Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church

Transcription

1 Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church 800 Westridge Road, Greensboro, NC Rev. Father Sarantis Loulakis Emergency Mobile: Office Phone: Fax: The Parable of the Vineyard Understanding the meaning of the parable in Jesus time will help us learn what the parable is telling us today. The landowner is still God the Father. The vineyard still represents the Kingdom of God. The vinedressers, however, are not the Jews, but us, the Body of Christ. The servants are still the prophets of Israel but also the Church Fathers, the Bishops as Chief Shepherds, the Presbyters who minister to the flock, and most importantly the Saints who model the holiness of God to us. All of these persons come into our lives to evaluate and instruct us regarding our work habits and methods, the planting, watering, feeding, and tending the vines in the vineyard (CHURCH), to bear the good grapes (Is.5:2) and as they are enumerated by St. Paul, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal.5:22-23); Of course, the Son is still Jesus Christ and He comes to evaluate and instruct and to love us. Our mission is to become Disciples of Christ, through thought, word and deed, humbly submitting to the will of the Father, while seeking the Holy Spirit to achieve Salvation. Our Vision with the Grace of God, is to provide a loving community where all belong to Christ, through worship, sanctification, education, witness, compassion and fellowship. Bulletin for Sunday, August 26, th Sunday of Matthew

2 WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, we welcome you and thank you for praying with us. When it comes time for the receiving of the Holy Communion from the Chalice, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith and it is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Faith, please see Father Sarantis after the service. UPCOMING SERVICES Sunday August 26 Adrianos and Natalia...Orthros 8:45am / Div. Liturgy 10am Father Gregory Georgiou celebrating Wednesday August 29...Chanting Practice NEW TIME...6:30pm Sunday September 2 Mamas and his Parents...Orthros 8:45am / Div. Liturgy 10am Wednesday September 5 Paraklesis 6pm/ Chanting Practice 6:30pm Saturday September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos Orthros 8:45am / Div. Lit. 10am Sunday September 9 Post Nativity of the Theotokos...Orthros 8:45am / D. Lit.10am Wednesday September 12...Vespers 6pm/ Chanting Practice 6:30pm Friday September 14 Holy Cross..Orthros 8:45am / Div. Lit. 10am Sunday September 16 Post Elevation Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday September 19..Paraklesis 6pm/ Chanting Practice 6:30pm Sunday September 23 John the Baptist s Conception Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am TRISAGION SERVICE There will be a Trisagion Service chanted today for Evrytanians who have fallen asleep in the Lord, as well as for the Ahepans and Daughters of Penelope who have fallen asleep in the Lord. FELLOWSHIP HOUR Today s Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Daughters of Penelope in memory of Ahepans and Daughters who have fallen asleep in the Lord. UPCOMING EVENTS A 40-Day Memorial Service for Frances Sonntag will be on Sunday, September 9th 50+ Lunch ~ Monday, September 10th, 1:30 pm, Village Tavern, 1903 Westridge Road Pastry Setup ~ Monday, September 24th, 9am and 6pm

3 Martyrs Adrianos and Natalia 3rd Antiphon: The Hymn of the Day Tone 4: (Page 95 in the green hymnal) (Τὸ φαιδρὸν ) The women Disciples of the Lord having learned from the Angel the joyous news of the Resurrection and having rejected the ancestral decision, then told the Apostles elatedly: Death has been stripped of its power; Christ God has risen, granting to the world His great mercy. Eisodikon (Hymn of the Entrance): Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God risen from the dead, we sing to you: Alleluia. Resurrection Apolytikion Tone 4: (Page 96 in the green hymnal) (Τὸ φαιδρὸν ) The women Disciples of the Lord having learned from the Angel the joyous news of the Resurrection and having rejected the ancestral decision, then told the Apostles elatedly: Death has been stripped of its power; Christ God has risen, granting to the world His great mercy. Hymn for Adrianos and Natalia Tone 3: Ἀναφαίρετον ὄλβον ἡγήσω, ) You forsook the ways and false religion of your ancestors, for you considered the saving faith to be wealth irremovable. And as you followed the steps of the Lord of all, you were enriched by the gifts of His grace divine. Glorious Adrian, beseech Christ God fervently, entreating Him to save our souls The Hymn of the Church Tone 1: ) In giving birth you remained a virgin and in your Dormition you did not forsake this world, O Theotokos. For as the Mother of Life you have yourself passed into life, and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death. Kontakion of the Feast Tone 4: (Ἰωακεὶµ καὶ Ἄννα...) Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility's stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality's ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, "The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life."

4 Epistle Reading: I Cor 16:13-24 (Holy Cross book pg. 84) Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Gospel Reading: Matt. 21:33-42 (Holy Cross book pg. 85) The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'" ***The Ushers will dismiss the congregation row by row for receiving the Holy Communion***

5 INVITATION TO CHANTING REHEARSAL OPEN TO ALL Please join us every Wednesday at 6:30pm in the church for chanting rehearsal for the upcoming Sunday s Divine Liturgy. WE HAVE CHANGED THE TIME OF PRACTICE TO 6:30PM Everyone is invited to join us as we prepare for the next Sunday s Liturgy. We pray that you will join us as we value your participation. Come chant and be joyful! INVITATION from the 50-Plus (50+) Group We are taking a break and will meet again in September. On Monday, September 10, 1:30 pm, Village Tavern, 1903 Westridge Road Welcoming Committee The Welcoming Committee is looking for wonderful, welcoming volunteers to greet the many visitors and prospective new members that our parish has been blessed to have come through our doors lately. Even if you can just volunteer once every several months... we need you! Please contact Maria Mandaleris, or smlmando@gmail.com, if you are willing to help in this area. IN TIMES OF ILLNESS "Come, O blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was sick and you visited me." (Matt. 25:31-46). When a member of our Parish is ill and has been hospitalized or may be recuperating at home, the immediate family of the ill person should contact Father Sarantis at (516) or call the church office. It is beneficial to both the body and the soul when our priest prays for us when we are healthy or ill. HANDLING THE HOLY BREAD (ANTIDORON) At the end of the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to receive a piece of holy bread or antidoron. While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed bread and as such should be eaten carefully so that crumbs do not fall. Both adults and children should always remember to eat the antidoron with respect. Leaving Church without receiving antidoron and the final blessing from the priest is foreign to our Orthodox culture.

6 Save the Dates!!! 2018 Annual Greek Festival September Stewardship Have You Become A Steward For 2018? If not, know that everything we have is God's and we are just managers during this brief life. Become a steward today. "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God" (2 Cor. 9:10-11).

7 Sayings of the Holy Fathers When you throw a nail into a fire, it gets hot and starts to glow like fire. In the same way yourself, when you listen to divine teachings and live accordingly, will become like God. (St. Symeon of Daibabe, Sayings, 26) Third Annual Philoptochos Care Kits for the Homeless Drive Our Ladies Philoptochos invites you to participate in our third annual Care Kits for the Homeless drive. This project allows us to create something to share with those asking for assistance, without trying to judge their needs on our own. From September 2 nd to October 21 st we will be collecting these items: Winter hats Winter gloves Thick socks Wet wipes Band-Aids Chapstick Protein Bars Peanut butter or cheese crackers Beef Jerky sticks Bottled water (16oz bottles) *Note: The majority of these items can be found at Dollar Tree stores! Philoptochos members will assemble the Care Kits at our October general meeting. Once completed, the kits will be available for all parishioners to take and share with those in need. Care Kits give us a very real way to help the less fortunate in our Greensboro community. They are also a wonderful learning opportunity for families as they collect supplies and distribute Care Kits. Questions? Contact Erin Blindenbacher (epgraham8@gmail.com), Catherine Stout (cmstout2@gmail.com) or Emily Mihelich (epgraham22@gmail.com) We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

8 Welcome all who are visiting at the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church. Please join us in the Parish Hall for coffee and refreshments after the service. Please fill out a visitor card and place it in the offering tray or hand it to a parish council member in the Narthex. Any council member would be happy to meet with you and tell you more about life at this church. Please leave a phone number if you wish to be contacted. Ladies Philoptochos Thank you to everyone who donated to our Back to School Supplies project this summer and also the Food Bank donations for the Out of the Garden Backpack Program. They have been delivered and were very much appreciated! Our next Food Bank donations are being collected for the Backpack Beginnings Program which serves over 7000 students experiencing hunger in our community by providing backpacks of weekend food and also stocking Food Pantries in 14 Guilford County Middle and High Schools and 5 High Point Schools. During September and October, please donate the following needed items so we may help this very important organization stock these Food Pantries for their neediest students. The following are food donations that are most needed: soups, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned beans and pastas, dry pastas, spaghetti sauces, rice, macaroni and cheese, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, cereals, oatmeal, grits, shelf stable milk, and 100% fruit juice. In addition, they accept personal hygiene items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes. They also accept paper grocery bags. Please see the separate information on our Care Kits for the Homeless community outreach project that will begin September 2. Thank you for your generous support of our projects that help those less fortunate in our greater Greensboro community. Dormition of the Theotokos Sunday School Greek Orthodox Church Greensboro, NC Registration Sept. 2, 9, 16 during Fellowship Hour (Registration will be accepted through the year as well) Sunday School Class Schedule Is Every Sunday Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 am. All Students along with their parents are kindly asked to attend the Divine Liturgy by 10:30am or earlier. Our Spiritual Leaders believe that being part of the Church Service is very crucial for our children s up bringing. By attending Sunday school we are given the opportunity to grow spiritually, and so we are able to better understand the teachings and traditions of the Orthodox faith.