THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Transcript

1 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos 3074 Bethelview Road Cumming GA (770) cell (770) We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

2 WORSHIP Second Gospel/Tone - Fourth We are so very glad you have joined us today, and we pray you will be inspired and encouraged by your time with us. The Orthodox worship service is an ancient and timeless expression of how people have loved, served and worshipped God for many centuries, but it may be a bit of a different experience for you. Please feel free to use a service book or not and simply allow the words of the service to wash over you. The central act of our worship culminates in people receiving communion. This is a very special time for us all and we have some specific beliefs about our communion together. This is why we never impose this service on those who are not prepared or are not baptized Orthodox. This service may raise questions in your mind. Please feel free to ask Fr. Barnabas or Fr. Paul anything you wish after the service. At the end of the service EVERYONE is invited to come forward and receive a portion of the blessed bread from Fr. Barnabas. No one should leave church hungry! Know you are welcome and we are glad you are here. May God bless you and your family. 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. Prosforo: Is lovingly offered by the Prosforo Ministry Volunteers Schedule for the Week Wednesday, Sep. 5th - 6:30 p.m. Vespers Saturday, Sept. 1st - 9 a.m. Orthros/10 a.m. Divine Liturgy for Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year Saturday, Sept. 8th 4 p.m. Baptism of Patrick Nicholas Raymond Son of Marina & Earl Raymond, grandson of Evon & John Patrick Godparents Rob & Jennifer Guano Parish Council On Duty Today - Vic Pryles & Dennis Kostulakos Welcoming Ministry - Florence Lytle - Ushering Ministry - GOYA ACOLYTES Zachery Bethune, James Blane, Nathan Frazier, Dean Pryles, Nicholas Pryles, Mike Manos, Giovanni Ray, Tommy Roberts, Luke Sulyma, Mike Trainor, Connor Walters, Roney Walters, Thomas Miller and Christos Zourzoukis STS. RNI YOUTH CHOIR Jessica Catapano, Maria Hagen, Christina Pryles & Laramie Smith

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER Thirteenth Sunday of Matthew Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone: When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world. Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone: In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life." Resurrectional Kontakion in the Fourth Tone: Now hath my Deliverer and mighty Saviour raised the earthborn from the grave and from their bonds, since He is God; and He hath crushed Hades' brazen gates and is arisen the third day as Sovereign Lord. We Also Remember Mammas the Martyr John the Abstainer, Patriarch of Constantinople Ammon & Aeithalas the Martyrs of Trace Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, Archie, Bill, Bill, Carrie, Demetra, Dina, Donna, Efthymios, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jerry, Joe, John, Maria, Michael, Nomiki, Oni, Paul, Sarah, Taki, Tara and Violeta Remember Our Military Connor Walters (son of Diane & Tim Walters, grandson of Jimmy & Pat Roney) is in basic training at the Marine Corps Base in Paris Island, SC. Cards & letters, along with your prayers, from home would be welcome. RCT Walters, CP rd BN, LIMA CO, PLT 3072 P.O. Box MCRD Paris Island, SC

4 Epistle Reading The Reading is from St. Paul s First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24 The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 BRETHREN, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Α Ω Ἀδελφοί, γρηγορεῖτε, στήκετε ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἀνδρίζεσθε, κραταιοῦσθε. Πάντα ὑμῶν ἐν ἀγάπῃ γινέσθω. Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί - οἴδατε τὴν οἰκίαν Στεφανᾶ, ὅτι ἐστὶν ἀπαρχὴ τῆς Ἀχαΐας, καὶ εἰς διακονίαν τοῖς ἁγίοις ἔταξαν ἑαυτούς - ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ὑποτάσσησθε τοῖς τοιούτοις, καὶ παντὶ τῷ συνεργοῦντι καὶ κοπιῶντι. Χαίρω δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ παρουσίᾳ Στεφανᾶ καὶ Φουρτουνάτου καὶ Ἀχαϊκοῦ, ὅτι τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα οὗτοι ἀνεπλήρωσαν. Ἀνέπαυσαν γὰρ τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν ἐπιγινώσκετε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τῆς Ἀσίας ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς ἐν κυρίῳ πολλὰ Ἀκύλας καὶ Πρίσκιλλα, σὺν τῇ κατʼ οἶκον αὐτῶν ἐκκλησίᾳ. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀδελφοὶ πάντες. Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου. Εἴ τις οὐ φιλεῖ τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, ἤτω ἀνάθεμα. Μαρὰν ἀθά. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μεθʼ ὑμῶν. Ἡ ἀγάπη μου μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ἀμήν.

5 Gospel Reading The Reading is from Matthew 21:33-42 The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it was marvelous in our eyes?'" Α Ω Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Αλλην παραβολὴν ἀκούσατε. ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν οἰκοδεσπότης, ὅστις ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα καὶ φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκε καὶ ὤρυξεν ἐν αὐτῷ ληνὸν καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε πύργον, καὶ ἐξέδοτο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν.ὅτε δὲ ἤγγισεν ὁ καιρὸς τῶν καρπῶν, ἀπέστειλε τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς λαβεῖν τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ.καὶ λαβόντες οἱ γεωργοὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὃν μὲν ἔδειραν, ὃν δὲ ἀπέκτειναν, ὃν δὲ ἐλιθοβόλησαν.πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους πλείονας τῶν πρώτων, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς ὡσαύτως.ὕστερον δὲ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων ἐντραπήσονται τὸν υἱόν μου.οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἰδόντες τὸν υἱὸν εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος δεῦτε ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτὸν καὶ κατάσχωμεν τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ.καὶ λαβόντες αὐτὸν ἐξέβαλον ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, καὶ ἀπέκτειναν.ὅταν οὖν ἔλθῃ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, τί ποιήσει τοῖς γεωργοῖς ἐκείνοις;λέγουσιν αὐτῷ κακοὺς κακῶς ἀπολέσει αὐτούς, καὶ τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἐκδώσεται ἄλλοις γεωργοῖς, οἵτινες ἀποδώσουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς καρποὺς ἐν τοῖς καιροῖς αὐτῶν.λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς, λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες,οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη,καὶ ἔστι θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν;

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday, September 16th - Back-to-Church Sunday "Hey, how would you like to go to church with me this Sunday?" Chances are you've never heard this phrase and most likely you have never spoken it... Studies show that 82% of unchurched people would attend if someone invited them! Yet fewer than 2% of Christians ever invite an unchurched person! National Back to Church Sunday was designed to change that. Most people who drop out of church haven't lost their faith in God; they simply fell out of the habit of churchgoing. Some moved or had a change in life circumstances, or they had a falling out with their former church and simply drifted away. Most often, life became too busy and this means many of them could be open to returning to church. That's why Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church is participating in Back to Church Sunday on September 16th. We are encouraging our faithful to invite someone they know to church services that Sunday. Call someone you haven't seen in church for a while and invite them back. Invite a neighbor who has asked about Orthodoxy to come with you to services on that Sunday. Take the chance that what you've gained by regular worship can also help someone else. Back to Church Sunday is September 16. Fr. Barnabas will have a special message on that Sunday as we all share the beauty and life-giving liturgy of the Greek Orthodox faith with our family, friends, and neighbors. We are the light of the world; it's time to shine! Upcoming Services Sunday, September 9th - Fr. Anthony & Fr. Barnabas are switching pulpits. Fr. Anthony Salzman will be our guest to help us understand the beauty & theology of iconography, while Fr. Barnabas will be the guest of St. Philothea Parish in Athens to speak about parish outreach and evangelism. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY The Wednesday morning Bible Study will resume Wednesday, Sep. 12th, at 10 a.m. continuing with the study of the Gospel of John.. The Wednesday evening class A Step-by-Step Look at the Divine Liturgy will begin on Wednesday, Sep. 12th, following 6:30 p.m. Vespers. Father Barnabas will be available to hear confession every Wednesday either before or after Vespers and by appointment. Please call or the church office to request a time to meet with Father and avail yourself to this healing divine mystery of the Church.

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Book Club Meeting Schedule We will begin a new book - Wounded by Love The life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios This book is wonderful. Some of the topics we will discuss, in addition to his wonderful life story at the beginning, are: Spiritual Struggle Prayer Love for One s Neighbor Upbringing of Children Gift of Clear Sight September 8, 15, 22, 29 All meetings will begin following Saturday evening Vespers. The book is in the Gift Shop at church or it can be found at For more information call contact Donna Smith at missmagnoliasmoxie@gmail.com or Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com Seeking Additional Community Input The Growth and Development Ministry is looking for your input. Displayed in the Narthex is latest draft of the Sts RNI Complex Master Plan. This is a 5-10 year plan with the first phase being the Multipurpose Facility. This is based upon the survey results reviewed at the last general assembly. The plan has a narrative attached to it explaining the layout and some of the changes already discussed. Please look it over and if you have any additional comments or suggestions, please them to Paul Ray at pcsec@stsrni.org, or you may drop off written comments at the church office. The plan will remain displayed in the Narthex through the end of August. This is an exciting time for our community and our future. We need everyone's involvement to be successful. Thank you in advance for your support! The Growth and Development Ministry

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR What is an AED? An automated external defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. One AED has been donated. Donations are still needed to cover the cost of the 2nd unit (approximately $1,500). Thank you for your support with this important project! Sts. RNI Parish Council Sts. RNI Choir Practice NEW DAY/NEW TIME Today - SUNDAY - Immediately following Divine Liturgy in the Chapel Contact Marie Chapman for more information or mommystargater@comcast.net Prosforo Baking Friday, Friday, September 28th - 9 a.m. Contact Stamatia Hagen for more information at mamma2maria@aol.com Save the Date Friday, September 7th, through Sunday, September 9th Sts. RNI Diakonia Center Labor of Love Work Weekend Contact Stamatia Hagen for more information at mamma2maria@aol.com GREEK LANGUAGE & GREEK DANCE Sts. RNI Hellenic Studies Ministry will be offereing Greek Language & Greek Dance classes again this year. More information will be coming out in the next few weeks. In the meantime, if you are interested in signing up for Greek Language or Greek Dance classes, or if you are interested in assisting/teaching, please send an to officeadmin@stsrni.org. Thank you, Hellenic Studies Ministry

9 GREEK FEST 2012 JUST 7 MORE WEEKS! SAVE THE DATES Friday, October 19th 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 20th 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, October 21st 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. We also need help: Set-Up - Thursday, October 18th Clean-Up - Monday, October 22nd Ask how you can become a steward of this wonderful event. Questions, concern, and to volunteer to help plan the Festival should be ed to Johnny Melts at greekfest@stsrni.org. Father Barnabas asks you to volunteer now so we can firm up our plans and schedules. Use one of the Festival Volunteer sheets and reserve your spot! A sign-up table will be in the Narthex or outside (weather permitting). OPA! Donation Wishlist for Festival Baking The following are items needed for baking: 50 lbs #7 filo ($125); 150 lbs sugar ($75); 12 gal. milk ($36); 40 doz eggs ($50); 100 lbs flour ($40); 40 lbs honey ($300); 20 lbs walnuts ($150); 50 lbs salted butter; If anyone would like to donate any of these items or money towards the purchase, please contact Johnny Melts (greekfest@stsrni.org) or Ginny Kostulakos (wordscan49@att.net or ) Baking will begin on Friday, September 7th, 9 a.m. at the Blue House. We will make baklava.

10 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday, September 16th - Sunday School Begins (Please note new start date. Change made due to conflict with Diakonia Work Weekend) Registration HAS BEGUN - Sign up TODAY Parents, please register your children for Sunday School early so that we can plan for classroom space and supplies. Volunteers are needed for Sunday School teachers and assistants. Your participation makes Sunday School possible. Please contact Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com SAVE THE DATE Saturday, September 22nd, 5 p.m. - GOYA Opa Picnic Fundraiser Join us for food, fun & fellowship! Sunday, September 23rd - General Assembly Meeting will be held following the Divine Liturgy VOLUNTEERS NEEDED A Chairman for the Sunday Fellowship Hour Please see Florence Lytle if you are interested in volunteering to chair this ministry. Grace Chihlas has chaired this Ministry since its inception and done a wonderful job of planning & providing refreshments each Sunday. Thank you Grace for your service. Greek School Teachers Volunteer replacements for the pre-k and primary Greek School teachers at Sts. RNI are needed for this school year. Society of Wisdom A volunteer is needed to take on the organization of the monthly luncheons.

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS FELLOWSHIP HOUR Our Fellowship Hour Donation Campaign has begun. We hope you have enjoyed the refreshments provided over the past year and will continue to support the Fellowship Committee s efforts to serve you each Sunday. Thank you all for your support of this Ministry. Greek Dance for Teens Thanks to Andrea Mancil for volunteering to teach our middle and high school teens Greek Dance. These lessons will begin Sunday, September 9th, following Divine Liturgy out on the lawn. The focus will be to get the teens ready to dance at our Greek Festival. All middle and high school youth are encourage & welcome to join these classes. Contact Mrs. Suzi Pryles for more information PARISH COUNCIL Dennis Kostulakos (President), John Patrick (Vice President), Paul Ray (Secretary), Vic Pryles (Treasurer), David Chapman, Harald Hagen, Harriet Howell and Florence Lytle Our Vision & Mission Our vision as Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church is to grow as a family in Christ. Our mission as a Greek Orthodox Church is to serve God and neighbor, strengthen the family and reach out to the community.

12 To date the 95 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for Nicholas & Varvara Alexiou Jim & Angie Andropoulos Richard & Sophia Bethune Paul & Elaine Bilson Anthony & Mary Birozes Renee Birozes Katherine Blanos Joseph (Ike) Bonnelli-Barbara Selwa Jordan & Lisa Boston Niko & Helen Bouboulis Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto Thalia Bruno Athena Catapano David & Marie Chapman Grace Chihlas Julie Chokos Roy & Lydia Clarkson Arthur Costakis Jamie Crossno Dean & Jenny Demos Wesley & Donna Dennison Keith & Mary Druffner Quay & Trissie Farr Chris & Liz Foxhall Dan & Sonia Frazier Paul & Caroline Geertgens Robert & Jennifer Guano Harald & Stamatia Hagen Kevin & Allison Hammond Christine Hatcher Michael & Ann Hayes Harriet Howell Mark & Jennie Johnson Eleni Jordan Bill & Mary Kaloudis Jim Kanellos Maria Kalou Kardomateas Theodoros & Aphrodite Kazazakis-Levendakis Tasso & Laura Kefalas Jackie Klock Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos Jonathan & Kelley Kostulakos Louis & Dianne Koulouvaris Alex & Melpo Levantis Earnest & Elizabeth Livaditis Leon & Frances Lopez Archie & Florence Lytle Connie Machoudy Harry & Tina Maheras Kiki Manolakis Emanuel Manos William & Margaret Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes Riley & Elizabeth Marvos Al & Helen McCart Johnny & Becky Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matt & Athena Miller Nik Moissiades James Morakis Patricia Morris Nick & Teddie Panos Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Gus & Albie Pappas John & Evon Patrick Lawson & Susan Plummer Mihai & Heidi Popa Fr. Barnabas & Pres. Connie Powell Pam Powers Katherine Prattes Vic & Suzi Pryles Paul & Gigi Ray Earl & Marina Raymond David & Mary Roberts Jimmy & Pat Roney Bill & Debbie Sarandis Dina Sarandis Philip & Anastasia Sarros Taka & Kathryn Shoji Eric & Donna Smith George & Anna Sofikitis Stamatia (Estelle) Sofikitis Dennis & Laura Sparks Robert & Alexis Sulyma Tohotmos & Carol Tadros Mike & Estelle Theodosion Nikolaos & Eva Thrasivoulou Ed & Anne Trainor Brian & Jennifer Tubbs Sharon Tyre James & Jane Vlahos Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Tim & Diane Walters Steve & Smara Wolff Sam & Katherine Yalanzon