Glad Tidings. God s Will by Fr. Rick. 1. God s will must be accomplished, 2. By doing God s will, we become siblings of Jesus Christ.

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1 St. Paul, MN S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H May 2006 Volume 12, Issue 5 Glad Tidings God s Will by Fr. Rick What is God s will? We all want to know God s will. However, we may be a bit presumptuous thinking that God should tell us what we want to know, when we want to know it. Nearly everyone wants to discover God s plan for their individual life. We think there is a distinct, specific outline for our life and one of our main goals in life is to unlock the mystery this plan and start living it. We say to ourselves and to God, Just tell me what kind of job I should have, who I should marry, how many kids I should have, etc. Once I know what you have planned for me God, then I can start doing it. Does it really work that way? The scripture references below will help us learn more about God s will. Here are some of the key points from the scripture regarding God s will: 1. God s will must be accomplished, not our own. 2. By doing God s will, we become siblings of Jesus Christ. 3. God s commandments are an expression of His will. See the 10 Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17) In the Gospels and Epistles we learn that God wants/wills many things, including- not be conformed to world; be transformed and renewed; be sanctified; abstain from immorality; watch and be sober; salvation; comfort & edify one another; be at peace; warn the unruly; comfort the fainthearted; uphold the weak; be patient; pursue good; rejoice always; pray w/o ceasing; give thanks always; test all things; abstain from evil; honor all people; fear God; all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth; love God w/ all our heart, mind, soul and strength; love our neighbor as ourself; mercy; Doing God s will may cause us to suffer in this life but it is assurance for eternal life with God in heaven. The above are reinforced in a verse from a baptismal prayer that says, It is in doing the will of God that man finds life. After we realize that God Once we realize that God s will is for each one of us is to love and care for other people, especially those less fortunate than ourselves, we can begin to follow Him with trust and faith, knowing that He will lead us where we need to go. He might not reveal His plan until the last minute. God knows how our fallen mind, heart and soul function and thus He works on us to help build our trust in Him as Lord. Regarding God s plan for our life, there can be an infinite number of paths. Why? Every situation and circumstance of our life presents us with choices. Sometimes we choose to do God s will and sometimes we do not (sin, amartia). If we choose other than God s will, what happens? There are consequences and some may be severe/ adverse, but are we completely lost? No! God gives wisdom to the supplicant, does not overlook the sinner, but has established repentance as the way of salvation. (Trisagion Prayer, Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom) Through repentance/metonoia, turning back towards God, we can reunite our will with God s will. No doubt, the path can change, permanently sometimes. In other words, at times we cannot go back and do it over. We can only go forward. So the key is to make the right choices. This requires wisdom and discernment. How do we acquire these? By seeking God and living in His presence. The life of the Church is the life in Christ our God. The Church leads and instructs us in prayer, worship, sacraments, scripture, and spiritual guidance. We must avail ourselves of these beautiful and boundless treasures. Prayer- daily in solitude; without ceasing throughout the day; use prayer book; before icon/altar. Worship- weekly in Church w/ community of faith; no such thing as individual Christian; we ascend to heaven together. Sacraments- Eucharist on Sundays & Feast Days; Confession regularly (2-3 times/year); Holy Unction when physically and spiritually ill. Take, eat, this is My Body which is broken for you Scripture- read daily; one chapter; start w/ Gospels; add one Psalm and/or Proverb; go to bible study. Spiritual Guidance- find a spiritual father; talk/share with people of strong faith and morals. Remember, you cannot know God s will unless you know God. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8) Get to know God personally through His Son Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Special articles: Living the Church in the Home pg. 2; Stewardship pg. 6

2 Glad Tidings Page 2 Living the Church in the Home by Fr. Thaddeus Wojcik Editors Note: Fr. Thaddeus Wojcik spoke on Communication and Education at St. George on March 24, Below is a summary of his comments. First, let me say that I can only claim experience with myself, my wife and my three sons (no daughters). What I know, I have learned from my own family and by watching the families of others. What I have observed is this-- children learn by hearing and watching. Listen to these words from Proverbs 4:1-4 and We must do both. Now, I need to say this: The family is the basic unit and marriage is the fundamental sacrament. All sacraments flow from marriage- baptism, ordination, eucharist cannot happen without marriage. See 1Timothy 3:5 Here "ruling" is directly linked to living a "good" life. See 1Tim. 3:26-3? I believe it is the good life where the Mom and Dad each have their lives moving in a godly direction. 1. Where they love each other. 2. Resolve their differences in a modest and sincere manner. 3. Where they encourage, rather than demand of each other and their children. 4. Where criticism of others is non-existent or at least out of hearing of the children. 5. Where Mom & Dad can be seen praying, not because they feel it is expected, but because they want to pray. 6. Where there is not profanity or cursing. 7. Where Mom & Dad are brave enough to apologize when they are in error. If these things are done, then there is a chance the youngsters will grow up to be godly themselves. I find that their ideas have import on adults and children alike. (Prof. Verhovsky said, "Have three children")??? Children area a special care. They need to be molded. Jesus said, "Whoever receives one of these little children in my name, receives Me." (Mark 9:37) So do take your children/grandchildren to church--there is no option here. We told our kids, especially as teens, when they often find church to be yucky, "Here's the deal, I'll trade you, you go to church and we will feed you, provide heat and electricity to your room." During Holy Week they had a choice, they could pick three services to go to. During first week and third week of Lent and during Holy Week, we would read either from the life of a saint or from the bible for 2-3 minutes at beginning of dinner. Try and eat dinner together as often as possible throughout the year. Here is something novel. Tell you spouse, tell your children, tell other relatives that you love them. It's a great glue that holds people together. Love should also be acted out, not just said. Something else that is novel, ask you kids for advice. You cannot possibly know everything, so ask them what they think--the things of the world, your family, you church, don't argue, just listen. We were created with two ears and one mouth. Be aware of who and what is being said to your family members through the internet, tv, movies, music, video games. Be pure yourself. Spouse, when you argue, try to hold hands. A different chemistry is created that is helpful when holding hands. Pray for one another-- tell each other you pray for them. One of the best forms of communication is to speak about yourself in confession. If confession is not your practice, ask yourself why not. We have seven sacraments. No one argues about the need/necessity for baptism or marriage. So, why argue about confession? It's a perfect place to communicate with God and the priest, who is also part of your family. That's why he's called "Father." Christ is Risen! Truly He has Risen!

3 St. Paul, MN Page 3 Parish Announcements Thank You! Thanks to the spiritual life committee for organizing the wonderful Lenten retreat. Fr. Chris Metropulos spoke on Community and Communion in two separate presentations. Fr. Chris also concelebrated Liturgy and delivered the sermon. Thanks to all the participants and other helpers too! Sympathies and Prayers To the families of Niki Zahos Thomas and Nick Thomas, who fell asleep in the Lord. Funeral Services were April 7 at Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester, MN. To the family of James George, who fell asleep in the Lord Tuesday, April 4, Funeral was Wednesday, April 12, at Lakewood Chapel and the burial at Lakewood Cemetery. Loukoumades Fundraiser Successful Thanks a million to the wonderful Daughters of Penelope Springtime Loukoumades Fund Raiser CREW: Hiwet Abraha, Mary Arvanitis, Vivian Dokos, Georgia A. Ehrich, Sue Gnetz, George, Nick, Richard & Rita Kanavati, Dimitrios Kaniamos, Antonia and Chris Kontenakos, Georgia Mann, James S. Theros, Joseph Weiser. The is for scholarships, Penelope House shelter, cancer research, and our Church. Thanks to our diners. Many Thanks! To all the people who supported the Youth and donated toiletry items to the SPACC drive. We collected a total of 8 bags! Kitchen and Social Hall Use The Parish Council has developed and published a document which defines the process used when scheduling the kitchen and social hall. This document contains information on who will and will not be charged for the use of the facilities and lists the cost of the kitchen and social hall rentals. It also explains what needs to be done before and after the sue of the facilities. The document is posted in the social hall. Please contact the church secretary for detailed information. Parish Council SAVE THE DATE Greek Festival St. George's Greek Festival is scheduled for August 19th and 20th. Please keep this weekend open because we need many volunteers to make the festival a success. Planning meetings will start in May and new members are welcome. Please watch the Sunday bulletin for dates and times. Diocese of Chicago to charge new Registry Fees Effective immediately, the Diocese of Chicago will offset administrative costs for Registry materials by requesting payment for applications for marriage licenses and the registration of baptismal and chrismation certificates. Processing fees will follow the following schedule: Application for License to Marry; Registration of Baptismal or Chrismation Certificates. Mission Trip to Tanzania Diane Anastos was selected to join an Orthodox Christian Mission Center team traveling to Tanzania this summer. Bishop Jeronymous requested a team to provide education in catechism and church traditions to Sunday school teachers and church leaders, because Orthodoxy is growing rapidly and there are not enough priests to train these educators. Diane asks for your prayers, and if you are able, to contribute financially to this project; costs are approximately 4,000. Please make checks out to OCMC and write 'Diane Anastos- Tanzania' in the memo portion of the check and send to Diane c/o St. George. Graduate Sunday June 4 All graduates will be honored and congratulated on June 4th. Graduates please let Father Rick know that you ll be graduating, the degree you re receiving, and what your future plans are. A photo would also be helpful! Spring Clean Up Saturday, May 13 th starting at 9am. We need your help! We will be cleaning windows and doing yard work. If you can help, call Christ Kontenakos at or sign up on the sheet posted in the social hall. Treasurer's Financial Report March Income March Expenses Monthly Balance YTD* Income 29,612 31,172 (1,560) 50,755 YTD* Expenses YTD* Balance 67,963 (17,208) Stewardship Report March Pledge March Pledge Income Goal Balance YTD* Pledge Income Year Pledge Goal Balance* 16,837 16, ,162 50,117 (17,954) *All year-to-date figures are as of March 31, 2006.

4 Glad Tidings Page 4 Church Staff and Office Hours Church Office Hours Mondays 10:00AM-12:30PM, 1:30PM-4:30PM Tue. Thurs. 8:00AM-12:30PM, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter (651) FatherRick@usa.com Fiona Eustathiades, Administrative Assistant (651) Jason and Kelly Barbes, Youth Ministers (612) barbes11@msn.com. Eric Chadwick, Parish Council President (507) chadwick@ptslaw.com Festal Icons Needed Please donate a Festal Icon (11" x 14") in memory of a loved one. The cost is per icon. The icons are displayed in the church nave and are put out for veneration on the Feast Day of the Saint or event they represent. To donate an icon, fill out a form (found on the bulletin board by the kitchen) and return it to the office. Prophet Job May 6 Sts. Cyril & Methodios May 11 St. Therapon May 25 St. Theodosia May 29 Christ Appears on Road to Emmaeus Bright Week Christ w/ Samaritan Woman at Well 5th Sunday of Pascha Healing Man Born Blind 6th Sunday of Pascha Holy Fathers of Nicaea/First Ecumenical 7th Sunday of Pascha Christ forgives Sinful Woman Christ Healing Demoniacs Christ rebukes the Sea Flight into Egypt Reva Adkins, Philoptochos President (651) rradkins@comcast.net Andrea Faches, Sunday School Director (507) afaches@hickorytech.net Barbara Bauman, Choir Director (651) Anna Christoforides, Greek School Director (651) Diane Anastos & Ann Woods, Glad Tidings Co- Editors Coffee Hour May 7 Connie and Mike Tzenis 14 Greek School Mother's Day 21 Alex Dascalos Family 28 American Legion Hellenic Post 129 June 4 OPEN 11 Stella and Dimos Papazois 18 OPEN 25 OPEN

5 St. Paul, MN Page 5 YOUTH NEWS 2006 Oratorical Festival Held on April 2 Thanks to all the Sunday School students who participated with their classes. Here are a few of the highlights. See below for comments. UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS Many Thanks Thanks to all the youth for participation in the Lazarus and Holy Friday Retreats. A huge Thank YOU to all the parents that volunteered to make these retreats be a success for St. George s youth! You make a difference! Youth to Package Meals May 6th the youth will be participating in the Feed My Starving Children organization. We will be there from 9am12pm packaging meals for hungry children around the world. What is Feed My Starving Children? Feed My Starving Children offers hope to the hungry in body around the world, and the hungry in spirit right here at home. In 2005, more than 70,000 volunteers, the majority under the age of 18, visited FMSC to manually assemble meal packages for hungry children. Last year more than 15 million meals were packaged by young volunteers and shipped to hungry children in orphanages, schools and clinics around the world. June 18th- 24th is Summer Camp! Save the Date for the post Summer Camp lock-in at SMGOC July 7th - 8th. Attention Counselors Director Says Thank You I would like to thank all of the Sunday school teachers for their extra effort in preparing and encouraging the children's participation in the Oratorical Festival. Though we were unable to encourage students in the Junior and Senior divisions to prepare their own demonstrations of faith, it was encouraging to see the younger students prepare with such enthusiasm. And with the continued support of the teachers, parents and community, perhaps we will be able to see a more fruitful festival in 2007, with the winner continuing on in competition. Andrea Faches, Sunday School Director Vacation Church School August 7th through August 11th :00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, St. George Greek Orthodox Church For children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade in Fall of Volunteers needed for teachers, crafts and recreation. Information: Denise Smith (952) or Andrea Faches (507) If you are a counselor for this year s summer camp be sure to save the date for the mandatory meeting on June 17th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Graduate Sunday May 21st is Graduation Sunday. Be sure to remember St. George s graduates! Tracking Youth Bucks Attention to YouthBucks participants: Be sure to keep your tracking logs up to date as the school year quickly comes to a close. Let us know if you have any questions!

6 Glad Tidings Page 6 Book Store St. Seraphim of Sarov A Spiritual Biography, Archimandrite Lazarus Moore, ( An Orthodox Christian Partaking of Holy Communion being possessed by the devil true story ) Reviewed by Nick Criticos I wondered, writes Motovilov, how it could happen that an Orthodox Christian, who partook of the most pure and life-giving Mysteries of the Lord could suddenly be possessed by the devil, and for such a long period of over thirty years. Nonsense! It is impossible! I should like to see how the devil would dare to make his abode in me, especially when I frequently have recourse to the Sacrament of Holy Communion. At that very moment he was surrounded by a horrible, cold, evil-smelling cloud, which began to make its way into his mouth, while he made convulsive efforts to keep it tightly shut. The unhappy Motovilov struggled, trying to protect himself from the stench and icy cold of the cloud, which was gradually creeping into him. In spite of all his efforts, it got into him completely. His hands became exactly, as if they were paralyzed, and he could not make the Sign of the Cross; his mind became frozen with terror and he could not remember the saving name of Jesus. Nikolas Alexandrovitch experienced a time of dreadful torture. A manuscript in his own handwriting gives us the following description of the torments he experienced: The Lord granted me to experience in my own body and not in a dream or apparition, the three torments of hell. The first was that of the fire which gives no light and which can be extinguished only by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The agony lasted for three days. I felt myself burning yet I was not consumed. Ten or eleven times a day they had to scrape off the hellish soot, which covered my whole body and was visible to all. The torture ceased only after Confession and Holy Communion, through the prayers of Archbishop Antony of Voronezh, who ordered litanies to be served for me. Soon after this terrible test, Motovilov has a vision of his patron St. Seraphim, who comforted the sufferer with the promise that he would be cured at the exposition of the relics of St. Tikhon of Zandonsk and that until that time the devil residing in him would not torment him so cruelly. On the day of the exposition of the relics of St. Tikhon of Zandonsk (1865), Motovilov was standing in the sanctuary praying and weeping bitterly, because the Lord had not granted him the cure according to the promise of St. Seraphim of Sarov. During the Song of the Cherubim, he glanced at the Bishop s throne in the apse and saw St. Tikhon there. The holy prelate blessed the weeping Motovilov and vanished from sight. Motovilov was healed instantly. The Second Mile Mat. 5:41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. In considering our pledge of time, talent, and treasure, it is important to feel a part of the growing programs at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. This means that we are growing in our spiritual life. Our church s programs as an integral part of this growth process. This growth is manifested in many of the routine things that we do, e.g. hosting coffee hour, choir, chanters, various committees and fund raisers. However, our spiritual life is also manifested in that Second Mile, helping out with the Pie Sale, or visiting a shut-in, or taking a turn at Loaves and Fishes, or helping out with a youth activity. The Second Mile also relates to our pledging. The current year pledges are coming in and many have pledged with the idea of the Second Mile, i.e. to give a little extra for that extra activity, service, or program of the church. As we are doing in the Stewardship Committee, I would urge everyone to give an additional amount in their pledge for This extra is the Second Mile that helps St. George grow in it s programs that benefits the spiritual life of everyone. Stephen Arsenault & Peter Hofrenning Co-Chairman, Stewardship Committee

7 Around Town St. Paul Area Council of Churches Needs Your Help Kitchen Kits and Personal Care Bags will give women a fresh start as they recover from the affects of domestic violence. You can help with this collection drive by bringing in one of the following two options: Kitchen Kits (dish soap, buckets, mops, all-purpose cleaners, wastebaskets, etc.) Personal Care Bags (combs, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc.). Items received will be distributed to shelters that serve battered women. Delivery Day for the collection of these items is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23 from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and from 3:30-5:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Julie Quello at (651) , ext. 19 St. Paul Area Council of Churches (SPACC) is also in need of transportation to and from the volunteer sites during its Interfaith Teen Day of Service on Wed., June 21. Does your church have mini-vans or 18- passenger vans that SPACC could use for free or at a reduced rate for the day? Help us assure this event remains free and accessible to all participating teens. If you can help, please contact Julie Quello at (651) , ext. 19 or jquello@spacc.org Thank you. Support Missions: Play Paintball St. Paul, MN Page 7 A Pan-Orthodox Paintball tournament will take place on May 6 to benefit short-term OCMC missionaries going to Kenya. The location is Splat Tag in Hudson Wisconsin. Costs are per person Players must be 13 or older (Players under 18 must have parental permission). Contact Paul Pliakas for more information at:: pepliakas@aol.com. [ Orthodox Women s Book Club Meetings are held at St. Katherine's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Arden Hills at 7pm on the third Monday of each month. Book: Author: The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality Kyriacos C. Markides Date: Monday, May 15, 2006 Metropolis & Archdiocesan News Orthodox Christian Mission Center breaks Ground On May 5, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center will celebrate the groundbreaking for its new training and administrative center in Florida. Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos will officiate. For more information on this event and how you can participate visit sub=news&action=topic&id=24 High School Juniors & Seniors: Study in Greece The Graham School of General Studies is organizing a three week program in Greece for rising High School juniors and seniors whose interests lie in history, politics, Greek literature, literature in general, Greek drama, ancient religion, performance studies, and theater. The program runs from June 19-July 7, Students spend a few days in Athens where they explore sites and museums and then they proceed to the island of Spetses for the classroom part of the program. More information can be found at +Archbishop Iakovos Commemorative CD National Chairman of the Forum of Church Musicians, Dr. Vicki Pappas announced the release of a compact disk in memory of the late Archbishop Iakovos, by the National Forum of Church Musicians. The Album may be ordered from the National Forum at a cost of plus 4.25 shipping and handling. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go toward support of the National Forum's church music programs for choir directors, chanters, organists, singers, clergy and parishes, and Church School/Greek School music educators. To order and/or for further information, contact Vicki Pappas at 3814 Regents Circle, Bloomington IN or via pappas@indiana.edu.

8 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H 1111 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID St. Paul, MN Permit No. 177 Phone: Fax: Web Site: Weekday Worship Schedule REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES Wednesday, May 17, Mid- Pentecost Divine Liturgy 9 am Saturday, May 20, Divine Liturgy Eau Claire 9 am Wednesday, May 31, Apodosis of Pascha- Divine Liturgy 9am; Ascension-Vespers 6 pm Holy Confession: By Appointment Vespers: Saturday 5 pm (September May) Orthros: Sunday 8:30 am Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:45 am Sunday School: starts after administration of Holy Communion