Stewardship 2008

HOW TO BE A STEWARD OF CHRIST’S CHURCH

ou too can be a Steward of Christ’s Church!

   Christ, the Good Shepherd cares for us His flock, the members of His Church and all others as well. There are four ways we can follow the Good Shepherd’s example, to care for Christ’s Church.

   The first which we will talk about today, is to be aware of the Lord’s continuous and bountiful blessings that He gives to each of us. Everything we are and have is a gift to us from the Lord through His love and generosity to us. What is it that we pray at the end of the Divine Liturgy, in front of the icon of Christ? “Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from You, the Father of Lights,” a message found in the New Testament (James 1:17).

    What is the Christian’s response to these bountiful blessings?

    Thankfulness! Thankfulness is the first step to becoming a Steward of Christ’s Church. When you acknowledge that the Lord is the giver of every good thing you enjoy – life itself, health, strength and mind and feelings, family, work, fellowship, accomplishment and talents of many kinds, even financial resources, then you are ready to return to the Lord a portion of the blessings you have received. Then, you can be a Steward of Christ’s Church. Without thankfulness your response will be anemic and tepid!

    The New Testament story of the ten lepers who were healed (but only one returned to thank Jesus) teaches us that God wants us to be thankful. Not for God’s sake, but for your sake. You become a more complete human being when your life is filled with gratitude and appreciation for what God has, is and will do for you. It is right to be thankful to the Lord for all His blessings!  

     We are instructed: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever! (1 Chronicles 16:34).

   To be a Steward of Christ’s Church, first count your blessings! Then think about what you will return to the Lord in Time, Talent and Treasure!

Return your 2008 Stewardship Declaration by November 18, Stewardship Sunday!

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

5TH SUNDAY OF LUKE - GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

 Dismissal Hymn - 2nd Plagal Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Angelike dynameis"). Hymnal,  86-87.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The Angelic Powers "). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of St. Ioannikios  sung in Greek “Tais ton dakryon sou” by the Leader.

   (Read) With streams of penitential tears, / you watered the barren desert, / and with the deepest strivings of your soul, / you brought forth spiritual blessings a hundred-fold, /  becoming a shining light for the whole world. / Shine also your wonders upon us, /O our Father among the saints Ioannikios, / praying to God for the salvation of our souls.

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

Kontakion of the Theotokos

   (Sing) O never-failing protectress of Christians / and their ever-present intercessor before the Creator: / do not be heedless to the prayerful voices of us sinners, / but in your goodness extend your help to us / who call upon you with confidence. / Hasten, O Mother of God, / to intercede for us. / You have always protected those who honor you!

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

EPISTLE – Ephesians 2:4-10 (23rd Sunday)

rethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

GOSPEL – Luke 16:19-31 (5th Luke)

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.'"

   FOR THE RECORD: Sunday, October 28:  Candles $63; Visitors’ Donations $210; Stewardship $1345; Coffee Hour Free Will Basket $13; Attendance  47. Many thanks for your support!

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

   BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS will be offered today following the Divine Liturgy for those celebrating in the month of November. “Many Years!”

BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT - 12

  HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Gerry Cavanaugh . We pray for a rapid recovery!

CONGRATULATIONS to Nanka Kastelan and to Demetri Hazivasilis who have been honored by Christ the Savior Church to receive the Archangel Michael Award for Parish Service at the Archangel Michael Honors and Awards Program in Atlanta, GA, this coming weekend, on November 10-11. Fr. Stanley & Presbytera Emily Harakas will be attending the Honors Program next Sunday. Serving the Divine Liturgy this coming Sunday will be Fr. Murphy and leading the congregational singing will be Presbytera Mary Liadis. We are very grateful for their willing assistance.

  COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS FOR NOVEMBER: 11/4-Gloria Vardakis, Helen Vangel; 11/11-Harriet Pasisis; 11/18-Dr. Marios & Ourania Stephanides; 11/25-Harriet Pasisis and Denise Zotto. Many thanks! Folks! Please! Join these people! Sign up for December!  

   CAN YOU HELP? As you know, recently 36 new “Liturgy Hymnals” were donated to Christ the Savior Church. Since in our worship, the text of the Hymnals is slightly changed to include the Slavonic, Arabic, Romanian and Albanian responses, these must be pasted in the new books. We need a group of volunteers to cut and paste these modifications in the new Hymnals. Would you please help? Please come to the Parish Hall on Wednesday, November 7, at 3:00 p.m. and help prepare our Hymnals!. The more who come, the faster the task will be completed! A Time and Talent service! Thank you!

COME TO CHURCH REGULARLY WITH YOUR FAMILY!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611