Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

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2 Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 15 Francis Street PO Box 264 Jamestown, N.Y Website: Live Your Orthodox Faith December

3 Jesus Christ our Lord and God was born for our benefit, first to destroy the rule of Satan and second, to offer all people salvation. This is the compound mystery of his incarnation and the blessing of Christmas Day. May we ponder deeply on these thoughts and glorify him always. ~Father George S. Zervos

4 In memory of George Cheronis * Mary Beers In Memory of our dearly departed relatives in the Jonethis, Goller, and Sarro families the Jonethis and Cassell families In Memory of Harriet Goller Petro * Andy and Jackie Hennas *Ethel, Steffi, Vanessa, and Rob Enserro *Suzanne Lewis Iris and Christ Sarro * donations made to the Johnson Scholarship fund Newsletter Sponsors If you would like to advertise in the newsletter, please contact Father George pesonally

5 Golden Nuggets Unconditional Love Healthful, Balance meals Regular, adequate sleep Frequent (daily) physical exercise The freedom to be creative Time to interact with their peers and friends Hugs, kisses, shoulder rubs, snuggles and other nonverbal expressions of love from people who have their permission Consistent, appropriate discipline To be listened to and heard To laugh To feel important Responsibilities appropriate to their age and development levels 25 Things Children Need Balance in their lives To be talked to, not talked down to To feel valued To make mistakes; to be taught how to learn from their mistakes To be treated with courtesy and respect To be safe To have their feelings validated and affirmed Consistent, predictable limits Honesty and truth To be taught what they don t know Flexibility Physical and mental relaxation Intellectual stimulation and challenges The only thing children wear out faster than shoes are parents and teachers Jesus said, I tell you the truth. You must change and become like little children. If you don t do this, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 St. Nicholas Orthodoxx Church Cordially Invites You to Our St. Nicholas Orthodoxx Church Cordially Invites You to Our Chri istm mas Play Chri istmas Play Decem mber 14th aft ter Div vine Liturgy Decem mber 14th in the fellowship h hall after Divine Liturgy Please notify Sabrin na Piaschyk as soon as p ossible if yo our child wants to participate. Roles will be assign ed and prac ctice will star rt in a few weeks. in the fellowship hall Christmas co ookie donatio ons would be e greatly app preciated. Please notify Sabrina Piaschyk as soon as possible if your child wants to

6 Ecclesiastical Calendar December Thursday, December 4 th : Divine Liturgy honoring Saint Barbara the great Martyr, 9:15am Saturday, December 6 th : Divine liturgy honoring Saint Nicholas, Our Church s Patron Saint, 9:15am Annual Christmas Bazar and Luncheon 11am-3pm to follow Liturgy Sunday, December 7 th : Divine Liturgy, 10am Friday, December 12 th : Divine Liturgy honoring Saint Spyridon the Wonder Worker 9:15am Sunday, December 14 th : Divine Liturgy, 10am Sunday, December 21 st : Divine Liturgy, 10am Wednesday, December 24 th : Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy, 6:30pm, Christmas Carols led by the Choir Note: We are in the Christmas fast. If you would like Holy Confession, contact Father George directly. The Christmas fast encompases Repentance, Fasting and more prayer. These Spiritual disciplines bring us closer to our lord Jesus Christ. Erene Society Submitted by Athena Constantine, President To all of you from the Erene Society a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year. We are having our annual Christmas Bazar and luncheon on December 6th from 11am to 3pm. Chairwoman is Christina Anderson, Elizabeth Frederick is the Raffle Chairwoman. Raffle tickets at $1.00 a piece have been sent out. Please support us by attending the Bazar and buying tickets. At our last November meeting we gave the following donations, Toy s for Tots, Make a Wish Foundation, and to The Covenant House. Refreshment Hostess was Helen Voulgaris, who also had a November 15th Birthday. We will have a short meeting before we set up for the Bazaar on Friday, December 5th, at 1pm. All members please attend. Remember the shut-ins and those in Nursing Homes. They would love to hear from you. Happy Holidays May the Peace, Love and Joy of the birth of baby Jesus, be yours throughout this Christmas Season. Prayer List Please keep these Church Members on your prayer list: Helen Bruner Christian Cheronis Virginia Cummings Tomaida and Louis Dimas George Dimas Athena Dimitri Helen Douvlos Sophia Gianas Violet Kianos Stephanie Lampropolos Tony & Nancy Marano Ordella Noni Kathy Petro Jimmy Saines Loretta Searles Helen Verleni Jessica De Jesus Anthony Voulgaris Please let us know if we have missed anyone.

7 Choir Corner On October 19, we celebrated National Choir Day. Almost all of our choir members were in attendance and in our robes. We chanted the Divine Liturgy and partook of the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord, together as a group. To me, that was deeply moving. Also, so fitting on this day was the Memorial Service for the Jonethis Family: first and foremost Father George of blessed memory, the first official Priest here at St. Nicholas for many years, and his sons PJ and Terry who served this Church as Psalti and Choir directors for a long period of time, and then Vange, their sister who never missed a weekday Liturgy when she lived across the street. All this tied in with honoring and praying for past and present choir members: Some included Terry Jonethis Paul Jonethis Evangeline Sarro Dolly Deppas Olive Kote Marie Leake Norma O Kelley Virginia Cummings Athena Dimitri Dorothey Ketchy Julie Matjoulis Cathy Verleni

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9 2014 Stewardship List Total Pledged: $67,642 Total Paid as of 11/16/14: 62, Stewards Alexander, Dan G., MD. Anderson, Greg & Christina Anderson, Tim & Rachel & family Bacalis, Nick & Vivian Bechakas, John & Toula Bechakas, Michael & Heather Bechakas, Terry & Soultana Beers, Mary Bertrand, John & Victoria Bruner, Kenneth & Helen Cheronis, George Cheronis, James, Christine & Allie, Christian Christ, James W. Sr. & Children Christ, Terry & Joanne Constantine, Athena Constantine, Terry Coustenis, Theodore D. & Virginia Crandall, Chad, Brittany & James Cretekos, Kathryn Cummings, Bryan Cummings, Virginia Decker, Jim and Kathy Deppas, Deborah & Chelsa, Joshua, Anthony Deppas, John Deppas, Lou, Melissa & family Dimas, George & Dorothy Dimas, Louis & Thomaidha Dimitri, Adam & Szymanowicz, Kelly Dimitri, Athena B. Dimitri, John & Julie Dimitri, L. Michael & Jo Ann Elia, Mark & Vanessa Enserro, Ethel Goller Fanaritas, Magdaline Feell, Theodora Frederick, Elizabeth S. Gedz, Basil G. Giopulus, John & Shirley Giopulus, Peter Harter, Jude & Ashley Hastas, Mary Havale, Peter & Victoria Hennas, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Hill, Louise H. Jamesson, Kaliope Johnson, Mark J & Sara Jane Juvelis, Nicholas G. & Martha Kianos, Robert & Michelle, Frank, Ricky, Paige Kianos, Violet Kioumourtzis, Dimitrios Kozas, Fay Kum, David & Wendy (Kassie, David, Triston) Louis, L. Terry Lundmark, Jason Marano, Maria & Kim Marano, Anthony S. & Nancy C. Matjoulis, John Sr. Matjoulis, John Jr. Michos, Alexandra Michos, Crist & Robin Michos, Elizabeth Mignoli, Connie Morrison, Heath & Kathleen Newburg, Elizabeth & Jerry Noni, Ordella M. Panteli, Pantelis & Linda Pappas, Elizabeth Betty Petro, Harriet G. Piaschyk, Damian & Sabrina Piaschyk, Eric & Olga Psychos, Constance Rafael, Presvytera Claire Rafael, Timothy, Chryssanthe & Family Raptis, Jim & Demetra Rigas, John & Doris Rigas, Michael Rigas, Tim Riolo, Mary M. Ross, Anna P. (Dean & Peter) Ross, Ethel Saines, George Saines, James Searls, Robert Ted & Loretta C. Silo, John & Barbara Singleton, Todd, Alexis & Family Spanos, George & Mary Ann, Pano, Thoma, Teo Spirdon, Dean P. & Linda K. Stanton, Dean & Maria, (Ashley) Theofilactidis, George & Kathy Theofilactidis, Lazaros & Courtney Tsitso, Christine Tsitso, Evdoxia (Evelyn) Tsitso, Nicholas Tsitso, Spiro L. Turner, Angie & William VanGinhoven, Mary Jane Verleni, Nicholas & Helen Voulgaris, Tony & Helen Wardner, Ethelea Zervos, Rev. George & Anne Zorich, Ron & Voula, (Jimmy)

10 After the Service, we held our annual Choir Luncheon. We especially thank Todd Singleton for coming to our rescue at the last moment (when Jerry Newburg took ill) and presenting 70 plus people with a delicious pot roast dinner. The choir brought the trimmings mashed potates, rice dishes, salads, vegetables, jellos and desserts, rolls and drinks. Thanks to Wendy Kum for helping me decorate the Fellowship Hall. It looked beautifully festive. Thanks to Elias Tsitsos for taking care of the tickets and Spiro and Christine Tsitsos for helping our members clean up after. James Cheronis, Joanne Christ, Madison Christ, Basil Gedz, Kathy Kieva, Kathleen Morrison, Elizabeth Newburg, Jerry Newburg, Ashley Stanton, Dean Stanton, Kathy Theo, Angie Turner and Dora Turner. Thank you Choir and thank you Congregation who joins in the singing on Sundays. Thank you all who attended and supported our Luncheon. Your Presvytera, Anastasia The topping on the cake was when we were regaled by our talented choir members in a musical program. Liz Newburg belted out great Show Tunes acappella. Kathleen Morrison performed the beautiful Ave Maria in Italian. Another Show Stopper was Dean Stanton and daughter Ashley singing The Prayer. They did it just as greatly as Bocelli and Celine Dion! Finally, our Parish Council President and Psalti, Jimmy Cheronis sang the Our Father. To end the program, I was truly surprised and moved to receive a dozen gorgeous red roses from the choir for my ten years as Director and Organist. No thanks are necessary. The choir is my pride and joy. I am blessed, Father George is blessed and the whole congregation is blessed to have the following members sing their hearts out at each and every Divine Liturgy and other services:

11 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Jamestown, NY Church school calendar ( ) November 2014 Nov. 16: First day of Sunday school; Nativity Fast begins (Advent or coming of the Lord) Nov. 23: Entrance of the Theotokos Nov. 30: No Sunday school December Lessons: For Us a Child is Born Dec 7: St. Nicholas day (Church patron saint)- Luncheon- Children speak about St. Nicholas Dec 14: Christmas play Dec. 21: lesson/nativity Dec. 28: No Sunday school March Lessons: Journey through Great Lent Mar. 1: Sunday of Orthodoxy Mar. 8: Lesson Mar. 15: Lesson/ Veneration of the Cross Mar. 22: Annunciation of the Theotokos Mar. 29: Lesson/ Lazarus Saturday- Childrenʼs confession and Breakfast April Lessons: Journey through Holy week Apr. 4: Cross making Apr. 5: Palm Sunday Apr. 12: Great and Holy Pascha Apr. 19: Thomas Sunday Apr. 26: Myrrh-Bearing Women January 2015 Jan. 4: No Sunday School Jan. 11: Sunday after Holy Epiphany Jan. 18: Lesson (blessing of homes) Jan. 25: Lesson February 2015 Feb. 1: Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion begins, the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple and Godparent Sunday Feb. 8: Prodigal Son and lesson (Saturday of souls) Feb. 15: Judgment Sunday/Meatfare Feb. 22: Forgiveness Sunday/Cheesefare Great and Holy Lent Begins May 2015 May 3: Lesson May 10: Lesson/ Motherʼs day May 17: Lesson May 24: No Sunday School- Memorial day May 31 st : Holy Pentecost Special Events: Christmas play- Dec. 14 th. Childrenʼs confession and breakfast- Mar. 29th Sunday School bake sale (beginning of Lent) Holy week passports Easter Egg hunt Godparent Sunday: February 1 st - Create invitations Care packages: For shut-ins and college students

12 S SUNDAY SCHOOL St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Jamestown, NY F a ll 2014 Mrs. Goal of Sunday Piaschyk s Sunday school Why is Sunday school important? According to the Archdiocese e department of Sunday school is an opportunity for studentss to grow, religious education, and Dr. Anton Vrame, the aim and develop their relationship with God. It infuses the of education in the Orthodox Church is to nurture, teachings and traditions of the faith so that students can instruct, and direct each member of the community have the Church as a guiding light through society. Thee of faith the Church in Christian living, or as Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has developed Orthodox writers typically call it, the life in Christ, the Sunday school curriculum. The lessons are geared so that each person grows in the grace and toward laying a foundation of understanding of who God knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 is within the distinctive understanding and experience of o Peter 3:18) and become a partaker of the divine the Orthodox Christian Church s Holy Traditions, nature (2 Peter 1:4). The real curriculum for especially its liturgical service and sacramental life. - learning the Orthodox Faith is the life of the Churchh Department of Religious education as experienced in a dynamic, faith-filled parish. Our education in faith is a lifelong journey. Expectations: Teacher: Implement and prepare lessons according to the Archdiocese curriculum and the liturgical calendar. Have openn communication with students and their families. To be professional and responsible. Students: school information On time for Liturgy and Sunday school. Respectful and polite. Ready to learn Parents: prepared by the Right Reverend Bishop Thomas off the Antiochian Church: Jesuss said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14 Mission Our mission is to bring all people to knowledge of God and his Church, and to prepare the children to become Christ-centered adults. Information: Sunday school will start November 16, 2014 School will be 45 minutes long so please be on time. Students are to report to the stage after all member of the congregation have received Holy Communion. Approved by Father George Zervos Parents, take the initiative to find out what your children are learning in Church School. Build upon the weekly lessons at home with supplemental teaching. Also, buildd upon the Scripture readings, hymns, and commemorations of Saints and feasts that the children encounterr in the Divine Services of the Church. Curriculum Prepared by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Religiouss educationn department: Preschool: God Loves US K-2: What we see and Do in Church Elementary: Heaven on Earth: The Divine Liturgy All: For to Us a Child is Born and Journey through Great Lent and Holy week Middle/High School: Let us attend: Sunday s Gospel and Zines