Ninth Sunday of Saint Luke the Evangelist

Transcription

1 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC News & Announcements November 19, 2017 Ninth Sunday of Saint Luke the Evangelist Obadiah the Prophet 11/19/2017 Martyrs Barlaam of Caesarea and Heliodorus 11/19/2017 Anthimos, Thallalaeos, Christopher, Euphemia & her children, the Martyrs 11/19/2017 NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor s Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the Church Office. 1

2 The Sunday Epistle Reading Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me? The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22 Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Τίμιος ἐναντίον Κυρίου ὁ θάνατος τῶν ὁσίων αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Τί ἀνταποδώσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ περὶ πάντων, ὧν ἀνταπέδωκεν ἡμῖν; Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο 2:14-22 Ἀδελφοί, Χριστός ἐστιν ἡ εἰρήνη ἡμῶν, ὁ ποιήσας τὰ ἀμφότερα ἕν, καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας, τήν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκί αὐτοῦ, τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν, καταργήσας ἵνα τοὺς δύο κτίσῃ ἐν ἑαὐτῷ εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον, ποιῶν εἰρήνην, καὶ ἀποκαταλλάξῃ τοὺς ἀμφοτέρους ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι τῷ θεῷ διὰ τοῦ σταυροῦ, ἀποκτείνας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐλθὼν εὐηγγελίσατο εἰρήνην ὑμῖν τοῖς μακρὰν καὶ τοῖς ἐγγύς ὅτι διʼ αὐτοῦ ἔχομεν τὴν προσαγωγὴν οἱ ἀμφότεροι ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα. Ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι, ἀλλὰ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐποικοδομηθέντες ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ προφητῶν, ὄντος ἀκρογωνιαίου αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἐν ᾧ πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ συναρμολογουμένη αὔξει εἰς ναὸν ἅγιον ἐν κυρίῳ, ἐν ᾧ καὶ ὑμεῖς συνοικοδομεῖσθε εἰς κατοικητήριον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν πνεύματι The Gospel According to Luke 12:16-21 The Sunday Gospel Reading The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 2

3 8308 Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν A Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 12:16-21 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε τοῦτο ποιήσω καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν. Trisagion Service for George Bourbous 9 months Mary Demos Today s Coffee Hour is being hosted by the Mouzakitis Family General assembly TODAY AFTER CHURCH Stewardship 2017 As we turn to end of the year planning, please continue to keep our Church in your thoughts and prayers. Now is a good time to check the status of your stewardship pledge to be sure you are on track to meet your pledge. Please remember, in order to vote in the General Assembly Meeting on November 19, and the December Election of Parish Council Members, you need to be in good standing. Thank you for your continued support of St. Barbara's day-to-day expenses. Reminder Saint Barbara STEWARD FAMILIES through November 5th Alexander, Susan H. Akerley, Elly Alexiades, Alec & Frances Amos, Vesaria Lazaris Arapoglou, Alexander Arvanitis, Marina Athas, William & Donna Bakis, Basile & Mary Bakis, George & Sarris, Marie Balafas, Nicholas & Eugenia Barton, Lance & Maria (Marinos) Becak, Thalia Beridze, Tamar Blackley, Agape 3 Bogdanovic, Zora Bonfiglio, Barbara Bourbous, Nickolaos Brantley, Nick & Witham, Grace Bush, Connie Bush, John Callahan, Katherine

4 Capsalis, Manual Caranasos, Thomas & Brienne Carr, Sophie Christakos, Andrew & Cheryl Christakos, Arthur Christakos, Eleni Christie, George & Deborah Chronaki, Bessie Chronaki, Cadee Claypoole, Chris & Michelle Cocolas, Erie Constantinou, Catherine Constantinou, Costa Constantinou, Lou Dabadnah, Sharan Dates, John & Ana Demetriades, George & Vicky Dennos, Anne Dennos, George & Patricia Dorton, Betty Dufault, Elena Estrada, Rolando & Helena Venakides Fedorovska, Nataliya Ferris, Laurice Fitzherbert, Dimitri Frangakis, Crist & Maria Gerondelis, Peter & Kristen Gerondelis, Socratis & Aliki Glekas, George & Amy Glekas, Jim & Evy Goodwin, Christopher Goodwin, Leonard & Elaine Grassos, V Hawn, Olga Hermanson, Christopher & Kelly Kantner, Ed & Eve Karamalegos, Antonios & Claire Kash, Thomas & Zoe Katsohirakis, Andrew Katsohirakis, Steven Keener, Burt & Glenna Kekis, Theoharis Kinard, Andrew & Summer Kleoudis, Christi Kondilis-Mangum, Hrisavgi Korach, Kenneth & Karen Kougoulas, Eleftherios Koutis, James Koutouzakis, Helen Kovacs, Istvan & Bogdanovic, Zorica Kuyper, Andrew Kuyper, Lee & Pauline Kyropoulos, Adriane Lewis, Catherine Livanos, George & Lisunder Renee Lyras, Thalea Mamaies, V. Rev. Father Stavroforos Mariakakis, Johnny & Catherine Marinos, Pete & Joan Mashalidis, Ellene Mavroidis, Panayiotis & Demetra McWhirter, John & Mary Jon Meadows, Rodney & Katherine Mitchell, Curtis & Alexis Muallem, Hind Odzak, Larry & Hope Oladipo, Richard Paliouras, Cindy Paliouras, James & Helen Paliouras, John & Dena Paliouras, Nicholas Panos, Peter & Evelyn Panov, Yuri & Elana Papanikas, Kleanthis & Angelika Papazoglou, Matina Pappas, Katherine Pappas, Ted & Theky Paraschos, Sophia Pashales, George J Pavlidis, Pavlos & Meltem Pleasants, Penelope Podgurski, Joseph Przybyl, Daniel & Lori Qaqish, Olgha Quint, Angelia Rheinhardt, Keith & Alexia Roupas, Charles & Helen Rudnick, ben & Irene Safarikas, Al & Christine Samoilenko, Monica & Sergey Simopoulos, Michael & Maria Skudar, Iryna Stavrakakis, Mattheos & Marika Stefanadis, Zoe Stephens, Vicky Stojanovic, Milorad Stojanovic, Mirjana Stoney, Andrea Sullivan, William & Jennifer Sunas, Marian Tesfatsion, Senait Theodosiadis, Konstantin & Amanda Theophanous, Rebecca Thompson, Tony Thuer, Olga Tragas, Charalambos & Cathy Trohanis, Donna Tryphonos, Tryphon & Suzanne Tsipis, Lou Varelas, Dimitrios Varelas, Georgina Varelas, John Venakides, Vasilios Vlachos, Demetra Vurnakes, Helen Vurnakes, James & Frances Waters, Alexa Wilson, Preston & Catherine Winans, Diane R. Wippich, Robert & Roberta Wood, Jonathan & Maria Xenakis, Betsy Zaferatos, Konstantinos & Kerri Zehia, Anthony & Evelyn Zehia, Christina 4

5 Our Stewardship budget for 2017 is: $176,000 Number of Steward Families to date: 146 Total Amount Pledged for 2017 to date: $138,035 Average Contribution per family: $945 Total Amount paid to date: $127, 960 Dear Parishioners, We are a Parish TOTALLY COMMITTED to Stewardship. This means 100% of our Stewardship is utilized to cover a major portion of the operational expenses of the Church. It includes all expenses from Clergy Salary and other related expenses, to Utilities, Equipment and Ground Maintenance, Assessment by the Archdiocese and Metropolis and insurance protection for facilities and various functions. If your name is not included in the above list, please let us know by ing one of our Stewardship Co-Chairs: Evelyn Panos at mamapan@aol.com or Theky Pappas at tedtheky@aol.com THANK YOU! November Religious Calendar for th Sunday of Luke - 9:00 am 30 - Thursday - Feast of St. Andrew - 9:00 am A Special Thank You to all The Salvation Army Angel Tree Sponsors from our Saint Barbara Parish! Just a reminder that All angel tree items should be purchased and brought to the tree sight for delivery by DECEMBER 6 TH. 5

6 Philoptochos Poinsettia Order Form To Decorate Our Church Deadline for Orders TODAY Sunday, Nov 19th $15.00 x = Name: Phone #: Please return forms to Lia Christakos Make payment to: Saint Barbara Philoptochos Society Please Print Names In Memory of: For the Health of: 6

7 Dear Stewards of Saint Barbara Church, I am sending this to you on behalf of the present parish council. Many of you may be considering running for the parish council, but may not be sure that you meet the requirements to put your name in for candidacy. As you can see we have three criteria for eligibility. What constitutes one's eligibility to run for the Parish Council and to have voting privileges? Stewardship Eligibility A candidate for the Parish Council must be a parishioner in good standing of the Parish for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the date of the election and must live his or her life in accordance with the Faith and Canons of the Church. The Priest determines whether the Parishioners are in canonical and financial good standing as specified below. (UPR Article 25 Section 2) Ecclesiastical Eligibility: 1. Every person who is baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church is a parishioner. The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to his/her life and to: adhere to and to live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith; faithfully attend the Divine Liturgy and other worship services; participate regularly in the holy sacraments; respect all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church; be obedient in matters of the Faith, practice and ecclesiastical order; contribute towards the progress of the Church's sacred mission; and be an effective witness of the Orthodox Faith and Traditions to all people. (UPR Article 18 Section 1) 2. No persons may marry more than three times in the Church, with permission for a third marriage granted only with extreme oikonomia. (Archdiocese Pastoral Guidelines) 3. In cases involving the marriage of Orthodox and non-orthodox Christians, the latter must have been baptized in water, in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Church cannot bless the marriage of an Orthodox Christian to a non-christian. (Archdiocese Pastoral Guidelines) 4. A person who belongs to a parish under the jurisdiction of a bishop who is not in communion with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, or who, if married has not had his or her marriage blessed by the Orthodox Church, or, if divorced, has not received an ecclesiastical divorce, is not ecclesiastically in good standing with the Church. However, this condition need not remain permanent. Please make an effort to speak with Fr. Stavroforos in order to be able seek his advice and counsel so that you can once again work towards you being in good standing with the Church. (Archdiocese Pastoral Guidelines) 5. A baptized or chrismated Orthodox Christian whose wedding has not been blessed by the Orthodox Church is no longer in good standing with the Church, and may not receive the Sacraments of the Church, including Holy Communion, or become a Sponsor of an Orthodox Marriage, Baptism or Chrismation. (Archdiocese Pastoral Guidelines) Parish Council Candidate Seminar For all candidates from the Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington and Fayetteville Greek Orthodox Churches at on Saturday December 2 nd uat Holy Trinity Raleigh starting at 11:00 am. 7

8 Financial Eligibility The definition of "fulfilling one's financial obligation to the Parish" is by necessity a flexible one. Generally, for purposes of voting in Parish Assemblies and elections, one is considered to have fulfilled his or her stewardship and financial obligations to the Parish if he or she has pledged and paid an amount certain for the year prior to the current year and has pledged an amount to the Parish for the current year. However, in the event an individual refuses or neglects to pledge a specific amount, but he or she has committed himself spiritually, morally and financially to the Greek Orthodox Faith and the parish and the records of the parish so reflect the financial commitment, he or she will be considered to have fulfilled his financial obligation and be eligible to vote. (Stewardship is recommended to be ten percent (10%) of one's annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.) New members to the Parish will have met their financial obligation to the Parish by merely pledging a sum certain for the current year. The same shall be true of persons not currently members in good standing.(per the Parish By-Laws) In reading the items above if you want to run for parish council but are still not certain that you have met the criteria please feel free to contact those who can provide you with definite answers. If you have a question in regards to stewardship and financial eligibility contact treasurer Daniel Przybl by at ddprzybl@gmail.com. If you have questions in regards to your ecclesiastical eligibility contact Fr. Stavroforos by at fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com. If you have any questions in regards to the election process, please contact a member of the elections committee. + Father Stavroforos cut along the dotted lines and submit to election committee member You can put your name into nomination by ing the following form to fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com. Name of Candidate: Address of Candidate: phone: I have been a steward of St. Barbara since: I will attend a seminar since I am a first time candidate for the parish council : Signature 8

9 Dear Parishioners and friends of Saint Barbara, It s that time of year again when we sign up for our Saint Barbara Community Christmas Card. Please sign up in the reception hall if you want your name, or that of your family to appear in this year s card. The cost is $20 per family per line, or $20 per individual per line. The last day to get your name into the card will be Sunday, December 10 th. Don t miss out on this wonderful way to wish those that you know a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. With My Best Wishes to you, Michelle Claypoole Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Schedule Saturday, November 25 th : 12 noon to 2 pm Sunday, December 3 rd: 2:30 pm 4:30 pm Sunday, December 10: 2 pm 4pm (tentative) Saturday, December 16 th : 12 noon 2 pm Dress Rehearsal Sunday, December 17 th Christmas Pageant Day CAST YOUR BALLOT FOR PARISH COUNCIL OPENINGS ON DECEMBER 10 TH AFTER SUNDAY WORSHIP TO 1:00 PM 9

10 Saint Barbara Feastday Celebration Days! Save the dates Sunday Morning, December 3 rd, 2017 Saint Barbara Luncheon after Church Services free will offering greatly appreciated Sunday Evening, December 3rd, 2017 Great Vespers & Artoclasia... 6:30 pm followed by Refreshments Prepared by Philoptochos Monday, December 4th, 2016 Matins for Saint Barbara... 9 am Divine Liturgy for Saint Barbara...10 am Coffee Hour after Church 10

11 We will be bringing Christmas to our Parishioners who can t make it to Church. We will do this by bringing the joy of Christmas to them on December 10 th as we visit with them to bring them good cheer and the sound of the holiday with the songs of Christmas. The date is December 10 th. Our list has parishioners in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill and Meadowmont. Our Sunday School Children and Parents will be joining us as we make our visits. Our intent is to all go to Carillon first then split up into small groups of three or more so that we can cover the locations listed above. If you are interested in joining us in caroling please make the following contacts. Adults are to contact Evelyn Zehia at her ezehia@att.net and Sunday School Children with Parents should contact Michelle Claypoole at her mclaypoole19@aol.com We are Collecting for the Durham Rescue Mission. Leave the Can Good in the Cabinet in the Social Hall. Last Day to bring items on December 17 th. Guidelines for the Nativity Fast (November 15 through December 24)The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. The 2nd period is December 20th through 24th when the traditional 11

12 fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period. Here are the guidelines: Meat Dairy Fish Wine Oil beef, chicken, pork, turkey, elk, veal, lamb, deer, rabbit, buffalo, and so forth milk, eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, and so forth fish with a backbone (not including shrimp, octopus, shellfish, squid, or other seafood. (some include all types of alcohol in this category) (some include all types of oil in this category) Abstain. Abstain. Permitted only on Saturdays and Sundays before December 20. (some permit fish Tuesdays and Thursdays also) Permitted only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays before December 20. Permitted only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays before December 20. Abstinence includes refraining from the food and drink mentioned above, as well as from smoking. The Eucharistic Fast means abstaining from at least the previous midnight for communing at a morning Liturgy. The Purpose of Fasting The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things that are above, the Kingdom of God. It is a means of putting on virtue in reality, here and now. Through it we are freed from dependence on worldly things. We fast faithfully and in secret, not judging others, and not holding ourselves up as an example. Do Not Fast Fasting in itself is not a means of pleasing God. Fasting is not a punishment for our sins. Nor is fasting a means of suffering and pain to be undertaken as some kind of atonement. Christ already redeemed us on His Cross. Salvation is a gift from God that is not bought by our hunger or thirst. We fast to be delivered from carnal passions so that God s gift of Salvation may bear fruit in us. We fast and turn our eyes toward God in His Holy Church. Fasting and prayer go together. Fasting is not irrelevant. Fasting is not obsolete, and it is not something for someone else. Fasting is from God, for us, right here and right now. Most of all, we should not devour each other. We ask God to set a watch and keep the door of our lips. between December 25 and January 5 (even on Wednesdays and Fridays); if you are pregnant or nursing a newborn; during serious illness; without prayer; without alms-giving; according to your own will without guidance from your spiritual father. 12