The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. II, No. 22 – Sunday, June 8, 2003

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

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org/

PRAYING IN THE MORNING

   I know. The morning is the busiest, most hectic, hurried part of the day. Rush. Rush. Rush. Who has time to pray in the morning? Ah, but think a minute. When is it better to pray, to draw strength and inspiration? Isn't it at the beginning of the day?

   The idea of praying at set times during the day is found in the book of Psalms. "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to thy name, O Most High; to declare thy steadfast love in the morning, and thy faithfulness by night" (Psalm 92:1-2).

   The benefit of morning prayer is frequently affirmed in this original "prayerbook" of the Church: "O Lord, in the morning thou dost hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for thee, and watch" (Psalm 5:3). Praying in the morning puts you in God's presence, preparing your mind and spirit to address the day.

   Starting the day out with an affirmation of God's love for you is a source of strength and courage for facing the day. "I will sing aloud of thy steadfast love in the morning. For thou hast been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength . . . (you are) the God who shows me steadfast love" (Psalm 59:16).

   The Psalmist also affirms that morning prayer gives us an upbeat and joyful start for the day. The Psalm's words have us pray to God "Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14).

  One of our Church’s Morning Prayers is a perfect for starting our day with God:

   "We bless you, O God, most high and Lord of mercy. You are always doing great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful, and without number. You grant us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh. We thank you, for you have not destroyed us with our sins, but have continued to love us; and raised us up to glorify your power. Therefore, we implore your incomparable goodness. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence. Open our mouth and fill it with your praise, that we may be able without distraction to sing and confess that you are God, glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with your only begotten Son, and your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen."

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

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

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn - 2nd  Plagal  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Angelike dynameis").Hymnal,  86-87.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The Angelic Powers "). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn for the Ascension

   (Sing in Greek) “Anelefthes en doxi” Hymnal, 114

   (Read) You ascended in glory, / O Christ our God, / having filled the Disciples with joy / by promising to send to them / the Holy Spirit; / and though Your blessing of them / they became certain / that You are the Son of God, / the Redeemer of the world.

Dismissal Hymn of the Holy 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 St. Nicholas

   (Sing in English) “An Example of the Faith” Hymnal 110-111.

Kontakion of the Holy Fathers

  (Read) The preaching of the Apostles / and the dogmas of the Fathers / confirmed the Church as one in faith; / and wearing the garment of truth, / woven of theology from above, / she rightly expounds and holds the great mystery of piety.

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

CHANGES LATER IN THE DIVINE LITURGY

In the place of “We have seen the light” (Sing) “Anelefthes en doxi” Hymnal, 114

   EPISTLE – (of the Holy Fathers) - Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 +Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, 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 Miletus he sent to Ephesus 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 (of the Holy Fathers) -  John 17:1-13 + 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."

FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, June 1: Attendance - 42; Candles - $62; Offering Tray - $81; Hospitality $32. Thank you to all for your generous support!

   COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: Two persons each week select the date they want to sponsor and they write in their names on the COFFEE HOUR SIGN UP SHEET in the Fellowship Hall. Sundays are open for June. Please sign up!

THE MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB meets Thursdays for a social gathering. All men are invited to participate. For details of time and place, call Bill Pasisis at 688-7465.

SPONSOR AN ISSUE OF THE ORTHODOX MESSENGER: See Connie Mourgides today, or call her at 686-0589. Only $20. Thank you!

THE PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.) continues this week on Friday, June 6, at 2:00 p.m. A video on the life of St. Demetrios will be shown. Popcorn will be served.

   PROSFORON BAKING: Connie Mourgides 6/8; Venice Cosmadelis 6/15 (Pentecost Sunday); Fran Mather 6/22; Helen Nicolelis 6/29; No Liturgy on July 6; George Nikas 7/13 Fran Triantafilon 7/20; Presbytera Emily Harakas 7/20. Thanks to all!

   CONGRATULATIONS to Denise Ressel, daughter of George and Dee Nikas who was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” by her students and fellow teachers at Pine Grove Elementary School. We are proud!

    SPRINGSTEAD HIGH TEACHER Nancy Urling is listed in the current issue of Who’s Who Among American Teachers. She was nominated as “A great teacher of life.” Congratulations! We are proud!

   STEWARDS! Return your card with your vote regarding the land survey of the Olympic Village Camp Property. If you haven’t sent it, please send it right away!

Come To Church During the Summer!

OF HERNANDO COUNTY