General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, May 4th, 2014hmog.org/assets/files/May 2014 Bulletin.pdf ·...

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May 2014, ¨1645 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 ¨ (850) 878-0747 ¨ Rev. Fr. Robert J. O’Loughlin¨ http://www.hmog.org Being Joyful and Positive ~ A Message from Fr. Robert General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, May 4th, 2014 Following Divine Liturgy Χριστος aνεστη! Christ is risen! Khristos voskrese! El Messieh kahm! Hristos a Invi- at! Krishti U Ngjall! Christos t'ensah em' muhtan! Kristos haryav ee merelotz! Helisituosi fuhuole! Christus ist erstanden! Khristus zmartwyckwstal! Cristo ha resucitado! People have always been trying to understand why bad things occur which cause suffering in this world. God is not angry and is not why bad things happen in the world. Ultimately, it comes from living in a fallen world from Adam and Eve. Jesus gave us the greatest example by transforming His own suffering and death into a victory. He used something negative, the Crucifixion, and came out with a positive result, the Resurrection. Also, we can look to many of the saints as they endured much suffering and pain. They tolerated many dif- ficulties during their lives and transformed them into being a witness for the glory of God. It can be easy to say we believe in God when everything is fine. But when we suffer and face differ- ent kinds of problems, it is more challenging. And yet, this is exactly when we need to show our true belief. How often are we inspired by examples of people who suffer and yet continue to be- lieve, keep positive and don’t complain. I can remember many years ago when I was playing in a summer basketball league with a guy nick-named Hook. He had this name because he had lost one arm in Vietnam. He did not let that tragedy in his life defeat him and played a mean game of basketball and he also was a black belt in karate! He used his handicap as an opportunity to con- tinue to be positive and was not bitter or angry. A true Christian is someone who can take even the worst experiences of life and turn them into experiences which help them grow, help them become better people, help them show others what strength God gives them. All of us face various struggles and difficulties in our lives. Some of us will suffer more than others. However, as Christians we are to look at each situation as an oppor- tunity to show how God is still with us! While others may be anxious and worried, we can radiate God’s peace. When others are complaining, we can find reasons to thank God for what we have. The question remains if we can trust God as we go through difficulties and disappointments. It means that when things don’t go as we want them to, when we encounter disappointment or set- backs, we do not fall into despair or anger. We are to believe that whatever happens to us in this life, if we are faithful to Christ and put our trust in him, then even disappointments are made to be part of the path that leads to our joyous end in Christ. He will open our eyes to see the light of Christ in everyone. Truly He is Risen! Fr. Robert

Transcript of General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, May 4th, 2014hmog.org/assets/files/May 2014 Bulletin.pdf ·...

Page 1: General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, May 4th, 2014hmog.org/assets/files/May 2014 Bulletin.pdf · church activities. On May 2, we will resume the monthly Spaghetti Dinners. In addition

May 2014, ¨1645 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 ¨ (850) 878-0747 ¨ Rev. Fr. Robert J. O’Loughlin¨ http://www.hmog.org

Being Joyful and Positive ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

General Assembly Meeting, Sunday, May 4th, 2014 Following Divine Liturgy

Χριστος aνεστη! Christ is risen! Khristos voskrese! El Messieh kahm! Hristos a Invi-at! Krishti U Ngjall! Christos t'ensah em' muhtan! Kristos haryav ee merelotz!

Helisituosi fuhuole! Christus ist erstanden! Khristus zmartwyckwstal! Cristo ha resucitado!

People have always been trying to understand why bad things occur which cause

suffering in this world. God is not angry and is not why bad things happen in the world. Ultimately, it comes from living in a fallen world from Adam and Eve. Jesus gave us the greatest example by transforming His own suffering and death into a victory. He used something negative, the Crucifixion, and came out with a positive result, the Resurrection. Also, we can look to many of the saints as they endured much suffering and pain. They tolerated many dif-ficulties during their lives and transformed them into being a witness for the glory of God.

It can be easy to say we believe in God when everything is fine. But when we suffer and face differ-ent kinds of problems, it is more challenging. And yet, this is exactly when we need to show our true belief. How often are we inspired by examples of people who suffer and yet continue to be-lieve, keep positive and don’t complain. I can remember many years ago when I was playing in a summer basketball league with a guy nick-named Hook. He had this name because he had lost one arm in Vietnam. He did not let that tragedy in his life defeat him and played a mean game of basketball and he also was a black belt in karate! He used his handicap as an opportunity to con-tinue to be positive and was not bitter or angry.

A true Christian is someone who can take even the worst experiences of life and turn them into experiences which help them grow, help them become better people, help them show others what strength God gives them. All of us face various struggles and difficulties in our lives. Some of us will suffer more than others. However, as Christians we are to look at each situation as an oppor-tunity to show how God is still with us! While others may be anxious and worried, we can radiate God’s peace. When others are complaining, we can find reasons to thank God for what we have. The question remains if we can trust God as we go through difficulties and disappointments.

It means that when things don’t go as we want them to, when we encounter disappointment or set-

backs, we do not fall into despair or anger. We are to believe that whatever happens to us in this life, if we are faithful to Christ and put our trust in him, then even disappointments are made to be part of the path that leads to our joyous end in Christ. He will open our eyes to see the light of Christ in everyone.

Truly He is Risen!

Fr. Robert

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Our next ECHO Sundays are May

4th and June 1st. Please drop off

your non-perishable food donations

into the bins located in the Hellenic

Center and Patmos Hall.

If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately

at 850-559-8184.

Dear Parishioners,

Χριστός Ανέστη και Χρόνια Πολλά! It was nice exercising our faith's traditions of Great Lent and Holy Pascha during the recent couple of months. We had indeed a wonderful Lenten Journey. The Holy Week

Services solemnly gave us vivid recounting of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. Palm Sunday and Resurrection Services as well as Easter celebrations were spiritually up-lifting and joyous. In addition, the food was bountiful and delicious! I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our spiritual leaders, the members of our Parish Council, the many volunteers and all of you for making this Great Season of Christianity a memorable one. Looking ahead, we anticipate May to be full of church activities. On May 2, we will resume the monthly Spaghetti Dinners. In addition to Greek Pastries, Homemade Frozen Foods will be available. On May 4, the Spring 2014 General Assembly of our Parish will take place. The Parish Council invites everyone to attend. It is a good way for all to

hear about the current plans and activities of our church and provide input on related issues as well. On May 18, we will celebrate the end of the Church School year for our youth. In the meantime, some repair work on our buildings and one or two capital projects will get under way soon. Please remember that the General Assembly on May 4 is a wonderful opportunity to be updated on the ministries of the Church. Yours in Christ Pete Koikos

AHEPA

The AHEPA Patmos Chapter 317 is offering

a $1500 scholarship to be divided among

the graduating High School Seniors who

apply and qualify. Please pick up an application from

the church office or see Mr. Papageorge. The deadline

is Sunday May 11, 2014.

Holy Mother of God Monthly Community Outreach

Wednesday, May 14th from 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

If you want to Make a difference and help fight hunger, join us for our monthly outreach in serving others at America’s Second Harvest warehouse facility which supports numerous agencies in the Big Bend area. If you are interested in assisting in this effort for a half hour,

one hour or two, or have any questions, please contact: Fr. Rob @ 850-559-8184 or Presv. Joy @ 850-320-1101

If you have high school/college gradu-ates, please call the church office so the

graduates can be listed in the Reflections.

Next Spaghetti Dinners:

May 2nd, June 6th and July 11th

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Lazarus Saturday Pancake Breakfast and Palm folding

Holy Wednesday

Sacrament of Holy Unction

Fr. Christodoulos visiting the community on

Holy Thursday

Adorning the Kouvouklion on Holy Friday

Palm Sunday Luncheon

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Myrrhbearers Holy Friday

Resurrection Service

Christ Is Risen!

Xristos Anesti!

Agape Vespers –Gospel

read in various languages

Pascha Glendi

Easter Egg hunt at Glendi

Choir

Chanters

Holy Friday evening-

re-entering Church

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Our last event for the year was a tremendous success! Many thanks to all of our members who volunteered and

worked so hard to make this event a success. A “Special Thank You” to Chris Myers and his crew for being in

charge of the gyros. Also a “Special Thank You” to Chris Myers, Alex Drzewiecki, Olibia Drzewiecki and Vicky

Gavalas for finding sponsorships for our event.

Special Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors

George & Louie’s Restaurant, Nic’s Toggery, Brown & Brown Ins., Logo Factory Signs & Screen Printing,

Farmers & Merchants Bank, Hilly Fields Florist, Corry Law Firm, S. Monroe Animal Hospital, The Grain,

Orchard Pond Organics, Mike Pertrandis-Financial Advisor, Nick’s Restaurant, Miller’s Tree Service,

Southside Mowers, North Florida Sports Medicine, Bevis Funeral Home, Sweet Stuffins, Capital Shoe

Fixery, Bill & Phyllis Kalfas, Angelo & Sons Seafood Restaurant, The Nick Joanos family, The Perrigan

Family, The Drzewiecki & Enis families.

For May 2014

Email: [email protected]

Visit us on Facebook at Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida

Christos Anesti, Alithos Anesti!

Philoptochos End of Year Party – May 16, 2014 @ 6:30 pm “Dutch Treat”

Z. Bardhi’s Italian Cuisine

3596 Kinhega Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32312 (It is located at the entrance to Killearn Lakes)

RSVP Vicky Gavalas as soon as you know if you will be able to make it. We need a head count.

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Easter Lilies in memory of loved ones Donor In Memorandum Nadiya and Alex Caspary - George Caspary, Vasiliy and Alexandra Isar

George Condaras - Constantine & Anastasia Condaras

Dorothy C. Downing - Ron Downing and our loved ones

The Drzewiecki Family - Our Parents, Godparents and other family

Justin & Jennifer Edge - Michael Lowery

Vicky & Michael Gavalas & Family - Dionisios and Elleni Dimopoulos

Boyan Hristov - Alexander Hristov, Nadezhda, Jordanka, Georgi, Sava, & Nona

Emanuel & Laura Joanos - Mr. & Mrs. Mike Joanos & Steve Joanos

Mr. T. C. Green, Jr. & Jimmy Lambert

Stamie Joanos & Billy - Mike Joanos, Kalliopi Joanos, Steve Joanos, Eva Kypreos, Stavros &

Stamatia Stratas, Theologia Joanos and Emanuel Joanos

Pete & Zografia Koikos - Our Parents

Corinne A. LaPointe - Mike, Sadie, Samuel, Anne, Lyelle, Michael, Samuel, Eileen, Lyzette,

May M. LaPointe & Maye (Osborne)

Yvonne Lockwood - Harilaos, Elleni, Hrisoula, & Chuck

Alexandra Mamangakis - Fr. George Mamangakis

Kelli Biondich

George & Connie Mathes - Sophie & Louie Mathes and Mary Pierce

Alexandra Nick - My Father, Antonie

Fr. Rob, Presv. Joy, Jaclyn & Krista O’Loughlin - Mary O’Loughlin

Mike & Sally Ann Papageorge - Maria Powrzanas and Sally Walker

Keith, Nia, Maria & Magnolia Parmer - Katherine Vrachnos

Corinna Reeves - Anna & Max Scholz, Lilo & Helmut Zeugner, my grandparents

Liz & Karl Sipfle - Ann, Richard, Grace, Karen, Theodora, Theophany, George, Georgia,

George, Christos

Kathleen Talantis - James Nicholas Talantis

Thank you GOYAns for hosting the community Pancake breakfast on Lazarus Saturday-job well done.

Thanks to the GOYAns who served on youth Sunday: Epistle Reader-Maria Parmer, Greeters James

Perrigan and Krista O’Loughlin, Passing of the tray-Anne Leftheris and Valeria Atayants.

We look forward to the outing to Wakulla Springs on Saturday May, 10th.

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Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church

1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Return Service Requested

Holy Ascension

Celebrated

May 29th

Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church

1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL 32308

Office: 850-878-0747 Hall: 850-877-2501

Fr. Rob’s Cell:

850-559-8184

Website: www.hmog.org

Email Addresses:

Father Rob: [email protected]

Church Secretary: [email protected]

Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm