Come Dream with Me for the Future

The last two weeks in our Cathedral Family have been, to say the least, traumatic with the departure of Fr Sampson after he and his family had given themselves for four years to the life of our Family. We wish them God’s blessings as he begins his new ministry in Pensacola, Florida today. We were saddened by the news of his quick departure, but we are a strong and resilient community. We will continue to grow closer to each other and God in our spiritual journey. We will never forget the Kasapakis family, but we cannot afford to live in the past. We must always look forward to bigger and better things for our Cathedral Family.

Today’s Gospel is a story of a man who had received an abundance of good things from God, so many blessings that he began to panic. “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'” (Luke 12.16-17) In his panic, in his shortsightedness, rather than using the blessings he had received to bless others, instead he tore down his barns to build biggers ones, just so that he could hold on to his wealth a little while longer. He learned a difficult lesson that day. “But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'” (Luke 12.20) He died a lone fool.

We have also received many blessings from God in our Community, and today is the day we will decide whether to panic, and tear down our barns for bigger barns, or use the good things God has given to us for others and for the work of His Church. Today’s Parish Assembly is an important day for the future of our Community. Today is the day we will look ahead to the future and decide whether we will be lone fools, or move ahead in faith for the glory of God and His Church.

Among the important topics of today’s Parish Assembly agenda will be the adoption of the 2020 Budget for our Cathedral Family. In this budget is included a number of new ideas and dreams for our future, but our dreams will only come true with God’s blessings and our faith in Him. To make our dreams come true, will require a sacrifice from each of us in our family, and faith that we have enough resources to not only survive but to thrive as a Greek Orthodox Cathedral Community.

Christ challenged those in today’s Gospel, “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? … Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? … For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Luke 12.24-31)

Come and dream with me today for the future. Come have faith with me that God will add to us what we need for His glory.

Memorials

9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

James Spirides - 9 Days

Mary Himonetos - 1 Year

Nick Georgion, Jr. - 9 Years

   Today's Coffee Hour is given by St. Nicholas Greek School..

We would like to encourage other ministries in hosting the Coffee Hour, so please contact Chris Palaidis at 727-808-3895.

  *THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY 5PM FOR ALL BULLETIN INFORMATION*

  Memorial & Artoklasia Service Planning