The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VII, No. 02 – Sunday, January 13, 2008

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

WHAT’S OUR CHURCH ABOUT?

hat is an important question for us to ask ourselves as we begin the year 2008! The Church is a gift to us from the Lord. And each of us receives gifts from the Lord within the Church, gifts we are to practice for the Church. In the fourth chapter of St. Paul’s letter to the Christians in the Asia Minor city of Ephesus, he writes these important words: “(The Lord’s) gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the  unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,  to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

   Look carefully at these words. St. Paul does not mention all of the gifts that Christians receive from the Lord. These are just some of the more prominent ones. All of us have received gifts from God, whether we acknowledge them or use them or not. As St. Paul says, “grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7). These are what Jesus described as “talents.” All of us have some gift that we can use for the Church’s work which we declare as our “Stewardship of Time and Talents.”

   It is important for us to recognize the purpose of exercising these gifts. He is very specific – “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”  It’s not only that we all ought to be sharing in the work of the Church, it is why we do what we do in the Church! He makes it very clear that our motive and intent in everything we do in the Church is to build up the body of Christ!  That means that whatever we do as a Stewardship of Time and Talent, whatever we give as a Stewardship of Treasure should be motivated by our desire to build up the Church.

   How? In numbers and in spiritual growth. “Numbers” means that we increase the Stewards of our parish so that the work of building up the Church” can be realized more easily and more fully. “Spiritual Growth is defined by St. Paul as attaining “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” The goal and purpose of our Church is to grow as persons and as a people. We are to grow in unity in the faith, we are to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, we are to grow toward Christian maturity, we are to grow into the “fullness of Christ.”  

   That’s what we are really about here at this Church.

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

SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY / THEOPHANY

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

   Dismissal Hymn of Theophany before the Entrance sung in Greek “En Iordane Vaptizomenou” by the Leader.

   (Sing) The Dismissal Hymn in English after the Entrance “As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, / then was the worship of the Trinity made manifest./ for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, / naming You the Beloved Son; / and the Spirit in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. / O Christ God, / who appeared and illumined the world, / glory to You.

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

   Kontakion of the Feast: Sung in Greek by the Leader: “Epephaneis semeron.”

(Read) You appeared to us on earth / today, O Master, / and Your light was shown on us / who cry aloud to You and say / with understanding O Christ our God: / You came and shown forth, O Light unapproachable.

EPISTLE –  Ephesians 4:7-13 (Sunday After Epiphany)

rethren, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives and give gifts to men.’ (In saying ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He wo descended is he who alos ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all thing.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

GOSPEL –  Matthew 4:12-17 (Sunday After Epiphany)

ow when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The Land of Zebulum and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in theregion and shadow of death light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 Return to p. 28 of the Hymnal

   FOR THE RECORD: Dec. 30 – Candles $41; Donations $538; Stewardship 2007 $150; Stewardship 2008 $345; Coffee Free Will $8; Bulletin $25; Special Donation $76.50; Attendance 37. Jan. 6 – Candles $77; Visitor’s Donations $260; Stewardship 2007 $165; Stewardship 2008 $810; Coffee Free Will $22; Bulletin $25; Christmas $20; Attendance 58. Thank you for your support!

  PARISH COUNCIL ORGANIZES! Following the Divine Liturgy last Sunday, the Parish Council elected its officers for the year 2008. Elected President was William Pasisis; Vice-President – Carol Gymnaos; Treasurer – Curtis Thomas; Recording Secretary – Jennie Palmenteri; and Corresponding Secretary – Achilles Thomas. It was decided that the Parish Council members will rotate at the candle stand on a weekly basis.

The Parish Council held its first regular meeting this past Tuesday, January 8. A report will be given in the next bulletin of the meeting.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Presbytera Emily Harakas 1/20; Argiri & Carol Gymnaos 1/27; 1/30 Three Hierarchs (Sts. Basil, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom ??????????. Become a Prosforon Baker! The recipe is simple. To offer to bake or to volunteer to chair the Prosforon Bakers, call Fr. Stanley! 796-2377.

   THE HELLENIC VOICE the Greek-American national newspaper published in Boston, featured our Ground-Breaking events on the front page of the Jan. 2, 2008 issue. The story included a 5”x7” photo of the sketch of our new church and hall, a photo of Past President Gloria Vardakis and present President William Pasisis breaking ground for the new buildings, as well as a photo of the water blessing service with Bishop John and the priests. Now the whole country knows about the progress of Christ the Savior Church!

   LOOKING AHEAD: You will want to keep up with everything that is happening at Christ the Savior Church. Sunday, January 27 is our Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner after Church, benefiting our Church. Adults $8; Children 6-12 $4 and 5 and under – Free. Co-Chairs Denise Zotto and Helene Arvanitis. Friday, February 1, Feast Day Vespers, the Name Day of our church, The Presentation of Christ at the Temple. Reception following Church, Chair Venice Cosmadelis. Sunday, February 24, Shrimp Dinner with Co-Chairs David & Diane Covington and Geraldine and Rainey Cousins. Benefits the Church.  Friday, February 29 & Saturday, March 1, Garage Sale. Chairs Harriet Pasisis, Gloria Vardakis & Helen Vangel. Benefits the Church.

   PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Friday, January 18, 2:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. The topic will be Living the Liturgy, Ch. 3 “Living the Liturgy” Come and learn!

   COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR JANUARY: Skevy Larson & Venice Cosmadelis 1/13; Elaine Underwood & Gloria Vardakis 1/20; Diane Covington & Emily Thomas.  Please do your share! Take your turn!

. NAME DAYS FOR JANUARY: Gregory Andeliadis 1/25; Amelia Angeliadis 1/1; Gregory G. Angeliadis 1/25; Barbara Chigos (Vasilike)1/1; John Demetriades 1/7; Fay (Photine) Demetriades 1/6; Bette (Vasilike) Ferriero 1/1; John Gymnaos 1/7; John Halvatzes 1/7; John Hatzi 1/7; William (Vasilios) Hazivasilis 1/1; William D. Hazivasilis 1/1; John Kelo 1/7; Vasilia Lambadarios 1/1; Frank (Photios) Lazouras 1/6; Fr. John Liadis 1/7; Fr. William (Vasilios) Mattis 1/1; Fotini Mylonakis 1/6; Jennie (Ioanna) Palmenteri 1/7; William (Vasilios) Pasisis 1/1; William (Vasilios) Planes 1/1; Francis (Photine) Porter 1/6; John Saittis 1/7; Frank (Photios) Spata 1/6; Frances (Photine) Triantafilon 1/6; John Tsausis 1/7; William (Vasilios) Urling 1/1. Many years. If your name is not listed, please inform Fr. Stanley.

A SIGN OF LOVE FOR GOD = REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE!

Be A Bulletin Sponsor – A Message & $25 – See Treasurer Curtis Thomas Today

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611