The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. VI, No. 38– Sunday, September 23, 2007

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.   Email:Rharakas@aol.com 

                       PRAYING FOR FORGIVENESS

   We sin whenever we involve ourselves in thoughts and deeds that break our relationship with God. We sin when we're tempted and we encourage temptation by our willing cultivation of sinful desires and thoughts. Eventually that leads us to commit sinful actions. Most of us are bothered by the wrongs we think and do. As St. Paul put it, "their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them" (Romans 2:15). Though we can "train" ourselves to ignore our conscience in some matters, if we are honest with ourselves, we want to unburden ourselves of our sins.

   How is this accomplished? By seeking and receiving God's forgiveness. That means that we need to pray for forgiveness of our sins. The Christian message from the very beginning of the Church was a message of forgiveness. "(Christ) has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).

   But God's forgiveness of our wrong-desiring and wrong-doing has a requirement - we have to repent. To repent means to acknowledge the wrong we have done, to sincerely regret doing it, and to decide not to repeat it. Talking to a person who thought he could buy God's grace, St. Peter said, "Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you" (Acts 8:22).

   So, repentance makes our prayers for forgiveness effective. How should we pray for forgiveness? The most direct and simple prayer consists of the words, "Lord, have mercy!" In our Church's worship services, we say this frequently. The spiritual practice of repeating the Jesus Prayer, "Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner," expands this prayer. Its repetition embeds the thought in our soul. If we have something specific in mind, for which we are repenting, we should include that in the words of our prayer. "Have mercy on me Lord Jesus Christ, and forgive me for (the specific sin) that I should not have done, and help me not to repeat it" might be such a prayer.

   There is something more needed. Jesus taught us "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses" (Mark 11:25). A forgiving spirit toward others enables the forgiveness of our own sins. Christ taught us to pray "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," (Matthew 6:12). Be forgiving to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a two way street. We must forgive to be forgiven! The Sacrament of Holy Confession is the ultimate way of securing and assuring the forgiveness of our sins.

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

Evening Services as Announced

Conception of St. John the Baptist – 1^st Sunday of Luke

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

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 Conception of St. John the Baptist

(Read) Rejoice, O barren one, / who had not given birth; / for behold you conceived the one / who is the dawn of the Sun / who was about to illuminate the whole universe. / Blighted with sightlessness, / shout in joy, / O Zacharias, / crying out inspired by grace, / Truly, the one to be born / is a Prophet of the Heavenly One.

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

   Kontakion Sung in Greek by the Leader (Prostasia ton Christianon)

(Read) A protection of Christians unshamable, / intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, / please reject not / the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. / Instead, come to us, for you are good. / Your loving help bring unto us, / who are crying in faith to you. / Hasten to intercede for us / and speed now to supplicate, / as a protection for all time, / Theotokos, / for those who honor you. 

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

    EPISTLE – Galatians 4:22-27 (Conception of the Baptist) + BRETHREN, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

   GOSPEL – Luke 5:1-11 (1^st Luke) +  At that time, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

   AMPLIFIED: A small amplifying system has been installed in order to help all the parishioners hear the Music Leader better so as to increase singing participation by all the people. Use the Hymnal in the pew and sing the responses of the people in the Liturgy!

MANY THANKS to Nanka Kastelan for donating the flowers for our observance of the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross last week. Thanks, too, to Costa Hronis who donated the Sweet Basil plants used in the tray and distributed to the faithful!

DID YOU SEE the photograph in the September 15, 2007 edition of the Hernando Today, showing the installation of our new “Future Home of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church” sign? Special thanks to Sofia Cavanaugh, our new Public Relations Chair for arranging this publicity for our Church!

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BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT – 7

   NEW ARCHITECT’S DRAWINGS of our building project were prepared by the South Capital Construction Co. This past week they were reviewed by the committee at the Palm Harbor offices of South Capital Construction Co.

   NOW IS THE TIME! Please return your reservations for the Groundbreaking Banquet to be held Sunday, October 21 at the Wellington Country Club, Spring Hill, FL. For information or to obtain tickets, call Venice Cosmadelis 686-1199.

    RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Fotios Kotsifas, Marion Kadel. Pray for those who are ill. Always inform Fr. Stanley when a family member is hospitalized!

    ALL WOMEN OF THE PARISH will soon be receiving a special invitation for a St. Katherine Ladies Society Tea to be held on Saturday, October 6 from 12 to 3 pm. Reserve the time! A friendly social time! The St. Katherine Ladies Society General Meeting will be held Sunday, October 14. All women of the parish are invited and welcome!

               HONOR GOD ALWAYS! – COME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS & FEAST DAYS

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611