The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 45 – Sunday, November 20, 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
THANKSGIVING AND “STEWARDSHIP LIFE”
his Thursday
we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. In the first year
the Pilgrims landed in America, half of them died from
lack of food and a severe winter. The Indians taught
them to plant corn, which prepared them and helped
sustain them for the following year. In 1621, Governor
William Bradford, wanted to set aside a day of feasting
and prayer in thanksgiving to God for surviving the
winter.
On
Stewardship Sunday, December 4, we will be called upon
to express our thanksgiving and gratitude to God, like
the Pilgrims. "God so loved the world that he gave his
only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life." God gave, by setting the
ultimate example, and encourages us to experience the
joy of giving. He asks us to give in order to
continue his work on earth by supporting his Church. We
invite you today to help reach 100% of our goal by
increasing your giving of Time, Talent and
Treasure "not until it hurts," but "until it feels
good."
A
black minister once said to his congregation: "My
friends, it takes faith to make the church walk!" They
shouted, "Let it walk, Pastor, let it walk." He went on,
"Brethren, it takes love to make the church run!" They
shouted, "Let it run, Pastor, let it run." "My flock,"
he continued, "it takes money to make the church fly."
Back came the answer: "Let it walk, Pastor, let it
walk."
Whether our Christ the Savior Church walks, runs or
flies depends on how well we have prepared. The Pilgrims
prepared by following the advice of the Indians to plant
for the coming year. Each was thankful for the blessings
bestowed upon them.
Stewardship is the privilege of responding to God's love
with thanksgiving and gratitude. We, the members of
Christ the Savior Church, thus have the great privilege
of assisting Christ by our 2006 Declaration of
Stewardship Intention.
At
the Liturgy the Priest offers the gifts of bread and
wine saying: "Your own gifts, from your own, we offer
to you." All we are and have are a gift from God.
All is His. We are merely the stewards, the managers of
the time, talent and treasures He has given to us. So
prayerfully decide the portion of God's gifts to you
that you will offer to His Church through the
Christian Stewardship Program of our Parish.
Look
for your Stewardship Packet in the mail following
Thanksgiving and respond on December 4 at the Divine
Liturgy.
STEWARDSHIP
2006 - “BEARING FRUIT: WITNESS AND SERVICE”
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 am;
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am
Evening Services as Announced
Saints:
Preparation for the Presentation of the
Theotokos at the Temple; Righteous Gregory of Decapolis
(+816); St. Proklos, Patriarch of Constantinople (+447);
Maximos & Anatolios, Patriarchs of Constantinoople,
Righteous Sozomenos; Righteous Dasios (+299)
9th SUNDAY OF LUKE
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn of
the Resurrection - Plagal 1st Tone
(Sing in Greek before the
Entrance) "Ton synanarchon logon" Hymnal, 85-86.
(Sing in English after the
Entrance) "The Eternal Word" (Same).
Dismissal Hymn of The Presentation of the Theotokos
(Read) Today righteous Anna solicits joy
for us all, / the opposite of pain and sorrow, / having
brought forth her fruit / the only ever-virgin Maid; / and
today in fulfillment / of her prayer and her promise, / to
the Temple of the Lord / she joyfully leads her / who is
truly the temple / and pure Mother of God the Word.
Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ - (Sing)
From the sheet in the pew.
(Text):
“Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of Grace. Through you
did arise the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God,
enlightening those in darkness. And you made glad righteous
Elder Simeon, receiving and embracing the liberation of our
souls; also giving to us the resurrection.”
Kontakion of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos in
Temple “O katharotatos naos” (Sung in Greek by
Leaders)
(Read)
The most pure Temple of the Savior, / His most precious
bridal chamber, / the Virgin, / sacred treasury of God’s
glory, / enters today into the house of the Lord, / bring
with her the grace of the divine Spirit. / Wherefore the
angels of God / are singing: / ‘Behold the heavenly
tabernacle!’
Return to p. 26
of the Hymnal, to sing “Holy God . . . .”
EPISTLE – Galatians
6:11-18 (22nd Sunday)
rethren, see
with what large letters I am writing to you with my own
hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the
flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and not only
in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of
Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not
themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you
circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it
from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I
to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything,
nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be
upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.
Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the
marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
your spirit, brethren. Amen.
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: November 13, 2005
Attendance 40; Stewardship $195;
Candles $48; Building Fund Tray $70. Building Fund Donation
– Charles Chronopoulos – $100. Many thanks!
HEALTH KITS: Last
Sunday, 50 “Health Kits” were made during the Coffee Hour
and on Tuesday, the Kits were mailed to the International
Orthodox Christian Charities, to be distributed to the
victims of the recent hurricanes in the Metropolis of
Atlanta (the South). This was a parish-wide project
sponsored by the St. Katherine Ladies Society.
ANOINTING FOR HEALTH
will take place following the
Divine Liturgy today.
BAPTISM: Today,
following the Divine Liturgy Kyranna Kotsifakis will be
presenting her daughter Alexis for Holy Baptism. Sponsors
will be Christine Roussakis and Michael Kotsifakis. We pray
God’s blessings on Alexis the sponsors and Grandparents,
Yanni and Jennie Kotsifakis. Na sas zese! Many years!
*
NO TRAY WILL BE PASSED TODAY - MAKE DONATIONS AT
ENTRANCE
TABLE
PROSFORON BAKERS: Helen
Nicolelis 11/20; Gloria Vardakis 11/24; Bette Ferriero
11/27; George Nikas 12/4; Connie Mourgides 12/6 (St.
Nicholas); Presbytera Emily Harakas 12/11; Argiris & Carol
Gymnaos 12/18; Fran Triantafilon 12/24 (Saturday before
Christmas). To bake Prosforon, call George Nikas, chair, for
recipe and instruction.
CORRECTION: Please
add the time for the Christmas Eve Great Vespers
Service, Saturday, December 24 -5:00 p.m. on your
Christmas/Epiphany Program. Thank you!
Friends and
Family Announcement
On the
Occasion of Today’s Baptism of Alexis Kotsifakis, We
Pray For Her and the Kotsifakis Family, “Chronia Polla”
– Many Years! The Mastronardi Family
THANKSGIVING DAY LITURGY,
Thursday, November 24
at 10:00 a.m. also celebrating the feasts of St. Katherine
and St. Stylianos. Come and sanctify Thanksgiving Day with
you family!
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS:
The Parish Council at
its Nov. 16 meeting postponed the Parish Council
Elections to December 18 after the Divine Liturgy (12
noon to 3:00 p.m.). The Nominating Committee solicited and
received positive acceptance from the following 5
candidates: Demetri Hazivasilis, Stephen Heuer, Nikolai
Kastelan, Connie Mourgides, and William Pasisis. It is not
too late to become a candidate! Contact the Nominating
Committee members, Cathy Lemonedes, Venice Cosmadelis, Nancy
Kastelan, Gloria Zahka or Dee Nikas. Nominations can also be
made at the General Assembly!
THE REGULAR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
of Christ the Savior
Stewards will be held Dec. 4, 2005 following the Divine
Liturgy. Please mark the date and come to the General
Assembly. It is important for all to attend. A report on the
sale of the property is included.
NEW ADDRESS:
Fr. Stanley and Presbytera
Harakas are moving to their new home on Tuesday, November
22. Their new address is 14442 Silversmith Circle,
Brooksville, FL 34609-0383. Their new telephone number is
352-796-2377. Please correct your Directory.
THE PARISH COUNCIL voted
to restore the offering tray each Sunday, beginning in
January, 2006. There will be no hospitality tray or
soliciting during the coffee hour.
THANKSGIVING DAY DIVINE
LITURGY, This Thursday, November 24. Orthros 9:30 a.m. –
D. Liturgy 10 a.m. We will also honor the feasts of St.
Katherine (Nov. 25) and St. Stylianos (Fr. Stanley’s Feast
day, Nov. 26). Come to Church Thanksgiving Day!
CONFESSIONS: Saturday,
November 26 in the Chapel, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
CARRABBAS DINNER:
Venice Cosmadelis reports that
181 attended and we netted $1137.50 for the Church. We wish
to thank all who helped in this effort, especially the
Carrabbas Restaurant for generously sponsoring this event at
the Spring Hill Seniors Club.
BULLETIN SPONORS: GREGORY & MARIA ANGELIADIS
Happy Birthday and Blessings to our children George &
Stacey, Erik and Aspacia. A Special Happy Birthday to
our Grandson Gregory and Many Blessings to Amelia and
Miccah.
COME
TO CHURCH!
CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O.
BOX 5566
SPRING
HILL, FL 34611
IMPORTANT
DATES!
+ GENERAL ASSEMBLY
DECEMBER 4, 2005
AFTER CHURCH!
+ PARISH COUNCIL
ELECTIONS
DECEMBER 18, 2005
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