April 2014 - St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

The Desert
Messenger
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your Face, who shall prepare Your way...” (Matthew 11:10)
Volume 12, Issue 4
From
Father
John
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Las Vegas, NV
April 2014
“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will,
but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Beloved in Christ:
As our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayed these words earnestly to God the
Father on the Mount of Olives before His arrest, the Evangelist Luke reports that “an angel appeared to
Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” Yet still He was in great agony – to the point where “His sweat
became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.” (Luke 22:43-44)
This pericope is one of the most perplexing – and similarly, one of the most revelatory – in the New
Testament, as we are offered a full glimpse into Christ, the Theanthropos (God-Man). From one angle we see
the deep anguish of Jesus in His prayer, a reflection of His Humanity, asking His Father to remove the
impending suffering from Him – and moreover, His agony produces a heavy sweat resembling great drops of
blood. From another angle, we witness the full communion of the Divine Son with His Father, submitting
His will to the Godhead, voluntarily accepting what lies ahead – and His Father immediately sends an angel
to strengthen Him.
But, my beloved, let us probe deeper to comprehend the real cause of Christ’s agony. St. Cyril of
Alexandria invites us as we read this passage to enter the Lord’s Mind: “Tell Me, what husbandman,
when his vineyard is desert and waste, will feel no anguish for it? What shepherd, when his flock is
perishing, suffers nothing on its account? These are the causes of My grief.” Our Lord’s agony should
not be interpreted merely as anxiety or fear about what is going to happen to Him: His anguish is over our
sinfulness, our rebelliousness, our heedlessness and our lack of love toward the One Who created us – and,
at this crucial juncture, the rejection and hatred toward to the One Who has come to suffer for us in order to
save us.
God’s immeasurable love for the world prompted Him to send His Son into the world: After three
years of walking, fasting, teaching, healing, casting out demons, performing miracles, thirsting, hungering
and weeping, our Lord knelt on the Mount of Olives and His relentless human labors for our sake produced
an immense sweat as He prayed. Blessed Theophylact writes: “Those who toil exceedingly ‘sweat blood,’
and those who lament bitterly ‘weep blood.’ . . . The Lord was not merely damp, but perspired all
around.” Even in His hour of agony, our Lord’s toil, prayer, sweat and tears were for those whom He loved –
those who received Him and followed Him and, yes, at this hour those who were on their way to arrest Him.
Christ’s work was and continues to be – now through His Church – for our repentance and, according to
His will, our entrance into His Kingdom.
During Great and Holy Week, April 13-20, the life-changing events that preceded and shortly
followed Jesus’ agony will be commemorated and, in a spiritually powerful way, re-lived: As we join
together prayerfully at the divine services, partake of the liturgical actions, and listen intently to the
multitude of Scriptural readings, as well as the beautiful and rich hymnography, we will become
eyewitnesses to all that our Lord endured voluntarily for our salvation. May our prayers and participation
have the depth and impact that produce the fruits of repentance and love, so that we may become – as God
truly wills for each of us – genuine partakers of His Resurrection.
With love in the Crucified and Resurrected Lord,
The Desert Messenger
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sundays: 8:45 am Orthros ~ 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Church School follows Holy Communion
Wednesday, April 2
Holy Wednesday, April 16
6:30 pm Presanctified Liturgy
9:00 am Presanctified Liturgy
7:00 pm Sacrament of Holy Unction/
Friday, April 4
7:00 pm The Akathist Hymn
Sunday, April 6/5th Sunday of Lent/
St. Mary of Egypt
Orthros: Tone Eight (Fourth Plagal)
Resurrection Gospel (Orthros): John 20:11-18
Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14
Gospel: Mark 10:32-45
Anointing with Holy Oil
Holy Thursday, April 17
9:00 am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
7:00 pm Holy Passion of our Lord/12 Gospel Readings
Holy Friday, April 18
6:00 pm Holy Unction at St. Paul the Apostle
10:00 am Royal Hours
3:00 pm Descent from the Cross/Children’s Procession
7:00 pm Lamentations/Procession of the Epitaphion
Monday, April 7
Holy Saturday, April 19
6:30 pm Great Compline
Wednesday, April 9
9:00 am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil
11:00 pm Vigil of the Resurrection
6:30 pm Presanctified Liturgy
Sunday, April 20/GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA
Saturday, April 12/Saturday of Lazaros
Resurrection Gospel: Mark 16:1-8
Epistle: Acts 1:1-8
Gospel: John 1:1-17
8:00 am Orthros ~ 9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Hebrews 12:28-29; 13:1-8
Gospel: John 11:1-45
Palm Tying and Lenten Breakfast
6:00 pm Great Vespers of Palm Sunday
with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos
Sunday, April 13/Palm Sunday
12:00 am Resurrectional Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Blessing and Distribution of Red Eggs
12:00 pm Agape Vespers and Picnic
Gospel (in various languages): John 20:19-25
Wednesday, April 23/Great Martyr George
8:00 am Orthros ~ 9:00 am Divine Liturgy
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, Celebrant Epistle: Acts 12:1-11
Festal Gospel: Matthew 11:1-11, 15-17
Epistle: Philippians 4:4-9
Gospel: John 12:1-18
Blessing and Distribution of Palms
Palm Sunday Luncheon in Panos Hall
GREAT AND HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday Evening, April 13
7:00 pm 1st Bridegroom Service
with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos
Holy Monday, April 14
7:00 pm 2nd Bridegroom Service
Holy Tuesday, April 15
7:00 pm 3rd Bridegroom Service/Hymn of Kassiani
Gospel: John 1:35-52
Friday, April 25/
Theotokos, the Life Giving Spring/
Apostle and Evangelist Mark
8:00 am Orthros
9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Epistle: Acts 3:1-8
Gospel: Luke 10:16-21
Sunday, April 27/1st Sunday of Pascha/
Holy Apostle Thomas
Orthros: Festal
Resurrection Gospel (Orthros): Matthew 28:16-20
Epistle: Acts 5:12-20
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Χριστος Ανεστη! Αληθως Ανεστη!
2
The Desert Messenger
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
April 6
Ushers: John Fotopoulos, Stacy Mavrantonis, Stephanie Demoleas, Paula Kelesis,
Demetrious Asim and Kouli Pouridis
Memorial: Andreas Rallis (6 months); Michael Cahill (6 months); Maria Kakavulias (9 months);
Michael T. Michelas (1 year), Ann Campbell (4 years), Keith Campbell, Eve Michelas, Theodore Michelas;
Edward Gatski; Helen Phinos, Constantine Pouridis and Rebecca Berdos.
Fellowship: Forerunners, the Seniors of St. John the Baptist
April 13 ~ PALM SUNDAY
Ushers: Entire Parish Council
PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON
April 20 ~ GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA
Ushers: Entire Parish Council
AGAPE PICNIC
April 27
Ushers: Jeremy Bauck, George Bochanis, John Koutsulis, Ramona Tasios, Skip Ruffner, and Adam Bieker
Fellowship: Folk Dance Groups
Stewardship and Community Outreach
Kalo Pascha! What a wonderful and wondrous time of the year as we follow Our
Lord’s Passion and Resurrection! And in these final weeks and days of Great Lent, we
have the opportunity, indeed the responsibility, to examine the most important
Stewardship in our lives: The Stewardship of our Souls.
During this most Holy Pascha season, the Church calls upon us to increase our
frequency of prayer, to increase our sacrifice through fasting, and to increase our charity
through almsgiving. Yet how many of us realize that by following these teachings we are
preparing ourselves to embrace the Cross which Our Lord carried to Golgotha? And in walking with Our
Lord toward the rebirth that is His Resurrection, we are emboldened with the illumination that our souls
may be saved through repentance.
I pray that each of us in the St. John the Baptist community may take the opportunity to experience
the joy of Holy Pascha, thereby renewing our commitment as Stewards of our Souls and followers of the Greek
Orthodox Faith. In doing so we become examples in our homes and in our community, spreading the Good
News of Our Lord’s Resurrection.
Wishing you all a blessed and spiritually enriching Paschal season.
In Peace, Mark Karris, Stewardship and Community Outreach
Notes from the Choir Loft
As Holy Week and Pascha are quickly approaching, we will continue to prepare ourselves
to sing the hymns for these beautiful services. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend these
very important rehearsals. (Note that there will be no rehearsal on Friday, April 4.)
Friday, April 11 ~ 6:00-6:45 pm
Tuesday, April 15 ~ 6:00-6:45 pm
Monday, April 14 ~ 6:00-6:45 pm Wednesday, April 16 ~ 6:00-6:45 pm
The Choir will sing the Hierarchical Liturgy on Palm Sunday, the Bridegroom Services on Palm Sunday
evening, Holy Monday, and Holy Tuesday evening, the Lamentations on Holy Friday evening, and the
Resurrectional Orthros and Divine Liturgy for Great and Holy Pascha. Athena Mertes, Director
3
The Desert Messenger
Dear Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Καλη Ανασταση!
The Parish Council of St. John the Baptist Greek
Orthodox Church is pleased to announce that an affirmative
vote was cast to change financial institutions. We have voted
to move all of our accounts to Nevada State Bank. This action has greatly
affected the mortgage loan by reducing the interest rate and dissolving a
balloon payment that was required at the end of the old mortgage. With
God’s intercession, we have not only dissolved this payment and reduced the
rate; we will also eliminate costly service charges that were a part of each
account.
I want to personally commend the Parish Council, our Reverend
Fathers and parishioners who worked long and tedious hours to accomplish
this task which ultimately will save this Parish thousands of dollars.
Presently, a financial committee has been established – Jeremy Bauck,
Ramona Tasios, Kouli Pouridis and John Koutsulis – to evaluate and propose
a structure to the 2014 budget and bookkeeping system. This change is a true
example of the Lord being present and forever watchful of our mission to
praise His glory.
On Friday, March 14, after the Salutations to the Theotokos service,
nearly 40 of our teenagers, plus GOYA Advisors Tammy Chomakos and Kouli
Pouridis, and devoted parents, spent the night on our Church grounds. This
was one of the best attended spiritual gatherings of this nature. This high
level of participation evidenced the spiritual motivation and genuine interest
of our youth. Congratulations to the parents for supporting this tradition.
Thanks to Father Matthew for spearheading the event with the advisors. We
who were at the service heard our youth sing the hymns in Church that
evening: Another example of making us all proud of you. Bravo pedia!
Please plan to be with us on Palm Sunday, April 13, as the Parish
Council and Philoptochos jointly present the yearly luncheon after the Palm
Sunday Divine Liturgy. Tickets, $15 per person, are available at the Church
office and from Parish Council members. God willing, His Eminence
Metropolitan Gerasimos will be present to celebrate this most holy day.
Demetrious Asim and Paula Kelesis have elected to chair the luncheon.
One week later we have the Agape Picnic, on Holy Pascha, Sunday,
April 20, immediately following the Agape Service. Tickets will be available
at $20 per person. We want to thank Adam Bieker and John Koutsulis for
chairing this event. The Agape Picnic is one of the primary events in which
we as a community come together in faith and fellowship.
Thanks to all for your ongoing support. We will continue to look out
for the best interest of our Church and the special people who make up this
strong congregation.
May our Lord provide you with a blessed Sarakosti, as we look toward
the Resurrection.
With Love in Christ, John Fotopoulos, Parish Council President
Parish
Council
Report
Lent is the Season of Repentance
Father John is available for Holy Confession by appointment only
during the weekdays of Lent. Please call (702) 221-8245 to schedule.
4
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
5300 S. El Camino Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89118
Rev. Father John Hondros
frjohn@vegasgreekorthodox.com
Rev. Father Matthew Swehla
frmatthew@vegasgreekorthodox.com
Karen Rawlinson
Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Clark
Bookkeeper
Eric Kornbluh
Catering & Events Manager
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Telephone: (702) 221-8245
FAX: (702) 221-9167
www.vegasgreekorthodox.com
Parish Council: John Fotopoulos
Philoptochos: Bernadette Anthony
Stewardship & Outreach:
Mark Karris & Justina Szukiewicz
Choir: Athena Mertes
Chanters & Youth Choir:
Presvytera Maria Hondros
Church School: Eileen Koutsulis
Altar Servers: Alex Szukiewicz
GOYA:
Tammy Chomakos & Kouli Pouridis
Orthodox Family Fellowship:
Amy Bauck, Robyn Goldrick &
Sharon Katsaros
Greek Folk Dance:
Tammy Chomakos
Greek School: Helene Soursos
Orthodox Connection Las Vegas:
Adam Bieker
Orthodox Christian Fellowship:
Father Matthew &
Presvytera Annie Swehla
Mr. & Mrs.: Amy & Jeremy Bauck
East Valley Fellowship: Bill Bruninga
Adult Basketball: Panagiote Tsolis
Forerunners: Marie & Gary Setian
Orthodox Bookstore:
Constantine Frangakis
Bill Andrews Library:
TBD
Hellenic Historical Society:
Nitsa Filios
Kokkos Scholarship Committee:
Helen Stock
The Desert Messenger
Greetings from the Ladies Philoptochos Society.
Our monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:00 pm in Kokkos
Hall. We will have a hands-on project following the brief meeting. In addition, we
have much more going on this month.
During Holy Week Philoptochos has many projects, and we invite all women (and gentlemen) to
participate. Please choose the project and event which interests you and join us as we prepare for Pascha.
Palm Sunday Luncheon, April 13 : The ladies will be decorating the tables and serving the lunch. If
you would like to share your talents and time with us, please let me or one of the board members know.
Dyeing of the Red Eggs, Holy Thursday, April 17: Andrea Takas chairs one of the most important
activities. This activity will begin in the wee hours of the morning: We need many hands to dye and shine
the eggs, including a couple strong men to help lift the hot pans. Please let Andrea know if you can help.
Decorating the Epitaphion, Holy Friday, April 18: Ernestine Kachikis once again leads this activity,
which will begin following the morning Royal Hours service. Please dress appropriately and come to place
flowers on the Epitaphion. Please note: Envelopes are available in the Narthex for your donation to help
offset the flowers expense. Make a donation in memory of a loved one this Holy Season.
Agape Picnic, Holy Pascha, Sunday, April 20: Donate an hour of your time, either in the food line
with Adam Bieker, or at the pastries booth with Amalia Dominguez and her family.
Wine Wagon: Tickets for this annual drawing are on sale from now until Palm Sunday, and then
again at the Agape Picnic. The prize is a large red wagon filled with wine! Tickets are only $5! The winner
will be announced at the Agape Picnic. See Rebecca Matsis or Estella Nicholas for your lucky winning ticket!
The Brave Ones, Past and Present: A Tribute to Those Who Safeguard Our Freedom: The
National Philoptochos Society is looking to honor your loved ones who served our great nation. If you would
like to share a photo for a montage at the National Convention, please let me know.
Community Outreach to the Homebound: Can you spare 30 minutes to bring a little
companionship to someone who is homebound or in the hospital? Let Jennia Szukiweicz or Effie Lekar
know. They will pair you up with someone close to where you live.
An Important Announcement: The Ladies Philoptochos Society, Panagia Chapter, voted to donate a
minimum of $3,000 every year to the St. John the Baptist Church Mortgage, to pay down the principle, until
the mortgage has been retired. This will be in addition to the obligations and projects that we already
fund. We would like to thank the entire Church community for their generous support of all of the projects
that we that make this pledge possible.
Your Sister in Christ, Bernadette Anthony, Philoptochos President
Philoptochos
News
Orthodox Bookstore
Greetings from the Bookstore! This month we are featuring a wonderful, richlyillustrated book titled, Rejoice Panagia. It is the Akathist Hymn with accompanying
icons and illustrations. The book was produced by the nuns at the Holy Monastery of the
Theotokos, the Lifegiving Spring, in Dunlap, CA.
Please come and have a look: I am sure you will be impressed by the design, layout
and beauty of this remarkable book for children and Orthodox Christians of all ages.
ICXC NIKA, Constantine Frangakis, Bookstore Director
Adult Study: “The Gospel of St. Luke”
Join us on Wednesday, April 2 & 9 at 8:00 pm
& April 30 at 7:00 pm in Kokkos Hall
BYOB ~ Bring Your Own Bible (Oxford Annotated RSV is available in the Bookstore)
5
The Desert Messenger
The Clark County Orthodox Clergy Association
Invites All Adults to Join Us for the
Annual Lenten Retreat
Does Christian
Marriage
Have a Future?
Saturday, April 5, 2014
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
V. Rev. John H. Erickson, Speaker
Peter N. Gramowich Professor Emeritus and former Dean
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
Program
10:00 am
10:30 am
10:45 am
Registration
3rd Hour
Session 1: Marriage in Eschatological Perspective:
A Challenge to “Traditional” Marriage
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
Lenten Lunch
Session 2: Marriage as Sign and Sacrament:
Biblical Perspectives
2:00 pm
2:15 pm
Break
Session 3: More Than a Nice Church Wedding:
Strengthening Marriage Today
3:30 pm
Conclusion
$15 per person, includes lunch
Please register by Friday, March 28, 2014 ~
Make checks payable to St. Paul Orthodox Church, Memo: Lenten Retreat
6
The Desert Messenger
From Father Matthew
“Lazar, ta elbar!”
These are the very words which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spoke to His beloved friend Lazarus
2,000 years ago. Shouting in Aramaic, He said, “Lazaros, come forth!” . . . Arise after four days in the tomb!
As we come to the end of Great Lent and prepare for Holy Week there is a brief pause, a weekend in
which we celebrate two feasts: Palm Sunday, when our Lord triumphantly entered into Jerusalem; and,
preceding this, Lazaros Saturday, when we remember the astounding miracle of Lazaros rising from the dead.
A week before the Son of God Himself enters into Hades to free the captives therein, He shouts into
the Depths and calls out His friend Lazaros. A week before our Savior’s glorious Resurrection, we experience
a foretaste of the Anastasi in Lazaros’ own resurrection.
This is truly the greatest miracle which Jesus performed in His earthly ministry. In the ancient world,
it was believed that a dead person’s spirit lingered near the body for three days. Thus it was inconceivable
that a person could be resuscitated by the fourth day. In fact Lazaros had been dead for so long that the
people who were mourning at his house were afraid to open the tomb because of the stench.
This miracle was also the final straw for the Jewish leaders. After this the Pharisees decided that
“one man should die for the people,” (John 11:50), that Jesus of Nazareth should be killed. “From that day
on, they plotted to put Him to death.” (John 11:53)
Why is the story of Lazaros so important for us? Why does this stand as the final miracle before we
enter into Holy Week, into our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection? Because the story of Lazaros is the story of
each of us.
Just as our Lord mourned the loss of His friend, so He mourns for each of His beloved children. He
weeps when we turn away from Him and prefer the transient to the immortal, the corruptible to the
incorruptible. Just as He wept at Lazaros’ death, He sheds tears when we willingly bind ourselves to death.
Furthermore, as our Lord called Lazaros out of the bowels of Sheol, so does He call each of us out of
the pit of our own despair and sinfulness. Our Lord knows the burdens we bear; He knows our weaknesses
and our follies. Yet He calls us to leave these behind and join ourselves to Him.
Yet even more importantly the story relates to us for this simple fact: Lazaros rose. He did not
remain as a lifeless corpse, did not cling to Hades, did not plug his ears to the call of His Savior. We likewise
must listen and respond. Our Lord is calling us. He is encouraging us to leave behind that which is
perishable and bind ourselves to the immortal Creator.
My brothers and sisters, eternal life through union with God is our true humanity. Death is
unnatural. Each and every day our Lord calls us to return to Him, to forsake the things which lead to death
and unite ourselves to the Giver of Life.
“Lazar, ta elbar!” This is our Lord calling each of us. Let us heed His call and join Him in eternal life.
In Christ’s unfailing love, Father Matthew
Our Community Registry
Baptism: Na Mas Zisi!
Benjamin (Cody) Moore (Adult Baptism), on February 28, 2014. Godparent: Julie Leros.
Marriage: Na Zisete!
Cody Blane Moore and Ourania Marie Leros on March 1, 2014. Koumbaros: Periklis Leros.
Jonathan Temple and Voula Konstantarakis on March 1, 2014. Koumbaros: Michelle Konstantarakis.
Fallen Asleep in the Lord: Eternal Memory
Argery Stasinis on January 21, 2014 in Goleta, CA.
7
The Desert Messenger
2014 Stewards and Contributors (as of 3/14/14)
Adamy, Marina
Agnos, Jim and Angeline
Alcala, Georgia KalkasAnastasakis, Mark and Elaine
Anastasiou, Andrew and Kathleen
Andrews, Catherine
Andrews, Vikki
Anthony, Stavros and Bernadette
Aristides, George and Diana
Asim, Demetrious
Bacon, Ken and Dianne
Balason, Anna
Balodimas, James
Barbarino, Demetra
Bartzos, Sam and Eugenia
Bauck, Jeremy and Amy
Beeman, Joey and Ivana
Berendji, Jim and Vivian
Berta, Irene
Bicos, Andriana
Bieker, Adam and Cassie
Bingham, Robert and Melissa
Birtas, Ann
Birtas, Helen
Bochanis, George T.
Borzekas, Stephen
Bratta, Georgene
Brilis, George and Satoko
Britten, Ronald and Carol
Brown, Faye
Bucy, Brent and Elaine
Carabas, Stephen and Linda
Carahalis, John and Jillian
Caras, Louis
Caredis, Jon and Marjorie
Carrico, William and Alexandra
Cero, Dean
Chachas, Bessie
Chachas, James
Chagares, Kiki
Chandrinos, Alexia
Chirilov, Igor and Tatiana
Chomakos, Dean and Tammy
Chomakos, George and Nikki
Chondrakis, Dimos
Christian, Clair and Chloe
Christou, Andreas and Toni
Clarke, Richard and Jovanna
Collins, David
Collins, Dean
Conger, William and Alexia
Conklin, Ted and Demetra
Constantinou, Magdeline
Costacos, John
Costuros, George and Marsha
Cosulas, Fr. Basil and Presv.
Samantha
Cotsilis, Jenny
Couluris, Chris and Catherine
Crescenti, Stephen and Netherton,
Katherine
Dalacas, Dimitri and Athanasia
Dalacas, Nick and Georgia
Dawood, Evon
Delalis, Dina
DeMangus, Joanne
Demoleas, Stephanie
Demopoulos, Vasiliki
Dominguez, Eric and Amalia
Doskas, Athanasios and Anastasia
Dounis, Dina
Dounis, Georgia
Dounis, Kiki
Dramitinos, Mary
Drewnowski, Carl
Eliades, Aristotelis and Caroline
Eliades, Artemisa
Eliades, Harry and Agapi
Eliades, Katerina
Eliades, Peter
Eliakis, Peter and Glenda
Exarhos, Nick and Sharon
Eyler, Fr. Paul and Presv. Ilean
Eyler, John and Elizabeth
Farren, Anthony and Maritsa
Filios, George and Nitsa
Filios, Spiridon and Eleni
Fischer, Bob and Cheryl
Flangas, Bill and Marilyn
Flangas, Gus and Tamara
Foskaris, Thomas
Fotopoulos, John and Barbara
Frangakis, Constantine
Frangakis, John
Gain, Jeff and Wessels, Allison
George, Pete and Georgia
Giouzelis, Anastasia
Goddard, Elizabeth
Gordon, Victor and Demetria
Gott, C. Thomas
Gousdovas, Nikos
Gousias, Elias and Maria
Hadzoglon, Christos and Barbara
Hamilton, Paul and Brandi
Hardge, Dion and Zoe
Harmon, Nicholas and Barbara
Harris, Melty and Angeline
Hemmers, Oliver and
Pantelas, Anne
Henneforth, Rula
Hetzel, David and Joanne
Hoadrea, Jimmy and Monci
Hondros, Catherine
Hondros, Christina
Hondros, Fr. John and Presv. Maria
Hoover, Patrick and Pauline
Howard, William and Willie
Iteen, Robert and Sophia
Kachikis, Paul and Ernestine
Kakavulias, John
Kalkas, John and Rena
Kambouris, Nick and Litsa
Kane, Larry and Irene
Kanellis, Ann
Kanoles, Helene
Kanoles, Konstantine
Kapeles, Bill and Tara
Kaptain, Catherine
Karalias, Petros and Constance
Karas, John and Marcie
Karris, Mark and Suzanne
Karvounidis, Nick and Alexandra
Katsaros, Thomas and Sharon
Kelesis, Dina
Kelesis, George
Kelesis, Paula
Kokenes, Katherine
Konstantarakis, Michelle
Korbos, Theodore
Kostopoulos, Georgia
Kotonias, George and Patricia
Kountanis, Pat
Kouris, Anastasios
Kourlos, Georgia
Koutsulis, John and Eileen
Koutsulis, Sam and Effie
Kramer, Peter and Lucinda
Kratsas, Chris and Marjorie
Kypreos, George
Kypreos, Peter and Geri
Kypreos, Sophia
Lakis, Antoinette
LaMancusa, Lisa
Latelle, Penny
Lazarakis, John and Panagiota
Lekar, Michael and Effie
Leonis, Tishe
Leventis, Nicholas and Christina
Lewis, Foula
Liaos, Jim and Tina
Liaos, Steven and Francine
Liaos, William and Irene
Likouinou, Angie
Likourinou, Steve and June
Lymberopoulos, Mary
Malamatos, Kindina
Malpee, Mack and Kalliope
Maniatakos, Ted and Maria
Manolakos, Catherine
Manos, Patricia
Manteris, Arthur and Sue
Matsis, John and Rebecca
Mavrantonis, Stacy and Kiki
Mavrantonis, Theofania
Mavroidis, Demetrios and Debra
Mavros, Michael and Debbie
Mavroudis, Frank and Vess, Olga
Melnichuk, Andrew and Marcella
Melton, Donald and Susan
Mertes, Patrick and Athena
Minas, Arthur
Miner, George and Loreane
Mirich, Kyle and Heather
Mitchell, Tom
Monoyudis, Jim and Julie
Mulopulos, George and Jenny
Murphy, Terry and Karen
Myers, Stella
Neocleous, Plato
Nicholas, John and Estella
Nichols, Marissa
Nikitas, Rigas and Aphrodite
Nikolopoulos, Nick and Demetra
O’Brien, Christoula
Orlando, Alleck and Jennifer
Osborn, Pearl
Ostis, Sotirios
Paikos, Thomas
8
Pandelis, Cheryl
Panos, William and Jeanne
Papas, Peter and Rita
Papas, Christian and Nicole
Pappas, Antonia
Pappas, Constantine and Karina
Pappas, Libby
Pappas, Rita
Payan, Luis and Eleni
Pearson, Jeff and Adrienne
Pendleton, Patricia
Pentogenis, Michael and
Katherine
Petro, Aleko and Georgia
Philippou, Demetrios and Luanne
Pierro, Joe and Rhonda
Pierro, Joseph and Christine
Pistalu, Constantin and Roxana
Platis, Anna
Plentzas, Spike and Ruth
Polimerou, Angeline
Politis, Pantelis and Dimitra
Poulos, Christine
Pouridis, Kouli and Para
Prokopis, Chris+ and Ritsa
Radosta, Athena
Raptis, Fr. Dean and
Presv. Evonne
Rifakes, John
Rigas, Anthony and Mary
Rodis, Dimitri
Rodis, Sophia
Rouvas, John and Keri
Rudolph, Brandon and
Kordogiannis, Christina
Ruffner, Skip and Kathy
Salon, Nicholas and Janelle
Salvarles, Thomas and Joyce
Serpetini, Athanasia
Setian, Gary and Marie
Simpson, Bryan and
Zacharias, Julie
Skarlatos, Irene
Snow, Clifford and Christina
Snowden, Robert and Niki
Sparangis, Spyro and Helen
Sparkuhl, Alex and Antoinette
Speer, Erin
Stavropoulos, Terry and Niki
Stefanatos, Michael and Tami
Stenos, Louis and Litsa
Stock, Helen
Swehla, Fr. Matthew and
Presv. Annie
Szukiewicz, Alex
Szukiewicz, Joe
Szukiewicz, Joseph and Jennia
Tafoya, Steven and Irene
Takas, Andrea
Tasios, Ramona and Pete
Taxiarchos, Andrew and
Alexandra
Teed, Charles
Temple, Jonathan and Voula
Thomas, Angie
Thompson, Maggy
The Desert Messenger
“The rich man is not one who has much, but gives much . . .”
Touroutoglou, Nikolaos
Tringas, Chris and Brigette
Tselikis, Nicholas and Jennifer
Tsiralidis, Kosmas and Katherine
Tsolis, Christos and Panagioula
Tsolis, Panagiote
Tzelalis, Antonia
Tzelalis, Steve
Varinos, Nick and Kiki
Vervilos, James and Anna
Walter, Vernon and Alice
Walters, Lane and Mary
Waterhouse, David and Aleighzja
Waters, Gary and Susan
Wilcox, Thalia
Wilkerson, Chuck and Kristina
Wilson, Steven and Cleo
Womack, Karl
Womack, Kimberly
Xerogianes, Nick and Nikki
Xikis, Victoria
Zaferatos, Ted and Marinella
Zaharof, Phyllis
Zarkos, Nick and Dina
Zarras, Nick and Chery
Zimmerman, Paul and Angela
Zoumboulis, Tina
2014 Stewardship and Financial Report
2014 Stewardship Status as of March 14, 2014
Pledges
Stewardship Gifts Pledged: $276,472
Stewardship Gifts Received: $108,622
Unfulfilled Pledge Balance: $167,850
Stewardship Families Pledged: 287
Financial Status for Month of February 2014
Bank Accounts
General Operating
Building/Maintenance
Community/Education Ctr
Construction (Loan Paymts)
Food Festival
Icon Money Market
Library Checking
Bookstore Checking
Beginning Balance
as of 1.31.14
Income
$71,139.45
$64,099.18
$1,507.61
$0.00
$83,479.51
$7,753.00
$43,469.30
$0.00
$46,979.88
$0.00
$36,680.24
$200.00
$15,950.67
$0.00
$3,545.40
$0.00
Expenses
$77,258.52
$7.00
$5,014.33
$5,268.26
$7.00
$7.00
$0.00
$684.69
Balances
as of 2.28.14
$57,980.11
$1,500.61
$86,218.18
$38,201.04
$46,972.88
$36,873.24
$15,950.67
$2,860.71
You and your family are cordially invited to join
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos for the Annual
Palm Sunday
Fish Luncheon
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Following the Divine Liturgy
in Panos Hall
$15 per person
Net proceeds benefit the Parish Operations
Tickets are available from Parish Council Members or at the Church Office
Advance purchase is encouraged as seating is limited at the door
9
The Desert Messenger
10
The Desert Messenger
Youth and Family Ministries
Church School
We are gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year! With
Pascha just around the corner, there are many activities that we are
getting ready for.
After Liturgy on Lazaros Saturday, April 12, we will have a light
Lenten breakfast followed by palm cross tying. Every year we tie about
1,500 palms: Many hands ease the load, so all youth are encouraged to
help in this fun hands-on event.
The evening of Lazaros Saturday, we will have Vespers with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos at
6:00 pm. Following Vespers we will have a dessert reception; and the kids will have a Q&A session. This is a
great opportunity to get to know His Eminence.
All youth are encouraged to join us on Holy Friday, April 18 at 3:00 pm, for the annual Children’s
Procession of the Epitaphios. This is a beautiful parish tradition, which includes a special chat with Father
John at the end of the service.
Please also join us for the Agape Picnic on Pascha, Sunday, April 20 for a tasty lamb dinner followed
by our annual Egg Hunt. If you would like to donate filled eggs, please drop them off with Karen or to your
child's teacher by Holy Thursday, April 17.
Kalo Pascha! Eileen Koutsulis, Church School Director (702) 521-6516 or vivaleenie@cox.net
Altar Servers
All Altar Servers will have a mandatory practice on Sunday, April 6, 12:15 pm, in the Church, in
preparation for the upcoming visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos on Palm Sunday weekend. Led
by Alex Szukiewicz, the young men and boys will review the rubrics of Hierarchical services. The Holy Week
Altar Server duties will also be distributed at this meeting. Alex Szukiewicz, Altar Captain
Myrrh-Bearers
We are looking for girls from 6th to 12th grade to assist in the Holy Week services as Myrrh
Bearers. The girls must be available for the services on the evenings of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Holy
Friday and Holy Saturday.
There will be a mandatory meeting for girls who are interested and their parents on Sunday, April 6 in
the middle school classroom. We will go over the details and answer any questions that you may have.
I encourage the girls to participate in this wonderful ministry: It will make their journey to Pascha
even more rewarding. If you have any questions, please call or email me at (702) 521-6516 or
vivaleenie@cox.net. Eileen Koutsulis
Youth Choir News
The Youth Choir has been sounding very beautiful during the Friday evening Salutations
Services of Lent. Thank you to all who have come to the practices and participated. The final
Akathist Hymn will be on Friday, April 4 – our practice is at 6:15 pm and the service starts at 7:00 pm.
Our big day is Holy Saturday, April 19, when the Youth Choir will chant the “Hymn of the Three Youths”
and other great hymns of the day. We invite all past members to join us during that morning; it is a wonderful
service. We might chant with the Adult Choir on Palm Sunday as well. An email will go out should we need
extra practice.
Looking a couple of months ahead, we would like to do a Youth Choir outing around May, just like
last year. It will be our reward for all the hard work our group has done in the past school year. More
information will be forthcoming. Wishing everyone a Kalo Pascha! Presvytera Maria
11
The Desert Messenger
Palm Cross Tying
Please join us on Saturday of Lazaros, April 12, following the Divine Liturgy, for our
annual Palm Cross Tying Party and Lenten Continental Breakfast. We need many hands to
make the palm crosses in preparation for Palm Sunday. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Orthodox Family Fellowship
On Lazaros Saturday, April 12, bring your kids for a day at the Church. We will begin with Liturgy
at 9:00 am, followed by palm cross tying and a light breakfast provided by the Church School. In the evening
we will celebrate Vespers with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. Following Vespers, the kids and their
parents will have a special dessert reception with His Eminence, including an opportunity to ask him
questions! In Christ, Sharon Katsaros, Amy Bauck, and Robyn Goldrick, OFF Advisors
GOYA
We had a very fun Lenten
overnight Retreat in March. Thank you
to all the adults who helped to make it a
success: Dean and Tammy Chomakos,
Kouli Pouridis, Steve Tafoya, Trish
Pendleton, Joe Szukiewicz, Dr. John
Nixon, Eleni Kilgore and Bessie
Stavropoulos.
For
April,
GOYAns
will
remember our Lord’s call to serve the
poor: We will serve dinner to the
homeless at Las Vegas Rescue Mission
on Tuesday, April 1. Please meet at the
Church promptly at 4:00 pm (or you can meet at the Rescue Mission dining hall at 4:30 pm, if you know
how to get there). We will serve dinner until 6:30 pm and return to the Church at 7:00 pm. Please RSVP so
that we can tell the Rescue Mission how many are coming.
On Holy Saturday, April 19, please join your fellow GOYAns after the Holy Saturday Liturgy as we
set up for the Agape Picnic. Meet by the fountain after Liturgy.
On Holy Pascha, Sunday, April 20, please join the entire St. John community for the Agape Picnic.
GOYAns have the special opportunity to serve the meal to our community! Please see Adam Bieker to find
out how we will help.
Last but not least . . . VOLLEYBALL! Starting on Sunday, April 27 we will have volleyball practice on
Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings through May. Please reserve these days – and especially the
weekend of May 31 for the GOYA Volleyball Tournament in Pasadena, California. GOYAns of all skill
levels are welcome to join the team!
In Christ, Father Matthew, Tammy Chomakos, and Kouli Pouridis
Attention, Graduates!
We want to share the good news of your commencement in the June issue of The
Desert Messenger! If you (or your child) will be graduating soon from High School or
University, please email the following to frjohn@vegasgreekorthodox.com by May 15:
▪ School from which you are graduating
▪ The degree you will receive, including honors
▪ What your plans are, and what you will study if pursuing further education
▪ And most importantly, a photo of you in JPG format!
12
The Desert Messenger
13
The Desert Messenger
Adult and Young Adult Ministries
Orthodox Connection Las Vegas
“1 in 5 Americans say religion is not important.”
This was a headline in the news this past week. That’s 20% of our society that thinks we are wasting
our time going to Church, fasting, confessing and praying. Thank God, this article came out during Lent
when we are called to do these acts more frequently. By this we should become better Christians, showing
patience, love, and kindness toward all. If one out of five people do not believe, then that is one in five whom
we must reach out to this Lenten season, showing them Christian love and praying we can touch their hearts.
Please join us for the “Celebration of Celebrations” at the Agape Picnic on the day of our Lord’s
Resurrection, Sunday, April 20, following the Agape Vespers at noon. Your participation is needed as a
VOLUNTEER and as a participant in the picnic.
In Christ, Adam Bieker, Orthodoxconnectionlv@gmail.com
Mr. & Mrs. ~ Fellowship for Couples
This month M&Ms will celebrate Pascha with a massive nacho – and salad – bar! On
Saturday, April 26 at 7:00 pm we will have a private room at Nacho Daddy (on Eastern, near
215). Please come with your appetite and your significant other. The cost is $15 per person
and includes a cash bar.
Kalo Pascha! Father John, Father Matthew and their Presvyteres
Orthodox Christian Fellowship ~ For Young Adults
It is time for BOWLING! This month OCF will meet at Wildfire Lanes
(4451 E. Sunset Road in Henderson) for dinner and bowling on Sunday, April 27 at
7:00 pm. Bring your bowling gear – if you have it – and beware of the gutters!
In Christ, Father Matthew and Presvytera Annie
Forerunners ~ The Seniors of St. John the Baptist
We had a terrific Lenten luncheon with a delicious lentil soup and salad. We now have name tags so
that we can place a name to a face and get to know one another. This will come in handy since we now have
68 paid members!
Please be advised that we WILL NOT have our monthly
meeting at Panos Hall in April: Instead, we will be going to the Valley
of Fire on Monday, April 7. A bus will take us from the Church at
10:00 am and return the same day. If you have not signed up to go,
please call Marie Setian at (702) 220-8308 so that we can reserve a
place for you.
We truly want everyone to feel welcome within our group, so
we ask our active members to please reach out to our new members or anyone you do not recognize!
Forerunners will host fellowship on Sunday, April 6. You know what to do! We continue to feel
blessed in our community as we experience the Holy Lenten Season.
Yours in Christ, Ruth Plentzas, on behalf of the Forerunners Board
Καλη Ανασταση! Blessed Resurrection!
“Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
14
10:00 am Forerunners
Day Trip to Valley of Fire
6:30 pm Great
Compline
14 Holy Monday
13 Palm Sunday
15
16
Holy Wednesday
Pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s Monastery
4:30 pm All Youth Greek
6:30 pm Adult Basketball
7:00 pm Adult Study
30
29
27
28
8:00 am Orthros
9:00 am Divine Liturgy
7:00 pm Adult Study
4:30 pm All Youth
Greek Classes
6:30 pm Adult
Basketball
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
7:00 pm OCF at Wildfire
Bowling Lanes
23 St. George
22
21
12:00 am Resurrection
Orthros and Divine Liturgy
12:00 pm Agape Vespers
& Picnic
Christ is Risen!
20 Holy Pascha
Holy Tuesday
6:30 pm Presanctified
Liturgy
8:00 pm Adult Study:
The Gospel of Luke
9
9:00 am Presanctified
Liturgy
6:00 pm Choir Practice
7:00 pm Holy Unction
15
4:30 pm All Youth
Greek Classes
6:00 pm Parish Council
Meeting in Library
6:30 pm Philoptochos
6:30 pm Basketball
6:30 pm Presanctified
Liturgy
8:00 pm Adult Study:
The Gospel of Luke
8
2
LV Rescue Mission
(meet at Church)
6:30 pm Adult
Basketball
24
9:00 am Vesperal
Liturgy of St. Basil
7:00 pm Holy Passion
of Our Lord /12 Gospels
17 Holy Thursday
10
3
Wednesday Thursday
1 4:00 pm GOYA at
Tuesday
8:45 am Orthros
6:00 pm Choir Practice 6:00 pm Choir Practice
10:00 am Hierarchical
7:00 pm 2nd Bridegroom 7:00 pm 3rd Bridegroom
Liturgy w Met. Gerasimos Service
Service
Palm Sunday Luncheon
7:00 pm 1st Bridegroom
12:15 pm Altar Server/
Myrrh Bearer Meetings
6:00 pm Holy Unction at
St. Paul the Apostle
7
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Monday
6 8:45 am Orthros
Sunday
Life Giving Spring
7:00 pm Mr. & Mrs. at
8:00 am Orthros
Nacho Daddy
9:00 am Divine Liturgy
26
9:00 am Vesperal
Liturgy of St. Basil
11:00 pm Vigil of the
Resurrection
25 Theotokos, the
19 Holy Saturday
10:00 am Royal Hours
3:00 pm Descent from
the Cross/Children’s
Procession
7:00 pm Lamentations
8:00 am Orthros
9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Palm Tying & Breakfast
6:00 pm Great Vespers w
Metropolitan Gerasimos
12 Saturday of Lazaros
5
Saturday
18 Holy Friday
6:00 pm Adult Choir
Practice in Loft
11
6:15 pm Youth Choir
Practice
7:00 pm The Akathist
Hymn
4
Friday
APRIL 2014 - IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD
The Desert Messenger
The Desert Messenger
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LAS VEGAS NV
PERMIT NO. 98
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
5300 South El Camino Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118-1922
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
POSTMASTER : DATED MATERIAL - PLEASE EXPEDITE
The Desert Messenger
The Way of the Lord
“Prophesy to these bones, and say to them,
O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Thus says the Lord God to these bones:
Behold, I will cause breath to enter you,
and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you,
and will cause flesh to come upon you,
and cover you with skin, and put breath in you,
and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
(Ezekiel 37:4-6)
Christ is Risen from the dead,
by death, trampling down upon death,
and to those in the tombs
He has granted Life.