The Antelope Valley beacon

Transcription

1 JULY AUGUST 2018 The Antelope Valley beacon Volume 6 Issue 4 Pastor s Message from Fr. John Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, June 29 By the triple question, 'Peter, do you love me?' Christ set right the triple denial; and so Simon said to him who knows the heart, 'Lord, you know all things, you understand all things, you know that I love you'. Therefore the Savior said to him, 'Shepherd my sheep, shepherd my flock, shepherd my lambs, which I purchased with my own blood to save them. Entreat him, O Apostle, called blessed by God, that his great mercy be given to our souls. - Doxastikon of Stikhera Idiomela at Vespers of the Feast In the fulfilling of the Lord s command to Peter, feed my sheep, we discover His meaning: that we are to fulfill our ministry in the sharing of the Life Christ poured out for us on the Cross. This command of the Savior to pastor is particularly meant for St. Peter, and thus for every ordained priest in Christ s Church. But His command to feed the flock is not exclusive to Peter: we are all meant to be ministers to each other as the Spirit directs and no Christian is exempt from the Royal Priesthood of all believers. We remain attentive day by day to the Divine call and strive to build up the Body of Christ which is His Church. Sometimes the call is very clear, as when a person in need asks for assistance. We use the word heel to describe the person who is devoid of compassion, because he literally lifts his heel against us as he departs from us in time of our need. God forbid we should discover that we are heels, tearing apart the hard-won fellowship of Christians! But we can be transformed in sanctity pursuing our common Christian ministry, when we offer our Godgiven strengths within the Temple of God. Exercising our ministry in the holy assembly readily Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church th St West Lancaster, CA (661) Rev. Father John Beal frjohnbeal@stsch.org For confirmation or questions on any event, please contact

2 P A G E 2 THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON brings us much closer to God. Sharing our gifts among those who need their benefit brings spiritual blessing and builds up the Body of Christ. Thus, we come to my specific point: a blatant invitation to come forward to the service of ministry in your very own church. Our Divine Worship the most central ministry of the Orthodox Church is a collaborative effort that exerts a transformative power over us, the worshippers in the Holy Spirit. None of us are mere passengers on this vessel, but all of us are holding oars to perform our duty to help propel this ship forward to the safe harbor which is not of this world, our home in heaven. And happily, I can announce that some of our best rowers are the least among us! Our school children have expressed a strong interest in learning to sing in church. The group of youngsters who make up the Sunday School class came to tell me they wanted to step up to the challenge and joy of singing the Divine Services. I can think of few things to make a pastor happier --than this! It brings to mind the Psalm verse we sing on Palm Sunday: Out of the mouths of babes and infants Thou hast fashioned perfect praise Just this week I also discovered that the San Francisco Metropolis has reorganized its ministry of church music to better provide support of good church singing. This renovated music ministry offers instructional seminars among the parishes and is holding a Church Music Conference in San Diego in August, with a special emphasis on youth singing. It seems God is speaking very plainly in answer to a pastor s prayer that we continue to celebrate the Divine Services with ever greater piety and beauty, and to augment our art of church singing. As many of you already know, we will soon be bidding farewell to the lovely voice who leads us in worship most Sundays. Cassandra will be going with our prayers to study music at California State University, Northridge, in the fall. We must be diligent in making up the loss of her music ministry among us, blessing Cassandra as she grows in faith and art, remembering her in prayer. And we must not allow the ministry of church singing to languish in her absence. God has given us resources to grow in knowledge and faith. Thankfully the children of our parish are inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak as a group begging to be given (continued on page 3) Fr. John s Office Hours Wednesdays Noon to 5:00 PM Call for appointments Services Wednesday Vespers 5:00 PM Orthodox Faith Class 6:00 PM Church Office Closed July 4th No Vespers or Orthodox Faith Class

3 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4 FELLOWSHIP HOUR SCHEDULE Date Event Sponsor Jul 1 Coffee Hour Julie Agnew Jul 8 Coffee Hour Elaine Grado Jul 15 Coffee Hour Jessica Benveniste Jul 22 Coffee Hour Kelli Koukourikos Jul 29 Coffee Hour Pva. Medea Aug 5 Coffee Hour Available Aug 12 Coffee Hour Available Aug 19 Coffee Hour Available Aug 26 Coffee Hour Available Anyone interested in doing a memorial luncheon or interested in sponsoring a Fellowship Hour, may contact Helen Poulos at (Home) or (Cell). Please note that occasionally changes to this schedule may be necessary. All changes should be coordinated through Helen. PAGE 3 AUGUST SPECIAL SERVICES Aug 1 Wed 7:00 PM Sm. Paraklesis to the Theotokos Aug 3 Fri 7:00 PM Sm. Paraklesis to the Theotokos Aug 5 Sun 3:00 PM Holy Tansfiguration Great Vespers Aug 6 Mon 8/9 AM Holy Transfiguration Matins/Liturgy Aug 8 Wed 7:00 PM Sm. Paraklesis to the Theotokos Aug 10 Fri 7:00 PM Sm. Paraklesis to the Theotokos Aug 14 Tue 6:00 PM Holy Dormition Great Vespers Aug 15 Wed 8/9 AM Holy Dormition Matins/Liturgy Pastor s Message (page 2) the chance to shine in their innocence and piety, offering their gifts upon the Altar of the Most High God. May He bless our spirited, holy children in their fledgling musical ministry! Pray for our children s success in their undertaking of this divinely-inspired effort and always encourage their efforts. In XC, Fr. John

4 PAGE 4 NOTICES Memorials A form is available on which you can notify Fr. John of your planned memorials. Please ask for the form at the candle stand. Use the baptismal names of those for whom the memorial is being offered. If possible, please submit the form at least one Sunday prior to the planned date. According to the rules of the Church memorials are not permitted: from the Saturday of Lazarus through Thomas Sunday. Also, memorials are not allowed on the Great Feast Days of the Lord and of the Theotokos. Stewardship Let us joyfully offer to the Lord a portion of what He has given us! We have three ways available to us for presenting our offerings. 1) Giving by cash or check by using the offering tray on Sundays. 2) Giving by Bill Pay by signing up on line with your bank. 3) Giving by going to the parish webpage: Stsch.org. Click on the donate button at the top. You will be directed to choose the type of donation and the form of payment. The donation can be by Credit Card OR by Paypal account. THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON Memorials Memorial services offered in May: Anna Conti for Maria, Askake-Maria, Stefanos, Elena, George, Michael, Stefanos, George, Ioanna, Alfredo, & Antonion. Gus and Denise Christou for Stella, Kleonis, Antonia, Christos, Costas, Thegnosia, Panayiota, Antonakis, Eleni, & Elias. George and Pilar Dracopoulos for Kyriaki, Constantinos, Abel, Soccorro, George, Evgenia, Constantinos, Aggelinki, Dominga, Nikolas, Ioannis, Antonios, Erene, Evaggelos, Elias, & Nickolas. Julie Agnew for George, Zaharia, Dorothy, Steve. Bill and Kelli Koukourikos for Bill s mother and Kellie s father. Memorial Services offered in June: Valerie Popita for her husband Dumitru. Anna Conti for her brother Steven and her mother Elena. Santiago and Georgia Sanchez for Ekaterina, Athanasios, Elias, Zenaida, Rufino, Anthony. Vespers and Orthodox Faith Class will continue throughout the month of August.

5 VOLUME 6, ISSUE Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Conference St. Spyridon in San Diego August 23-26, 2018 Calling all Youth! Games * Singing *Swimming Concert Friday evening with Eikona Participate in: Chant Adult Choir Youth Choir Available Classes: Beginning and Advanced Conducting Growing a Multigenerational Church Music Program in Parishes Large and Small Vocal Technique Workshop Theology of the Liturgy Summer Camp Plan now for 2019 PAGE 5 Camps are in the month of July. Grades: 3rd grade in the fall until graduating high school in the spring. Registrations begins on December 1st and is done on-line. $ Early Registration is Dec Hold your spot for a nonrefundable deposit of $ Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center Dunlap Road Squaw Valley, CA

6 P A G E 6 THE ATELOPE VALLEY BEACON FEEDING THE HUNGRY July 28, 2018 a nd August 25, 2018 St. Vincent de Paul has been providing meals and clothing 4 days a week EVERY WEEK of the year for the needy right here in the Antelope Valley. Since 2015, Sts. Constantine & Helen has been alternating with Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in the responsibility of preparing and serving a hot meal on the 4th Saturday of each month. Our little parish with Jesus Christ in our heart provided 200 meals per event last year! We are scheduled for two more times in Our dates are July 28, and August 25. Please check your calendars and pick a Saturday that you can come and help. These are our last to times to serve in Let us know which Saturdays you can help. Pamela Evola (661) Last chance to serve the hungry in 2018 July 28 and August 25 8:30 10:30 AM TEXT REMINDERS To receive text reminders of upcoming events, your cell phone number to webmaster@stsch.org 2018 PARISH COUNCIL President Council Officers Peter Bouras Vice President Alex Patananan Secretary Michael Hutchison Treasurer James Brunson Council Members Philip Evola Elaine Grado Bill Koukourikos

7 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4 PAGE 7 It's time to party with the Greeks! OPA! 30th St West & Ave K-4 Lancaster, California Once again, the Antelope Valley will be filled with the aroma of fantastic Greek foods and sweets, the sounds of Greek music, and the laughter and enjoyment of all our guests as they have a grand time at the Greek Festival! It s time to gather your "Parea", Greek for "circle of friends", and bring them to the Antelope Valley Greek Festival for a great time! We can't wait to see you! Get Free Entry Tickets and Download Discount Coupons Friday, September 21 5:00 pm 9:00 pm Saturday, September 22 11:00 am 9:00 pm Sunday, September 23 SAVE THE DATES 12:00 pm 8:00 pm VOLUNTEER TO HELP

8 P A G E 8 THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON Holy Dormition of our Lady, the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever- Virgin Mary Apolytikion of the Dormition 1st Mode In giving birth you retained your virginity * and in dormition you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. * You were translated unto life, * being the Mother of Life. * And thus by virtue of your intercessions * you rescue our souls from death. Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God. With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulcher, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens. These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God

9 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4 PAGE 9 SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN STEWARDSHIP HONOR ROLL W e a r e g l a d t h a t y o u a r e p a r t o f o u r P a r i s h. Y o u r s t e w a r d s h i p i s o f f e r e d o u t o f y o u r l o v e f o r G o d a n d H i s C h u r c h. Agnew, Agnew. Ms. Ms. Jenny Julie Agnew. Astrinakis, Ms. Julie Mrs. Fotini Anderson, Avery, Ms. Mr. Jeanine and Mrs. David Astrinakis, Beal, Fr. John Mrs. Fotini and Pva. Benveniste, Mrs. Mrs. Stefania Benveniste, Mr. Mr. and and Mrs. Mrs. Steven Bonorris, Mrs. Mrs. Josie Josie Bouras, Mr. Mr. and and Mrs. Mrs. Peter Peter Brunson, Mr. Mr. and and Mrs. Mrs. James James Christou, Mr. Mr. and and Mrs. Mrs. Gus Gus Chryssostomides, Mr. Mr. and and Mrs. Mrs. Pandelis Dracopoulos, Conti, Ms. Anna Mr. and Mrs. George Drimakis, Coudsy, Mr. Ted and Mrs. Costas Eliopulos, Dracopoulos, Mrs. Georgia Mr. and Mrs. George Evola, Drimakis, Mr. and Mr. Mrs. and Philip Mrs. Costas Golea, Evola, Mrs. Mr. Nicole and Mrs. Philip Goutsos, Golea, Mrs. Mr. and Nicole Mrs. Gary Grado-Berona, Goutsos, Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Georgia Gary Grado, Grado-Berona, Mrs. Elaine Mrs. Georgia Haddad, Grado, Mrs. Mr. and Elaine Mrs. Sam Harris, Haddad, Mr. Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hartman, Harris, Mr. Ms. Thomas Beth Hendrickson, Hartman, Ms. Mrs. Beth Lee Homsy, Hendrickson, Mr. John Mrs. Lee Hutchison, Mr. Mr. and and Mrs. Mrs. Michael Kappas, Mr. Andrew Kappas, Mrs. Sofia Koukourikos, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Leone, Lt. Cols. Michael & Mariacristina Nikolich, Ms. Saveta Patananan, Dr. Alexander Platis, Ms. Anna Poulos, Ms. Helen Qarmout, Mr. and Mrs. Elias Robinson, Mrs. Sylva Sanchez, Ms. Senaida Sanchez, Mr. and Mrs. Santiago Simich, Mr. Petar Svolos, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Tintocalis, Mrs. Rosa Tsobanakis, Mrs. Irene Woods, Mrs. Stella Zarras, Mr. and Mrs. Peter After prayerfully considering your pledge for 2018, please return your completed Stewardship Commitment Card. Without your love and commitment on a stewardship card, we cannot properly fund our Church ministries or plan for the financial obligations of the Parish. We need a new pledge card for each new year.

10 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church The Antelope Valley Beacon Jul-Aug 2018 Holy Dormition of Theotokos 15 Aug TIME DATED MATERIAL Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church th Street West Lancaster, California 93536