SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT APRIL 6TH, 2014

Transcription

1 SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT APRIL 6TH, 2014 Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos Jimmy Smith, Psaltis 3074 Bethelview Road Cumming GA (770) cell (770) We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

2 WORSHIP Eighth Eothinon/Tone Plagal Fourth We are so very glad you have joined us today, and we pray you will be inspired and encouraged by your time with us. The Orthodox worship service is an ancient and timeless expression of how people have loved, served and worshipped God for many centuries, but it may be a bit of a different experience for you. Please feel free to use a service book or not and simply allow the words of the service to wash over you. The central act of our worship culminates in people receiving communion. This is a very special time for us all and we have some specific beliefs about our communion together. This is why we never impose this service on those who are not prepared or are not baptized Orthodox. This service may raise questions in your mind. Please feel free to ask Fr. Barnabas or Fr. Paul anything you wish after the service. At the end of the service EVERYONE is invited to come forward and receive a portion of the blessed bread from Fr. Barnabas. No one should leave church hungry! Know you are welcome and we are glad you are here. May God bless you and your family. Apolytikion in honor of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Having contended on Lesvos for the sake of Christ God, you have sanctified the island since the discovery of your sacred relics, O blessed ones; wherefore we honor you, O Godbearing Raphael, together with Nicholas and virgin Irene, as our divine protectors and intercessors with the Lord. Schedule for the Week Monday, April 7th - 7 p.m. Compline Service Wednesday, April 9th - 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy A light Lenten supper will be available following the Presanctified Liturgy prepared by Mary Milam & Maria. Please plan to stay. Saturday, April 12th, Saturday of Lazarus - 8:30 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy Followed by Pancake Breakfast & Palm folding 5 p.m. Great Vespers Parish Council On Duty Today - Quay Farr & David Chapman Ushering Ministry - PC/Parishioners Welcoming Ministry - Sharon Tyre Fellowship Ministry - Evon Patrick ACOLYTES Jacob Atkins, Zachery Bethune, Mike & Peter Jordanopolos, Thomas Miller, Evan & Mitchell Roussey, Mike Trainor, Alex & Niko Tzevelekos and Christos Zourzoukis SENIOR ACOLYTES Mike Manos, Dean Pryles

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt Reading: The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Mother. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Mary, your soul rejoices with the angels. Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone: O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee. We Also Remember Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople 120 Martyrs of Persia Gregory of Sinai Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, Angie, Bill, Bill, Brent, Carrie, Demetra, Diane, Dina, Donna, Ela, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, George, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jamie, Jerry, Joe, Maria, Michael, Nicky, Oni, Patsy, Paul, Peter, Taki, Tara, Violeta, John & Sheila Consos, Katherine & Sam Yalanzon Father Barnabas is available to hear confession every Wednesday either before or after Vespers and by appointment. Please call or the church office to request a time to meet with Father and avail yourself to this healing divine mystery of the Church. Father Paul is available on Sunday during Orthros to hear confession, but no later than 9:20 a.m. Please phone the church office to make an appointment. Please call the Church office for more information (770)

4 EPISTLE Reading The Reading is from St. Paul s Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14 Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4. Psalm 75.11,1 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. ΑΩ Ἀδελφοί, Χριστὸς δὲ παραγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν, διὰ τῆς μείζονος καὶ τελειοτέρας σκηνῆς, οὐ χειροποιήτου, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν, οὐ ταύτης τῆς κτίσεως, οὐδὲ διʼ αἵματος τράγων καὶ μόσχων, διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος εἰσῆλθεν ἐφάπαξ εἰς τὰ ἅγια, αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος. Εἰ γὰρ τὸ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων, καὶ σποδὸς δαμάλεως ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους, ἁγιάζει πρὸς τὴν τῆς σαρκὸς καθαρότητα, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν θεῷ ζῶντι;

5 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45 At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ΑΩ

6 UPCOMING SERVICES/EVENTS Sunday, April 6th Monday, April 7th 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10 a.m. Project Emily Christie s 7 p.m. Compline Service Wednesday, April 9th 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy A light Lenten community supper will be available following the Presanctified Liturgy. Thursday, April 10th Friday, April 11th 10 a.m. Philoptochos Baking 10 a.m. Philoptochos Baking - Orders ready for pick up. Saturday, April 12th - Saturday of Lazarus 8:00 Orthros 9:30 Divine Liturgy Followed by Pancake Breakfast & Palm folding. 5 p.m. Great Vespers Sunday, April 13th - Palm Sunday 8:30 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon SAVE THE DATE Sunday, April 13th, Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon Sunday, April 20th, Easter Egg Hunt following the Agape Service Tuesday, April 22nd, Sts. RNI Name Day Celebration.

7 HOLY WEEK THROUGH NAME DAY SERVICES Palm Sunday, April 13th Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30 am Palm Sunday Luncheon Matins of the Bridegroom #1 7:00 pm Holy Monday, April 14th Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 am Matins of the Bridegroom #2 7:00 pm Holy Tuesday, April 15th Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 am Matins of the Bridegroom #3 7:00 pm Holy Wednesday, April 16th Presanctified Liturgy 8:00 am Holy Unction 3:00 pm Matins of the Bridegroom #4 7:00 pm (Holy Unction will be offered at the End of Matins) Holy Thursday, April 17th Holy & Great Friday, April 18th Divine Liturgy of St. Basil Service of the Twelve Gospels & Procession of the Holy Cross Reading of the Royal Hours Service of the Descent from the Cross Service of the Lamentations & Procession of Epitaphion 8:00 am 7:00 pm 9:00 am 3:00 pm 7:00 pm Holy & Great Saturday, April 19th-20th Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 9:00 am Matins of the Resurrection 11:00 pm Resurrection Service/ Midnight Resurrection Divine Liturgy followed by distribution of red Easter eggs Great & Holy Easter, April 20th Vespers of the Feast of Love (Agape) 11:00 am followed by Egg Hunt & Parish Potluck Bright Tuesday, April 22nd- Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Feast Day Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Great Vespers 5:00 pm Lamb Dinner Celebration follows

8 COMMUNITY FUND RAISING PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER April 13th following the Divine Liturgy Baked Fish, Greek Potatoes or Rice, Sauteed Vegetables, Salad, Beverage & Dessert Adults: $10 - Children Under 12: $3 See a Parish Council Member for Tickets OWN A PIECE OF THE PARISH LIFE CENTER The Parish Council fundraiser to complete renovations is underway. For $75/square foot, you could own a piece of our NEW Parish Life Center. Buy one or more for yourself, your children, your Godchildren, Yiayia or Papou. See a Parish Council Member for more information. KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM Kroger is now offering a Community Rewards Program in our area to help bring funds to organizations simply by their membership registering their Kroger Plus card online and then shopping. Each time you use your Kroger Plus card a donation is made to our Church and the Church will receive a reward check on a quarterly basis. Register your Kroger Plus Card online at Krogercommunityrewards.com Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with: Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc as your organization of choice. That s all there is to it! The more you shop at Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card the more donations Kroger will make to our Church account. Sts. RNI is officially registered as a 501(C)(3) under the name of Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc.

9 CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION Church School September 8th THROUGH May 18, 2014 A focus on Sacraments and Feasts; Scripture and Bible Stories; Saints and Orthodox Spirituality in communion with our teachers and our children. Church School has Begun! Registration forms are in the Narthex. Pre-K through High School Students need to sign up. SAVE THE DATE - Vacation Church School June 9 through June 13, 9 a.m. to Noon for children ages 5 (must be 5 by June 9th) through 5th grade If you would like to volunteer to help or have any questions, please contact Stamatia Hagen at mamma2maria@gmail.com GREEK SCHOOL Contact Smara Wolff for information on Greek School - smara.wolff@gmail.com or Spring Semester Classes have begun. 1st Grade Classes held on: Monday - 6:p.m. 2nd Grade Class held on: Monday - 6:45-7:45 p.m. Spring Semester Classes will began January 23rd, 2014 and run through May Registration forms are in the Narthex.

10 PHILOPTOCHOS Philoptochos is the philanthropic arm of the church, reaching out to those in need of assistance locally, within the Metropolis and nationally Membership Drive has begun. It is time to renew your membership or join Philoptochos for the first time. Membership Forms are available in the Narthex. PASCHA BAKE SALE Orders for 9x12 trays of baklava, galatoboureko, pastichio, spanakopita and tiropita for $25/tray are being taken by Philoptochos. Also available are kourimbiedas and koulourakia at $6/dozen and tsoureki at $10/loaf. Please see Helen McCart or Marie Chapman to place an order. Baking Schedule at the Blue House 10 a.m. Thursday, April 10th 10 a.m. Friday, April 11th Come and help if you are available. Orders will be available for pick up beginning on Friday, April 11th. May 3rd Yard Sale The Ladies Philoptochos, in conjunction with the Parish Council, will be holding a Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3rd, on the church property. Please collect any gently used or new items that you wish to donate to the church to sell and bring them to the church the week of April 28th. We will also have a food concession and a pastry sale. Volunteers will be needed to help with set up, sales and clean up. Please save the date and join in this church-wide fundraiser.

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - Wednesday Bible Study has resumed. We meet each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Library. We are currently studying Hebrews. Please bring your Bibles and a note pad. Prosforo Baking - Prosforo Baking will be on Tuesday, April 29th, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Blue House. All who would like to come and help are welcome. Contact Stamatia Hagen at mamma2maria@gmail.com PROJECT COMFORT - If you enjoy crocheting or knitting (or would like to learn), please contact Emily Christie at singcookwrite@gmail.com or Emily has started a ministry to make baby blankets & shawls for newborns & sick or shut-ins or for someone who just may need some comfort & a warm hug. Project Comfort meets the first Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at Emily s home Mistybrooke Court, Alpharetta FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY Our Fellowship Hour Donation Campaign has begun. A suggested donation of $25/family helps cover the cost of the weekly Fellowship Hour. Checks should be made payable to Sts. RNI G.O. Church with Fellowship on the memo line. We hope you have enjoyed the refreshments provided over the past year and will continue to support the Fellowship Committee s efforts to serve you each Sunday. Thank you for your support of this Ministry.

12 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sts. RNI Bookstore News Your purchases through Amazon helps us raise money! We have a new e-store on Amazon for the Sts. RNI Bookstore. This is an Amazon webstore that we put items into categories like books, cds, jewelry, food, etc. and we get paid 10% on all sales through our store. If someone from the church wants to buy something on Amazon, they need to click through our link for us to get credit. Also, if anyone wants a book, cd, etc., not on our list, they need to let us know & we can add it to the site. Use the link: For more information or to add items, contact Aftan Romanczak at aromanczak@hotmail.com Visitors Welcome Dina Sarandis resides at The Oaks on Post Road and welcomes visits from fellow parishioners. Dina says THANK YOU to those who have visited her and wants you to know that she has really enjoyed the company. She looks forward to more visitors. John & Sheila Consos are now residing in Dunwoody 4355 Georgetown Sq., Unit 442 and would enjoy phone calls (770/ ) &/or visits. Sam & Katherine Yalanzon Rivermont Parkway, Alpharetta (after 1 p.m.) If you know of someone who would like a visit, please contact Helen McCart at or the Church Office. If you don t see someone for a while, please pick up the phone & make a call and let them know that they are missed. If you don t have time for visiting, a phone call or card would also be appreciated.

13 ANNOUNCEMENTS EASTER EGG HUNT - Sunday, April 20th Bring your Easter basket for our annual Easter Egg Hunt after the Agape service on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Each participating child needs to bring 12 plastic eggs filled with a treat to the church on the day of the hunt. Please do not put chocolate in the eggs as it tends to melt. A box will be in the Narthex to put the eggs in before the service. If you would like to volunteer to help with the hunt, contact Marina Raymond at mcraymond1@gmail.com. LENTEN FOOD DRIVE Hunger knows no season. Our Loaves & Fishes food collection barrel in the Narthex is empty. Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to fill our food barrel that we may share our blessings with those less fortunate. GOYA LUMINARIES FOR HOLY FRIDAY Honor the memory of a loved one with a luminary to light our procession of the Epitaphion on Holy Friday. On Holy Friday procession luminaries will be arranged in alphabetical order by last name. Free will offering. Proceeds to benefit our GOYAN s attending Metropolis events. Make checks payable to Sts. RNI with GOYA Luminary in the memo line. Forms are available in the Narthex. Thank you for your support!

14 CHURCH AND ALTAR WISH LIST Holy Water Font Hot Water Dispenser Anointing Brush $700 for Communion - $350 $40 Two Altar Candle Elevation of the Four Portable Holders - $1,000/pair Holy Cross Tray Icon Stands $600 $1,000 each Sprin- kling Brush - $100 Altar One 5x7 - $300 Two 2x3 - $100 each Rugs If you would like to donate towards the purchase of any of these items, please contact John Patrick, Parish Council President.

15 4th Quarter Financial Status 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December st Quarter Financial Status nd Quarter Financial Status 2014 Parish Monthly Income/Expense Analysis January 2014 February Greek Fest Xfer (External) $21, $0 $0 $0 $0 $10, $0 Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) External Income Op Acct External Income Subtotal Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) External Expenses Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) Net 2014 March /4/2014 $11, $11, $34, $15, $16, $12, $3, $33, $11, $34, $15, $16, $23, $3, $25, $23, $24, $21, $21, $23, $ $8, $(11,823.72) $10, $(6,257.70) $(5,487.83) $20.39 $2,704.23

16 To date the 71 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for Total Pledged: $114,972 - Average Pledge: $1, Budget: $277,586 - Shortage: $162,614 James & Angeline Andropoulos George & Maria Andros Sarante & Julie Athenson Anthony & Mary Birozes Renee Birozes Jordan & Lisa Boston David & Michelle Boyd Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto Lenny Brown David & Marie Chapman Grace Chihlas Julie Chokos Giles & Emily Christie Connie Condos John & Sheila Consos Keith & Mary Druffner Gregory & Mariya Dunkel Quay & Trissie Farr Chris & Elizabeth Foxhall Robert & Jennifer Guano Harald & Stamatia Hagen Allison Hammond Mark & Jennie Johnson Eleni Jordan Panagiotis & Melanie Jordanopoulos Vasilis & Mary Kaloudis Aphrodite Levendakis-Kazazakis David & Lynne Lucher Archie & Florence Lytle Tina Maheras Wade & Andrea Mancil William & Margaret Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes Riley & Ann Marvos George Matthews Al & Helen McCart Johnny Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matthew & Athena Miller Nikolaos Moissiadis Patricia Morris Nicolas & Teddie Panos Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Lazaros & Christina Papadopoulous Gregory Pappas Gus Pappas John & Evon Patrick Michele Perry Mihai & Heidi Popa Fr. Barnabas & Presvytera Connie Powell Pam Powers Vic & Suzi Pryles Marina Raymond Donna Sagnelli Mary Samaltanos Taka & Kathy Shoji Jimmy Smith Estelle Sofikitis Koko & Carol Tadros Steven & Thalia Thompson Ed & Anne Trainor Nick & Eva Thrasivoulou Brian & Jennifer Tubbs Greg Tzevelekos/Evie Atkinson Rusty & Christine Waldron Diane Walters Steven & Smara Wolff Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Len Vanerstrom Jacob & Katherine Wilson Sam & Katherine Yalanzon 2014 Parish Council John Patrick, President; Harald Hagen, Vice President; Kosta Bozzuto, Secretary; Chris Foxhall, Treasurer David Chapman, Marie Chapman, Quay Farr, Bill Manos, Johnny Melts, Greg Pappas, Plutarch Vamvakias