare what they hope to donate financially to Christ the Savior Church. This is called a “Stewardship of Treasure.” This Stewardship is also based on the fourth “T” word, “Thanksgiving.” We give financially to the Church out of Thanksgiving for all that God has done for us so as to contribute to the work of His Kingdom.

   At the very beginning of the Christian Church, St. Paul raised money from the convert local churches to help the Christians of Jerusalem who were being boycotted by their neighbors. They were in dire financial need. St. Paul made a collection in order to help these first Christians. Writing to the Christians of Corinth, most of whom were Greek and not Jewish, he laid down principles of Christian giving. He wrote:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

   At the basis of our Stewardship of Treasure for each of us is gratitude to God for His blessings to us. The Stewardship of Treasure is a way in which we return a portion of what we have received from God for the work of His Church. But as we see, our giving brings rewards to us -“whoever sows generously will also reap generously,” he tells us. By our Stewardship of Treasure we become, as the Bible says, “co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard,” the Church.

   St. Paul also tells us that we ourselves decide what we will give to His Church. Each of us “should give what we have decided in our heart to give.” Our giving should not be forced or a kind of tax. Each of us should give to the Church “not reluctantly or under compulsion.” We are called to give freely and willingly and we are  promised that “God loves a cheerful giver.” God gives us the resources, “His grace abounds” in each Steward of Treasure, so that we are promised that our needs will be met, as we help in His work.

  So, we ask each Steward to declare what he or she hopes to give for the year to support the work of Christ the Savior Church. This is right and God-pleasing!

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

Evening Services as Announced

10^TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 1st  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou sfragisthenos").Hymnal,  80-81.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The stone was sealed"). (Same)

(Read) O Faithful, / let us celebrate in advance / the joy of the Transfiguration of Christ; / let us rejoice in this pre-festive time and cry out: / “Here comes the day of heavenly joy, / for the Lor goes up Mount Tabor, / there to shine with light of His divinity.

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

Kontakion for the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6)

   (Read) Today the whole human race / prepares to reflect the radiance of divine splendor / brought about in the Transfiguration of Christ, / and to cry out with joy: / “Christ is trans-figured in order to save us all!”

  EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 (10^th Matthew) + BRETHREN, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

  GOSPEL – Matthew 17:14-23 (10^th Matthew) + At that time, a man came up to Him and kneeling before Him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day."

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

  FOR THE RECORD: July 29, 2007- Candles  $34; Visitors’ Donations $179; Steward-ship $220; Coffee Hour Free Will Basket  $19; Stewardship $ 775; Attendance 39. Many Thanks for your continuing support!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 8/5; Fran Triantafilon 8/6 (Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ) Argyri & Carol Gymnaos 8/12; Venice Cosmadelis 8/19; Anet Jones 8/26.  We are in need of more persons to make the Prosforon / Offering Bread for the Divine Liturgy for each Divine Liturgy. We are in need a  Chairperson for the Prosforon Committee. Please speak to Fr. Stanley today.

   COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: August Sponsors 8/5 Emily Thomas & Presbytera Emily Harakas; 8/12 Harriet Pasisis; 8:19 Venice Cosmadelis and Nancy Kastelan; 8/26 Gloria Vardakis and Helen Vangel. A free will offering is requested to cover costs.

   AN INVITATION: Fr. Michael Shuster of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 11200 Elgin Blvd., Spring Hill, FL invites us all to a Prayer Service in honor of the Holy Theotokos next Sunday, August 12 at 3:00 p.m. Tears from the icon of Our Lady of Chicago will be offered for anointing. A fellowship hour follows. Fr. Stanley will attend.

   REGISTRATION FOR “KIDS CAMP II (MONDAY AUG 13- 9:30-12:30): See insert for registration form. Children who have already been given a t-shirt-please wear it. Those that need one call me or fill out form with size. Kids will make prosforon bread for August 15 D. Liturgy. Also, crafts, games, story time (religious) and pizza & goodies!

OPA!!!!! AGAPE DANCERS!!  ARE YOU READY TO HAVE SOME FUN?  REGISTRATION BEGINS AUGUST  26TH, 2007.  CLASSES WILL BEGIN SEPTEMBER 16, 2007.  DANCERS 5 YEARS AND OLDER.  SUNDAY SCHOOL REQUIRED, GREEK DANCE CLASS WILL FOLLOW.  SO GET READY TO LEARN. SOFIA CAVANAGH, DANCE INSTRUCTOR.  

   PUBLIC RELATIONS PERSON for Christ the Savior Church. We are seeking someone who will assume this vital position. The task includes contacting the local newspapers with notices about our activities as a church and takes on added importance as we now  prepare for a series of events an articles regarding the new Christ the Savior Church and Gus & Alice Marty Parish Hall. This is urgent! Can you help? If you would like to know more about this Time & Talent Stewardship, call Fr. Stanley at 796-2377.

BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT -2

BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED! There is great need for Sponsors for The Orthodox Messenger. $25 donation. Give to Treasurer Curtis Thomas today, with your message.

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

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

NEEDED! BULLETIN SPONSORS!

See Curt Thomas or Gloria Vardakis Today!