January 2019 COFFEE HOUR PARISH DUTIES. JANUARY 6 Stephanie Burt Cookie Kalleres Stephanie Wilkinson

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1 January 2019 COFFEE HOUR JANUARY 6 Stephanie Burt Cookie Kalleres Stephanie Wilkinson JANUARY 13 Vasilopita Luncheon JANUARY 20 Barbara Rappaport Sandra Rogan Lynn Fyke JANUARY 27 Betty Ticoras Katy Crenshaw Mary Moody PARISH DUTIES JANUARY 6, 2019 Ushers: Anthony Megas, Lewis Preddy, Tony Attanasio, Victor Kassees, George Maillis Prosforo: John Demopoulos Epistle Reader: Maria Chrissovergis JANUARY 13, 2019 Ushers: Pete Carantza, Nick Furris, Nick Theologis, Norman Bateh, Michael Jacobsen Prosforo: Efi Elkins Epistle Reader: Wendy Regas JANUARY 20, 2019 Ushers: Bill Toundas, Stephanie Petty, Mark Lasoff, Yianni Demopoulos, Tina Griffin Prosforo: Olga Farhat Epistle Reader: Katy Crenshaw JANUARY 27, 2019 Ushers: George Stavros, Dean Sunas, Philip Amorgianos, Steve Kurosko, Nick Stam Prosforo: Anna Jacobsen Epistle Reader: Karen Koloniotis Celebrating over 100 years of ministry in Jacksonville METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA 3850 Atlantic Boulevard Jacksonville, FL Office (904) Rev. Dr. Nicholas G. Louh, Priest Rev. Dr. Milton A. Magos, Priest Dn. Athanasios Kartsonis Pastoral Assistant: Alyssa Kyritsis Administrative Assistant: Sharon Gutteridge St. John the Divine Mission Statement: To proclaim the Holy Gospel by teaching and spreading the Orthodox Christian Faith in a dynamic and welcoming community devoted to serving all people who seek a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

2 FAMILY NIGHT We will start with dinner at 6:00 pm and break out into groups at 6:30 pm. We have something for everyone. Please plan for your family to be with us on Wednesdays. Family Night will resume on January 9. FAMILY NIGHT LOCATIONS Bible Study: Church Catechism: Chapel HOPE and JOY: Classrooms Greek School: Classrooms GOYA: Youth House Greek Dance: Church Hall MEN S BIBLE STUDY Every Tuesday in January the men of our Church Family will meet at Athens Café. Bible Study will start at 11:30 am. WOMEN S BIBLE FELLOWSHIP Every Tuesday in January (Except Jan 1st and 8th) Women s Bible Fellowship will meet at 10:30 am in the Hall, then 11:00 am in the Chapel. All are welcome. SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday school resumes Sunday, January 13, UPCOMING EVENTS SERVICES IN JANUARY Saturday, January 5 Vesperal Liturgy 5:00 pm Sunday, January 6 Epiphany Monday, January 7 Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Synaxis of St. John the Baptist Wednesday, January 16 Unction Service 5:30 pm (For the Sick of our Parish) Thursday, January 17 Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Anthony the Great Friday, January 18 Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Athanasios and Cyril Friday, January 25 Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Gregory the Theologian Wednesday, January 30 Divine Liturgy 9:00 am Three Hierarchs KALLANDA The GOYANS will have a table set up in the parish hall where you may sign up to have us visit your home and sing the Kallanda on January 5. PHILOPTOCHOS Ladies of St. John the Divine please join us on Saturday January 19th at 10:00 am in the Church hall for a Philoptochos Breakfast/ Meeting. If you are not in Philoptochos this is a perfect time to join us and see all that Philoptochos does for the church and our community. Bring your friends, daughter, aunt, sister, cousin, and mom the more the merrier. We will have some gift giveaways you won't want to miss and of course a yummy breakfast. HOUSE BLESSINGS Beginning in January, Father Nicholas will be blessing homes and businesses. If you are interested in having Fr. Nick come to your home/business, please call before January 15 to schedule your appointment. SENIOR (55+) LUNCHEON Kick off your new year having lunch and fellowship with your Church Family. Please join us on Tuesday, January 15 in the Church Hall for our monthly luncheon.

3 Youth & Young Adult Programs Youth Choir: For all children Pre K-6th Grade. If interested, please contact Stacy Kokkinos at SJTD Mom s Ministry: If you have kids of any age, check out this group and feel free to bring a friend! They will meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at 9:30am in the church hall. The best part is child care will be provided in the church nursery. This will be a place for women to gather and take some time for themselves to enjoy fellowship with other mothers while discussing all kinds of life topics, scripture, learn new skills and just relax! For more information, please contact Lee- Catherine Hicks at lbateh@gmail.com. Youth Groups: HOPE (PK-4 through 2nd grade), JOY (3rd-5th grade), and GOYA (6th-12th grade) meet monthly and offer many programs based on fellowship AND fun! If interested in any of these ministries, please contact our Pastoral Assistant, Alyssa Kyritsis, at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com or , x12. Orthodox Christian Fellowship: OCF is the official collegiate campus ministry program under the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. OCF is charged with connecting Orthodox college students and those interested in the Orthodox Christian faith to Christ and His Church. If interested, please contact our Pastoral Assistant, Alyssa Kyritsis, at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com or , x12. Young Adult League (YAL): YAL is a group for young adults, ages Whether social or religious, the group meets at least once a month. If interested, please contact Alyssa Kyritsis at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com. Cub Scouts: (Pack #850) American Heritage Girls: AHG is a Christ based scouting program for girls affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. It emphasizes experiences and a merit badge program in areas od life skills, leadership, team work, character development, social development, and spiritual development. For more information, visit the website at or contact Robin Dewey at robindewey@usa.net. January Youth and Young Adult Events OCF (College Students) and YAL (Young Adult League) Join us on January 15 at 6:30 PM at Angels for Allison to volunteer. We will spend the evening painting angels which will be sold to raise money for this amazing organization. Mom s Ministry Join us on January 8 in the Church Hall at 9:30 AM for a talk with Alyssa Kyritsis on Bringing the Bible to Life and on January 23 during Family Night at 6:30 PM. GOYA (7 th -12 th grade) We will have GOYA Meeting on Wednesday January 9 and 23 at 6:30 PM in the Youth House, following Dinner in the Hall at 6 PM. We will do the Kallanda (Caroling) for the day on January 5, starting at 9 AM. The Hellenic Dance Festival will take place on January in Atlanta. Greek Dance will be on Wednesday, January 2 and 16 at 6:30 PM, following Dinner at 6 PM, both in the hall. HOPE (PK-4-2 nd Grade) and JOY (3rd-6th Grade) Please join us on January 4-5 for this year s HOPE and JOY Camping Trip to Disney s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. We will also have HOPE and JOY Sessions during Family Night on January 9, 16, 23, and 30. Dinner will be at 6 PM and Sessions at 6:30 PM. American Heritage Girls We will have our meeting on January 6 and 20 (when we will start selling Valentine s Day candy!). Cub Scouts We are currently looking for a Scout Leader. If you or someone you know is interested, please let Alyssa know at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com. Sunday School (3 years-12 th grade) We will resume Sunday School on January 13, 2019.

4 The Centennial Album is a wonderful album commemorating some of the amazing families and events that have made St. John the Divine thrive over the past 100+ years. This will make a great gift for generations to come. The album is available for purchase now. Please contact the church office. (904) ext. 10

5 This picture of our New church was taken by Andrew Furris, son of Nicholas and Maria Furris.

6 Dear Church Family: I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for making a difference in our city this year, and especially during this busy Christmas Season. Over the last month, our community collected canned goods for UCOM, sang Christmas carols, participated in the ringing of the bells for the Salvation Army, provided gifts seniors living in nursing homes, and cleaning products for Hubbard House. In addition, we collected multiple boxes of clothes for the homeless at City Rescue Mission. Below are just some of the many pictures we took of our community making a positive difference in Jacksonville. Once again, thank you for being part of SJTD, and more importantly remembering the TRUE reason for the season, sharing God's light with the world. God bless you, Fr. Nicholas Louh

7 OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION 2018 Nativity Play and Christmas Concert at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church.

8 OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION Merry Christmas from our GOYA Thank you to Polly and St. Photios Shrine for hosting SJTD Mom s Ministry. In December, the JOY kids had a blast painting pottery. In December, SJTD had a HOPE mini retreat about the birth of Christ! We learned about the icon, made special stockings (to fill with things to donate to those in need), and made Him birthday cards! We ended the night delivering those cards to Jesus and singing happy birthday.

9 The Character of Greatness, (Mark 9:35, Matthew 18:4) Jesus had spent many days giving His disciples concentrated training for the great ingathering which would take place after Pentecost. As the disciples were walking from Caesarea Philippi, they were discussing among themselves the events of the Transfiguration, their Master s greatness, and how they themselves would also share His greatness. Soon a dispute had arisen among themselves concerning who should be the greatest in His Coming Kingdom. None of this had escaped Jesus watchful eye. He said nothing at that time, but when they were all seated in the house, He asked what they had been reasoning about (Mark 9:33). They were at first silent for shame, they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest (Mark 9:34. Then they openly began to ask Him Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1). How typical of human nature ignoring the teachings of Jesus, despite of God s specific command to hear Him saying This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well please. Listen to him (Matthew 17:5) and to dwell only upon what they would get out of His glory. He did not rebuke them for desiring to be great in God s sight, but because their idea of true greatness was in utter contradiction to God s idea of greatness and to the principles of God s Kingdom. He said, If you want to be great or first in God s kingdom, you must be the servant of all (Mark 9:35). In other words, where the world calls a man great because he is superior to his fellows, God only calls a man great who humbly serves others, especially those who most need service. Jesus took a child lovingly into His arms and sat down in the midst of His disciples, holding the little one on His knee (Mark 9:36). Then, using the child as an illustration, He proceeded to teach them how to become great in God s sight and in His Kingdom.The key word to this passage is humility, Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatness in the kingdom of heaven (Mark 18:4). The disciples were proud, boastful, and dominating their fellows. Jesus bluntly told them they must be converted. From the inner attitude, spoken word, and outward direction of their lives in selfishness and pride, they were to turn right-about-face (be converted) toward the opposite direction, having humility of their new, converted character unless you change and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). If a man thinks that because of gifts, devotion, education, high I.Q., and business ability he is a great man, he becomes by that thought a small one. The only way God can use a person is when he is conscious of having nothing, but is delightfully happy in knowing that his Lord, his Father, has everything. He has everything in Christ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything (2 Corinthians 6:10). He is trusting his Father for everything and is so unconsciously humble that all he wants is to know where he is to be, and what he is to do. Having shown the disciples that the trait of the true Christian character is humility, Jesus now is describing the work of a person who is truly great in God s Kingdom. The disciples were somewhat detesting to the work of receiving children (Matthew 19:13). They also were used to despising the little people of this world, such as the Syrophoenician women (Matthew 15:23) or the much-married Samaritan woman of (John 4:27). In contrast, they worried about offending the Pharisees (Matthew 15:12). The term little ones should not limited to children only. It means also the least in the world s eyes. St Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:26-28, Not many of you were wise by human standards; But God has chosen the weak, the lowly and the despised things of this world So, let us approach the Throne of our Lord and God with a humble heart. In His Name, John Stavros.

10 The family of Peter Bouras is most grateful for the abundant expressions of sympathy at the passing of our father. The words of remembrance for the memory of our mother has also been a much appreciated source of comfort as well. God Bless you and may the memories of Peter and Mary be eternal!

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