Saints RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS, & IRENE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos 3074 Bethelview Road, Cumming GA 30040 (770) 781-5250 www.stsrni.org officeadmin@stsrni.org facebook.com/sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Read our daily devotionals at www.faithencouraged.org November 26, 2017 13th Sunday of Luke Fast Day (Fish Allowed) Fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.
Welcome to all visitors who are worshiping with us this morning. Please join us for Coffee Hour afterwards in the Parish Life Center ( PLC ). Reminder: If there is ever a luncheon prepared for donations to the church and you wish not to participate, the coffee and treats table is always available to everyone without a donation. Fellowship is the main focus of this time together! Visitors Meet & Greet with Father Barnabas TODAY, November 26 13th Sunday of Luke Father Paul Stoll presiding 8:30 a.m. Orthos 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy No Sunday School Classes today Until further notice, there will not be any Pre- K Sunday School classes. The 4 th and 5 th grades will be in the classroom downstairs and the 9 th grade and above will be in the St. Nicholas room. Appointments with Father Barnabas: If you would like to schedule any appointments or arrangements with Father Barnabas, please contact the office administrator in order to assure that there are no conflicts on his calendar. Thank you. Administrative Office Hours: Tuesday Friday; 10 a.m. 3:00 p.m. *Are you interested in being a part of the Orthodox Church? If so, the Journey to Fullness classes are at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. Visit the Gift Shop for Inspiration and Gifts For Today: Ushers: Marie Chapman and Sandy Athenson & Parish Council Members Coffee Hour hosted by: the Bozzuto Family Parish Council of 2017: Kosta Bozzuto, President; Greg Pappas, Vice President; Len Vanerstrom, Secretary; David Chapman, Treasurer; Sandy Athenson, Anthony Birozes, Marie Chapman, Helen McCart, Johnny Melts, Anne Trainor, Rusty Waldron and Plutarch Vamvakias Acolytes: Jacob and Jimmy Atkinson, David Druffner, Evan Eifert, Spiro Kefalas, Christos Kaloudis, Thomas Miller, Mike Trainor, Aristotle & Alexander Theofilis, Alex & Niko Tzevelekos, Christos Zourzoukis, Senior Acolytes: Johnny Melts Please say a special prayer for the following Individuals: Ruth, A. Andropoulos, Ashley, Ava, Austin Cohen, Carrie, Chris V., Fred, Gus P., Perry, A. Harris, D. Jeffrey, Jo, Lockie G., Mariann, Maria, A. Papandreou, Mary S., Victor, Patsy, Joanne, Walter, Vasilios and S. & K. Yalanzon. Friendly Reminder: The Orthodox Church practices closed communion. This means only Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared to receive the Eucharist should approach the Chalice at communion. If you have any questions, please see Fr. Barnabas after service.
13 th Sunday of Luke On this Day We Also Commemorate: Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis; Nicon; & Stylianos the Monk of Paphlagonia Apolytikion for St. Raphael in the Fourth Tone Because of the finding of your holy relics, wise one, * the Island of Lesvos has been filled fully with the grace, * which God richly gave to you. * You, O devout martyr Raphael, paradoxically * appeared to many people, and you grant cures and healings. * And therefore we the faithful re-joice in all your miracles. Apolytikion for St. Raphael in the First Tone To the offspring of Ithaca, the pride and joy of Lesvos, * monastic martyrs glory, let us offer to Raphael our songs of praise; * for lately he appeared, and pours out cures and healings to us all. * Inexplicably he appears to believers, both in dreams and awake, who cry: * Glory to Christ who gave you His might. * Glory to Him who gave you miracles. * Glory to Him who through you fulfills our prayerful requests. 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. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Singers and Chanters: Richard Bethune, Tabitha Bethune, Anthony Birozes, David Boyd, Lynne Lucher, and Jimmy Smith Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone On this day the Virgin Maid * goes to the grotto to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word * in an ineffable manner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. * Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child, * the pre-eternal God.
EPISTLE READING 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. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7 Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Προκείμενον. Ήχος πλ. δ'. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1 Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:1-7 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς ἐγώ, ὁ δέσμιος ἐν κυρίῳ, ἀξίως περιπατῆσαι τῆς κλήσεως ἧς ἐκλήθητε, μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ πρᾳότητος, μετὰ μακροθυμίας, ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ, σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης. Ἓν σῶμα καὶ ἓν πνεῦμα, καθὼς καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι τῆς κλήσεως ὑμῶν εἷς κύριος, μία πίστις, ἓν βάπτισμα, εἷς θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ πάντων, ὁ ἐπὶ πάντων, καὶ διὰ πάντων, καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν ἡμῖν. Ἑνὶ δὲ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
GOSPEL READING The Gospel According to Luke 18:18-27 At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:18-27 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.
PRAYERS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy, without condemnation, to partake of Your pure Mysteries for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen. How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I should dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my vesture will condemn me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. Cleanse, O Lord, the filth of my soul, and save me, as You are the one Who loves mankind. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul, and save me. Master Who loves mankind, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my judgment because I am unworthy, but rather for the purification and sanctification of both soul and body and the pledge of the life and Kingdom to come. It is good for me to cleave unto God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation. O Son of God, receive me today as a partaker of Your mystical supper. For I will not speak of the mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the thief, I confess to You: Remember me, Lord, in Your Kingdom.
PARISH NEWS Congratulations to the 2 nd and 3 rd grade Sunday School class on bringing the most canned goods to be donated to the Place for their Thanksgiving meal. They shared cupcakes with Father Barnabas for being the winner. Thank you Ms. Michelle and Ms. Liz for guiding this class. Philoptochos is still collecting children s pants (sizes 6-18) to help support the Clothing Closet project at Cumming Elementary. Many students are in desperate need of pants, and the closet is running low on them. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. There is a bin in the Narthex where items can be placed. Turn in your permission slips as soon as possible for your students to participate in the Christmas Pageant to Evon Patrick or Deborah Bowen. The Pageant will be after church services on Sunday, December 10. Rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 9 after the Pancake Breakfast. Bible Study Classes are on Wednesday morning, at We are studying the book of Genesis. The educational classes start after Vespers on Wednesday night, where we will be studying the Journey to Fullness series by Father Barnabas. All classes are held in the Parish Life Center. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. Financial Review: For the week of 11/15/2017 to 11/22/2017 OPERATING ACCOUNT Income = $3,684.00 Expenses = $4,142.56 Income last 4 weeks = $20,230.00 Expenses last 4 weeks = $18,737.88 MORTGAGE ACCOUNT Months of mortgage payments on deposit = 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15% of your service fee will go to Sts RNI Greek Orthodox Church: Save These Dates Sunday School Ministry Dec. 9: Pancake Breakfast with Nativity Pageant Rehearsal at the PLC Dec. 10: Nativity Pageant Program, immediately following the Divine Liturgy Dec. 24 31: Break for Nativity/New Year s Day (no classes) Feb. 4: God Parents Sunday Feb. 25: Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession Procession by SS students with Icons March 31: Saturday of Lazarus Pancake breakfast after service and making of the Palm Crosses April 1: Palm Sunday April 8: Pascha (no classes) May 20: Graduation June 11-15: Vacation Church Camp
OTHER NEWS Flower Ministry Thank you to those you have donated to the decorating of the flowers for the Feast Days Icons. We have enough now to decorate the icons for the remainder of the year. The Feast Days for Icon Decorations are (2017): January 6: The Feast of Epiphany August 6: The Transfiguration of Christ February 2: The Presentation of Christ August 15: The Dormition of the Theotokos (white flowers) March 25: Annunciation of the Theotokos September 8: The Nativity of the Theotokos April 16: Great and Holy Pascha September 14: The Exaltation of the Cross June 2: The Apodosis of the Feast of the Holy Ascension November 21: The Entrance Into the Temple of the Theotokos (white flowers) June 4: Holy Pentecost December 25: The Nativity of Christ Food Ministry Coffee Hour Sponsorship (please sign up at the PLC) Those sponsoring coffee hour: pls bring light refreshments, plates and cups; coffee is sponsored by church. Thank you to all the families and friends who offer their assistance with this ministry. It has proven to be a much loved time to gather after Sunday service. 2017 Nov. 19: Ralston Family Nov. 26: Bozzuto Family Dec. 3: Stewardship Committee Dec. 10: Kefalas Family Dec. 17: Donkar Family Dec. 24: Deborah Bowen Dec. 31: Olszowy Family Jan. 7: Jan. 14: Jan 21: Jan 28: Feb. 4: (God Parents Sunday) Feb. 11: (Meatfare Sunday)- Parish Council Feb. 18: (Cheesefare Sunday) Feb. 25: For individual memorials, the large tray of Koliva can be made for $30. Contact Helen McCart for those orders (helenmccart49@gmail.com). Gift Shop Ministry Please stop by Sts RNI Gift Shop for any special needs for a chrismation, baptism, birthday, or anniversary. If we don t have it, we can special order the item.
GOYA Youth Ministry If you would like more information on GOYA or would like to join (Grades 6-12), please contact Laura Kefalas at laurakefalas@gmail.com. Help Your Parish Community When You Shop There are 2 very easy ways that our parishioners can support Sts RNI with donations from 2 vendors: Amazon and Kroger. With the proper accounts, anyone who shops with either of these vendors can sign up Sts RNI to receive a periodic donation from the vendor, based on purchase amounts. Sts RNI is already in the list of recognized charities for both vendors. Our 501(3)c name is Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern Georgia, Inc. Here is a link that explains the Amazon program: https://smile.amazon.com/ref=smi_se_dshb_bk_smi Here is a link to sign up with the Kroger program: www.krogercommunityrewards.com or email at kcr11@kroger.com If you have a moment, please sign up with these vendors. If you have questions, please don t hesitate to contact me. Thanks. Hope and Joy Ministry Contact Jennie Johnson at jenniepsi@yahoo.com for more information on the Hope and Joy Ministry. Outreach Ministry The Family Promise families will be at Sts RNI on December 10-17. Please volunteer to help us with these events. It truly takes a village! Contact Anthony Birozes Anthony.Birozes@ejgallo.com if you can help! HOW CAN YOU HELP? Some of you have asked what other things volunteers can do to help. Here's some areas where they could use some help: Volunteer Drivers & Day center Volunteers: We are in need of folks who are willing to share their time with our guests either being present at the day center or transporting our guests to and from the churches, work, appointments, etc. If you or someone you know might be able to help us out, please email me. For these volunteers, we do require a background check and motor vehicle report, and they will have additional training. Even if someone can do a few hours or only one day a week, we would appreciate their assistance. Also, this offers a great opportunity for potential volunteers who are only limited availability since the drivers are needed seven days a week and the day center volunteers are needed on the weekends. Here's the link for weekend coverage. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4eaba92eaaf49-weekend1
Philoptochos Ministry 2017-18 Philoptochos Board: Advisor: Marie Chapman; Membership Chair: Evie Atkinson; Recording Secretary: Marilyn Ponton; Correspondence Secretary: Athena Miller; Assistant Treasurer: Midge Perry; Treasurer: Ann Hayes Vice President: Helen McCart; President: Jennifer Tubbs General Philoptochos Meeting on December 4th-Monday at the PLC 6:30pm. This will be a working meeting. We will be putting together Holiday Baskets for our Vets. Philoptochos Ornament Exchange at Mary Milam's Home on Friday-December 1st at 6:30pm Please bring a $10 Ornament (wrapped). Please RSVP to athenavlahos@yahoo.com Philoptochos is still collecting children s pants (sizes 6-18) to help support the Clothing Closet project at Cumming Elementary. Many students are in desperate need of pants, and the closet is running low on them. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. There is a bin in the Narthex where items can be placed. Food Items needed for The Place: Canned Soups, Canned Beans, Canned Vegetables (not green beans please), Tuna Helper, Dry Pasta, Boxed Cereal, Canned Pasta ( Spaghettios, Chef Boy R Dee) please place items in food bin in the hallway by the freezer! PLC means Parish Life Center CALENDAR for November and December 2017 Date Time Event Nov 26 - Sun 9:00 a.m. 13 th Sunday of Luke Orthos Father Paul Stoll presiding Divine Liturgy No Sunday School Classes today Nov 27 - Mon 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Meeting in the PLC Nov 29 - Wed 6:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Bible Study Class (PLC) 9th Hour Prayers for the Apostle Andrew Liturgy for the Apostle Andres Journey to Fullness Class (PLC) after service Dec 1 - Fri 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos Ornament Exchange Mary Milam s home Dec 2 - Sat 10:00am noon 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Christmas decorating of PLC and Church Baptism - Finley Jackson (Katherine) Vespers
Dec 3 - Sun Dec 4 - Mon Dec 5 - Tues Dec 6 - Wed Dec 9 - Sat Dec 10 - Sun 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. Noon 4:00 p.m. 14 th Sunday of Luke Orthos Divine Liturgy Stewardship Sunday Orthos Liturgy for the Great Martyr Barbara Boy Scouts Meeting in the PLC Philoptochos Meeting in the PLC Holiday Baskets for Vets 9 th Hour Prayers Liturgy for St. Nicholas Parish Council Meeting Bible Study Class (PLC) The Place - Philoptochos cooking/service lunch Vespers Journey to Fullness Class (PLC) after service Pancake Breakfast (PLC) Practice for Christmas Pageant by Sunday School Students Vespers 10 th Sunday of Luke Orthos Liturgy Sunday School Christmas Pageant Family Promise families More to Come
Stewardship Commitment for 2017 108 as of 9/26/17 Andros, George & Maria Athenson, Sandy & Julia Avery, Tori Barnard, Stephen & Deane Bauer, Ted Bethune, Richard & Sophia Birozes, Anthony & Mary Birozes, Mabel Birozes, Renee Boston, Jordan & Lisa Bowen, Deborah Boyd, David & Michelle Bozzuto, Kosta & Carolyn Brueggen, Geoffrey & Elise Carney, Sean & Maria Catapano, Athena Chapman, David & Marie Charitos, Angeline Chason, Russell & Chyriss Christy, Rick & Jan Consos, John (deceased) Dimitrakakis, John & Alexis Donkar, John & Athena Druffner, Keith & Mary Eifert, David & April Foxhall, Chris & Liz Gasper, Bill & Margaret Gilbert, Rob & Carey Gkoumas, Kleomenis Goolsby, Matthew & Karen Guano, Robert & Jennifer Hagan, Harald & Stamatia Hayes, Michael & Ann Costakis Henning, Robert & Anna Howell, Harriet Hutka, Steven & Linda Jackson, Stephanie Johnson, Jennie Kaloudis, Vasilis and Mary Kanellos, James Kefalas, Spiros Kefalas, Tasso & Laura Kefalas, Thalia Klock, Jackie Ladies Philoptochos Society of Sts RNI Lambros, Angelo & Crystal Lavdas, Alexander Levantis, Alex & Melpo Lucher, David & Lynne Lytle, Archie & Florence Maheras, Tina Maniatis/Bakalis, Dimitrios & Visiliki Manos, Emanuel Manos, William & Margaret Manolakis, Yianna Marianes, Bill & Audrey Marvos, Todd & Ann McCart, Al & Helen McGiboney, Nicole Melts, Johnny & Becky Milam, Bill & Mary Miller, Matthew & Athanasia Moissiadis, Nik & Argentina Panos, Nicolas & Teddie Papadakis, Evan and Nicki Pantazopoulus, Constantinos & Evelyn Papadopoulos, Lazaros & Christina Pappas, Greg Pappas, Gus Pappas, Thomas and Lillian Pappas Mavraki, Christos & Pauline Patrick, John & Evon Perry, Michele Ponton, Marilyn Popa, Mihai & Heidi Powell, Father Barnabas & Presvytera Connie Powers, Pam Pryles, Victor & Suzi Ralston, Luke & Liz Robinson, Paula Ryan, Chad & Joanne Samaltanos, Mary Singleton, Kurt & Jen Skiouris, Stathoula Effie Sofikitis, Estelle Sofikitis, George & Anna Sparks, Dennis & Laura Sparks II, Dennis Sparks, Jacob Sperounis, Nicholas & Leila Tadros, Koko & Carol Theofilis, Gary & Barbara Thompson, Steven & Thalia Trainor, Anne & Edward Tzevelekos, Greg & Evie Tubbs, Brian & Jennifer Tyre, James & Sharon Vamvakias, Eleanor Vamvakias, Plutarch & Tina Vanerstrom, Len & Marina Waldron, Rusty & Christine Walters, Tim and Diane White Philip & Kathy Willis, Mike & Dora Wilson, Jacob & Katherine Zazanis, George & Thalia Zourzoukis, John & Mildred Kazazakas-Levandakis-Zukerino Bakery
Stewardship Commitment for 2018 (31 as of 11/21/17) Athenson, Sandy & Julie Bauer, Ken ( Ted ) & Kim Birozes, Anthony Bowen, Deborah Bozzuto, Konstantinos & Carolyn Brueggen, Geoff & Elise Buzyna, George & Helen Chapman, David & Marie Christy, Rick & Jan Donkar, John & Athena Hutka, Steven & Linda Johnson, Brent & Nichole Kefalas, Spiros Kefalas, Tasso & Laura Levantis, Alex & Melpo Lucher, David & Lynne Maheras, Tina McCart, Al & Helen Melts, Johnny & Becky Panos, Nicholas & Theodora Pappas, Gregory Patrick, John & Evon Perry, Michele Midge Ponton, Larry & Marilyn Powell, Fr. Barnabas & Pres. Connie Safikitis, Estelle Sparks, Dennis & Laura Trainor, Edward & Anne Vamvakias, Plutarch & Augustina Vanerstrom, Len & Marina Waldron, Rusty & Christine