The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. III, No. 50 – Sunday, December 12, 2004

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

13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

ell, we are in the swing of things! Getting ready for Christmas – oops! They now say we are getting ready for “The Season.” It seems as if our commercial world is eager to forget what the season is really about.

   In spite of all that, I’m grateful for the sign on Mariner Boulevard in front of the St. Francis Cabrini Church, which says “Keep CHRIST in Christmas.” If the retailers don’t want to do that, we Christians should.

   As we do all the things to prepare –trees, decorations, lights, shopping, gifts, baking, visiting, and so on, let us not forget the center and heart of the holiday – Christmas celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Our Orthodox Church tries to help form our spirits and hearts during this period, by asking us to fast from meat, to confess our sins, to attend Church more frequently.

   In the Divine Liturgy, we sing a “Kontakion Hymn” in preparation for the Nativity of Christ. Read it today, and reflect on its deep and profound meaning for us, in this disoriented, wandering, insecure age, for it brings us face to face with the antidote to what ails us – Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the World!

   Today the Virgin is on her way / to the cave / where she will give birth / to the Eternal Word of God / in an indescribable manner. / Rejoice therefore, O Universe / when you hear this news, / and glorify with the angels and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear as a new Child / being God from all eternity.

   So, take some time today to reflect on the words of this hymn. It is what Christmas is about and should be at the core of our preparations for Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

2005 Stewardship Declarations As Of Sunday, Dec. 5 = 37

Thanks to You If You Have Given In Your Stewardship Cards!

If  Not Yet, Please Send Them Today. Thank You!

Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Evening Services as Announced

The 11th Sunday of Luke – The Forefathers of Christ

Gospel Entrance Hymns

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 3rd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Efrainestho ta Ourania"). Hymnal, 83-84.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)"Let all things rejoice"). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of the Holy Forefathers

   (Read) By faith You vindicated the Forefathers, / having through them / betrothed to Yourself / the Church that came out of the nations. / The saints are boasting in glory; /  for the glorious fruit, / the Virgin who without seed / gave birth to You, / is from their progeny. / At their entreaties, / O Christ our God, / save our souls.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Spyridon

   (Read) You proved to be a champion of the First Synod / and a wonderworker, O Spyridon, / our God-bearing Father. / You spoke to a dead woman at her tomb, / and you turned a snake into gold. / You had angels concelebrating with you / as you sang your holy prayers, / O most holy man. / Glory to Him who glorified you; / glory to Him who operates through you, / providing cures to all.

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

Kontakion of the Preparation for Christmas

   The Leaders sing “E Parthenos semeron, ton proaionion logon”

   (Read) Today the Virgin is on her way / to the cave / where she will give birth / to the Eternal Word of God / in an indescribable manner. / Rejoice therefore, O Universe / when you hear this news, / and glorify with the angels and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear as a new Child / being God from all eternity.

Return to a page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

EPISTLE – Ephesians 5:8-19 (St. Spyridon)

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 14:16-24; Matthew 22:14 (11th Sunday, Forefathers)

he Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, December 5, 2004: Attendance 76; Offering $138; Candles $98. Many thanks to all!

   HOSPITALIZED at Oak Hill Hospital, Connie Mourgides, Lynn Hammer. We pray for their rapid recovery!

   PAVE IT! DRIVE Contributions so far: $7097. Still Needed: $521. If you haven’t given to the Pave It! Fund Drive yet, please do so. Any amount will help. Thank you!

  SACRAMENT OF HOLY CONFESSION: Saturday, December 18, 3-5 p.m.; and Wednesday, December 22, 7-9 p.m.  Also, by appointment. Call Fr. Stanley at 688-2382.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 12/12 (St. Spyridon); George Nikas 12/19; Connie Mourgides 12/24 (Christmas); Gloria Vardakis 12/26; Bette Ferriero (New Year) 1/1/05; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 1/2/05; Patricia Lilore 1/9/05; Fran Triantafilon 1/16; Fran Mather 1/23; Helen Nicolelis 1/30. George Nikas is Chair.

   P.E.P.-1: DUE TO A CLERGY MEETING scheduled in Tarpon Springs on December 17, at 4:00 p.m. our P.E.P.-1 session will be held this coming Friday, December 17 at 1 p.m. The topic will be a study of John 12:26-50.Come and learn about the Bible!

  THE ANNUAL GREEK PASTRY SALE was held Nov. 19 and 20. Co-Chairs Emily Thomas and Carol Gymnaos reported last week on those who helped. We would like to add the names of Paul & Angie Maniates, Connie & Patricia Pappas, and Gloria Zahka who also baked, but whose names were inadvertently omitted from last week’s list. Many thanks for your assistance! If your name was not included, please let Fr. Stanley know so that it can be included next week.

   THE FRESH GULF SHRIMP LUNCHEON, held in the Parish Hall last Sunday, was attended by about 90 people who enjoyed a very tasty and beautifully served meal. Special thanks to Capt. John Saittis who donated the Shrimp, Yanni Kotsifakis who provided and cooked the orzo and  sauce. Also our Church members who prepared and served it (names next week). Chairpersons of the event were Dora Halvatzes and Bette Ferriero, who announced that the event, with the drawing, earned $1,059.31 for the benefit of our church.

   CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN: Betty Roussos reminds you that we still have plenty of the Angel ornaments on our tree with the gender and age of children who need gifts Please take one or two TODAY and buy a gift (about $10 each), wrap them and attach the angel, so our Santa’s Helpers will know to which child to give them. Remember! Bring them by next Sunday and place them on the tree! You too, can be a very special Santa for a poor family.

     WELCOME TO NEW 2004 STEWARDS Stavros and Kathy Zoumberos, who have become our 78th Stewards for 2004. Stavros and Kathy are already listed in our 2004-2005 Directory. Welcome!

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

CHRISTMAS FOOD FOR THE NEEDY!

Spiro Lemonedes reminds you that the last day for

donating  food for Christmas meals   for the needy

and  Christmas gifts for  the needy children is next

Sunday, December 19

 

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