Holy Apostles Kids! December 2011 Newsletter

Transcription

1 Holy Apostles Kids! December 2011 Newsletter The Church School Scoop The kids at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church school get together for lessons on Wednesday nights each month and have a social activity on one of those nights. So far we have made Prosphora, the church bread that we use for Communion, and have had one Nativity Play rehearsal. This coming Wednesday, all of the church school will go bowling. The Nativity Play will need some props including: 1. A real cake (that we will eat after the pageant) 2. A Liturgy book 3. A Wallet 4. A Bible The children all have a blast whenever they come to church school. Every month the church school produces a church school newsletter. The newsletter tells you everything that happens at church school. Don't forget to pick up your copy. Also in the church school newsletter are coloring pages and word scrambles. For more information on Church School, see Fr. James or Liane Worthington, or call Written by: Shiloh Worthington If you d like to write an article for the next Newsletter, see Liane Worthington I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E 1 The Church School Scoop 1 Who is St. Nicholas? 2 December s Coloring Page 3 December s Activity: Christian Friendship Bracelet 4 December s Scripture Lesson 5 Calendar, News, Birthdays & Namesdays 5 Family Fun: Make an Orthodox Advent Wreath 6 Ask Fr. James 6 Parents Corner Who is St. Nicholas? This month, we commemorate St. Nicholas (Dec. 6 th ) Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia is a great saint pleasing unto God. As the fruit of the prayer of his childless parents, the infant Nicholas from the very day of his birth revealed to people the light of his future glory as a wonderworker. The newborn infant, while still in the baptismal font, stood on his feet three hours, without support from anyone, thereby honoring the Most Holy Trinity. St Nicholas from his infancy began a life of fasting, and on Wednesdays and Fridays he would not accept milk from his mother until after his parents had finished their evening prayers. There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom St Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell them so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man's poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged honorable marriages for his daughters.. St. Nicholas went to the Holy Land. Along the way the saint predicted a storm would arise and threaten the ship. At the entreaty of the despairing pilgrims, he calmed the waves of the sea by his prayers. When he reached the ancient city of Jerusalem and came to Golgotha, St Nicholas gave thanks to the Savior. One night, on Mount Sion, the locked doors of the church opened by themselves for the great pilgrim. St Nicholas is the patron of travelers, and we pray to him for deliverance from floods, poverty, or any misfortunes. He has promised to help those who remember his parents, Theophanes and Nonna. Hymns to commemorate St. Nicholas Troparion - Tone 4 In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved. Kontakion - Tone 3 You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest, For you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ By giving up your soul for your people, And saving the innocent from death. Therefore you are blessed as one become wise in the grace of God Holy Apostles Kids 1

2 Colored by: Holy Apostles Kids 2

3 Christian Friendship Bracelet Friendship bracelets are easy to make and could look great on your wrist for ages. For traditional friendship bracelets, you tie a bracelet to your friend's wrist and they leave it there until it falls off by itself. Materials Four or five different colors of embroidery thread makes a really skinny bracelet.8-10 strings works better. Try using two of each color. Scissors to cut the string. Tape - It'll hold the string down as you go and make it much easier to work on the string. Procedure 1. Take the first color and wrap it around your wrist 3 times. Cut a piece this length from each of the other colors. Tape at the top of the knot to the edge of a table to keep it in place. 2. Tie a knot at the top of the three pieces of embroidery thread. 3. Cross the far left string (red) over the string to the right (green) creating a shape like the numeral four. 4. Pull the first string through the "opening" in the four and then pull it up and tighten to make a knot. Repeat this step again on the same string. 5. Pull the first string over to the right and repeat the steps above, but using the next string in each case. 6. Work this way for all the strings to complete the first row of all the same color horizontally. 7. Start the next row using the string to the far left (green). 8. Repeat all the steps until you have the row finished. 9. Keep going until the bracelet is long enough to fit around your wrist comfortably. To make sure it fits well, try it on your wrist, there should be enough extra room that you can fit about 2 fingers in next to your wrist. 10. Tie the loose ends of your fitted bracelet with a knot, just like how you started the bracelet. 11. Tie the bracelet onto your wrist (or your friend's) at the right length with a knot, like the first part of tying a shoelace, but do it twice - this is a square knot. It helps if you can get someone to help you here, but it can be done alone. Bring your Friendship Bracelets in to share with Church School friends! Holy Apostles Kids 3

4 Scripture Lesson for December: The Parable of the Banquet The Gospel According to St. Luke, Chapter 14, verses Sunday of the Forefathers The Parable of the Banquet Luke 14: The Lord spoke this parable, A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for all is now ready. But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame. And the servant said, Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room. And the master said to the servant, Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen. What are your thoughts on this Scripture lesson? Questions to think about: 1. Why is the master upset the guests didn t come to his dinner? How would this make ou feel? Why? 2. Do you think the guests had good reasons for not going to the dinner? Why or why not? 3. What would you want guests to do to prepare for a party you were hosting? 4. Who do you think the master represents in this story? Why do you say that? 5. What dinner does God invite you to? 6. How can you be a thankful guest? How can you show God you value His invitation and preparation? Holy Apostles Kids 4

5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUN. 12/4: ST. NICHOLAS DAY FESTIVITIES CHURCH BUILDING, AFTER LITURGY Come and see what St.Nicholas left behind after visiting our church! And stay for a pancake breakfast for the whole parish! WED. 12/7: CHURCH SCHOOL THE WORTHINGTON S HOUSE 6-7:30 PM Come have fun, enjoy a snack and practice for the Nativity Play. SAT. 12/10: VESPERS CHURCH BUILDING, 6 PM *NEW TIME* Vespers is a chance to prepare for Sunday s Liturgy. All are welcome to attend! SUN. 12/11: LITURGY CHURCH BUILDING 9AM Join us in worship of Christ Our King! WED. 12/ 14: CHURCH SCHOOL THE WORTHINGTON S HOUSE 6-7:30 PM More fun and learning and Nativity Play practice! SAT. 12/17: VESPERS CHURCH BUILDING 6 PM Come help sing in preparation for Sunday s Liturgy! Make an Orthodox Advent Wreath To help prepare ourselves for the Nativity season, here s a fun little family project. Place colored candles around a wreath and light one each Sunday of the Advent Season. Here are the list of colors, in order of the week they are lit, the meaning of each color, and Scripture to read after lighting each candle: Week 1, Green stands for Faith: St. Luke 1:44 Week 2, Blue stands for Hope: Romans 15:12-13 Week 3, Gold stands for Love: John 3:16-17 Week 4, White stands for Peace: Psalms 84 Week 5, Purple stands for Repentance: Psalms 50 Week 6, Red stands for Communion: 1Corinthians 10:16-17 Customarily, we begin our Advent wreath when the Lenten season before Christmas begins, on the Sunday closest to November 15 th,.on Christmas morning, light all of the candles, and place a large white candle in the center of the wreath to light last. The candles look beautiful on Christmas morning, and are a great way to begin your gift-giving festivities. What s Up? News: * Nativity Play practice continues this month. The play will be held on 12/18 after Liturgy. Tell family and friends to come and see you perform! * Join us for St. Nicholas Day festivities on 12/4. Special surprises will be given to all children! * Bring in Ornaments and Christmas Decorations, any time this month, to help decorate the church! SUN. 12/18: LITURGY & NATIVITY PLAY CHURCH BUILDING 9AM Join us for Liturgy and Let s WOW the parish with our exciting Nativity Play! December Birthdays and Namesdays! December 6 Nicholas s Namesday (St. Nicholas) December 11 Caleb s Namesday (Sts. Caleb & Joshua) December 26 Shiloh s Namesday (Synaxis of the Theotokos) God Grant you all many years! Holy Apostles Kids 5

6 ASK FR. JAMES Dear Fr. James, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love to shop for presents for my family and help my mom bake cookies. I heard someone say that for Christmas we should give more than presents, and we should give of ourselves. What does that mean?--- A. Case O DeGivees, Ithaca, NY Dear A.Case O DeGivees, Christmas is one of my favorite holidays too! Some of my earliest Christmas memories are of helping my grandmother bake, and eating her cookies too. And I remember something else she often said to me: Peace. This is because she always knew that when Christ was born over 2,000 years ago, many people recognized Him as the Prince of Peace. He gave us the most important gift we could ever have His peace and to live with Him forever. Now, in our own time, we give gifts in honor of what Jesus did for each of us. By showing our love for our family and friends, we are really showing the love that Jesus Christ has for each of us. In many cases, this means that we give a gift whether homemade or store bought (and homemade almost always carries a lot of love in it). But many people have nothing to give. Jesus gave us everything because He first loved us he gave every bit of His own life. When we love others enough to help them and be with them, then we are acting Christ-like, and God is pleased with us. This is the true meaning of Christmas to share the gift of love that Jesus gave us, with our families, friends, and all of those around us. And that is why some people choose to do some sort of charity around Christmas time, in addition to celebrating with family and friends. If you have questions for Ask Fr. James, send them to adelphotheos@gmail.com. Fr. James will be happy to answer your questions in upcoming newsletters, during Coffee Hour, or during the Stump The Priest segment of Church School. Parents Corner More information for parents Dear Parents, December is a very busy month! We re excited about the upcoming St. Nicholas Day Festivities (don t forget to leave your children s shoes at Church on 12/3). Be sure to stick around after Liturgy on 12/4 for St. Nicholas treats and a pancake breakfast for the parish. Also coming up is our first Nativity Play. The kids are working hard and this play will be a blast. Be sure to invite friends and family to join us for the play after Liturgy on 12/18. We re getting ready for Christmas, so there are many opportunities coming up for your family to join us for prayer services and Nativity Season services. Check out the service schedule below and visit the website for more information: December Special Church Services Schedule 12/6: 6:00 PM, Akathist to St. Nicholas 12/23: 7:30 AM Royal Hours for the Nativity 12/24: 6:00 PM Vigil for the Nativity 12/25: 9:00 AM Nativity, Divine Liturgy of St. Basil Bring your own homemade ornaments to help decorate our church Christmas Tree! Holy Apostles Mission Church 17 Myers Road Lansing, NY P L A C E STAMP HERE! A D D R E S S C O R R E C T I O N R E Q U E S T E D Holy Apostles Kids 6