|
The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. VII, No. 26 – Sunday, June 8, 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
Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Th.D.,D.D. (352) 796-2377; Cell (352)
263-3005; Fax (352-796-9081)
A LETTER FROM GOD
Dear Faithful Follower:
I`m writing this in reply to your letter to me in which you
complained about the Church asking for money and extra collections.
You wrote quite a strong letter. I showed it to My Son, Jesus. He
said that he had made it quite clear how important the Stewardship
of My gifts really is. You know your whole life is made up of My
gifts to you. Time is My gift to you, each hour of your life. Your
talents are My gift to you, your abilities and special skills. Your
treasure is My gift to you, the money I enable you to earn.
How you use these gifts, selfishly or unselfishly, foolishly or
responsibly, is what my holy writers have called your Stewardship.
When I call you to Myself. I will ask you to give an account of your
Stewardship to My Church.
You say the Church asks you for money for this and money for
that and you complain about extra collections. Obviously you are
referring to the Christian Stewardship Program for the general
support of your Parish, and the special collections for my poor and
needy throughout the world. Aren`t these funds simply to continue My
work of salvation for you and your family through your church, and
to give you the opportunity to share my blessings with your less
fortunate brethren?
You mention that you go to Church to worship, and the collection
tray turns you off. But isn`t your giving a part of your worship?
Doesn`t your gift of money represent actual hours of your life,
hours of work that earned it? Isn`t then your gift a gift of some of
yourself? Doesn`t this whole matter amount to one simple question
for you: How much should I give to the Church? When you have
determined that, you can be at peace.
Each person has a different income, and therefore a different
ability to give. You give as you have received. What could be more
fair? And isn`t that what I Myself indicated: "Give to the Most High
as he has given to you, according to your means." (Sirach 35:9) Let
Me ask you, how much of the income I enable you to earn do you
actually use for yourself and your family, and how much do you give
back to Me? Is it 100 percent for you, and 0 percent for God? Is it
99 percent for you, and 1 percent for God? 95 percent for you, and 5
percent for God?
I hope My words will give you food for thought and prayer.
Giving is always supposed to be an act of loving. That is my way.
That is the way of my Son. Will you make it also your way?
With infinite
love,
God
(From the Metropolis of Atlanta Website)
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.;
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
Evening Services
as Announced
Today’s Saints:
Holy Fathers of the
1st Ecumenical Council; Martyr Kalliope (+251); Martyr Nikandros;
Neomartyr Theophanes; Commander Theodore, Great Martyr (+319).
7th SUNDAY of PASCHA - FATHERS of the 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
GOSPEL
ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn sung in Greek by the leader before the entrance “Anelefthes
en doxei . . .” 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 of the 1st Ecumenical Council
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 leader “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)
n 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)
t 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 Communion Hymn “Praise the Lord” the leader - “Anevee
o Theos” (Read): God ascended amid shouts of joy, / the Lord
amid trumpet blasts. / Alleluia.
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.
Two Trays Today – 1) Stewardship & Visitors’ Offering; 2)
Building Fund
BAPTISMS: Saturday, May 31 the four
sons of Pete and Kanella Hantzis were baptized at Christ the Savior
Church: Christos (1 yr.) with Sponsors Curtis & Emily Thomas; Thanasi (5
yrs.) with Sponsors Diomithis & Marilynn Koukos; Andreas (10 yrs.) with
Sponsor Kostas Hantzis; and Yanni (12 yrs.), with Sponsors Argyris and
Carol Gymnaos. We pray “Many Years” for all the boys and their Sponsors,
and older sisters Alexandra, Katerina and the proud Hantzis parents!
A SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AWARD
and gift were presented to Rory John Atwood on Sunday, June 1, after the
Divine Liturgy by Venice Cosmadelis on behalf of the Sunday School Staff
of Christ the Savior Church. Congratulations!
PARISH COUNCIL CANDLE STAND
ASSIGNMENTS: June 8 – Achilles Thomas & Venice Cosmadelis;
June 15 – George Angeliadis & Bill Pasisis; June 22 – Argiris
& Carol Gymnaos; June 29 – Helene Arvanitis & Venice Cosmadelis.
SYMPATHY: We express deep sympathy
to Costa and Theresa Hronis at the loss of their son, Peter Hronis, 47
in an automobile accident on May 29 in Milford, CT. A Trisagion was
offered following the Liturgy for the rest of his soul on Sunday, June
1. We pray “Eternal Memory” and offer prayers for comfort of his
grieving family.
PROSFORON BAKING RESUMES:
George Nikas 6/8; Diane Covington 6/15; Stacy Underwood Humbert 6/22;
Presbytera Emily Harakas 6/9; Bette Ferriero 7/6; Venice Cosmadelis
7/13; Argiris and Carol Gymnaos 7/20. Thanks!
Archbishop Demetrios of America recently visited the Christ
the Savior Cathedral in Moscow as an official guest. He was presented a
commemorative crystal bowl featuring the Cathedral. We’re not quite as
elaborate –but we have the same name!
CONGRATULATIONS
to Stewards Bob and Virginia Kirshy, whose daughter and son-in-law of
Miami, FL had a healthy baby boy on May 7 and was named Kevin Fitzgerald
Jr. We pray “Many Years” for Kevin Jr., the parents and grandparents!
A QUORUM was
present for the Parish Assembly on June 1. Reports were received from
all Committees. Total 2008 income as of the end of May was $32,159.87,
with expenses of $16,741.60 as we enter the summer season. There are 71
Steward units with 114 individual Stewards. A thorough report on the
Building Committee was made. The County is expected to give final
permits shortly, after which construction can begin. The Fundraising
Committee reported income of $5,426.00 The Assembly voted to establish
the position of Parliamentarian. Publicity Committee Co-Chairs were
appointed – Cathy Lemonedes and Dee Nikas. Christmas Card Chair this
year will be Helene Arvanitis.
HOSPITAL VISITS:
Starting in June for the Summer, Fr. Stanley will visit hospitals
once weekly. If a family member is hospitalized, please call him at
796-2377.
BULLETIN
SPONSORS: FR. STANLEY & PRESBYTERA EMILY HARAKAS
FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR SON SPERO
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
June
BIRTHDAY AND
WEDDING
Anniversary
Blessings
Today
At the
Divine Liturgy
NEEDED NOW!
Bulletin
Sponsors!
$25 and
Your Message
|
