St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Monthly Parish Bulletin

Transcription

1 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Monthly Parish Bulletin Orthodox Church in America 2143 S. Center Road Burton, Michigan Website: Fr. Matthew s lanscoal@sbcglobal.net Home: Church: Fax: Services: Sunday - 9:30 a.m. Third Hour 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Holydays, Vigil and Vespers as announced Confessions are heard before all morning services and after all evening services. But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. St. Jude: 20 FEBRUARY 1-29, 2012

2 FROM FATHER S DESK Beloved faithful and friends in our Lord Jesus Christ, Christ is in our midst! He is and shall be! On February 27 we will begin the forty day journey that is Great Lent. With all the demands of our work, school, and family we may ask, How can I keep Great Lent? Here are some concrete, practical ways that we can enter into the season of repentance that calls us to re-orient our lives towards God. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the three basic Christian and Lenten necessities. But, knowing that we will not make a maximum effort, some of us may feel frustrated, lost, and without guidance when facing the Lenten season. Other may simply ignore it. DO WHAT YOU CAN Great Lent, however, should never be ignored. The only realistic Lenten guideline is this: do the best you can. The essentials of Great Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Intensify your prayer. Fast as fully as possible. Give to others, asking nothing in return. Know as well that all of your fasting, praying, and almsgiving must be exercised in secret. The only real goal and purpose of Great Lent is to enter into a deeper love for God and for those around us. CERTAIN WEEKS another concrete yet traditional step towards a fuller Lenten participation is to keep certain Lenten weeks in a more careful and strict way than others. For example, the first and third weeks of Great Lent, in addition to Holy Week, can be set aside for a greater and more concentrated Lenten effort. Very practically speaking, everyone can keep certain weeks, or at least one week, in a very special way. If this is done, there is no doubt that the result will be very positive and the time spent may prove to be the most inspiring and fruitful time of our entire life. We can only try it and see! WHAT TO DO here are some guidelines for taking Great Lent more seriously: + Turn off the TV, radio, and stereo for the entire Lenten season, except for news and serious or educational programs. Limit time on the internet. + Keep useless talking to a minimum. Do only necessary business, good works, and acts of charity. + In the name of Jesus Christ, forgive all who have offended you and seek forgiveness from those whom you have offended. If it will not be embarrassing or misinterpreted as an act of self-righteousness, express yourself as concretely as possible. Visit; make a phone call, etc. + Set aside and give a sizable portion of your resources for others: the parish, the poor, and a social or educational agency. Tell no one what you have done. Do not advertise what you are doing. + Fast. Eat no meat, as the basic minimum. Suit your fast to your work, but avoid luxury. Tell no one. Do not advertise or discuss your fasting and avoid judging the fasting of others. + Pray at home at least at 1 fixed time each day; use even a brief rule of prayer & keep it faithfully. + Read the Scriptures in the same way: follow the church s calendar or read a chapter a day. + Be faithful to Christ s Gospel in every word, action, and thought - even the smallest. + Participate in all the weekly Lenten services especially the Presanctified Liturgy, Vespers, and the Divine Liturgy, confessing seriously and receiving Holy Communion often. If we do these things, not in a spirit of gloomy self-denial or irritated self-pity, we will gain an awareness of genuine peace and joy in communion with God and those around us. This is guaranteed - and our participation in the celebration of the feast of Our Lord s Resurrection will be filled with the abiding joy that comes from God. With love in Christ,

3 Readers Schedule February March April 5 Esteban 4 Kathy 1 Eli 12 Eli 11 Eli 8 Kathy 19 Kathy 18 Johnny 15 Esteban 26 Johnny 25 Esteban 22 Johnny 29 Shari FRIENDLY REMINDER the parish office is open Monday Wednesday 9am 3pm and Friday 9am 3pm. Please remember that Debbie does not have a car during the week. She is still here. If there is a change it the office hours we will let you know as soon as possible. You may also check the monthly calendar for the office schedule. MEMORIAL (SOUL) SATURDAYS From the early times, our Church dedicated Saturday to the souls. It is primarily the day of those who have fallen asleep. And Christians always took care, with memorial services and charitable acts done especially on Saturdays, to stay close to their dead and ask God for their repose and salvation. The first Memorial (Soul) Saturday (Zadusnica) is Saturday, February 18. Divine Liturgy will be served at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Trisagion for the departed. Please fill out the enclosed sheet with the names of your departed (first names only) and return them to Father Matthew as soon as possible. SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SAINT NICHOLAS your help will be need on Wednesday, February 8, to take down the indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations. Lunch will be served. WOMEN S LENTEN RETREAT At Holy Dormition Monastery will be Held Friday-Sunday March 9-11, Please call the parish office for more Information or pick up a flyer at the candle stand. The Parish Council will meet on Monday, February 6:45pm. Please call the parish office if you are unable to attend this meeting. PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS at the January Council Meeting the following officers were elected; Mike Stikovich-President, Marla Houser-Vice President, Johnny Kantor-Treasurer, Stephanie Stikovich- Secretary. Cathy Steiner was elected as a non-officer to the executive board. The following were elected as chairperson(s) of a committee: Dave Houser & Dennis Goodman Maintenance; Reggie Jehnsen Cemetery; Stephanie Stikovich- Ways-and-Means. The chair people would appreciate any assistance from the parish LENTEN PRAYER PARTNER We will have our Lenten Prayer Partners again this year. If you are out of town for Lent or are homebound and would like to participate, please call the office: Here s how the Lenten Prayer Partner works: prayer cards are printed with a blank for your name. It is then folded in half and returned to the office. On Cheesefare Sunday (February 26), everyone participating will draw a prayer card. Then, everyone will pray daily for the person on the card they drew. Remember to keep it secret! At Pascha, you can let your prayer partner know you remembered them in prayer during Lent by giving them a card or a red egg or sending them a card. The Orthodox Book Club meets on Monday, February 13 at 6:00 at St. George Church. We will be reading Father Roman Braga s The Inner Universe. For more information contact Deacon Michael Bassett / FrDnMike@chartermi.net / ST. CATHERINES S WOMEN S LEAGUE The league will meet on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30pm. New members are welcome.

4 MEMORY ETERNAL +Joseph (Joe) Eckert, father of Joe Eckert Jr., Jim Eckert and the late +Joann Triplett, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, January 17. Viewing and Parastas were at Brown Funeral Home on Friday, January 20 with the funeral at church on Saturday, January 21 followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery. May God grant His servant +Joseph blessed repose and eternal memory. +Olga Haw, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, January 27. Viewing and Parastas were at Allen Funeral Home in Davison on Monday, January 30 with the funeral at church on Tuesday, January 31 followed by interment at Crestwood Cemetery. May God grant His handmaiden +Olga blessed repose and eternal memory. CONGRATULATIONS to Alfred Keeler husband of Lydia Keeler. Alfred was received into the Orthodox Church on Monday, December 26, COMING EVENTS Cheesefare Luncheon: Our traditional Cheesefare Luncheon will be held on Sunday, February 26, following the Divine Liturgy. All are invited to attend. We are looking for volunteers to help with donations, prep, and clean-up for the dinner. Please see Stephanie Stikovich if you would like to help. VISITATIONS TO THE SICK Please inform Fr. Matthew about any sick members of our parish. Please remember that most hospitals do not inform parishes about the sick. Father Matthew brings Holy Communion every week. If you would like to be added to his scheduled visits, please call the office. Remember that we pray for all the sick at every Divine Liturgy. Coffee Hour Volunteers February 5: John & Gloria Zelenko- In memory of Helen Doyle Sam & May Kokaly- In memory of Farah Kokaly February 12: Brayanis Family-2yrs Tony Brayanis February 19: Meatfare Luncheon February 26: Cheesefare Luncheon February Birthdays February Wedding Anniversaries 2 Kristin Hart 20 Jimmy & Stella Nedanis Luba Todorovsky 26 Ian & Stephanie Price 3 John Bibilikow 4 Evanka Elieff 5 Joseph Oginsky Jr. 6 Lydia Keeler 10 Andy Yosheff 11 Sharon Jernigan 14 Anna (Smirnoff) Allen-102years 15 Sherry Brown 18 Tom Branoff 20 Matushka Lisa Butrie Stojan Prusac 21 Mark Houser 22 Rose Goodman 26 Jerry Brucksch 28 John Panoff Choir Rehearsal Schedule February 5 February 12 February 19 February 26 All Rehearsals are at 5:30pm or following the All rehearsals are subject to change if needed. Please call me on my cell phone if you cannot attend at Thanks! Joseph Tome

5 As promised here are the answers to the last two months puzzels. Hope you enjoyed them. DECEMBER: The answers are underlined and in all CAPITAL letters. Across Down 1. I Heard the BELLS on Christmas Day 2. O Come, O Come EMMANUEL 3. Thou Didst Leave Thy THRONE 4. The HOLLY and the Ivy 6. Go Tell it on the MOUNTAIN 5. ANGELS from the Realms of Glory 8. Home for the HOLIDAYS 7. CHESTNUTS Roasting on an Open Fire 12. It s the Most WONDERFUL Time of the Year 9. Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW! 14. O HOLY Night 10. God Rest Ye, Merry GENTLEMEN 17. The TWELVE Days of Christmas 11. When a CHILD is Born 18. Oh, Come, All Ye FAITHFUL 13. Do You HEAR What I HEAR? 19. In the BLEAK Midwinter 15. I ll Be Home With BELLS On 22. Have a Holly JOLLY Christmas 16. Pretty PAPER 23. WINTER Wonderland 20. We Wish You a MERRY Christmas 26. I Saw MOMMY Kissing Santa Claus 21. Jingle Bell ROCK 27. Good CHRISTIAN Men Rejoice 23. WHERE Are You, Christmas? 28. O Christmas TREE 24. Feliz NAVIDAD 35. SANTA CLAUS is Coming to Town 25. We Three KINGS 36. JINGLE Bells 29. Grandma Got Run Over By the REINDEER 37. I m Dreaming of a WHITE Christmas 30. Rockin Around the CHRISTMAS Tree 38. RUDOLPH the Red-Nosed Reindeer 31. Away in a MANGER 40. O Little Town of BETHLEHEM 32. SILVER Bells 42. It Came Upon a MIDNIGHT Clear 33. Hark the HERALD 43. The Little DRUMMER Boy 34. The First NOEL 44. DECK the Halls 35. SILENT Night 45. I Want a HIPPOPOTAMUS for Christmas 36. JOY to the World 39. All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front TEETH 41. I ll Be HOME for Christmas JANUARY: All of the answers for the January puzzle started with the word SNOW here at the words you should have found. Snowangel Snowfall Snowscape Snowtires Snowflake Snowshoes Snowball Snowing Snowslide Snowblower Snowless Snowstorm Snowboard Snowmaker Snowsuit Snowbreak Snowman Snowy Snowdrift Snowmobile Snowed Snowplow

6 Daily Intercession for our Sick and Homebound: The following are our brothers and sisters of St. Nicholas who are currently homebound, suffering from chronic illness, in recovery or in need of special prayers. Please remember them in your prayers and reach out to them with a card, a phone call or a visit! Holy Communion is available upon request. Anna Allen Mickey Gonser Daisy Karkoski Evdokia Ponomarenko Bogdon Beslac Mary Harrison Alfred Keeler Anne Smith Helen Bibilikow Bill Haw Lydia Keeler Aspasia Stathopoulos Larry Bladecki Maria Ilijev Athena Kosman Bill Tadrick Gladys Edwards Helen Iwanoff Daisy Marvosh Wendy Tadrick Evanka Elieff Goldie Johnson Evdokia Naumoff Helen Todorow Kosta Georgopoulos Nick Karayanis Pauline Nenoff Gloria Zelenko Mary Karayanis Fred Oginsky John Zelenko To aid in your outreach, here is a listing of the addresses and phone numbers of our Homebound: Anna Allen 4444 Court St. # 4113 Flint, MI Bogdon Beslac 3005 Blue Grass Lane Swartz Creek, MI Larry Bladecki th Street Bay City, MI Gladys Edwards 2 Harbor Dr. St. Clair, MO Maria Ilijev 440 W. Russell B-14 Saline, MI Daisy Karkoski 3011 N. Center Rd Flint, MI Lydia & Alfred Keeler 4104 Squire Hill Dr. Flushing, MI Daisy Marvosh Almost Home 305 Furlong Ct. Fenton, MI Aspasia Stathopoulos 4064 Sheraton Dr. Flint, MI 48532

7 Cheesefare Sunday February 26, 2012 Following the Divine Liturgy Volunteers are needed to assist with donations, prepping, serving and clean-up. See Stephanie Stikovich if you would like to volunteer your time. MENU Deviled Eggs Pierogi Pancakes Crepes Menu items are subject to change

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9 The Orthodox Churches of Greater Flint Assumption (Greek) 2245 Baldwin Road Grand Blanc, MI St. George (Antiochian) 5191 Lennon Road Flint, MI St. Nicholas (OCA) 2143 South Center Road Burton, MI Pan-Orthodox Great Complines, Presanctified Liturgies, Raising of Lazarus, and Potluck Dinners Great Compline (Mondays) we will be celebrating the Great Compline service together every Monday night at St. George. The service begins at 6:30pm. This beautiful service allows us to experience the Great Fast more deeply. Confessions will be available from 6pm 6:30pm and after the service. Lenten Hours (Wednesdays) St. Nicholas will celebrate the Lenten Hours at 9am. Presanctified Divine Liturgy (Wednesdays) We will be celebrating the Presanctified Liturgy together on certain Wednesday evenings beginning at 6pm according to the schedule below. Holy Communion is given at the Presanctified Liturgy. To partake of Holy Communion, please be prepared with prayer and fasting (not eating or drinking anything after lunch). Confessions will be available only prior to the Liturgy from 5:30pm 6pm. Potluck Dinner A Lenten Dinner follows each liturgy. Please bring a covered Lenten Dish (no meat or dairy products) to the church hall prior to the beginning of liturgy. If you have questions, please call the church office. February 29 th Presanctified Liturgy or Compline at each church March 7 th Presanctified Liturgy Combined at St. George March 14 th Presanctified Liturgy at each church March 21 st Presanctified Liturgy Combined at St. Nicholas March 28 th Presanctified Liturgy at each church April 4 th Presanctified Liturgy Combined at St. George April 7 th Preparation of Gifts, Divine Liturgy for the Raising of Lazarus, and Lenten Breakfast Combined at Assumption 10am Assumption is located 1 ½ miles west of Holly Road on Baldwin Road. St. George is located between Linden and Dye Roads on Lennon Road. St. Nicholas is located ½ mile south of Lippincott on Center Road. Member Churches of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North America A Vision of Orthodox Unity

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12 For the Repose of the Souls of: Requested by: 2012

13 February 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Fast 6:00 pm Vespers w/ Divine Liturgy at Assumption for the Encounter of our Lord 2 Encounter of our Lord in the Temple 3 Fast 4 5 Publican & Pharisee Church School St. Sava II 9 am Divine Liturgy St. Catherine s League 6:30pm Prodigal Son 2 year Parastas +Tony Brayanis Church School 13 Orthodox Book St. George 6:00pm Parish Council 6:45pm 14 St. Cyril, Teacher of the Slavs 9 am Divine Liturgy 15 Fast Fast 18 Memorial Saturday 9 am Divine Liturgy Trisagion with reading of names Food Van 2pm-5pm 19 Meatfare Food Van 9am-1pm 20 Meat Fast St. Leo of Catania 9 am Divine Liturgy 21 Meat Fast 22 Meat Fast 23 Meat Fast Father Matthew will be attending the Metropolitan Council Meeting February Meat Fast 25 Meat Fast 26 Meat Fast Cheesefare Sunday Forgiveness Sunday 27 Fast Great Lent begins 6 pm Compline 28 Fast 6 pm Compline 29 Fast 9 am Third & Sixth Lenten Hours 6 pm Compline MARCH 1 Fast 6 pm Compline 2 Fast 6:00 pm Presanctified followed by Lenten potluck 3 St. Theodore Fast 9:30 am Confessions 10 am Divine Liturgy

14 March 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Times & Dates are subject to change. 1 Fast 6 pm Compline 2 Fast 6:00 pm Presanctified followed by Lenten potluck 3 St. Theodore Fast 9:30 am Confessions 10 am Divine Liturgy 4 Fast Orthodoxy Sunday 5 Fast 6 Fast 7 Fast 9 am Third & Sixth Lenten Hours 6 pm Pan-Orthodox Presanctified at St. George with Lenten potluck 8 Fast 9 Fast 6:00 pm Vespers w/ Trisagion w/reading of names for Memorial Saturday 10 Fast Memorial Saturday 11 Fast St. Gregory Palamas 12 Fast Parish Council 6:45pm 13 Fast 14 Fast 9 am Third & Sixth Lenten Hours 6 pm Presanctified at Saint Nicholas with Lenten potluck 15 Fast 16 Fast 6:00 pm Vespers w/ Trisagion w/reading of names for Memorial Saturday 17 Fast Memorial Saturday Food Van 2pm-5pm 18 Fast Veneration of the Cross Food Van 9am-1pm 19 Fast 20 Fast 21 Fast 9 am Third & Sixth Lenten Hours 6 pm Pan-Orthodox Presanctified at St Nicholas with Lenten potluck 22 Fast 23 Fast 6:00 pm Vespers w/ Trisagion w/reading of names for Memorial Saturday 24 Fast Memorial Saturday 25 Fast Annunciation 26 Fast 27 Fast 28 Fast 9 am Third & Sixth Lenten Hours 6 pm Presanctified at Saint Nicholas with Lenten potluck 29 Fast 30 Fast 6 pm Akathist to the Theotokos 31 Fast Akathist Saturday