A Word from Fr. John: Words on gratitude, from Fr. Thomas Hopko’s The Orthodox Faith series. What could be more appropriate for God’s people, as we celebrate the Eucharist (“The Thanksgiving”)… ponder stewardship… and receive God’s endless mercies every day of our lives?

“The spiritual person has gratitude and thanksgiving in all circumstances, in everything and for everything. This thanksgiving is rooted in the firm conviction of God’s merciful providence and care in all things, in the steadfast faith that ‘God works in everything for good with those who love Him,’ or, as the passage may also be rendered, ‘everything works together for good with those who love God.’ (Romans 8:28)

“The spiritual teachers, especially Saint John Chrysostom (4^th c.), are very strict in this teaching. The spiritual man does not thank God only for what he considers to be good. Rather, he thanks God for everything, even for what appears to be bad, knowing that God’s tender care is over all, and that the evil in this world… can itself be the vehicle for spiritual growth and salvation if rightly understood and overcome by the grace of God.

“The opposite of gratitude is bitterness and complaining; it is bemoaning one’s lot in life because of pride and covetousness. It is caused by the absence of humble trust in the Lord.”

Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of Jim Manos (at Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab Center), Chresanthe Lemieux, Jane Anderson, Betty & Fred Day, Despina Xynidis, George P. Nichols, JoAnne Long, our parish, those we serve, and our two missionary families: Dn. Stephanos, Dka. Alexandria & Moses Ritsi serving Albania; and Michael Lisa & Liam Colburn serving translators worldwide.Regarding Fr. Michael Byars at Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Daytona, their parish does have a relief fund and way to donate set up on their website: https://www.holycrossoc.org/ . Please keep Father Michael, Khouria Denise, and their family in your prayers.

Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross:  Friday, September 14 – Orthros at 9 a.m., Liturgy at 10 a.m.

Hostess Schedule:  Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com

• September 9     
• Ellen Kelbert; Melisa Kauttu-Strange
• September 16   
• Faye Peterson; Constandina/Marissa
• September 23   
• Eugenia Charoni; Joan Manias
• September30    
• Monthly Potluck

Philoptochos Meetings:

• Sunday, September 30
• Sunday, October 28

Next Parish Council Meeting: Monday, September 10, 2018 at 6:30 PM 

Iconography Committee Meeting: Thursday, September 13^th at 6 p.m.

Festival Prep – Dolmathes:  Please feel free to stay today after the Liturgy to join us as we roll dolmathes for our October 12-14^th festival.  If you've never done them before we'll be happy to show you how… Today, from noonish til 5 p.m.

Weekly Offering: You can decide how much to contribute in support this church’s ministry.  Your gift goes to ensuring that our church is open and accessible to all who seek her comfort.  These donations are very important to the vitality of our parish.  Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.

Treasurers Report -

Income Statement (Jan - Jul 2018)

                          Actual                      Budget (YTD)

Revenues:        $104.376                       $110,726

Expenses:        $126,214                       $128,309

Rev over Exp:   ($22,636)                      ($17,583)

Balance of Accounts (Jul 2018)

Operating Account:                              $16,573.42     

Mortgage Account:                                 $8,049.41

Mortgage Balance:           $1,337,012.55

Reserves:

Clergy reserve fund:              $18,500.00

Maintenance reserve:            $37,884.00

Iconography:                        $22,603.97

Mortgage refinance:             $353,301.27