Sunday of St John Climacus

Transcript

1 Saints RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS, & IRENE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos 3074 Bethelview Road, Cumming GA (770) facebook.com/sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Read our daily devotionals at March 18, 2018 Sunday of St John Climacus Future Sts Raphael Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church Cumming, Georgia Fast Day (Wine and Oil Allowed) Wine and oil are allowed. Refrain from meat, fish, dairy, and eggs.

2 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, March 18, 2018 Sunday of St. John Climacus Fr. Gregory Tsikerdanos presiding 9:00 a.m. Orthos 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Appointments with Father Barnabas: Fr. Barnabas will be hearing confessions every Saturday from 4-5 PM before Great Vespers. He will also hear confessions by appointment. Please contact the church office to schedule an appointment. 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: Kosta Bozzuto & Ann Trainor Coffee Hour hosted by: John & Val Martin Parish Council of 2018: Kosta Bozzuto, President; Rusty Waldron, Vice President; Len Vanerstrom, Secretary; David Chapman, Treasurer; Sandy Athenson, David Boyd, John Donkar, Tasso Kefalas, Helen McCart, Greg Pappas, Anne Trainor, and Plutarch Vamvakias Acolytes: Jacob and Jimmy Atkinson, David Druffner, 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, Ana S., Ashley, Ava, Austin Cohen, Bruce, Carrie, Elizabeth, Estelle S., Fred, Gus P., Jim, Perry, A. Harris, D. Jeffrey, Jo, Lockie G., Mariann, Maria, Mary M., Mr. Moss, Nicole, A. Papandreou, Mary S., Victor, Patsy, Joanne, Walter, Vasilios and S. & K. Yalanzon. Mary Samaltanos is now in Long Term Care at Cumming Health and Rehab Center, 2775 Castleberry Road, Cumming, GA 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.

3 Sunday of St. John Climacus On this Day We Also Commemorate: Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem; Trophimos & Eukarpion, Monk-martyrs of Nicomedea; & Edward the Martyr, King of England 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. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Singers and Chanters: Richard Bethune, Tabitha Bethune, Geoff & Elise Brueggen, 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. Apolytikion of the Saint in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O John, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls. Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone 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. To you, the champion leader, we your flock dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving, as ones rescued out of suff rings, O Theotokos; but as you are one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can be deliver us, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded. Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοι ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε. Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοι Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.

4 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 Hebrews 6:13-20 BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 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 Ἑβραίους 6:13-20 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

5 THE GOSPEL READING The Gospel According to Mark 9:17-31 At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise." Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν ἀλλ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε πιστεύω, κύριε βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.

6 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.

7 Prayers at the End of each Service sung by the Congregation You have probably noticed that toward the end of the service the priest says prayers in front of the Altar and the Chanters will also sing halfway through the Prayers. It almost sounds like they are competing with the priest. They are actually saying a short prayer for our priest asking the Lord to answer our prayers for the priest who also prays for us. It is short and pretty and we are asking the parishioners to join in the prayer. We will take our cue from the Chanters whether Greek or English. This is prayed at pages 68/69 of the new Liturgy book. English: Lord, protect for many years the one who blesses and sanctifies us. Greek: Τὸν εὐλογοῦντα καὶ ἁγιάζοντα ἡμᾶς, Κύριε, φύλαττε εἰς πολλὰ ἔτη. Phonetic for the Greek: Ton ev-lo-goun -ta ke a-gi-a -zon-ta i-m-as, Ki -ri-e fi-la-te, ei-s po-la eti. The a is a short a pronounced as in ma; The e is a short e and pronounced as both e s in ever; The i is a short i and is pronounced as in his; The o is a long o as in omega; The ei is a diphthong and is pronounced as a long e as in equal.

8 PARISH NEWS The ladies of the Philoptochos Committee will continue to collect clothing and shoes for the clothing closet at Cumming Elementary. As the weather begins to warm, students will be in need of shorts. Tennis shoes and water bottles are also needed as well. A donation tub will be placed in the Narthex on Sunday. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your kindness and generosity as we continue to support children in our local community. If you have any questions, please see Liz Ralston. March 31, Lazarus Saturday - Father Barnabas will be hearing confessions from our Sunday School Students on March 31 during and after the Lazarus Pancake Breakfast. Come to service at 9 and 10 a.m., have breakfast with your Sunday School families, make palm crosses, and have a chance to have confession with Father Barnabas. Myrrhbearers (Greek: Μυροφόροι) for Good Friday Evening Service -7pm- April 6th Parents of young girls (Grades 2nd- 5th) interested in participating in the Good Friday Evening Service, please contact Athena Miller (athenavlahos@yahoo.com) if your daughter is interested. I need to have a final count of the girls participating by Friday-March 30th so we can plan baskets and order the rose petals that are needed. The girls are required to wear white dresses, white sweaters (if you have short sleeves) and white dress shoes. If you have any questions on the participating, please call me # or me athenavlahos@yahoo.com. If there is any parent that has an extra white dress and wishes to donate to us, please reach out to Stamatia Hagen (Mamma2Maria@gmail.com). We can use these dresses for our girls this year and into the following years if someone does not have a white dress. Thank you! Athena & Stamatia All is welcome! When: Sunday, April 8 Time: After the Agape service Where: Outside the church (weather permitting) Please bring in at least 12 filled plastic eggs. There will be a container located inside the narthex that you can put your eggs in. Don't forget to bring a basket to the egg hunt! Any Questions? See Marina Vanerstrom

9 Readers Needed during the Agape Vespers on Pascha Sunday - we read from the Gospel of John (20:19-25) in as many languages as possible. This expresses the fact that the Church is open to everyone, and that we are to make disciples of all nations. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Lynne Lucher (lalucher@gmail.com) and indicate the language which you can read. Our Gospel book includes Greek, English, Russian, German, French and Spanish. If you can read in a language not listed here, and you don t already have the text of the Gospel passage in that language, we will help you search for a source Sts RNI Treasurer update: Remember to update your personal and family profiles on the website. Instructions are in the packet you received with your 2017 financial statements. Deborah Bowen will begin to take pictures of families and individuals today in the PLC. This will be an ongoing ministry for our church directory. Financial Review: For the week of 3/06/2018 to 3/12/2018 OPERATING ACCOUNT Income = $5, Expenses = $2, Income last 4 weeks = $19, Expenses last 4 weeks = $15, MORTGAGE ACCOUNT Months of mortgage payments on deposit = 3 (5 months transferred from Greek Festival) Save These Dates Saturday, April 21 Philoptochos Membership Tea in the PLC. 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Greek Festival October Sunday School Ministry 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 Sense-sational worship the study of the scents in the church

10 MINISTRY NEWS Education Ministry Bible Study Classes are on Wednesday morning, at 10:00 a.m. We are studying the book of Genesis. These classes will run through March 28 and then restart on April 18 May 30. After summer break, the classes will resume on September 12. The educational classes are 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 and will be finishing on January 31. After the Greek Festival, the class will begin again. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. Flower Ministry Thank you to all who have donated generously for flowers for decorating the Feast Days Icons. The Feast Days when Icons are decorated are listed below. We have received donations for each of the listed Feast Days. Sharon Tyre is the chairperson for this ministry. If you would like to make a donation and/or help with the decorating, please contact her at sharontyre@yahoo.com. January 6 February 2 March 25 April 8 May 17 May 27 The Feast of Epiphany Deborah Bowen The Presentation of Christ Barbara Theopolis Annunciation of the Theotokos Athena Miller and Anonymous Great and Holy Pascha Our Generous Parishioners August 6 August 15 September 8 September 14 The Apodosis of the Feast of the Holy Ascension November 21 Helen and Al McCart Holy Pentecost Anonymous donation December 25 The Transfiguration of Christ The Tubbs Family The Dormition of the Theotokos Jennie Johnson The Nativity of the Theotokos Carolyn Tuthill The Exaltation of the Cross Russell & Stephanie Crosio and Anonymous donation The Entrance Into the Temple of the Theotokos Deborah Bowen The Nativity of Christ Carolyn Tuthill Bozzuto and Anonymous donation

11 Food Ministry Coffee Hour Sponsorship (please sign up at the PLC) Those sponsoring coffee hour: please bring light refreshments, paper plates and coffee and drinking 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 Mar 18: Martin Family Mar 25: Lopez/Spinthourakas Family April 1: Parish Council April 8: April 15: Brent & Nicole Johnson April 22: Ann Costakis Hayes April 29: Birozes Family May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: June 3: June 10: June 17: June 24: July 1: 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 Our Gift Shop has moved to the Parish Life Center in order to make more room for our Sunday School students in the church building. Please stop by and see all the wonderful inventory in the glass cases. John Patrick is chairing this ministry, so let him know if you need to buy anything or ordered for a chrismation, baptism, birthday, or anniversary. If we don t have it, he 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: Here is a link to sign up with the Kroger program: or at kcr11@kroger.com

12 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. Men s Book Study Ministry Men s Book Study meeting on Wednesday nights after service in the PLC. The book Everywhere Present by Father Stephen Freeman is the topic of discussion. Please contact Dennis Sparks at 22sdad@comcast.net for more information. Outreach Ministries Family Promise Family Promise Volunteers signup for the week of April 22. Here is the link: It very easy and self-explanatory. The Family Promise families will be at Sts RNI on April 22, July 8, and August 26. Contact Anthony Birozes Anthony.Birozes@ejgallo.com if you have any questions! Depression/Bipolar Support Group Ministry will be meeting in the PLC on the first and third Thursdays from 7:00 9:00 p.m. Contact Margaret Gasper or Bill Gasper at mmgasper@comcast.net for more information.

13 Philoptochos Ministry Philoptochos Board: President: Jennifer Tubbs; 1st Vice President: Helen McCart 2nd Vice President: Evie Atkinson; Treasurer: Ann Hayes Assistant Treasurer: Midge Perry; Correspondence Secretary: Athena Miller Recording Secretary: Marilyn Ponton; Advisor: Marie Chapman The ladies of the Philoptochos Committee will continue to collect clothing and shoes for the clothing closet at Cumming Elementary. As the weather begins to warm, students will be in need of shorts. Tennis shoes and water bottles are also needed as well. A donation tub will be placed in the Narthex on Sunday. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your kindness and generosity as we continue to support children in our local community. If you have any questions, please see Liz Ralston. Save the date for Philoptochos Membership Tea, Saturday, April 21 in the PLC from 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 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! Meeting dates and times for 2018 (in the PLC unless otherwise stated): Board Meeting Jan 16th 7:00-8:30 PM; General Meeting Feb 27th 7:00-8:30 PM; Board Meeting Mar 20th 7:00-8:30 PM; General Meeting Apr 17th 7:00-8:30 PM; Board Meeting May 15th 7:00-8:30 PM; General Meeting June 19th 7:00-8:30 PM; Board Meeting July 17th 7:00-8:30 PM; General Meeting Aug 21st 7:00-8:30 PM; Board Meeting Sept 18th 7:00-8:30 PM; General Meeting Oct 16th 7:00-8:30 PM; Board Meeting Nov 20th 7:00-8:30 PM; General Meeting Dec 18th 7:00-8:30 PM Readers and Choir Ministry I will sacrifice a sacrifice of praise unto You, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. (Ps. 115:17, Septuagint) Lord, I have loved the beauty of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. (Ps. 25:8, Septuagint) Come, all you people, let us all sing to Christ God, Who divided the sea, and made a way for the people which He had brought up out of the bondage of Egypt; for He is glorified. (Canon of Preparation for Holy Communion, Ode One Heirmos) God s people are called to praise Him and sing to Him in gratitude for all He has done for our salvation. We do this in every service of the Church. The Readers assist in this work of the people by reading the Psalms, Old Testament Prophecies, Epistles, and other prayers during the services. The Choir assists the people by leading them in singing to God, and helping to beautify our worship to His glory. If you are interested in becoming a Lay Reader and/or a member of the Choir, please contact Lynne Lucher at lalucher@gmail.com for more information. Currently we have Choir rehearsal each Sunday at12:30 p.m., for about a half hour.

14 Sunday School Ministry Lenten Boxes given to Sunday School Students Here is a picture of the Mission Coin Boxes that we have handed out to the students. They have the entire Lent season to collect coins and bills. Also, adults can see Elise Brueggen after the service if they would like to have one for themselves. We will collect them at the end of Lent. All the money that we collect will be used to help Orthodox Christians who serve as missionaries, volunteer for Mission Teams and support the mission ministries of the Church to take the Gospel to people around the world. Welcome Ministry I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 Are you happy to be in church this morning? Do you enjoy seeing our church family every week? If so, the Welcome Ministry needs you. If you can say Good morning with a smile, you re qualified. One of our veterans will work your first Sunday with you to show you the ropes. We need 4-8 parishioners to join our group. Please let Sharon Tyre know if you would like to know more or to volunteer. sharontyre@yahoo.com

15 CALENDAR for March 2018 *All classes or meetings are held in the Parish Life Center unless otherwise noted* Date Time Event Mar 19 - Mon 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Meeting Mar 20 - Tues 7:00 p.m. Philoptochos Board Meeting Mar 21 Wed Mar 22 Thur 10:00 a.m. 6:10 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Bible Study Class 9 th Hour Prayers Presanctified Liturgy Men s Book Study (after services) Scout Troop 805 Adults Only Meeting Mar 23- Fri 6:30 p.m. Akathist Hymn Complete Mar 24 - Sat 5:00 p.m. Great Vespers with Artoclasia at the Cathedral Mar 25 Sun 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. Annunciation of the Theotokos (Greek Independence Day) Orthos Divine Liturgy Faith Encouraged Live Ancient Faith Radio Family Promise families March no volunteers needed Orthos followed by the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral Mar 26 Mon 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Meeting Mar 28 Wed Mar 30 Fri Mar 31 - Sat Apr 1 - Sun 10:00 a.m. 6:10 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:10 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. Bible Study Class 9 th Hour Prayer Presanctified Liturgy Men s Book Study (after services) 9 th Hour Prayer Presanctified Liturgy Lazarus Saturday Orthos Liturgy Pancake Breakfast and Making of the Palms (after service in the PLC) Great Vespers Palm Sunday Orthos Divine Liturgy Bridegroom Service ***** The Sts RNI website is back up and running*****

16 Stewardship Commitment for 2018 (93 as of 3/1/18) Go to StsRNI.org website under Giving and fill out your Stewardship Card online Apesos, Thomas Athenson, Sandy & Julie Avery, Tori Barnard, Stephen & Deane Bauer, Ken ( Ted ) & Kim Bethune, Richard & Sophia Birozes, Anthony Birozes, Mabel Birozes, Renee Bowen, Deborah Bozzuto, Konstantinos & Carolyn Boyd, David & Michelle Brown, Dan & Sophia Brueggen, Geoff & Elise Buzyna, George & Helen Catapano, Athena Chapman, David & Marie Chason, Russell & Chyrisse Christy, Rick & Jan Condos, Connie Costakis Hayes, Ann Crosio, Russell & Stephanie Dimitrakakis, John & Alexis Donkar, George & Alexis Donkar, John & Athena Foxhall, Chris & Liz Gaspar, Bill & Margaret Gilbert, Rob & Carey Guano, Robert & Jennifer Hagen, Harald & Stamatia Hauge, Michael Hutka, Steven & Linda Johnson, Brent & Nichole Johnson, Jennie Kanellas, James Kazozakis Theodore & Soula Levendakis Kefalas, Spiros Kefalas, Tasso & Laura Kefalas, Thalia Thompson, Steven & Thalia Thompson, Craig & Michelle Ladies Philoptochos Society of Sts RNI Levantis, Alex & Melpo Lopez, Frances Lucher, David & Lynne Lytle, Archie and Florence Maheras, Tina Maniatis, Dimitris & Vasiliki Manolakis, Yianna Marianess, Bill & Audrey Martin, John & Valerie Marvos, R. Todd & E. Ann McCart, Al & Helen Melts, Johnny & Becky Milam, Bill & Mary Miller, Matthew & Anthanasia Moissiadis, Nikolaos & Argentina Olszowy, Steve & Noreen Panos, Nicholas & Theodora Pantazopoulos Constantinos & Evelyn Papadakis, Evan & Nicki Papas, Gus Pappas, Gregory Pappas, Thomas & Lillian Patrick, John & Evon Perry, Michele Midge Ponton, Larry & Marilyn Popa, Mihai & Heidi Powell, Fr. Barnabas & Pres. Connie Powers, Pam Ralston, Luke & Liz Ridjaneck, Melissa Ryan, Chad & Joanne Sarmir, W. Jay & Carol Singleton, Kurt & Jen Sofikitis, Estelle Sparks, Dennis & Laura Sparks II, Dennis Sparks, Jacob Tadros, Koko & Carol Tanis, Jack & Georgi Theofilis, Gary & Barbara

17 Trainor, Edward & Anne Tubbs, Brian & Jennifer Tyre, James & Sharon Vamvakias, Plutarch & Augustina Vanerstrom, Len & Marina Voutas, Chrisoula Waldron, Rusty & Christine Wilson, Jake & Katherine Yalanzon, Sam & Katherine Zazanis, George & Thalia Bruno Zourzoukis, John & Mildred