10th Sunday of Matthew

Transcript

1 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751, Durham NC News & Announcements, August 28, th Sunday of Matthew Moses the Black of Scete Diomedes & Laurence the Martyrs 33 Martyrs of Nicomedea Job of Pochaev Synaxis of the Kiev Cave Fathers 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. Acts of the Apostles 13:25-33 Today's Readings: IN THOSE DAYS, as John was finishing his course, he said, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie." Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus. 1

2 Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 13:25-33 Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ὡς δὲ ἐπλήρου ὁ Ἰωάννης τὸν δρόμον, ἔλεγεν, Τίνα με ὑπονοεῖτε εἶναι; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐγώ. Ἀλλʼ ἰδού, ἔρχεται μετʼ ἐμέ, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἄξιος τὸ ὑπόδημα τῶν ποδῶν λῦσαι. Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, υἱοὶ γένους Ἀβραάμ, καὶ οἱ ἐν ὑμῖν φοβούμενοι τὸν θεόν, ὑμῖν ὁ λόγος τῆς σωτηρίας ταύτης ἀπεστάλη. Οἱ γὰρ κατοικοῦντες ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτῶν, τοῦτον ἀγνοήσαντες, καὶ τὰς φωνὰς τῶν προφητῶν τὰς κατὰ πᾶν σάββατον ἀναγινωσκομένας, κρίναντες ἐπλήρωσαν. Καὶ μηδεμίαν αἰτίαν θανάτου εὑρόντες, ᾐτήσαντο Πιλάτον ἀναιρεθῆναι αὐτόν. Ὡς δὲ ἐτέλεσαν πάντα τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ γεγραμμένα, καθελόντες ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου, ἔθηκαν εἰς μνημεῖον. Ὁ δὲ θεὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ὃς ὤφθη ἐπὶ ἡμέρας πλείους τοῖς συναναβᾶσιν αὐτῷ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, οἵτινές εἰσιν μάρτυρες αὐτοῦ πρὸς τὸν λαόν. Καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμᾶς εὐαγγελιζόμεθα τὴν πρὸς τοὺς πατέρας ἐπαγγελίαν γενομένην, ὅτι ταύτην ὁ θεὸς ἐκπεπλήρωκεν τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῶν ἡμῖν, ἀναστήσας Ἰησοῦν ὡς καὶ ἐν τῷ ψαλμῷ τῷ δευτέρῳ γέγραπται, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. The Gospel according to Matthew 17:14-23 At that time, a man came up to Him and kneeling before Him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 17:14-23 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντων αὐτῶν πρὸς τὸν ὄχλον προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων Κύριε, ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν, ὅτι σεληνιάζεται καὶ κακῶς πάσχει πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ πῦρ καὶ πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ. καὶ προσήνεγκα αὐτὸν τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν αὐτὸν θεραπεῦσαι. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη! ἕως πότε ἔσομαι μεθ ὑμῶν; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετέ μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε. καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ αὐτοῦ τὸ δαιμόνιον καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ Ιησοῦ κατ ἰδίαν εἶπον διατί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό; ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. τοῦτο δὲ τὸ γένος οὐκ ἐκπορεύεται εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Αναστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται. καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα. Today is Youth Fair Program Sunday Sunday, September 11th - First Day of Classes 2 AUGUST IS SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION MONTH!!!!

3 Good Day to All! It is amazing to me that are already preparing to begin Sunday School & our many other Youth Programs for the year! I want to thank everyone who has already registered and offered to volunteer to serve in the wonderful programs we have for our children. We truly couldn't do it without you! This is a reminder that we are having our registration open for Sunday School now during the month of August! We have registration forms to available for you to fill out for your child/children at the church, but the form is also available for download on our website Please print, fill out, & return this form to the Sunday School mailbox in the conference room or the information to me or Cleopatra: mclaypoole19@aol.com or cleopatrazp@aol.com You may also mail to: St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 NC Highway 751, Durham, NC C/O Youth Activities Registration Sunday School Classes Preschool: Nataliya Federovska & Andrew Kinard (preschool room) Kindergarten - 2nd grade: Elena Default & Cleopatra Papanikas (room next to kitchen) 3rd grade - 5th grade: Maria Easton (room next to K-2) 6th grade - 12th grade: Robert & Robbie Wippich (conference room) First Day of Sunday School Class is Sunday, September 11th, 2016 **Announcement** We are having our Youth Programs/Sunday School Social & Potluck on today during the coffee hour! We will have a table setup for registration, and we will also have some fun activities for the kids! There will be more information available about our other youth programs that day as well. Some of those youth programs are: Altar boys, HOPE/JOY led by Summer Kinard, Greek Dance led by Keith & Alexia Rheinhardt, GOYA, Greek School, and plenty of volunteering opportunities for parents! If you are planning to attend with your child/children on 8/28, you may bring a dish for the potluck! We are asking that the following class groups provide the following dishes: Preschool: appetizers K-2: cold lunch items 3-5: hot lunch items 6-12: desserts Again, looking forward to seeing you ALL there! Please RSVP to me by and let me know if you'll be attending. Don't forget your registration forms, one per child:) As always, I am available to answer any of your questions by or telephone. Please do not hesitate if you have any questions or concerns. My again is mclaypoole19@aol.com and my cell phone number is (919) That is all for now, see everyone soon! In His Service, Michelle Claypoole 3

4 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 FUNDRAISING 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 4 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 July 31st we have 96 Pledged Families in our Stewardship Program. August 2016 Worship Schedule 1-15 Dormition Fast Please help us Reach our Goal.

5 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. September 2016 Worship Service Calendar: 4-11th Sunday of Matthew - 9 am 11 - Sunday before Holy Cross - 9 am 14 - Wednesday - Elevation of the Holy Cross - 9 am 18 - Sunday after Holy Cross - 9 am 25-1st Sunday of Luke - 9 am 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. 5

6 2016 Financial Update thru July 31, Stewardship & Offering donations $111, Festival Income $101, Operations expenses $142, Festival Expenses $45,813 Operations Net Income $25, Building Fund donations $64, Fundraiser Income $13, Building Fund expenses (Mortgage) $128, Fundraiser Expenses $3,031 Building Fund shortfall ($54,106) Total Shortfall ($28,887) Your Stewardship and Building Fund contributions are necessary year round but particularly during the summer months when church attendance is low. The church expenses continue year round. Please consider auto bill pay options through your financial institution. 6

7 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Mark your Calendar for our Upcoming Events!! September 24, 2016 AN EVENING OF JAZZ and DANCING ( (flyers will be available soon) ************************************************************************************************************ October 1, 2016 GREEK STYLE CHICKEN DINNER GREEK PASTRY SALE (flyers will be available soon) ************************************************************************************************** November 18 & 19, Philoptochos 12 th Annual Holiday Greek Pastry Sale & ATHENIAN GRILL (flyers will be available soon) ************************************************************************************************************************** Check our website September 1, 2016 for more details about these future events.

8 Join the Saint Barbara Youth Choir! Open to all Sunday School Aged Children and to all those in High School. (see upcoming announcements for more information) Saint Barbara Recruitment Sunday TBA Wednesday, September 7 -Board Meeting 7 pm Wednesday, September 11 - Hellenic College/Holy Cross Collection Sunday, September 18 - General Membership Meeting Sunday, September 25 - Fanouropita Sale Save the Date Duham Ahepa Chapter 277 Dinner Dance - October 8 8 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."

9 AN EXPLANATION OF OUR MANY YOUTH MINISTRIES Sunday School - Michelle Claypoole mclaypoole19@aol.com & Cleopatra Papanikas cleopatrazp@aol.com Sunday School classes for ages pre-school through High School meet on Sunday mornings from September through May. Classes begin following Holy Communion and last approximately 40 minutes. HOPE/JOY - Summer Kinard smkinard@gmail.com The combined youth groups of HOPE (kindergarten through second grade) and JOY (third through sixth grades) meet monthly for fun activities that reflect Orthodox Christian faith, tradition and life. GOYA - Michelle Claypoole mclaypoole19@gmail.com GOYA is the ministry for teens in junior high and high school, and offers opportunities for fun, fellowship, education, and service. The mission and goal of GOYA is to lead our young people into experiencing the Orthodox faith and equip them with the knowledge necessary to assist them on their journey to becoming active members of the living Church of Jesus Christ. ALTAR BOYS - Burt Keener bkeener@nc.rr.com This ministry is open to boys and young men who desire to assist the Priest in the celebration of the Sunday Divine Liturgy and special services throughout the year. Altar boys will serve on a rotating basis once groups have been assigned. This will enhance their personal worship experience as well as those of our parishioners. Greek Dance Troupe - Keith & Alexia Rheinhardt keith_alexia@gmail.com The Saint Barbara Greek Dance Troupe welcomes anyone interested from kindergarten age and older. The group meets for practices and develops the basics to perform a variety of traditional Greek dances. The troupe performs in traditional costume during our community's Greek Festival and when representing our Church in local events. Greek Language Classes - Helen Paliouras elenipali@att.net Greek language instruction begins the first week of October continues through the school year. Volunteer instructors teach various levels to adults and children. Classes are held on Saturdays and Sunday's if needed. All tuition monies collected goes to the Saint Barbara Building Fund. 9

10 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. 10