The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 23 – Sunday, June 12, 2005

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

SUMMER THOUGHTS -3

CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY IMPACT ON CHRIST THE SAVIOR CHURCH

     As described last week, Fr. Stanley and Paul Cosmadelis, with their spouses attended the 2005 Clergy-Laity Assembly in Mobile, AL. We were led in prayer, reflection, study and fellowship by His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios, our inspired leader. (He is seen in the photo censing the icon of Christ the Savior at the Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta.)  We attended valuable workshops and learned much about how to make our Christ the Savior Mission better in spirit and organization. However, two aspects of our work there are of special interest to us, here at Christ the Savior Church.

   The New Charter, Uniform Parish Regulations and Model Local By-laws.  A representative from the Archdiocese in New York presented to us the new Charter and Uniform Parish By-laws of our Archdiocese, as approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. These new regulations refine the previous Charter and UPR. One copy was made available to us, but we will soon be receiving a supply of them for the Parish Council members. Also, soon to come from the Metropolis of Atlanta, is a Model for Local Parish By-laws. This means that when they come, we will enter into a process of revising our own Local By-laws

   Parish Facilities Guidance. Fr. Stanley and Paul Cosmadelis attended a Parish Facilities Workshop regarding the construction of church buildings and halls, offered by Architect Frank Boardman of the Metropolis Facilities Committee. Important guidelines for the process were handed out and many questions were addressed in a very informative session. Later in the day, Mr. Boardman was very kind in meeting with Fr. Stanley and Paul Cosmadelis to discuss with us our own building issues for about an hour and a half. He was informed about the details of our own effort to build a new church complex on Anderson Snow Rd in Spring Hill, and he re- viewed our exploratory ideas, commending us for the progress so far. Most importantly, he offered to assist us along the way as we move toward final plans. It was clear, however, that we still have much work to do in planning for the future.

    In all, our participation in the Clergy-Laity Assembly proved to be very inspiring and also practically helpful. +S.S.H

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

Evening Services as Announced

7^th SUNDAY AFTER PASCHA – FATHERS OF THE 1^ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn for the Ascension

   Sing in Greek before the Entrance ("Anelefhtes en Doxe…"). Hymnal, 114-115.

Dismissal Hymn - 2nd  Plagal  Tone

  Sing in English after the Entrance ("The Angelic Powers "). Hymnal,  86-87.

Dismissal Hymn for the Ascension

   Sing in English (“Christ Ascended in Glory . . .”). Hymnal, 114-115.

Dismissal Hymn of the Fathers

    Read: Supremely blessed are You, O Christ our God. / You established the holy Fathers / upon the earth as beacons, / and through them / You have guided us all to the true Faith, / O greatly merciful One, / glory be to you.

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

Kontakion for the Fathers

   Sung in Greek by the leaders “Tin eeper eemon pleerosas”

   Read: When You had fulfilled the dispensation / for our sake, / and united things on earth / with the things in heaven, / You were taken up from here in glory, / O Christ our God, / going not away from any place, / but continuing inseparable, / and to them that love You / crying out, / “I am with you, / and there is, therefore, none against you.”

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

   EPISTLE – Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 (Fathers) + In those days, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

   GOSPEL – John 17:1-13 (Fathers) + At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made. "I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

  In the place of “We have seen the light” the Dismissal Hymn for the Ascension

   Sing ("Anelefhtes en Doxe…" and “Christ Ascended in Glory . . .”) Hymnal, 114-115.

  THANKS to Fr. Gerasimos Murphy for conducting the Divine Liturgy and preaching the Word of God last Sunday. We are blessed!

  FOR THE RECORD: June 5 – Attendance 29; Stewardship $995; Visitors  $8;Candles     $29; Building Fund $500. Thank you! We are grateful for your support!

  GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT: Our General Assembly was held two Sundays ago in the Chapel with 39 Stewards in attendance. Brief reports were made by Paul Cosmadelis, President of the Parish Council, who emphasized the financial needs of the Mission, and Fr. Harakas who reported on cutting down the mailing lists to save postage and who announced the target for increasing membership by 25 new Stewards for the year. He encouraged Stewards to go to the tables where new attendees were sitting during the Fellowship Hour and introduce themselves to new people. Fr. also spoke about “maintaining the unity of love” in our Mission.  Emily Thomas gave a written report for the St. Katherine Ladies Society on the activities of the past year and plans for the forthcoming year. Connie Mourgides gave the Treasurer’s Report as of March 31, 2005. She focused on the shortfall in Stewardship contributions of $4,110. The majority of Stewards did not increase their Stewardship Declarations to cover tray and coffee hour donations. She asked all Stewards to increase their giving to include Stewardship, tray offerings and coffee hour donations. You can give more than you declared in your Stewardship for the balance of the year.

   The Auditing Committee was eelected, including Stephen Heuer, Betty Roussos and Curtis Thomas who will report at the next regular General Assembly. Bill Pasisis reported on the Membership Committee, that we have 69 Stewardship households, with 106 Stewards eligible to vote. A few from 2004 have not yet renewed their Stewardship, but 6 new Stewardship households have signed up. Connie Pappas gave the Facilities report reporting on the new Parish Hall roof, the stain in the Temporary Church ceiling and the estimate of $3,000 to repair the roof in one of the cabins. He suggested we could look into developing the property into private camping grounds. Spero Lemonedes presented the Grounds Committee report, discussing bush hogging the grounds, irrigation needs and urged all to bring newspapers for recycling, but to always remove plastic bags before placing the newspapers in the container. In the absence of Tyke Nicolelis, Paul Cosmadelis went over the Activities Calendar highlighting the need for chairpersons and volunteers to assist in the projects. June 19 there will be an International Potluck Luncheon and on July 16 a Parish Picnic at Delta Park on Deltona. August 21 there will be a Chicken Barbeque and September 25, a Spaghetti and Meat Balls Luncheon. George Nikas presented Future Plans and Development report, discussing the process in developing potential plans for our future building. Three sketches were presented as possible potential building plans and how it is necessary to proceed with a feasibility study before we can know actual costs. There was extensive discussion and the motion to spend up to $10,000 for a feasibility study was approved overwhelmingly by the General Assembly.

    SUMMER OR WINTER Church attendance is important for our spiritual life. Don’t put off coming to Church on Sundays. Bless your soul with worship, prayer and fellowship.

    PROSFORON BAKERS: Argyris & Carol Gymnaos 6/9 (Ascension Day); Connie Mourgides 6/12; Fran Triantafilon 6/19; Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/26; George Nikas 7/3.      

COME TO CHURCH DURING THE SUMMER

CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

        CHRIST IS RISEN!

    TRULY, HE IS RISEN!
 

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