The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. III, No. 52– Sunday, December 26, 2004

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

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

A MESSAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR

    On this Sunday, between Christmas and New Year’s Day 2005, it is a good thing to stop and reflect about the year that has gone by and the year that is coming. As a mission on the way to becoming a parish, we have made significant strides in membership, in the understanding of our calling as Orthodox Christians, in vision for the future and in resources for greater ministry. We pray that 2005 will continue this trend of growth.

   This means that we need to meet together in worship regularly. We cannot grow in any way, numbers, spiritually, or in service to God, unless we come to church as often as possible. In 2005, increased church attendance is a goal to which all of us can contribute.

   In the sphere of our personal relationships, both within and outside our Christian community, we need to continue to grow in the realm of understanding, patience, forgiveness, caring and love. St. Peter exhorts us, “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8).

  The words of Mother Teresa point us to a Christ-like way of relating to others. They are excellent guidelines for our lives in the year 2005.

  lPeople are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
  lIf you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
  lIf you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.
  lIf you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
  lWhat you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
  lIf you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
  lThe good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
  lGive the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the

best you've got anyway.
  lYou see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
          It was never between you and them anyway.

           That is the key!  Everything we do is above all else  between God and us!

                        Remember that, and all the rest will take care of itself.

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

 Evening Services as Announced

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Gospel Entrance Hymns

sunday after christmas

                                     Gospel Entrance and Other Hymn Changes

Antiphon – Save us O Son of God who was born of a Virgin, we sing to you. Alleluia.

Dismissal Hymn of Christmas

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("E genesis sou Christe o Theos emon").Hymnal,  105-106.

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - Plagal 1st  Tone.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" Hymnal, 85-86.

Dismissal Hymn of Christmas

   (Sing in English) ("Your Birth O Christ our God"). Hymnal, 105-106

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew.

Dismissal Hymn of St. Joseph

   (Read) Announce the miracles to David / the ancestor of God, / O Joseph. / You saw the Virgin pregnant. / You glorified with the shepherds. / You worshipped with the Magi. / And you were warned by an Angel. / Entreat Christ God / that our souls be saved.

Kontakion of Christmas

   (Sung in Greek by the leaders) “E parthenos semeron ton yperousion tiktei”

   (Read) On this day the Virgin gives birth / to the Super-essential One. / To the Unapproachable, / earth is providing the grotto. / Angels sing and with the shepherds offer up glory. / Following a star the Magi are still proceeding. / He was born for our salvation, / a newborn Child, / the pre-eternal God.  ADD  MEGALYNARION

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

  
EPISTLE –Galatians 1:11-19 (Post-Nativity) + Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I do up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

GOSPEL – Matthew 2:13-23 (Post-Nativity)  + When the wise men departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son." Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
  
Communion Hymn - In the place of “Praise the Lord” the Leaders sing “Lytrosin apesteile Kyrios” Translation: “The Lord has sent deliverance to His people.”

In the place of “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” the Dismissal Hymn of Christmas is sung. See above.

 

THE FIRST DIVINE LITURGY IN THE NEW CHURCH (Photos by Costa Hrones)

     FOR THE RECORD: December 12- Attendance 58; Candles $90; Offering $142; Hospitality $9; Pave It! Drive $35.  December 19- Attendance 50; Candles $54; Offering $106; Hospitality $23; Pave It! Drive $25. Thank you for your support!
     MEMORIAL SERVICE: Last Sunday, December 19, 2004 a 9 Month Memorial Service with Kolyva was offered for the rest of the soul of George Roussos by Betty, James and Eleni Roussos. May his memory be eternal.

   TRISAGION SERVICE: A 9 Month Trisagion Service will be offered today for the rest of the soul of Katy Calligeros, and other deceased members of  the family by her husband, Tony Calligeros.  May her memory be eternal!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: 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; Presbytera Emily Harakas 2/2 (Presentation of Christ); George Nikas 2/19; George Nikas is Chair.

   THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH will be regularly observed as “Anointing for Health and Healing Sunday.” Come to church on Sunday, January 16 for special prayers for health and healing and the anointing.

   PAVE IT! DRIVE Contributions so far: $7097. Still Needed: $461. Can we please conclude this drive by the end of 2004? Your gift will help.

   NO P.E.P. -1 Friday, December 31 (New Year’s). Our next session will be on Friday, January 7, 2004 at 2:00 p.m.     

   OUR NEW (TEMPORARY) CHURCH: The transformation of our former Fellowship Hall to serve as a Church for our expanding congregation was accomplished with a minimum cost in comparison to building an addition to the Chapel, gaining even more capacity. This was accomplished in large part by volunteer help by parishioners, many of whom quietly donated the costs for many of the renovations. We want to thank those that we know about. (If you helped and are not listed below, please let Fr. Stanley know, so that your help can be acknowledged.)  Those that we know are: Paul Cosmadelis, Venice Cosmadelis (who directed the whole process), Alex George, Dora Halvatzes, Bill Hazivasilis, Ruby Hazivasilis, Demetri Hazivasilis, Nanka Kastelan, Nikolai Kastelan, Spiro Lemonedes, Fran Mather, Helen Nicolelis, Tyke Nicolelis, George Nikas, Bill Pasisis, Harriet Pasisis, Achilles Thomas, Bobby Thomas, John Tsausis, Gloria Vardakis. Many thanks! Most agree that it was a successful renovation. We will be worshiping at “The Church” regularly, but we will continue to use “The Chapel,” also. Let us attend church regularly!

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2005 Stewardship Declarations

Is the Church still waiting for your 2005 Stewardship Declaration?

   STARTING JANUARY, 2005 we will no longer be passing a regular collection tray during the Divine Liturgy. Nor will we be raising money during the Coffee Hour. Our Stewardship of Treasure Declaration of Intention for 2005 should include these two giving items. Please note these changes: On the 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th Sundays of each month NO OFFERING TRAYS WILL BE PASSED DURING THE DIVINE LITURGY. But on the 2^nd Sunday of each month a tray for the BUILDING FUND will be circulated at the Divine Liturgy. Also, on the 4^th Sunday of each month, a tray for the DINO ADAMIS PHILANTHROPIC FUND will be passed by the women of the “St. Katherine Ladies Society.” A separate notice will be posted each Sunday at the Candle Stand.

   Starting January, 2005 when you enter “The Church” there will be three offering trays at the Candle Stand. 1) Stewardship Offerings (in envelopes, for privacy); 2)  Visitors Contributions; 3) Candle Donations. Thank you for your support!

   BULLETIN SPONSORS NEEDED for 2005. To reserve your sponsorship, call Connie Mourgides at 686-0589. Only $25.

   OFFICIAL NOTICE: SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The Parish Council is calling a Special General Assembly on Sunday, January 23, 2005 following the Divine Liturgy. The Agenda: To extend the authorization for one more year to sell our property.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

COME TO CHURCH

REGULARLY!

 

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