The Orthodox Messenger
Vol. V, No. 38– Sunday, September 3, 2006
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

BY FR. ANDREW DEMOTES, ST. VASILIOS CHURCH, PEABODY, MA
 “GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD”

      One of the tragic aftermaths of the Second World War and the Civil War which followed it, was the many orphanages throughout Greece, each of them filled to capacity. The story is told of one such orphanage run by a saintly and faith-filled physician. While speaking to a visitor, he remarked that while it was time for breakfast, there was no food with which to feed the children. He then turned to his visitor and calmly told him, “Come, let us go and see what God can do.” They went into the dining room where they found long tables that had confidently been set, but which contained only empty plates and cups. Not only was there no food, there was also not a penny to buy some in the orphanage accounts.
   Asking his visitor to bow his head, he prayed simply, “Almighty Father, give us this day our daily bread.” Almost within moments they heard a knock at the back door, and upon opening it, found the local baker standing there. “Excuse me,” he said, “but for some reason I had 50 unsold loaves of bread yesterday and I am hoping that you will be able to use them.” The baker’s offer was graciously accepted, and while the doctor and his visitor were slicing the bread and putting it on the children’s plates, a second knock was heard, this time at the front door. It was the local milkman. His cart had broken a wheel in front of the orphanage just as he had begun his deliveries, He said he would like to give the children the fresh milk so that he could empty the cart and repair it.
  How could the good doctor pray with such confidence? Because he had seen God’s care for the children many times before. As St. Vasilios has written in one of his commentaries, “It is not to be imagined that He who has helped us in six troubles, will abandon us in our seventh.”
   This is true for all of us. When we look back on our lives and see how God has cared for us, we cannot help but have our faith and trust strengthened. We can look to the future in the sure hope and confidence that He who can provide breakfast for orphans will not disappoint our trust. Faith can expect from God what reason would never dare to hope.

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

11^th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection - 3rd  Tone
   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) ("Efrainestho ta Ourania"). Hymnal,  83-84.
   (Sing in English after the Entrance)"Let all things rejoice"). (Same).
Dismissal Hymn of St. Anthimos
   (Read) O holy priest-martyr Anthimos, / lyou lent yourself / to the Apostle’s way of life / and succeeded them on their throne. / Inspired by God, / you fount the way to contemplation / through the practice of virtue; / wherefore you became a perfect teacher of the truth, / fighting for the faith even to the shedding of blood. / Intercede with Christ God / that He may save our souls.
Dismissal Hymn of St. Theoktistos
   (Read) Your abundant tears / made the wilderness bloom, and your sufferings / made your labors fruitful / a hundredfold; / you became a shining torch over the world. / Venerable father Theoktistos, / pray to Christ God / that He may save our souls.
 (Sing) Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)
Kontakion of the Birth of the Theotokos (September 8)
      Sung in Greek by the Leaders “Ioakeim kai Anna”
      (Read) Through your holy birth, / O immaculate One, / Joachim and Anna /were delivered from childlessness, / and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. / Your people re-deemed from the debt of their sins / celebrate your birth / crying out to you: / the barren one gives birth to the Mother of God, / the sustainer of our life.

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

   EPISTLE –1st Corinthians 9:1-11 (12^th Sunday) Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

   GOSPEL – Matthew 19: 16-26 (12^th Sunday) At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

   SERVING LITURGY TODAY is Fr. Michael Miklos of our Christ the Savior Parish, assisted by Fr. Stanley. Fr. Michael will bless us today with a message describing some of the events his recent teaching missionary trip in Africa to Tanzania and Uganda. This is a blessing for us, since we too are a mission church. Thank you Fr. Michael!

   FOR THE RECORD: August  27: -Candles $65; Stewardship $513; Visitors’ Offering $29; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund $80; Attendance 42. We thank all who contribute to the work of Christ the Savior Church!
    PROSFORON BAKERS: Gloria Vardakis  9/3; Bette Ferriero 9/10; George Nikas 9/17. Venice Cosmadelis 9/24; Presbytera Emily Harakas 10/1; George Nikas 10/8; Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 10/15;. Fran Triantafilon 10/22; George Nikas is Chair. We need more people to make the Offering Bread for the Divine Liturgy. It is easy to make. For a recipe and instructions, call George Nikas at 597-1375.
   HOSPITALIZED:    Spring Hill-John Kelo; Bayonet Point  Health & Rehabilitation-Angie Maniates;. Jefferson Hospital,Philadelphia-Mary Markovitch. Please pray for those who are sick, for a rapid recovery.

   WEEKLY BULLETIN SPONSORS ARE NEEDED! Your support makes this bulletin ministry possible. Bulletin Sponsors donate $25 for each issue and can have a brief message of their own choosing published in each issue. See Gloria Vardakis after Church today.

    SEPTEMBER CALENDAR: The theme for September in our calendar is based on the “BE commands in the Bible” one for each day of September. Read them daily and try to “Be” what the Lord wants you to “Be!”

  YOUNG PEOPLE 10-16 are invited to try out for the Orthodox Youth Choir of Tampa Bay. Flyer posted in the hall. Call Joanne Kambouris for information 1-727-734-7721. SEPTEMBER COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS: Sept. 3- John & Theona Hatzi; Sept 10 – Paul & Venice Cosmadelis; Sept 17 – Harriet Pasisis & Presbytera Emily Harakas; Sept 24 – Stacy Underwood & Eva Thomas. Thank you! Will you please sign up for October?

  LEBANON RELIEF: The Executive Committee of St. Katherine’s Ladies Society contributed $200 to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to help the people recover from the war in Lebanon. You can help by sending a donation to: International Orthodox Christian Charities, 110 West Road, Suite 360. Baltimore, MD 21204.
  THANKS to Stacy Underwood, Nicole Underwood, and Emily Thomas for delivering the St. Katherine Society school supplies to Nancy Hurd of Pine Grove Elementary School.

WORSHIP THE LORD ON SUNDAYS!

CHRIST THE SAVIOR
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611

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