jxx~Äç VtÄxÇwtÜ ** Strict Fast – Wed. & Fri. **

Sunday, Oct 14 SUNDAY OF THE 7TH

ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

�Orthros 8:00am �Divine Liturgy 9:15am

Monday, Oct 15 Parish Council Meeting and 2018 Open Budget Meeting 6:30pm

Wednesday, Oct 17 �Great Vespers (St. Luke) 7:00pm

Feast Day Reception following Vespers

Thursday, Oct 18 HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE

�Orthros 8:00am �Festal Divine Liturgy 9:15am

Saturday, Oct 20 Habitat for Humanity Build Day 8:00am FAMILY PICNIC AT THE LAKE 2:00pm

Sunday, Oct 21 6th

SUNDAY OF LUKE

�Orthros 8:00am �Divine Liturgy 9:15am

Stewardship Kick Off after Liturgy Philoptochos General Meeting after Liturgy

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: Ko through McR

NEXT SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: Me through R

ALTAR TEAM ST. LUKE: Acolyte Captain: TBD, Acolytes: Alec Lawrence, Luke McRorie, George Moshopoulos and London Zogzas. Acolyte Coordinator(s): Greg Moshopoulos and James Zogzas

Oct. 26 – GOYA LOCK-IN, 6:00pm Oct. 27 – IOCC’s ORTHODOXY’S GOT TALENT, 6:00pm Oct. 28 – ST. LUKE GALA, 6:00pm Oct. 29 – Nov 3 – FR. ROBERT OUT OF TOWN Nov. 8 – GREAT VESPERS (St. Nektarios) at St. Nektarios in Charlotte, 7pm Nov 10 – HOME FOR OUR HEROES 5K, 8:00am Nov. 11 – FALL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, after Liturgy Nov. 11 – STEWARDSHIP THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON, after Liturgy Nov. 15 – NATIVITY FAST BEGINS Nov. 17 – PHILOPTOCHOS GREEK PASTRY SALE, 2:00-6:00pm Nov. 18 – PHILOPTOCHOS GREEK PASTRY SALE, 11:00-3:00pm

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134-A Talbert Pointe Drive Mailing: PO Box 1513

Mooresville, NC 28117 Mooresville, NC 28115

Phone #: 704-660-6915

Email: office@stluke-nc.org Web: www.stluke-nc.org

Father Robert Lawrence, Pastor

Cell #: 980-829-7826 Email: father@stluke-nc.org

Office Hours: M & W 10:00am – 3:00pm Additional times by appointment

Renee Bowman, Parish Administrator

Office Hours: T-Th 9:00am – 2:00pm

Greg Arnold, Parish Council President

parishcouncil@stluke-nc.org

fàA _â~x ZÜxx~ bÜà{ÉwÉå V{âÜv{ UâÄÄxà|Ç A NOTE TO OUR VISITORS

Welcome to our Parish! We are honored and pleased that you are joining us in worship this morning. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity or would like information about joining our parish family, please see any Parish Council member or remain after Liturgy to speak with our priest, Fr. Robert.

If this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, our ancient worship may not be familiar to you. Any Parish Council member or Greeter can help you get situated and show you how to follow along in the Liturgy book. You are warmly encouraged to join in our prayers and participate as much as you would like. Orthodox Worship, however, understands the Eucharist (also known as “Communion” or the “Lord’s Supper”) to truly be the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such a sacred and powerful gift is held in high esteem by our parish family and only those faithful who have properly prepared to receive the Eucharist should come forward at the appointed time. We respectfully ask that, as a visitor, you refrain from coming forward for the

Eucharist until you have first spoken with our priest.

Please do accept a portion of the blessed bread (called “Antidoron,” a remembrance of the

ancient Agape Feast) at the close of Liturgy as our offering of warm welcome and gratitude for

your presence in worship with us this morning.

We hope you will also join us for our Fellowship Hour in the social hall after the conclusion of the Liturgy. Again…thank you for the gift of your presence this morning.

May our loving and merciful God watch over you always.

OUR ONGOING MINISTRIES

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – Bible Study will continue on Wednesdays at 7:00pm. This year we will explore the Psalms. Check out St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church Ministries on YouTube for archived studies you can watch anytime! COMMUNITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES – Stop by the Community Outreach table in the Fellowship Hall for ideas on how you can help and support our broader community. This month’s Food for Days is: Complete Meals

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FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS – Our St. Luke parish family is celebrating another year together ministering in our Lord’s vineyard! Great Vespers for the Feast THIS WEDNESDAY at 7pm followed by a reception. Liturgy for the Feast THIS THURSDAY at 9:15am. Family Picnic at the lake THIS SATURDAY at 2:00pm. Don’t forget to collect donations for the Good Samaritan fund…whoever raises the most gets to trim Fr. Robert’s beard at the picnic!

PHILOPTOCHOS ANNOUNCEMENTS – 1) Please sign-up at the Philoptochos Table to bring a Lenten side or drink for our Feast Day Reception. 2) Taking pre-orders for our Greek Pastry Sale. Sold out last year so order early! Now online at www.GreekPastries.org (order online or print out form). Fabulous selection baked by our own amazing Philoptochos Ladies. Perfect for home, holidays, and gifts that everyone will love! Orders due Nov. 11th.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Our St. Luke parish family is partnering with other local churches to build a Habitat for Humanity home THIS SATURDAY.

IOCC – With all the turmoil of weather and international conflict, IOCC has been stretched thin responding to all the needs of those affected. They are helping with hurricane relief, the wildfires in Greece, and with refugees in Syria (and many others). Please mark your calendars for Oct. 27th at 6pm for an evening of Orthodoxy’s Got Talent in support of IOCC’s humanitarian efforts.

ST. LUKE GALA – Mark your Calendars! October 28th at 6:00pm we’ll celebrate together at our Gala. Tickets are $50 and includes appetizers and a buffet at On The Nines at the Mooresville Golf Course. We need help with Silent Auction items if you have any creative ideas or connections.

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ctÜ|á{|ÉÇxÜ cÜÉy|Äxá Maria Josefa Richiusa ("Mary Jo")

Patron Saint: St. Mary of Egypt

� Joined the church on February 28, 2016 (Sunday of the Prodigal Son) � Member of Philoptochos and coordinator for Yiayia's Blankets ministry � Part of the Hospitality Team

Fun Facts: � Loves spending time in bookstores, fabric stores or thrift stores � Is from a Spanish (Andalusian) background on her dad's side and Slovak on her mom's side � Enjoys movie nights, game nights and watching football games

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g{x UÉààÉÅ _|Çx YTD Financials: Ministry Income: $132,242.27 Expenses: $153,404.54

St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to continuing the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the proclamation and teaching of the Gospel; and Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We seek to live as a community of worship, shared faith and service, accepting of all, in loving service to God and mankind, where each member

shares freely the gifts and talents received from God.

The Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasius, Protasius, and Celsus. Our Holy Father Cosmas the Poet

Eph. 6:10-17; Luke 9:7-11

Nazarius was born in Rome. His mother had been baptized by St. Peter. Together with

his companions, he fearlessly preached the gospel in Milan and later Gaul (France). They were

beheaded under Nero in 64

Cosmas the poet was born in Jerusalem. He was adopted by the father of John the

Damascene. Well-educated in the sciences, he embraced monasticism in the Monastery of St.

Sava. Consecrated bishop of Maiuma in Gaza, he died in 760.

Even Suffering?

You mean God can use for good all things, even suffering? Yes, even suffering! God does not avoid pain to help us accomplish our goal in life. He uses all life, including pain, to help us develop character. One woman after losing her loved one cried, “Oh, I wish I had never been made.” Her friend wisely replied, “You are not made; you are being made. This is part of the process.” Sorrow, when it comes, is not an accident. Pain, when it comes, is not an accident. Suffering, when it comes, is not an accident. They are part of the “all things” that God uses to mold us and make us. Someone said once, “No affliction would trouble the child of God, if he knew God’s reason for sending it.” You mean God can use all things for good, even death? Yes, even death. For, as one person said after he had been told that he had a malignant tumor: “You don’t begin to live until you know you are going to die.”

For Pondering A friend who was an expert worrier said, “I gave up my worries when I realized that 50 percent of them were concerned about future events which I could not change, 45 percent were concerned about future events which might not even happen. The remaining 5 percent I decided to turn over to the Lord, Who knows how to deal with them better than I can.”

Church Fathers Speak Faith is the greatest blessing in this earthly life; it unites a man to God, and makes him

strong and victorious through him. He that is joined unto the Lord is one Spirit. – St. John Kronstadt

(Taken from Daily Vitamins for Spiritual Growth, Vol. 3, by Fr. Anthony Coniaris)

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Hymn of the Day

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. He trampled death under foot by means of death; and He became the firstborn from the dead. From the maw of Hades He delivered us; and He granted the world His great mercy.

Hymn for the Saints

Supremely blessed are You, O Christ our God. You established the holy Fathers upon the earth as beacons, and through them You have guided us all to the true Faith, O greatly merciful One, glory be to You.

Hymn of the Church

O holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls remission of offenses.

Kontakion

O Protection of Christians that never falls, intercession with the Creator that never fails, we sinners beg you, do not ignore the voices of our prayers. O good Lady, we implore you, quickly come unto our aid, when we cry out to you with faith. Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who protect now and ever those who honor you.

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FEASTS/SAINTS COMMEMORATED TODAY Nazarios, Gervasios, Protasios, & Celsius, Kosmas the Hagiopolite

FEASTS/SAINTS COMMEMORATED THIS WEEK

Loukianos of Antioch; Longinos the Centurion; Hosea the Prophet; Luke the Evangelist; Joel the Prophet; Artemios of Antioch

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Parish Prayer Corner

We have again reset the Prayer Corner at the end of September as we come to a New Church Year.

Please resubmit any names you wish to remain on the prayer list.

Please contact the office to have your prayer needs remembered in the bulletin.

Please Pray for: Andrew Karres Koula Litchos Caitlin Loiko

Stella Metalas Kathy Papas Jayne Lachlan-Savage

For the Repose of: William Sunas

EPISTLE READING

ST. PAUL'S LETTER TO

TITUS 3:8-15 (Reader : Greg Moshopoulos)

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen

GOSPEL READING

LUKE 8:5-15

SUNDAY OF THE 7TH

ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thor ns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out ,"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."