The Parable of the Richman and poor man Lazarus

Transcription

1 Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church 800 Westridge Road, Greensboro, NC Rev. Father Sarantis Loulakis Emergency Mobile: Office Phone: Fax: And he said: Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Luke 16:28 The Parable of the Richman and poor man Lazarus Many people wonder what happens to us when we die and it is a common question asked in churches. All kinds of speculations exist and descriptions of life after death, even in Orthodoxy. Today s Gospel lesson (Luke 16:19-31), too gives a description of life after death, although in a parable, so it is not trying to give an accurate picture of life beyond the grave. But in the parable eventually the rich man now in his life-afterdeath situation wants to try to reach back to the people he left behind in the world. There is this irony We in the world are all wondering about life after death, and he in the afterlife is worried about those living in the world! And basically the parable is not teaching us about what happens to us after death, but a warning to us to pay attention to how we live while on earth. The afterlife cannot help us live properly on earth and living correctly on earth is far more important to our Lord Jesus than the life after death. 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, November 4, th Sunday of Luke

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 November 4 Righteous Ionnikios the Great..Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday November 7. No Music Practice or services Friday November 9 St. Nektarios/ Archangels..Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Sunday November 11 Menas of Egypt. Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday November 14 St. Philip.... Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday November 14.Music Practice 5:45pm / Paraklesis 6:30pm/Orthodoxy Class 7pm Sunday November 18 Greatmartyr Plato. Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Sunday November 25 Post Presentation of the Theotokos Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Friday November 30 St. Andrew.... Orthros 8:45am / Divine Liturgy 10am Daughters of Penelope Bake Sale and AHEPA Meal Today, 11am-5pm UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, November 11 ~ Fall Parish Assembly immediately after services Monday, November 12 ~ 50+ Lunch 1:30pm at Mimi s Café, 3322 W. Friendly Ave. Tuesday, November 13 ~ Girl Scouts, 3:30pm Wednesday, November 14 ~ Orthodoxy Class 7pm MEMORIAL SERVICE There will be a Memorial Service chanted today for Willowdean Bartis

3 Righteous Ionnikios the Great 3rd Antiphon: The Hymn of the Day Tone 6: (page 100 in the green hymnal) ( ) Angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became like dead. And at your grave Mary was standing, seeking Your most pure body. You plundered Hades, not being tempted by it. You encountered the virgin, granting life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You. 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 Hymn of the Day Tone 6: (page 101 in the green hymnal) ( ) Angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became like dead. And at your grave Mary was standing, seeking Your most pure body. You plundered Hades, not being tempted by it. You encountered the virgin, granting life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You. The Hymn for Iannikios Tone 8: (Ταῖς τῶν δακρύων σου ῥοαῖς, ) With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O Ioannikios, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of 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 2: (page 111 in the green hymnal) (Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν...) The protection of Christians unshameable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, do not turn from the prayerful cries of those who are in sin, instead come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you. Hasten to intercession and speed now to supplication as a protection for all time, Theotokos for those who honor you.

4 Epistle Reading: Eph. 2: (Holy Cross book pg. 102) Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31 (Holy Cross book pg. 100) The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'" ***The Ushers will dismiss the congregation row by row for receiving the Holy Communion***

5 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation (1 Peter 2:2). Since God has appointed specific means by which Christians grow in their faith, i.e., attending divine service often; neglecting those means will stifle spiritual health and growth. Hearing the Word of God preached, singing the Word of God in corporate worship, and serving the body of Christ according to the Word of God are just a few examples of graces given to us for our sanctification. They are primarily available to those who gather faithfully with the church. For Sale from the Daughters of Penelope Pich-Up Sunday & November 4 Cost per pound: $3.75 Fellowship Hall, after the Divine Liturgy Introduction to Orthodoxy Class for Adults Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church offers an introductory course on the Orthodox Church taught by Fr. Sarantis Loulakis. The one-hour class surveys the history, spirituality, doctrine, and worship of the Orthodox Church. The The class is especially intended for those who are thinking about converting to Orthodoxy and for family members and friends who would like to support them on their journey, but it is also open to people who are already Orthodox and who would like to deepen their understanding of their faith. The class explores Christian theology and practice through reading selections of Scripture, the Church Fathers, the lives of the Saints, and other texts representative of the Orthodox worldview. These readings are the starting point for our discussions, which aim at clarifying doctrine and worship and helping us to discover (or rediscover), week after week, why we belong in the Church. Classes will be held (Bi-weekly) every OTHER Wednesday night at 7:00pm in church starting on October 17th, Occasionally the class date and time may be changed with ample time of notice. If you are interested in attending the class, please contact Fr. Sarantis Loulakis at patersarantis@yahoo.com with any questions.

6 1. Call to order 2. Opening prayer 3. Establish Quorum 4. Fr. Sarantis spiritual message Dormition of The Theotokos 2018 Fall Parish Assembly Agenda November 11, Approve minutes from March 18, Treasurer Report 7. President Report 8. Old Business 9. Ministry Reports 10. New Business a Budget b. Preliminary Festival financial report c. Parish Council nominations d. Audit Committee nominations e. Other Business 11. Motion to adjourn 12. Closing Prayer Parish Bylaws Article II Parishioners - Any person, eighteen years of age or over, who was baptized according to the rites of the Church, or was received into the Church through Chrismation, who lives according to the Faith and canons of the Church, abides by the Uniform Parish Regulations and these appended by laws, signs a stewardship card, fulfills his or her financial obligation to the Parish, and cooperates in every way towards the wellbeing of the Parish, is a Member in Good Standing of the Parish. The definition of fulfilling one s financial obligation to the Parish is by necessity a flexible one based upon each Parishioners personal circumstances and commitment. Generally, for purposes of voting in Parish Assemblies and elections, one is considered to have fulfilled his or her stewardship to the Parish if he or she has, at least three months prior, made a pledge for the current year by signing a stewardship card in Time, Talent or Treasure. As an exception, if the Parishioner has been a Member in Good Standing in the year immediately preceding but is not in good standing for the current year as a Parish Assembly or election approaches, he or she may be brought back in good standing (assuming all other qualifications of a Member in Good Standing are met) by submitting a signed pledge card at least seven (7) days prior to the Parish Assembly or election.

7 Ladies Philoptochos This Sunday, November 4th all Philoptochos Chapters nationwide will participate in passing a special tray in memory of our organization s patron Saints, Cosmas and Damianos, the two wonder workers of the church, who assisted the poor and the afflicted. All contributions from this tray will benefit the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its programs and charities. If you wish to donate by check, please make it out to Philoptochos and in the memo section indicate Patriarchate donation. Care Kits for the Homeless are now available to everyone in our parish to distribute to those individuals we see in and around our town who may be homeless and/or in need of food. The kits may be picked up in the Fellowship Hall. Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army is scheduled for Saturday, November 17th from 10 am- 6 pm at Friendly Center, Belk entrance, facing Friendly Avenue. Volunteers are needed to fill one hour shifts.several volunteers may share a shift. A sign- up sheet has been placed on the Philoptochos bulletin board. This fun community service project is a wonderful way to begin your holidays and also help the Salvation Army collect funds to help those less fortunate this Christmas season. Please see Catherine Stuman with any questions you may have.. Please mark Thursday, November 29th, 10am to 4pm, on your calendars for the Philoptochos Winter Pastry Sale. This is a perfect opportunity to shop for family and friends and/or stock up on delicious Greek pastries for the holidays. There will be a Work Meeting on Wednesday, November 28th at 9am to prepare for the Pastry Sale. Once again, we ask your support of our Christmas Project for Children and Families in Need. We will sponsor two families whose children attend the Doris Henderson Newcomers School. During November look for the poster in the Fellowship Hall with the first names, ages, sizes, and gift suggestions of each family member who needs our assistance. We hope you will select a name and a gift article from our Gift Poster and contribute to this very important holiday project for those less fortunate. If you are unable to shop for specific items you may also make a monetary donation and we will shop on your behalf. All gifts should be purchased by Sunday, December 9th and placed in the Fellowship Hall with the appropriate name tag. If you have any questions please contact, Catherine Stuman, cell # or ccstuman@yahoo.com. Food Bank donations collected in November and December will benefit the families we are sponsoring in our Christmas for Children and Families in Need Project,and any other individuals or families who may need our assistance.. Whenever, you are coming to church for services or meetings, please remember to bring donations of non-perishable and canned food items to add to our Food Bank. Food donations may be left on the cabinet in the Fellowship Hall or in a basket in the Narthex.

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. SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE - FALL 2018 Class starts following Distribution of Holy Communion Sunday School is held every Sunday unless otherwise specified NOVEMBER DECEMBER 4 2 5th Sunday of Luke th Sunday of Luke Sermonette Sunday 14th Sunday of Luke 9th Sunday of Luke Sermonette Sunday Rehearsal for Christmas Pageant Is every Sunday! May God bless our Children, Teachers, Parents and Grandparents to have a blessed and fruitful year ! th Sunday of Luke Youth Sunday th Sunday of Luke NO CLASSES Christmas Pageant/ lighting of Christmas tree/visit from Santa 13th Sunday of Luke NO CLASSES Sunday before Nativity Grandparents Sunday 30 Sunday after Nativity Youth Sunday NO CLASSES