Tag Archive for: Sunday After Theophany

Weekly Sunday Bulletin – Sunday After Theophany

Theophany

January 11, 2015

Sunday after Theophany

In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all crieth to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Parish Council on duty:

John Ioannou, Jr., John Argiropoulos, Anna Merkel, Demetri Rapanos, Peter Synoyannis, Kathy Ziegler

Matthew 20:17-28

The Gospel of Matthew

Session 46 – 1/11/2015

Fr. John Codis

20:17-28

Towards the Cross, The False and the True Ambition,

The Lordship of the Cross

 

Opening thoughts and basis for discussion

Christ, although he knew of his passion and suffering to come gave a confident assertion of the Resurrection. There is life after death, after the suffering and false ambitions we place on ourselves. The ambition should be the Christian life in whatever cup that has been given to us; a cup that either has us in a short or long routine of suffering.

Towards the Cross

Christ knew that he had a terrible passion to live through. He was to be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, scourged, and crucified.

Even through all this, Christ still gave a certainty that there was glory at the end. This glory is the Resurrection of the Son of Man.

We all struggle through life but there is the great crown which has been created for us that is, if we are willing to realize the revelation of the Resurrection

The False and the True Ambition

The disciples show us their worldly ambition. How often do we concentrate on our worldly success? Our ambition is not focused on the cross. The cross is the road to our ultimate life in Christ; that is if we are willing to accept it.

We have the invincible faith and unshakeable loyalty of the disciples. That invincible faith is an optimism when all things seem to be conspiring against us, of the Kingdom and through the atmosphere of our inescapable cross we will reach it.

We all have a cup which has been given to us to drink. We have a Christian life to live by, whether it be in a moment’s notice or over a lifetime of struggle, this cup is our cross, to simply drink the cup means to follow Christ wherever he may lead.

The Lordship of the Cross

“The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many” Matt 20:28. St. Athanasius of Alexandria said, “The Son of God became man, that we might become god.”

Matthew 20:1-20

Adult Christian Education Program

St. Demetrios Church

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Gospel of Matthew 20:1-20

Rev. Dr. Christopher T. Metropulos

 

The First and the Last-Parable of the Workers in the field.

Our Lord illustrates here the principle of the last being first and the first last by telling another parable, for the Kingdom of the heavens is such that it overthrows all the standards of the age. In chapter 19:27 Peter showed that he was very concerned that he be adequately rewarded for his labor, and was worried that God might unjustly overlook his sacrifice and work. Christ did perceive the question lurking in the background and saw a dangerous attitude in it. In the Kingdom, God’s response to men was still the one of grace, not one of works. God would give to each more than he deserved. Thank God for His mercy and love for us…

The story: a housemaster (landowner) went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He promised the money of the time, denarius for pay. It started in the third hour (9am) which was the normal time for people to find work. Then on to the sixth and ninth hour which is 12 Noon and 3pm. Then on to the eleventh hour which is 5pm. In the late hour of the day he found some men standing idly and asked them why they did not have work and their response was no one asked us to work.

Review the discussion of the landlord with the workers… Realistic expectations and knowing what we sign on for in each encounter with God’s creation.

Warning presented to the disciples and to us in this biblical stop.

A warning to the disciples which was you have received much from Me and the Church in the early days but this does not mean that others will not come along and receive the message and possibly become greater guardians of the faith. Faith is not something that each of us owns rather it is something that gains its power when we give it away. There is no such thing as a favorite nation’s clause.

Infinite compassion of God. It wasn’t that the laborers were lazy it was they were not offered work to do from the start as others where in the beginning of the reading.

By this parable Christ reveals the unworthy and grasping nature of such complaints. The righteous were offered the Kingdom, just like the rest. What harm is it to them if God grants the Kingdom also to the righteous who repent. We own nothing. We just gratefully should receive God’s blessings.

This is the third time that Jesus warned his disciples that he was on the way to the Cross.

Weekly Sunday Bulletin – Sunday after Theophany

TheophanyJanuary 12, 2014

Fr. Chris and Fr. John are now blessing  homes.

If would like them to come to your home, please call the church office, or fill out the“Bring Christ into your Home” form.

(found in the south narthex)

 

Parish Council on duty:

John Ioannou, Jr., John Argiropoulos, Andreas Ioannou, Marion Koliniatis, Anna Merkel, Demetri Rapanos, Peter Synoyannis, Kathy Ziegler

Weekly Sunday Bulletin – After Holy Theophany

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Fr. Chris and Fr. John are now blessing homes. If would like them to come to your home, please call the church office, or fill out the “Bring Christ into your Home” form.
(Found in the south narthex)

Parish Council on Duty:
Manny Daskos, George Georgakakis, Michael Haralambis, John Ioannou Jr., Delcho Ogorelkoff, Demetrios Rapanos, Kevin Ryan, Kathy Ziegler

 

Here is the study guide for this weeks adult class taught by Fr. Chris.

Liturgical – After Holy Theophany

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Apolytikion Ήχος Βαρίς

Κατέλυσας τώ Σταυρώ σου…
O Lord by Your sacred Cross You abolished death, and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The apostles did preach the Good News at Your command, that You had risen from the dead O Christ Our God, bestowing Your mercy upon the world evermore.

Apolytikion of Theophany

Έν Ίορδανη…
Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world.

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios

Μέγαν εύρατο έν τοίς κινδύνοις…
The world found in you a great champion in dangers a victor who could turn the nations back! As you restrained Levi in the arena, you also inspired Nestor to courage! Therefore, holy, great martyr, Demetrios, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy!

Kontakion

Έπεφάνης σήμερον…
Today You appeared to the world, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us as in fuller understanding we sing to You: “You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light.”

 

Memorial

Harry Columbus (40 days) survived by his wife Faye, daughter Sandy, sister-in-law Betty Peters, godson Dean Peters, brother-in-law Peter and Isabel Kitsos, family and cousins
Dimitrios Giannopoulos (40 days) survived by his wife Kiriaki , his daughter Rita Bakatselos, son-in-law Platon, grandchildren and great grandchildren
Dr. Helene Tzitsikas (40 days) survived by cousins, friends, students, colleagues Delia and Lola

Trisagion

Dimitri Grigorakos (9 days) brother-in-law of the late Fr. Constantine
Rose Prakas (40 days) beloved friend of the late Fr.Constantine and Presv. Evelyn
Fotini Grigorakos (3 mths) sister of the late Fr. Constantine
Fr. Constantine Mitsos (6 mths) beloved husband of Presv. Evelyn and father of Presv. Georgia
Konstantinos Giannomoros (2 yrs) survived by his wife Panayiota and son Panayiotis and his mother Kyriaki Giannomoros, brother and 2 sisters
Stavros Christou (7 yrs) survived by his wife Eleni , his son Dionysis, daughter Effie and families
Constantine (Gus) Anastasiou (9 yrs) survived by his wife Toni, sons Fr. Savvas and Jason and grandchildren Fotini and Antonios
Demetrios Kapakos (24 yrs) survived bys his wife Betty, 4 children and 2 grandchildren
Gus Ducas (27 yrs) survived by sisters, nieces and nephews

 

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (in saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 4:12-17
Sunday after Epiphany

At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Announcements – After Holy Theophany

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Baker

Please join us on January 23, 24, 26 and Jan. 30. We are baking for the festival from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. An extra pair of hands, for even 2 hours, would be much appreciated.

Flowers

Flowers on the solea were donated by the Christou family in loving memory of Stavros Christou.

Coffee Hour

Coffee hour is sponsored by the Bakatselos family in loving memory of Dimitrios Giannopoulos.

Thank you!

Thank you from Anthula Silver to those who helped her celebrate her 100th birthday at a reception held in her honor. Thank you for all the best wishes, flowers and gifts.

Festival Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers to be part of our Festival Team. Sign up Sheets are available in the south narthex. Please see Anna Merkel or James Carras.

Marketing and Sponsorship Opportunities

St. Demetrios Church offers a number of ministries, programs and events to its parish and local community. This year we are offering marketing and sponsorship opportunities for events that will support these activities. Please pick up the forms in the south narthex.

Grand Raffle

Tickets have been mailed to our parishioners. If you need more tickets, a table is set up every Sunday from now until the festival. Please submit your ticket stubs and pick up more tickets to sell. Ticket price is $25.00 and our goal is to sell 5000 to win a new 2013 Mercedes Benz C-250Sport.