Sunday Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Fr. John Hays, Interim Priest
This Saint was born at Tabatha, near Gaza in Palestine, of pagan parents. Sent as a young man to Alexandria to be educated, he learned the Christian Faith and was baptized. While in Egypt he heard the fame of Saint Anthony the Great, and upon meeting that truly great man, the Father of monks, Saint Hilarion determined to devote himself also to the ascetical life. He returned to Gaza, when, he gave himself over to extreme fasting and unceasing prayer. Because of the miracles which he soon began to work, he found himself compelled by his growing renown to leave Gaza, to escape from the throngs of people coming to ask his prayers. In his journeys he visited Egypt, and came again with longing to the place where Saint Anthony had lived; but he was not able to remain in any one place for long, since despite all his attempts to conceal himself, the light of the grace that was in him could not be hid. After passing through Egypt and Libya, and sailing to Sicily, he came at last to Cyprus, where he ended the course of his life at the age of eighty, in the year 372.
Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
6th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:26-39
At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
A Word from Fr. John:
The Eucharist, Stewardship, the Church, and Christ
“Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.” – The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
That is a model for stewardship!
Drawing on and quoting Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas, Aspects of Orthodox Worship:
“The parish, in canonical union with the local bishop, is the essential eucharistic cell, without which there is no Church, for the Eucharist constitutes the Church….”
The Eucharist:
At the Divine Liturgy, we:
Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for Sherry, Jim Manos (please visit 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.
“Check Out” the edifying books recently donated to our parish library: Once again, an anonymous donor has gifted books to expand the collection available through the Fr. George Gallos Library. The most recent offerings include:
Hostess Schedule: Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com
Philoptochos Meetings:
Parish Council Announcements:
“The Planner” 2018-2019 Ecclesiastical Calendar Available through the Bookstore for $12: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has released this year’s edition of a valuable annual resource: “The Planner.” This year’s theme is Bless God in the Churches,offering a glimpse and emphasizing the important role our churches have in our faith and in our lives. This 4 ¼ x 5 ½ inch, spiral-bound monthly calendar from September to August includes insightful messages & resources, morning & evening prayers, monthly calendars, and open-spread weekly views including daily readings, feasts, national holidays, indicators for fasting, and remembrance of important occasions affecting our corporate life. The Planner is made for use by all ages. Download the digital version and other great resources at https://www.goarch.org/products/downloads.
Outreach Update: Visit us anytime at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/holytrinityoutreach.
Greek Festival Giving in Support of Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts through IOCC:
It's not too late to offer support to our fellow Floridians and Georgians devastated by Hurricane Michael. Let's continue the heartfelt generosity expressed as gates were opened for the 21st Greek Festival last Saturday & Sunday! $1 of every $5-entry fee was designated directly to hurricane relief through our humanitarian aid agency headquartered in Baltimore, MD, the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). Let's match that generosity of our festival-goers who over-filled buckets with cash donations in generous response. An extra tray will be held at the Narthex door during dismissal from Divine Services and a bucket for donations will be alongside the post-festival sales. Checks can be made payable to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church with the memo marked "Hurricane Michael Relief". Learn more about IOCC at www.iocc.org.
Post Greek Festival Sale: Our annual post festival sale will be held this Sunday. Bring your checkbooks for some great deals!
SPECIAL NOTE -The bottled water left over from the festival has been donated to Communities Helping Communities for hurricane relief.
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.