Agape S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H O C T

Transcription

1 S T. G E O R G E Agape Dearly Beloved in the Lord, At a recent meeting of our Church School volunteers, I was encouraged to hear that one of the themes given focus to this year would be prayer. Prayer is a fundamental practice of our Faith and as I am fond of saying, we practice to make permanent those things that bring great benefit to our souls. In the Great Litany we pray for some very specific things including, for this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God. But what exactly does this prayer mean? First we pray for our church building, that it may stand safe and strong. We pray for each person who is part of our church community. We pray for everyone who has gathered to worship with us. And for what are we praying? We are praying for the strengthening of our collective faith. That we may be faithful in our practice of Christianity, that we may be consistent, and that we may be confident. We are praying for reverence, that we have a healthy respect for what we are doing. That we respect God s commandments, that we respect one another, as we are all in His image. That we respect the words we offer in worship. If we pray to glorify God with one voice and one heart, then as we go about our daily lives, we are living them with a voice and a heart that glorifies God. Finally, we are praying that our experience of God through worship, be an experience that transforms us, that changes us for the better. The saying, The more things change, the more they stay the same, may be true for the world, but in Christ, the more we change, the more we change for the better. We need a balance between fear of God and joy that we are God s children. To live in the fear of God means that we recognize Christ as our Lord, and our judge, as both the God of mercy, and the God who will judge the totality of our lives. As we hear this petition, it is an inclusive petition, for us and for those around us, for those who are part of our community. Finally, as we offer this prayer, we should think about all the different people in our community, those who are sick, those who are the leaders in the various ministries, those whom we know, and even the people whom we do not. All have come to grow in their faith. All are part of the same spiritual family. Let us get to know each person in our spiritual family, let us take care of one another in our community. Before we can take the Word of God beyond the bounds of our community, let us make sure that we are talking about Him, and living out His Word by helping others, WITHIN the bounds of our community. Please join me in praying this prayer for our community each day. Heavenly Father, bless our church community. Bless each person who is a member of our parish family. Bless each person who comes to worship. May we all do our part so that our worship experience is one of joy. May we all do our part so that our community is a place of safety and spiritual growth. May I always have a healthy respect, reverence and awe of You. Amen. Father Jerry G R E E K S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H O C T Building a Stronger Orthodox Christian Community by: Spiritually growing together; Sharing the Orthodox Faith through fellowship, outreach, and philanthropy; Worshipping in a traditional Byzantine church; Supported through Stewardship 202 Hillview #1 Eugene, Oregon Website: Phone: (541) frgerasimos@sntgrg.org

2 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Treasurer s Report As we enter October, the Operations Account has a balance of $9,390. This is the lowest carryover amount from the previous month the parish has experienced in Please make every effort to keep your giving up to date. The Dedicated Account has a balance of $2,148. This is considerably less than it was last month because roughly one-half of the balance due on the new Camry for Father Jerry's use was paid off. The remaining balance ($10,000) will be paid off in monthly installments of $250. Thank you to everyone who is supporting Saint George through their time, talent, and treasure. Luncheon in honor of Metropolitan Gerasimos Marvelous Food! Beautiful Dining Room! Special Guests and Parishioners! A real Celebration! Thanks to All! Committee: Pete Drakatos, Brett Batterson, Michael Creech, Maria Houser, Adrian Bonosevich, and John Timmons. Extra Hands: Helen Pavlopoulos & Granddaughter Stephanie, Cassandra Batterson & Shaenah, Ann-Marie Kaelin, and Monica Hutanu. Youth Servers: Stephen Kaelin, Timothy Kaelin, Benjamin Houser, Demetre Markopoulos, and Paras Markopoulos. If I forgot anyone, I am truly sorry - please forgive me. A special thanks to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Roseburg for the beautiful flowers! Page 2 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings from the Salem Mission! One September Saturday after the Divine Liturgy Service, we had a massive end-of-summer clean-up day at St. Patrick Chapel at Blanchet High School and the adjoining rooms that we rent for the Salem Mission. Many of us had been noticing and walking past the cobwebs, bugs (dead and alive!), and dust, but individually did not have time to address these messes. As we all know, what a difference planning a work-time together makes! Everyone got right to work on various tasks and in a very short time we were in a brighter, cleaner, and more organized environment. We all breathed a collective, appreciative sigh together, especially when the maintenance man added his skill to replace some ceiling light bulbs for us! This is an example of being the Body of Christ, where each member is vitally important to have a fully, well-functioning church. The ability to have everyone work together toward common goals are all the more magnified in a small mission parish, and we are so grateful for your prayers as we seek the Lord to grow our Salem mission according to His perfect plan. In Christ, Gloria Zeazeas Timmons Luncheon Chairperson Maria Hauser

3 A G A P E Page 3 A word from the Parish Council The Parish Council has been looking at the future of our church. During the recent visit by the Metropolitan we received his Eminence s blessing to pursue the planning and building of a consecrated church. And as part of that effort we have started the discussion with all members of our church to see what they see as our future and our new church. Planning and discussion is critical at this point since it lays the groundwork for the future. So please let a member of the Parish Council know if you have any ideas or suggestions. This is an effort that cannot be done by one, or a few. It needs to be done in a true Orthodox manner by building consensus, so we are all part of the plan and then part of the solution. May God bless our efforts and be with us every day. Your Brother in Christ, Haralambos Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As always continue to provide recommendations of items to have in stock. As a reminder we have surveys available in the bookstore if you haven't filled one out. In addition you can send an with input and requests to stgeorgeorbookstore@gmail.com for those times you are not at church or miss your chance on Sundays. We are still putting together an order for prayer ropes from St Paisius Monastery in Arizona ( so if you are in need of a new prayer rope or want to get one as a gift please come see me. We are constantly looking to better balance price range of items carried to make our bookstore available to all of our parishioners. We will have price slips that are then be placed with the money in an envelope that will then be placed in a drop box to be picked up by staff the next time they are in. We will have the new price marking/purchase system in place shortly. It is our hope that we make our bookstore exactly what we need for us here at St George. In Christ, Gregory Sebastian, Bookstore Manager FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Baking for our annual Bake Sale will begin in November. Koulourakia baking will be Nov. 5th & 6th, and Kourabiethes will be Nov. 16th & 18th. Please come help us...no experience necessary! Also, we are signing up vendors who would like to show their crafts during our sale, December 12 & 13. Please let Presvytera Maria know if you would like a table. The more vendors the better! This event is growing every year, and we look forward to good attendance from the community. Our next committee meeting will be Oct. 25th, after church. Pres. Maria

4 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Page 4. PHILIA The menu is set, the program figured out and practice is in full swing. Our International Luncheon and Show is just a month away. It is slated for Sunday, November 1, after liturgy. The tables will be set in the corridor across from the kitchen, and the buffet luncheon will begin at noon. The show will start as soon as everyone is seated. It is a fundraiser for our charitable women s group. The ladies have been working hard to make this a fun experience for our parish. Please jot the date on your calendars, and come and support our efforts. Plans for the future: International Luncheon and Show on Nov. 1 Pastry and Gift Fair on December 12 and 13 White Elephant Party on December 20 For info on wedding or baptismal items contact Gloria at or via at zeazeastimmons@gmail.com. And see Melita if interested in Rada products. Next meetings: October 4 and November 8, 2015 Reminder: Philia is a philanthropic organization open to ALL women in the parish, Come and join us! We could always use helping hands and helpful minds. Julie Lenkoff, Philia Coordinator *************************************************************************** COFFEE CHAT : In the last editions of Agape, I had listed, No. 1-8 of what to do and not to, for safe food handling, according to Lane County: 1. Do not handle food if you are ill. 2. Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before touching food. 3. Do not place purses, cell phones and such items on surfaces to be used for food. 4. Use bleach solution to wipe down tables, etc. before food prep. 5. Keep raw foods separate. Meats should be stored on bottom shelf in fridge. 6. Wash hands two times after handling raw meats. 7. Use separate boards for meats and veggies. 8. Cold foods should be kept at 41º or below and hot foods at 135º or higher. and finally 9. Maximum time at room temperature is two hours. 10. Do not eat or drink in food prep area. 11. Whatever your personal habits may be, when dealing with the public, the above safety tips should be followed. Thank you. Julie Lenkoff, Fellowship Coordinator **************************************************************************** CLEANUP CORNER: Thank you for all your efforts in keeping our church tidy. A reminder that cleaning supplies, paper towels and bathroom tissue are in the pantry, and toilet bowl cleaners are in the closet by the restrooms. Julie Lenkoff, Cleanup Coordinator

5 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Page 5 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ ~ We thank you so much for your prayers and support for our recent Naming Event! It was a very special and blessed day, as people came from all over the PNW (even from Alaska!) to celebrate with us. His Eminence presided over a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Jerry, Father Daniel, Father Theodore (St John the Baptist, Beaverton), and Fr. Seraphim (St Nicholas, Tacoma). At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Gerasimos celebrated a Naming Service (much like a Blessing of the Waters) and announced the new name: Holy Cross! There was then a procession to our small chapel, where we received a Blessing from the Bishop and were able to venerate the Icon of the Exaltation of the Cross. As His Eminence shared with us the gravity of taking up the Cross, we were sobered and humbled to be reminded of what it means to be a Cross bearer. We thank God and ask Him for the strength to fulfill this call. October Celebrations Birthdays October 1st-Eleni Radcliffe, Sara Sebastian October 2nd-John Lallas October 5th-Fr. Jerry October 6th-Bonnie Doran October 7th-Bob Graham October 12th-Jo Ann Kluge, Felicity Merritt October 16th-Stephen Kaelin Feast Days October 6th-Holy Apostle Thomas Ray Knerl October 20th-St Gerasimos the New Ascetic Metropolitan Gerasimos, Fr. Jerry October 26th-St Demetrios the Myroblete James Stephenson; Dimitri Kokkino; Demetre Markopoulos, Dimitri Lilles Wedding Anniversaries October 10th Thank you so much for your prayers and support! Without you, we would not be here. We are grateful for you, and beg that you continue in prayer for us, and also that you visit us soon! Nicholas & Violet Markopoulos Baptized in Christ/Chrismated In Christ ~ Lisa Buck Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Mission Church Many Years! Chronia Polla!

6 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Page 6 News and Events What s New! First Saturday Breakfast: The dates for October s First Saturday Breakfast events are Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd. Many hands make for light work so please consider lending us yours. Work Party: There will be a work party on Saturday, October 3rd, beginning around 10 am, to clean and paint some of the siding. The siding needs to be replaced but this effort will buy us some time to raise the needed funds. Please bring paint brushes if you have them. New Tuesday Schedule: On Tuesdays, we offer the service of a Weekday Vespers. The service begins each Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm. Please consider coming and worshipping with us and then staying for Bible Study at ***6:00 (new time). Adult Education: Beginning September 8th, and on each Tuesday following that, adult education will be offered. This class is open to anyone (Inquirer, Catechumen, Seeker) who wants to learn more about Christian Orthodoxy. Class starts at 7 pm. Metropolitan Gerasimos visit: Thank You to everyone who helped out with the Metropolitan s visit! Church School: Church School resumed on Sunday, September 20th, and we pray that the new school year will be blessed. The Church School depends on volunteers and we could always use a few more. Please consider this important ministry and see Father Jerry if you want to volunteer. Festival Season: October is a festive time in Oregon and two of our sister parishes are having their annual festivals. Holy Trinity Cathedral s festival begins on Friday, October 2nd and runs until Sunday, October 4th. For more details please visit their website The St Anne Greek Fest takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11th. This event has grown each year and is great family fun. Info at SaintAnneGreekFest.org Monastery Benefit Dinner: The St John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a benefit dinner on Sunday evening, October 11th, at the Dalles Readiness Center, in the Dalles, OR, beginning at 5:30 pm. To check to see if there is space left the committee at, undermercy@gmail.com Boy Scout Open House, October 19th: If your middle- or high-school son would like to learn outdoor & leadership skills while having fun, then you two need to attend the Troop 182 open house on Monday, October 19th. At the open house, he'll get to throw tomahawks, eat Dutch oven desserts, make fire starters and run relays while you will learn more about Boy Scouts, how the troop prepares boys to be a successful. Also find out about the exciting adventures the troop has planned for including camping, hiking, snowshoeing & crabbing this winter along with summer camp on the Puget Sound and whitewater rafting. That s Boy Scout Troop 182 Open House, Monday, October 19 th, 7:00-8:30 PM, Irving Grange,1011 Irvington Drive, Eugene Prayer and the Inner Man: Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church in Ashland invites you to a series of talks by Archimandrite Sergius, Abbot of St. Tikhon Monastery in South Canaan, PA, Friday and Saturday, October 30th and 31st. Also present will be the Myrrh-Streaming Icon of St Anna. For details please see the flyer posted in the Fellowship Hall or visit In our prayers: Pray for one another that you might be healed (James 5:16)-Jim, Eleni,, John, Yelena, Sarah, Sharon, Alexandra, Christopher, Ruth, Elaine, John, Fr. Constantine, Fr. James, Kevin, Lisa, Eugenia, Niko, Rebeca, Maria, Anastasia, Zinaida, Katherine, Rachel, Nektaria, Leda, Jesse, John, Ann, Kay, Photini, Elaine, Elle, Jan, Andy, Jimmy, Froso;, Andy, Dimitri, Judy; the unborn, pregnant women contemplating abortion, & those who pray for the end of abortion. Please also be praying for all those being persecuted for their faith in the Middle East, Iraq, Africa, Syria, and the whole world.

7 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Page 7 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 FELLOWSHIP Green Larisa Lilles Black Katsoyannos/ Mehas GREETER Larissa L. Jerry R Ann L Gloria & John PROSFORON Hauser Lilles Creech Freezer FLOWERS OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN READERS Brad Thomas Brad Thomas Brad Thomas Brad Thomas CLEANING CREW 10/3 A & L Lilles 10/10 Graham 10/17 Markopoulos 10/24 Green 10/31 Markopoulos GET INVOLVED!!! Look through this list of organizations, programs, and ministries at our parish, then call the contact person and get involved!!! PARISH COUNCIL Bob Graham ACOLYTES Bob Graham BOOKSTORE Greg Sebastian PHILIA WOMEN S GROUP Julie Lenkoff CHURCH SCHOOL Ann Marie Kaelin CHANTER/CHANT GROUP Brad Thomas , Ann Marie Kaelin FRIENDS OF ST. JOHN Art Mehas FELLOWSHIP Julie Lenkoff STEWARDSHIP Neal Zoumboukos GREETERS Melita Green OUTREACH/1ST SAT. BREAKFAST Bonnie Graham FLOWERS Diane Monger MISSIONS & EVANGELISM Melita Green FUNDRAISERS Presbytera Maria

8 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 202 Hillview 1 Eugene, OR A good word Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture. If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind, then that is what our life is like. If our attention is turned to the circumstances in which we live, we are drawn into a whirlpool of thoughts and can have neither peace nor tranquility. We have very little faith in the Lord, very little trust. If we trusted the Lord as much as we trust a friend when we ask him to do something for us, neither we as individuals nor our whole country would suffer so much. It is of great significance if there is a person who truly prays in a family. Prayer attracts God's Grace and all the members of the family feel it, even those whose hearts have grown cold. Pray always. Thaddeus of Vitovnica, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica