6. STARTING THE WORK (11-2-2003; 11-11-2018)

   When we started our sermon series on Worship and the Divine Liturgy, who thought it would take six weeks before we actually started talking about the text of the Divine Liturgy itself? But it was important to set a solid foundation upon which we build our understanding of the liturgy and its meaning. So, let’s briefly review that foundation: 1) Worshipping God is one of the central struggles in spiritual warfare against the devil and we must arm ourselves with understanding of its meaning and importance. 2) We are created by God in His image and likeness and therefore, by nature, we are religious, spiritual and relational beings. We were made to believe and worship. 3) Our worship comes from God Himself, revealed to Israel through Moses and handed down by the Apostles through the life of the Church. 4) Divine Liturgy is work, a holy effort we undertake to arrive at our destination--the reception of the very Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. 5) To do our work well, we must be prepared through several disciplines. These include fasting from food and sin, going to sleep and waking early, prayer, reading the scriptures, sacrifice, observing the Sabbath of rest and participation in Vespers and Orthros.

   In today’s Gospel from the Eighth Sunday of Luke 10:25-37, the lawyer asks Jesus how he may inherit eternal life. Jesus poses the question back to the lawyer and he answers: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ [Dt.6:5] and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” [Lev.19:18] (v.27). Isn’t that what worship and liturgy are all about? Loving God with every fiber of our being, both soul and body?

   Now let’s start building on our foundation. The Divine Liturgy, written by St. Basil the Great and modified by St. John Chrysostom, begins with the exclamation, “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.” Other Orthodox worship services start with, “Blessed is our God…” but the Liturgy and the other major sacraments/mysteries start with these special words. When we worship, we are entering, in a unique way, the Kingdom of God. Not just any God, but the one true God of Israel and His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. We Eastern Orthodox Christians worship the Holy Trinity. This Kingdom is not a worldly one, but a heavenly one. It operates beyond space and time and by different principles than those that govern our earthly existence. When we worship, we are living that part of the Lord’s Prayer that says, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!” (Mt.6:10). God is holy. Therefore, His Kingdom is blessed, meaning it is full of His grace and His gifts. It is complete and whole, lacking nothing. In addition, by being in church to pray and worship, sincerely and with a humble heart, we bless God. That’s why we also say in the Our Father Prayer, “holy is Your name” (Mt.6:9). And we ask for His blessing upon ourselves, but God will not bless sin. Therefore, we should not come and worship unless we are ready to be changed through repentance.

   Interestingly, before the Liturgy actually begins, while you are singing the Great Doxology, there is a dialogue that occurs between the Deacon, Priest and Bishop. The Deacon says in Greek, “Kairos tou poihsai tw Kyriw euloghson Despota.” or “It is time for the Lord to act, bless master.” Divine Liturgy is not a drama done by the clergy for the people to watch. Rather it is God Himself acting upon and through His people. For this to happen, we must be present and participate to help effect a synergy or “co-working” between God and humanity takes place. However, God does the real work. All we need to do is leave our ego, agendas and sinful habits at the door when we enter His Holy Sanctuary and then not pick them up again on our way out door.

   “Now and forever, and to the ages of ages.” This means the Kingdom of the Trinity is eternal. It is not temporary. This is important because everything else is finite, it has a beginning and an end. Unfortunately, our life often is focused on the things that will not last. When they inevitably go away, if we are too attached to these temporal, material items, even our own bodies, then our own souls will go with them into the outer darkness. But if we attach ourselves to God, in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, if we attach ourselves to the principles of His Kingdom (love, peace, joy, repentance, forgiveness, etc.) then we will prepare ourselves for living eternally with Him, in His heavenly house.

   After the opening exclamation, the Great Litany follows. Sometimes the Great Litany is called the Litany of Peace (Greek ‘eirinika’) because “peace” is mentioned in the first three petitions. We must remember two things during the Litany. First, during the Litany, the priest is not praying to God on our behalf. Every petition ends with “let us pray to the Lord.” In fact, each petition of the litany is a beckoning or a call by the priest/deacon to the people to or how to pray or what to pray for. The actual prayer or petition to God is when the lay people respond, “Lord have mercy.” Secondly, these calls to prayer remind us of an important responsibility. As the people of God, we are called to pray, not just for ourselves, but for everyone in the whole world. We pray for our salvation, the stability of our parish, unity, our temple building. We also pray for each other, our bishop, priests, and deacons, our country, president, all civil authorities, our city, every city and country, the people of faith, good weather, food, travelers, sick, suffering, prisoners, safety, help, protection, and mercy.

   I cannot believe that our nation has experienced a second major terroristic attack with multiple murders since we started this sermon series. The shooting in Thousand Oaks California was terrible, sad, and tragic and it hit close to home for Greek Orthodox since one of the young persons killed, Telemachus Orfanos, is from our sister parish of St. Nicholas in Northridge, CA. This type of violence and every other one like it, whether one person is hurt/killed, or it involves multiple people, is a direct challenge to we who pray. As I have said before and I continue to assert, these types of violent acts are inspired by demonic influence.

   The devil sends demons to take advantage of people who are vulnerable because of mental illness, ideological extremism, lack of religious upbringing, and/or giving up hope in the purpose and meaning of life. The killer posted on social media shortly before or during his attack, “Fact is I had no reason to do it, and I just thought... life is boring so why not?" and “Yeah... I'm insane, but the only thing you people do after these shootings is 'hopes and prayers' ... or 'keep you in my thoughts' ... every time... and wonder why these keep happening." Remember, what I said when we started this series that the devil does not want us to pray? He hates it when we pray because he has no power when we pray and unite ourselves to God.

   Chaotic, senseless violence undermines our faith and trust in God who can help restore order, justice and mercy in the world. Yes, of course, our prayers must translate into action to help put an end to violence and murder but those strategies must address the foundation of the problem, and that is the disposition of the hearts, minds, and souls of suffering people in order to protect them (and help them protect themselves) from demonic influence.

   Today’s Gospel reading ends with Jesus telling the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who fell among thieves (v.30) could be anyone around us who has been robbed of faith and hope, and who suffers from the wounds of despair. We must be like the Samaritan, who was stranger and yet had compassion (v.33) and went out of his way to help this victim (v.34). It says that he brought the man to an inn (v.34). My brothers and sisters, the inn that we know is the Church and the innkeeper is Jesus Christ. Pray that God reveals suffering people to you, go to them, help them, have mercy on them and bring them to Christ and His Church. Amen!

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

 Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter

1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, (651) 222-6220, www.stgeorgegoc.org

November 18, 2018                                                                                                            9^TH SUNDAY OF LUKE

TODAY’S EVENTS:  IOCC Sunday; Fall Bake Sale 11:30am; Greek Dance practice 4:30pm.

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: anonymous

Fellowship: Fall Bake Sale                                                   Head Greeters: Bill Clemons, Jim Theros

Wednesday 11-21     Glad Tidings mailing – volunteers needed                                                     10:00AM

                                   Pan-Orthodox THANKSGIVING EVE LITURGY & reception                                 6:00PM

Thursday     11-22     Thanksgiving Holiday – office closed (and Friday Nov 23)

Saturday     11-24     VESPERS                                                                                                       5:00PM

Sunday        11-25     ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINE LITURGY – 13^th SUNDAY OF LUKE                     9:30AM

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Philoptochos Bake Sale Today: This year introducing the “St. Euphrosynus Sunday Lunch Special”. Enjoy a delicious lunch plate for $6.00. Please see the many other items after liturgy and support Philoptochos.

IOCC Sunday Today– A Day of Sharing: Each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the Assembly of Bishops has named it A Day of Sharing. On this day, we consider IOCC’s global work and the ways you sustain it: by providing food, water, shelter and medicine to refugees, economic opportunity, training healthcare workers, and so much more. Orthodox faithful across the US thank God for the privilege of serving the least of our brethren through IOCC. Please consider giving a gift of compassion today at iocc.org/DayOfSharing.

Pan-Orthodox Thanksgiving Eve Divine Liturgy: Following our decades long tradition, clergy and laity from Orthodox parishes in the Twin Cities and beyond will celebrate liturgy to give thanks to Christ our Lord this Wednesday, Nov 21 at 6pm for liturgy and a memorial service for departed clergy and spouses. Afterwards, we will share a lenten meal, hosted by Misael & Lisa Jordan and honor our retired clergy and widowed spouses.

Advent Fast: began Wednesday, November 15^th and continues for 40 days until the Nativity of our Lord. The Church instructs us to fast from all meat and dairy products, although fish is allowed any day except Wednesdays and Fridays (until Dec.12). Fasting periods are a good time for spiritual self-examination and the Sacrament of Confession. Please contact Fr. Rick to make an appointment. Blessed Advent!

Think About It: "To fast is do violence to nature. It does away with whatever pleases the palate. Fasting ends lust, roots out bad thoughts, and frees from evil dreams. Fasting makes for purity of prayer, an enlightened soul, a watchful mind, and a deliverance from blindness."                      St. John Climacus (+649)

Phyllo orders available today for pick-up. Please see the Philoptochos ladies in the social hall to pick up your order. Thanks for helping the Philoptochos fundraiser. Happy baking!

Vespers Has Begun! Start off your Saturday evening on the right foot with Great Vespers service at 5pm. It has beautiful hymns about the Resurrection and the Saints of the day, petitions, prayers and readings but only takes 45 minutes to complete. It is an excellent preparation for Sunday Divine Liturgy.

2018 Parish Christmas Card: please participate using enclosed form and $20 minimum donation. Give to a Philoptochos member or the church office no later than Sunday, December 9.Thank you.

Exterior Restoration- Brick, block and tuckpointing have been completed. Cost of project is $118,647. We have raised nearly $50,000 from our parishioners and friends. Please join us in this important work. Thank you!

Makers Mall Five- A Celebration of Giving: All youth are invited Saturday, December 1 for our Fifth Annual Makers Mall. Join your Church family as we transform the social hall into a workshop and create handmade gifts from the heart. 5pm Vespers, 6pm Pasta Dinner, 6:30pm let the creativity begin!

Church Fathers Speak: Did not the Lord Jesus Himself begin His divine ministry with a long , forty day fast? By His own example, the Lord showed us how great a weapon fasting is. Through it he vanquished Satan in the wilderness gaining victory over the three chief passions: love of ease, love of praise and love of money.                  St. Nikolai Velimorovich (+1956)

Annual Philoptochos Advent Luncheon & Caroling: Saturday, December 1^st at 11:30am at the Pool & Yacht Club. We extend a warm invitation to all community members to join us for our annual Advent Lunch & Caroling tradition. For more information please contact Vicky Paraschou at 763.785.8882. You can also sign up in the Social Hall today!

Advent Retreat: Saturday, December 1 at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis, led by Fr. Evan Armatas. Program entitled “Living a Disciplined Life in Christ” includes K-12 youth program, morning prayers 8:30am and light breakfast 9:30am, retreat till noon. RSVP 612.825.9595; see posting in social hall for more information.

St. Mary’s OCA Winter Camp: for grades 6-12 at Camp St. Croix, January 18-21, 2019. Theme is “The Sacrament of Marriage”. Fees and more information posted in social hall. Contact Matushka Lisa Tucci with questions, lisatucci71@gmail.com or 612.599.0814.

Bible Study: meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3pm in the conference room at church. RSVP or questions to Kathy Ryan 651-292-9948 or Kathy.aeiou@gmail.com. All are welcome!

Patristic Wisdom: Of all the afflictions that burden the human race, there is not one, whether spiritual or bodily, that cannot be healed by the Holy Scriptures.    St. John Chrysostom (+407)

Parish Council Elections: Official notification of the Elections will be mailed by November 28, with a list of eligible candidates and parish council members whose terms are ending. Elections will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact one of these Board of Election members: Bill Clemons, Dean Natto, Tina Sageotis, Andrea Walkush.

New Home for FOCUS MN: 550 Rice Street, in the historic Capitol District of St. Paul. As owner of the building, FOCUS will occupy the first/lower floors, and beginning in 2019, will resume its basic needs services from this location, including hot meals, a food shelf, distribution of clothing and household items, brown bag meals through low-income neighborhood schools and homeless youth support agencies, and more. For more information, please contact Executive Director Vera Proctor at vproctor@FocusNA.org or (651) 324-2705.

Wisdom from the Fathers: The husband and the wife should be like the hands and eyes. When the hands hurt, the eyes cry. And when eyes cry, the hands wipe away the tears. St. John Chrysostom (+407)

IOCC Homefront Workshop on Saturday December 8^th, 9am-12pm, at St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church. To help educate leaders about parish emergency, disaster preparedness and response. RSVP by Dec.3^rd to julie@stmarysgoc.org. For more info, dchristopulos@iocc.org or 612-308-5407.

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