The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. V, No. 51 – Sunday, December 10, 2006

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     

THE BABE IN THE MANGER – CHANGING OUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE

verybody knows that we are in a period of preparation for Christmas. For most of our society, that translates into buying gifts, spending money on ourselves, going to parties, and planning family gatherings. Its one kind of Christmas reality. The reality of Christmas is different, however, if we look at the child in the Manger and realize that the infant there is the Son of God, who has come into the world for our salvation. Focusing on the babe in the Manger changes our whole perspective.  Here is a story that puts this changed perspective in contemporary terms.

   Scottish-born Scott Neeson, who moved to Los Angeles in 1993 from Australia, was living the glamorous life as a Hollywood film executive and keeping company with some of the industry's top stars.  But during an overseas backpacking trip in 2003, Neeson came across a place that would change his life forever.  While visiting the poverty-stricken capitol of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, he encountered children begging for change and scavenging in the dumps.  The experience compelled him eventually to quit his lucrative job at Sony Pictures and begin an entirely new career an ocean away as the founder and executive director of the Cambodian Children's Fund -- a charity dedicated to providing for the most neglected and impoverished.  Initially founded as a safe house for Cambodia's orphaned, abandoned or abused kids, this non-profit organization today not only provides shelter and food, but also offers a health care center and a comprehensive educational program.

   At first Mr. Neeson divided his time between Hollywood and Cambodia. Then, the contrast between his Hollywood life values and the things he saw and experience among the children in Cambodia was made sharply clear in a moment. He was in the midst of the poverty stricken children in Cambodia when he received a call from Hollywood: “My phone rang, and it was my office, and the actor who was on tour was having quite a serious meltdown because the private jet didn't have the right amenities for him. And he didn't want to get on the jet. The whole tour was in jeopardy. Then they quoted to me that the actor said that his life wasn't meant to be this difficult. And I thought, “I don't want this to be my world. This isn't my reality anymore.”

   That’s our challenge, too! Look at the Christ-Child in the Manger. Remember why He is there – the Son of God taking on your human nature, to teach you, to guide you, to die for you, to conquer death and evil for you. Think about Christmas, and ask yourself, “What is my reality?” What is the real message of Christmas for me this year?

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

Evening Services as Announced

10th  SUNDAY OF LUKE

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)

Dismissal Hymn of the Martyrs

    (Read) Through penance and moritification, / the holy Martyrs of Christ, / Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphos, / have overcome the disorder of their burning passions. / During their lifetime, they had received the grace / of healing the sick; / after their death, / they have the power of working miracles. / It is a great marvel  indeed / that healing should come forth from mere bones. / Glory to the Creator, / to God alone!

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (from sheet in the pew).

Pre-Nativity Kontakion “E Parthenos Semeron”.

   (Sing) Today the Virgin comes / to the cave to give birth / in an ineffable manner / to the Word before all ages. / Therefore, rejoice O universe, / and when you hear this, / Glorify, with the Angels and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear as a new Babe; / and as God before the Ages.  

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

EPISTLE – Ephesians 5:8-19 (26th  Sunday)

alk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.

GOSPEL – Luke 13:10-17 (10th Luke)

t that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

    FOR THE RECORD:  November 26 - Candles $85; Visitor’s Donations $101; Stewardship $950. Attendance 72. We are grateful to all who support Christ the Savior Church!  

    CAROL FAVORS: Following the Divine Liturgy today during the Coffee Hour the St. Katherine Ladies Society invites all parishioners to help make gifts for the elderly at the Sterling House Nursing Home Carol Sing this coming Thursday, Dec. 14 from 3:30 to 4:30. Ladies Society President, Emily Thomas (cell 650-0307) invites you to meet in the parking lot at 3:15. It will be creative and fun. Join in!

  WELCOME – NEW STEWARDS: We welcome new Stewards Charles and Helen Aftosmes. Their address is 14553 Brookridge Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613, 592-6873. Please write this information into your Christ the Savior 2006-2007 Telephone Directory.

   STEWARDSHIP: Many thanks to all who have returned their 2007 Stewardship Declarations. If you have not yet sent in your 2007 Stewardship Declaration Cards, please do so as soon as possible.

  HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill - Fred Underwood; Spring Hill Regional - Nichole Knowlton, and son Christian; Spring Hill Health and Rehab-Metaxia Porter; Brooksville Healthcare -Blanche Vratsiotes. Pray for those who are ill.

  DECEMBER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 12/10 - Emily Thomas & Nancy Kastelan; 12/17 - Dora Halvatzes; 12/24 There will be no Coffee Hour on the day before Christmas to allow for family gatherings. Please sign up for January Coffee Hours. Thanks to all!

  CALENDAR MEDITATION TOPICS FOR THIS WEEK: Meditate this week on these “God-Pleasing Character Traits” - Sun. 12/10-Rejoicing in God; Mon. 12/11 - Resource-fulness; Tues. 12/12 - Responsibility; Wed. 12/13 - Righteousness; Thurs. 12/14 - Security in God; Fri. 12/15 - Self-Control; Sat. 12/16 - Sensitivity. Think on these things.

   NEXT SUNDAY, following the Divine Liturgy, “Anointing for Health and Healing” for all in attendance. We pray for the well-being of Christ the Savior Stewards and friends.    

   FOOD PANTRY! More canned and boxed foods are needed for the Christmas distribution. You can help. Bring food for the pantry each Sunday. Thanks!

   COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD: Kara Hazivasilis, Chair of the Community Christmas Card project reminds you to please respond promptly with your names.

   PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM:  Out topic this coming Friday, December 15 is “Contemporary Issues-2 Inter-Faith Marriage.” We meet from 1-4 p.m. Refreshments! There will be no P.E.P. session on Friday, Dec. 22, Friday, Dec. 29, or Friday, Jan. 5.

  OUR SYMPATHY to Sophie George on the death of her sister, Naomi Veshi. May her memory be eternal.

  DONATION OPPORTUNITY: The Altar Gospel Book was in dire need of refurbishing - the cover was detached from the book pages, the velvet on the outside of the cover was soiled and worn out and the gold layering was loose. We have had it repaired at a cost of $150. Would you like to donate this Gospel Book repair for the health or in memory of a loved one? A suitable plaque can be affixed, if desired. See or call Fr. Stanley (796-2377).

-----Bulletin Sponsors Needed! – See George Nikas-----

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

Please Correct Your Christmas Program: Dec. 25 Liturgy is at 10:00 a.m.

 Holy Confession – Wed, Dec.13  2:00-3:00 pm - Chapel

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