Keeping the Nativity of Christ Simple ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

Transcription

1 December Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin Keeping the Nativity of Christ Simple ~ A Message from Fr. Robert We live in the world today where technology keeps us informed immediately of different things going on all the time. Within the busyness we may not include God and trusting in Him to assist in making our lives more simple. The more we trust Him, the simpler life becomes. What God asks of us is to release some of our own desires and wants and trust in Him that He will guide us to all we need. One of the central messages of the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is that He becomes alive in each one of us. Our thoughts, words and deeds become ways to carry out His will. We are to engage in the opening of our heart, mind, soul and body to the presence of the Holy Spirit as it takes effort to integrate the thoughts and feelings to become temples of His Holy Spirit. We come to that time of year when we take time to think of others. One thing that is associated with the celebration of Christmas everywhere is giving. Christmas is the feast of giving and St. Nicholas has become a symbol of Christmas because he gave all of what he had and was never tired of giving. The biggest gift that we can receive and then ultimately give is receiving Christ in our hearts. And then when we have this we can give the gift of ourselves more and spend the time that many people long for. We need to strive to find the time to visit and be with people. This is the greatest gift because its value cannot be calculated in terms of money. And everybody needs love and encouragement. Everybody needs the inner peace and joy that comes from the Holy Spirit that we can inspire to utilize. When we visit people this Christmas season, let us try to share with them the Spirit of God in us, the Spirit of peace and joy. At this time of year when we are generally so distracted by everything else except the reason that we are celebrating Christmas, it s important for us to pay attention a little more closely to what is happening. As we come together to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity, let us be reminded that Christ came to live with people just like us. He accepts us and embraces us no matter where we have been. So as we prepare for this joyous Feast, let us never lose sight that God has entered the world and changed it forever. The big question is whether we truly realize this entrance of God into the world, and accept His entrance as an event that directly impacts our lives in the way we live. I pray this Christmas will be a time of renewed commitment for all of us. Let us open our hearts and receive the greatest gift that God has given us in His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Fr. Robert

2 Page 2 If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Our next ECHO Sundays are December 1st and January 5th. Please drop off your nonperishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall. Next Spaghetti Dinners: Friday, December 6th Friday, January 10th Dear Parishioners, November has been a good month for our parish in many aspects and I wish December to be even better for everyone. Following a two-month suspension due to preparation work for the Greek Food Festival, we resumed our monthly spaghetti dinners on November 1. It was indeed very inspiring to see those dedicated volunteers gathering that early morning and carrying on with great enthusiasm throughout the day. If you can spare a few hours in the future, I guarantee you will enjoy joining them while at the same time helping your church. Usually, this event takes place on the first Friday of each month. The next one will be on December 6. Hope to see you then either volunteering or dining or both! Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Archangel Michael Award, Jimmy Koikos and Krista O'Loughlin. His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios presented the awards during the Archangel Michael Honors Banquet on November 9 at the Metropolis of Atlanta. We all are proud for these recognitions and thankful for Jimmy and Krista's paradigmatic dedication to the faith, our church and ministries. Our most heartfelt wishes to both. The General Assembly of October 20 nominated six church members for four seats on the Parish Council. Our Election Day is December 8. On behalf of the entire Parish Council, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas followed by a Prosperous and Happy New Year! Yours in Christ Pete Koikos Metropolis of Atlanta Archangel Michael Recipients Nov. 9, 2013 Jimmy Koikos Krista O Loughlin Christmas Services For more information and if you would like to donate a Vasilopita for Sunday, January 12th, 2014, please see or call Vicky Gavalas. All proceeds from the Vasilopita benefit St. Basil s Academy and the children. Tuesday, December 24th Great Hours and Vespers of the Nativity 8:30 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

3 Prosforo Schedule 12/08 Margarita Joanos 12/22 Youla Lountos Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast = Wine and Oil allowed Page 3 29 No Fast 30 No Fast 31 No Fast New Year s Eve Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 6:00 pm 25 OFFICE CLOSED No Fast 26 No Fast 27 No Fast 28 No Fast s = Fish Allowed 1 f SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. ECHO Sunday No Church School 8 f Orthros 9:30a.m & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m Church School Parish Council Elections Feast Day of St. Nicholas Pancake Breakfast (sponsored by GOYA) Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Youth Sunday Church School Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Church School Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. No Church School 2 f 3 f 9 f Parish Council Meeting 5:30 p.m Choir Practice 10 f Choir Practice Choir Practice Great Hours & Vespers of the Nativity 8:30 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy 4 Catechetical Class (Newcomers/ Inquirers) 11 Second Harvest 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m Orthodox Life Catechetical Class (Newcomers/ Inquirers) Christ is Born, Glorify Him! 5 f 6 12 f Feast Day of St. Spyridon Divine Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Feast Day of St. Nicholas Divine Liturgy, 9:00 a.m. Spaghetti Dinner 11:00 am 7:00 pm f OCF/GOYA Christmas Caroling Great Vespers 5:00 pm Pangari Schedule for December *Denotes a 9:30 start time 12/01 Gorb*/Perrigan/EJoanos (c) 12/08 Branch*/SJoanos/Poulos (c) 12/15 Gorb*/Pappageorge/Koikos 12/22 Perrigan*/Manias/SJoanos (c) 12/29 Koikos*/EJoanos/Branch (c) 01/05 Poulos*/Gorb/Papageorge (c) = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away

4 Page 4 A huge thank you to the Holy Mother of God community for supporting our bake sale in which proceeds will go towards purchasing toys for Toys for Tots. Over $300 was made! Sat. Dec. 7th Christmas caroling to parishioners Sun. Dec. 8th- 6th Annual Feast of St. Nicholas Community Pancake Breakfast GOYA Bake Sale November GOYA meeting dinner,discussion and fellowship Feast Day of St. Nicholas Family Pancake Breakfast Sponsored by GOYA Sunday Dec. 8th, 2013 Following Divine Liturgy After breakfast there will be crafts and a surprise visit from St. Nicholas Nov. OCF Meeting at FSU For more information please contact Presvytera Joy at or at flrjjk@yahoo.com Holy Mother of God Monthly Community Outreach Wednesday, December 11th If you would like to make a difference and help fight hunger, join us at America s Second Harvest Warehouse facility on Four Points Way. The time that you donate at the food bank will go a long way towards helping the men, women, and children of the Big Bend get the food they so desperately need. We will meet at Second Harvest at 11:00 am.. If you are interested in assisting in this effort for one or two hours or have any questions, please contact: Fr. or Presv

5 Page 5 Christmas Poinsettias Philoptochos will be adorning the Solea with Poinsettias for the Nativity! If you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one for $15.00, please contact Olibia Drzewiecki after Liturgy on Sunday s or reach her at by December 15th. The names will be listed in the January Reflection. Parish Christmas Card Please call the church office about including your family in the Parish Christmas Card by December 15th. Donation is $10 per family. Sign up early. Stewardship Ministries Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards. Each year the Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn support the National Ministries of our Archdiocese, Metropolises, and institutions. Effective stewardship ministry is not a single event or project. Rather, it is going out to our people wherever they are in their walk with Christ, listening to their concerns, helping them to realize their importance as branches of the True Vine and encouraging them to offer their gifts in His service. We use various resources to support our efforts, but unless we meet with our people personally, sincerely listen to their ideas and concerns, and share a vision for the future of the parish, our efforts will not each their full potential. In Oriented Leadership their book on Orthodox Christian leadership, Williams and McKibben define stewardship as the call of the faithful to share willingly the gifts that God has bestowed on them, including sharing these gifts for God s work. Stewardship is devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as a Parish, as a Metropolis, as a National Church, and as the Church Universal. Stewardship is our active commitment to use ALL our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ s redeeming love. Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one's self to God as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying "I believe..." as proof of that belief. - Williams and McKibben in Oriented Leadership In the words of Fr. William Chiganos of Holy Apostles Church in Westchester, Illinois, people don t give to need; they give to vision. Church people don t stretch their giving because of need to meet the budget; they give more because they are able to see a vision of people being reached and God s purposes being accomplished in the life of the church and its ministry. Parishes with successful Orthodox Christian Stewardship Programs have found that incredible support is unleashed from Stewards who unselfishly and joyfully offer their time, talent and treasures, which in turn enhances the spirituality and ministry of the local parish Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

6 Page 6 hmogphil@comcast.net Visit us on Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! God bless us, everyone! Spoken by Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Poinsettias for Christmas It is now time to place your orders for poinsettias to decorate our Church for the Feast of the Nativity. They always make our church look even more beautiful at this very special and holy time of the year. You may place them In Memory of loved ones. These names will appear in the January Monthly Bulletin. Please see Olibia Drzewiecki in the bookstore in the Hellenic Center following Divine Liturgies to place your orders. Philoptochos Members Christmas Brunch In Thomasville December 7 th (Sat) 11:00 AM Dutch Treat Liam s Restaurant Sinfully Delicious Check their website: East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA RSVP Connie The Ladies Philoptochos Society (Friend of the Poor) Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida (850) Present their Annual Dinner Save the Date (Friday) January 31, 2014 More Details to Come $15.00 Eat in or take out Menu includes: Greek Salad Greek Style Chicken Greek Style Green Beans Pastitsio Tiropita & Spanakopita Roll Galatoboureko Coffee or Tea Proceeds from this dinner support our philanthropic endeavors Thank you for your support Just Over the Horizon... January 9 Next Meeting m in the Patmos Hall at 6:00 pm January 12 Vasilopita Sunday January 31 Annual Chicken Dinner To make your reservation (850) (9:00 am to 8:30 pm) or (850) after 5:00 pm or your ticket reservations to HMOGPhil@comcast.net

7 Page 7 The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Celebrated December 25th The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10). Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstace constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3). But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the newborn King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14). Parish Council Elections Sunday, December 8th Nominees to fill four vacancies are: Michael Eudy, Pete Koikos, Stelios Manias, Connie Mathes and Mike Papageorge Please keep in mind that only members in good standing who have completed a 2013 Stewardship Card and are no more than 1 year in arrears in payment of stewardship commitment are eligible to vote as duly noted in the UPR Section 4: A parishioner in good standing and duly enrolled in the Parish Record but delinquent in his or her Parish stewardship obligations for the current year may vote in the election by meeting his or her stewardship obligation prior to the election, unless Parish Bylaws have established alternate deadlines in this regard. If a Parishioner is delinquent for more than the current calendar year, he or she may vote in the Parish Council elections only if he or she has met his or her unfulfilled stewardship financial obligations at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the elections.

8 Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida Return Service Requested Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL Office: Hall: Fr. Rob s Cell: The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Celebrated December 25th Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm