13TH SUNDAY OF LUKE November 25th, 2012

Transcript

1 13TH SUNDAY OF LUKE November 25th, 2012 Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos Jimmy Smith, Psaltis 3074 Bethelview Road Cumming GA (770) cell (770) We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

2 WORSHIP Second Gospel/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 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. 1 Year Memorial - in loving memory of John Sofikitis is offered today by his wife, Stella Sofikitis, son & daughter-in-law, George & Anna, daughter & son-in-law Irene & A. J. Williams and granddaughter Stamatia. May His Memory be Eternal! Prosforo: Is lovingly offered by the Prosforo Ministry Volunteers Schedule for the Week Tuesday, Nov. 20th - 7 p.m. Orthodoxy 101 Wednesday, Nov. 28th - 6:30 p.m. Vespers Saturday, Dec. 1st 5 p.m. Great Vespers Parish Council On Duty Today - Harald Hagen & David Chapman Welcoming Ministry - Gigi Ray 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 Tabitha Bethune, Jessica Catapano, Maria Hagen, Christina Pryles & Laramie Smith

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER 13th Sunday of Luke 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. Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle. Resurrectional Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone Arising from the tomb, O mighty Saviour, Thou didst rouse the dead; Thou didst raise Adam; while Eve danceth in her joy at Thy blest Resurrection, O Lord. And the world's farthest regions keep the festival on Thine arising from the dead with gladness and thanksgiving, O Thou Who art greatly merciful. We Also Remember Apodosis of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria Mercurius the Great Martyr of Caesarea in Cappadocia Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, 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 Come and meet your brothers and sisters who are standing for election to the Parish Council this year. We will introduce them after liturgy this Sunday. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS will be held on Sunday, December 9th.

4 Epistle Reading The Reading is from St. Paul s Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5 The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 67.35,26 God is wonderful among his saints. Verse: Bless God in the congregations. BRETHREN, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Α Ω Ἀδελφοί, πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν, ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα, συγκεκλεισμένοι εἰς τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι. Ὥστε ὁ νόμος παιδαγωγὸς ἡμῶν γέγονεν εἰς Χριστόν, ἵνα ἐκ πίστεως δικαιωθῶμεν. Ἐλθούσης δὲ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκέτι ὑπὸ παιδαγωγόν ἐσμεν. Πάντες γὰρ υἱοὶ θεοῦ ἐστε διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ὅσοι γὰρ εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Οὐκ ἔνι Ἰουδαῖος οὐδὲ Ἕλλην, οὐκ ἔνι δοῦλος οὐδὲ ἐλεύθερος, οὐκ ἔνι ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς εἷς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Εἰ δὲ ὑμεῖς Χριστοῦ, ἄρα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ σπέρμα ἐστέ, καὶ κατʼ ἐπαγγελίαν κληρονόμοι. Λέγω δέ, ἐφʼ ὅσον χρόνον ὁ κληρονόμος νήπιός ἐστιν, οὐδὲν διαφέρει δούλου, κύριος πάντων ὤν ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ ἐπιτρόπους ἐστὶν καὶ οἰκονόμους, ἄχρι τῆς προθεσμίας τοῦ πατρός. Οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς, ὅτε ἦμεν νήπιοι, ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου ἦμεν δεδουλωμένοι ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.

5 Gospel Reading The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27 At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Α Ω Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Wisdom from the Fathers" If you believe in the Gospel that you like, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe in, but yourself.' St. Augustine Orthodoxy 101 Class will be held on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. BIBLE STUDY CLASSES Wednesday, November 28th - 10 a.m. Winter Lent Bible Study Wednesday, November 28th - following 6:30 p.m. Vespers A Step-by-Step Look at the Divine Liturgy Thursday, November 29th - 7 p.m. Winter Lent Bible Study 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. Winter Lent Bible Study Two classes offered for your convenience: Wednesday (Starting 11/14) 10:00 a.m. OR Thursday (Starting 11/15) 7:00 p.m. Please call the Church office for more information (770) Sunday, December 2nd, is Stewardship Sunday

7 Nov/Dec Important Dates & Services Thursday, Nov. 29th, Dec. 6th, & 20th Fr. Barnabas will conduct the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolis Chapel for Winter Lent beginning at 9 a.m. (except Thanksgiving Day, 11/22, and 12/13 when Father will be in Washington, D.C. for an IOCC meeting) Thursday, Dec. 13th - Fr. Barnabas at special meeting of IOCC Frontliners at the White House, Washington, D.C. Saturday, December 15th - Sts. RNI Family Christmas Dinner/Dance at Polo Country Club, Cumming, 6:30-10 p.m. Buffet Dinner. $40/adult - $20/children 12 & under Chris & Liz Foxhall, Chr. Event culminates our 15th anniversary year celebration. Monday, Dec. 24th, Nativity Eve 6 p.m. Orthros/7 p.m. Divine Liturgy Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, Dec. 25th, Holy Nativity 8:30 a.m. Orthros/9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy Christmas Day Service Tuesday, Jan. 1st, 2013, New Year s Day 8:30 a.m./9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy The Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord Sunday, Jan. 6th, :45 a.m. Orthros/10 a.m. Divine Liturgy The Feast of Theophany

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS GOYA ACTIVITIES Teen Bible Study will be held on Sunday, December 16th, 5 p.m. at the home of Coralia Wolff 4655 Idlewood Drive, Cumming WINTER YOUTH RALLY - Volleyball Team Practice Sundays - Dec. 2nd, 9th, & 16th 12:30-1:30 p.m. Contact Mrs. Suzi or suzi@bloominpatios.com with questions & for more information BOOK CLUB IS STARTING BACK! Please join us after Saturday Vespers for Food, Fellowship, and Good Conversation! Are you an Orthodox Christian who wonders how to explain to your Baptist grandmother, your Buddhist neighbor, or the Jehovah s Witness at your door how your faith differs from theirs? Or are you a member of another faith who is curious what Orthodoxy is all about? Look no further. In Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick covers the gamut of ancient heresies, modern Christian denominations, fringe groups, and major world religions, highlighting the main points of each faith. This book is an invaluable reference for anyone who wants to understand the faiths of those they come in contact with as well as their own. Schedule 12/1 Chapter 4 discussion 12/8 Chapter 5 discussion 12/15 No Class - Sts. RNI 15th Anniversary Dinner 12/22 Chapters 6 & 7 and Christmas Celebration Buy the book or EBook at or at the Sts. RNI Bookstore. For more information, contact Lisa myakunda@yahoo.com or Donna missmagnolismoxie@gmail.com

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS PHILOPTOCHOS Christmas Ornament Exchange Party Friday, December 7th, 7 p.m. at the home of Carol Tadros 6905 Kew Gardens Way, Cumming Please bring an appetizer, dessert or beverage to share. R.S.V.P. Carol or ct222@comcast.net Philoptochos Holiday Bake Sale 9x12 trays of Baklava ($25) or Galatoboureko ($20) Contact Ginny Kostulakos or Marie Chapman or Sophia Bethune 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 GREEK LANGUAGE Sts. RNI Hellenic Studies Ministry will be offereing Greek Language. If you are interested in signing up for Greek Language contact Smara Wolff at or smara.wolff@gmail.com. Greek Language Classes Have Begun Thursday, 6:45 p.m. - First Grade Friday, 7:00 p.m. - Second Grade Sunday, 2 p.m. - High School &/or Adults Advanced Level Sunday, 3-3:30 p.m. - First Grade* *First Grade students who missed their Thursday class may attend the Sunday class as a make-up day. Open registration is being held for an additional first grade class to be held on Friday at 7 p.m. Tuition is $80/semester + book for first child; $120/semester + books for two children; and $140/semester + books for three children. Tuition must be paid in full by the first class. Checks made payable to Sts. RNI G.O. Church.

10 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday School Has Begun Sunday School students will be dismissed after receiving the Holy Mystery of Eucharist. For the Nativity Fast, the Sunday School will be praying and raising money for our seminarian family, the Tsikerdanos'. Our love and support is greatly needed and appreciated. There will be no Sunday School on November 25th (because we're visiting family and attending other Orthodox churches out of town). December 2nd will be the first practice for our Nativity Play after church. Read your e-bulletin or give your to Lisa Boston at for updates between now and then. Parish Family Outing On the evening of Sunday, December 9th,we're going on another Parish Family Outing to the Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier. We'll meet at church and go in a huge caravan of packed SUV's! Visit for more information and/or contact Lisa Boston myakunda@yahoo.com if you'd like to go. Please contact Lisa Boston at or myakunda@yahoo.com Prosforo Baking Tuesday, November 27th Contact Stamatia Hagen for more information at mamma2maria@aol.com or All hands are welcome!

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS Post Festival Sale We have pita, festival t-shirts, festival aprons for sale. Please see Johnny Melts or Ginny Kostulakos to make a purchase. FELLOWSHIP HOUR Our Fellowship Hour Donation Campaign has begun. A suggested donation of $25/family helps cover the cost of the weekly Fellowship Hour. Checks should be made payable to Sts. RNI G.O. Church with Fellowship on the memo line. 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 Donors Jim & Angie Andropoulos Grace Chihlas Jean Gwaltney, Harriet Howell Vasilios Kaloudis Jim Kanellos Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos, Florence & Archie Lytle Mary & Bill Milam Athena & Matt Miller Nik Moissiades, Patricia Morris Nick & Teddie Panos Gus Pappas Gigi & Paul Ray Kathy & Taka Shoji Arthur Tsiropoulos Thank you all for your support of this Ministry Stewardship Drive Richard & Sophia Bethune Katherine Blanos Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto David & Marie Chapman Grace Chihlas Dan & Alyssa Douglas Chris & Liz Foxhall Robert & Jennifer Guano Harald & Stamatia Hagen Harriet Howell Nikolaos Moissiadis Nicolas & Teddie Panos Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Gus Pappas John & Evon Patrick Gus Plakiotis Ioanna Plakiotis Father & Presvytera Powell Athan & cheri Romanczak Eugenia Smith Koko & Carol Tadros Steve & Smara Wolff

12 To date the 102 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for Nicholas & Varvara Alexiou Jim & Angie Andropoulos Sarante & Julie Athenson 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 Dan & Alyssa Douglas 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 Wade & Andrea Mancil Kiki Manolakis Emanuel Manos William & Margaret Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes Riley & Elizabeth Marvos Jef & Elaine Mastropaolo 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 Eugenia Smith George & Anna Sofikitis Stamatia (Estelle) Sofikitis Dennis & Laura Sparks Todd Stewart 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 John & Mildred Zourzoukis