The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. IV, No. 38 – Sunday, September 18, 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

     THE NEW CHURCH YEAR – OUR GOALS!

   September is the first month of the church or “ecclesiastical” year. Beginnings are important, because they set the tone for the rest of the year. So, it’s a good time to ask ourselves what Christ the Savior Church is all about -our vision, our goals and the important things we seek to support.

   We began our effort to become a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese early in 2002 with a petition to become a Mission under the name “Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County.” In the process, we developed a “Mission Statement.” This is our mission:

   The mission of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, Brooksville, Florida, is to serve the religious and spiritual needs of all Orthodox Christians, converts, those of interfaith marriages and the 'unchurched' living in Hernando County and especially, though not exclusively, those whose mother tongue is English. Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church is a Pan-Orthodox parish, and has been designated a Mission Parish by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America – Metropolis of Atlanta under the direction of His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios, Metropolitan of Atlanta.

   If you read this statement carefully, you will understand that our goal is to help people come closer to the Lord.  We seek to achieve God’s goal for us to become more like Him. Our goal as human beings and Christians is to fulfill the purpose for which God created us – to be “the image and likeness of God.” As a church, our primary goal is to help each and every person to be connected with God as much as possible through personal spiritual growth and the sacramental life; through heartfelt and understandable worship participation; through growth in understanding of the Faith; through increasing love as a living and vital Orthodox Christian community; and through outreach out to others in Christ the Savior’s name. We seek to practice loving care to those in need and to contribute to the true welfare of the society in which we live. Our goal is to be personally spiritual, authentically Christ’s church, outreaching with His message, and philanthropic toward those in need.

   The fruits of this kind of church life are great for each of us individually and for us all as a community of shared faith. In his letter to the Galatians in the New Testament, St. Paul tells us what these fruits of true church life are: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . . .  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another” (Galatians 5:22-26).

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

Evening Services as Announced

                    SUNDAY AFTER THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

    Sung in Greek before the Entrance - “Soson Kyrie ton laon sou”. Hymnal, 107.

Translation:  O Lord, save Your inheritance, granting to our rulers victories over foreign attackers, and by Your Cross preserving Your commonwealth.

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal,  84-85

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

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 Elevation of the Holy Cross

   Sung by the Leaders in Greek (“O ypsotheis en to Stavro”

   (Read) Lifted up by Your own will upon the Cross, bestow Your mercy upon the new commonwealth that bears Your Name. Make the Orthodox people glad in Your strength, giving them victory over the enemy. May Your Cross assist them in the struggle, a weapon of peace and unconquerable banner of victory.

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

   EPISTLE – Galatians 2:16-20 (Post-Elevation – 21st Sunday) +   Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

   GOSPEL – Mark 8:34-9:1 (Post-Elevation) + The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

  FOR THE RECORD: September 11, 2005:  Attendance 42; Stewardship $444;  Candles $95; Special Collection for Katrina Hurricane Victims $569. Many thanks!

   ANOINTING FOR HEALTH TODAY FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY!

   CANISTER COLLECTION: Fred Underwood, who is chairman of our Canister collection program has received a total of $112 from a single canister at the Camp Wildwood BP service station on Rt. 19 north of Route 50 to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to the management and the BP Service Station patrons for their generosity.

     BUILDING FUND CONTRIBUTIONS: In an exemplary move, Tyke and Helen Nicolelis have made a pledge of $2,000 to the Building Fund. They have made the first of four $500 contributions this week. We also received for the Building Fund a $50 gift from Ed and Gloria Zahka. Many thanks. May others follow these generous examples!

   PROSFORON BAKERS: Fran Triantafilon 9/14 (Elevation of Holy Cross); Connie Mourgides 9/18; George Nikas 9/25;  Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/2; Argyris and Carol Gymnaos 10/9; Gloria Vardakis 9/11;. If you would like to share in the Stewardship of Prosforon Baking (it is easy!) speak to George Nikas, Chairperson at 597-1375.

   SUNDAY SCHOOL classes start today. Classes are held in the Dining Hall after Holy Communion. Bring your children to Church with you regularly!

   HELP MAKE HURRICANE VICTIMS HEALTH KITS TODAY! At the Coffee Hour today, we will put together health kits to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The St. Katherine Ladies Society has purchased the items. We will put them together so that we can send them to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) for immediate distribution.

  ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (P.E.P.): Every Friday, from 2-4 p.m.. This coming Friday, September 23 we will study the 15^th chapter of the Gospel of John together.                 Look forward to seeing you!

    EVENING SPIRITUAL LIFE GROUP: An  Organizational Meeting for an Evening Spiritual Life Group will be held at the Church Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28. Plan on attending! This is for folks who cannot make the afternoon P.E.P. sessions.

  HOSPITALIZED:  Oak Hill:  Helene Stevens. We pray for a rapid recovery!

   THE DISTRICT PHILOPTOHOS “Agape Luncheon” of the Metropolis Philoptohos, supporting the work of love, will be held in our area this year on October 8, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church of New Port Richey. The affair includes professional entertainment. The tickets are $30 per person. A delegation from Christ the Savior Church will attend! To join the group, mail a check made out to St. George Philoptohos, 9426 Little Road, New Port Richey, 34654. Mark “Agape Luncheon” on the memo line. Purchase of a ticket enters you into a drawing for two free 40 yard line Bucs tickets! Includes free Steak Dinner. For transportation, we  will try to arrange car pooling. Fully supported by our Saint Katherine Ladies Society. Bring photos of your wedding for the Wedding Wall!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611
 

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