MESSENGER THE. Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church. Seek the Word of God Through Words!

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1 THE MESSENGER Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church Seek the Word of God Through Words! February 2015 This year, the members of All Holy Spirit (AHS) will be striving and seeking a fuller Christian life, a life-style described as repenting and returning to our Heavenly Father, through words! There are always two paths before man, the narrow way and the easy way. Just like studying or not studying. The wide (easy) path leads to our destruction, but the narrow (blessed) way leads to the abundant and beautiful life forevermore! (Matthew ) The wide life can be described as the unexamined life, or life unquestioned, but filled with entertainment and pleasures. The narrow life is one that is used for growth and purpose. Therefore, as in everything, choices have to be made, and this demands critical thinking. It may seem hard at first, but you will soon after see the fruit of your labor. How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways; you will eat of the fruit of labor, You will be happy and well. (Psalm 128.2) What are the ways of the Lord? To follow, I surely need to learn how and what to do. This will take some efforts. However, the sacrifice may be just like the birth pains of child birth, or the growing pains of puberty, or the first days of a new job. All will be a little scary, but they are only for a moment. The results of your efforts are happiness forevermore, and this is so true with the spiritual life too. Learn about your Creator, and learn about yourself. Take a time-out from your routine, and devote time and effort to Jesus Christ and your salvation. Start with critical thinking. The Logos, God the Word is meant for the GR nous, our inner faculties, our inner being. Sometimes, we say for our hearts. Either way, we must start an inner journey. Remember, the Kingdom of God is within you, but you must make a choice to lead a spiritual life. Take the narrow way of life, for few want to do this work. All of the words of the Gospel, Orthodox Services and prayers, and the many Church Fathers and their books, are all meant to be used for your salvation. So, start with the words. Learn what glory means, or grace or liturgy and Eucharist. Learn also how the words are used together, or understood by the Church. What does Commemorating the Theotokos have to do with my prayer? Our Lord said that most people do not want to take the narrow path and become closer to God, how sad and foolish. Choose to think, to think critically, about the Church and your salvation, and choose to be different. Come to Church, and put your mind to the words, and you will see spiritual growth. Fr Alexander

2 Thank you to everyone who participated in the All Holy Spirit Stewardship Program in If you have already completed a 2015 Stewardship card, Thank You! If you haven t, please consider participating in 2015 by completing a Stewardship Card. Cards are available in the Church office. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and vital for the support and growth of All Holy Spirit! Alexandra Bakke Chris & Carole Bakke John & Elaine Berger John & Debbie Birge Justin & Nicole Birge Effie Bitsos Paul & Dora Bitsos Nick Bitzes Phil & Tammy Bitzes Matt & Alexis Boulos Julie Bouzis Angie Brown Maria Brown Josh & Leah Busch Joe & Litsa Carter Karen Chader Tom & Brenda Denich John & Hillary Detisch Steve & Nikki Diamantis Mary Dounias David & Hellen Elfering Katie Elfering Sarah Elfering Elias & Demetra Eliopoulos Despina Foster Jordan Fox Jason & Tammy Gill Clark & Annie Gorder Zach Hennings Nick & Ria Hogan PARISH INFORMATION Address: 9012 Q Street, Omaha, NE Office Hours: Monday Friday: 10am 5pm Trey Tammy Honke Steve & Mariana Hurst Paul Jimenez Jeff Johannesmeyer Paul Jimenez Knox & Anastasia Jones Adam & Sandy Karavas Andy & Debbie Karavas Tesfaye & Yordanas Kinde Bob & Maria Knowles Christina Knowles Elaina Knowles Mike & Sandi Kriha Harry & Dee Lahs Bill & Cindy Lambert Robert & Maria Laws Ted & Helen Lazanas Bill Lewis Irene Maragos Jim & Deb McDonnell Michael McDonnell Jon & Liz Mehuron Mary Mitchell Mike & Nikki Moravec Spiro & Mary Moustakes Ashley Olson Linda Olson Mike & Gail Osberg James Panourakis Joe & Kiki Papke Fax: Phone: Website: Church: AHSoffice@allholyspirit.com John & Laura Pavalis Nick & Aphrodite Petrihos Helen Petrow Nick & Shelly Petrow Sophia Petrow Theodora Petrow George & Jody Poullos George Poulos George Pserros Gust & Joan Rakes Bill & Donna Sabo Chris & Nadine Saklar Bill & Joanne Sgourakis John & Michelle Sgourakis Anna Smith Julie Smith Steve & Heidi Thomson John & Kathy Treantos Sam Tsichlis Evan Vasiliades John Vasiliades Andy Vassios Fr. Elias & Pres Rose Warren Ted Warren Alyssa Wilger Andrea Wilger Peter & Stephanie Wilger Brian & Sheila Zachariae Fr. Alexander Lukashonok: FrAlexander@allholyspirit.com Services: Each Sunday Morning Prayers 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am 2 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

3 OUTREACH COMMITTEE Dora Bitsos The committee met again in December and we are making progress with planning ministry events for the year. OUTREACH : Family in Need Ministry It was a most rewarding experience to help a family from Field Club Elementary experience a special Christmas for this single mom and five children. Thank you to the Family in Need volunteers: Presbytera Oksana, Laura and John Pavalis, Peter Wilger, Andrea Wilger, Angie Brown, Alex Elfering, Robert Laws, Julie Bouzis, Tammy Gill, Heidi Thompson and Voula Kotrotsios who shopped and baked tirelessly and joyfully to provide clothes, toys, toiletries and food for this needy family. Robert, Andrea, Peter, and John unloaded two vehicles overflowing with much needed and appreciated items; Christmas gifts, food and household supplies to last for months. We all take so much for granted. We pick up a gallon of milk, fruit, meat, laundry soap, tissues, etc. without giving it a second thought. For this family the Family in Need Ministry was a Blessing and for us a very humbling experience. Already during the Holidays, the Family In Need Committee, led by Debbie Birge, had a very successful response from our community. The In-Reach Committee, led by Maria Knowles, has assisted and visited some of our shut-in parishioners and provided meals to recovering members. The Red Cross Ministry, lead by Bill Lambert, is working on making arrangements for training and we will communicate the date to those that have volunteered as well as to the entire community. Containers are available in the back of the church for clothing donations for the Open Door Mission. If you have coats and other winter clothing, please consider donating it is definitely needed and welcomed at the shelters. Look for our announcements as we start to post other events. Thank you all for the time and efforts! Family in Need Ministry Debbie Birge 3 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church February

4 PROSPHORA It s a great honor to offer the bread that will become the body and blood of Christ during Divine Liturgy. We still have a few openings. A Prosphora chart is posted in the fellowship hall. If you would like to offer Prosphora please sign on the Sundays you prefer. ORTHODOXY 101 Come join the 20 & 30 year-olds and participate in Orthodoxy 101 For more information, call Father or the Church office. SOCIAL HOUR We still have some openings for social hour. A chart is posted in the fellowship hall if you would like to donate treats for a special Sunday. Let the office know if you are going to bring your own treats. If not, donuts will be picked up and the cost is $30. Please make checks out to All Holy Spirit. ALTAR FLOWERS Would you like to help make the Altar even more beautiful for a special occasion: Name Day, Birthday, remembering a departed loved one, Anniversary, etc.? We still have openings on the chart. Please sign up in the fellowship hall on the Sunday you would like and contact Nikki Moravec at for more information. You can either bring the flowers to the church office on Fridays or contact Nikki and she can purchase them and bring them to the church for you. 4 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church Welcome the New Year! ST. BASIL DAY January 1st December

5 My name is Zachariah Michael Hennings from Omaha, Nebraska. My Patron Saint, Saint Raphael Hawaweeny of Brooklyn, looks after me on my Spiritual journey. Saint Raphael is a modern day Saint of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. I was raised and baptized protestant and was Chrismated into the Orthodox Faith after my marriage in I was originally drawn to the Orthodox Church because of the rich history that traces back to Christ and his Apostles. The fullness of the Divine Liturgy with the Icons, incense, and chanting made me feel at home both spiritually and physically. Ultimately, it was the kindness and sincerity of Orthodox Parish members that won me over. Over the years I let my drinking and anger act as demons in my marriage. During my nine year marriage I verbally abused my wife. I also spent long hours away from home drinking, doing drugs, and ignoring my family. I even got a DUI around three years ago. During the separation of my wife and me, my wife was uncomfortable with us attending the same Church. I chose to stay Orthodox so not to confuse our children and to rebuild my faith. I started attending Divine Liturgy at All Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, my wife and I divorced in December The Parish members of AHS have been extremely kind and helpful through this painful time in my life, even the ones that are unaware of my situation. My son, Isaac, and daughter, Gabrielle, have made friends in AHS s church school. Through prayer, fasting, and reading about the lives of the Saints, my heart embraces Orthodoxy as the True Church of Christ. With Spiritual guidance from Father Alexander and other various priests, I have been steered onto the right path for my spiritual journey. Everyday Saints by Archimandrite Tikhon and Wounded by Love by Elder (now Saint) Porphyrios, are just two of the books that have helped open my heart to Christ s healing Love. God has changed my life. I truthfully and literally typed this paper on my knees. I have not missed a Sunday of church since Holy Week 2014 when I attended an Orthodox boot camp (for lack of a better term) at Saint Lawrence Greek Church in Felton, California. My goal is to make it one whole year without missing any Sundays. I ve replaced alcoholism and drugs with Orthodoxy working as my new addiction. I ve been on a vegan diet for the good part of a year using techniques borrowed from novices and monks. Currently, I am picking up the pieces and working on patience and humility. Christ Is In Our Midst! Zach February

6 CONGRATULATIONS Steve & Heidi Thomson on the birth of your new daughter Laney Sophia born January 5, 2014 PARISH COUNCIL Introducing our new Parish Council: President: John Birge Vice -President: John Sgourakis Secretary: Chris Hoegemeyer Treasurer: Andrew Karavas Dora Bitsos Nicholas Petrow David Rakes John Treantos Peter Wilger Please pray for them as they work for the good of the Parish. ATTENTION No Saturday evening vespers until after Holy Pascha FEBRUARY AHEPA NEWS 2015 We met on Saturday, January 10 th of our regular meeting. Our discussion mostly centered on our upcoming Fish Fry. We decided that our Menu would stay the same as last year and also our bar would offer the same beers. We also discussed our Papuchis Cornhusker Football Preview and what will Plan B be if we lose this event. Our District #14 Governor, Don Vanover, paid us a visit. He discussed some of the District Programs, like the FEZ (quarterly Newsletter) and the district scholarships. He stated that our District Convention will be held in Rochester, MN on June 5-7, He also told us that the Supreme Convention for 2017 will be held at the Yacht Club Resort in Disney World, Orlando, FL. Disney will provide SPECIAL RATES for those attending the Convention along with their respective Families. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, February 7 th. THANK YOU It s a great honor to offer the bread that will become the body and blood of Christ during Divine Liturgy and we thank the following people who provided Prosphora for January: Joanne Sgourakis, Litsa Carter, Deb McDonnell and Debbie Birge. January Coffee Hour sponsors: Despina Foster, Nick Bitzes and Jim & Deb McDonnell. Thank you to Chris & Nadine Saklar for picking up donuts, making coffee, setting up and cleaning for the Sunday Morning Social Hour. Thank you for altar flowers this month to Mike & Sandi Kriha, Karen Chader, Jim & Deb McDonnell and John and Debbie Birge. 6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

7 2015 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL The ability to communicate is Essential. The ability to communicate our Orthodox Faith is Transformative. The 2015 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held on Sunday, February 15 in the social hall after Divine Liturgy. Here is a quick guide to participation by all of our age groups Grade 10-12: A 4 to 5 minute speech on one of the topics provided by Goarch.org. Grades 7-9: A 3 to 4 minute speech on one of the topics provided by Goarch.org. Grades 1-6: A 1 to 3 minute talk about any Orthodox related topic. The older the participant the longer the talk, but we will welcome and applaud whatever you feel comfortable doing! Preschool-Kindergarten: A simple recital, poem or prayer. Anything about their Orthodox faith! Workshop Not sure what to say, how to say it or just feel nervous about giving a speech? We can help! An optional speaker s workshop will be held on Saturday January 31 from 2pm to 4pm. Learn tips about preparing, delivering and gaining confidence in public speaking. This will be a fun paced session! Please ahsoffice@allholyspirit.com so we know how many people and what ages to prepare for. Topics Get your topics for grade 7-12 by googling 2015 Greek Oratorical or just visit Preparation Here are a couple of quick tips to preparing for this year s Oratorical Early: Books: Meaningful: Ask: Start working on your speech now! Practice is essential to build your confidence and to make corrections and improvements. Staring early will make you more confident in your talk. Dave Elfering will have a number of hard to get books that students may borrow during Sunday School class time and which will be available at the workshop. Look for a topic that you can relate to, or build a personalized message about. Not sure or feel stumped? Ask Father Alexander, your Sunday School teachers, parents or others for help! Want to Help? This event is unique in giving our youth a voice in their faith. If that is something you would like to be a part of, please contact Dave Elfering (aroundomaha@gmail.com) or the Parish office to volunteer. February

8 The Uncovering Of Our Self ODE TO SELF By Joe Carter The soft snow falls quietly around you Time and sorrow mingles between them Yet above all the sky is blue Your mind s eye begins to dim All around the air is cold The soft snow a thing of beauty You realize you are getting old And yet you still have your duty There is no time for regret There is no time for sorrow This is not the time to forget What must be done tomorrow Life is like a candle The wick burns bright Life may be more than we can handle But we get only one chance to get it right Now I say once and for all You must complete what you are about You must never contemplate a fall You can only stand and shout I am but a man I will never turn my back I will do what I can I will never cut myself slack Forward, always forward Never giving up Never be called a coward Until I drank from the cup Of forever. When someone gets sick, especially when one has to be examined by a doctor or has to be hospitalized and has to appear naked in front of others, he often feels ashamed. Thus did Adam and Eve feel ashamed before God after the Fall. Why is this? Because one s nakedness reveals the imperfections of one s real self. It reveals one s condition after the Fall, in other words, one s deadness. St. John Chrysostom says that it reveals one s wet (lucid) and unbounded, [loosed] or frozen way of life. Man tries to cover the sad truth of his sickened human nature and his illogical and unreasonable life from himself and from others because he believes that he will not be accepted and, thus, wants to protect himself from the pain of being rejected. But what he forgets or does not know is that if he does not unclothe himself and allow his physician to examine him, he will not be cured. The same takes place with our spiritual illnesses. If we do not uncover ourselves and allow our self and others to come to know our spiritual ailments; if we do not unload ourselves from the weight of our passions which bind us and immure us in a material world; if we do not change the direction of our life (i.e. if we do not repent); if we do not allow the Great Doctor of our souls and bodies to see us as we are, with all of our imperfections, then we will not allow Him to heal us and grant us the true life which is adorned with the bright vestment of His divine grace and philanthropy. ICON FLOWERS NEEDED February 1st, Presentation of our Lord February 27th, Theotokos If you would like to donate, please contact Nikki Moravec at If you would like to write a personal short story, poem or something fun about life experiences to put in the monthly Newsletter, contact the Church office! We have several fellowship events coming up in the next few months. If you are interested in sponsoring an event, please contact Tammy Gill at Thank you all for your continued support!! It is greatly appreciated. 8 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

9 1 Super Bowl February 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 Groundhog Day :30 am Morning Prayers 9:30 am Divine Liturgy PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD 9:30 am D.L. 7:00 pm Choir Practice ST. PARTHENIUS 9:30 am D.L. 8 8:30 am Morning Prayers 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 9 6:30 pm Parish Council Mtg 10 ST. HARALAMBOS 9:30 am D.L. 11 Clergy Retreat - Denver 12 Clergy Retreat - Denver 13 Clergy Retreat - Denver 14 Valentine's Day Clergy Retreat - Denver 7:00 pm Philoptochos 15 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL 16 Presidents' Day 7:00 pm Choir Practice :00 pm Christian Life Seminar #1 (Baptism) :30 8:00 AHEPA Fish Fry 21 SATURDAY OF SOULS 9:30 am D.L. 8:30 am Morning Prayers 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 22 Washington s Bday FORGIVENESS SUNDAY 8:30 am Morning Prayers 9:30 am Divine Liturgy TOWN HALL MEETING W/BRUNCH 23 GREAT LENT BEGINS 24 7:00 pm Great Canon 25 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy at AHS with Potluck 26 7:00 pm Great Canon 27 4:30 8:00 AHEPA Fish Fry 7:00 pm Salutations 28 SATURDAY OF SOULS 9:30 am D.L. USHER SCHEDULE February 2015 & March If you are unable to usher on your assigned Sunday please find a replacement within your group. 2/1 Bill & Cindy Lambert, Mike Kriha, Andy Karavas 2/8 Mike & Nikki Moravec, Joe Carter, Chris Hoegemeyer 2/15 George Poullos, Paul Bitsos, Elias Eliopoulos, John Birge 2/22 John & Elaine Berger, Dora Bitsos, Jeff Johannesmeyer 3/1 Brian & Sheila Zachariae 3/8 Josh Busch & Jim McDonnell 3/15 Bill & Cindy Lambert 3/22 Mike & Nikki Moravec 3/29 George Poullos & Paul Bitsos 98 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church February December

10 On February 4th we will read the entire third chapter, verses 1 to 18, of 2 Peter. The letter was probably written between the years 80 and 90. Part of the second chapter, verses 9 to 22, is read on February 3rd. Here we find a strong warning against false teachers. These are people who, though they accepted the Christian faith themselves, are now finding it difficult to adhere to Christianity's strict moral teachings while living in a far more permissive pagan society. So they are attempting to downplay those teachings, minimizing their importance. They are working to convince other Christians to go along with their ideas. The words Peter uses to describe them and their efforts are unequivocal. They are "waterless springs and mists driven by a storm," and they speak "bombastic nonsense." He compares them to a sow that is washed, only to wallow in the mud. They are "blots and blemishes, reveling in their dissipation." The danger of their malicious behavior is that they "entice unsteady souls." To emphasize the danger, Peter writes of them that "bold and willful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones." At first reading, we might think that he is saying that they defame the angels who do God's will. But in fact, he is accusing them of doing something even more serious. The "glorious ones" here are the powers that work against God. By slandering them, or disrespecting their power, the false teachers do something that even God's angels fear to do: "The angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgment from the Lord." The false teachers "slander what they do not understand," and in so doing they bring a terrible penalty not only on themselves but on those they can lure into following them. In describing their fate, Peter reminds his readers of the story, in Numbers 22, of a soothsayer named Balaam. He is hired by the Moabite king to pronounce a curse on the Israelites. Balaam is riding on his donkey and doesn't see the angel of the Lord standing in his path with a sword. But the donkey sees the angel three times, and stops. Balaam strikes the animal, still failing to see the angel blocking his path. Finally God makes the donkey speak, and makes Balaam realize that he is to bless, not curse, the people of Israel. In the letter's third chapter, Peter writes that some scoff at God because they don't see the fulfillment of the "promise of His coming." But Peter says that God is not slow. Rather, He is patiently giving all of us time to repent. We can trust Him to know when the "Day of the Lord" should come. There are still "glorious ones" in the world that beckon us with power beyond our ability to understand. Scoffing at that power is still mortally dangerous. But God will always try to save us, even by the embarrassing strategy of making a donkey smarter than we are. 10 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

11 PHILOPTOCHOS Philoptochos would like to thank all of the women who baked bread for our yearly Vasilopeta sale and all the families that purchased the loaves. You helped to make this a RECORD SETTING year with $3,500 in sales!! We truly appreciate everyone's effort and a special thank you to our auctioneer Gus Rakes who once again did a marvelous job. The ladies who baked bread or vasilopeta cake are: Stephanie Wilger, Joan Rakes, Angie Brown, Karen Chader, Michelle and Joanne Sgourakis, Nikki Diamantis, Hellen Elfering, Effie and Dora Bitsos, Annie Kosel, Voula Kotrotsios, and Aphrodite Petrihos. They were all so pretty and delicious! Those that purchased breads include: Teddy Petrow, Joe Papke, Debbie Birge, Sandy Kriha, George Rakes, Helen Lazanas, Jeff Johannesmeyer, Nick Petrow, Jason Gill, Basil Sabo, Dora Bitsos, John Birge/Niko Boulos, Pete Treantos, George Pserros, Joanne Sgourakis, John Sgourakis, John Berger, Paul Bitsos and Helen Petrow. Thanks also to Demetra and Elias Eliopoulos for donating an extra pan of pastichio to our auction (It sold for $140) and Helen Petrow and Stephanie Wilger for organizing the breads and keeping track of the sales. A special thank you also to our auction Spotters Chris Saklar and Peter Wilger for keeping things moving at a good pace. I am pleased to inform you that the final holiday pastry numbers have been tallied, and we are up 19% over last year with a total sale amount of $7,271! That's four years in a row ladies with increased sales of 11%-26%. That's fantastic! Everyone REALLY did a great job of selling this year. Our top three sellers were Kiki Papke, Effie Bitsos and Demetra Eliopoulos. Nice job ladies! Thank you to everyone who donated children's coats, toys and gift certificates to Project Harmony through the month of December and January. Also, thank you to everyone who attended our luncheon meeting at the Greek Islands Restaurant last month. It was productive and delicious! Our next meeting will be Tues., February 10th in the church hall at 7:00pm. February

12 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church 9012 Q Street Omaha, NE (402) office PRESORT STANDARD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No Omaha, NE Address Service Requested PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." Seek the Word of God Through Words Stewardship... 2 Community Activity... 3, 4, 6, 7, 11 My Life in Christ... 5 Ode to Self... 8 February Calendar and Usher Schedule... 9 Meet the Church Fathers...10 The Gospel of Luke