March The Voice of St. Paul s Greek Orthodox Church. Annunciation March 25th, 2019

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1 The Voice of St. Paul s Greek Orthodox Church March 2019 The mission of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Parish of Savannah, Georgia is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to serve the spiritual needs of the faithful through worship and sacramental life. We enable individuals to come together in communion with God and with each other through ministries that are centered on the beliefs and values of our Orthodox Faith. Annunciation March 25th, 2019 Dear St. Paul s Community, It is an honor and a privilege to be asked by His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios, to be your pastor and shepherd here in Savannah. It is with great joy and gladness that I and our family look forward to this next season of our lives together with you at St Paul s. Our hope is simple; to promote the health and welfare of the parish that comes from the peace and unity we share in common worship and purpose. I look forward to getting to know each of you and walking with you through the chapters of your lives that are ahead, whether we may count them as valleys or mountaintops. Either way, we know with our whole souls, bodies, and minds that we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us. May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. +Fr John

2 St. Paul's News & Notes Election of Parish Council Executive Committee. On January 20th, Father John Caparisos presided over the election of our new 2019 Parish Council Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is elected by the fifteen members of the Parish Council to lead the Council. Members of the Executive Committee are elected annually and serve one year terms. From left to right: Connie Preston (Secretary), Gabrielle Franklin (Treasurer), Fr. John, Caparisos Lear Miltiades (Vice-President), Pete Simon (President). From the Executive Committee In order to have your stewardship properly credited, PLEASE write stewardship or stew 2019 on the memo line of your check. Otherwise, your check may not be properly credited. Sacrificial Love Christ told us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves because our default reaction is to distrust our neighbors, if not worse. Living in this fallen world, we have lost our original "setting" which was to trust. We trusted God in the Garden of Eden; we simply chose to disobey Him. Exercising self-will before we were ready to, we became captives of our desires and were easily led into sin and death. The way back is repentance. It is reversing our "new-natural" setting of selfishness and embracing selflessness for God and others. It is sacrificing our self for God and others. It is saying that this world is not all there is and I am not the center of it. It is admitting that choosing to act selfishly harms others by the absence of our fellowship. It is acknowledging that we are involved in a relationship with God and every other person. Our relationships are corrupted by the selfishness we bring to them. If we seek reconciliation, we must be willing to sacrifice our desires, hopes, and dreams for the sake of love. Is there a precedent for this? Yes. In Genesis chapter 22, we read that God instructed Abraham to take his son, Isaac, to Moriah (modern Jerusalem) and offer him there as a whole burnt offering to God. One should note that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were both very old before they were blessed with their first child, Isaac. So, as if to sacrifice a child would not be unimaginable enough, to do so after waiting so long for his birth was doubly inconceivable. Interestingly, Scripture does not record that Abraham interceded for the life of his son like he did for the city of Sodom. He merely rose early in the morning and set about his task. For his part, the young boy trusted his father. At one point, he asked Abraham where the sheep was for the offering and was told "God will provide." As Abraham was about to take the life of Isaac he heard a voice from heaven telling him to stop and saying that it was now known that Abraham feared God since he was willing to sacrifice his son for Him. As it turns out, this was a hint of the supreme exhibition of God's love for the world; His act of loving self-sacrifice in the hopes of reconciling our broken relationship with Him. I am referring, of course, to the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Come to bring us back into fellowship with God, Christ taught us how to reset our wills to be in accordance with God's will. Revealing the selfish thoughts of many, He exposed their sin. Some, reacting with pride, facilitated the arrest, trial, and execution of Jesus. Others, responding with humility, recognized their failings and prayed for forgiveness from God in the name of Christ. After all, He was the One who had sacrificed Himself for the sake of our relationship with God. God so loves us that He permitted His only Son to sacrifice Himself so that we might again share communion with God. We see sacrificial love today in those who put themselves in harm's way in order that we might be protected. We see it in healthy marriages where husband and wife realize it is not about his or her wants but about what is best for the marriage. We see it in Great Lent where each believer is encouraged to express their love for the sacrifice of Christ by sacrificing a small part of themselves whether it be in the form of time, food, or money. Such sacrifice on our part glorifies God in that we are following His example. Our small sacrifice of a few minutes here and there, some food or drink, or delayed gratification honors Christ. Take heart. God loves you. He proved it with a sacrifice. If we love Him and others, may we do likewise. + ST. PATRICK S DAY FLOAT We invite any members who wish to ride or walk alongside our float (March 16th) to see or call Pete to sign up for the St. Patrick s Day Parade float. Also any help with decorating the float will be greatly appreciated!!

3 St. Paul's News & Notes Philoptochos News Vasilopita Luncheon The luncheon was a great success. Thanks to all that helped to make it happen. We thank the families that offered their time in the kitchen to those that helped to plate and serve to those that bought tickets and joined in the fellowship. A great BIG thanks to those that gave their time and talent by baking the items for auction: Lynn and Alex Koukoulas, Tia Halatas, Magdaline Sideris, Christina and Alyssa Danos. The total proceeds sent to St. Basil s came to $950. Food and Wine Meeting W e ha d a w onderful event! This event takes many, many people and many, many hours to plan and prepare. We are so thankful for the leadership that made it happen. Thank you to Lynn Blenkhorn and Jamie Newman, the Food & Wine co-chairs, and Bonnie Danos, Philoptochos president, and committee members: Sia Chokos, Alyssa Danos, Christina Danos, Gabriella Fischer, Gabrielle Franklin, Stamata Karfakis, Leslye Phillips, Alexia Pittas, Laura Sherman, Rikki Siaverlis. Also, to the Philoptochos membership that put in hours of their time helping in all areas of the event. We are grateful for the parishioners that supported the event by donating wine for the Mystery Wine Tavern, purchasing tickets, telling your family and friends and volunteering at the event. Coffee Memorials There a re no coffee memorials planned at this time. Please remember that this time after church can be used to celebrate so many occasions. The upcoming months are very busy and exciting times for families, think about celebrating these milestones with hosting a coffee hour. Please contact Stamata Karfakis to schedule a coffee hour. American Heart Association Tha nk y ou for marking the day with wearing red and for your kind donations to our tray. The Philoptochos tray collected $358 for our donation to the American Heart Association. General Meeting and Election Year Philoptochos will have a General Meeting in March, the date to be announced later. It is an election year for our board so we will be looking for ladies to join. Alexia Pittas has been kind enough to volunteer again to be election officer. Please let her know if you are interested in becoming a member of the board. ~~~ Mark your calendar ~~~ General Meeting Dates, m ore details as the dates approach March 2019, date to be announced Board Meeting Dates To be announced Upcoming Memorials None at this time Current Board Members Fr. John Wallace, Bonnie Danos: President, Sia Chokos: Vice President, Gabrielle Franklin: Treasurer, Laura Sherman: Recording Secretary, Lynn Blenkhorn, Bess Chappas, Christina Danos, Mary Rose Davis, Gabriella Fischer, Stamata Karfakis and Jaime Newman. Please be sure you are receiving from stbarbaraphilosav@gmail.com. ORATORICAL FESTIVAL Our local St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held on Sunday, March 31st The Junior Division is open to all students in the 7th to 9th grades and the Senior Division for teenagers in the 10th to 12th grades. For more information, please contact Alexia Pittas. Those who place 1st in their division have the opportunity to compete in the District Level. LENTEN MEALS We will start our Pre-sanctified Liturgies on Wednesday, March 13th at 6:00pm followed by a Lenten meal. As in past years we have had various people sign up to provide the Lenten meal. If you would like to volunteer to provide one of these meals, please let Fr. John Wallace or the Church office # LENT PREPARATION Are you ready for Lent, Holy Week and Easter? St. Paul s Bookstore has a large selection of books in preparation for Lent including: Preparing for Confession, Fasting, Holy Week & Easter Services Books. Come into the Bookstore and see all that is available. If you would like a book or icon special ordered just let us know

4 2018 GOYA Winter activities. Photos courtesy of Christina Danos

5 2018 Christmas Festivities at St. Paul s Greek Orthodox

6 Donated Lenten & Holy Week Donations Needed: Salutation Service Icons ($45 ea) II. March 17th III. March 24th IV. March 31st V. April 7th Akathist Hymn 3rd Sunday of Lent Icon($45) Flowers for Holy Cross ($80) ** Holy Week Icons: ($45 ea) *Palm Sunday *Bridegroom Icon *Resurrection Icon **Palm Sunday: Cutting and Offering of Palms Purple Cross Ribbons for Iconostation ~($40) White Cross Ribbons for Iconostation ~($40) Holy Thursday Base of Cross ($100) Holy Thursday-Crown of Thorns ($100) Good Friday Epitafios Cross ($100) Epitafios Candles ($60) Veneration of the Cross Purple $50 White $50 Easter-Wreath Base of Cross ($100) Saturday Resurrection Service ~ ($100) Easter -Crown ($100) Flowers for Resurrection Banner ($100) (4)Flower girls- Rose Petals ($25 ea) Royal Gate Ribbons ($50) Rose Water (2) Bay Leaves Twin Flat white sheet Easter Bulletin ($60) Easter Eggs

7 Families who turned in a 2019 Pledge Form Helen Z. Alexov Peter Antonopolo Panagiotis & Ourania Argentinis Callin & Traina Badea Jason Elyzaveta Bateham Richard &Sandra Bollig Mark & Donna Brown Spencer & Michelle Burton Fr. John & Presb. Sophia Caparisos Kika Caparisos Niko & Kate Caparisos Michael & Sarah Carvaines Dr. Chad & Ellen Danos Catrett Vicki Center Irene Chiboucase James & Sia Chokos Helen Christopher James & Sia Chokos Nick & Barbara Costalas Richard & Tina Coyle John & Ann Marie Dalis Dean & Bonnie Danos Tommy & Marie Danos Mary Rose Davis Adam & Sue Deleanides Drew Deleanides Brian & Ariana Devine George & Alexis Donkar Floyd & Stacy Epperly Johnny & Stavroula Farley Mr & Mrs. John Farmakis Gabrielle Franklin Patricia G. George Florin & Viviana Georgescu Mihai & Anca Georgescu Anna Maria Goodson Fay Goodson Anna Gounaris Tia Halatas Ralph Hefner Joe & Paula Hough Emil & Alina Iacob Daniel & Maria Justus Irene Karakolidis Effie Karatassos Elaine Karatassos Elsie Karatassos Kostas & Stamata Karfakis Martin Kehoe Alexander & Nataliya Kelly Kiki Kelly Pamela Kline Kim & Faye Kolgaklis Ted & Becky Kolgaklis Alexander & Lynn Koukoulas Daniel & Margaret Kyvelos Georgia Lamas Nick & Heather Lambros Vasileios & Ingrid Lelos Pete & Mary Liakakis Kay Litchfield Dr. Gary Luken Dennis & Christine McDonnell Helen McCracken Michael & Rene Magulias, Jr. Basil & Cynthia Mamais Mark & Jan Mamalakis Paul & Debra Mamalakis P.M. & Lynn Manuel Dr. Peter Mastopoulos Alex & Mary Miltiades Dimitri & Robin Miltiades Ted Miltiades Victor Miltiades Despina Monas Tony Morris Jamie Newman Nick and Gini Nichols Eric & Olga Nordenhaug Billy & Sia Norse Tina Novit Constantinos Papaconstantinou Elaine Papin Nick John Pappas Andrew & Dimitra Pashales Amy Pavlou George & Julie Peters Helen Petras-Chiotellis Alan & Leslye Phillps Alexia Pittas Peggy Pittas George & Mercie Polites Eugen & Silvia Pop James & Connie Preston Jerry & Katherine Pullium Anthony & Irene Purdy Irene Roach Matthew & Amanda Roach Michael & Krista Roach Chris & Janice Ronson Bill Rovolis Elizabeth Ryan Brad & Laura Sherman Rikki Siavelis Tom & Magdaline Sideris Pete Simon William Sires, Sr. Emil & Judith Stavriotis Jimmy & Deena Stevens Marion & Leah H. Stoupenos Eve Valdez Peter & Janice Vatistas George & Peggy Vaveris Zorica Vukovich Darlene & Joe Waters Jerry & Mary Anne Welsh Sean & Gabriella Woods Stanley & Helen Xenakis Above: The list of parishioners the office has received a Pledge card from for If your name is not on the list, and you have turned in a pledge card, please call the Church office for verifica-

8 St. Paul s Greek Orthodox Church February 2018 As of February 28, 2018 February 2019 As of February 21, 2019 Total Collected thru February 2018 $25,397 Total Collected thru February 2019 $28, Total Pledged thru 2/28/2018 $4, Total Pledged thru February 20, 2019 $10, Thank you to those St. Paul s members who have pledged for We encourage everyone s participation in order for our church to fulfill its financial obligations and be able to fund the activities and ministries of our church. Thank- You!

9 March 3rd Ushers: *Gabrielle Franklin, **Connie Preston, Jimmy Anestos, Leslye Phillips, Michael Roach, Alex Koukoulas,Jerry Welsh, Sr. and Pete Liakakis Acolytes:.St. Peter: Trevor Usher, Zach Sherman, Vangeli Tsiaras & Luke Lambros. Nursery: Open with Parental Supervision Bookstore: Deena Stevens March 17th Ushers: Pete Simon, *Peggy Pittas, **Lear Miltiades, Constantinos Papaconstantinou, Tom Sideris, and Pete Liakakis Acolytes: St. Peter: Trevor Usher, Zach Sherman, Vangeli Tsiaras & Luke Lambros. Nursery: Open w/parental supervision Bookstore: Anna Gounaris March 10th Ushers: Tony Morris, *George Polites, George Donkar, Peter Mastopoulos, George Vaveris, Tommy Danos and Pete Liakakis Acolytes: St. Paul: Atha Stathopoulos, Cameron Vatistas, Niko Nichols & Isaac Morris Nursery: Open w/parental supervision Bookstore: Maria Danos March 24th Ushers: *Gabrielle Franklin, Connie Preston, Jimmy Anestos, Leslye Phillips, **Michael Roach, Alex Koukoulas, Jerry Welsh, Sr. and Pete Liakakis Acolytes: St. Paul: Atha Stathopoulos, Cameron Vatistas, Niko Nichols & Isaac Morris Nursery: Open with Parental Supervision Bookstore: Connie Preston March 31st Ushers: **Tony Morris, *George Polites, George Donkar, *Peter Mastopoulos, George Vaveris, Tommy Danos and Pete Liakakis Acolytes: St. Peter: Trevor Usher, Zach Sherman, Vangeli Tsiaras & Luke Lambros. Nursery: Open with Parental Supervision Bookstore: Alexis Donkar

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11 St. Paul s Greek Orthodox Church 14 West Anderson Street Savannah, Georgia Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 179 Savannah, GA. Address Service Requested Place Label Here!