The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 48 – Sunday, December 2, 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

A SPECIAL GROCERY LIST

ouise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of  defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.

    She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once. Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

   Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?"
   Louise replied, "Yes sir." "O.K" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries." Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

    The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

    The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands."

    The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.
Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the   grocer and said; "It was worth every penny of it. Only God knows how much a prayer weighs!”

    The Lord Jesus Christ said,

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” and

“Your Father who is in heaven gives good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 6:8, 7:5)
 

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

Today’s Saints: Habbakkuk, the Prophet (6th c. b.c.); Abibos, Martyr; Myrope, Martyr (+250); Righteous Theophilos (+251); Cyril Phileotes, Ascetice (+1060); Habib, the New, Martyred by fire; the hermit Priests John Heraclaemon, Andrew & Theophilos.

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 2nd  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Ote katelthes").Hymnal,  81-82.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("When you descended"). (Same)

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

The Pre-Nativity of Christ Kontakion

   (Sung) by the leader in Greek “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 ineffable 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 p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”

EPISTLE – Ephesians 6:10-17 (27th Sunday)

RETHREN, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

GOSPEL – Luke 18:35-43 (14th Luke)

t that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

   FOR THE RECORD: Thankgiving, November 22: Candles $20; Attendance 18. Sunday, November 25:  Candles $57; Visitors’ Donations $175; Stewardship 2007 $310; Stewardship 2008 $375 Attendance; 55; Bulletin $25. We thank you for your generosity!

  HOSPITALIZED: Brooksville Regional: Michael Liolios. We pray for a rapid recovery! Please let Fr. Stanley know when a member of your family is hospitalized.

  CONGRATULATIONS to Anet Jones, who following months of instruction, was received into the Orthodox Church through the sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation, Saturday, November 24. Sponsors were Bret and Ana Mauer from St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa. Anet’s baptismal name is Anna. She was introduced to the congregation this past Sunday, receiving the congratulations of the congregation following the Liturgy. Many years!

  COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR DECEMBER: 12/2 Diane Covington; 12/9 Harriet Pasisis; 12/16 Diane Covington; 12/23 Helen Arvanitis; 12/30 Carol Gymnaos & Kanella Hantzis. Men and Women of the Parish! It is an important Stewardship of Time and Talent to sponsor the Coffee Hour! Take your turn! Sign up for January, 2008! For details see Harriet.

   PARENTS! Plans are being made to participate in the Greek Independence Day Parade in Tarpon Springs in March, 2008, but only if we have an adequate turnout. If your children are interested in participating representing Christ the Savior Church please contact Carol Gymnaos, Chair of the Youth Committee to declare your children’s participation. Call her at 683-6513.  

   CHRIST THE SAVIOR CHURCH is waiting for the return of the Stewardship Cards of Time, Talent and Treasure. Express your Thankfulness to the Lord for the blessings He has given you, by returning your Declaration Cards for your 2008 Stewardship. Please do it as soon as possible as we hope to give a report to the Mission at year’s end. Help Christ the Savior Church start off the year with a strong vote for the future! If you have already sent in your Stewardship Cards, Thank you! If not yet, can we count on you to return them this week? 

   FEAST DAY OF ST. NICHOLAS: Wednesday, December 5, Vespers of St. Nicholas, 7:00 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, FL, Metropolitan Alexios presiding. Feast of St. Nicholas, Thursday, December 6: Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy 10 am at our church.      RESUMING PROSFORON BREAD BAKING: The over-supply of Prosforon Bread used for the preparation of the elements for the Sacrament of Holy Communion (the Divine Liturgy) has been used up. We now need to begin having parishioners (women and men) again make Prosforon. Making Prosforon is easy to with a simple recipe. It is spiritually rewarding to make the bread from which the portion is taken to be consecrated, and which is given in Holy Communion. Following the D. Liturgy, this bread, cut into small pieces, is distributed to those in attendance. You’ll like making it! The new schedule picks up from the 3rd week of August.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Argyri & Carol Gymnaos 12/6 (St. Nicholas); Venice Cosmadelis 12/9; Anet Jones 12/16; Fran Triantafilon 12/23; Presbytera Emily Harakas 12/24; Frances Porter 12/30. Make Prosforon! Call Fr. Stanley for the recipe! 796-2377.

   PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.) for this coming Friday, December 7, will be Video #2, on the “Spread of the Early Church.” Come and enjoy this historic and dramatic presentation. We meet from 2-3:30 p.m. Refreshments served.

   WHAT A BARGAIN! Have your Christmas Greetings sent to all the families on our mailing list. Return your names with a donation in any amount to help Christ the Savior Church.  Send your check and how you want your name(s) written to Nancy Kastelan, 14058 Sullivan Street, Spring Hill, FL, 34609. Remember to write “Christmas Card” on the memo line!

   PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY FOR CHRISTMAS! Holy Confession, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007 2-3 pm; Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2-3 pm; Wed. Dec. 19, 7:30-8:30 pm.

   BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS            next Sunday, Dec. 9! Birthdays: 12/1 Nancy Kastelan; 12/2 Edward Abraham Zahka; 12/3 Fr. Michael Miklos; 12/5 Frank Spata; 12/9 Angela Spata; 12/9 Bobby Thomas; Harriet Hazivasilis; 12/21 Daniel Hazivasilis; 12/25 William Eugenides; 12/31 Mary Markovich. Anniversaries: 12/9 Dino & Carmen Moshonisi-otis; 12/11 Paul & Venice Cosmadelis; 12/15 Curtis & Emily Thomas; 12/26 Fr. John & Presbytera Mary Liadis; ; 12/30 David & Skevy Larson; 12/31 John & Theona Hatzi. Many years!

  TAMPA BAY CONFERENCE ADVENT HOLY UNCTION SERVICE: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater. Dec. 12, 2007 at 7:00 pm. If you are interested in attending, please call Fr. Harakas to arrange for carpooling. 796-2377.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611