SUNDAY BEFORE HOLY CROSS September 9th, 2012

Transcription

1 SUNDAY BEFORE HOLY CROSS September 9th, 2012 Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos Jimmy Smith, Psaltis 3074 Bethelview Road Cumming GA (770) cell (770) We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

2 WORSHIP Third Gospel/Tone - Plagal First We are so very glad you have joined us today, and we pray you will be inspired and encouraged by your time with us. The Orthodox worship service is an ancient and timeless expression of how people have loved, served and worshipped God for many centuries, but it may be a bit of a different experience for you. Please feel free to use a service book or not and simply allow the words of the service to wash over you. The central act of our worship culminates in people receiving communion. This is a very special time for us all and we have some specific beliefs about our communion together. This is why we never impose this service on those who are not prepared or are not baptized Orthodox. This service may raise questions in your mind. Please feel free to ask Fr. Barnabas or Fr. Paul anything you wish after the service. At the end of the service EVERYONE is invited to come forward and receive a portion of the blessed bread from Fr. Barnabas. No one should leave church hungry! Know you are welcome and we are glad you are here. May God bless you and your family. Apolytikion in honor of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Having contended on Lesvos for the sake of Christ God, you have sanctified the island since the discovery of your sacred relics, O blessed ones; wherefore we honor you, O Godbearing Raphael, together with Nicholas and virgin Irene, as our divine protectors and intercessors with the Lord. Today we welcome Fr. Anthony Salzman of St. Philothea Parish, Athens as our guest. He will speak to us about the beauty & theology of iconography. Fr. Barnabas is serving as the guest of St. Philothea Parish in Athens and will speak about parish outreach and evangelism. Prosforo: Is lovingly offered by the Prosforo Ministry Volunteers Schedule for the Week Wednesday, Sept. 12th - 6:30 p.m. Vespers Thursday, Sept. 13th - 6:30 p.m. Vesperal Liturgy for Exaltation of the Holy Cross Saturday, Sept. 15th 5 p.m. Great Vespers Parish Council On Duty Today - Vic Pryles & David Chapman Welcoming Ministry - Tina Maheras - Ushering Ministry - Men s Club ACOLYTES Zachery Bethune, James Blane, Nathan Frazier, Dean Pryles, Nicholas Pryles, Mike Manos, Giovanni Ray, Tommy Roberts, Luke Sulyma, Mike Trainor, Connor Walters, Roney Walters, Thomas Miller and Christos Zourzoukis STS. RNI YOUTH CHOIR Jessica Catapano, Maria Hagen, Christina Pryles & Laramie Smith

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER Sunday Before Holy Cross Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone: Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection. Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone: In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life." Resurrectional Kontakion in the Plagal of the First Tone: In Thy condescension, Thou didst descend into Hades, O my Saviour, and having broken the gates since Thou art omnipotent, as Creator Thou didst raise up the dead together with Thyself. And Thou didst break the sting of death, O Christ, and didst deliver Adam from the curse, O Friend of man. Wherefore, we all cry unto Thee: Save us, O Lord. We Also Remember The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim & Anna Severian the Martyr of Sebastia Theophanes the Confessor Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, Archie, Bill, Bill, Carrie, Demetra, Dina, Donna, Efthymios, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jerry, Joe, John, Maria, Michael, Nomiki, Oni, Paul, Sarah, Taki, Tara and Violeta Remember Our Military Connor Walters (son of Diane & Tim Walters, grandson of Jimmy & Pat Roney) is in basic training at the Marine Corps Base in Paris Island, SC. Cards & letters, along with your prayers, from home would be welcome. RCT Walters, CP rd BN, LIMA CO, PLT 3072 P.O. Box MCRD Paris Island, SC

4 Epistle Reading The Reading is from St. Paul s Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18 The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and not only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Α Ω Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.

5 Gospel Reading The Reading is from John 3:13-17 The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." Α Ω Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Wisdom from the Fathers" The drunkard, the fornicator, the proud he will receive God s mercy. But he who does not want to forgive, to excuse, to justify consciously, intentionally that person closes himself to eternal life before God, and even more so in the present life. He is turned away and not heard. --Elder Heiroschemamonk Sampson (Sievers) of Russia Sunday, September 16th - Back-to-Church Sunday "Hey, how would you like to go to church with me this Sunday?" Chances are you've never heard this phrase and most likely you have never spoken it... Studies show that 82% of unchurched people would attend if someone invited them! Yet fewer than 2% of Christians ever invite an unchurched person! National Back to Church Sunday was designed to change that. Most people who drop out of church haven't lost their faith in God; they simply fell out of the habit of churchgoing. Some moved or had a change in life circumstances, or they had a falling out with their former church and simply drifted away. Most often, life became too busy and this means many of them could be open to returning to church. That's why Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church is participating in Back to Church Sunday on September 16th. We are encouraging our faithful to invite someone they know to church services that Sunday. Call someone you haven't seen in church for a while and invite them back. Invite a neighbor who has asked about Orthodoxy to come with you to services on that Sunday. Take the chance that what you've gained by regular worship can also help someone else. Back to Church Sunday is September 16. Fr. Barnabas will have a special message on that Sunday as we all share the beauty and life-giving liturgy of the Greek Orthodox faith with our family, friends, and neighbors. We are the light of the world; it's time to shine! WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - THIS WEEK The Wednesday morning Bible Study will resume Wednesday, Sep. 12th, at 10 a.m. continuing with the study of the Gospel of John.. The Wednesday evening class A Step-by-Step Look at the Divine Liturgy will begin on Wednesday, Sep. 12th, following 6:30 p.m. Vespers. Father Barnabas will be available to hear confession every Wednesday either before or after Vespers and by appointment. Please call or the church office to request a time to meet with Father and avail yourself to this healing divine mystery of the Church.

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Book Club Meeting Schedule We will begin a new book - Wounded by Love The life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios This book is wonderful. Some of the topics we will discuss, in addition to his wonderful life story at the beginning, are: Spiritual Struggle Prayer Love for One s Neighbor Upbringing of Children Gift of Clear Sight September 15, 22, 29 All meetings will begin following Saturday evening Vespers. The book is in the Gift Shop at church or it can be found at For more information call contact Donna Smith at missmagnoliasmoxie@gmail.com or Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com ATTENTION H.S. School Students St. Photios Foundation 2012 Seventh Annual Essay Contest This essay contest is open to high school students. There is no entry fee. A 1,000 word essay needs to be submitted by November 9th, 2012 comparing & contrasting the immigration story of the Greeks who came to America in 1768 and a person you know either a family member or friend. What commonalities impressed you as you learned their stories? For more information see the Announcement on the bulletin board in the hallway between the Narthex and Sunday School rooms. THANK YOU Thank you to Eleni Jordan, Helen McCart, Anna Plakiotis & Smara Wolff for their help with making baklava for the festival on Friday. More baking will be done on Friday, September 14, at the Blue House beginning at 9 a.m. Come if you can. All hands are welcome. Ginny Kostulakos & Johnny Melts

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS Volunteers & Donations needed for The Place Luncheon September 26, 2012 Sts. RNI Ladies Philoptochos will be sponsoring the Wednesday Noon Day Meal at The Place Forsyth. Typically we serve folks who need a good meal. We need 4-5 volunteers to help set-up, serve & clean up. We meet about 10:30 a.m. and are all done by 1 p.m. at the latest. Food needs are: 12 family size meat lasagnas 10 loaves of Italian or French bread 10 heads of iceberg lettuce Tomatoes Cucumbers 6 gallons of milk pans (9x12 ) of brownies no nuts 6 bags of fruit (apple/orange mix) Monetary donations also accepted. To volunteer contact: Anne Trainor at annetrainor@bellsouth.net or at AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR What is an AED? An automated external defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. One AED has been donated. Donations are still needed to cover the cost of the 2nd unit (approximately $1,500). Thank you for your support with this important project! Sts. RNI Parish Council Sts. RNI Choir Practice NEW DAY/NEW TIME Today - SUNDAY - Immediately following Divine Liturgy in the Chapel Contact Marie Chapman for more information or mommystargater@comcast.net

9 GREEK FEST 2012 JUST 6 MORE WEEKS! SAVE THE DATES Friday, October 19th 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 20th 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, October 21st 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. We also need help: Set-Up - Thursday, October 18th Clean-Up - Monday, October 22nd Ask how you can become a steward of this wonderful event. Questions, concern, and to volunteer to help plan the Festival should be ed to Johnny Melts at greekfest@stsrni.org. Father Barnabas asks you to volunteer now so we can firm up our plans and schedules. Use one of the Festival Volunteer sheets and reserve your spot! A sign-up table will be in the Narthex or outside (weather permitting). OPA! Donation Wishlist for Festival Baking The following are items needed for baking: 50 lbs #7 filo ($125); 150 lbs sugar ($75); 12 gal. milk ($36); 40 doz eggs ($50); 100 lbs flour ($40); 40 lbs honey ($300); 20 lbs walnuts ($150); 50 lbs salted butter; If anyone would like to donate any of these items or money towards the purchase, please contact Johnny Melts (greekfest@stsrni.org) or Ginny Kostulakos (wordscan49@att.net or )

10 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday, September 16th - Sunday School Begins (Please note new start date. Change made due to conflict with Diakonia Work Weekend) Registration HAS BEGUN - Sign up TODAY Parents, please register your children for Sunday School early so that we can plan for classroom space and supplies. Volunteers are needed for Sunday School teachers and assistants. Your participation makes Sunday School possible. Please contact Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com SAVE THE DATE Saturday, September 22nd, 5 p.m. - GOYA Opa Picnic Fundraiser Join us for food, fun & fellowship! Sunday, September 23rd - General Assembly Meeting will be held following the Divine Liturgy Prosforo Baking CHANGED TO TUESDAY, September 25th - 9 a.m. Contact Stamatia Hagen for more information at mamma2maria@aol.com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED A Chairman for the Sunday Fellowship Hour Please see Florence Lytle if you are interested in volunteering to chair this ministry. Grace Chihlas has chaired this Ministry since its inception and done a wonderful job of planning & providing refreshments each Sunday. Thank you Grace for your service.

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS FELLOWSHIP HOUR Our Fellowship Hour Donation Campaign has begun. A suggested donation of $25/family helps cover the cost of the weekly Fellowship Hour. Checks should be made payable to Sts. RNI G.O. Church with Fellowship on the memo line. We hope you have enjoyed the refreshments provided over the past year and will continue to support the Fellowship Committee s efforts to serve you each Sunday. Thank you all for your support of this Ministry. Greek Dance for Teens Thanks to Andrea Mancil for volunteering to teach our middle and high school teens Greek Dance. These lessons will begin Sunday, September 9th, following Divine Liturgy out on the lawn. The focus will be to get the teens ready to dance at our Greek Festival. All middle and high school youth are encourage & welcome to join these classes. Contact Mrs. Suzi Pryles for more information. GREEK LANGUAGE & GREEK DANCE Sts. RNI Hellenic Studies Ministry will be offereing Greek Language & Greek Dance classes again this year. If you are interested in signing up for Greek Language contact Smara Wolff at or smara.wolff@gmail.com. If you are interested in Greek Dance classes, please send an to officeadmin@stsrni.org. Thank you, Hellenic Studies Ministry 2012 PARISH COUNCIL Dennis Kostulakos (President), John Patrick (Vice President), Paul Ray (Secretary), Vic Pryles (Treasurer), David Chapman, Harald Hagen, Harriet Howell and Florence Lytle Our Vision & Mission Our vision as Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church is to grow as a family in Christ. Our mission as a Greek Orthodox Church is to serve God and neighbor, strengthen the family and reach out to the community.

12 To date the 95 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for Nicholas & Varvara Alexiou Jim & Angie Andropoulos Richard & Sophia Bethune Paul & Elaine Bilson Anthony & Mary Birozes Renee Birozes Katherine Blanos Joseph (Ike) Bonnelli-Barbara Selwa Jordan & Lisa Boston Niko & Helen Bouboulis Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto Thalia Bruno Athena Catapano David & Marie Chapman Grace Chihlas Julie Chokos Roy & Lydia Clarkson Arthur Costakis Jamie Crossno Dean & Jenny Demos Wesley & Donna Dennison Keith & Mary Druffner Quay & Trissie Farr Chris & Liz Foxhall Dan & Sonia Frazier Paul & Caroline Geertgens Robert & Jennifer Guano Harald & Stamatia Hagen Kevin & Allison Hammond Christine Hatcher Michael & Ann Hayes Harriet Howell Mark & Jennie Johnson Eleni Jordan Bill & Mary Kaloudis Jim Kanellos Maria Kalou Kardomateas Theodoros & Aphrodite Kazazakis-Levendakis Tasso & Laura Kefalas Jackie Klock Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos Jonathan & Kelley Kostulakos Louis & Dianne Koulouvaris Alex & Melpo Levantis Earnest & Elizabeth Livaditis Leon & Frances Lopez Archie & Florence Lytle Connie Machoudy Harry & Tina Maheras Kiki Manolakis Emanuel Manos William & Margaret Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes Riley & Elizabeth Marvos Al & Helen McCart Johnny & Becky Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matt & Athena Miller Nik Moissiades James Morakis Patricia Morris Nick & Teddie Panos Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Gus & Albie Pappas John & Evon Patrick Lawson & Susan Plummer Mihai & Heidi Popa Fr. Barnabas & Pres. Connie Powell Pam Powers Katherine Prattes Vic & Suzi Pryles Paul & Gigi Ray Earl & Marina Raymond David & Mary Roberts Jimmy & Pat Roney Bill & Debbie Sarandis Dina Sarandis Philip & Anastasia Sarros Taka & Kathryn Shoji Eric & Donna Smith George & Anna Sofikitis Stamatia (Estelle) Sofikitis Dennis & Laura Sparks Robert & Alexis Sulyma Tohotmos & Carol Tadros Mike & Estelle Theodosion Nikolaos & Eva Thrasivoulou Ed & Anne Trainor Brian & Jennifer Tubbs Sharon Tyre James & Jane Vlahos Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Tim & Diane Walters Steve & Smara Wolff Sam & Katherine Yalanzon