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Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751

Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements

February 9, 2020

Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee: Triodion Begins

Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple 2/9/2020

Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch 2/9/2020

Markellos, Philagrios, & Pankratios the Hieromartyrs 2/9/2020

Teilo, Bishop of Llandaff 2/9/2020

NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

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.

http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=421http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=422

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The Sunday Epistle Reading

Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.

Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my

conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my

steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at

Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured;

yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to

live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and

impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as

for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed,

knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have

been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for

salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.

Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα 3:10-15

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ

προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς,

τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις,

οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ

πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται.

Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες

καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος

ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε

σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

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The Sunday Gospel Reading

The Gospel According to Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the

temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I

thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust,

adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week,

I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would

not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be

merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house

justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be

humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 18:10-14

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ

ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος

σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ

εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς

οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα

κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς

εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός,

ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς

τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ

δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται. Today’s Memorials

Pete Dennos - 20 years – died in November 1999 Helen Dennos - 10 years – died in February 2010

(Their wedding was the first at the Watts Street location of our Church in 1953) Reported by their son - George Dennos

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Parish Financial Summary

Note: The Operations Fund income above is the total of Sunday offering and Stewardship; it excludes the Greek Festival. The Operations Fund pays all Church expenses except for the mortgage payment. The Mortgage Fund includes all Mortgage Fund donations and fundraisers (e.g., Taste of Greece, Gyro Feast). The Mortgage Fund pays our mortgage which is $12,713.36/month.

DID YOU KNOW?

Our January Stewardship month has been a great start to this year’s Stewardship campaign. If you have already submitted your Stewardship pledge, THANK YOU! Your support for your Church is what keeps the doors open and the lights on. If you have submitted your Stewardship pledge yet, please do so as soon as possible. Remember, you can now sign up on the Church website, www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation to automatically make your contribution weekly, monthly, etc. Remember also that if your combined giving for Stewardship, Mortgage Fund and Contingency Fund exceeds last year, your increase will be matched by our generous benefactor.

As you can see by the chart above, your generosity in giving to the Mortgage Fund was exemplary! Please, continue your generosity to the mortgage fund. Our outstanding mortgage principle balance is just under $2,300,000.

Based on last year’s success, the budget approved at the last General Assembly includes increasing our monthly mortgage payment from the required $12,713.36/month to $13,000. While a small amount for sure, it is a first step to reduce our mortgage debt and secure the future of our beloved St. Barbara Church for our children and grandchildren.

“Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is. - (Matthew 6.19-21)

http://www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation

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St. Barbara Hospitality Hour News

A special thank you to our Parish Council for hosting last week’s coffee hour. This week’s

coffee hour is sponsored by the Dennos Family.

To sponsor coffee hour after Sunday Liturgy, please sign the “Hospitality Hour Registry”

located on the table nearest the social hall. If you have any questions, please contact the

Mehaleks at 919-454-1552.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly

entertained angels.” Hebrews 13:2

The love and concern that we have for each other is often expressed by the many conversations that are shared in terms of health issues involving loved ones. The discussion points may center on hospitalization or rehabilitation at a rehab center or by caregivers at home. At times we feel that since these conversations take place on the Church premises that the priest must be aware of the situation and therefore will visit the person that we are talking about amongst ourselves. Families may assume that the priest knows of their family situations since the person that they were talking to about the health issue is close to the priest so that they would probably tell him about our loved one's health condition, Then they wait having the expectation that the priest will go to visit their loved one. In order to avoid this situation it is asked that a pastoral visit request be made directly to me, Father Stavroforos, via my direct Email which is fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com. In doing this I have a record of who made the request, the date, the name of the recipient of the pastoral visit, and their location and contact information. i.e. address and phone, etc, We need to go from a way of assuming that Father knows and will make the visit to knowing that he knows because we formally requested the visit via his Email. This Email directly to the priest will constitute a formal request that will insure that the reputation of Saint Barbara and the ministry of Father Stavroforos will reflect the desire to provide excellence in pastoral care.

mailto:fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com

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Stewardship 2020

A Unique Opportunity to Double the Value of Your 2020 Donations

If you give more in 2020 than your combined 2019 dollar contributions to the Stewardship,

Mortgage and Contingency Funds, your additional contributions will be matched dollar for

dollar by an anonymous donor. The total amount available for matching funds is $50,000.

With full Parish participation in 2020, we can raise an additional $100,000 to meet our

expenses and serve our Ministries.

Please prayerfully consider increasing your pledge and giving in 2020. New Stewards are also

encouraged to participate in the program.

Please see the Pledge form for complete details. For your convenience, you can make your

contributions online via the St. Barbara website www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation.

Thank you,

The Stewardship Committee

Notice of General Assembly

There will be a General Assembly held on March 1, 2020 in the Social Hall

immediately following the Divine Liturgy. The General Assembly will be

concurrent with the Cheesefare Luncheon hosted by Philoptochos. The agenda

for the meeting will include:

Preliminary Financial Report for 2019

Preparations for the Greek Festival

Any other items community members wish to raise

General remarks by Father Stavroforos

Thank you to beautiful ladies of Philoptochos for allowing us to hold the General

Assembly during the Cheesefare Lunch.

http://www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation

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Stewards as of February 3, 2020

Our 2020 Stewardship drive is off to a great start. In the first month of the year, as of February 3, 2020, we have 81

Stewards, over half our goal of 160 for the year. Please help us meet our goal early in the year by pledging your

support. Your time, talents and treasury are critical to the success of our Ministries.

Please give prayerful consideration to your 2020 contribution as soon as possible. Stewardship is the primary source

of the funding for our Ministries and operating obligations. Our expenses don’t stop. Remember for every dollar more

you give to the Stewardship, Mortgage and Contingency Funds than you did in 2019 will get matched up to a total of

an additional $50,000.

Alexander, Dr. Susan Mangum, Daniel & Dr. Hrisavgi Amos, Matt & Vickie Mariakakis, Johnny & Catherine Arapoglou, Alexander & Laurel Marinos, Dr. Pete & Joan Bakis, Basile & Mary Martin, Azeb Barbee, Effie McGovern, Victoria Becak, Thalia Mehalek, John & Dawn Beridze, Tamar Mermigas, Nicholas Biggs, John & Diana Dobrica Odzak, Larry & Hope Bonfiglio, Barbara Paliouras, Cindy Carr, Sophie Paliouras, James & Helen Christakos, Andrew & Cheryl Paliouras, John & Dena Christakos, Arthur Panos, Peter & Evelyn Christakos, Eleni Panov, Yuri & Elena Eliseeva Christie, George & Deborah Pantelidis, James & Stella Chronaki, Bessie Papanikas, Sam & Cleopatra Constantinou, Catherine & Wes Platt Papazoglou, Matina Constantinou, Costa Pappas, Dr. Ted & Theky Constantinou, Lou Pashales, George Costas, Dean Przybyl, Daniel & Lori Dababnah, Sharan Qaqish, Dr. Olgha & Mario Arboleda Delagrammatikas, George & Christal Rheinhardt, Keith & Alexia Demetriades, Gus & Vanessa Rudnick, Ben & Irene Dennos, Anne Saloupis, Peter Dorton, Betty Sarris, George & Jenny Ferris, Laurice Stutts, Linda Frangakis, Crist & Maria Sullivan, William & Jennifer Gerondelis, Socratis &Aliki Sunas, Marian Georgiou, Nicholas Tesfatsion, Senait Glekas, Dr. George & Dr. Amy Theodosiadis, Konstantinos & Efstanthia Marinetou Glekas, Jim & Evy Theophanous, Rebecca Goodwin, Len & Elaine Trohanis, Donna Grasso, V. & Elenie Varelas, John Kacoyanis, Paul Vlachos, Demetra Karamalegos, Antonios & Claire Watters, Jacques & Christine Karas, George & Karen Wilson, Preston & Catherine Katsiagianis, Wendy Wippich, Robert & Roberta Korach, Dr. Kenneth & Karen Xenakis, Betsy Koutouzakis, Helen Zaferatos, Dino & Kerri Lambiris, Elias & Madelene Zehia, Christina Loden, Martha Zehia, Tony & Evelyn Mamaies, Fr. Stavroforos

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Join us for St. Barbara Community Nights!

6- 8 pm Join us as we enjoy food and fellowship as a church family. All ages are welcome! This program will consist of a 5-part short lesson series on being disciples of Christ. Pot luck dinner starts at 6:00 pm. Bring enough food for yourself and your family (main dish, side, or dessert--your choice, just make sure it's meat-free since this is a fast day). Kids will have their own activities so parents can enjoy fellowship with the other adults.

Proposed topics: Feb. 21 - The rewards of being a disciple

Mar. - Stewardship – How do I use my talents?

Hope You Can Join Us!

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2020 Festival News

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Barbara,

The Silent Auction Committee kindly requests donations for the Silent Auction at our

Greek Festival. All items should be in excellent condition.

Possible Donations include:

Things Experiences Artwork Tickets to events Crystal Restaurant vouchers One of a kind items Travel offerings Hand made things Outings Antiques Collectibles Icons Memorabilia Items you no longer wish to keep, but are of value Anything else which has a special cachet

Tax receipts for your donations will be provided.

The Silent Auction increases the Greek Festival's bottom line. All profits go directly to the church.

Please contact the co-chairs of the Silent Auction with details of your donations:

Evelyn Panos mamapan@aol.com Karen Korach korach.karen@gmail.com

Thank You

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Triodion Sundays in Preparation for Great Lent During the three-week pre-Lenten season the church prepares us for repentance. She urges us to prepare ourselves through gradual diet modification and instructing us with themes of humility, judgment, repentance and forgiveness.

The period is bounded by four Sundays.

The Links provided take you to the very comprehensive Archdiocese sites where you will find the Scripture lessons, hymns, articles and other information regarding these very special Sundays.

1. February 9 : Publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14)

This Sunday emphasizes humility as a key attitude for repentance. The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which means a change of mind. To repent we must not boast of our spiritual feats, but humble ourselves like the Publican who longs for a change of mind. We are called to learn this secret of the inward poverty of the Publican rather than the self-righteousness of the Pharisee who is convinced of his perfectness and not open to change because of his

pride. There is no prescribed fasting for this week.

2. February 16 : Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

This Sunday teaches us about our need to return from exile. This parable shows us the mercy of the Father who with

open arms receives his son, whose behavior he does not return, but is joyous of his return home. We are encouraged to examine ourselves in the period of Lent to purge ourselves of sin and “come home.” The week that follows is called Meat Week (Kreatini) as it is the last week we are to eat meat. In the villages of Greece this was the traditional week to slaughter the family pig and the leftovers were smoked to be eaten after Pascha. The normal rule of fasting are applied to this week, fast on Wednesday and Friday. Saturday of this week is the first Saturday of Souls where those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection

and eternal life are remembered at a special service “Saturday of the Souls.” Parishioners bring small dishes of kollyva to the church and submit a list of first names of deceased ones to the priest. We commend to God all those who have departed before us, who are now awaiting the Last Judgment. This is an expression of the Churches love. We remember them because we love them.

3. February 23 : Judgment (Meat-fare) Sunday (Matt 25:31-46)

This Sunday emphasizes the Last Judgment. We are reminded of our individual responsibility for love. We are

encouraged not to eat meat this week, but we can eat eggs, cheese and other dairy products.

4. March 1 : Forgiveness (Cheese-Fare) Sunday (Matt 6:14-21)

This Sunday emphasizes forgiveness and how we must forgive others if God is to forgive us so we can break the chains of sinful tendency which we inherit from the Adam and Eve. This is the last day of preparation as the traditional Lenten fast begins on the following day where no meat, dairy or eggs are to be eaten according to the church tradition.

5. March 2: Great Lent Begins

Great Lent is the period that the Church has in her wisdom set aside for us to intensify our own spiritual growth through fasting, prayer and worship. If you follow the Church guidelines on fasting, make time to attend the services and intensify your own prayer life, you will be rewarded with a greater closeness to God.

Happy 90th Birthday to Erie Cocolas Plans are being made for Erie to live closer to her daughter Kathy Meadows in Myrtle Beach. The benefits of her move will provide for her to be seen by her daughter on a daily basis. This will also make it easier for her daughter to take her to the local Greek Orthodox church from her assisted living residence. Erie would like to see those who know and love her from our St. Barbara community before she leaves at Carolina Meadows Assisted Living Center, 100 Whippoorwill Lane, Chapel Hill NC 27517.

http://lent.goarch.org/publicanpharisee/learn/http://lent.goarch.org/prodigalson/learn/http://lent.goarch.org/judgement/learn/http://lent.goarch.org/forgiveness/learn/

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GREEK YOUTH DANCE PRACTICE SCHEDULE

St. Barbara Families, Youth greek dance instruction will start this week to prepare for the festival in May. Instruction for our youngest dancers will be at the church on Saturday from 4-5 pm. Instruction for the middle and oldest groups will be on Sunday after church, starting at 12:30 pm (or when church concludes). If you have questions about the group, you are in please contact me or Chrys Mangum. Maria Tsikerdanos will be assisting us this year with instruction of the oldest dance group. She is a member of Holy Trinity, where she has taught greek dance and performed and competed with their dance troupe, in addition to performing at our festival as part of the Triangle Hellenic Dance Troupe. We are fortunate to have her assistance this year. The complete schedule is below:

Day Date Youngest Middle Oldest Saturday 2/8/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 2/9/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 2/15/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 2/16/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 2/22/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 2/23/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 2/29/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/1/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/7/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/8/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/14/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/15/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/21/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/22/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/28/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/29/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 4/4/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 4/5/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 4/11/2020 Saturday of Lazarus - No Practice Sunday 4/12/2020

No Practice Saturday 4/18/2020 Sunday 4/19/2020 Easter - No Practice Saturday 4/25/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 4/26/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 5/2/2020 Festival Festival Festival Sunday 5/3/2020 Festival Festival Festival

Best wishes, Keith and Alexia Rheinhardt Hrisavgi (Chrys) Mangum Maria Tsikerdanos keithalexia@gmail.comA

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SAINT BARBARA CHURCH 2020 PLEDGE FORM

Name(s): _________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________ City: ______________________ State: ____ Zip: ________

Home Phone: ____________________ Cell Phone(s): ____________________________________________________

Email(s): __________________________________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY FOR 2020*

Please prayerfully consider increasing your contributions above your 2019 giving level. Any increases above your total 2019 giving to

the Mortgage + Contingency + Stewardship Funds are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match, to be given to the Stewardship Fund by

an anonymous donor, up to a parish total of $50,000 for 2020. Help us realize the full $50,000 Matching Funds donation and double

the impact of your increased donation!

STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE FOR 2020*

Stewardship donations pay for the operating expenses (not the mortgage) and ministries of St. Barbara Church, which total about

$25,000 per month. This pledge form is confidential, for use only by the Parish Treasurer.

Name: _____________________________________ Cell #: ___________________ email: ______________________

Name: _____________________________________ Cell #: ___________________ email: ______________________

I/We commit to Christ’s Church a total Stewardship amount of $__________ to be paid (check one) *:

semi-annually____ quarterly____ weekly____ Other (specify) ___________________________________

Signed: ________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

_____I/We would like to speak with Father Stavroforos before making my/our pledge.

*You can conveniently make your contributions online via the St. Barbara website: www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation

MORTGAGE & CONTINGENCY FUND PLEDGES FOR 2020*

The church mortgage obligation is currently $12,713 per month. I/We hereby pledge to contribute to the Mortgage Fund and

acknowledge that my/our giving category (but not the actual dollar amount) may be acknowledged periodically in the church’s

Weekly Bulletin and/or posted in the Fellowship Hall.

I/We hereby also pledge this amount to the Contingency Fund for unforeseen expenses: $______________

Signed: _________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

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*You can conveniently make your contributions online via the St. Barbara website: www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation

Pillar: $_________ Torch Bearer: $________ Good Shepherd: $________ Pace Setter: $_________

($10,400+ per year) ($5,200–$10,399 per year) ($2,600–$5,199 per year) ($1,200–$2,599 per year)

Contributor: $________ Friend: $_________ Other one-time amount: $____________

($520–$1,199 per year) ($100–$519 per year)

http://www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donationhttp://www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation