17TH SUNDAY OF LUKE MARCH 3rd, 2013 Sunday of The Prodigal Son

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1 17TH SUNDAY OF LUKE MARCH 3rd, 2013 Sunday of The Prodigal Son 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 Sixth Gospel/Tone Plagal Second 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 Wednesday, Mar. 6th - 6:30 p.m. Vespers Saturday, Mar. 9th 1st Saturday of Souls 8:30 a.m. Orthros/9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 5 p.m. Great Vesper Service Parish Council On Duty Today - Vic Pryles & Paul Ray Ushering Ministry - Parish Council/Parishioners Welcoming Ministry - Trissie Farr ACOLYTES Zachery Bethune, James Blane, Nathan Frazier, Nicholas Pryles, Tommy Roberts, Luke Sulyma, Mike Trainor, Thomas Miller and Christos Zourzoukis SENIOR ACOLYTES Dean Pryles, Mike Manos STS. RNI YOUTH CHOIR Tabitha Bethune, Jessica Catapano, Maria Hagen, Christina Pryles & Laramie Smith 2013 Parish Council President - John Patrick; Vice President - Harald Hagen; Recording Secretary - Paul Ray; Corresponding Secretary - Harriet Howell; Treasurer - Vic Pryles; Sophia Bethune, Kosta Bozzuto, Marie Chapman, Quay Farr, Chris Foxhall and Eric Smith

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER 17th Sunday of Luke Sunday of the Prodigal Son Reading: Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast. Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Second Tone: When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You. Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone: O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants." We Also Remember Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus & Basiliscus Theodoretos the Holy Martyr of Antioch Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, Angie, Bill, Bill, Carrie, Demetra, Dina, Donna, Efthymios, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, George, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jerry, Joe, John, Maria, Michael, Oni, Paul, Peter, Sarah, Staikoula, Taki, Tara and Violeta Dina Sarandis resides at The Oaks on Post Road and welcomes visits from fellow parishioners. John & Sheila Consos are now residing in Dunwoody 4355 Georgetown Sq., Unit 442 and would enjoy phone calls (770/ ) &/or visits. If you know of someone who would like a visit, please contact Helen McCart at or the Church Office.

4 Epistle Reading The Reading is from St. Paul s 1st Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20 The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 32.22,1 Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous. Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God. Α Ω Ἀδελφοί, πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ πάντα συμφέρει πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος. Τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ, καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. Τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ κύριος τῷ σώματι ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ τὸν κύριον ἤγειρεν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; Ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; Μὴ γένοιτο. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν. Ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν. Φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. Πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ; Καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ.

5 Gospel Reading The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32 The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" Α Ω

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Wisdom from the Fathers" "If sorrows surround you, rejoice! For you are traveling on the right path, and he who does not run away from sorrows, but bears them as he is able, will receive the eternal Kingdom." St. Anatoly of Optina HOUSE BLESSINGS Father Barnabas is eager to come to your home for the annual blessing of homes after Epiphany. Please either fill out the request form in the Narthex & return it to the office or call the church office to schedule your house blessing with Father. House blessings will be conducted until the start of Great Lent on March 18th. Father Barnabas will be away Tuesday, March 5th, through Thursday, March 7th, for the Metropolis of Atlanta Clergy Sydesmos. In case of emergency, please contact Fr. Paul Stoll or An Invitation to Sts. RNI Family Major Peter Nunn & Jamie Crossno would like to extend an open invitation to the members of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene to witness their Marriage at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9th, 2013 at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church A reception will follow at the Forrest Hills Mountain Resort in the Rose Garden Room 135 Forrest Hills Road, Dahlonega In lieu of gifts, the bride & groom are requesting that donations be made in their name to Sts. RNI.

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS BIBLE STUDY CLASSES Wednesday, March 6th - 10 a.m. Study of the Book of Philippians Wednesday, March 6th - following 6:30 p.m. Vespers A Step-by-Step Look at the Divine Liturgy Thursday, March 7th - 6:30 p.m. Study of the Book of Philippians 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. Please call the Church office for more information (770) Sts. RNI Choir Practice Today - SUNDAY - Immediately following Divine Liturgy in the Chapel Contact Marie Chapman for more information or mommystargater@comcast.net IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES Wednesday, March 6th - Philoptochos serving lunch at The Place Saturday, March 9th - Apokriatiko Glendi (Mardi Sugar Mill Clubhouse, Sweet Creek Rd & Sugar Crest Rd, Johns Creek - sponsored by Philoptochos Sunday, March 10th - Sts. RNI Parish Oratorical Festival Friday-Sunday, March 15th-17th - Sts. RNI Labor of Love the Diakonia Center Friday & Saturday, April 12th & 13th - Sts. RNI Parish Lenten Retreat with Fr. Steven Dalber, priest at St. Nektarios parish, Charlotte, NC, as guest speaker Saturday, April 20th - Sts. RNI Parish hosting the Metropolis District Level Oratorial Festival

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS Saturday of Souls March 9th, 16th & 23rd 8:30 Orthros 9:30 Divine Liturgy Please complete & return the form below to Father Barnabas or Father Paul for names to be memorialized during the Saturday of Souls services.

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS Apokriatiko Glendi Saturday, March 9th, 6:30 p.m. Sugar Mill Clubhouse Sweet Creek Road & Sugar Crest Road, Johns Creek Come for food, fellowship & fun! Buffet Dinner, Beverage & Dessert (Adults can BYOB) Tickets $10/adult - $5/children 12 & under Tickets are available from Chr. Julie Athenson ( or julesathenson@yahoo.com) Hosted by Sts. RNI Philoptochos Sunday School Sunday School students will be dismissed after receiving the Eucharist. (Teens will be in new youth room, 6th-8th grade in the Blue House.) Any questions or concerns, or for more information, contact Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com GOYA Sunday, March 17th - 5 p.m. Bible Study with Fr. Barnabas at the home of Eleni Athenson Craigleith Dr., Duluth RSVP or julesathenson@yahoo.com THANK YOU to our generous parishioners for donating to the IOCC Super Bowl of Caring Campaign. Our donation of $256 will go towards the IOCC s efforts to fight against poverty.

10 ANNOUNCEMENTS PHILOPTOCHOS Wednesday, March 6th - Philoptochos will be serving lunch at The Place. All hands are welcome to come & help. Contact Helen McCart at Membership Drive has begun. ALL are welcome to join. Philoptochos is not just a ladies organization anymore! BOOK CLUB Please join us after Saturday Vespers for Food, Fellowship, and Good Conversation! Saturday, March 9th - Chapters Please bring a dish to share for our covered dish supper. For more information, contact Lisa myakunda.com or Donna missmagnoliasmoxie@gmail.com SUNDAY SCHOOL This year we have an exciting way to learn about Pascha using Pascha Passports! The Pascha Passport contains pages where we can journey through the destinations of Lent and Holy Week. Along the way we receive a stamp for attendance. The passport includes sections on the Triodion; the Five Sundays of Lent; a Daily Journal for prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and scripture reading; a Special Weekly Services section, Holy Week and the Paschal Vigil. There is space for one s notes and reflections as well as a place for the voyager to claim the journey as their own and have their Passport sealed with the church seal. Each section explains why the Church offers these services and what they are meant to teach us as we travel the road to the Empty Tomb. Also during Lent, we will be learning about and raising money for Project Mexico. A three week curriculum written by Project Mexico, along with a DVD, will be used to help educate us about this worthy cause. For more information contact Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com Prosforo Baking Tuesday, March 12, 2013 Contact Stamatia Hagen for more information at mamma2maria@aol.com or All hands are welcome!

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 Donors Jim & Angie Andropoulos Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto Grace Chihlas John & Beth Doulgerakis Mariya & Gregory Dunkel Chris & Liz Foxhall Jean Gwaltney, Harriet Howell Eleni Jordan Vasilios Kaloudis Jim Kanellos Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos, Florence & Archie Lytle Bill & Margaret Manos Riley & Elizabeth Marvos Mary & Bill Milam Athena & Matt Miller Nik Moissiades Patricia Morris Nick & Teddie Panos Gus Pappas Fr. Barnabas & Pres. Connie Powell Vic & Suzi Pryles Gigi & Paul Ray Kathy & Taka Shoji Nikolaos & Eva Thrasivoulou Ed & Anne Trainor Arthur Tsiropoulos Thank you all for your support of this Ministry. 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

12 To date the 75 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for Nicholas & Varvara Alexiou Jim & Angie Andropoulos Sarante & Julie Athenson Richard & Sophia Bethune Anthony & Mary Birozes Renee Birozes Katherine Blanos Joseph & Barbara Bonelli-Selwa Jordan & Lisa Boston Helen Bouboulis Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto Sean & Maria Carney David & Marie Chapman Grace Chihlas John & Sheila Consos Dan & Alyssa Douglas John & Beth Doulgerakis Quay & Trissie Farr Chris & Liz Foxhall Robert & Jennifer Guano Harald & Stamatia Hagen Christine Hatcher Harriet Howell Mark & Jennie Johnson Eleni Jordan Vasilios & Mary Kaloudis James Kanellos Maria Kardomateas Theodoros & Aphrodite Kazazakis-Levendakis Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos Archie & Florence Lytle Connie Machoudy Harry & Tina Maheras Bill & Margaret Manos Emanuel Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes Al & Helen McCart John & Becky Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matt & Athena Miller Nikolaos Moissiadis Patricia Morris Nicolas & Teddie Panos Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Lazaros & Christina Papadopoulos Gus Pappas John & Evon Patrick Sts. RNI Philoptochos Gus Plakiotis Ioanna Plakiotis Father & Presvytera Powell Pam Powers Vic & Suzi Pryles Paul & Gigi Ray Athan & Cheri Romanczak Andrew & Lorez Roussey Dina Sarandis Taka & Kathy Shoji Eric & Donna Smith Eugenia Smith Estelle Sofikitis George & Anna Sofikitis Dennis & Laura Sparks Koko & Carol Tadros Steven & Thalia Thompson Ed & Anne Trainor Brian & Jennifer Tubbs Sharon Tyre Greg Tzevelekos George Tzortzinakis Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Rusty & Christine Waldron Tim & Diane Walters Steve & Smara Wolff Sam & Katherine Yalanzon