Do You Belong to Christ? (7-30-2017)

   How often in conversation do we hear people say things similar to this: “I go to such and such church because I like the pastor there”? Or “We stopped going to that church because they have a new priest, and well, he’s just different.” I am continually amazed, or disappointed might be more apt, with how many people go to church based primarily on the pastor or priest. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul was talking about in today’s Epistle reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians (1:10-17) for the Eighth Sunday of Matthew.

     ¹¹For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. ¹²Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”

   Think about it. When someone asks us where we go to church, do we say, “I go to Fr. Rick’s church”? Some people might say, “I go to the Greek church.” I hope not. St. Paul goes on, ¹³Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (v.13). Was I, Fr. Rick, crucified for all of you here? When I baptize children, do you hear me say, “The servant of God is baptized in the name of Fr. Richard (Amen), Demetrius (Amen), Andrews (Amen)? Of course not, and neither did the ancient Greeks, nor the Greeks of the early Church, nor the Greeks of the Revolution against the Turks die for us on the Cross. Only the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for our sake, and to Him alone do we owe our life. So, the next time someone asks what church you go to, make sure you say “of Christ” or “Christian” in the name or title.

   When we think primarily in terms of our ethnicity or who are parish priest is, then we our introducing division into the Church community, and that is a big no-no. St. Paul started today’s Epistle by stating, ).   ¹⁰Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (v.10)

   Jesus says the same thing in His prayer to God the Father in the Gospel of John, chapter 17:

¹¹Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. (v.11). Jesus continues, ²⁰"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²²And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (vv.20-23)

   When, we Christians are united, of one mind, of one confession, we are reflecting the glory of God, the Holy Trinity: three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in one God. We can be many persons in one Body of Christ, His Church. This is why we must not only be careful about how we unite ourselves to a parish community but also about how we unite within the parish itself. There should never be cliques or exclusive groups inside the local church community. I recently had my high school reunion. It is much better now but even after 35 years, you can see people still gravitate towards the same clique they belonged to in high school. Now there is nothing wrong with gravitating towards our friends in high school or even church but it becomes a problem when it happens every Sunday to the point where other people feel excluded or alienated. Our parish is pretty good about welcoming new people but every once in a while I see them standing or sitting by themselves in the social hall during fellowship hour. The Greek word for fellowship is ‘koinonia’ which means to have a common life or existence.

   Sometimes, our sense of isolation is self-imposed. When we feel lonely and isolated, we feel like we do not belong to anyone or anything. And we can feel like this even though we have many friends and family, and belong to numerous groups and clubs. Why? Because we have separated ourselves from God and each other through sin. In other words, when we are divided from each other, we are divided from God and vice versa, when we are separated from God we are separated from each other.

   To emphasize the point of unity in Christ, Paul writes in 1Corinthians 3:18-23 (Thursday of 6th Week of Matthew), "let no one boast in men" (v.21). This continue the teaching in the previous passage (1Cor.2:9-3:8; Wed. 6^th Week of Mt.) in which Paul is addressing the envy, strife and divisions (v.3:3) because people have aligned with him or Apollos (v.4). Bishops and priests are not to be esteemed the way they prefer the flavor of their ice cream.

   When we do this, we deny the power of the Holy Spirit that works in the Church (the Body of Christ) despite everyone's imperfections, including the priest's. As Paul would say, when we do this we are being "carnal" (v.3:1,3) which means "of the flesh" or "natural" (v.2:14) only, and not of the Spirit.

   He expands, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God...because they are spiritually discerned" (v.14). In other words, if we look at the priest or the parish community like we look at ice cream, it will be difficult to grow in the image and likeness of God. We must remember that, "So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (v.3:7)

   As we conclude today, we must remember and remind each other that we belong to Christ (v.12)! As ranchers brand their cattle, as the ancient Romans branded their slaves, so also God brands us as His very own through baptism and chrismation. The sign of the brand is the Cross, but we must voluntarily brand ourselves every day with this most powerful symbol.

     ⁸For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:8)

     ¹⁹Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Corinthians 6:19-20)

   When we belong to Christ in the Church, that means we belong to each other. We have become members of the one Body of Christ, the Church.

     ³⁸For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

REV. FR. RICHARD DEMETRIUS ANDREWS, PRESBYTER

www.stgeorgegoc.org

August 6, 2017                                                                                      HOLY TRANSFIGURATION

TODAY’S EVENTS: Blessing of Fruits, Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN 4pm; Greek Dance Practice.

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: Rita Kanavati

Fellowship: Tzenis Family                                                   Head Usher: Andrea Walkush

Monday       08-07     PARAKLESIS –                                                                                             11:00AM

                                   Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church                                          4:30PM

                                    Greek Festival Committee Meeting                                                                6:00PM

Tuesday       08-08     PARAKLESIS –                                                                                            11:00AM

                                    Website Committee meeting                                                                            7:00PM

Wednesday 08-09     PARAKLESIS –                                                                                               7:00PM 

Thursday     08-10     PARAKLESIS –                                                                                              9:00AM

Sunday         08-13    ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINELITURGY- 10^th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW                   9:30AM

                                   Acolyte Training                                                                                                        12:00PM

                                   Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN                                                                                          4:00PM

                                   Greek Dance Practice                                                                                           6:30PM

                                   Ipad training for festival                                                                                            11:30AM

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Fast of Dormition: August 1-15, is an excellent time to worship, fast, repent and confess. Paraklesis-Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos services will be celebrated at various times throughout the fast. Please plan ahead for at least two to three services in your schedule. The Paraklesis is a beautifully melodic service the kids will enjoy. Please be sure to bring names of the living so priest can pray for them.

2017 Lenten Lectures and Lenten Retreat audios posted: please visit our website at http://stgeorgegoc.org/pastors-corner/lectures/ to hear 12 different lectures presented by speakers Fr. Richard Andrews, Fr. Marc Boulos, Dr. Eugenia Gavrilyuk, Fr. Ted Wojcik, Fr. Barnabas Powell and Michael Lotti.

Think About It: If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at your door, you will not find Him in the chalice.    St. John Chrysostom (+407)

Greek Festival: Tickets are available for purchase in the social hall after liturgy, in the office from 9-4 on weekdays, and online at www.stgeorgegoc.org/greekfestival/  Volunteer for one or more shifts on the sign-up sheets in the social hall or online thru same website. Ipad Training: Sunday, August 13 after liturgy and Friday, August 18.

Thank you! from St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church: From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every one of you that came to support our Festival this year. Whether you came to eat, to help take a shift, to pack cookies or to help clean up, we are so very thankful for your kindness. The outpouring of love from your parishioners makes us proud to be a member of the Minnesota Orthodox World!

Feast Day Vespers of the Dormition at St Mary's Greek Orthodox Church.Everyone is invited for St. Mary Greek Parish Feast Day Vespers on Monday, August 14 at 6:00 PM. We will sing the Lamentations to the Virgin, have the Five Loaves Service, and refreshments/fellowship to follow.

Rochester Greekfest: parishioners are welcome to help our sister parish Holy Anargyroi in Rochester during their Greekfest Friday, August 25^th to Sunday, August 27^th. If interested in volunteering, please email Calli at callikelly7@gmail.com . Holy Anargyroi wishes Saint George a successful festival the weekend before.

Volunteer Opportunity: help the St. Paul Police Chaplains serve food at city employee picnic Tuesday, August 15^th at Como Park from 4-9pm. Help needed with set-up and clean-up at the Picnic Pavilion as well as Sojourner’s Café on White Bear Ave before and after the event. For more info or to sign up, contact Fr. Rick.

Church Fathers Speak: Do not think about or do anything without a spiritual purpose, something that is done primarily for God. For if you travel without a destination, you will labor in vain. St. Mark the Ascetic (5^th cent.)

FOCUS MN Annual Fundraiser: Tuesday, August 15 at 6pm, St. Mary’s GOC in Mpls. Proceeds directly support FOCUS MN programs. See insert for details; reserve your free spot by Thursday, August 10!

Bake Sale Help Needed: Attention all women of St George church! We will need help on Friday, August 18^th cupping the pastries for the festival bake sale. Please schedule some time to come and help prepare for the upcoming sale. Many hands make lite the work. Contact Nanette Gomez for more information. Thank you

New Metropolitan of Chicago: the Trisopon (list of three candidates) selected by the Holy Eparchial Synod of America was forwarded to the Patriarchal Synod in Constantinople. Unofficially, it appears that the list has been rejected and a new list must be selected. Please continue to pray that God grant us a worthy successor and chief shepherd. Until then, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit is serving as locum tenens.

Patristic Wisdom: Pray not to this end, that you own desires be fulfilled. You can be sure that they do not align with the will of God. Pray instead, “Your will be done.” In every matter ask Him for what is good and profitable for your soul, for you do not seek this as fully and perfectly as God does.    Evagrius the Solitary (+399)

Lexington Parkway Improvements- starting early July, concrete and brick crosswalks will be replaced with blacktop along with new pedestrian accessible curbs at intersections. Watch for lane shifts and closures.

Rise and Shine! Orthros is the sunrise service in the Orthodox Church but probably one of the most neglected. Every individual and family should make an effort to participate periodically. At least, plan to arrive at the beginning of Divine Liturgy. Like Vespers, Orthros has many profound hymns about Jesus' Resurrection and the Saints or Feast of the Day along with petitions, prayers and readings. Orthros begins Sunday morning 8:15am.

Let Us Commit Ourselves and one Another: We cannot neglect the task of practical preparation to enhance our liturgical participation. Commitment to God and His family (the Church) requires advance planning and sacrifice. It behooves all of us to take seriously our Orthodox Christian Faith by participating the Sunday Divine Liturgy and weekday Lenten services. Let us commit ourselves and one another and our life to Christ our God!

Wisdom from the Church Fathers: Above all things, do not forget the poor, but support them to the extent of you means. Give to the orphan, protect the widow, and do not permit the powerful from destroying the weak. Do not destroy any Christian soul, even though he be guilty of murder.           St. Vladimir of Russia (+1015)

Labor Day Weekend Family Retreat: Join other Orthodox families at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Wisconsin, Sept 1-3, 2017 for a fun-filled time reconnecting with your family and with God. Find more information on bulletin boards and at www.GOCFFamilySynaxis.org. Register online by August 18.

Pictorial Directory 2015: is now available for $5 per copy. They can be purchased either from Julie in the office or in the bookstore (limit, one per family).

Welcome Visitors Thank you for joining with us in prayer and fellowship. The worship of the Orthodox Church is deeply rooted in and very similar to that of the early Christian Church. Unique sensory stimuli and mystery are elements that go back even to the liturgy of the Jewish temple. Everything in an Orthodox Christian church communicates the majestic presence of God the Holy Trinity with His Saints. It is literally heaven on earth. It is a sad consequence of the divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Visitors are invited to receive the blessed bread (antithoron) at the conclusion of the liturgy. We pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all Christians. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, please contact Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org. We are proud of our Greek heritage but one does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek to be a Greek Orthodox Christian.

Note to Orthodox about Holy Communion: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the most Holy experiences for a Christian in order to be granted the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We are never worthy to partake of Divine Nature. Yet, it is essential that we prepare ourselves for this sacred Communion by constant prayer, reading the Scriptures, regular fasting and periodic Confession. At a minimum, we should fast all morning before Communion, arrive at the beginning of Liturgy, and come for Confession at least once a year. In addition, we should not have separated ourselves from the Church through serious sin. Otherwise, please refrain from Communion to avoid “judgment…not discerning the Lord’s body” (1Cor. 11:29). Contact Fr. Rick for pastoral guidance.

Glad Tidings deadline: The 10th of each month. Glad Tidings email: gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org  Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday Noon each week.  Email: office@stgeorgegoc.org