Sunday Before Holy Cross

Sunday Bulletin September 13, 2015 Sunday Before Holy Cross Forefeast of Elevation of Cross Transfiguration of our Lord Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephens School Road Austin, Texas 78746 (512) 329-6363 email - office@transfiguration.org website - www.transfiguration.org Sunday Service Schedule Orthros 8:45am; Divine Liturgy 10am Reverend Fr. Vasileios Flegas, Proistamenos 512-574-1972

Hymns Hymn Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Angelike thinamis epi to mnima su, ke i filassontes apenekrothisan, ke istato Maria en to tafo, zitusa to ahranton su soma. Eskilefsas ton Athin, mi pirasthis ip aftu, ipintisas ti Partheno, thorumenos tin zoin, a Anastas ek ton nekron, Kirie thoxa Si. When the angelic powers appeared at your tomb and those who guarded You became as though dead, and standing by Your sepulchre was Mary seeking Your pure and sacred body. For You did vanquish Hades and uncorrupted by its touch You came unto the virgin woman, bestowing the gift of life O You who rose from the dead. Lord we give glory to You. Hymn for the Forefeast of the Exaltation of the Cross Τὸν ζωοποιὸν Σταυρὸν τῆς σῆς ἀγαθότητος, ὃν ἐδωρήσω ἡμῖν τοῖς ἀναξίοις Κύριε, σοὶ προσάγομεν εἰς πρεσβείαν. Σῷζε τοὺς βασιλεῖς καὶ τὴν πόλιν σου, εἰρηνεύοντας διὰ τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε. We offer Thee in mediation the life-giving Cross which, of Thy goodness, Thou hast given unto us, the unworthy, O Lord. Save Thy hierarchs and Thy flock, and grant Thou peace through the Theotokos, O only Friend of man Hymn for Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection Ὡς τοῦ ἄνω στερεώματος τὴν εὐπρέπειαν, καὶ τὴν κάτω συναπέδειξας ὡραιότητα, τοῦ ἁγίου σκηνώματος τῆς δόξης σου Κύριε. Κραταίωσον αὐτὸ εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος, καὶ πρόσδεξαι ἡμῶν, τὰς ἐν αὐτῷ ἀπαύστως προσαγομένας σοι δεήσεις, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, ἡ πάντων ζωὴ καὶ ἀνάστασις. Thou hast shown the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Thy glory to be like unto the splendour of the heavenly firmament, O Lord. Strengthen it forever and ever, and accept our prayers which we unceasingly offer therein unto Thee, through the Theotokos, O Thou Who art the Life and Resurrection of all Hymn for the Transfiguration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι. Metemorfothis en to ori, Christe o Theos, dixas tis mathites Sou tin doxan Sou, kathos idynando Lampson ke imin tis amartolis to fos Sou to aidion, presvies tis Theotokou Fotodota doxa Si. When O Christ our God Thou wast Transfigured on the mountain Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners. By the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee Kontakion The Church is shown to be a many lighted heaven that doth shine a guiding light upon all them that do believe; wherein while standing, we cry aloud: Do Thou Thyself now establish this house, O Lord

Epistle - St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18 B RETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Ἀ δελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν Gospel - John 3:13-17 T he Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." Ε ἶπεν ὁ Κύριος καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.

Welcome Visitors! We welcome all new visitors who worshipped with us this morning. We are pleased to have you with us! Please join us next door after service for coffee and fellowship. There is material in the entrance of the church regarding ministries and events of Transfiguration. We hope that you will return often to worship with us and grow in Christ! Receiving Holy Communion The sacrament of Holy Communion is reserved for only baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by fasting, prayer and confession. The Orthodox Church is not in sacramental communion with any other church outside the Orthodox Christian Faith. If you are not Orthodox, you are invited with everyone to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of service. If you would like information about the Orthodox Church, please see Fr. Vasileios after services. he is always wrestling in prayer for you (Colossians 4:12) Prayers for those in our Armed Forces SGT Jennifer D. Atkinson, SSG John Atkinson, COL Dave Romine, CPT James Alfaro, SSG Deane Anderson, CPT William Willett, MAJ Timothy Ullman, MAJ Chris Chase, SPC Mindy Keys, SPC Andrew Bentzel, MAJ Scot Thornhill, CPT Christopher Gilbert, CPT. Alexander Stathos, 1st LT Angela Bahlatzis, MIDN 1/C Joseph Barone, SGT Walter Hurbert ( Nikolaos ) Willoughby IV, LCDR Thomas Uhl, Lt. Lance Shannon The Prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16) Prayers for Health JoGeo, Konstantinos, Shelly, Ruthie, Barbara, Samantha, Maria, Efstathia, Tony, Rouba, Sarah, Emily, Kynlee, Wesley, Afrodite, Nick, Nicholas Wyatt, Cameren, Helen, Chrissy, Nancy, MaryAnn, Marian, Tina, Salin, George-Panagiotis, Raphael, Marta, Guadalupe, Caroline, John, Lili, Archie, Kelsey, Eva, Virginia, Makena, Dolly, Afrodite, Alexandros, Lou, Thomas, Greg, Bill, Kathryn, John, Kathy, Nakis, Maggie, Rosemary, Mindy, Pat, Louella, Steve, Clifford, Tina, Cynthia, Chad, Douglas, Mat. Sissy Yerger, Fr. Paul, Katerina, Vasili, Harry, Angie, Francis, Petya, Thomas, Romeo, John, John, Brenda, Georgie, Dale, Dale, Anna, Brenda, Carol, Jan, Nick, Damon, Nick, Alex,, John, Fr. Jason and family, Presv. Tiffany, Maria, David, Boyd, Chris, Jennifer, Jay, Dede, Michael, Jason, Ling, Josh, Chrissy, Bradley, Jim, Patricia, Argyre-Lisa, Rick, Milton, Gregg, Aphrodite, Carol, Lisa, Johanna, Candace, Kyle, Nicholas, Alex, Boriska, Judith, Dominique, Stephen, Irenaeus, Alexander, Mike, Lori, Annie, Anesti, Efstathia, Hannah, Papoulas, Anna, Cecelia, James, Celie, Sheila, Kathi, Paul, Marie, Robert (Raphael), Bill, Zlatko, Jelica, Christians of Quaragosh, Brenda Baker, Fred Cantu, Brandon, Raphael, Fr. George, Judi, Marilyn, Bill, Dwiana, Antonela Jared, Malcolm Anthony Francis Ferrao, Jane Catherine Ferrao, Shawn Anthony Ferrao, Nicole Antonette Ferrao, Lanz Nathaniel Lahom Magno, Elyseo, Elenita, Dennis Luke, Austin, Lynne Marie, Betty, Tasia, Stephen, Shandra, Andrew, Gunner, Chelsea, Marie-Louise, Karen, Presbytera Jenny Newlin, Vickie and unborn child, Emilio, Vana, Irini, Rodamia Eleni, John, Chrisanthi, Mary, Michael, Theodoros, Yanni, Chrisanthi, Nikitas, Jonathan, Archpriest George, Hieromonk Paul, Jeannie, Steve, Carl, Ted

TODAY!!! JOIN US AT THE LAKE HILLS COMMU- NITY PARK/POOL WHERE WE WILL BE BLESSING THE WATERS!!! Lake Hills Community Park/Pool 1pm right after 3106 Edgewater Drive church Austin, TX 78733 Transfiguration's Nativity Play Every year the Nativity Play is a fun-filled event that brings the entire parish together while showing the true meaning of Christmas. This year we are trying something new and exciting, and we need YOU! We will showcase individual and/or group talents. In lieu of a formal script, the show will revolve around the various talents in our community. So.mark your calendars for show auditions on Sunday, September 27. Contact tgocac@gmail.com for your audition time slot. YOUTH (3rd grade and up) and ADULTS are invited to participate. Any and all talent is welcome! Singers Actors Instrumentalists Artists! We will have a special part for children Preschool through 2nd grade that wish to participate. An audition is not necessary for this age group, however please contact us if your child wishes to participate. PHILOPTOCHOS The Philoptochos ladies will hold their board meeting on Saturday, September 26, in Mr. Tabor Hall at 11am. After that they will meet at the house of Ellen Apostolakis for their Annual Membership Tea, at 1pm. Starting on Wednesday, September 30 and for every Wednesday till November 4, the Philoptochos ladies will be meeting at Mr. Tabor Hall from 10am to 2pm to bake for the Bazaar.

Transfiguration Parish Wide Retreat at McKinney Roughs near Bastrop September 18 - September 19 It is time to start preparing for our first Parish wide Retreat at McKinney Roughs near Bastrop, where we can all relax and put behind us our everyday troubles and worries while we grow our faith and understanding of Orthodoxy. This will be a three-days retreat and the key note speaker will be Fr. Timothy Pavlatos. There will be different sessions for the children with special sessions and activities for them. This Sunday, please visit the sign up table in Mt. Tabor Hall to register. Updated Retreat Schedule: Friday, September 18 4pm - 4:45pm Welcome/ Meet up at McKinney Roughs 5pm - 7pm Sunset Rafting Cruise on the Colorado 7:15-8pm Dinner 8pm - 9pm Keynote & Ice Breaker 9pm Adult Koinonia (Kafeneio)/ GOYA hangout Optional overnight stay at The Roughs ($25/person) or at nearby hotel of your choice Saturday, September 19 8am - 10:15am 10:30am - 11:45am 11:45am - 1pm 1pm - 2:45pm 3pm 5pm 5pm - 6:30pm 6:30 7:30pm Morning Prayers/Breakfast Adult Sessions/ Kids Activities Lunch Afternoon Sessions/Kids Activities Outdoors Activity Vespers Optional Dinner Out/ Return Home Fr. Timothy Pavlatos Fr. Timothy Pavlatos is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Nationally Certified Counselor, ClinicalMember of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He received a Bachelors (B.A.) in Psychology from Wright State University in 1988, a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1992, a Masters of Science (M.S.) in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, Maryland in 1995 and completed a Certificate program in Marriage and Family Counseling from George Fox University in 2012. Fr. Timothy was an ordained to the priesthood in 1995 and has served at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Phoenix Arizona (95-01), St. George in Eugene Oregon (01-07), Prophet Elias in San Bernardino California (07-2010) and currently serves at St. John the Baptist in Portland Oregon. He also serves a small Orthodox mission church in Salem Oregon. He is a board member of the Commission of Orthodox Missions and Evangelism as well as the Family Wellness Ministry of the Metropolis of San Francisco. In addition to his priestly duties, Fr. Timothy has a private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist at Northwest Psychological Center in Milwaukie Oregon where is primary focus is working with couples (marriage and pre-marital counseling) as well as parent training. For the past twenty-five years he has focused his attention on the integration of Psychology and Orthodox Theology. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare/Enrich Inventory, as well as Gottman s Seven Principles for Couples. Fr. Timothy has been married since 1995 to Presvytera Vasiliki and together they are raising their nine children who are between the ages of two and eighteen.

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 * Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237 www.goarch.org - Email: communications@goarch.org Contact: PRESS OFFICE Stavros Papagermanos pressoffice@goarch.org Protocol 171/15 We will be passing a second tray today for Holy Cross School of Theology September 14, 2015 The Universal Exaltation of The Precious and Life-Giving Cross Exalted today, the Cross sanctifies the ends of the earth, and the Church is renewed in the Resurrection. (Hymn of Vespers) Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross is a blessed day and celebration of the tremendous power of the Cross of our Lord. Through the Cross the power and wisdom of God have been revealed. By the Cross we are reconciled to Him, and we can find true and enduring peace. It is the Cross that directs us to Christ and to the way of salvation and eternal life. As the Apostle Paul recognized in his first Epistle to the Corinthians some see this as foolishness or contrary to the wisdom of the age (I Corinthians 1:17-23). How can wisdom be found in great humility, suffering, and sacrifice? Where is peace and reconciliation through an instrument of torture and punishment? How can this cruel means of death show us the way to life? First, our Exaltation of the Cross affirms that God has revealed His great might and wisdom through what is low and despised in the world (1:28) and what is foolish and weak (1:27). He did this so that no human being might boast in the presence of God (1:29). He chose a means for our redemption that did not conform to worldly standards of wisdom and power, showing that our source of life, our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification (1:30) are found in Jesus Christ alone. Second, as we exalt the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, we commemorate the tremendous offering of our Lord. We acknowledge that He alone was able to reconcile us to God by His death, ending our estrangement due to the power of evil. By making peace through the blood of His Cross and through our faith in Him, we can be presented before God as holy, blameless, and irreproachable. (Colossians 1:19-23) Finally, we proclaim the power of the Cross on this Feast, for through it Christ has shown us the way to life. Through the Cross and His humility and obedience unto death, He has been exalted so that every tongue should confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:11). By emptying himself, taking the form of a servant, and being born in the likeness of humankind (Philippians 2:7), Jesus has received a name above every name. Christ has shown that through the His Cross He is leading us to overcoming sin and evil and death and to reach eternal life. As we celebrate the Cross and its transforming power for our lives and for all the created order, we also offer our support for our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology. In the life of our Schole, this feast always marks the beginning of a new academic year. It also is the beginning and continuation of the journey of our students who are preparing for service to God and His Church. During this time at Holy Cross they are strengthened and nurtured for a lifetime of ministry, and through the Cross they will be connected to the wisdom of God, will guide others to reconciliation and peace, and will show the way to salvation and eternal life through Christ. May we offer our prayers and gifts of support for our seminarians and our beloved Holy Cross. Through our worship and celebration let us call all people to come to the Cross of our Lord so that they might know His grace and compassion. Certainly, the power of the Cross will change their lives forever! With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday, September 13, 2015 Services for this Week : We will NOT have Great Vespers this Saturday, September 19 2015 SOUTHERN REGION GOYA FALL RETREAT The retreat will be held November 20-22, 2015, at Pine Cove Outback Retreat Center in Columbus, Texas and it is open to all GOYAns, ages 11-18. The registration fee for this retreat is $125 and online registration opens on August 31, and will close at midnight Mountain time on November 5, 2015. The link for information and online registration can be found at: youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2015-events/2015-southern-region-fall-retreat GOLF (Greek Orthodox Ladies Fellowship) The Greek Orthodox Ladies Fellowship will start meeting again every Tuesday at 10am in Mt. Tabor Hall, starting Tuesday, September 22. All ladies are invited to join us for fellowship and discussion of the book Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life by Vassilios Papavassiliou. Copies are available at our bookstore. Deepening our Orthodox Faith Lord, I believe: help thou mine unbelief (Mark 9:24) This is a great class for everyone including catechumens as it helps us learn, understand, and grow within our faith. The class will meet on Mondays in Mt. Tabor Hall at 7pm on the following dates: September 28 October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9 Thank you to last week s Luncheon Sponsors Bakiris - Skevofilax Thank you to this weeks Coffee Hour Sponsors: Sarkis, Sasaridis, Scattergood, Sewell, Sgarbi Next week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Shannon, Shotwell, Skevofilax, Skevofilax, Smith, Smith Thank you to last week s ushers: William Leara (PCM) Dan Appling, Gigi Appling, Nyda Glaros Thank you to today's ushers: Jim Norman (PCM) Paul Petrogeorge, David Horwedel Next week s ushers are: Tom Rigney (PCM) Chrissie Spiropoulos, Maria Justice, Allen Wynn