Forgiveness Sunday. Transfiguration of our Lord Greek Orthodox Church

Transcript

1 Sunday Bulletin March 2, 2014 Forgiveness Sunday Transfiguration of our Lord Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephen s School Road Austin, Texas (512) office@transfiguration.org website - Sunday Service Schedule Orthros 8:30am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am Reverend Fr. Vasileios Flegas, Proistamenos

2 Hymns for today Resurrection Hymn (3rd Tone) Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡµᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσµῳ τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Effrenestho ta urania agalliastho ta epigia, oti epiise kratos, en vraghoni aftu o Kirios epatise to thanato ton thanaton, prototokos ton nekron egeneto, ek kilias athu erisato imas, ke pareske to kosmo to mega eleos. Let all things above in heav n rejoice, and let all things below on earth be glad With all the might and strength of His arm an eternal deed the Lord did perform Beneath His feet He has trampled down death by death, and first born of the dead has He become From the womb of Hades has He delivered us, and to all the world has granted His great redeeming mercy Hymn for the Transfiguration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Μετεµορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάµψον καί ηµίν τοίς αµαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι. Metemorfothis en to ori, Christe o Theos, dixas tis mathites Sou tin doxan Sou, kathos i dynando Lampson ke imin tis amartolis to fos Sou to aidion, presvies tis Theotokou Fotodota doxa Si. When O Christ our God Thou wast Transfigured on the mountain Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee. Kontakion Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν µου έσποτα. Σὺ δίδου µοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη µου, οὐ µὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι Ἐλεῆµον, ἐλέησόν µε τὸν παραπεσόντα. O Thou Guide unto wisdom, Bestower of prudence, Instructor of the foolish, and Defender of the poor: establish and grant understanding unto my heart, O Master. Grant me speech, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying unto Thee: Have mercy, O Merciful One, on me who have fallen.

3 Epistle - Romans 13: 11-14; 14:1-4 Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand. Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡµῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαµεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡµέρα ἤγγικεν ἀποθώµεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώµεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡµέρᾳ, εὐσχηµόνως περιπατήσωµεν, µὴ κώµοις καὶ µέθαις, µὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, µὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν µὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυµίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαµβάνεσθε, µὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισµῶν. Ὃς µὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν µὴ ἐσθίοντα µὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ µὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα µὴ κρινέτω ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.

4 Gospel - St.. Matthew 6: The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώµατα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑµῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑµῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ἐὰν δὲ µὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώµατα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑµῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώµατα ὑµῶν. Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, µὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες ἀµὴν λέγω ὑµῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν µισθὸν αὐτῶν.σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως µὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑµῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑµῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑµῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑµῶν.

5 Welcome Visitors! We welcome all new visitors who worshipped with us this morning. We are pleased to have you with us! Please join us next door after service for coffee and fellowship. There is material in the entrance of the church regarding ministries and events of Transfiguration. We hope that you will return often to worship with us and grow in Christ! Receiving Holy Communion The sacrament of Holy Communion is reserved for only baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by fasting, prayer and confession. The Orthodox Church is not in sacramental communion with any other church outside the Orthodox Christian Faith. If you are not Orthodox, you are invited with everyone to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of service. If you would like information about the Orthodox Church, please see Fr. Vasileios after services. Our Sunday School Classes are in session. Please allow the students and teachers to receive Communion first so that they can get to their classes. Thank you. Prayers for Health Arlena, Philip, Glenna, Euther, Nicole, Michael, Wanda, John, Lili, Archie, Paul, Michael, Petra, Luke, Matthew, Elizabeth, Cecilia, Venton, John, Julia, Ricky, Wayne, Sarah, Christopher, John, Arsinoi, Konstandinos, Jan, Marie, Chris, MaryAnn, Cliff, Maggie, Lou, Thomas, Kathy, Kathryn, Greg, Bill, Christopher, Steve, Maggie, Nakis, Martha, George, Richard Simeon, Terri, Nicole, Mark, Maria, Madeleine, Nassos, Maria, Amy, Christina, Ana, Dolly, Fr. Ambrose, Vickie, Pat, Bill, Linda, Mindy, Jenny, Rosemary, Fr. Andreas, Emmanuel, Alkmene, Maree, Constanze, Jennifer, Timothy, Andrea, Janis Mae, Andreas, Luke, Zlata, Andrea, Albert, Dorothy, Presbytera Krissy, Malamo, Larry, Jane, Boyd, Wilma, Ted, Nicolette, Danae, Alexandra, Fr. Damaskinos, Emmanuel, Thomas, Maria, Zoe, Kalliopi, Aikaterini, Garyfalia, Ioannis, Konstantinos, Nikolaos, Evangelia, Carol, Frank, Aikaterini, Eleni, Eirini, Dimitrios, Antigoni, Sharon, Georgia, Chrysoula, Michael, Dimitra, Suzanne, Fotini, Kirsten, Kimberlin, Alvin, Eric, Alison, Emily, Olga, Angie, Anastasios, Tahseen, Athanasios, Tristen, Damon, Fran, Melanie, Theone, Betty (Mary Elizabeth), Zoe, Gabriel, Themis, Maria, Panayiota, Dmitriy, Brandi, Cia, Jimmy, Sybella, David, Anthony, Susan, Carole, John, Stephanie, Maria, Sophie, Christa, Andrea, Greg, Patricia, Stephen, Wanda, Nick, Westin, Larry, Anna, Barbara, Anna, Dana, Colleen, Zoe, John, Kh. Anastasia-Velvet, Christine, Sam, Alex, Gabriella Marie, Lisa, Patricia, Joe, Marija, Sophia, Alysun, Dave, Maria, Jerry, Layla, Deacon James, Johnathan, Xenia, Robin, Ben, Khouria Luanne, Kathy, Bill, Lisa, Katy, Katherine, Nici, Dina, Heidi, Madeleine, Eleni, Philio, Irene, Crissi, Kimberly, Robert, John, Jerry, David, Mary Katherine, Virginia, Anastasia-Stase, Evyenia, Molly, Andrew, Pat, Louis Joseph (Gregorios), Sandy, infant Alex, Dionne, Presbytera Flora, Paul Ray Prayers for those in our Armed Forces SGT Jennifer D. Atkinson, SSG John Atkinson, COL Dave Romine, CPT James Alfaro, SSG Deane Anderson, CPT William Willett, MAJ Timothy Ullman, MAJ Chris Chase, Cadet Mindy Keys, SPC Andrew Bentzel, MAJ Scot Thornhill, CPT Christopher Gilbert, CPT. Alexander Stathos, 1st LT Angela Bahlatzis, MIDN 1/C Joseph Barone, Specialist Walter Hurbert (Nikolaos) Willoughby IV, LCDR Thomas Uhl

6 PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY Please join us today for our first GENERAL ASSEMBLY of 2014! This is a very important parish meeting (see the agenda on page 6) that should be of interest to all. Because of the FULL afternoon, our amazing coffee hour team has prepared a monthly luncheon for us! They are serving delicious baked ziti, salad, dessert and other goodies! The beautiful service of Forgiveness Vespers will begin right after the assembly at 3:00pm. March 2, 2014 General Assembly Mee ng AGENDA Establishment of Quorum Future Development Report Mike Glaros Call to Order Maintenance Report Stuart Yoder Opening Prayer Fr. Vasileios New Business Elec on of Assembly Chairperson Appointment of Assembly Secretary Approval of Mee ng Agenda Assembly Chair -Ministry, Ministry Leaders, and Council Liaisons -Administra ve and Planning Commi ees Chairpersons Approval of Minutes from Oct. 27, 2013 General Assembly Mee ng Proistamenos Report Fr. Vasileios President s Report Treasurer s Report Mary Georgantonis Stewardship Report Tricia Korioth Priori za on Needs Survey Report David Maziasz 2014 Parish Goals Maria Burke Discussion and possible approval of possible funding sources for future staff -Nomina on and Elec on of Delegates to Clergy Laity Conference, Philadelphia July 6-10th Any Other New Business Old Business Discussion and possible extension of Youth Ministries Consul ng Contract Any Other Old Business Adjournment Assembly Chair Closing Prayer Fr. Vasileios Forgiveness Sunday The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

7 WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sunday, March 2, 2014 Schedule of Services Great Compline: Monday, March 3-6:00pm 9th Hour Prayers: Wed. March 5-5:30pm; Presanctified Liturgy - 6:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos: Friday, Mar. 7-7:00pm Third Saturday of Souls- Saturday, March 8 Orthros - 9:00 am; Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am Great Vespers- Saturday March 8-5:00 pm 40 Day Blessing This morning we will have the 40 Day Blessing for Michael Vassilis Kwasny. Michael was born on Jan. 18th and is the son of Foti and Fatin Kwasny Greetings all! Please join us today for the very moving Forgiveness Vespers. It will begin immediately following the Parish General Assembly. What a beautiful way to begin our journey through Great Lent! AGAPE CHOIR The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Austin Metropolitan Committee is beginning to plan a fundraiser, tentatively a Mother s Day cruise, and we are recruiting anyone interested in helping plan this event. As many of you know, IOCC is a non-pro it organization that provides inancial assistance, emergency relief, development programs and volunteering opportunities for the poor throughout the world. In the past, with the help of many volunteers, we have had numerous, successful Pan-Orthodox fundraising events. If you are interested in participating in this worthy cause, please AustinMet@iocc.org. We greatly appreciate your help! We are also looking for event sponsors to help offset costs of the event. If you wish to be a sponsor, please AustinMet@iocc.org. We wish you a blessed Lenten journey. The IOCC Austin Metropolitan Committee We will be having Agape Choir practice on Sunday, March 9 at 9:30 a.m. in Mount Tabor Hall. The Agape Choir is a wonderful way for children to learn church hymns beyond the scope of Sunday school. Agape Choir participants will have certain opportunities to sing as a small ensemble or as soloists. All children are encouraged to join the Agape Choir. If you wish to be on the listserve to receive s about upcoming practices, etc., please TGOCAC@gmail.com. We offer our most sincere gratitude to today s COFFEE HOUR team, who at the last minute, agreed to become a LUNCHEON team to help us get through the big day! A huge Thank you to: Maria Miller, Jennie and Despina Misetzis, Pat Mitchell, Jim and Kellie Norman, and Stephanie O Brien. They have lovingly and generously prepared for us a menu of: Baked ziti Baked beans gigantes Green salad Texas Caviar Sheet cake and Cookies for dessert Garlic Bread Fruit and juice GOYAKITE-FLYINGFUN! OurGOYAnswillbeFlyingKitesTodayatO HenryMiddle School(2610W10thSt,Austin,TX78703) assoonaschurchisdone. Weshouldbefinishedintimetoheadbackfor ForgivenessVespersat3:00. Parish Spring Cleaning & Work Day Please join us on March 29 from 9AM-1PM to do some spring cleaning and work around our campus. Projects include-- cleaning windows, cleanup/ rearranging storage, A/C vent cleaning, removing damaged tree limbs, weeding, and more. Your help is appreciated. Contact Stuart Yoder ( ) if you have any questions. Transfiguration Oratorical Festival The Festival was a great success! Thank you to Beth Daskalantonakis and Elissa Bjeletich for organizing this beautiful event; to our esteemed judges: Fr. David & Prsv. Vasiliki Eckley, and Fr. Raphael Daly; to the teachers and parents who helped and encouraged the students, and of course to the presenters! GOLF (Greek Orthodox Ladies Fellowship) GOLF continues on Tuesday, March 4 at 10:00am. We are currently studying Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann Please contact Krystal Cawood to be added to our listtownsendcrafts@gmail.com

8 WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS continued: Sunday, March 2, 2014 Save the Date for the Great Lent Bible Bowl! Get ready because we are going to have another amazing Bible Bowl during Great Lent on the Sunday of the Venera on of the Holy Cross, March 23, at 1:30 pm. The ques ons for adults will come from the book: Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann. Like the previous Bible Bowl this past fall, all middle school and high school youth are welcome to par cipate with the adults. Register online at h p://transfigura on.org/events/bible-bowl-registra on/ OR THODOX Y 101 HOPE/JOY A new Introduction to Orthodoxy class will continue on On Saturday, March 22 HOPE/JOY will gather in Mt. Tabor Hall following the 5:00 Great Vesper service for a Lenten potluck and activity for our kids. Friday, March 7th at 6:00 PM. This class is for anyone who is interested in learning about the Orthodox Faith; anyone who is a Catechumen; or who is thinking about becoming a Catechumen; or for anyone who is already Orthodox and just wants to learn more about this beautiful Faith. This series will continue throughout Great Lent, meeting every Friday. Please feel free to come even if you cannot make every class. GOYA Southern Regional Great Lent Retreat! The 2014 GOYA Lenten Mark your calendars for: YES ATX 2014 Retreat will be held on Youth Equipped to Serve will occur just a er Pascha April 4-6, 2014 April 25, 26, & 27, at the Sky Ranch retreat center in Van, Texas. We'll sleep in the church and immerse ourselves in a GOYAns, grades 6-12, are invited to retreat away transforma ve, eye-opening experience of serving in our from every day challenges for a weekend of growth and fellowship. Registration has opened! Aus n Community. All GOYA youth, make plans to join us! youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2014-events/ REGISTRATION HAS OPENED AT yesnorthamerica.org Thank you to today s LUNCHEON Sponsors: Meador, Miller, Misetzis, Mitchell, Nikas, Norman, O Brien Thank you to last week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Next Week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Leara, Leatherwood, Lerman, Levendakes, Lindsey Petrogeorge, Petropoulos, Phillips, Phocas, Pon, Strong Thank you to today s ushers: Thank you to last week s ushers: Next week s ushers are: Dan & Gigi Appling, Nyda Glaros Mary Beth Gradziel, Paul Petrogeorge, Allen Wynn Jim Norman, Chrissie Spiropoulos, Vaios Athanasiou, Maria Miller