2nd Sunday of Matthew

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751, Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 [email protected], www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & A...
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Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751,

Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 [email protected], www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements July 3, 2016

2nd Sunday of Matthew 

Hyacinth the Martyr of Caesarea & Theodotos and Theodota the Martyrs Anatolius, Patriarch of Constantinople Gerasimos the Holy Martyr of Karenesi Translation of the Holy Relics of our Father Among the Saints Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow 

NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ! Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy 10:00 am To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor's Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the church Office.

Today's Readings: St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 2:10-16 Brethren, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. 1

Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 2:10-16 Ἀδελφοί, δόξα δὲ καὶ τιμὴ καὶ εἰρήνη παντὶ τῷ ἐργαζομένῳ τὸ ἀγαθόν, Ἰουδαίῳ τε πρῶτον καὶ Ἕλληνι· οὐ γάρ ἐστιν προσωποληψία παρὰ τῷ θεῷ. Ὅσοι γὰρ ἀνόμως ἥμαρτον, ἀνόμως καὶ ἀπολοῦνται· καὶ ὅσοι ἐν νόμῳ ἥμαρτον, διὰ νόμου κριθήσονται· οὐ γὰρ οἱ ἀκροαταὶ τοῦ νόμου δίκαιοι παρὰ τῷ θεῷ, ἀλλʼ οἱ ποιηταὶ τοῦ νόμου δικαιωθήσονται. Ὅταν γὰρ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ νόμον ἔχοντα φύσει τὰ τοῦ νόμου ποιῇ, οὗτοι, νόμον μὴ ἔχοντες, ἑαυτοῖς εἰσιν νόμος· οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως, καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων, ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὅτε κρινεῖ ὁ θεὸς τὰ κρυπτὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου, διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

The Gospel according to Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30 The Lord said to his disciples, "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first."

The Gospel according to Matthew 4:18-23 At that time, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:18-23 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, περιπατῶν δὲ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῆς Γαλιλαίας εἶδε δύο ἀδελφούς, Σίμωνα τὸν λεγόμενον Πέτρον καὶ ᾿Ανδρέαν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, βάλλοντας ἀμφίβληστρον εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· ἦσαν γὰρ ἁλιεῖς· καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου καὶ ποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων. οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ. Καὶ προβὰς ἐκεῖθεν εἶδεν ἄλλους δύο ἀδελφούς, ᾿Ιάκωβον τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ μετὰ Ζεβεδαίου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν καταρτίζοντας τὰ δίκτυα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτούς. οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὸ πλοῖον καὶ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ. Καὶ περιῆγεν ὅλην τὴν Γαλιλαίαν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ.

Today;s Events: Blessing of the 5 Loaves -  Prepared by Marina Arvanitis for the Health and Well-Being of the Saint Barbara Community Today's Coffee Hour Organized and Hosted by Maria Arvanitis assisted by Helen Paliouras to express her love for our community. Good to See You Back Home

Jim and Kaitie Grinias 2

ATTENTION SAINT BARBARA PARISH!

Celebrate with your Church Family yournext special occasion! Consider sponsoring a coffee hour in the social hall after Liturgy on Sundays to commemorate a birthday, graduation, nameday, anniversary, or even for the pleasure of just hosting for your Parish. Signing up is easy....just place your name on the 'signup coffee hour' sheet located on the table in the hallway nearest the social hall. For details or questions, contact Helen Paliouras at: 919-9424229 or [email protected] __________________________________________________________________________________________________

FUNDRAISING PROJECTS TO DATE:

2015 February 7 June 6-7 July 18 September 12 September 26 October 3 November 6 November 20-21 December 2 December 6 December 12

Gyro Day Greek Festival Gyro Feast Yard Sale Fashion Show Chicken Dinners To-go Evening of Music Joint Philoptochos/PC Fundraiser Christmas Concert Saint Barbara Celebration Banquet Holiday Greek Pastries

2016 January 16 January 30 February 20 June 4-5 July 23 September 24 October 1

Evening of Music Spaghetti Event Gyro Event Greek Festival Gyro Event Evening of Jazz Chicken Event



WE NEED YOU as a STEWARD ! Our Saint Barbara Church needs each and every family to join our Stewardship Program. Our goal is to have 150 Pledged Families in the Stewardship Program. As of May 30th we have 91 Pledged Families in our Stewardship Program. 3

Please help us Reach our Goal.

You Will Always Be In our Hearts! Saint Barbara Will Never Leave You ! Dear church family, As y'all probably know, I'll be moving home to Chicago at the end of the July and starting a faculty position at Northwestern University. This move will allow me to be close to family, as well as do all the things I've spent the last 12-ish years training to do (research health literacy with the best group in the field, provide primary care for pediatric and adult patients, and teach residents). As grateful as I am for these opportunities, I'm also sad to be leaving all of you. You took me in as only a family in Christ could. I will never forget your faith, your generosity, and your genuine love. As individuals, and as a community, you are "philoxenia" personified. To express my gratitude for all of you, and to pray for the wellbeing of the St. Barbara community, we'll be having an Artoklasia (blessing of the 5 loaves) immediately following Divine Liturgy this Sunday, July 3. After services, we'll have a coffee hour in the fellowship hall. I hope all of you can join us for these services and for the coffee hour (though I realize that many of you have commitments to your own parishes that you can't miss). As an extra-special bonus for those of you who know Jim and Kaitie Grinias - they'll be in town for the weekend and at St. Barbara's for the services and coffee hour. If you can't make it this Sunday, I hope I can see you before I leave. I'll be in NC from 7/12-22, and my last Sunday at St. Barbara will be Sunday, 7/17. Also, please think about visiting Chicago! It's a fantastic city (though maybe not so much in the winter), and as long as the Arvanitis clan is there, you can always say that you have "family in Chicago." I hope to see you all on Sunday! Much love, Marina







Worship Services for July of 2016 -   2nd Sunday of Matthew 3rd Sunday of Matthew Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

 Wednesday The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias  5th Sunday of Matthew -  6th Sunday of Matthew - 4



For those interested in learning more about the chanting that we do in our Greek Orthodox Churches, we are meeting to go over very basic ways of singing in this tradition. We will begin with humming the isons which anyone can do; and we will go over some of the beautiful chants of our church like the 'Christos Anesti' which is sung at Pascha. We will also discuss how to follow the lead chanter; and a similar concept of 'question and answer' style hymnography. This discussion and sing along will be lead by Tony Thompson, assistant chanter at St. Barbara. If you are interested in participating in this program offering you can Email Anthony Thompson at [email protected] For a brief bio see below: Tony Thompson is a professional musician and chanter at St. Barbara GOC. He attended UNCG where he studied both music and business. Recently, Tony earned a playing certificate from the American Guild of Organists(2014). In 2013 he was the official salaried organist for Holy Trinity GOC. He has participated in the Raleigh Convocation Choir performing Sacred Choral Music(classical master works). He has also sung in the Triangle Orthodox Choir. Currently, he sometimes works as a professional interim organist /vocalist for Anglican churches. Other places of service as choir master, chanter and chorister: parishes include The Dormition of the Theotokos, St. George(High Point), All Saints Antiochian, St. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, St. Gregory the Great Orthodox Church in America. Tony has chanted with the much celebrated Byzantine Choir from New York, Romeiko(2003 season) and chanted regulatory at St Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC.(2003).

GENERAL ASSEMBLY Sunday, July 17th Agenda: - Review of the Results of the Greek Festival - Report of the State of the Parish as of the end of the First Half of 2016     

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  

GYRO FEAST and GREEK PASTRY SALE Sponsored by Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC Highway 751 Durham, NC 27713

Saturday, July 23, 2016 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Menu: GYRO - lamb & beef mix on grilled pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onions & tzatziki sauce Greek Salad, with side of pita bread - Large/Small

Soda and Bottled Water

$8 $7/$4 $2

Eat in or Take Out Bring the family and enjoy the food and music

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PHASE III BUILDING FUND CAMPAIGN (Includes pledgees and donors)

Pillars - $50,000 and over: None

Providers - $1,000 to $9,999:

Callahan, Katherine Marie Supporters - $25,000 to $49,999:

Anonymous Panov, Yuri and Elena

Paliouras, Jim and Helen

Kantner, Ed and Eve Christie, George and Deb Koutsis, Jimmy

Patrons - $10,000 to $24,999:

Panos, Peter and Evelyn Christakos, Eleni

Christakos, Dr. Arthur

Dennos, Anne

Mariakakis, Johnny and Catherine

Paliouras, Nicholas

Anonymous

Afendoulis, Gus

Ferris, Laurice

Sunas, Marian (in memory of Ernest)

Anonymous

Friends - $100 to $999:

Kanaris, Paul and Margarida Thuer, Olga B.

NOTE: 16 pledges to date (6/21/16) for a pledged total of $131,890

4 donors to date (6/21/16) for a donation total of $7,515

Grand total to date (6/21/16) is $139,405

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Sermon 2nd Sunday After Pentecost My dear brothers and sisters in Christ today in today’s Gospel we hear our Lord say “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Our Lord said this to call the apostles. This is not just the apostles’ call but it is our own. What this statement says is that if we follow the Lord Jesus Christ we will bring men to Him. Following the Lord Jesus Christ means that we are live our lives in the same manner that He lived His. That means that we are to be obedient to our Heavenly Father and take up the way of the cross. As our Lord said to His disciples; “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). It also means that we must be one as the Son is with His Father. Our Lord prayed for this at His Passion saying “Holy Father, keep through Your own name those whom You have given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11) I in them, and You in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, as You have loved me.” (John 17:23) In order for us to be one with God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one we must be first be obedient to the will of God. Obedience to the will of God means that we must place God in charge of our lives. In other words we must surrender our will to God’s will. That is exactly what the apostles did when they forsook everything and followed Jesus. As our Lord said “He that loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37) This means that we must love God above all things. This is the great commandment “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) To love God above all things is a difficult path to follow but, it is also a path of joy. This is because the path of the cross leads to the resurrection. Many people look at this path as without seeing the joy of the resurrection at its end. Saint Paul reminds us of this in his First Epistle to the Corinthians when he says “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) What the cross leads to is restoration of lives to that which we were created to be by God. When this happens we become changed. We are at peace with creation. This peace is often referred to as serenity. Accepting the path of the cross is something we do voluntarily. While our Lord calls us to the path of salvation through the cross He leaves us to choose between the path of salvation and the path of destruction. If we choose the path of destruction and are hearts are completely turned to evil, then God leaves us and satan becomes our master. This was the case with Judas when he turned against our Lord Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. Our Lord did not impinge on Judas’ freewill but rather said to him “That thou doest, do quickly.” (John 13:27) Our Lord allows us to choose between good and evil freely. His call to us to make this choice is “Follow me!” or “That thou doest, do quickly.” In making this choice we all too often become concerned about our own welfare. We become scared to surrender everything over to God. Our Lord assures us that these concerns are unfounded when He says “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26) If we have made the choice to follow Christ, then as the Gospel says we will become fishers of men. This means that as fishermen cast their nets into the dark depths of the sea for a catch of fish so, will we with Christ and the Gospel catch men from the dark depths of this world. As fishers of men we will fulfill the Lord’s command “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) All too often we abdicate this responsibility to someone else. If we do this then we must ask ourselves are we truly following Christ. The Gospel says “Follow Me AND I will make you fishers of men.” One of the key ways that we are fishers of men is through the way we live our lives; as the fisherman uses a lure to attract the fish to his hook. However we also have the responsibility to share our faith as fishers of men. This sharing can be as simple as Philip saying to Nathaniel “Come and see.” (John 1:46) Come and see what I have found Come and see what I have Come and see what gives me joy In sharing the faith the apostle Paul instructs Timothy in the following manner; ““Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)” So my dear brothers and sisters in Christ my prayer for you is that you may fight the good fight of faith following the way of the cross of Christ so that you may draw men into Christ’s net through your profession of Him before men in the manner in which you live your lives. Amen Delivered by Fr. Milan Medakovic at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church on the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost 2009. .

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