The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. III, No. 49– Sunday, December 5, 2004

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

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

Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

DECEMBER 5, 2004 - CHRIST THE SAVIOR CHURCH STEWARSHIP SUNDAY!

   Today, you’re are being asked to make your Declaration of Stewardship for 2005 to support the Church’s work. You are asked to respond by “Returning to the Lord” some of your time, talent and treasure. Today is the day (unless you are mailing your cards to the church) for you to present your pledge cards for the year 2005.

   Did you know that you are rich? Most of us would say that isn’t true. We look around us and see people with more and bigger cars, more expensive houses, fancier clothing, bigger and more powerful computers, and so on.

   Yet, if we think about it, the vast majority of people in the United States own or have access to a car, have a roof over their head, know how to read and write, have enough or more than enough to eat, and have resources enough to buy some of life’s extras, that is, luxury items. Did you know that 90 percent of the world’s population does not have these things? In comparison to them, most of us could easily be called “rich.”

   If you add that most of us Americans are healthy, or have access to some kind of health care, have received some level of education, live in secure homes, enjoy freedoms to vote, to worship, to speak our mind, to circulate and go where we want without restrictions, you could say that we are “rich” in comparison to other places in the world.

   We Orthodox Christians are a very small minority in this country, but we have as many rights to worship and believe and propagate our faith as the largest of any church or religion. We are “rich” in freedom.

   Why point this out? Read what St. Paul has to say: “Timothy, my son, charge the rich in this world not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed” (Timothy 6:17-21).

   Did you read that? It reveals to us a great truth about the Lord: “who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy.” God is the source of what we enjoy. And we are called upon to “Return to the Lord,” – “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous.” Doing that, we have the promise that we will “take hold of the life which is life indeed.”

   Sounds like Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure, doesn’t it? 

  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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Saints: Savas, the Blessed (+540); Martyrs Diogenes, Anastasios, Averkios; Nektarios of  the Holy Mountain Athos;  (+1500); Philotheos; Gurios of Kazan; Cyrion & Zachariah of Egypt; Cawdraf of Wales.

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The 10^th Sunday of Luke

Gospel Entrance Hymns

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 St. Savas the Blessed

   (Read) With the rivers of your tears / you made the barren desert bloom; / and with your sighs from deep within, / you made your labors / bear their fruit a hundredfold; / and you became a star, / illuminating the world by your miracles, O Savas our devout father. / Interceed with Christ our God, / for the salvation of our souls.

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 – Galatians 5:22-6:2 (St. Savas) + Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

   GOSPEL – Luke 13:10-17 (10^th Sunday) +  At 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.

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TODAY DECEMBER 5, 2005 IS STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

YOU WILL BE ASKED TO OFFER YOUR STEWARSHIP CARDS

AT THE END OF THE DIVINE LITURGY

Extra Stewardship Cards Available at the Candle Stand for Your Use Today

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   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, November 28, 2004: Attendance 41; Offering $82; Candles $53; Hospitality $13; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund $100; Pave It! Fund $20; Building Fund $10. Many thanks to all!

   BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR DECEMBER: Prayers of Blessing will be offered today following the Divine Liturgy for those celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries in December. Birthdays: Nanka Kastelan 12/1; Edward Zahka 12/2; Bobby Thomas 12/9; Harriet Passisis 12/10; Kay Athan  12/14; Daniel Hazivasilis 12/21; Henry Prestage 12/26; Steve Mourgides 12/31. Anniversaries: Paul & Venice Cosmadelis 12/11; Curtis & Emily Thomas 12/15; Connie & Patricia Pappas 12/21; Fr. John & Presbytera Mary Liadis 12/26; John & Theona Hatzi 12/31; Stephen & Patricia Hewer 12/31. Congratulations! And “Many Years!”

   TOMORROW! Feast of St. Nicholas. Orthros at 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Plan on attending the commemoration of this great saint of our Church.

   HOSPITALIZED at Bayonet Point Regional in New Port Richey, Vera Mae Fondulas. We pray for her rapid recovery!

   THE PARISH COUNCIL will meet this Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 p.m. sharp in the Dining Hall for its last regular meeting of the year.

   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 no matter how small will help. Let us try to finish paying for the paving of Olympic Village lane by the end of the year. Please contribute what you are able. 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: Fran Mather 11/28; Helen Nicolelis 12/5; Fran Triantafilon 12/6 (St. Nicholas); 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. George Nikas is Chair.

   P.E.P. -1 will be held this coming Friday, December 10 at 2 p.m.. The topic will be “What is the meaning of Christmas? An Answer from the Nativity Hymns” Come!

  THE ANNUAL GREEK PASTRY SALE was held Nov. 19 and 20.Co-Chairs Emily Thomas and Carol Gymnaos report that the following helped in the Sale: Maria Angeliadis, Venice Cosmadelis, Bette Ferriero, Demetrios & Maria Filippakos, Dora Halvatzes, Presbytera Emily Harakas, Ruby Hazivasilis, Nanka Kastelan, Nikolai Kastelan, Presbytera Mary Liadis, Fran Mather, Connie Mourgides, Steve Mourgides Helen Nicolelis, Tyke Nicolelis, Dee Nikas, Harriet Pasisis, Betty Roussos, Christina Thomas,  Elaine Underwood, Fred Underwood, Helen Vangel, Gloria Vardakis. Many thanks! If your name was not included, please let Fr. Stanley know so that it can be included next week.

  LEARN AT HOME! Audio recordings of 40 educational workshops of the 37^th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress held this past summer are available on the Archdiocesan Website (http://www.goarch.org/en/resourcves/conferences/). There are also session presentation materials. Many topics are available from Communications to Worship. A treasure trove! Check it out!

  CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Don’t forget to send in your gift for the Community Christmas Card! Do it today! Thanks!

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

TODAY! FRESH GULF

SHRIMP LUNCHEON!

Right After Church. Don’t Miss Out!

      Only $10 per adult. A Fund-Raiser!

 

 

 

 

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