SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS MARCH 23RD, 2014
Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church
Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos Jimmy Smith, Psaltis 3074 Bethelview Road † Cumming GA 30040 (770) 781-5250 cell (770) 861-3544 www.stsrni.org
We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!
WORSHIP
Sixth Eothinon/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 com- munion together. This is why we never impose this service on those who are not pre- pared 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.
Schedule for the Week
Wednesday, March 26th - 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy A light Lenten supper will be available following the Presanctified Liturgy prepared by Mary Milam & Maria. Please plan to stay.
Friday, March 28th - 7 p.m. 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos
Saturday, March 29th - 5 p.m. Great Vespers
Parish Council On Duty Today - Costa Bozzuto & Plutarch Vamvakias Ushering Ministry - Philoptochos Welcoming Ministry - Helen McCart Fellowship Ministry - Evon Patrick
ACOLYTES Jacob Atkins, Zachery Bethune, Mike & Peter Jordanopolos, Thomas Miller, Evan & Mitchell Roussey, Mike Trainor, Alex & Niko Tzevelekos and Christos Zourzoukis
SENIOR ACOLYTES Mike Manos, Dean Pryles
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 absti- nence, 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 Plagal of the Second Tone: Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Apolytikion in the First Tone: Lord, save Your people and bless Your in- heritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: To you, Theoto- kos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedi- cate 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!"
We Also Remember
The Holy Righteous Martyr Nicon and His 199 Disciples Anatoliios & Protoleon the Martyrs converted by the martyrdom of St. George Luke the New Martyr of Mytilene
Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, Angie, Bill, Bill, Brent, Carrie, Demetra, Diane, Dina, Donna, Ela, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, George, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jamie, Jerry, Joe, Maria, Michael, Nicky, Oni, Patsy, Paul, Peter, Taki, Tara, Violeta, John & Sheila Consos, Katherine & Sam Yalanzon
Please pray for our Orthodox brethren in the Antiochian Archdiocese of America. Memory Eternal, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip (1931-2014)
EPISTLE Reading
The Reading is from St. Paul’s
Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6
Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 2. Psalm 27.9,1 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
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."
ΑΩ 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. GOSPEL READING The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If any- one wishes to come af- ter me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and fol- low 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." ΑΩ
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. UPCOMING SERVICES/EVENTS
Sunday, March 23rd - Sunday of the Holy Cross 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Monday, March 24th 7 p.m. Great Vespers with Artoclasia at The Cathedral of the Annunciation 2500 Clairmont Road, N.E., Atlanta
Tuesday, March 25th - Feastday of the Annunciation 8 a.m. Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy at The Cathedral of the Annunciation 2500 Clairmont Road, N.E., Atlanta
Wednesday, March 26th 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy with Divine Unction A light Lenten community supper will be available following the Presanctified Liturgy.
Friday, March 28th 10 a.m. Philoptochos Baking 7 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos
Saturday, March 29th 5 p.m. Great Vespers
Sunday, March 30th 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, April 1st 10 a.m. Small Agiasmo
Wednesday, April 2nd 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy with Divine Unction A light Lenten community supper will be available following the Presanctified Liturgy.
Thursday, April 3rd 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos Board Meeting
Friday, April 4th 10 a.m. Philoptochos Baking 7 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos Akathist Hymn
Saturday, April 5th 5 p.m. Great Vespers
Sunday, April 6th 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, April 13th, Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon; Sunday, April 20th, Easter Egg Hunt following the Agape Service; Tuesday, April 22nd, Sts. RNI Name Day Celebration.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Father Barnabas will be away Thursday, March 20th, through Monday, March 24th, and Friday, March 28th, through Saturday, March 29th. In case of emergency, please contact Fr. Paul at 678-995-2619.
Father Barnabas is available to hear confession every Wednesday either before or after Vespers and by appointment. Please call or email the church office to re- quest a time to meet with Father and avail yourself to this healing divine mystery of the Church.
Father Paul is available on Sunday during Orthros to hear confession, but no later than 9:20 a.m. Please phone the church office to make an appointment.
Please call the Church office for more information (770) 781-5250.
†††††
PRAYING THE PSALTER DURING THE GREAT FAST
During the Great Fast, it is a tradition to pray the Psalter/whole book of Psalms daily as a group. The book of Psalms is divided into twenty sections (Kathismas). Each person will pray specific psalms each day. For example, you may begin with praying Psalms 9-17 on day one. On day two, you wil pray the next section, Psalms 18-24. Day three, Psalms 25-32 and so on. If you would like to pray the Psalms together during the Great Fast, please contact Lisa Boston at [email protected]. An email will be sent out including the how, when, what. We will begin on Holy Monday. COMMUNITY FUND RAISING
PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER
April 13th following the Divine Liturgy Baked Fish, Greek Potatoes or Rice, Sauteed Vegetables, Salad, Beverage & Dessert Adults: $10 - Children Under 12: $3 See a Parish Council Member for Tickets
†††††
OWN A PIECE OF THE PARISH LIFE CENTER
The Parish Council fundraiser to complete renovations is underway. For $75/square foot, you could own a piece of our NEW Parish Life Center. Buy one or more for yourself, your children, your Godchildren, Yiayia or Papou.
See a Parish Council Member for more information.
†††††
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM
Kroger is now offering a Community Rewards Program in our area to help bring funds to organizations simply by their membership registering their Kroger Plus card online and then shopping. Each time you use your Kroger Plus card a donation is made to our Church and the Church will receive a reward check on a quarterly basis.
Register your Kroger Plus Card online at Krogercommunityrewards.com
Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with:
Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc. 72097
as your organization of choice.
That’s all there is to it! The more you shop at Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card the more donations Kroger will make to our Church account.
Sts. RNI is officially registered as a 501(C)(3) under the name of Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc.
CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION
Church School
September 8th THROUGH May 18, 2014 A focus on Sacraments and Feasts; Scripture and Bible Stories; Saints and Orthodox Spirituality in communion with our teachers and our children.
Church School has Begun! Registration forms are in the Narthex. Pre-K through High School Students need to sign up.
†††††
SAVE THE DATE - Vacation Church School
June 9 through June 13, 9 a.m. to Noon for children ages 5 (must be 5 by June 9th) through 5th grade
If you would like to volunteer to help or have any questions, please contact Stamatia Hagen at [email protected]
GREEK SCHOOL
Contact Smara Wolff for information on Greek School - [email protected] or 770-889-5419
Spring Semester Classes have begun.
1st Grade Classes held on: Monday - 6:p.m. 2nd Grade Class held on: Monday - 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Spring Semester Classes will began January 23rd, 2014 and run through May 2014. Registration forms are in the Narthex.
PHILOPTOCHOS
Philoptochos is the philanthropic arm of the church, reaching out to those in need of assistance locally, within the Metropolis and nationally.
2014 Membership Drive has begun. It is time to renew your membership or join Philoptochos for the first time. Membership Forms are available in the Narthex.
†††††
PASCHA BAKE SALE Orders for 9x12 trays of baklava, galatoboureko, pastichio, spanakopita and tiropita for $25/tray are being taken by Philoptochos. Also available are kourimbiedas and koulourakia at $6/dozen and tsoureki at $10/loaf. Please see Helen McCart or Marie Chapman to place an order.
Baking will begin 10 a.m. Friday, March 28th, in the Blue House. Come and help if you are available.
†††††
May 3rd Yard Sale
The Ladies Philoptochos, in conjunction with the Parish Council, will be holding a Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3rd, on the church property. Please collect any gently used or new items that you wish to donate to the church to sell and bring them to the church the week of April 28th.
We will also have a food concession and a pastry sale.
Volunteers will be needed to help with set up, sales and clean up. Please save the date and join in this church-wide fundraiser.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - Wednesday Bible Study has resumed. We meet each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Library.
We are currently studying Hebrews. Please bring your Bibles and a note pad.
†††††
Prosforo Baking - Prosforo Baking will be on Tuesday, April 29th, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Blue House. All who would like to come and help are welcome. Contact Stamatia Hagen at [email protected]
†††††
PROJECT COMFORT - If you enjoy crocheting or knitting (or would like to learn), please contact Emily Christie at [email protected] or 678-447-3918.
Emily has started a ministry to make baby blankets & shawls for newborns & sick or shut-ins or for someone who just may need some comfort & a warm hug.
Project Comfort meets the first Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at Emily’s home - 4855 Mistybrooke Court, Alpharetta 30004
†††††
FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY
Our 2013-2014 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.
Thank you for your support of this Ministry. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sts. RNI Bookstore News
Your purchases through Amazon helps us raise money! We have a new e-store on Amazon for the Sts. RNI Bookstore. This is an Amazon webstore that we put items into categories like books, cds, jewelry, food, etc. and we get paid 10% on all sales through our store. If someone from the church wants to buy something on Amazon, they need to click through our link for us to get credit. Also, if anyone wants a book, cd, etc., not on our list, they need to let us know & we can add it to the site. Use the link: http://astore.amazon.com/stsrapnicireo-20
For more information or to add items, contact Aftan Romanczak at [email protected]
†††††
Visitors Welcome
Dina Sarandis resides at The Oaks on Post Road and welcomes visits from fellow parishioners. Dina says “THANK YOU” to those who have visited her and wants you to know that she has really enjoyed the company. She looks forward to more visitors.
John & Sheila Consos are now residing in Dunwoody—4355 Georgetown Sq., Unit 442—and would enjoy phone calls (770/232-5147) &/or visits.
Sam & Katherine Yalanzon - 3100 Rivermont Parkway, Alpharetta 30022 678-921-0146 (after 1 p.m.)
If you know of someone who would like a visit, please contact Helen McCart at 678-947-4771 or the Church Office.
If you don’t see someone for a while, please pick up the phone & make a call and let them know that they are missed. If you don’t have time for visiting, a phone call or card would also be appreciated.
†††††
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EASTER EGG HUNT - Sunday, April 20th
Bring your Easter basket for our annual Easter Egg Hunt after the Agape service on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Each participating child needs to bring 12 plastic eggs filled with a treat to the church on the day of the hunt. Please do not put chocolate in the eggs as it tends to melt. A box will be in the Narthex to put the eggs in before the service. If you would like to volunteer to help with the hunt, contact Marina Raymond at [email protected].
†††††
LENTEN FOOD DRIVE
Hunger knows no season. Our “Loaves & Fishes” food collection barrel in the Narthex is empty. Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to fill our food barrel that we may share our blessings with those less fortunate.
†††††
INSIDE CHURCH CLEAN-UP MINISTRY
Thursday, March 20th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thank you Lisa Boston & nephew Connor, Mary Kaloudis, Sophia Levantis, Helen McCart, and Carol Tadros for coming out to complete cleaning our church to ready it for Pascha.
Job Well Done!
Evie Atkinson, Chr.
CHURCH AND ALTAR WISH LIST
Holy Water Font Hot Water Dispenser Anointing Brush $700 for Communion - $350 $40
Two Altar Candle Elevation of the Four Portable Holders - $1,000/pair Holy Cross Tray Icon Stands $600 $550 each
Sprin- kling Brush - $100
Altar Rugs One 5x7’ - $300 Two 2x3’ - $100 each
Also needed, a donation of a used Windows 7 desktop computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse and MicroSoft Office license for the church office.
If you would like to donate towards the purchase of any of these items, please contact John Patrick, Parish Council President.
Parish Monthly Income/Expense Analysis
$0
$9,226.00 $9,226.00
3/21/2014
$18,542.11
$(9,316.11)
$0
2014
February
$(5,487.83
$16,458.00 $16,458.00 $21,945.83
$0
$15,047.98 $15,047.98 $21,305.68
$(6,257.70)
Financial
1stQuarter
Status 2014Status
January 2014January
$0
2013
December
$34,556.38 $34,556.38 $24,151.76 $10,404.62
$0
2013
November
$11,751.35 $11,751.35 $23,575.07
$(11,823.72)
$8,333.90
$11,398.00 $21,968.78 $33,366.78 $25,032.88
Financial
Status 2013Status
4thQuarter
October 2013
OpAcct B&L & (mortgage) External Income Fest Greek Xfer (External) OpAcct Income External Subtotal OpAcct B&L & (mortgage) External Expenses OpAcct B&L & (mortgage) Net
To date the 71 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for 2014.
James & Angeline Andropoulos Patricia Morris George & Maria Andros Nicolas & Teddie Panos Sarante & Julie Athenson Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Anthony & Mary Birozes Lazaros & Christina Papadopoulous Renee Birozes Gregory Pappas Jordan & Lisa Boston Gus Pappas David & Michelle Boyd John & Evon Patrick Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto Michele Perry Lenny Brown Mihai & Heidi Popa David & Marie Chapman Fr. Barnabas & Presvytera Connie Powell Grace Chihlas Pam Powers Julie Chokos Vic & Suzi Pryles Giles & Emily Christie Marina Raymond Connie Condos Donna Sagnelli John & Sheila Consos Mary Samaltanos Keith & Mary Druffner Taka & Kathy Shoji Gregory & Mariya Dunkel Jimmy Smith Quay & Trissie Farr Estelle Sofikitis Chris & Elizabeth Foxhall Koko & Carol Tadros Robert & Jennifer Guano Steven & Thalia Thompson Harald & Stamatia Hagen Ed & Anne Trainor Allison Hammond Nick & Eva Thrasivoulou Mark & Jennie Johnson Brian & Jennifer Tubbs Eleni Jordan Greg Tzevelekos/Evie Atkinson Panagiotis & Melanie Jordanopoulos Rusty & Christine Waldron Vasilis & Mary Kaloudis Diane Walters Aphrodite Levendakis-Kazazakis Steven & Smara Wolff David & Lynne Lucher Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Archie & Florence Lytle Len Vanerstrom Tina Maheras Jacob & Katherine Wilson Wade & Andrea Mancil Sam & Katherine Yalanzon William & Margaret Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes Riley & Ann Marvos George Matthews Al & Helen McCart Johnny Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matthew & Athena Miller Nikolaos Moissiadis
2014 Parish Council
John Patrick, President; Harald Hagen, Vice President; Kosta Bozzuto, Secretary; Chris Foxhall, Treasurer David Chapman, Marie Chapman, Quay Farr, Bill Manos, Johnny Melts, Greg Pappas, Plutarch Vamvakias