Opportunities for the Week

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1 St. John Greek Orthodox Church Sterling Heights, Michigan Phone: /Emergency Web site: St. Parish John Priest: Greek Father Orthodox Nicholas Kyritses Church Sterling Heights, Michigan November 26, 2017 ~ 13 th Sunday of Luke Phone: /Emergency Love and remember your church in your will! Web site: parish@stjohngoc.net Parish Priest: Father Nicholas Kyritses Epistle Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-7 page 106 Gospel Reading: Luke 18:18-27 page 114 Today Baptism Theodore, son of George and Jena Nishanian Opportunities for the Week Monday, November 27 Basketball Practice for kids of all ages 6:30pm at Joe Dumars Tuesday, November 28 Greek School 4:30pm Adult Greek School 6:30pm Council Meeting 7:00pm Thursday, November 30 St. Andrew Feast Day / Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Reminder: Greek School 4:30 pm Adult Greek School 6:30pm Fulfill your 2017 Stewardship to our church

2 November 30 ~ Feast Day of St. Andrew St. Andrew is indeed the most beloved of the Apostles of Christ. And yet, very few are aware of the tremendous work this amazing Saint did in the Vineyard of Christ. He was a giant among men. His feats of bravery and faith are without equal in the Christian world. Andrew is called Protokletos which means "the first-called" because he was the first to be called to serve as an Apostle of Christ. Andrew and his brother Peter were fishermen, and they lived in the ancient city of Beth-Saida. Andrew became a follower of St. John the Baptist and was eager to serve God. He quickly accepted Christ as his personal saviour and became one of the greatest missionaries in all history. When the Apostles drew lots to determine where they would preach the message of salvation, it was St. Andrew who was destined to preach in Asia Minor, Greece and in the area that is now known as Constantinople and areas along the Bleack Sea Coast. According to Holy Tradition, St. Andrew is reported to have brought thousands upon thousands of people to Christ. His enthusiasm for the New Faith was overpowering. He preached with great vigor and vitality. He loved Christ and told about the virtues of Christian living to all who would listen. In many cities he was known to have converted entire congregations at one time. In the ancient city of Amison near the Black Sea, he is reported to have converted over 300 people gathered together in a Synagogue for services. He was beloved by all, and people came by thousands to hear his inspiring sermons. The residents of Sinope (Asia Minor) erected a beautiful throne in honor of St. Andrew (which the faithful still cherish to this day) and his brother Peter who

3 had visited this city to see his brother Andrew. Andrew returned to Jerusalem to visit with the other Apostles and to attend the First Council of the Apostles (50 A.D.) Andrew was also anxious to meet St. Paul who had become an Apostle of Christ. St. Andrew ordained more Priests and Bishops than all of the other Apostles combined. He founded parishes throughout Asia Minor, Pontus, Bithynia, Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, Skythia (Russia, where he is still considered the Patron Saint of all Russia) and Byzantium. (Byzantium was later called Constantinople) In the ancient city of Byzantium, the converts built a magnificent Church dedicated to the Blessed Theotokos. It was here that St. Andrew ordained Stachys, the first Bishop of Byzantium (Constantinople). Since St. Andrew preached in this city, there have been 276 successors to this throne up to the present day. His throne was occupied by the famous Patriarch Athenagoras I. His all Holiness Bartholomew I is Patriarch now. St. Andrew was truly an amazing Apostle. He loved people and people loved him. He electrified his listeners as he spoke and thousands of the sick and the afflicted were healted by his miraculous powers. After he had installed Stachys as Bishop of Byzantium, Andrew came to Achaia (now known as Patras, Greece). It was here that Andrew suffered martyrdom. He had converted Maximilla, the wife of the rule Aegeates. Enraged by his wife's actions, the ruler ordered Andrew to be crucified on an x-shaped Cross, upside down. For three days, Andrew suffered on the Cross. During that time, he continued to preach to the faithful and to offer encouragement to others. After three days of agony, Andrew gave up his life for Christ. He was 80 years old. Andrew was buried by the faithful in the city of Patras. Two centuries later, one of the sons of King Constantine ordered his relics to be entombed with those of other Apostles in a new Church which was built in the city of Constantinople. Constantius, the son of King Constantine, also brought the relics of St. Timothy from Ephesus and St. Luke from Thebes. After the fall of Constantinople, the Sultan Mohammed II (1460 A.D.) gave the head of St. Andrew to the Pope of Rome, Pius II. It was returned to the city of Patras by the the Pope after 500 years (on September 24, 1964) as a gesture of friendship and ecumenical respect for the Greek Orthodox Church.

4 Every Sunday 9:00am Orthros ~ 10:00am Divine Liturgy December 9 HOPE, JOY and Little Angels Christmas Party at our Hall December 11 Philoptochos Annual Holiday Party December 15 St. John Goya Lock-in at our Church December 17 Sunday School Christmas Program in Church December 19 Greek School Christmas Party at our Hall December 24 Christmas Eve Vesper / Divine Liturgy- Holy Communion at 6:30pm January 20, 2018 Annual Dinner Dance at our Hall February 11, 2018 Philoptochos Macaronatha at our 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

5 ST. JOHN HALL RENOVATION PROJECT Fellow parishioners, As you may have noticed we are nearing the completion of the construction of our renovated hall. We are so thankful to the tireless efforts of our renovation committee shepherded by Larry Stavrou, Evans Caruso and Gus Kondoleon. A special thank you to all the many volunteers who gave of their time and talent in the demolition and cleaning of the hall during this process (the list of volunteers is too large to document here but you all know who you are and you are appreciated!) We want to thank all of those who have given their time, talent and treasure to date and encourage all of those who have not had the opportunity to give, to please prayerfully consider making an offering today. To date we have received pledges and contributions from the following members of our church: Mr & Mrs Nikos & Mika Backos Donor Mrs Sophia Borgaonkar - Donor Mr John Geottes - Donor Mr Matthew Vasilakis Donor Mrs Vekos Gloria - Donor Mr & Mrs John Hanjiantoniou- Donor Mr & Dr Michael & Joyce (Patouhas) Aho- Donor Perring Family - Donor Miss Elena Vasilakis Donor Mr & Mrs Joann and Timothy Welch - Donor Mr & Mrs Tom Aitas and Family Friend Mr & Mrs Vasilios Baros and Family-Friend Mrs Diana Chantis Friend Mr Nino Corsetti Friend Mr and Mrs Matthew Giacona - Friend Mr & Dr John & Zoy Gilbert Friend Mr Nick Kasotakis Family Friend Mr & Mrs Constantine Manousakakis-Friend Mr & Mrs John & Becky Patouhas - Friend J. Gargasoulas/K. Patsarikas Families - Friend Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Theodorou Friend Mr. Gerry Floros Friend Mr & Mrs Aristides & Koula Andreopoulos- Patron Mr & Mrs Bill Andreopoulos - Patron Mr & Mrs George Balalas and Family- Patron Mr Cavis, Constantine - Patron Mr & Mrs Lilian and Gus Demas Patron Mr & Mrs Kathy & George Demetriou Patron Dr Demetri & Dina Demetriou & Family-Patron Mr & Mrs John Papakonstantinou - Patron Dr. Nick and Mrs Papakonstantinou - Patron Mr. & Mrs. George Collins and Family Patron Mr & Mrs Menas (Ted) Georgeson - Patron Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kourtesis and Family Patron Mr. & Mrs. John Kyritses and Family Patron Rev. Father Nicholas Kyritses Patron Mr & Mrs Gregory Marselis - Patron Miss Anne Simopoulos - Patron Mr. & Mrs. Phil Tangalos and Family Patron Mr & Mrs Constantinos Tsitsis- Patron Mr & Mrs John Polyzois and Family- Patron Mr. & Mrs. Nick Prantzalos and Family - Patron Dr. & Mrs. Andy Kotsis and Family Patron Mrs Harriet Shafkalis - Patron St. John Senior Citizen s Patron Mr & Mrs Daniel & Paulette Szajna & Family - Patron Mr & Dr Alex & Maria Aretakis Supporter Mr & Mrs Alex & Lind Boosalis Supporter Mr & Mrs Bill Caruso and Family-Supporter Mr & Mrs Konstantinos C. Marselis -Supporter Mr. & Mrs. John Tangalos and Family - Supporter The Souris Family Visionary Dr. & Mrs. Ted Tangalos and Family Visionary Dr. & Mrs. Steve Kotsonis and Family Visionary St. John Ladies Philoptochos Visionary St. John Youth - Visionary Please select an offering level below and remember that this offering is sincerely requested to be in addition to your current annual Stewardship Offering. Sincerely, St. John s Parish Council Donate today towards the renovation of our Church Hall! Name: phone: Sponsorship Levels $ Donor Up to $500 $ Friend $500 $999 $ Patron $1,000 $2,499 $ Supporter $2,500 $4,999 $ Contributor $5,000 $9,999 $ Benefactor $10,000 $14,999 $ Visionary $15,000 plus WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE ABOVE GROUPS AND PARISHIONERS ABOUT $ 131, WE STILL NEED $69, ALL OUR PARISHIONERS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THIS FUND RAISING

6 Dear Parishioner and Benefactor of St. John Parish, Our community will be preparing a Parish Christmas card for the 29th year. We are certain that all of you will want to take part in this most appropriate Christmas idea. Instead of mailing costly cards to everyone separately, a special community card will be mailed. A donation of $20.00 will be used for Christ s work and you will be spared the task of addressing, not to mention the increasing cost for the cards and postage. Please join the many families of our Parish in expressing Christmas greetings and cheer to all the members and friends of St. John by signing up to this our twenty-sixth annual Christmas Card. Complete the form below and mail or bring it to the Church office by December 3 rd, List your name (s) EXACTLY as you want it printed on the card. Please make checks payable to: St. John Philoptochos Society marked For Christmas Card PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME CLEARLY Name(s) Phone number Donation Amount $

7 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

8 Philoptochos CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE ORDER FORM Kourambiedes (18 pieces) $15.00 $ Melomakarouna (18 pieces) $15.00 $ Baklava (25 pieces) $20.00 $ Baklava (40 pieces) $35.00 $ Total $ PREPAID ORDERS TAKEN THROUGH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 TH LAST PICK-UP DATE ON PREPAID ORDER IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17TH PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK TO St. John Philoptochos Name Phone Number If you need additional information, please call Kim LaForest at (586) or k.laforest@aol.com

9 My Fellow Parishioners- One of the things I love most about being a member of St. John s is the unwaivering sense of family we all share. So when this topic was brought to the attention of Philoptochos, we knew it was something the whole parish could get behind and support. This Christmas season, Evan Tangalos and Johnny Stathakios will be spending their college break in Nicaragua participating in a medical/dental mission helping to bring its citizens essential supplies and knowledge that we may all take for granted. They will be assembling and distributing kits while they are there and need help with the following items: *Paper lunch bags *Travel-sized toothbrushes *Floss *Soap *Travel sized shampoo *Adult toothbrushes *Children s toothbrushes Please consider bringing these items to church anytime from November 26th thru December 9th, so we may help these young men in their commendable undertaking. As always, thank you for your support. Kim LaForest-Philoptochos President

10 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:

11 Come and enjoy an evening of fun including dinner, dancing, crafts, an ornament exchange and a visit from Santa. Donation: $7.00 per person For the ornament exchange: Please have your child bring an ornament fo r their same age and gender. Please sign-up through Signup Genius The link to Signup Genius will be on our Facebook Page: Hope and Joy St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Chapter We will also be collecting unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots For further information, please call: Irene Kourtesis or Dimetra Mansoor

12 St. Johns Ladies Philoptochos Society cordially invites you to our ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY December 11, :30pm-Dinner served at 7pm Nick s 22 nd Street Steakhouse VanDyke Avenue in Shelby Township Choose one of the following items: Vegtarian Stir-Fry, Salmon, Chicken Picacata, or New York Strip. Includes salad and non-alcoholic beverage $26.00per person. Dessert will also be provided. Please R.S.V.P. by December 4th to Zoi Seremetis at zoi.seremetis@gmail.com or call (586) *Please bring a new blanket to support World Medical Relief*

13 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

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