Hellenic Orthodox Mission

The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. I, No. 44 – Sunday, November 17, 2002

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

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

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

The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm

FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 – Email:Rharakas@aol.com

THE “STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE”

ast Saturday, at the airport on my way to Atlanta, I purchased a cup of coffee from a famous coffee stand. The price of the coffee was $1.50. I remembered a story told to me by a fellow priest. This is the story. What if Jesus met you in a restaurant and asked to share a cup of coffee? Would you pay for His coffee? No doubt, you would. What if Jesus met you every day and you shared a cup of coffee with Him, would you pay for it? Most Christians would. Few would refuse Jesus a dollar and a half a day. Of course, the Lord gives us much, much more. If we buy the coffee, it is He who provides our meals

. . . and our blessings of life . . . and resources . . . and material and spiritual blessings . . . even life itself!

There are people who complain that the Church is always asking for money. They are right. From the very beginning, monetary collections have been made for the Church. In the New Testament we read how St. Paul made a collection for the persecuted Christians in Jerusalem from the Gentile Churches he had established. He said, "The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

There are four things to note about this passage. First, when we give to the Lord’s work, we receive blessings in return proportionate to our generosity. Secondly, that means we should give proportionately, Thirdly, we should give cheerfully and freely. Finally, our giving helps do the good work of the Lord.

YOU WILL SOON HAVE THE CHANCE to offer your gift to the Lord, that will reflect the blessings that you have received. A Steward of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County is a person who makes a good faith declaration that he or she will offer to the Lord, freely, without compulsion, and lovingly, a gift of Time, Talent and Treasure. Your gift returns to the Lord a tiny fraction of the blessings you now enjoy in your life. The Lord has provided the meal. You are asked to pay for the coffee!

LOOK IN THE MAIL FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP MATERIALS

he Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn – 4th Tone

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal, 84-85.

(Read) You became worthy of your name / through your way of life, / through persistent prayer and constant works of mercy. / Wherefore, holy father Gregory, / intercede with Christ our God / that He may enlighten our minds, / lest we go to sleep in sin, / which leads to death.

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

Kontakion of the Theotokos (Sung by the leaders) “O katharotatos naos”

(Read) The most pure Temple of our Holy Savior, / and the most precious and bright Bridal Chamber, the Virgin, / sacred treasury of the glory of God, / openly appears today in the Temple of the Lord, / bringing with her the grace of the Most Holy Spirit. / Wherefore the angels of God are singing: / This is the heavenly Tabernacle.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICE: By decision of the Mission Parish Council, we will begin this Sunday to publish in each issue of The Orthodox Messenger attendance and offering information for the previous Sunday. This will help our members understand the needs of our mission parish.

LAST SUNDAY, NOV. 10, 2002: Attendance: 37; Candle Offerings: $65; Tray Collection: $60; Hospitality: $33. Thanks to all for your generosity.

TODAY, TUNA SALAD LUNCHEON observing the beginning of the Christmas Lent this past Friday, November 15. Everything is included in the $6 price (children 6 to 11, $3). Our parish has decided to assume responsibility for supporting the Dawn Center of Hernando County, as an outreach program. The Dawn center provides assistance to abused women. Stephanie Walley, from the Dawn Center will be our speaker at the Luncheon today to tell us how we can help. Welcome Stephanie!

The Parish General Assembly originally scheduled for today has been postponed to Sunday, December 1, 2002. Please mark the date on your calendar.

MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED in making our Bake Sale a success yesterday, Saturday, November 16, at the Walmart on Route 19. We will have a report next week on the results of the bake sale. Your help made it possible. Thanks!

PROGRAM CHANGE: Because of extraordinary circumstances, the Divine Liturgy for November 21 will be cancelled. Our apologies!

PROSFORON BAKING: Bette Ferriero 11/17; Helen Nicolelis 11/24; Presbytera Emily 11/28 (Thanksgiving); Connie Mourgides 12/1. Venice Cosmadelis 12/06 (St. Nicholas); Fran Mather 12/08; George Nikas 12/15; Fran Triantafilon 12/22; Gloria Vardakis 12/25 (Christmas). Remember to include the names of the living and deceased members of your family for commemoration at the Proskomide.

SPONSORS ARE NEEDED! Bulletin Sponsors contribute $20, placing a message in an issue of The Orthodox Messenger. By becoming a sponsor, you help publish our weekly bulletin and help to send it to parishioners and friends of our mission parish who were not in attendance this Sunday. See Connie Mourgides today! Or call 684-4082.

A MILESTONE! Our website, this past week recorded its 1600th visitor! This is a remarkable achievement for our mission parish. People from near and far, even from the country of Georgia, have accessed our website. Special thanks are due to Dorothy Triantafilon, our most capable webmaster, who has designed and re-designed the site to make it easier to access. You are invited to check us out! http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm

NEXT SATURDAY - FLEA MARKET, NOVEMBER 23: You can bring in your garage sale items on Friday. The sale is at the USA Flea Market, in New Port Richey at Routes 19 and 52. Plan on visiting our stand. You just might find something of value to you at an exceptionally low price!

CONGRATULATIONS TO CONNIE MOURGIDES who was awarded a certificate and the Archangel Michael Medal by Bishop Alexios last week in Atlanta. Accompanying her were her husband Steve, Tyke and Helen Nicolelis, and Feenie and Bette Ferriero, and Fr. Stanley. We are very proud that we were represented with the rest of the Diocese at this important event.

HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Aimalia Loffredo. Inform the Priest of hospitalizations.

THE FIRST SESSION OF THE “INTRODUCING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH” took place this past Tuesday evening 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Wellington at Seven Hills. Twenty-four people attended. It is not too late to join the sessions. But you must register to get to the Club House where the sessions are held. Call 688-2382.

LOOK IN YOUR MAIL! Within the next several weeks you will be receiving a special mailing from our mission church. It will be a Survey Form. We have installed on our computer the Deacon Program for Orthodox Churches. It includes a section on “Members” that will help us maintain our membership records. To do this, we need your help. Please fill out the form as best as you can and return it to the church as soon as possible. We need to type in the information by the beginning of 2003.