he four “T” words that describe a Steward of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church are: Thanksgiving, Time, Talents and Treasure. Let us look at the final “T” word,  “Treasure.”

   Stewards of Christ the Savior Church know that “thankfully returning to the Lord” a portion of His blessings to us is a necessary expression of our Christian life. We get deep satisfaction by giving money that pays the expenses of operating our church -everything from the Priest’s remuneration, to the electric bill and the taxes we now are required to pay  to Hernando County.  All of us have a responsibility to assume a portion of these expenses.

The church needs your “Stewardship of Treasure” in order to operate.

   Frequently, people will say that they can’t afford to give to the church financially. But most of us drive cars, pay mortgages, do weekly shopping for our home, go out to eat or to a movie. We don’t say in most cases, “I can’t afford to do these things.” What we do is manage our money carefully. But even those of us who have a surplus of income also have to think about how much we will declare. What the church asks is for all of us to give a proportionate amount, not a fixed amount. We have no dues. We give as we are able.

   The Bible says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” You can be a cheerful giver by giving an amount proportional to your means. Two cups of coffee out a week equals $3, that’s a pledge of $156. Can you afford $3 a week? Two nice dinners for two in a week could easily cost $60, that’s equal to a pledge of $3,120. Can your budget manage that? Probably,  you are someplace in between. You decide. But everyone should declare a Stewardship of Treasure, returning to the Lord some of His blessings.

   Today is Stewardship Sunday at Christ the Savior Church! A short time ago you received your stewardship packet in the mail. During these weeks the importance of Christian Stewardship has been presented to you through several ways. A special presentation was made in Church on October 14. A series of front page articles in our Orthodox Messenger has spelled out the importance of Stewardship. The Stewardship Declaration Cards tell you much. It is now time for everyone at Christ the Savior Church to act.

   You don’t have your 2008 Stewardship Declaration cards with you? There are additional copies here in church. Please, fill your cards out today –Time & Talent, and Treasure and place the special envelope in the collection tray.

     Thank you for supporting the mission and work of Christ the Savior Church!    

Today’s Saints: Greatmartyr Plato (+266); Martyrs Romanos (+303) and Zacchaios (307); Neomartyr Anastasios (+1750).

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection -  4th Plagal Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) "Ex ypsous katelthes "  Hymnal, 89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) "From on high did you descend" (Same).

Dismissal Hymn – St. Plato

   (Read) O Lord our God, / Your Holy Martyr has deserved the crown of immortality / on

Account of his good fight. / Armed with your strength, / he has vanquished his persecutors / and crushed Satan’s evil might. / Through their supplications, / O Christ God, / save our souls.

  Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews) 

Kontakion of the Theotokos

   (Sung) by the leader in Greek “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.”

Return to p. 26 of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”

EPISTLE – Ephesians 4:1-7 (25rd Sunday)

rethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

GOSPEL – Luke 12:16-21 (9th Luke)

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."

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, November 11:  Candles $29; Visitors’ Donations $75; Stewardship 2007 $270; Stewardship 2008 $700; Coffee Hour Free Will Basket 11/4 $104 (update), 11/11 $10; Attendance;  37.  Thanks for your support!

   A 4 year Memorial with Kolyva is being offered by the Stephanides and Zomberos families for the rest of the soul of Maria Zoumberos. Today’s light luncheon is being offered after services by Marios and Ourania Stephanides. May her memory be eternal.

   FRANCES PORTER has requested a Trisagion Service today on the 20th anniversary of the passing of her brother, John Porter, and for her grandparents Elias and Photine. May their memories be eternal

   ANOINTING FOR HEALTH will take place today following the Divine Liturgy.

  NAME DAY BLESSINGS will be offered to all celebrating their name days in November this coming Sunday, November 25: Stephanie Feola 11/11; Angie (Angelike) Halkias; Fr. Stanley (Stylianos) Harakas 11/26; Presbytera Emily (Alkmene) Harakas 11/10; Kara Hazivasilis 11/25;  Matthew Hazivasilis 11/16;  Virginia Kirshy 11/8;  Filio Koulouvaris (Philippos) 11/14; Michael Kotsifakis 11/8; Michael Lappas 11/18; Cathy Lemonedes 11/25;  Angie (Angelike) Maniates 11/8; Pani Karen (Katherine) Miklos 11/25;  Michael Mylonakis 11/8; Gabrielle Narverud 11/8; Katina Skaroulis 11/25; Angelike Emilia Thomas 11/8; Michael Triantafilon 11/8; Victor Yotis 11/11; Michael Zoumberos 11/8; Mike Zoumberos 11/8. If your name is missing, let Fr. Stanley know. Many years!

  SPECIAL THANKS to Nikolai and Nanka Kastelan who each week printed and folded the Sunday bulletin during the Summer. Many thanks to Feenie and Bette Ferriero for resuming the formatting, printing and folding of the bulletin following their return from the north to Hernando County. This is a most valuable Stewardship of Time and Talent!

  YOU ARE INVITED TO THE BAPTISM OF ANET JONES this coming Saturday, November 24 at 1:00 p.m. Sponsors are Bret and Anna Mouer, Stewards of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Tampa. A light reception will follow in the Hall. Anet will appreciate your presence. Anet completed a course of instruction on the Orthodox Christian Faith over a period of several months.

  WELCOME BACK to Fr. Bill Mattis, returned to Hernando County for the winter season.

  HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Steve Mourgides; Theodore Williams; Mary Kadel. We pray for a rapid recovery!

   NEXT SUNDAY, FEAST DAY OF ST. KATHERINE LADIES SOCIETY:  In honor of the feast day of our Ladies Society next Sunday, a Lenten Pot-Luck Luncheon will be served to all in attendance. We pray “Many Years!”

   WE HAVE NO BULLETIN SPONSORS FOR TODAY OR UPCOMING SUNDAYS! Please support The Orthodox Messenger with a donation of $25 to help cover costs. You can also provide a brief message of your choosing. Please see Parish Council President Gloria Vardakis or Treasurer Curtis Thomas today. Thank you.

    AN AGREEMENT has been reached between the buyers of the Olympic Village Lane property, the Parish Council of Christ the Savior Church and the St. Andrew the Apostle Romanian Orthodox Church to lease the house on the property for use by the new Priest of our chapel guests, Fr. Lawrence Dragousi. St. Andrew the Apostle congregation will be worshiping every Sunday in the Chapel for the forthcoming year. Welcome!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

Reminder! No Parish Education Program

This Friday – Next Session, Dec. 30, 2 p.m.