FORGIVENESS SUNDAY CHEESEFARE MARCH 2ND, 2014

Transcription

1 FORGIVENESS SUNDAY CHEESEFARE MARCH 2ND, 2014 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 Eothinon/Tone Three 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. Schedule for the Week Monday, March 3-10 a.m. Project Comfort Meeting 7 p.m. Compline Service Tuesday, March 4-7 p.m. Compline Service Wednesday, March 5th - 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy followed by Orthodoxy 101 Thursday, March 6th - 10 a.m. Church Cleaning Project Friday, March 7th - 10 a.m. Visitation Ministry Meeting at IHOP on Marketplace 7 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos Saturday, March 8th - Saturday of Souls - 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 5 p.m.great Vespers Parish Council On Duty Today - Bill Manos & Greg Pappas Ushering Ministry - PC/Parishioners Welcoming Ministry - Eleni Jordan Fellowship Ministry - Evon Patrick ACOLYTES: Jacob Atkins, Zachery Bethune, Mike & Peter Jordanopolos, Thomas Miller, Evan & Mitchell Roussey, Mike Trainor, Alex & Niko Tzevelekos and Christos Zourzoukis SENIOR ACOLYTES: Mike Manos, Dean Pryles

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday) Reading: The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone: Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world. Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone: O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen." We Also Remember Hesychius the Martyr Our Holy Father Nicholas Planas Andronikos & Athanasia the Martyrs Theodotos the Holy Martyr, Bishop of Cyrena Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, Angie, Bill, Bill, Brent, Carrie, Demetra, Diane, Dina, Donna, Ela, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, George, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jamie, Jerry, Joe, Maria, Michael, Nicky, Oni, Patsy, Paul, Peter, Staikoula, Taki, Tara, Violeta, John & Sheila Consos, Katherine & Sam Yalanzon Happy 3rd Birthday to Katherine Powell daughter of Fr. Barnabas & Presvytera Connie

4 EPISTLE Reading The Reading is from St. Paul s Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4. Psalm 75.11,1 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand. ΑΩ Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.

5 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21 The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." ΑΩ Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν.σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.

6 UPCOMING SERVICES/EVENTS Sunday, March 2nd - Forgiveness Sunday 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by Forgiveness Vesper Service Monday, March 3rd - Clean Monday Tuesday, March 4th Wednesday, March 5th Thursday, March 6th 10 a.m. Project Emily Christie s home 7 p.m. Compline Service for Clean Week 7 p.m. Compline Service for Clean Week 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy 10 a.m. Church Cleaning Project 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos Board Mtg. Friday, March 7th - Anniversary of Father Barnabas Ordination 10 a.m. Visitation Ministry Meeting at IHOP on Marketplace Boulevard 7 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos Saturday, March 8th -Saturday of Souls 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 5 p.m. Great Vespers Sunday, March 9th - Sunday of Orthodoxy 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by St. RNI s St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Presentation followed by Procession of Icons for Sunday of Orthodoxy PLEASE BRING AN ICON & PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESSION Wednesday, March 12th Friday, March 14th Saturday, March 15th 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy 7 p.m. 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos 5 p.m. Great Vespers Sunday, March 16th - Godparents Sunday 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by Brunch in honor of Godparents

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Father Barnabas is 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. Father Paul is available on Sunday during Orthros to hear confession, but no later than 9:20 a.m. Please phone the church office to make an appointment. Please call the Church office for more information (770) FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY 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 for your support of this Ministry. AHEPA MOTHER LODGE CHAPTER NO. 1 EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC SCHOLARSHIPS Attention H.S. Seniors, H.S. Graduates, College Students & College Graduates planning to attend or attending College/University Full-time This year the Educational Fund will aware several scholarships ranging from $1,000-$2,500. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of financial need and merit. Father Barnabas has information on eligibility requirements and applications. Applications must be postmarked not later than March 14, Contact Ginny in the Church Office if you are interested.

8 COMMUNITY FUND RAISING The first quarter (Sep-Dec 2013) we were enrolled in the Kroger Community Rewards Program, we had 6 parishioners sign up and the Parish will receive about $50 from their purchases. It doesn t seem like much, but it is free money to the Parish. If you have a Kroger Plus card, please sign up for the Community Rewards program & help the Parish receive the monetary rewards. KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM Kroger is now offering a Community Rewards Program in our area to help bring funds to organizations simply by their membership registering their Kroger Plus card online and then shopping. Each time you use your Kroger Plus card a donation is made to our Church and the Church will receive a reward check on a quarterly basis. Register your Kroger Plus Card online at Krogercommunityrewards.com Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with: Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc as your organization of choice. That s all there is to it! The more you shop at Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card the more donations Kroger will make to our Church account. Don t have a Kroger Plus card? They are available at Kroger Customer Service Counter. If you use your phone number when you are checking out instead of having the Kroger Plus card scanned, call , select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number and then proceed to register your card number at the above website. If you have any questions about this new fundraiser, please contact Ginny Kostulakos at or officeadmin@stsrni.org P.S. Sts. RNI is officially registered as a 501(C)(3) under the name of Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc.

9 CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION Church School September 8th THROUGH May 18, 2014 A focus on Sacraments and Feasts; Scripture and Bible Stories; Saints and Orthodox Spirituality in communion with our teachers and our children. Church School has Begun! Registration forms are in the Narthex. Pre-K through High School Students need to sign up. Church School Teachers are needed in 3-5 grade as well as High School. GREEK SCHOOL Contact Smara Wolff for information on Greek School - smara.wolff@gmail.com or Spring Semester Classes have begun. 1st Grade Classes held on: Friday - 6:15-7 p.m. or 7-7:45 p.m. 2nd Grade Class held on: Thursday - 6:45-7:45 p.m. Advanced Class held on: Sunday p.m. Spring Semester Classes will began January 23rd, 2014 and run through May Registration forms are in the Narthex.

10 PHILOPTOCHOS THANK YOU The Philoptochos would like to thank all who helped, donated &/or attended the Apokriatiko Glendi on February 22nd. It was a very successful evening and we believe all who attended had a fun evening of fellowship. Helen McCart, Chr. Philoptochos is the philanthropic arm of the church, reaching out to those in need of assistance locally, within the Metropolis and nationally Membership Drive has begun. It is time to renew your membership or join Philoptochos for the first time. Membership Forms are available in the Narthex. GENERAL MEETING Thursday, March 20th, 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Spice Restaurant - Bethelview & Castleberry Roads, Cumming (Publix Shopping Center) RSVP to Marie Chapman or mommystargater@gmail.com Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos 8th Annual Spiritual Retreat March 21-23, 2014 Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, South Carolina Theme: Sts. Martha & Mary: Practicing our Faith as Orthodox Women Presented by: Presvytera Mary Christy of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Raleigh, NC Registration is $150/person and includes 2 nights lodging, 5 meals beginning Friday evening dinner through Sunday brunch, around the clock beverage & snack station, all instruction and materials. Registration Deadline: March 12, 2014 Registration Forms in Philoptochos Mailbox in Church Office

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS CLEAN WEEK CLEAN UP - Getting ready for Pascha and we need to clean our house. Please plan to spend a few hours on Clean Thursday, March 6th, to help clean the furnishings, candle holders and wax that has been accumulating in the sanctuary, the narthex, the chairs and the floors. We will have cleaning supplies, but please bring any good cleaning supplies that work well on these items and your expertise. We will meet at 10 a.m. and work until 1 p.m. If you are able to come, please contact Florence Lytle at Florence.Lytle@bellsouth.com or call VISITATION MINISTRY - Friday, March 7th - 10 a.m. Visitation Ministry IHOP on Marketplace Blvd - Helen McCart WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - Wednesday Bible Study has resumed. We meet each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Youth Room. We are currently studying Hebrews. Please bring your Bibles and a note pad. Prosforo Baking - Prosforo Baking will be on Tuesday, March 18th, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Blue House. All who would like to come and help are welcome. Contact Stamatia Hagen at mamma2maria@gmail.com

12 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sts. RNI Bookstore News Your purchases through Amazon helps us raise money! We have a new e-store on Amazon for the Sts. RNI Bookstore. This is an Amazon webstore that we put items into categories like books, cds, jewelry, food, etc. and we get paid 10% on all sales through our store. If someone from the church wants to buy something on Amazon, they need to click through our link for us to get credit. Also, if anyone wants a book, cd, etc., not on our list, they need to let us know & we can add it to the site. Use the link: For more information or to add items, contact Aftan Romanczak at aromanczak@hotmail.com Visitors Welcome Dina Sarandis resides at The Oaks Post Road and welcomes visits from fellow parishioners. Dina says THANK YOU to those who have visited her and wants you to know that she has really enjoyed the company. She looks forward to more visitors. John & Sheila Consos are now residing in Dunwoody 4355 Georgetown Sq., Unit 442 and would enjoy phone calls (770/ ) &/or visits. Sam & Katherine Yalanzon Rivermont Parkway, Alpharetta (after 1 p.m.) If you know of someone who would like a visit, please contact Helen McCart at or the Church Office. If you don t see someone for a while, please pick up the phone & make a call and let them know that they are missed. If you don t have time for visiting, a phone call or card would also be appreciated.

13 HOPE & JOY SUNDAY, March 16th 1:30-2:30 p.m. HOPE & JOY youth to visit The Oaks Senior Living 3875 Post Road, Cumming Come visit with local elderly (and our own Dina Sarandis) and make a fun St. Patrick s Day craft. We will have lunch for the kids in the Blue House after Church and then go over to The Oaks together around 1 p.m. Parents: Please sign up to bring items for lunch for the children & adults. All children are welcome! We would like a final headcount by TODAY, March 2, so we can order enough craft supplies. Please RSVP by using sign-up genius: or contact Jennie Johnson at jenniepsi@yahoo.com or

14 ANNOUNCEMENTS OWN A PIECE OF THE PARISH LIFE CENTER For $75/square foot, you could own a piece of our NEW Parish Life Center. The Parish Council fundraiser to complete renovations is underway. Buy one or more for yourself, your children, your Godchildren, Yiayia or Papou. See a Parish Council Member for more information. PROJECT COMFORT - If you enjoy crocheting or knitting (or would like to learn), please contact Emily Christie at singcookwrite@gmail.com or Emily has started a ministry to make baby blankets & shawls for newborns & sick or shut-ins or for someone who just may need some comfort & a warm hug. Project Comfort meets the first Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at Emily s home Mistybrooke Court, Alpharetta LENTEN FOOD DRIVE Hunger knows no season. Our Loaves & Fishes food collection barrel in the Narthex is empty. Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to fill our food barrel that we may share our blessings with those less fortunate.

15 4th Quarter Financial Status 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December st Quarter Financial Status 2014 January 2014 February 28, 2014 Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) External Income $11, $11, $34, $15, $16, Greek Fest Xfer (External) $21, $0 $0 $0 $5, Op Acct External Income Subtotal $33, $11, $34, $15, $22, Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) External Expenses $25, $23, $24, $21, $18, Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) Net $8, $(11,823.72) $10, $(6,257.70) $3, Parish Monthly Income/Expense Analysi

16 To date the 66 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for James & Angeline Andropoulos George & Maria Andros Sarante & Julie Athenson Anthony & Mary Birozes Renee Birozes Jordan & Lisa Boston David & Michelle Boyd Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto David & Marie Chapman Grace Chihlas Julie Chokos Connie Condos John & Sheila Consos Keith & Mary Druffner Quay & Trissie Farr Chris & Elizabeth Foxhall Robert & Jennifer Guano Harald & Stamatia Hagen Allison Hammond Mark & Jennie Johnson Eleni Jordan Panagiotis & Melanie Jordanopoulos Vasilis & Mary Kaloudis Aphrodite Levendakis-Kazazakis Archie & Florence Lytle Tina Maheras Wade & Andrea Mancil William & Margaret Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes Riley & Ann Marvos George Matthews Al & Helen McCart Johnny Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matthew & Athena Miller Nikolaos Moissiadis Patricia Morris Nicolas & Teddie Panos Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Lazaros & Christina Papadopoulous Gregory Pappas Gus Pappas John & Evon Patrick Michele Perry Mihai & Heidi Popa Fr. Barnabas & Presvytera Connie Powell Pam Powers Vic & Suzi Pryles Marina Raymond Donna Sagnelli Taka & Kathy Shoji Jimmy Smith Estelle Sofikitis Koko & Carol Tadros Steven & Thalia Thompson Ed & Anne Trainor Nick & Eva Thrasivoulou Brian & Jennifer Tubbs Greg Tzevelekos/Evie Atkinson Rusty & Christine Waldron Diane Walters Steven & Smara Wolff Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Len Vanerstrom Jacob & Katherine Wilson Sam & Katherine Yalanzon Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one s self to God, as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying I believe as proof of that belief Parish Council John Patrick, President; Harald Hagen, Vice President; Kosta Bozzuto, Secretary; Chris Foxhall, Treasurer David Chapman, Marie Chapman, Quay Farr, Bill Manos, Johnny Melts, Greg Pappas, Plutarch Vamvakias