The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. III, No. 39 – Sunday, September 26, 2004

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

13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

                                             Website: http://orthodoxhernandocountyfl.org

The most precious gift

      Have you ever thought about the most precious gift you could ever receive? You might think of winning the lottery or becoming very rich in some other way. But, recently the news carried a story about a man who won the biggest lottery ever. 300 million dollars! And all he has had since then, has been trouble. Twice $100,000 was stolen from him. As the Bible says — “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). No, money is not the most precious gift.

   Someone might think the most precious gift you could ever receive is a long life. Surely, most people think of a long life as a blessing. But think about the life of Terri Shiavo. Whatever you believe about her case, doctors have declared that the higher parts of her brain are gone. Her body is alive, but is she? What is the meaning of these last 12 long years? Time alone is not the most precious gift you could ever receive.

   Then, others might focus on their appearance, or their intelligence, or their bodily strength, or a gift of creativity, or music, or art, or athletic skill, or some other ability. As wonderful as these are, few persons ever are remembered for these accomplishments. Gifts they are, but alone talents and abilities do not make for a fulfilled life.

   What, then, is the most precious gift any human being can receive? Here is the answer: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

    This is the gift above every gift! This is the gift that fulfills our deepest human needs! This is the gift that begins here and lasts for eternity! This is the gift that cleanses our souls! This is the gift that gives true meaning to life! This is the gift that brings peace to our hearts! This is the gift that helps make you fully human! This is the gift that makes us God-like. This is the gift beyond any other gift!

   The most precious gift you could ever receive is the life in Christ!

   How do you respond to such a gift? A gift from God, through Christ, that is so precious? One time, Jesus healed ten lepers. Nine of them left without ever turning back to express their gratitude. Only one came back to Jesus to thank Him. One of the saddest phrases that Jesus ever uttered was “Where are the other nine?”

  So, as a Christian you have received the most precious gift. What will you do in return?

Will you be like the nine? Or, like the one? What shall you give back to God, for this most precious gift?

        

        Service hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

2^nd Sunday of Luke

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 1st  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Tou lithou sfragisthenos").Hymnal,  80-81.

   (Sing in English after the Entrance) ("The stone was sealed"). (Same)

Dismissal Hymn of Dionysios the Areopagite

   (Read) O holy Priest-Martyr Dionysios / having been taught all goodness, / measured in all things, / clothed with the a pure conscience / as befits a priest: / you drew ineffable truths / from the Vessel of Election, Saint Paul. / You have kept the faith / and completed a course of life / equal to his. / Intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

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 Theotokos “Prostasia ton Christianon”(Sung in Greek by Leaders)

   (Read) 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 a page 26 for “Holy God” and for the Epistle and Gospel Readings

   EPISTLE – 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (18^th Sunday)  + Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

   GOSPEL – Luke 6:31-36 (2^nd Luke) + The Lord said, "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

   FOR THE RECORD: Church Services for Sunday, September 26, 2004 were cancelled because of Hurricane Jeanne. Please mail in your gifts for the church’s needs!

   HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill Hospital: Valentina Dergacheff, William Balaskas, Anne Beratis. Bayonet Point Regional: Paul Maniates, William Balaskas. Christ the Savior Steward Kay (Kyriaki) Athan, while on a trip to Italy, fell and broke her hip. She was hospitalized at the St. Francis Hospital in Calabria, Italy and is now home in Clearwater, recuperating. Kay is Presbytera Mary Liadis’ sister. We pray for “Rapid recovery!”

   SIGN NEWS! Our petition will be going before the Hernando County Commissioners on Tuesday, October 19 at 10:45 a.m. It appears that the County Code Officers will be recommending rejection of our petition. We need to have a very good turnout, and we need to present a strong case to the Commissioners. Your presence is vital!

   THE PAVE IT! FUND  balance is $1,471. Can you help?

   COME AND LEARN! P.E.P.-1: Friday, October 8, 2-4 p.m. – “Assurance of Salvation.” P.E.P. -2: Thursday, October 7, 7-8:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Elgin Blvd. - Reflection 3 “Living in the World”.

   PARENTS! GIVE YOUR CHILDREN A FOUNDATION IN THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE! BRING THEM TO CHURCH EACH SUNDAY. OUR SCHOOL IS PREPARED TO HELP THEM GROW SPIRITUALLY!

   BOOKMOBILE PLANS for our library and bookstore have been obtained from the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education. Now we need someone with cabinet making skills to build the bookmobile! Costs of materials will be provided by the church. Can you build the Bookmobile? Contact President Paul Cosmadelis at 686-1199. A really important Stewardship of Time and Talent!

   BELATED SWEARING IN of Council Member Betty Roussos will be held today.

   STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL: We now have 73 Steward Members of Christ the Savior Church! It is not too late to support our Mission by becoming a Steward for 2004. Contact Bill Pasisis, Stewardship Chairman at 688-7465. Becoming a Steward means you make a declaration of intention to give some of your Time, Talent and Treasure for the support of our church. There are no dues, minimums or other requirements. YOU decide!

   food collection: Bring canned and boxed food items to the Dining Hall each Sunday to help us provide Thanksgiving meals for twelve families in need, especially at this time when many Hernando County homes have been damaged or flooded.

   OUR YOUNG PEOPLE will be making an “Angel Tree” with tags for the gifts we will be giving out to poor children. We will put them on display by October 31. Bette Roussos is in charge of this project.

   GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Mark your calendar! Important General Assembly, Sunday after Divine Liturgy, NOVEMBER 14. Topics regarding our future will be discussed.

    METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS sent a letter to the churches of Florida. He wrote “We know now that at those times when we are experiencing pain and sorrow, we may feel as if God has abandoned us, yet those are the times when He is most near, loving us, supporting us and caring for us, surrounding us with the prayers of the saints and the holy angels, to strengthen us for the task ahead.” We thank His Eminence for his support.

 

Come to Church On Sunday!

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

“A Pan-Orthodox Christian Community”

 

 

 

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