THOMAS SUNDAY. APRIL 22nd, Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church

Transcript

1 THOMAS SUNDAY APRIL 22nd, 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 First Gospel Christos Anesti! 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 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 Team Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Albie, Andrew, Archie, Bill, Bill, Carrie, Demetra, Dina, Donna, Efthymios, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, Heidi, Igli, James, Jerry, Joe, John, Maria, Michael, Nomiki, Oni, Paul, Peter, Sarah, Taki, Tara and Violeta Schedule for the Week Wednesday, April 25th - 10 a.m. Study of the Gospel of John 6:30 p.m. Vespers followed by Exploring the Liturgy Saturday, April 28th - 5 p.m. Great Vespers Parish Council On Duty - Dennis Kostulakos & Vic Pryles Welcoming Ministry - Margaret Manos ACOLYTES James Blane, Nathan Frazier, Spiros Kefalas, Dean Pryles, Nicholas Pryles, Mike Manos, Giovanni Ray, Tommy Roberts, Mike Trainor, Connor Walters, Roney Walters, Thomas Miller and Christos Zourzoukis

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER Thomas Sunday Reading: Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you." Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29). This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection. Apolytikion in the Grave Tone: Whilst the tomb was sealed, Thou, O Life, didst shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and whilst the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Thy great mercy. Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: With his searching right hand, Thomas did probe Thy lifebestowing side, O Christ God; for when Thou didst enter whilst the doors were shut, he cried out unto Thee with the rest of the Apostles: Thou art my Lord and my God. We Also Remember Theodore the Sykeote Nathaniel, Luke & Clemente the Apostles Nearchos the Martyr

4 Epistle Reading The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 5:12-20 The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 IN THOSE DAYS, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." Α Ω Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, διὰ δὲ τῶν χειρῶν τῶν ἀποστόλων ἐγίνετοb σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα ἐν τῷ λαῷ πολλά καὶ ἦσαν ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἅπαντες ἐν τῇ στοᾷ Σολομῶντος. Τῶν δὲ λοιπῶν οὐδεὶς ἐτόλμα κολλᾶσθαι αὐτοῖς, ἀλλʼ ἐμεγάλυνεν αὐτοὺς ὁ λαός μᾶλλον δὲ προσετίθεντο πιστεύοντες τῷ κυρίῳ, πλήθη ἀνδρῶν τε καὶ γυναικῶν ὥστε κατὰ τὰς πλατείας ἐκφέρειν τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς, καὶ τιθέναι ἐπὶ κλινῶν καὶ κραββάτων, ἵνα ἐρχομένου Πέτρου κἂν ἡ σκιὰ ἐπισκιάσῃ τινὶ αὐτῶν. Συνήρχετο δὲ καὶ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν πέριξ πόλεων εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, φέροντες ἀσθενεῖς καὶ ὀχλουμένους ὑπὸ πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων, οἵτινες ἐθεραπεύοντο ἅπαντες. Ἀναστὰς δὲ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ πάντες οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ - ἡ οὖσα αἵρεσις τῶν Σαδδουκαίων - ἐπλήσθησαν ζήλου, καὶ ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀποστόλους, καὶ ἔθεντο αὐτοὺς ἐν τηρήσει δημοσίᾳ. Ἄγγελος δὲ κυρίου διὰ τῆς νυκτὸς ἤνοιξεν τὰς θύρας τῆς φυλακῆς, ἐξαγαγών τε αὐτοὺς εἶπεν, Πορεύεσθε, καὶ σταθέντες λαλεῖτε ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τῷ λαῷ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τῆς ζωῆς ταύτης.

5 Gospel Reading The Reading is from John 20:19-31 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Α Ω Οὔσης οὖν ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ιουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς πάλιν εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς λάβετε Πνεῦμα Αγιον ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς. ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί ἑωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ αὐτῶν. ἔρχεται ὁ Ιησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ιησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.

6 THANK YOU - Ευχαριστώ - Efxaristo The Sts. RNI Ladies Philoptochos would like to extend our gratitude to all those who participated in the beautiful presentation of our Parish throughout Great Lent and Holy Week. Your donations of your time and talents to prepare for each of the services as well as your monetary donations to provide the necessary materials and flowers to decorate the icons and sanctuary is sincerely appreciated. Icons for Salutations Julie Chokos, Ginny & Dennis Kostulakos, Carol Tadros, Anne & Ed Trainor Roses for Veneration of the Holy Cross Mary & Bill Milam Palms Riley & Ann Marvos Palm Sunday Icon Jim Kanellos Bridegroom Icon Helen & Al McCart Extreme Humility Icon Pam Powers Candles, Cotton Balls, Olive Oil for Holy Unction Barbara & Nick Alexiou Sheet for Body of Christ Christina & Lazaros Papadopoulos Bay Leaves Beth & John Doulgerakis Icon of Christ Being Removed from Cross Father Barnabas & Presvytera Connie in memory of Presvytera s mother, Alexandra Demas Kouvouklion Flowers Frances & Leon Lopez, Angie & Jim Andropoulos Resurrection Icon Christina & Lazaros Papadopoulos Lilies at the Base of the Cross Father Barnabas & Presvytera Connie in honor of their daughters, Alexandra & Katherine Tulle & Ribbon for Red Eggs Barbara & Nick Alexiou Non-Specific Monetary Donations Leila Beyrouthy David & Marie Chapman Beth & John Doulgerakis Polly & Pantelis Hasos Michael & Ann Hayes IMO Beloved Mother Chrisanthe Costakis Harriet Howell Eleni Jordan Maria Kardomateas IMO her Father Anastasios Kalos Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos Alex & Melpo Levantis Florence & Archie Lytle Bill & Audrey Marianes Nik Moissiades Gus & Alberta Pappas John & Evon Patrick Pam Powers Anne & Ed Trainor Eva & Nick Thrasivolou Christine & Rusty Waldron Also many anonymous cash donations (If we have missed anyone, please forgive. It was not intentional.)

7 THANK YOU - Ευχαριστώ - Efxaristo Palm Sunday Luncheon Thank you to the Ray s & Kostulakos and everyone else involved in the prepping, serving and clean up work for our Palm Sunday Luncheon. Name Day Dinner Thank you to the Melts, Doulgerakis & Alexiou s and everyone else involved in all the prepping, serving and clean up work for our Name Day Dinner. Thank you to all who attended and made the two fundraising events successful. A special thank you to the Tsikerdanos family for making the trip to be with us for Holy Week and Pascha and to those who supported them to make the trip possible. They have arrived safely home and they are grateful to their home parish for the love and support shown to them. Thank you to Paul Bilson for his beautiful chanting throughout Holy Week and Pascha. Thank you to Evangelia Mastorides, Richard Bethune, Anthony Birozes and Greg Tsikerdanos for assisting Paul with the chanting during all the Holy Week services. All our services were more beautiful and meaningful by you sharing your voices and talents.

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY The Wednesday morning and evening Bible study classes will resume on April 25th after Bright Week The morning (10 a.m.) class will begin studying the Gospel of John and the evening class (after Vespers) will be Exploring the Liturgy. All are invited to attend. GOYA BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. BARNABAS TONIGHT, Sunday, April 22nd, 5-6:00 home of Christina Pryles 8750 Colonial Place, Duluth MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD Sts. RNI Choir Practice Tuesday, April 24th, 6:45 p.m. Contact Marie Chapman for more information or mommystargater@comcast.net PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS 2012 Membership Drive Philoptochos is not just for ladies anymore gentlemen are more than welcome to join and take part in the philanthropic endeavors of the Philoptochos organization. So, ladies & gentlemen, please join (or renew your membership) for See Barbara Alexiou, Membership Chair or any of the Philoptochos Officers (Anne Trainor, Marie Chapman, Ginny Kostulakos, Harriet Howell, Gigi Ray, Margaret Manos) PHILOPTOCHOS GENERAL MEETING - Thursday, April 26th, 7 p.m. at the Blue House All are welcome

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS MEN S BREAKFAST Friday, May 4th, 7-8 a.m. Fagan s Biscuit Barn & Sharon Road All men are invited. Book Club Meeting Saturday, April 21st Please read Chapters 4-6 of Mountain of Silence, take notes and prepare to share your thoughts. In case you missed the conversation, our next book will be Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrios on sale in the gift shop. For more information call Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com or contact Donna Smith at missmagnoliasmoxie@gmail.com (note new address).

10 ANNOUNCEMENTS The Food & Wine Festival Saturday, May 5th, 5-8 p.m. is a fundraiser for our future Multi-purpose Building. Please support this event. Get your tickets from Marie Chapman, Julie Chokos, Ginny Kostulakos, Gigi Ray, Donna Smith, Carol Tadros or Anne Trainor. Bring your relatives, friends, co-workers &/or clients.

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS January-February-March 2012 Income / Expense Summary Month Income Expense Diff +/- January $30, $25, $ 5, February $25, $21, $ 4, March $17, $18, ($ ) Totals $73, $65, $ 8, 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

12 To date the 82 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 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 Theodoros & Aphrodite Kazazakis- Levendakis Tasso & Laura Kefalas Jackie Klock Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos Louis & Dianne Koulouvaris 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 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 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 out to the community.