Opportunities for the Week

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1 St. John Greek Orthodox Church Sterling Heights, Michigan Phone: /Emergency Web site: Parish Priest: Father Nicholas Kyritses December 17, 2017 ~ 11 th Sunday of Luke Love and remember your church in your will! Epistle Reading: Colossians 3: 4-11 page 117 Gospel Reading: Luke 14:16-24 page 118 Today 40 Day Blessing Elaine Sakorafos and son Constantine Sunday School Christmas Program in Church Opportunities for the Week Monday, December 18 Basketball Practice for kids of all ages 6:30pm at Joe Dumars Tuesday, December 19 Greek School Christmas Party at our Hall Reminder: Fulfill your 2017 Stewardship to our church

2 Christmas Q. In what Gospel do we find the nativity of Jesus? A. Luke 1:20. St. Luke tells us the story with an amazing simplicity that contrasts with the sublime character of the facts. Q. Why did Joseph and Mary have to journey to Bethlehem? A. Because a census was to take place and the Jewish custom was to be counted in the place of family origin. Joseph was of the house of David. According to prophecy mentioned in St. Matthew, the Messiah, Son of David, was to be born in Bethlehem. The cencus at this time allowed for the prophecy to be fulfilled. Q. How did it happen that the Messiah was born in a cave? A. Because there "was no room in the inn." This does not mean that they had been harshly refused hospitality (which is a special virtue of the Jews). There was no other shelter. Q. What was the year of Christ's birth? A. the majority of authorities claim that a miscalculation occurred in the middle of the sixth centruy. Therefore, He was born between the years 5,6, and 7 A.D. Q. On what day was Christ born? A. Tradition has it that it was December 25. This was accepted in the East, from the 5 th century on. The weather in Palestine during December is very mild. It was so in the year of our Savior's birth. Q. When did the East adopt December 25? A. In the East, the feast of the Epiphany (January 6) which commemorates the baptism of Christ was, at the beginning, more important. In the latter part of the 4 th century (December 25) was connected with the Nativity, especially in Syria, and by the end of the 5 th centruy most of the East adopted it, though the Church of Jerusalem held to January 6 until 549. The Armenian Church continues to observe January 6.

3 Every Sunday 9:00am Orthros ~ 10:00am Divine Liturgy December 24 Christmas Eve Vesper Vesperal Divine Liturgy- Holy Communion at 6:30pm December 25 Holy Nativity Service Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10 :00am January 20, 2018 Annual Dinner Dance February 11, 2018 Philoptochos Macaronatha at our Hall April 20, 2018 St. John Reverse Raffle and Dinner at St. John Hall Please select a gift card request from the SHARING TREE Turn in gift card to the church office. Father Nick will distribute throughout the year to assist members of our Parish

4 O H HO HO Calling All St. John Parishioners Please select a gift card request from the GIVING TREE November 10, 2017 to December 31, 2017 Gift card amounts range from $10-$100 and can be purchased at Gas Stations, Krogers, Target, Meijer, Walmart. Turn in gift cards to the church office. Father Nick will distribute throughout the year to assist members of our parish. For Questions please contact Zoi Seremetis

5 M onday November 20 Please remember to register for the season on-line at the Sports-Signup program, which is now available through our website:

6 F R I E N D S O F T H E M E T R O P O L I S When you support the Friends of the Metropolis campaign, you are part of a greater outreach that proclaims with one universal voice that God is truly our hope and our rock of salvation. Because of your devotion to the Friends program, ministries and programs are implemented on a Metropolis wide basis which strengthen and enhance our faith and our joint ministry of service. I would like to invite you to join forces with the faithful throughout the Metropolis of Detroit in support of the ministries which are part of the Office of the Metropolitan. Thanking you for your kind and generous response, I remain, with paternal blessings and prayers, +NICHOLAS Metropolitan of Detroit MORE INFO AT: General Support Fully fund the general expenses of the Metropolis office, including programs and travels. Outreach/Missions Create opportunities to introduce our faith to society. Participate in inter Christian and interfaith activities. Provide quick responses to national and international disasters. Education Enhance various scholarship opportunities, adult education programs, and support Metropolis students at Hellenic College/Holy Cross. Hellenism Develop programs for Hellenic Cultural Outreach, including language, history, and arts. Clergy/Parish Support Develop and provide instructional seminars and services for clergy and parishes. Youth Ministries Support the youth & young adult ministries, including our summer camps, as well as the activities of a full time Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Leadership Organize Clergy Laity Conferences, Oratorical Festivals, Youth Worker and Religious Education Training, and Adult Education Seminars. Special Programs Continued website development, hospitality to visiting dignitaries, charity and philanthropy. F R I E N D S I N F O R M A T I O N Please print the following required details. P A Y M E N T I N F O R M A T I O N Make checks payable to Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit. Name Credit Card Check Money Order Address Credit Card No. City State Zip Expiry CVC No. Mobile No. Total in $ Parish Name City/State Signature Fill out this card and send it with payment to: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit Crooks Road - Troy, MI 48084

7 New Year s Eve Dinner Dance Supervised Children s Activities Throughout the Evening Sunday, December 31 st Supervised Children s Activities Throughout the Evening 7 PM to 1 AM St. George Greek Orthodox Church Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills, MI Supervised Children s Activities Throughout the Evening Open Bar & Hors D oeuvres 7 PM Strolling Dinner 8 PM Salad Station Meat Station w/ Beef Tenderloin, Chicken Lemonato, & Oven Roasted Potatoes Mexican Station Kids Station w/ Chicken Fingers & French Fries Fruit & Dessert Station Midnight Champagne & Vasilopita Greek Music by Enigma and American Music by D. J. Vasili $ 50/ Per Person - $15/age 12 & Under Seating is Limited! Advance Ticket Sales Only! Contact the Church Office: Supervised Children s Activities Throughout the Evening.

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