Second Sunday of Luke

Transcription

1 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751, Durham NC News & Announcements, October 2, 2016 Second Sunday of Luke The Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Virgin Martyr Justina Theophilus the Confessor NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy 10:00 am To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor's Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the church Office. St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15 Today's Readings: Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 1

2 Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believed, and so we speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 4:6-15 Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεὸς ὁ εἰπὼν ἐκ σκότους φῶς λάμψαι, ὃς ἔλαμψεν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν πρὸς φωτισμὸν τῆς γνώσεως τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν προσώπῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἔχομεν δὲ τὸν θησαυρὸν τοῦτον ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν, ἵνα ἡ ὑπερβολὴ τῆς δυνάμεως ᾖ τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ μὴ ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐ στενοχωρούμενοι ἀπορούμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐξαπορούμενοι διωκόμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι καταβαλλόμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἀπολλύμενοι πάντοτε τὴν νέκρωσιν τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι περιφέροντες, ἵνα καὶ ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι ἡμῶν φανερωθῇ. Ἀεὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες εἰς θάνατον παραδιδόμεθα διὰ Ἰησοῦν, ἵνα καὶ ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ φανερωθῇ ἐν τῇ θνητῇ σαρκὶ ἡμῶν. Ὥστε ὁ μὲν θάνατος ἐν ἡμῖν ἐνεργεῖται, ἡ δὲ ζωὴ ἐν ὑμῖν. Ἔχοντες δὲ τὸ αὐτὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πίστεως, κατὰ τὸ γεγραμμένον, Ἐπίστευσα, διὸ ἐλάλησα, καὶ ἡμεῖς πιστεύομεν, διὸ καὶ λαλοῦμεν εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ ἐγείρας τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν καὶ ἡμᾶς διὰ Ἰησοῦ ἐγερεῖ, καὶ παραστήσει σὺν ὑμῖν. Τὰ γὰρ πάντα διʼ ὑμᾶς, ἵνα ἡ χάρις πλεονάσασα διὰ τῶν πλειόνων τὴν εὐχαριστίαν περισσεύσῃ εἰς τὴν δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ. The Gospel according to Luke 6:31-36 Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 6:31-36 The Lord said, "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσι. καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσι. καὶ ἐὰν δανείζητε παρ ὧν ἐλπίζετε ἀπολαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσι τὰ ἴσα. πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες, καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. Γίνεσθε οὖν οἰκτίρμονες, καθὼς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστί. Today's Events: National Church Music Sunday Each year, on the first Sunday in October (on or after the Feast of St. Romanos the Melodist, thepatron saint of church musicians), parishes across the Archdiocese of America celebrate NATIONAL CHURCH MUSIC SUNDAY. This commemoration was inaugurated by His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America in 1982, and has been re-affirmed by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America. NATIONAL CHURCH MUSIC SUNDAY is a day we set aside particularly to honor the contributions of local choir members, psaltai, and music educators who serve their churches through the hymnology of our Orthodox Church. In addition, it is a day when we recognize the work of the diocesan choir federations as well as the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians,who through their music ministry, strive to enhance the development of church choirs, church musicians, and liturgical music at diocesan and archdiocesan levels. 2

3 To these ends, the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians encourages local parishes to use NATIONAL CHURCH MUSIC SUNDAY to recognize the contributions of church musicians. our Choir members our choir directors Donna Trohanis, Eleni Christakos, Catherine Mariakakis, and Costa Constantinou our chanters Dr. Peter Marinos, Panagiotis Mavroidis, Anthony Thompson and Burt Keener, The Byzantine Voices of Saint Barbara and its Director Anthony Thompson, The Children's Choir under the direction of Costa Constantinou. our organists: Bessie Chronaki, Eleni Christakos, and Costa Constantinou SAINT BARBARA NOW HAS THREE CHOIRS: the adult, the youth, AND THE byzantine This Sunday, Oct 2, is the national Orthodox Church celebration of church choirs and musicians. It will be an exciting and busy day. I wanted to take this moment to relay some important notes about the service on Sunday. We will be having not only our adult Sunday choir but the newly formed Byzantine Choir, and the Youth Choir that will be singing part of the service. The Adult and Byzantine Choir have practiced some of the new music and have worked on the Byzantine "Doxology" by Fr. Murtos that will be presented at 10:00 am. Also, Costa, as the Youth Choir Director, has been preparing the young people to sing the "kyrie Eleisons" and so they will be doing some of these by themselves and some with our choir. Here is the order of the service for Sunday: 1. "Doxology" by the Byzantine choir and members of our choir who have rehearsed led by Tony Thompson 2. "Kyrie Eleisons" in the beginning of the service alternating between the adult choir and the Youth Choir. 3. "St. Barbara hymn'...first sung in Greek and then in English. 4. "Russian Cherubic hymn 5. During Communion, the Byzantine choir will chant Psalm 133. Prayer for Church Musicians In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN O Heavenly Father, on this day proclaimed National Church Music Sunday by our Archdiocese, our parish recognizes the women, men, and youth in our parish who give their time and musical talent in service to You, our Lord, and to Your Church. Bless them, O Lord, as they sing praises to You, and glorify Your Name. Let their music be a witness to Your majesty and love, and remind us all of Your presence in our lives. Help them to bring the Word of God to our parish family through Your music, through chant and hymn singing. Help them to fulfill all the responsibilities this music ministry requires. Giving of time and talents to learn the hymns of our faith, teaching others these musical prayers, actively participating in the dialogue of our worship, and striving to enhance the beauty of our liturgical life. Help them to grow as disciples of the Lord by making every effort to hear the Word of God, integrate His teachings into our lives, and sharing it with others through music. 3

4 Master, Lord our God, You commanded that everything be done for Your glory. By Your blessing, stretch forth Your hand to these Your servants who sing hymns of praise for Your glory. Grant them the wisdom and ability to sing our Orthodox prayers. Grant them good health, a happy life, and bless their good efforts. For You are a gracious God and to You we give glory, together with Your Father who is eternal and Your All Holy Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen Hello Everyone! A MESSAGE FROM MICHELLE CLAYPOOLE I hope you are all doing well:) Next week we have the privilege of making thank you cards for veterans! Catherine Mariakais and Philoptochos are doing a Fill the Bag project for our wonderful Veteran Americans that have sacrificed so much for our country. There are 2 parts to this project. (Strangely, I am telling you about part 2 before part 1...So pay close attention to the dates ) The bags will include personal essential items i.e. deodorant, socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, etc. will be assembled by our youth (and parents if you want to participate) on Saturday, October 22nd at 1pm at St. Barbara's. Our goal is to assemble 100 bags. Now this brings me to our activity this Sunday, Sept 25th...we are having our youth make Thank You For Your Service cards to go inside of each of these bags. Again, the goal is 100 bags, so we also need 100 thank you cards! We will start (and may complete) making these cards this Sunday, September 25th, in Sunday School class. If anyone has any questions about the schedule I have listed above surrounding the activities for this cause, please ask me or Catherine Mariakakis. I will list again below: On Saturday, Oct. 1pm at St. Barbara's: Assembly of the bags Thank you again for all that you do! Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday:) By His grace, Michelle Claypoole Save the Date: Duham AHEPA Chapter #277 Dinner Dance - October 8th $30.00 for adults, students paying half price and children under 12 free. 4

5 PROJECTS TO DATE: 2015 February 7 June 6-7 July 18 September 12 September 26 October 3 November 6 November December 6 December 12 Gyro Day Greek Festival Gyro Feast Yard Sale Fashion Show Chicken Dinners To-go Evening of Music Joint Philoptochos/PC Fundraiser Saint Barbara Celebration Banquet Holiday Greek Pastries 2016 January 16 January 30 February 20 June 4-5 July 23 September 24 October 1 November December 2 Evening of Music Spaghetti Event Gyro Event Greek Festival Gyro Event Evening of Jazz Greek Style Chicken Dinner & Pastry Athenian Grill and Pastry Christmas Concert WE NEED YOU as a STEWARD! Our Saint Barbara Church needs each and every family to join our Stewardship Program. Our goal is to have 150 Pledged Families in the Stewardship Program. As of Sept. 13th we have 99 Pledged Families in our Stewardship Program. Please help us Reach our Goal. 5

6 ATTENTION SAINT BARBARA PARISH! Celebrate with your Church Family yournext special occasion! Consider sponsoring a coffee hour in the social hall after Liturgy on Sundays to commemorate a birthday, graduation, nameday, anniversary, or even for the pleasure of just hosting for your Parish. Signing up is easy...just place your name on the 'signup coffee hour' sheet located on the table in the hallway nearest the social hall. For details or questions, contact Helen Paliouras at: or elenipali@att.net Become an Altar Boy! Contact: Burt Keener Boys in grades 3-12 are offered the privilege to serve in the Altar on Sundays during Divine Liturgy and during other services when available. Father Stavroforos will conduct instructional training sessions for the altar boys as needed to farmiliarise them with the special services of the church. For assignment into a group please contact Altar Boy Coordinator Burt Keener at his which is bkeener@nc.rr.com THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE, WITH APPROVAL OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, IS REACHING OUT TO THE STEWARDS OF ST. BARBARA FOR THE COLLECTION OF CLOTHES, SUCH AS, BABIES, CHILDREN, GIRLS, BOYS, MEN AND WOMEN, FOR THE RESCUE MISSION AS THEY HAVE A NEED FOR THESE ITEMS. THEY NEED SOCKS AS WELL AS HYGIENE ITEMS, UNDER GARMENTS. IF YOU DO HAVE SUCH ITEMS AND WISH TO CONTRIBUTE WE ASK THAT YOU PLACE THEM IN A BOX AND DELIVER THEM TO THE CHURCH. THERE WILL BE A TABLE SET UP OFF THE HALL IN THE BACK WHERE YOU CAN PLACE THESE ITEMS. THEY THEN WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE RESCUE MISSION. IF YOU NEED AN INCOME TAX DEDUCTION SLIP SEE LOU CONSTANTINOU AND ONE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR YOU. HOPE AND JOY ACTIVITIES - SAVE THE DATES - FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - MEETING AT THE CHURCH - TIMES TBA October 8: Love and Joy November 5: Peace December 3: Off because St. Barbara's Vespers January 7: Patience; Vasilopita February 4: Kindness March 4: Goodness April 1: Faithfulness May 6: Gentleness June 3: Self-Control This theme is "The Fruits of the Spirit" Each session we will include fellowship and an activities based lesson on one fruit per month. 6

7 modern greek language classes for all ages "Interested in learning to speak, read and write Greek? Classes are being formed now for the fall semester, which begins Saturday, October 1. Beginners and Intermediate adult classes and possibly children's classes will be offered. A registration form is attached...for more information, contact Helen Paliouras at or elenipali@att.net October of nd Sunday of Luke - 9 am 9-3rd Sunday of Luke - 9 am 16 - Sunday of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council - 9 am 23-6th Sunday of Luke & St. Iakovos (James) - 9 am 26 - Wednesday - St. Demetrios - 9 am 28 - Friday - Holy Protection of the Theotokos - 9 am 30-5th Sunday of Luke - 9 am November 18 & 19, 2016 Philoptochos 12 th Annual Holiday Greek Pastry Sale & ATHENIAN GRILL 7

8 Honor Archbishop Demetrios and Make A Difference with Children At its May 2015 meeting, the National Board adopted a cross-generational initiative to honor His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios on the occasion of his Nameday on October 26. In conjunction with Make a Difference Day, which occurs each year in late October, chapters across the US were encouraged to sponsor projects involving the children in their parishes in acts of kindness in order to teach our youth about giving back to their communities and to directly involve them in philanthropy. Projects included thank you cards to veterans, get well cards to patients in hospitals, personal care kits for the homeless, canned food drives, service to senior citizens, FILL THE BAG INITIATIVE Sponsored and coordinated by St. Barbara s Philoptochos Chapter, Fill the Bag is a philanthropic project aimed at providing necessities to those less fortunate from various demographics within our community at large. The inaugural edition will benefit Veterans and be donated to the VA hospital for distribution. Note that included in each bag will be a Thank You for Your Service card from the Sunday School children. All parishioners are invited to participate in the filling of the bags by donating any quantity of the items listed below. Cash donations are also appreciated to defray cost of items not received from donations. Collection boxes will be located at the rear of the fellowship hall. Bags will be assembled Saturday October 22 in honor of Make a Difference Day. The deadline for donation of items is Sunday, October 16. Thank you in advance for your support. Catherine Mariakakis- Chapter President Items needed to fill bags- Veteran s Edition Soap Washcloth Tooth brush/ tooth paste Disposable razors Playing cards Nail file or clipper Comb/brush Travel size packet of Kleenex or facial tissue Cash see Catherine Mariakakis The Community of St. Barbara has an on going Byzantine music project. We are meeting at least twice per month in a chant group that shares things pertaining to psalmody with an emphasis on Neo Byzantine music and performance practices. A choir is emerging out of this endeavor. It is called the Byzantine Voices Choral Society (of St. Barbara). The principle aim of this group will be liturgical as opposed to academic. Already the choir has been invited to chant for at least 2 occasions. If you would be interested in this choir and it's dedicated work on the idioms and practice of Byzantine style music please contact Fr. Stavroforos at the church or Tony Thompson for more details. 8

9 PARENT MORNING COFFEE AND MONTHLY BOOK DISCUSSION Blueprints for the Little Church begins by providing a theological underpinning for and explanation of the little church within the home. Creating an Orthodox home, the authors argue, is really about raising saints. I love this quote: It s not about manners it s about holiness. It s not about good behavior it s about a life given completely to God in loving humility and peace. -Blueprints for the Little Church However, just telling parents that they should raise saints can lead to frustration if there is no guidance. The book, using the wisdom of the Church fathers, provides that guidance. Organized by the three major disciplines of piety prayer, fasting, and almsgiving Blueprints for the Little Church walks families through practical ways they can involve their families in the life of the Church. What I Liked Real Examples from Real Families One of my favorite things about the book is the way that it uses real examples of real families. In every chapter there are several block quotes from Orthodox mothers and fathers about how they actually live out that particular principle (fasting, creating a routine of prayer, etc.) in their own families. This is exactly the kind of advice and encouragement that I need! It also helps readers realize that there is no one right way to incorporate Orthodox spirituality into the home. Each family is different and, therefore, their home lives will look different. Quotes from Saints I also appreciated the quotes from saints that were scattered throughout the book. I ve even typed up a few and placed them around my house! One of my favorites was from St. John Chrysostom: If the man who buried his one talent gained nothing, but was punished instead, it is obvious that one s own virtue is not enough for salvation, but the virtue of those for whom one is responsible is also required. Therefore, let us be greatly concerned for our wives and our children, and for ourselves as well, and as we educate both ourselves and them let us beg God to help us in our task. If He sees that we care about this, He will help us. -St. John Chrysostom The Appendix on the Church Calendar Finally, I also really appreciated the appendix on the church calendar. In this part of the book, the authors provide a short explanation for each feast of the Church as well as a sample craft that children could do. While I m not a particularly crafty person, I did get some ideas for my church school class. Who This Book is For I wholeheartedly recommend Blueprints for the Little Church as an excellent resource for Orthodox families. If you are an Orthodox Christian or interested in Orthodoxy: Plans are being made for a once a month parent breakfast coffee at a local coffee shop like Bean Traders, where we can talk about the book amongst ourselves with Fr. Stavroforos. If you are interested in being a part of this program please contact Summer Kinnard smkinard@gmail.com. 9