MESSAGE FROM FR. NICHOLAS Do you love me? Feed my sheep. In the last chapter of the Gospel of St. John, Jesus asks this simple question of Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me …?” (Jn 21:15). Do you love me? It is not a difficult question. Even in our own lives, He asks us this same question, “Do you love me?” Jesus asked this question of Peter three times as a way of receiving Peter back as one of His disciples after he denied knowing Jesus at the crucifixion (Jn 18:15). Jesus and Peter are reconciled by his confession of love. Peter responds each time in the affirmative, he says, “Lord, you know all things, You know that I love you” (Jn 21:17). Much like in our own baptismal service, we are asked “Do you join Christ?,” (three times) and “Have you joined Christ” (three times). The candidate for Baptism or the God Parent will affirm three times, “I do,” and “I have.” We pledge ourselves to Christ. We confess our love for Him. In like manner we are reconciled with Christ when we confess Him as our Lord and our God. We too are called disciples. As His disciples, He will never leave us and will continue to care for us, feed us, bless us and show us His Mercy. As we continue to dedicate our lives to Him, He continues to lead us to the kingdom. Christ says “Follow Me” (Jn 21:19). From the gospel to our very own lives Christ asks us if we love Him. But do we recognize the commitment we make when we answer that question? If we keep reading the Gospel, we recognize there is a command after each response. Do you love me, then “feed my lambs” (Jn 21:15), “tend my sheep” (Jn 21:16), “feed my sheep,” (Jn 21:17). How should we understand this? When we attend the Divine Liturgy, many of us seek this same reconciliation, and we seek to be fed. We experience it by hearing the Word of His Holy Gospel, through the homily of the priest, through the prayers and petitions and through the reception of His sacred body and precious blood. We will sing praises to Him, offer up by thanks and gratitude for His grace and mercy. We all seek to be spiritually fed. We each have spiritual needs, and we lift them up to Him and He satisfies them. ST. DEMETRIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH THE ORATOR Presiding Priest: Fr. Nicholas Hadzellis Cell: 617.530.0885 Parish Assistant: Samia Shiber Office: 817.626.5578 Fax: 817.626.5073 Parish Council Members Elias Shiber, President John Sempeles, V. President Matt Lee, Treasurer Georgia Sparto, Secretary Magda Fleming Marina Katzianis Lisa Kelly Terry Kouris Artemis Moon Elaine Reidl George Vardakis Office email: [email protected]Orator: [email protected]Web: www.stdemetrios.net Parish Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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MESSAGE FROM FR. NICHOLAS Do you love me? Feed my sheep.
In the last chapter of the Gospel of St. John, Jesus asks this simple
question of Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me …?” (Jn
21:15).
Do you love me? It is not a difficult question. Even in our own lives, He
asks us this same question, “Do you love me?” Jesus asked this question of
Peter three times as a way of receiving Peter back as one of His disciples
after he denied knowing Jesus at the crucifixion (Jn 18:15). Jesus and Peter
are reconciled by his confession of love.
Peter responds each time in the affirmative, he says, “Lord, you know all
things, You know that I love you” (Jn 21:17). Much like in our own
baptismal service, we are asked “Do you join Christ?,” (three times) and
“Have you joined Christ” (three times). The candidate for Baptism or the
God Parent will affirm three times, “I do,” and “I have.” We pledge
ourselves to Christ. We confess our love for Him.
In like manner we are reconciled with Christ when we confess Him as our
Lord and our God. We too are called disciples. As His disciples, He will
never leave us and will continue to care for us, feed us, bless us and show us
His Mercy. As we continue to dedicate our lives to Him, He continues to
lead us to the kingdom. Christ says “Follow Me” (Jn 21:19).
From the gospel to our very own lives Christ asks us if we love Him. But
do we recognize the commitment we make when we answer that question?
If we keep reading the Gospel, we recognize there is a command after each
response. Do you love me, then “feed my lambs” (Jn 21:15), “tend my
sheep” (Jn 21:16), “feed my sheep,” (Jn 21:17). How should we understand
this?
When we attend the Divine Liturgy, many of us seek this same
reconciliation, and we seek to be fed. We experience it by hearing the Word
of His Holy Gospel, through the homily of the priest, through the prayers and
petitions and through the reception of His sacred body and precious blood.
We will sing praises to Him, offer up by thanks and gratitude for His grace
and mercy. We all seek to be spiritually fed. We each have spiritual needs,
It is easy to think of ourselves as the sheep, and we desire and need to be spiritually fed, and have
those needs met by the church. Indeed we should be. But one day of seven is hardly enough (roughly
14% of your week). The remaining time is influenced by the news, TV, talk radio and social media. We
should be feeding ourselves as well, especially in today’s modern age with the book store, internet,
libraries, and access to Ancient Faith Radio and Orthodox Christian Network. There is a lot of Orthodox
spiritual food waiting to be consumed. We have to be eager and take the initiative to learn more about
Jesus Christ, our Church and our salvation.
It is true we are His sheep, but Jesus Christ also calls us into discipleship. We are to submit to Him,
learn from Him, call on Him and follow Him, as did the disciples of the Gospel. But as His disciples, we
are to lead, teach and raise up new disciples. According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus instructs His
disciples to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”(Matt 28:19). We are already a part of
the Church that is called to meet the needs of the world, the needs of our neighbor.
Do you love me? Feed my sheep. So how do we feed His sheep? One might think that it is the job of
the clergy, the missionary, and the soup kitchen workers to feed the sheep. And it is. But it’s also all of
our jobs. This includes the parents, the godparents, the chanters, the parish council, the person sitting in
the pew etc. It’s the job of those who have joined Christ.
One way we feed His sheep is by offering hospitality to strangers and charity to the poor. This may
be in our home, at the shelter, even during fellowship hour. But perhaps there is another way of how we
can spiritually feed the sheep and lead others to Christ.
Another way, is by our own example. As we take matters of salvation seriously, others will take
notice. Saint Seraphim of Sarov said, “Acquire the Spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be
saved.” We receive God’s grace in Baptism and Chrismation in particular, and we are called to bear
good fruit. When we do, that grace is multiplied. When the grace is multiplied, it becomes a greater
witness than what we can possibly say.
So how do we bear good fruit? The easy answer is participating in the sacraments, especially Holy
Communion and Holy Confession. Additionally, Father Stephen Freeman writes “This is a question
particularly about the small things of the day. Do we pray? Do we begin the day by crossing ourselves
before our feet ever hit the floor? When tempted to grumble do we refrain and give thanks instead? Do
we condemn others, even when we could have been silent? Do we forgive when we could have nursed a
grudge?” It comes down to the choices we make, how we choose to live and respond to those around us.
How we intend to invest the grace already given to us.
Father Stephen continues “there is grace for each of these things and thousands more. We are able,
because God has made us able. Grace that is put to use in our lives produces dividends of grace. St.
Seraphim did not ecome what he was through a momentary gift, but through a lifetime of ascesis (ascetic
work, ie fasting, prayer, acts of charity) and “reinvesting” the grace given him.”
When we reinvest the grace that God has given us, we are able to feed the sheep around us, our children,
our God Children, the people next to us in the pew, the neighbor, the co-worker and the stranger. We are
empowered to lead them to salvation that is found in Jesus Christ.
This year we are introducing a new theme to tie in our ministries at St. Demetrios. Our theme is “Lead
Me.” You will find that we introduced this theme in our stewardswhip ministry for 2016. But also, we
will incorporate the theme through our Sunday Church School, Adult Education, sermons and articles in
the Orator. We are all called to be leaders as we follow Christ. You may not know it, or intend it, but you
are leading someone right now. We have to be intentional.
As part of our Sunday Church School curriculum, we have include pre-communion prayers in the pews.
One side is for the elementary school aged children, the other is side is for the middle school aged children.
There are also pre-communion prayer in the back of the Green Hymnal books for high school aged
children and adults. Please take the time to prepare for Holy Communion.
We are also starting a three week adult Bible study class beginning October 14 at 6:30pm. This series we
will discuss the Parables of Jesus. Please take these opportunites to expand upon your spiritual lives and
grow closer to Jesus Christ, as He leads us closer to His Kingdom.
Additionally there will be two Church Community “Lead Me Retreat”, to include Adult and Children
activities. The First will be September 26th, the second will be schedule during lent in 2016.
In our spiritual journey it is not enough to maintain our current posture, but rather, we are to grow and
build each other up in Christ.
SERVICE TO OUR CHURCH Date Parish Council Ushers Orthros Readers
September 6
Matt Lee
George Vardakis
Phil Hieger-Chanter
Open - Reader
Greek-Stathis Michaelides
English-Lexi Vardakis
September 13 Georgia Sparto
Artemis Moon
Phil Hieger-Chanter
Open - Reader
Greek-Morfoula Mouzakis
English-Grace Beasley
September 20
Elaine Reidl
Magda Fleming
Ken George- Chanter
Open - Reader
Greek-Tony Xenios
English-Katherine Kallinikos
September 27 Lisa Kelly
Terry Kouris
Phil Hieger -Chanter
Open - Reader
Greek-Cathy Xydas
English-Issa Shiber
If you would like to be a St. Demetrios Usher, please speak to a Parish Council Member. If you would like to
be a Reader (Youth and Adult), please see Cathy Xydas or Ali Winters.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO BE AN ORTHROS READER OR CHANTER - see Ellyn Ponton or Phil Hieger
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
Date Hosts September 6 Coula Panagopoulos
September 13 Parish Council
September 20 Open
September 27 Open Witnessing the love of Christ to our parishioners and guests alike, Fellowship Coffee Hour is a ministry that
generously provides care and kindness by building up our community through refreshments after the Divine Liturgy on Sundays.
Contact Leeann Hieger(817.295.3704 / 817.556.1963 or [email protected]) or Artemis Moon (817.800.6407 or [email protected]) to host the next Fellowship Hour.
The sign-up sheet is on the wall opposite the doors to the fellowship hall.
Many thanks go out to all of you that have taken your turn to make the Fellowship hour a success.
You can say, Fellowship Hour is your second communion, as we come together after the Divine Liturgy
as the body of Christ to care for one another and spend time with each other.
Some great occasions to Host a Fellowship Hour are:
Anniversary
Baby Blessing
Birthday
Memorial
Name Day
In effort to make hosting Fellowship Hour easier, please consider a suggested Fellowship Hour List
of items to serve:
-Bagels (sliced and halved)
-Loaves of Specialty Bread (sliced)
-Donuts (halved)
-Coffee Cake (sliced)
-Cookies/Cupcakes
-Cakes (sliced)
-Butter/Margarine
-Peanut Butter/Cream Cheese
-Fruit/Juice
-Cheese and Crackers
Additionally, if you are unable to Host, you may still sponsor a Fellowship Hour by making a donation.
As part of your contribution and responsibility, please plan on cleaning up at the end of coffee hour.
Thank you
ORTHODOX TRADITIONS
The Nativity of the Mother God - September 8 The church honors the Virgin Mary on the day of her birth, for it was through her that God became man. Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, who had been married for twenty years, had no children. One day an angel appeared in a separate vision to each of them, announcing that they would have a daughter whom they should dedicate to God. Her nativity is celebrated with a Divine Liturgy and hymns composed in her honor. FEAST SERVICE: Orthors 8:00am Divine Liturgy 9:00am September 8th The Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one of the most revered observances in all of Orthodoxy. In 325 A.D., after the persecutions against the Christians had just ended, Christians were free to express their religious feelings and to adorn their places of worship with symbols of the faith, such as the cross. The church has established September 14 as a day of fasting equal to that of Good Friday, as a reminder that Christ died on the cross; many parishioners take communion that day. The Gospel reading at the Divine Liturgy describes the Crucifixion of Christ. After the service, each parishioner receives a basil sprig. FEAST DAY SERVICES: Great Vespers 6:00pm September 13 Orthros 8:00am Divine Liturgy 9:00am September 14th
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
STEWARDSHIP
The Divine Liturgy, and especially the Anaphora (the offering) are filled with hymns and prayers that
speak directly to thanksgiving and gratitude, from which spring our tithes and offerings.
… [T]hanksgiving (Greek eucharistia) reveals the essence of Christian faith. As Fr. Alexander Schmemann said
in his final sermon, “Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy,” for Christians
find their fundamental calling in thanksgiving… [A]ny life not built upon the foundation of gratitude to God is
not authentic Christian life. Thanksgiving to God proves that we are truly alive: “The dead do not praise the
Lord, / Nor any who go down into silence” (Ps. 115:17). We rightly call the Divine Liturgy “the Eucharist”
(thanksgiving), for thanksgiving is the sign of the spiritual life, and the Eucharist keeps us alive.
From Let Us Attend: A Journey Through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, by Fr. Lawrence Farley, Chapter 13,
The Anaphora (the offering).
For more information on stewardship and tithing visit: www.Everygoodandperfectgift.org
Please consider this stewardship pledge chart to aid you in your planning for 2016 Stewardship Pledge.
Our Ministries are Growing and we need you support! Please consider supporting our ministries
directly by making a restricted contriubution:
Altar Fund: Priest Discretionary Fund for those in need and special projects
Daily Bread: a ministry supporting Tarrant Area Food Bank, One Harvest Food Ministries and the
Samaritian House. All gifts will help provide food supplies to assist those who are in need.
Friends of the Festival: Will assist in the preparations of the Greek Festival
Greek Language and Culture School: Youth and Adult ministry teaching the Hellenic Language and
Culture
OCF: College Ministry
Peace Beyond Understanding: Visitation and Prayer ministry for those who are sick.
Sunday Church School: Youth Enrichment program
YAM: Young Adult Ministries ages 21-35
Youth Ministries: Hope and Joy (Elementary Aged) GOYA (Middle and High School Age)
Please see Fr. Nicholas if you would like to make an additional Special Offering
8 11:30Alpha Omega Tex’s Star Grill 7pm AHEPA Meeting
9
10 9am Festival Baking Tyropita
11
12
13 Sunday before Holy Cross 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy 10:30am Stewardship Sun. & Ministry Fair 10:30am Church School 11:30am Greek Dance Practice 11:30am Festival Meeting 6pm Great Vespers
14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross 8am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy
15 9am Festival Baking Koulourakia
16 9am Festival Baking Koulourakia
17
18 19 10am Philoptochos
20 7:45am Orthros 8:45am Blessing: Kaity & John Sempeles 9am Divine Liturgy 10:30am Church School 11am Festival Baking: Spanakopita 11:30am Greek Dance Practice 11:30am Hope/Joy Activity
21 9am Festival Baking Spanakopita 4:30pm Greek School
22 6pm Ladies Parea Shaw’s
23
24
25 Dallas Greek Festival
26 9am Teaching Liturgy: Feast of the Falling Asleep of John the Evangelist 10:30am - 4pm Retreat: Lead Me Dallas Greek Festival
27 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy 11:00am Greek Dance Practice Dallas Greek Festival
28 4:30pm Greek School
29 30 Strict Fast
Fish allowed Dairy,
Eggs, and Fish allowed
Wine and Oil allowed
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Sunday Readings for September 2015
Sept. 6 14th Sunday of Matthew
Epistle: Hebrews 2:2-10
Gospel: Matthew 22:2-14
Sept. 13 Sunday before Holy
Cross
Epistle: Galatians 6:11-18
Gospel: John 3:13-17
Sept. 20 Sunday after Holy Cross Epistle: Galatians 2:16-20
Gospel: Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
Sept. 27 1st Sunday of Luke Epistle: II Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
2020 NW 21st St.
Fort Worth, Texas 76164
www.stdemetrios.net
T H E M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R O F S T . D E M E T R I O S G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H
T H E F I R S T G R E E K O R T H O D O X P A R I S H I N T E X A S