FATHERS OF THE 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL May 27th, 2012

Transcript

1 FATHERS OF THE 1ST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL May 27th, 2012 Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos Paul Bilson, Psaltis 3074 Bethelview Road Cumming GA (770) cell (770) We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

2 WORSHIP Tenth Gospel/Tone - Plagal Second 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. 40 Day Memorial - in loving memory of Katarina Theodora Morris and 15 year memorial in loving memory of Larry Morris is offered today by their daughter, Patricia Morris, and son, Theodore Morris. May Their Memory be Eternal! We also remember today those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country s freedom and the veterans who have fallen asleep with the Lord. Prosforo: Is lovingly offered by the Prosforo Ministry Team Schedule for the Week Wednesday, May 30th - Morning Bible Study will NOT be held 6:30 p.m. Vespers followed by Exploring the Liturgy will be led by Fr. Paul Saturday, June 2nd - 5 p.m. Great Vespers Confessions will be heard following Great Vespers by Fr. Paul Parish Council On Duty - Florence Lytle & John Patrick Welcoming Ministry - Florence Lytle - Ushering Ministry - Parish Council ACOLYTES James Blane, Nathan Frazier, Spiros Kefalas, Dean Pryles, Nicholas Pryles, Mike Manos, Giovanni Ray, Tommy Roberts, Luke Sulyma, Mike Trainor, Connor Walters, Roney Walters, Thomas Miller and Christos Zourzoukis

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council Reading: The heresiarch Arius was a Libyan by race and a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This frightful blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing the deadly tares of his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar. Therefore, moved by divine zeal, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the renowned First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, with one mouth and one voice, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized the impious Arius of evil belief and those of like mind with him, and cut them off as rotten members from the whole body of the faithful. Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honour, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: You are greatly glorified, O Christ our God, who established our Fathers as luminaries upon the earth, and through them led us all to the true Faith. O Most compassionate, glory to You. Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: The Church was strengthened into one faith through the preaching of the Apostles and the doctrines of the Fathers. The Church is robed in truth woven of the word of God from above. It teaches truth, and glorifies the great mystery of faith. We Also Remember Hieromartyr Helladios John the Russian of Evia 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, Peter, Sarah, Taki, Tara and Violeta

4 Epistle Reading The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18; The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Α Ω Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἔκρινεν ὁ Παῦλος παραπλεῦσαι τὴν Ἔφεσον, ὅπως μὴ γένηται αὐτῷ χρονοτριβῆσαι ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ ἔσπευδεν γάρ, εἰ δυνατὸν ἦν αὐτῷ, τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς γενέσθαι εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς Μιλήτου πέμψας εἰς Ἔφεσον μετεκαλέσατο τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Ὡς δὲ παρεγένοντο πρὸς αὐτόν, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, προσέχετε οὖν ἑαυτοῖς καὶ παντὶ τῷ ποιμνίῳ, ἐν ᾧ ὑμᾶς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους, ποιμαίνειν τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ κυρίου καὶ θεοῦ, ἣν περιεποιήσατο διὰ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος. Ἐγὼ γὰρ οἶδα τοῦτο, ὅτι εἰσελεύσονται μετὰ τὴν ἄφιξίν μου λύκοι βαρεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς, μὴ φειδόμενοι τοῦ ποιμνίου καὶ ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ἀναστήσονται ἄνδρες λαλοῦντες διεστραμμένα, τοῦ ἀποσπᾷν τοὺς μαθητὰς ὀπίσω αὐτῶν. Διὸ γρηγορεῖτε, μνημονεύοντες ὅτι τριετίαν νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν ἕνα ἕκαστον. Καὶ τὰ νῦν παρατίθεμαι ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, τῷ θεῷ καὶ τῷ λόγῳ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ, τῷ δυναμένῳ ἐποικοδομῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι ὑμῖν κληρονομίαν ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πᾶσιν. Ἀργυρίου ἢ χρυσίου ἢ ἱματισμοῦ οὐδενὸς ἐπεθύμησα. Αὐτοὶ γινώσκετε ὅτι ταῖς χρείαις μου καὶ τοῖς οὖσιν μετʼ ἐμοῦ ὑπηρέτησαν αἱ χεῖρες αὗται. Πάντα ὑπέδειξα ὑμῖν, ὅτι οὕτως κοπιῶντας δεῖ ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι τῶν ἀσθενούντων, μνημονεύειν τε τῶν λόγων τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι αὐτὸς εἶπεν, Μακάριόν ἐστιν μᾶλλον διδόναι ἢ λαμβάνειν. Καὶ ταῦτα εἰπών, θεὶς τὰ γόνατα αὐτοῦ, σὺν πᾶσιν αὐτοῖς προσηύξατο.

5 Gospel Reading The Reading is from John 17:1-13 At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made. "I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves." Α Ω Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ,ὁ Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐπῆρε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ εἶπε πάτερ, ἐλήλυθεν ἡ ὥρα δόξασόν σου τὸν υἱόν, ἵνα καὶ ὁ υἱός σου δοξάσῃ σε, καθὼς ἔδωκας αὐτῷ ἐξουσίαν πάσης σαρκός, ἵνα πᾶν ὃ δέδωκας αὐτῷ δώσῃ αὐτοῖς ζωὴν αἰώνιον. αὕτη δέ ἐστιν ἡ αἰώνιος ζωή, ἵνα γινώσκωσί σε τὸν μόνον ἀληθινὸν Θεὸν καὶ ὃν ἀπέστειλας Ιησοῦν Χριστόν. ἐγώ σε ἐδόξασα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, τὸ ἔργον ἐτελείωσα ὃ δέδωκάς μοι ἵνα ποιήσω καὶ νῦν δόξασόν με σύ, πάτερ, παρὰ σεαυτῷ τῇ δόξῃ ᾗ εἶχον πρὸ τοῦ τὸν κόσμον εἶναι παρὰ σοί. Εφανέρωσά σου τὸ ὄνομα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις οὓς δέδωκάς μοι ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου. σοὶ ἦσαν καὶ ἐμοὶ αὐτοὺς δέδωκας, καὶ τὸν λόγον σου τετηρήκασι. νῦν ἔγνωκαν ὅτι πάντα ὅσα δέδωκάς μοι παρὰ σοῦ ἐστιν ὅτι τὰ ῥήματα ἃ δέδωκάς μοι δέδωκα αὐτοῖς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔλαβον, καὶ ἔγνωσαν ἀληθῶς ὅτι παρὰ σοῦ ἐξῆλθον, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας. Εγὼ περὶ αὐτῶν ἐρωτῶ οὐ περὶ τοῦ κόσμου ἐρωτῶ, ἀλλὰ περὶ ὧν δέδωκάς μοι, ὅτι σοί εἰσι, καὶ τὰ ἐμὰ πάντα σά ἐστι καὶ τὰ σὰ ἐμά, καὶ δεδόξασμαι ἐν αὐτοῖς. καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ οὗτοι ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ εἰσί, καὶ ἐγὼ πρὸς σὲ ἔρχομαι. πάτερ ἅγιε, τήρησον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου ᾧ δέδωκάς μοι, ἵνα ὦσιν ἓν καθὼς ἡμεῖς. ὅτε ἤμην μετ αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ἐγὼ ἐτήρουν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου οὓς δέδωκάς μοι ἐφύλαξα, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀπώλετο εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας, ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ. νῦν δὲ πρὸς σὲ ἔρχομαι, καὶ ταῦτα λαλῶ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἵνα ἔχωσι τὴν χαρὰν τὴν ἐμὴν πεπληρωμένην ἐν αὐτοῖς.

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Father Barnabas will be out-of-town Monday, 5/28, through Wednesday, 5/30. In case of an emergency, please contact Fr. Paul Stoll at SAVE THE DATE SUNDAY, JUNE 3rd PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR PARISH NEED TO BE MADE UPCOMING SERVICES Saturday, June 2nd Saturday of Souls Orthros 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10 a.m. Forms for names to be memorialized are available in the Narthex and can be given to Father Barnabas or a Parish Council Member. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY The Wednesday morning and evening Bible study classes have resumed. The morning (10 a.m.) class is studying the Gospel of John and the evening class (after Vespers) is Exploring the Liturgy. All are invited to attend.

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Metropolis of Atlanta Greece Relief Kits Appeal The GOYA will be collecting items to assemble Medical Kits. If you d like to donate (monetary or any of the items listed below), a collection box can be found in the Narthex. (Deadline Sunday, 6/3.) Medical Kits To assemble a Medical Kit you will need 10 items of your choice listed below Acetaminophen Pain Reliever (e.g. Tylenol/Excedrin) Adhesive Bandages Alcohol Wipes Antibacterial Soap, Hand Sanitizers or Wipes Antibiotic Ointment or Packets (e.g. Neosporin) Antiseptic Wipes Band Aids Bandage Dressings Bandage Strips Blunt Dressing Scissors Bug Bite Lotion Burn Ointment Cortisone 1% Cream Disposable Gloves Dressing Tape Elastic Bandages Facial Tissues First Aid Cream Gauze Ibuprofen Pain Reliever (e.g. Motrin/Advil) Safety Pins Sunscreen Tweezers Vaseline 1. Put the completed Medical Kit in a plastic shoe size box 13 x 7 ½ x 4 ½ 2. Put completed kits in a cardboard box. Clearly mark the outside of the box with the words Medical Kits and quantity of Kits in the box.

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS Book Club The Book Club, Saturday, June 2nd For more information call Lisa Boston at or or contact Donna Smith at (note new address). Philoptochos Update The Place Lunch - Due to a mix up in dates, the Philoptochos will not be serving lunch at The Place this Wednesday, 5/30. Please save Wednesday, September 26th, to help with this mission. Thank you to Presvytera Connie for hostessing a Tupperware Party and to Lauren Stafford, the demonstrator, who donated 10% of the sales to Philoptochos. GOYA BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. BARNABAS August 19th, 5-6:00 home of Jessica Catapano Sts. RNI Choir Practice Tuesday, May 29th, 6:45 p.m. Contact Marie Chapman for more information or mommystargater@comcast.net

9 Congratulations to our Graduates! We are so very proud of your accomplishments. University James Zachary Farr Son of Quay & Trissie Farr Graduated from University of Dayton School of Law with a Law Degree High School Joshua Harrell Son of Tim & Diane Walters Graduates from North Forsyth High School and plans to attend Kennesaw State University Emanuel Mike Manos Son of Billy & Margaret Graduates from Northview High School and will attend the University of Georgia Olivia Ray Daughter of Paul & Gigi Graduates from South Forsyth High School and will attend Auburn University Sasha Tadros Daughter of Koko & Carol Tadros Granddaughter of Leila Beyrouthy Graduates from West Forsyth High School with honors and will attend Georgia College & State University with a pre-med major Connor Walters Son of Tim & Diane Walters Grandson of Jimmy & Pat Roney Graduates from North Forsyth High School and is going to serve our Country in the Marine Corps Elementary School Sophia Hagen Daughter of Harald & Stamatia Hagen Moving up to Hopewell Middle School from Fulton Sunshine Academy

10 The Gospel of Stewardship 101 & 102 Saturday, June 16, Sts. RNI, 10 a.m. IGNITING THE FLAME OF TRUE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP Presented by Bill Marianes & George Matthews A parish that practices true Orthodox Christian Stewardship is truly on fire and can achieve the unimaginable as it emulates the kingdom of God. It is the challenge of every parish council, stewardship committee and Clergyman to ensure that each parish practices true stewardship and affords every parishioner the opportunity to maximize their commitment of time, talent and treasures to God s work. The question is how best to implement a truly successful stewardship program? The National Stewardship Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, together with the Metropolis of Atlanta, have created a unique and inspirational educational experience to help the parish counsels, stewardship committees and Priests implement a highly successful and new approach to stewardship. This program is a high energy, very entertaining and interactive four-hour program that includes ample time for very specific questions and answers tailored to the unique needs of each parish. Participants will learn what true stewardship is and how to organize your parish to maximize results through implementing 3 critical stewardship principles, 2 dynamic stewardship tactics and 3 effective communications strategies. The experienced facilitators are Bill Marianes and George Matthews of the National Stewardship Ministries and Archdiocese Council. This successful program was piloted in the Metropolis of Atlanta and then rolled out to rave reviews at the Archdiocese Clergy/Laity Assemblies in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA. Since then, Bill and George have traveled the country energizing communities with this highly effective and spiritually based Christian stewardship approach that can substantially improve a parish s results. The conventional wisdom is that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Many parishes have realized a degree of insanity with their unsuccessful or stagnant stewardship programs. This new stewardship vision will help break the chains that bind us to less effective (or ineffective) stewardship practices and will help create an environment that maximizes the results our communities experience. To receive the most from this dynamic stewardship program, the Priest, all members of the parish council and stewardship committee and ministry leaders of a parish should attend so that they can all understand how to reorganize the local parish and stewardship program to maximize their effectiveness. Please contact the host parish priest or parish council to obtain further information regarding this exciting and very entertaining program that will be delivered near you. It is the honor of the Archdiocese National Stewardship Ministries and the stewards who participate in these programs to offer the good word of how to ignite the flame of stewardship in your community as a part of our greater calling to serve God and His Holy Greek Orthodox Church. Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given. (Luke 12:48)

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS February-March-April 2012 Income / Expense Summary Month Income Expense Diff +/- February $25, $21, $ 4, March $17, $18, ($ ) April $18, $22, ($ 3,695.37) Totals $60, $61, ($ ) 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. For the year, donations have been made by the following families: Andropoulos Birozes Bozzuto Chapman Chihlas Doulgerakis Druffner Hayes Johnson Jordan Kanellos Kefalas Klock Kostulakos Koulouvaris Livaditis Lytle Manos Marvos McCart Melts Milam Miller Moissiades Morris Panos Pappas Patrick Pardinas Philoptochos Pournaras Powell Pryles Ray Sulyma Trainor Willis 2012 PARISH COUNCIL Dennis Kostulakos (President), John Patrick (Vice President), Paul Ray (Secretary), Vic Pryles (Treasurer), David Chapman, Harald Hagen, Harriet Howell, Florence Lytle and Mary Roberts Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church 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

12 To date the 86 stewards below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for Total Pledges to Date: $157, Average Pledge: $1, 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 Talia Bruno Athena Catapano David & Marie Chapman Grace Chihlas Julie Chokos 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 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 Louis & Dianne Koulouvaris Alex & Melpo Levantis Leon & Frances Lopez Archie & Florence Lytle Connie Machoudy Harry & Tina Maheras Kiki Manolakis Emanuel Manos William & Margaret Manos Riley & Elizabeth Marvos Al & Helen McCart Johnny & Becky Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matt & Athena Miller Nik Moissiades 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 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 James & Jane Vlahos Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Tim & Diane Walters Steve & Smara Wolff Sam & Katherine Yalanzon