The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. V, No. 49– Sunday, November 26, 2006

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     

                         Praying the Christmas Lent

     The Christmas fast has as its goal our growth in the Christian life. What should you do during the fast period to help you move in the direction of that goal?

l Fast!  The Church calls us to abstain from certain foods during this period. Fast at least from meat. That's the most familiar aspect of fasting. But there are others, as well.

l Examine Yourself Spiritually! Take time to assess your life especially in relation to the Lord, your family, your Church Community, your spiritual and material Stewardship as a servant of Christ.

l  Worship! Increase your church attendance for worship, inspiration, learning and above all, Holy Communion.

l Repent! Acknowledging your sins, repenting for them and seeking to grow in God’s image and likeness. We are especially aided in this, through the Sacrament of Holy Confession.

l Love! Look for ways to express love for those in need, physically, financially, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Make a conscious effort to be a more loving person.

l Forgive! Get rid of resentment against those who have wronged you and forgive them from your heart. At the same time ask for forgiveness of those you have harmed.

            l And prayer! Without prayer, none of those things will ever be accomplished. By increasing the frequency and depth of your communion with our Lord, you make it possible for God to become more readily present in your life.

            l Three Prayers! Here are three prayers you can say daily during the Christmas Lent. The first is the Lord's Prayer, about which St. Kassianos said, "The 'Our Father' prayer contains all the fullness of perfection, inasmuch as the Lord himself has given it to us, both as a model and also as a precept. Those who are familiar with this prayer are raised by it to a very lofty condition."

     The second prayer appropriate to the Christmas Lent is the Jesus Prayer. Say it frequently throughout the day, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

            The third prayer, from our pre-Christmas services, is "May the practice of the virtues be adequate in the treasury of our hearts, that, with faces enlightened, we may sing to the infant Christ, 'All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord'. Amen.”

      This year, make the Christmas Lent a spiritual reality. Fast; Worship; Repent; Love; Forgive; and Pray!

       Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Evening Services as Announced

13^th  SUNDAY OF LUKE

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - Grave Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Katelysas to Stavro").Hymnal, 88-89.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("O Lord by Your sacred Cross"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (from sheet in the pew).

Pre-Nativity Kontakion “E Parthenos Semeron”  (Sung in Greek by Leader).

   (Read) Today the Virgin cometh / to the cave to give birth / in an ineffable manner / to the Word before all ages. Therefor, rejoice O universe, / when thou hearest, / Glorify, with the Angels / and the shepherds, / Him who shall appear / as a new Babe; / appear as God before the Ages.  

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

   EPISTLE –Ephesians 2:14-22 (24^th  Sunday) BRETHREN, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the diving wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

      GOSPEL –Luke 1:18-27 (13^th Luke) At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

    PARISH PHOTOS – OCTOBER, NOVEMBER 2006
   General Assembly10/15                         Angelike Emilia Thomas Baptism 10/21
   P.E.P. “Islam & Christianity” 10/27                      Spaghetti Luncheon  11/05
Halloween Party 10/28  

FOR THE RECORD: November 12 - Stewardship $580. November 19 -Candles $51; Visitor’s Donations $24; Building Fund-$10 Stewardship $ $225. Attendance 41. We are grateful to all who support Christ the Savior Church!

   THE LADIES SOCIETY NUTRIONAL JUICE DEMONSTRATION last week was enjoyed by all. Patricia Heuer enlightened us regarding healthy eating. Many thanks Patricia for this well presented and tasty! event.

     STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY started our 2007 Stewardship drive for the support of Christ the Savior Church. A number of Stewards even pre-paid $1,500 for their 2007 Stewardship of Treasure! We also received Stewardship Declarations from four new 2007 Stewards, listed below. Thank you for your support! If you have not yet turned in your 2007 Stewardship Declaration Cards, please do so as soon as possible. We will be publishing the 2007 “Stewardship Honor Roll” and you want to be sure that your name will be on it! (Amounts pledged and given are recorded by our Stewardship Secretary, Cathy Lemonedes, who is the only person in the parish who knows what you what you give.)  

     NEW STEWARDS: We welcome the following new 2007 Stewards to Christ the Savior Church. Christos & Helen Arvanites, John & Fay Demitriades, Frank Lazouras, George and Alma Papageorgiou. Next week we will provide contact information for you to write in your copy of the 2006-2007 Christ the Savior Telephone Directory. Welcome!

   HOSPITALIZED: Spring Hill Regional: Helen Vougioutzes. Spring Hill Health and Rehab-Metaxia Porter.  If you wish the community to pray for your health, let Fr. Stanley know. Please offer a prayer for Cathy Lemonedes who experienced a nasty fall this past week and is now recuperating at home.

  NOVEMBER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: 11/26-Helene Arvanitis & Ruby Hazivasilis; 12/3-John & Theoni Hatzi; 12/10-Emily Thomas & Nancy Kastelan; 12/17-Dora Halvatzes & ?; 12/24-?&?. Many thanks!  You can sign up today! Thanks to all!

  CALENDAR MEDITATION TOPICS FOR THIS WEEK: Meditate this week on these “God-Pleasing Character Traits” - Sun. 11/26- Obedience; Mon. 11/27-Orderliness; Tues. 11/28-Overcoming the World; Wed. 11/29-Patience; Thurs. 11/30-Peaceful; Check the November and December Calendars for the Bible references. Begin each day by reading the verses and meditating on these topics.

  CORRECTION! Christmas Poinsettia plant checks should be made out to “St. Katherine Ladies Society” and given to Nanka Kastelan, Chair. First come, first served!

   ST. NICHOLAS DIVINE LITURGY: This Wednesday, December 6- Orthros-9:30 am; Divine Liturgy-10:00 am. Come and honor the great Saint of our Church, St. Nicholas!

   THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS were given to 14 needy families with a total of 94 people this past week. On behalf of the St. Katherine Ladies Society, Chairperson Stacy Underwood wrote the week before the distribution: “I just took inventory of the Pantry Shelf of Thanksgiving. My heart is filled with gratitude to all for such an outstanding job with the foods you have brought in!!! Our families will definitely have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Again, thanks goes out to the entire Parish for your efforts. Your friend in Christ, Stacy Underwood. God bless you all!” Thanks to Chair Stacy Underwood and Co-chair Carol Gymnaos and all who helped in this effort!

   PLEASE RESPOND RIGHT AWAY! Kara Hazivasilis, Chair of the Christmas Card project reminds you to please respond as soon as you get it so that we can have time to prepare the card for distribution. Your donation will help Christ the Savior Church meet the budget in this year of new and unexpected expenses.

  SAVE YOUR EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES! Support the work of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Home Missions Department. Bring empty ink cartridges and deposit them in the specially marked box in the Parish Hall. Remember to save your empty ink cartridges!

   PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS will be held following Church during the Coffee Hour NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3. Four Parish Council Members will be elected from six candidates running for office: Carol Gymnaos (incumbent); Dora Halvatzes; Bill Hazivasilis; Connie Pappas (incumbent); Curt Thomas; Helen Vangel (incumbent). The Elections Committee is composed of Bette Ferriero, Chair, and Cathy Lemonedes and Dee Nikas, Members. 2006 Stewards in good standing are entitled to vote. The voting will end at 1:30 p.m. and those elected will be announced at the Lenten Pot Luck Luncheon.  

   WEAR OLD CLOTHES, STURDY SHOES, GOOD GLOVES AND BRING YOUR RAKES! Saturday, December 9 -CHRISTMAS PROPERTY CLEAN-UP from 8-12. Let’s make our property shine for the holiday!

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DID THIS? CHRISTMAS CAROLING! AT STERLING HOUSE NURSING HOME on Mariner Avenue near County Line Road- Thursday, December 14. Meet at the Parking Lot at  3:15 pm. Caroling from 3:30-4:30 pm. Join in the fun! A Ladies Society Event!

   CORRECTION: Last week’s Sponsorship should have read “Friends of Angelo Dapsis, In His Memory – We miss you!”

    MISSING VIDEO: DID YOU BORROW THE ST. NICHOLAS VIDEO? PLEASE RETURN IT TO FATHER STANLEY RIGHT AWAY!

   BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS: Next Sunday, December 3. Anniversaries: Dino & Carmen Moshonisiotis 12/9; Paul & Venice Cosmadelis 12/11; Curtis & Emily Thomas 12/15; Constanine & Pat Pappas 12/21; Fr. John & Presbytera Mary Liadis 12/26; Stephen & Patricia Heuer 12/31; John & Theona Hatzi 12/31. Birthdays: Nancy Kastelan 12/1; Ed Zahka 12/2; Fr. Michael Miklos 12/3; Frank Spata 12/5; Bobby Thomas 12/9; Harriet Pasisis 12/10; Daniel Hazivasilis 12/21; William Eugenides 12/25; Steve Mourgides, 12/31; Mary Markovich 12/31.

   BAKE SALE AT SAM’S CLUB: Venice Cosmadelis, Bake Sale Chair reports that “Nancy Kastelan, Nick Kastelan, Venice Cosmadelis, Paul Cosmadelis set up the tables. Also assisting were Presbytera Emily Harakas and Harriet Pasisis. Special thanks to Frances Porter who baked Kourabiades. The sale closed with virtually everything being sold. This year the bake sale earned the following: April 14th and 15 = $1549.60 [includes the matching funds from Wal-mart] and November 18th = $778 [includes the matching funds that Sam's Club promised]” Congratulations Venice!

RELIGIOUS ONE-LINER: “Don’t give God instructions – just report for duty!”

-----Bulletin Sponsors Needed! – See George Nikas-----

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

Holy Confession – Wed. Nov. 29 2:00-3:90 pm

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