Sunday Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Fr. John Hays, Interim Priest
This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).
Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.
Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."
1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11
At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
A Word from Fr. John:
St. John Chrysostom on how to turn your home into a church…
“So it’s better to conclude our sermon at this point… when you go home from here, lay out with your meal a spiritual meal as well. The father of the family might repeat something of what was said here; his wife could then hear it, the children too could learn something….
In short, the household might become a church, so that the devil is driven off and that evil spirit, the enemy of our salvation, takes to flight; the grace of the Holy Spirit would rest there instead, and all peace and harmony surround the inhabitants. After all, if you keep in mind what has been said previously and more eagerly accept what is said later, we for our part will speak with greater zeal and eloquence what God’s grace has given us when we see the harvest already following the sowing.”
– from the Fr. Anthony Coniaris’ excellent collection, Daily Readings from the Writings of St. John Chrysostom
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.
Upcoming Memorials: September 23rd – Steve Sarris 40 day memorial; September 30th- Grace Sarris one year memorial and Minas A. Sarris 5 years memorial; September 30th – Michael Lekos 3 years memorial; November 18th – Katherine Gaetanos 15 year memorial.
Hostess Schedule: Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com
Philoptochos Meetings:
Our 21st Annual Greek Festival is October 12, 13, and 14: This year there will be daily specials for our guests, and extended outreach efforts to encourage festival goers to visit our church. In preparation for this important event, please see the attached food preparation schedule, sign up for the event itself, and reach out to family and friends.
Working together we will have another successful year!
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 - Aug 2018)
Actual Budget (YTD)
Revenues: $122,372 $126,544
Expenses: $133,074 $146,639
Rev over Exp: ($10,702) ($20,095)
Balance of Accounts (Aug 2018)
Operating Account: $11,746.68
Mortgage Account: $8,384.54
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
Outreach Update: Visit us anytime at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/holytrinityoutreach,
Greek Dance Practice: Children in grades VPK-8th are welcome to join as we prepare for the Greek Festival. Practices will be held on Friday evenings 5:30pm-6:30pm and started on 8/31. These will be every week until 10/5 (a total of 6 practices). If you are interested in committing to these practices and performing with the dance group, please contact Angela Lekos (angelmou1@att.net).
The New Panagia Chapel to receive the Miraculous Panagia Vimatarissa Icon September 29th:
Join in procession of the miraculous icon into the new Panagia Chapel at the Diakonia Center, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta with the monks of Vatopaidi on Mount Athos, and clergy of the Metropolis of Atlanta. All will venerate the miraculous icon of our Lady, offer glory to our God and Creator, and thank those who made this day possible while enjoying the fellowship of our Metropolis of Atlanta family. Please RSVP by calling Ethel Gjerde 404-634-9345. Parishioners are welcome to secure a seat aboard the bus, as St. Demetrios in Daytona is sponsoring a two-day pilgrimage package (see flyers in the hall or Margo Kelley for details).
2018-2019 Ministries & Committees:Are you and your family interested in gathering for regular activities? Please contact the Church Office to help grow, plan, and strengthen the following ministries/activities in the New Ecclesiastical Year (September through August) for any of the following:
Baking Prosphoron
Sunday School
Youth
St. Photios National Shrine
Stewardship
Bookstore
OCF/College Ministry
OCMC/Missions/Evangelism
Greeters/Newcomers
Library
Greek Fest
Ecological/Recycling
Facilities & Maintenance
Outreach
Greek Dance
Iconography/Beautification/Consecration
Religious Education
And More…
Bulletin Submission:Please submit your articles weekly by Wednesday, or at the latest, Thursday. Please note that all submissions will be reviewed and edited by Father John. Special Note: Office will be closed Sept. 27th and the morning of Sept. 28th.