SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS MARCH 18th, 2012

Transcript

1 SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS MARCH 18th, 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 Seventh Eothinon/Tone - Grave 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. Memorial - A 20-year memorial in loving memory of Vasilios Pantazopoulos is offered today by his wife, Evangelia Pantazopoulos, daughter, Eleni Jordon, and sons, Constantinos, Michael & Pete Pantazopoulos. May His Memory Be Eternal! Prosforo: Is lovingly offered by the Prosforo Ministry Team Schedule for the Week Wed., March 21st, 10 a.m. - Bible Study Class Call to Serve-Scriptures 101 Wednesday, March 21st, 6:30 p.m. - Pre-sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Teaching of book DEFEATING SIN Friday, March 23rd, 6:30 p.m. - Salutations to the Theotokos Saturday, March 24th, 6 p.m. - Great Vespers with Artoclasia for the Annunciation at Cathedral - 25oo Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta 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 Sunday of the Holy Cross Reading: With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone: By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy. Apolytikion in the First Tone: Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth. Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!" Resurrectional Kontakion in the Grave Tone: No longer will death's dominion have power to detain mortal men. For Christ went down and smashed and destroyed its powers. Now Hades is bound, and the Prophets in unison exult and declare: The Savior has appeared to those with faith. Come out, you faithful, to the Resurrection. WE ALSO REMEMBER Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem Trophimos & Eukarpion, Monk-martyrs of Nicomedea 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, Maria, Michael, Nomiki, Oni, Paul, Peter, Sarah, Taki, Tara and Violeta Parish Council On Duty - John Patrick & Paul Ray Ushering Ministry - Philoptochos Welcoming Ministry - Helen McCart

4 Epistle Reading The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter To the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6 The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek." Α Ω Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.

5 Gospel Reading The Reading is from Mark 8:34-39; 9:1 The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." Α Ω Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν ὃς δ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

6 MARCH LENTEN SERVICES Mar. 18th Sunday Sunday of the Holy Cross 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy 21st Wednesday 8:30 a.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy** Metropolis Chapel 2480 Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta Officiating - His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios 23rd Friday 6:30 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Teaching on book DEFEATING SIN 6:30 p.m. Salutations to Theotokos 24th Saturday 5 p.m. Great Vespers for the Annunciation at the Cathedral, Atlanta 25th Sunday Feast of the Annunciation 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy 28th Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Teaching on book DEFEATING SIN 30th Friday 6:30 p.m. Akathist to Theotokos **His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios is officiating at the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at the Metropolis Chapel (on Cathedral of the Annunciation property). We especially encourage those who have never visited the Chapel & have the time to join us. Contact Florence Lytle at or Florence_Lytle@Prodigy.net with questions or for more info. CHURCH BEAUTIFICATION DAY Saturday, March 24th, 9 a.m. until?? Inclement Weather Day - March 31st We need men, women, & teens to help get our church ready for the Easter Season. We will be clearing an area for playground equipment, cleaning the altar and planting flowers. We need people, yard tools (shovels, chain saws, rakes, wheel barrow and a chipper) along with donations of mulch & flowers. Cleaning supplies like buckets, mops, rags, bleach, all-purpose cleaner, rosewater, etc. Contact John Patrick to volunteer at johnepatrick@bellsouth.net or

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS LENTEN BOOK STUDY Continuing each Wednesday, immediately following Vespers, we will have a Book Study based on Fr. Joseph Huneycutt s book Defeating Sin. The book will be available in the Gift Shop. All are invited to attend. Book Club When I arrived in America in the early sixties for my higher education, I brought with me a naïve faith in the Christian religion, the Church, and the God of my forefathers and grandmothers. It was a taken-for-granted faith based on an upbringing within the insulated and homogeneous confines of Eastern Orthodoxy, the dominant religion of Cyprus. These are the first two lines of Mountain of Silence by Kyriacos Markides. Please join us for a discussion on this book and other topics each Saturday night after Vespers (roughly 5:45). Bring some Lenten food to share (because eating Lenten food is easier to eat when it s shared). It is not necessary to read the book in order to join the discussion but it is recommended. Perhaps we will discuss the second chapter this Saturday...or we may just eat and talk about other things for a few hours. On March 24th, Dr Markides will be visiting the Cathedral at 10 a.m. discussing The Mystical Spirituality of Eastern Orthodoxy. In lieu of the day-long seminar with Dr. Markides, there will be no meeting on the 24th at Sts. RNI. Call Lisa Boston if you d like to carpool to the Cathedral or if you have any questions The Ladies Philoptochos are in the process of collecting donations for the various items needed during Lent and Holy Week and for the flowers to decorate icons and the kouvouklion. If you would like to make a donation and/or sponsor a specific item, please contact Ginny Kostulakos at or wordscan49@att.net. Thank you for your continued support and generosity. MARK YOUR CALENDARS - April 7th is Lazarus Saturday which is synonymous with "A Great Day at Church". This year that will include Liturgy followed by a short skit and a pot-luck. We will also have palm folding, candle making, and pysanky egg decorating. There will be something for everyone. If your last name begins with A-M please bring a main dish. If your last name begins with N-Z please bring bread, drinks, or dessert. Volunteers are sorely needed. Please contact Lisa Boston at to sign-up or if you have any questions.

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS General Meeting - THURSDAY, 3/22, 7 P.M., Blue House Whimsee Candle Party 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) Pascha Bake Sale Tsoureki, Baklava, Galatoboureko & Kourambiedes are being sold for the Easter Holiday. Place your order with Ginny Kostulakos ( or wordscan49@att.net) or Marie Chapman ( or mommystargater@comcast.net) GOYA BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. BARNABAS Sunday, March 18th, 5-6:00 p.m. Connor & Josh Walters 2455 Misty Hollow Lane, Cumming MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD CHOIR PRACTICE Tuesday, March 20th, 6:45 p.m. Sts. RNI Blue House We will be learning music for Easter. Contact Marie Chapman or mommystargater@comcast.net

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS REMINDER Donations from the February 19th Kick-Off Luncheon are due by March 19th. If you haven t donated and still wish to, send your checks to the church office attention 15th Anniversary Luncheon or go on-line to donate. MEN S BREAKFAST Friday, March 23rd, 7-8 a.m. Fagan s Biscuit Barn & Sharon Road All men are invited. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral cordially invites you to a seminar, lunch and book signing with Dr. Kyriacos C. Markides Professor of Sociology, University of Maine and noted author of: The Mountain of Silence, Gifts of the Desert, The Inner River Saturday, March 24, 2012 Morning session from 10:00 AM Noon Topic: The Mystical Spirituality of Eastern Orthodoxy Lenten lunch from Noon 1:00 PM Afternoon session from 1:00 3:00 PM Topic: Pictorial Journey to Mount Athos $15.00 for Seminar and Lunch Carlos Hall Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral 2500 Clairmont Road NE Atlanta, GA Copies of Dr. Markides s books can be obtained at the Cathedral bookstore. For reservations, please contact Victor or Christina Polizos at (404) or by cpolizos@comcast.net

10 ANNOUNCEMENTS The Family Life Ministry of The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta presents Ss. Joachim & Anna FAMILY RETREAT 4 Oasis in the Desert March 30th April 1st, 2012 Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, SC $100 per Adult; $50 per Youth (7-18 yrs); 6 & Under are Free. ($300 max. per family) (Scholarships are available; please contact Paula Marchman at: paulamarchman@yahoo.com) Click Here for Online Registration: IDTD= &RF= &mode=0 STS. RNI GREEK SCHOOL Adult & Youth Greek School is on hiatus during Great Lent. Please use this time to bring your family to the weekday Lenten services of Pre-Sanctified liturgy on Wednesdays and Salutations on Fridays. Both services begin at 6:30 p.m. Thank you, Hellenic Studies Ministry Team CENTRAL CONFERNECE DISTRICT ORATORICAL FESTIVAL Holy Transfiguration, Marietta Saturday, March 31st, 2012, 9 a.m. Elene Catrakilis Central Conference District Chairperson Sunday School Craft Supplies Needed Sunday School is needing to replenish its' stock of craft necessities: Elmers glue, glue sticks, markers, glitter glue, scotch tape, masking tape. Praise the Lord! Thank you for your generosity

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS December 2011/January-February 2012 Income / Expense Summary Month Income Expense Diff +/- December $25, $25, ( $ 7.03) January $30, $25, $ 5, February $25, $21, $ 4, Totals $81, $71, $ 9, 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 Johnson Jordan Kanellos Kefalas Klock Kostulakos Koulouvaris Livaditis Lytle Manos Mavros 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 Crosno 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.