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The Orthodox Messenger Vol. III, No. 27 – Sunday, July 11, 2004 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 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482 Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D, D.D., (352) 688-2382; Cell (352) 263-3005; Fax (352) 688-9846; Email: Rharakas@aol.com
THINKING ABOUT A WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION FOR CHRIST THE SAVIOR
CHURCH Our Christ the Savior Church is growing! Two and a half years ago, we were a total of 33 Steward members. As of today, we are 70 Ste-ward members, with a few more preparing to join our active, worshiping, serving and spiritually growing community. This growth is God-blessed, and very welcome. According studies of our Archdiocese, recently shared with us, the threshold for sustainable parish life (the ability to support a full-time Priest) is a hundred Steward families. So that is our immediate goal. But in order to do this, we need to continue organizing our efforts so as to build for the future. One of the most important areas of concern is the need to organize the women of Christ the Savior church. This needs attention and planning. On June 17, 2004, Fr. Harakas called a meeting to explore the possibilities and the potential for some kind of women’s organization. Attending the meeting were Venice Cosmadelis, Presbytera Emily Harakas, Fran Mather, Dee Nikas, Betty Roussos, Harriet Pasisis, Emily Thomas, Dorothy Triantafilon, and Gloria Vardakis. Venice was hostess. Fr. Stanley began the meeting with a presentation on the various possible ways in which we could proceed to organize, including a local women’s organization, or a chapter of the national Philoptohos. He also discussed the nature of the organization and the emphases that it could have. A very lively discussion followed. Though no decisions were to take place in the meeting since it was announced as an exploratory meeting, the consensus of those present was that we should have an organization for the women of the Mission. It was also felt that, in order of priority, it should focus on spiritual growth, fellowship, service and fund-raising. Material about the Philoptohos was distributed. It was agreed, that each person present would make a list of six points for subsequent discussion. In late September or early October another meeting will be held in order move the project further, with the goal of presenting a proposal to the General Assembly of the Mission which is scheduled for November, when it is hoped the establishment of a women’s organization in our parish will be approved. Let us all pray about this new effort. Let us do so in a spirit of Christian love and mutual support, so that we can take an important step in our development as a parish. May the Lord bless this effort!
Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Evening Services as Announced Saints: Greatmartyr Euphemia (+303); Martyr and Presbyter Quindeus of Pamphylia, Olga of Russia, Equal to the Apostles (+969); Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain (+1722); Nektarios (+1820), Nikodemos of Albania and Nicholas, Neomartyrs. 6th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNSDismissal Hymn - Plagal 1st Tone (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) "Ton synanarchon logon " Hymnal, 85-86. (Sing in English after the Entrance) "The Eternal Word" (Same). Dismissal Hymn of St. Euphemia (Read) You filled the Orthodox with joy / and put to shame the supporters of error, / O Euphemia, the beautiful virgin of Christ! / You gave a seal of approval / to the saving doctrine of the Fourth Ecumenical Council. / O glorious Martyr, / intercede therefore with Christ God / that He may grant us / an abundance of mercy. Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing) From the sheet in the pew. (Text): “Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our souls; also giving to us the resurrection.” Kontakion “Prostasia ton Christianon”(Sung in Greek by Leaders) (Read) O never-failing protectress of Christians / and their ever-present intercessor before the Creator: / do not be heedless to the prayerful voices of us sinners, / but in your goodness extend your help to us / who call upon you with confidence. / Hasten, O Mother of God, / to intercede for us. / You have always protected those who honor you! Return to a page 26 for “Holy God”and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 6:1-10 (of St. Euphemia) + Brethren, working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. GOSPEL – Matthew 9:1-8 (6th Matthew) + At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, July 4: Attendance – 47; Candles - $62; Offering - $1,140; Hospitality - $137; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund - $500; Building Fund - $300; Stewardship $1,436; I Say PAVE IT! Fund Drive - $370. Many thanks! MORE THAN HALF WAY THERE! Please send your generous gift to help pay for the paving of Olympic Village Lane. We have passed the half-way point of the fund drive. If you have not given yet, please make your contribution. Make your check out to CSGOC and write I Say “Pave It!” on the memo line. Can we complete the drive by the August 15th Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos? Please do your part. Thanks! YARD SALE: Bring your donations Sundays for storage. Leave items in front of, or in the Dining Hall. Speak to Connie Mourgides or George Nikas for details. WORLDLY & SACRED WISDOM: “He who speaks without thinking, is like the person who shoots a gun without aiming.” And, from the Bible: “The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips” (Proverbs 16:23). PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Mather 7/11; Fran Triantafilon 7/18; George Nikas 7/25; Patricia Lilore 8/1; Connie Mourgides 8/6 (Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ); Gloria Vardakis (New Prosforon Baker!) 8/8; Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 8:15 (Dormition of the Theotokos); Presbytera Emily Harakas 7/22. To learn how to bake the Prosforon Bread call our Prosforon Coordinator, George Nikas at 597-1375. HOSPTALIZED: Oak Hill: Presbytera Mary Liadis. We pray for a rapid recovery! SIGN A PETITION SUPPORTING THE CHURCH’S VIEW ON MARRIAGE: You can sign a petition to our elected U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative asking them to support the upcoming vote on the Marriage Amendment. If you are on the internet, you can do so by accessing the national effort sponsored by the National Alliance for Mar-riage, which wrote it at http://www.grassfire.net/32/petition.asp?PID=6630817&NID=1. Or, you can find printed petitions on the table at the entrance, which you can mail. Just cut out the three petitions and then copy the names and addresses to three envelopes, and mail your signed petition. THE FOURTEEN-DAY FAST before the August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is from August 1 to 14. We are called to a period of spiritual preparation to commemorate the entry into heaven of the Mother of our Lord. Increase your prayer and sacramental life, participate in the Supplicatory Service to the Theotokos, and celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ on August 6. Renew your spiritual focus!
OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY observance this past Sunday, July 4 was a success. All received a sheet with four patriotic songs, and the sermon was preached on their message for us. The Doxology was sung and following the service, we all went to the flagpole for the singing of the patriotic songs. With perfect timing, arranged by Bill and Harriet Pasisis, the pizzas arrived just minutes before the singing. Salad had been previously prepared. Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship. A beautiful 4th of July! ===============================================================
At Yanni’s Restaurant, 4731 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL Monday, July 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. Hors D’Oeuvres, Music, with Greek and American Dancing. $10 per person. ForTickets Call Co-Chairs Dee Nikas – 597-1375 or Cathy Lemonedes – 684-4082
Today’s Bulletin Sponsor: Maria Maillis Come to Church On Sunday During the Summer!“Know the Truth (Jesus Christ), and the Truth will set you free” (John 8:32)
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