Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene

Greek Orthodox Church

Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos

Jimmy Smith, Psaltis

3074 Bethelview Road Cumming GA 30040

(770) 781-5250 cell (770) 861-3544 www.stsrni.org

We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

FORGIVENESS SUNDAY

CHEESEFARE

MARCH 2ND, 2014

WORSHIP

Third Eothinon/Tone Three

We are so very glad you have joined us today, and we pray you will be inspired

and encouraged by your time with us.

The Orthodox worship service is an ancient and timeless expression of how

people have loved, served and worshipped God for many centuries, but it may be a bit of

a different experience for you. Please feel free to use a service book or not and simply

allow the words of the service to wash over you.

The central act of our worship culminates in people receiving communion.

This is a very special time for us all and we have some specific beliefs about our com-

munion together. This is why we never impose this service on those who are not pre-

pared or are not baptized Orthodox. This service may raise questions in your mind.

Please feel free to ask Fr. Barnabas or Fr. Paul anything you wish after the service.

At the end of the service EVERYONE is invited to come forward and receive a

portion of the blessed bread from Fr. Barnabas. No one should leave church

hungry!

Know you are welcome and we are glad you are here.

May God bless you and your family.

Apolytikion in honor of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene

Having contended on Lesvos for the sake of Christ God, you have sanctified the island

since the discovery of your sacred relics, O blessed ones; wherefore we honor you, O

Godbearing Raphael, together with Nicholas and virgin Irene, as our divine protectors

and intercessors with the Lord.

Schedule for the Week

Monday, March 3 - 10 a.m. Project Comfort Meeting

7 p.m. Compline Service

Tuesday, March 4 - 7 p.m. Compline Service

Wednesday, March 5th - 10 a.m. Scripture Study

6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy

followed by Orthodoxy 101

Thursday, March 6th - 10 a.m. Church Cleaning Project

Friday, March 7th - 10 a.m. Visitation Ministry Meeting at IHOP on Marketplace

7 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 8th - Saturday of Souls - 8:30 a.m. Orthros

9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

5 p.m.Great Vespers

Parish Council On Duty Today - Bill Manos & Greg Pappas

Ushering Ministry - PC/Parishioners

Welcoming Ministry - Eleni Jordan

Fellowship Ministry - Evon Patrick

ACOLYTES: Jacob Atkins, Zachery Bethune, Mike & Peter Jordanopolos, Thomas Miller, Evan

& Mitchell Roussey, Mike Trainor, Alex & Niko Tzevelekos and Christos Zourzoukis

SENIOR ACOLYTES: Mike Manos, Dean Pryles

TODAY WE REMEMBER

Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday)

Reading: The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first command-ment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first -fashioned re-ceived but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suf-fered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first -fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from to-day's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone: Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He be-come. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world. Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone: O Master, Pru-dence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merci-ful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."

We Also Remember Hesychius the Martyr

Our Holy Father Nicholas Planas Andronikos & Athanasia the Martyrs

Theodotos the Holy Martyr, Bishop of Cyrena

Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions:

Andrew, Angie, Bill, Bill, Brent, Carrie, Demetra, Diane, Dina, Donna, Ela, Elaine,

Elizabeth, Christina, George, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jamie, Jerry, Joe, Maria,

Michael, Nicky, Oni, Patsy, Paul, Peter, Staikoula, Taki, Tara, Violeta,

John & Sheila Consos, Katherine & Sam Yalanzon

Happy 3rd Birthday to Katherine Powell

daughter of Fr. Barnabas & Presvytera Connie

EPISTLE Reading

The Reading is from St. Pauls

Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4

Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4. Psalm 75.11,1

Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the

night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of

darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becom-

ingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery

and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord

Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes

over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man

eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and

let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has

welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?

It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld,

for God is able to make him stand.

, . , , . , , , , . , , . , . , . , . ; . .

GOSPEL READING

The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father

also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither

will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfig-

ure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you,

they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and

wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Fa-

ther who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust con-

sume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treas-

ures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves

do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart

be also."

, , . , . , , , . , , , , , .

http://www.goarch.org/multimedia/clipart/evangelists/evangel2/view

UPCOMING SERVICES/EVENTS

Sunday, March 2nd - Forgiveness Sunday

8:45 a.m. Orthros

10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by

Forgiveness Vesper Service

Monday, March 3rd - Clean Monday

10 a.m. Project Comfort @ Emily

Christies home

7 p.m. Compline Service for Clean Week

Tuesday, March 4th 7 p.m. Compline Service for Clean Week

Wednesday, March 5th 10 a.m. Scripture Study

6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy

Thursday, March 6th 10 a.m. Church Cleaning Project

6:30 p.m. Philoptochos Board Mtg.

Friday, March 7th - Anniversary of Father Barnabas Ordination

10 a.m. Visitation Ministry Meeting at IHOP

on Marketplace Boulevard

7 p.m. Salutations to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 8th -Saturday of Souls 8:30 a.m. Orthros

9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

5 p.m. Great Vespers

Sunday, March 9th - Sunday of Orthodoxy 8:45 a.m. Orthros

10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by

St. RNIs St. John Chrysostom Oratorical

Festival Presentation followed by

Procession of Icons for Sunday of Orthodoxy

PLEASE BRING AN ICON & PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESSION

Wednesday, March 12th 6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy

Friday, March 14th 7 p.m. 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos

Saturday, March 15th 5 p.m. Great Vespers

Sunday, March 16th - Godparents Sunday

8:45 a.m. Orthros

10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by

Brunch in honor of Godparents

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Father Barnabas is available to hear confession every Wednesday either before or

after Vespers and by appointment. Please call or email the church office to re-

quest a time to meet with Father and avail yourself to this healing divine mystery

of the Church.

Father Paul is available on Sunday during Orthros to hear confession, but no later

than 9:20 a.m. Please phone the church office to make an

appointment.

Please call the Church office for more information (770) 781-5250.

FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY

Our 2013-2014 Fellowship Hour Donation Campaign has begun.

A suggested donation of $25/family helps cover the cost of the weekly

Fellowship Hour. Checks should be made payable to Sts. RNI G.O. Church with

Fellowship on the memo line.

We hope you have enjoyed the refreshments provided over the past year and will

continue to support the Fellowship Committees efforts to serve you each Sunday.

Thank you for your support of this Ministry.

AHEPA MOTHER LODGE CHAPTER NO. 1

EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC.

2014 SCHOLARSHIPS

Attention H.S. Seniors, H.S. Graduates, College Students & College

Graduates planning to attend or attending College/University Full-time

This year the Educational Fund will aware several scholarships ranging from

$1,000-$2,500.

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of financial need and merit.

Father Barnabas has information on eligibility requirements and applications.

Applications must be postmarked not later than March 14, 2014.

Contact Ginny in the Church Office if you are interested.

COMMUNITY FUND RAISING

The first quarter (Sep-Dec 2013) we were enrolled in the Kroger Com-

munity Rewards Program, we had 6 parishioners sign up and the Parish

will receive about $50 from their purchases. It doesnt seem like much,

but it is free money to the Parish. If you have a Kroger Plus card,

please sign up for the Community Rewards program & help the Parish

receive the monetary rewards.

KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM

Kroger is now offering a Community Rewards Program in our area to

help bring funds to organizations simply by their membership registering

their Kroger Plus card online and then shopping. Each time you use your

Kroger Plus card a donation is made to our Church and the Church will

receive a reward check on a quarterly basis.

Register your Kroger Plus Card online at

Krogercommunityrewards.com

Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with:

Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc. 72097

as your organization of choice.

Thats all there is to it! The more you shop at Kroger using your Krog-

er Plus Card the more donations Kroger will make to our Church ac-

count.

Dont have a Kroger Plus card? They are available at Kroger Customer

Service Counter.

If you use your phone number when you are checking out instead of hav-

ing the Kroger Plus card scanned, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to

get your Kroger Plus card number and then proceed to register your card

number at the above website.

If you have any questions about this new fundraiser, please contact Gin-

ny Kostulakos at 678-807-7167 or officeadmin@stsrni.org

P.S. Sts. RNI is officially registered as a 501(C)(3) under the name of

Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

Church School

September 8th THROUGH May 18, 2014 A focus on Sacraments and Feasts; Scripture and Bible Stories; Saints

and Orthodox Spirituality in communion with our teachers and our children.

Church School has Begun!

Registration forms are in the Narthex. Pre-K through High School Students need to sign up.

Church School Teachers are needed in 3-5 grade as well as High School.

GREEK SCHOOL

Contact Smara Wolff for information on Greek School -

smara.wolff@gmail.com or 770-889-5419

Spring Semester Classes have begun.

1st Grade Classes held on: Friday - 6:15-7 p.m. or 7-7:45 p.m.

2nd Grade Class held on: Thursday - 6:45-7:45 p.m.

Advanced Class held on: Sunday - 4-5 p.m.

Spring Semester Classes will began January 23rd, 2014 and run through May 2014.

Registration forms are in the Narthex.

PHILOPTOCHOS

THANK YOU

The Philoptochos would like to thank all who helped, donated &/or attended the

Apokriatiko Glendi on February 22nd. It was a very successful evening and we

believe all who attended had a fun evening of fellowship.

Helen McCart, Chr.

Philoptochos is the philanthropic arm of the church, reaching out to

those in need of assistance locally, within the Metropolis

and nationally.

2014 Membership Drive has begun. It is time to renew your

membership or join Philoptochos for the first time.

Membership Forms are available in the Narthex.

GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, March 20th, 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Spice Restaurant -

Bethelview & Castleberry Roads, Cumming (Publix Shopping Center)

RSVP to Marie Chapman 678-613-9593 or mommystargater@gmail.com

Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos

8th Annual Spiritual Retreat

March 21-23, 2014

Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, South Carolina

Theme: Sts. Martha & Mary: Practicing our Faith as Orthodox Women

Presented by: Presvytera Mary Christy of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox

Church, Raleigh, NC

Registration is $150/person and includes 2 nights lodging, 5 meals begin-

ning Friday evening dinner through Sunday brunch, around the clock bev-

erage & snack station, all instruction and materials.

Registration Deadline: March 12, 2014

Registration Forms in Philoptochos Mailbox in Church Office

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLEAN WEEK CLEAN UP - Getting ready for Pascha and we need to clean our house. Please plan to spend a few hours on Clean

Thursday, March 6th, to help clean the furnishings, candle holders and

wax that has been accumulating in the sanctuary, the narthex, the chairs

and the floors. We will have cleaning supplies, but please bring any

good cleaning supplies that work well on these items and your expertise.

We will meet at 10 a.m. and work until 1 p.m. If you are able to come,

please contact Florence Lytle at Florence.Lytle@bellsouth.com or call

770-891-9945.

VISITATION MINISTRY - Friday, March 7th - 10 a.m. Visitation

Ministry Meeting @ IHOP on Marketplace Blvd - Helen McCart 678-

947-4771

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - Wednesday Bible Study has resumed. We meet each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Youth Room.

We are currently studying Hebrews. Please bring your Bibles and a note pad.

Prosforo Baking - Prosforo Baking will be on Tuesday, March 18th, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Blue House.

All who would like to come and help are welcome.

Contact Stamatia Hagen at mamma2maria@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sts. RNI Bookstore News

Your purchases through Amazon helps us raise money! We have a new e-store on Amazon for the Sts. RNI Bookstore. This is an

Amazon webstore that we put items into categories like books, cds, jewelry, food, etc. and we get paid 10% on all sales through our store. If

someone from the church wants to buy something on Amazon, they need to click through our link for us to get credit. Also, if anyone wants a book, cd, etc., not on our list, they need to let us know & we can add it to the site.

Use the link: http://astore.amazon.com/stsrapnicireo-20

For more information or to add items, contact Aftan Romanczak at aromanczak@hotmail.com

Visitors Welcome

Dina Sarandis resides at The Oaks - 3875 Post Road and welcomes visits from fellow

parishioners.

Dina says THANK YOU to those who have visited her and wants you to know

that she has really enjoyed the company. She looks forward to more visitors.

John & Sheila Consos are now residing in Dunwoody4355 Georgetown Sq., Unit

442and would enjoy phone calls (770/232-5147) &/or visits.

Sam & Katherine Yalanzon - 3100 Rivermont Parkway, Alpharetta 30022

678-921-0146 (after 1 p.m.)

If you know of someone who would like a visit, please contact Helen McCart

at 678-947-4771 or the Church Office.

If you dont see someone for a while, please pick up the phone & make a call and let

them know that they are missed.

If you dont have time for visiting, a phone call or card would also be appreciated.

HOPE & JOY

SUNDAY, March 16th

1:30-2:30 p.m.

HOPE & JOY youth to visit The Oaks Senior Living

3875 Post Road, Cumming 30040

770-886-2630

Come visit with local elderly (and our own Dina Sarandis) and make a

fun St. Patricks Day craft. We will have lunch for the kids in the Blue

House after Church and then go over to The Oaks together

around 1 p.m.

Parents: Please sign up to bring items for lunch for the children &

adults.

All children are welcome! We would like a final headcount by

TODAY, March 2, so we can order enough craft supplies.

Please RSVP by using sign-up genius:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/8050F44A5A82CA64-hope

or contact Jennie Johnson at jenniepsi@yahoo.com or 678-637-9670

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OWN A PIECE OF THE PARISH LIFE CENTER

For $75/square foot, you could own a piece of our NEW

Parish Life Center. The Parish Council fundraiser to complete

renovations is underway. Buy one or more for yourself, your

children, your Godchildren, Yiayia or Papou.

See a Parish Council Member for more information.

PROJECT COMFORT - If you enjoy crocheting or knitting (or would like to learn), please contact Emily Christie at singcookwrite@gmail.com or 678-447-3918.

Emily has started a ministry to make baby blankets & shawls for newborns & sick or shut-ins or for someone who just may need some comfort & a warm hug.

Project Comfort meets the first Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at Emilys home - 4855 Mistybrooke Court, Alpharetta 30004

LENTEN FOOD DRIVE

Hunger knows no season. Our Loaves & Fishes food collection barrel in the Narthex is

empty. Please bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to fill our food barrel that we may share our blessings with those

less fortunate.

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Stewardship is caring for the needs of others.

Stewardship is offering ones self to God, as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying I believe as proof of that

belief.

2014 Parish Council

John Patrick, President; Harald Hagen, Vice President;

Kosta Bozzuto, Secretary; Chris Foxhall, Treasurer

David Chapman, Marie Chapman, Quay Farr, Bill Manos,

Johnny Melts, Greg Pappas, Plutarch Vamvakias

James & Angeline Andropoulos

George & Maria Andros

Sarante & Julie Athenson

Anthony & Mary Birozes

Renee Birozes

Jordan & Lisa Boston

David & Michelle Boyd

Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto

David & Marie Chapman

Grace Chihlas

Julie Chokos

Connie Condos

John & Sheila Consos

Keith & Mary Druffner

Quay & Trissie Farr

Chris & Elizabeth Foxhall

Robert & Jennifer Guano

Harald & Stamatia Hagen

Allison Hammond

Mark & Jennie Johnson

Eleni Jordan

Panagiotis & Melanie Jordanopoulos

Vasilis & Mary Kaloudis

Aphrodite Levendakis-Kazazakis

Archie & Florence Lytle

Tina Maheras

Wade & Andrea Mancil

William & Margaret Manos

Bill & Audrey Marianes

Riley & Ann Marvos

George Matthews

Al & Helen McCart

Johnny Melts

Bill & Mary Milam

Matthew & Athena Miller

Nikolaos Moissiadis

Patricia Morris

Nicolas & Teddie Panos

Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos

Lazaros & Christina Papadopoulous

Gregory Pappas

Gus Pappas

John & Evon Patrick

Michele Perry

Mihai & Heidi Popa

Fr. Barnabas & Presvytera Connie Powell

Pam Powers

Vic & Suzi Pryles

Marina Raymond

Donna Sagnelli

Taka & Kathy Shoji

Jimmy Smith

Estelle Sofikitis

Koko & Carol Tadros

Steven & Thalia Thompson

Ed & Anne Trainor

Nick & Eva Thrasivoulou

Brian & Jennifer Tubbs

Greg Tzevelekos/Evie Atkinson

Rusty & Christine Waldron

Diane Walters

Steven & Smara Wolff

Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias

Len Vanerstrom

Jacob & Katherine Wilson

Sam & Katherine Yalanzon

To date the 66 families below have returned

Stewardship Commitment Cards for 2014.