Hellenic Orthodox Mission

“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

F ALL THE GIFTS FROM GOD that we receive, TIME is the only one in which there is no distinction among persons. Each day, every person alive receives exactly the same amount. Twenty-four hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds each day. If we live for one full year every one of us experiences at least 365 days, which is 8,760 hours. The richest person in the world and the poorest person in the world have exactly the same amount of time. The wisest and the most foolish have exactly the same amount of time. The most virtuous and the most evil have exactly the same amount of time.

THE ISSUE, OF COURSE, is how we use the time that God gives us. A good third of it we spend sleeping. For most working people, at least another third is spent being gainfully employed. The other third of our time is used in various activities related to our family life, our hobbies, in our automobiles, in recreational activity. Some of that time might be spent in worship. If we went to the Divine Liturgy every Sunday every week and spent an hour and a half in Church, we would have committed 78 hours to worship - .0089 – 89 thousandths of our available time. I’m sure you will agree that this is hardly a big chunk of our time! Not very much to give to God!

THE STEWARDSHIP OF TIME then, must mean something else. It is not just attending Church, though it certainly includes it. To commit our time to God means that we dedicate what we do in whatever situation to the service of the Lord. Working at a job can be seen as doing God’s will, in the job we perform. Our “quality time” with spouses, children, relatives, can also be dedicated to the Lord. Even the things we do during our free time can be faithfully used for God’s glory. It is not so much what we do, as how we do what we do. Seeing our whole life as connected with the Lord, means that all we do and all we think and all that we experience is done in the presence of God.

ESPECIALLY, WHAT WE DO in the name of the Lord for the Church and for others who need help, is the Christian Stewardship of Time. This is how St. Paul put it: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). In a few weeks you will be asked to decide about your “Stewardship of Time” in a responsible and committed way.

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

Evening Services as announced.

Saints: the Dedication of the Church of St. George in Lydia (284); Martyrs Akepsimas, Joseph, and Aethalas (4th c.); Righteous George the Younger, Neomartyr of Neapolis (+1797); Father and Confessor Theodore of Ancyra; the Martyrs Dasios, Severos, Theodotos and Thodote.

rethren, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven; whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise; whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows; and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

he Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Dismissal Hymn – 2nd Tone

(Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“Ote katelthes”).Hymnal, 81-82.

(Read) Since you are a deliverer of captives and a defender of the poor, and a physician of the sick, and a protector of kings, O great among the martyrs and victorious George, intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion of the Theotokos (Sung by the leaders) “Prostasia ton Christianon”

(Read) O undisputed intercessor of Christians, / who prays for the Christians unrejected by the Creator, / turn not away from the voice of our petitions, / though we be sinners. / Come to us in time, / who cry to you in faith, with assistance, / for you are good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, / who always intercedes for those who honor you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTRODUCING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH: Seven sessions on the 2000 years of Eastern Orthodox Christian History, Beliefs and Practices. For all Orthodox Christians and other interested persons. “No cost, no obligation, limited-time course.” Instructor: Rev. Dr. Stanley S. Harakas. To be held at the Clubhouse at Wellington at Seven Hills, on Mariner Blvd. near County Line Rd., Spring Hill. Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 19, Dec. 3, 10, 17, Jan. 7, 14. An Educational Program. To Register, call 688-2382.

AFTER THE CHILI! Last Sunday, Chili and hot dogs were served aplenty. The desserts were fantastic. The Men’s Breakfast Club paid for and cooked the chili. It was delicious. Again, as always, volunteerism was exceptional.

THE BAKE SALE, NOVEMBER 16 . . . The Ladies of the parish are meeting every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the Dining Hall to prepare for the Bake Sale. Donations and volunteers are needed. See or call Venice Cosmadelis at 686-1199.

TUNA SALAD LUNCHEON, NOVEMBER 17 . . . Because of fasting requirements, the next Feast Day Sunday Luncheon will be a Tuna Salad Platter. Only Albacore white meat tuna will be served. For those who don’t like tuna, a substitute will be available. Everything will be included for the meal. Come to Church, enjoy a delightful lunch and a friendly atmosphere. All for only $6 per adult.

FLEA MARKET, NOVEMBER 23 . . . Continue to bring in your garage sale items with you when you come to P.E.P. on Friday or Church on Sunday. Drop them off at the Dining Hall. Do not mix them with the items already priced.

THANKS TO Costa and Eleni Natsis for the donation of Mavrodaphne Altar wine.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY last week voted to adopt as our Mission Parish outreach support, the Dawn Center of Hernando County. Stephanie Walley, from the Center, will be visiting with us during the Tuna Salad Luncheon on November 17. She will explain how the Dawn Center works, what its needs are and how we can help.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGAN last Sunday with a special prayer and blessing. We invite parents to bring their children to Church for Sunday School.

STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: George Nikas; 11/3; Fran Triantafilon 11/10; 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. Prosforon Bakers! Include the names of living and deceased family members!

BECOME A BULLETIN SPONSOR!: SPONSORS NEEDED! Contact Connie Mourgides – 686-0589. Thank you for your support!

HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Bill Elisavites, Andoni Vardakis; Baypoint: John Hatzi. Recovering at home: Costa Natsis, Presbytera Emily Harakas. Rapid Recovery to all!

CHRISTMAS CARD: Send Christmas Greetings to all the members and friends of our church through the “2002 Community Christmas Card. Submit your names today!

THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: Fr. STANLEY S. HARAKAS

fOR THE HEALTH OF PRESBYTERA eMILY & OUR SON, SPERO, VISITING TODAY