PARISH COUNCIL Frances Johnson Chairman (517) 646-8786 Samir Matta Vice-Chairman (517) 669-6676 Jack Stein Secretary (517) 541-2367 Maria Daly Treasurer (517) 487-9511 William Gross (517) 410-4066 Don Dimitroff (517) 321-1266 This issue of the newsletter is sponsored by Father Christopher & Matushka Sarah. Newsletter Staff Father Christopher Matushka Mary Leann Lerie Matta November 2004 Newsletter of St. Andrew Orthodox Catholic Church 1216 Greencrest Ave., East Lansing, Michigan 48823; (517) 351-4627 Visit our website at: StAndrewOrthodoxChurch.US (no. on St) Rev. Fr. CHRISTOPHER ROZDILSKI, Pastor Rectory: (517) 351-4627 Emergencies ONLY: (517) 256-7399 Saturday Vespers 6 pm Confessions (following) Sunday Liturgy 9:30 am Confessions 8:45 am The Nativity of Christ After the Annunciation, Mary continued living in Joseph's house, and "she was found with Child of the Holy Spirit. And Joseph, her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS, for He shall save his people from their sins.' Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 'Behold, a Virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,' (Isaiah 7: 14) which being interpreted is: 'God with us'" (Matt 1: 18-23). The story of the birth of our Savior according to St. Luke begins thus: "It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, who was great with child" (Luke 2:1-15). And though the Christ child was born in a manger in humble circumstance, the joyful tidings of His birth became known to the poor shepherds in a nearby field and to eastern wise men in far off lands. To the shepherds the angel said: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men'" (Luke 2: 10-11;13-14). Following a star, wise men from the East came to worship the newborn King of the Jews. They saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matt 2: 1-11). To our Parishioners and Friends, May God grant you and your loved ones a blessed Nativity. And may the peace, love and joy of our Lord's birth shine brightly in your hearts throughout the coming year. In Christ, Father Christopher and Matushka Sarah T Schedule of Events T Sun. Dec. 5 6:30pm Vespers w/ Litya-Feast Day of St. Nicholas Mon. Dec. 6 10:00am Divine Liturgy-Feast of St. Nicholas Tues. Dec. 7 7:00 pm Brotherhood meeting Thur. Dec. 9 6:00-9:00pm (Cookie Walk)-hall decorating Fri. Dec. 10 10:00am-6:00pm (Cookie Walk)- drop off cookies Sat. Dec. 11 10:00am-1:00pm Cookie Walk Sun. Dec. 12 5:00pm Church School Christmas Pageant Practice Tues. Dec. 14 6:30pm Parish Council Meeting Wed. Dec. 15 7:00pm Sisterhood meeting Sat. Dec. 18 Church School Christmas Pageant dress rehearsal following 6:00pm Vespers Sun. Dec. 19 Church School Christmas Pageant/Yolka following Liturgy Tues. Dec. 21 10:00am Chrsitmas Caroling Fri. Dec. 24 5:00pm Holy Supper 7:00pm Christmas Eve- Great Compline & Matins Sat. Dec. 25 9:30am Nativity of Christ Divine Liturgy (6:00 pm regular Saturday Vespers) Fri. Dec. 31 6:30pm Vespers w/ Litya- Circumcision of Christ Sat. Jan. 1 1 0 : 0 0 a m D i v i n e L i t u r g y - Circumcision of Christ Wed. Jan. 5 6:30pm Vespers w/ Litya- Theophany of Christ Thur. Jan. 6 10:00am Divine Liturgy-Theophany of Christ Mon. Jan. 10 Beginning of Blessing of Homes Preparing for Communion Remember that the Orthodox Catholic Church allows ONLY her prepared members to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. Preparation includes the Sacrament of Confession within the last month, prayer, and fasting (no chewing gum, smoking, eating or drinking from midnight the day before). T Church Calendar T Altar Servers Matthew Hubinger, Will Gross, Joshua Greve, Don Beck & Chris demorrow Carlos Matta, Nicholas Miller & Mitchell Pierpont Ushers for December 5th Nevenka Dinea & John Johnson 12th Sandy Oade & Penju Miteff 19th Shruti Gross & Simo Paripovic 26th Anna Zivic & Jack Stein Coordinator: Cathy Estrada If you are unable to keep your assigned time, please find a replacement and notify coordinator, Cathy Estrada. Social Hour Hosts for December 5th Matta family 12th Sisterhood 19th Matta family 26th Lambo family Coordinator: Matushka Mary Donahue Cleaning Crews for December Date Upstairs Downstairs 4th Beck Donahue Covell 11th 18th Krause-Brower demorrow Cathy Estrada Paripovic Fisher Jr. FOCA Greve Hubinger 25th Hattrem L. Dines Lesia Wasio Melissa Jacobs Coordinator: Leann Lerie Matta Cleaning Crew members are responsible for arranging with a church key holder to open the church door. Please contact a key holder at least 24 hours before you need entry into the church.
Parish Details Church Directory Updates: Please add the following information to your church directory concerning our newest church members: Welcome James & Cindy Smalley, 500 West Lake Lansing Road, Apt. A14, East Lansing, MI, 48823; 517-664- 1712. Christmas Candle Intentions are being collected by Pauline Petney. Please sign up today to sponsor a temple candle in honor or memory of your loved ones for the Nativity of Christ services. Christmas Caroling plans are being set for Tuesday, December 21 ALL St. Andrew parishioners are encouraged to join us in this wonderful Christian outreach. Invitations have also been sent out to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and St. James (Antiochian) Orthodox Church. Please contact Leann Matta (669-6676) today to either sign up and/or to give her details on a senior home or shut-in desiring a visit have the name and phone number ready. All carolers will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the church parking lot to organise car pools children needing rides will be accomodated. Bring along a little cash for possible lunch plans, should our travels be long. House Blessings: Father Christopher is now collecting forms from those parishioners wishing to have their home blessed this coming 2005. Blessings will begin Monday January 10th, just following the Theophany of Christ. Please include detailed directions to your home, so that we do not lose our beloved priest! What better way to begin a new year than asking the Holy Spirit to reside, protect and guide us daily. No confessions will be heard either Christmas Eve or Christmas morning preceding services. Deadline for the January 2005 newsletter is Sunday, December 19. Department heads please plan to get your news in on time and with minimal prodding. Living Work & Donations Special Christmas Collection for two families from the Salvation Army s Adopt-a-Family and the Haven House are on-going. Collection storage boxes are located in the church hall with lists and flyers indicating needed items. After choosing items to donate to a family, please sign off on the sheet provided to avoid duplication of donations. Anyone interested in delivering either of the Adopt-a-family or Haven House collections, please speak to Leann Matta, coordinator. Enclosed Christmas Envelopes: Please use the two enclosed envelopes for your Christmas Flowers and special Christmas Offering donations to St. Andrew Church. Your donations help offset expenses pertaining to special services and beautification of the church temple. Please be generous. Also, don t forget to write your name and regular offering envelope number on each special envelope. Younkers Volunteers Step Up: Additional opportunities are available for volunteers to help raise funds for our church working at Younkers during the Christmas holiday season. Each volunteer earns $6.50 per hour for our church. Please sign up for any of the following dates on the sheet in the church hall. Contact Samir Matta with questions. Younkers Volunteer Shifts Sat. 12/4 Wed. 12/8 Sat. 12/11 Wed. 12/15 Sat. 12/18 Thur. 12/23 Sun. 12/26 2005 Offering Envelopes & Orthodox Wall Calendars will be available for pick-up Sunday, December 27, for all members of our parish. If you don t find your box of envelopes, please see Matushka Mary. Also, only ONE calendar per family, please. Support your parish as well you do for other charitable institutions. Use your envelopes as part of your ministry in Christ. House Blessings The Theophany of Christ Thursday, January, 6 th is Theophany, and as is tradition, Father Christopher will be available to bless homes beginning January 10 th, 2005. If you would like Father to bless your home, please fill in the form below and return it to: St. Andrew Orthodox Church 1216 Greencrest Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823 Name: Address: Phone : Desired Date of House Blessing: ( please give 2 possible dates) Date 1: Date 2: Time of Day: Directions to House:
Welcome Recent Visitors During November Home Blessing Church Departments Church Departments Nelly Todorova, a singer with Singers Of United Lands (SOUL) out of Albion College, joined our choir at the invitation of the Paripovic family. Nelly is in Michigan, from Bulgaria, for 8 months, singing with a quartet from 4 countries and visited Haslett & DeWitt Schools recently. Sadly, Nelly just learned from family in Bulgaria that her grandmother, Atanaska, passed away in mid-november. Please keep Nelly in your prayers and may Atanaska s memory be eternal! Joanne Kowalenok, visiting from Howell, was a former parishioner of St. Michael s in Redford, Michigan, along with Fr. Christopher & Matushka Sarah, (before Father was ordained). Sandra Fisher is the mother of our tireless Jr. FOCA leader, OCF contact & Church School teacher, Laura Fisher who is also planning her upcoming wedding in her spare time outside of work! Sandra was visiting from Dearborn and is lending a hand with arrangements. Christ, by entering the Jordan, sanctified it, and with it all creation. Material creation, once again, became very good, as it was in the beginning. The central sign of God s sanctification of all things through the Feast of Theophany is the act of blessing the homes of faithful Christians. The priest visits all members of the Church to pray with them in the place where they live, and to bless their surroundings with Holy Water. He asks God to have mercy on the house, to rid it of every evil, and to fill it with every blessing. Please remember when Father Christopher visits your home, turn off all TV s & radios; have everyone meet at your prayer corner or a table with an icon; be prepared spiritually to invite God through the Holy Spirit into your home as you lead Father through your home. Parish Council Fran Johnson, Chairman Current Business: Council members are reviewing the Meijer Community Rewards Program, which donates up to 4% of applicable purchases to non-profits, such as St. Andrew Church, of a customer s choice. A parish sign-up is forthcoming. The temple and rectory rooves have been completed, at a total cost of approximately $33,000. Half the cost of the rooves was paid when the work was completed, to be followed by 6 monthly payments for the remaining balance. This was the same company that did the work on our temple cupola. (submitted by Fran Johnson) The Parish Council wishes all parishioners Blessed Holidays! Church School Jennifer Beck, Coordinator Christmas Pageant/Yolka: The Yolka is set for Sunday, December 19, during social hour in the church hall. Please plan to have all children in church that Sunday. Parents, please remind your children to practice their speaking parts for the upcoming yolka. Rehearsals are scheduled a flyer was handed out in November for Sunday, December 12 at 5:00pm and Saturday, December 18, following 6:00pm vespers, both in the church hall. Please have all children there. Yolka musicians, please plan for a practice session Sunday, December 5, following social hour. You should also bring your music and instruments to the rehearsals mentioned above. Parents, please speak with Jennifer if you do not have costumes for your children or if you have costumes to share with other participants so that arrangements can be made to get all actors suited up. Fellow St. Andrew Parishioners: I would like to thank my church family, especially Fr. Christopher and the Church School students, for their many prayers for me in the last couple months. In September I was diagnosed with a very early form of breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and as best as they can tell,they got it all. I have had radiation treatments 5 days a week for the last 6 weeks. Next week will be my last week. I am sore, but am feeling fine and pretty much doing all my regular activities. It is faith that we share that binds us and holds us tight during these times. Again thank you so much for your prayers they make all the difference. God Bless, Cathy Estrada Choir Leann Matta, Director Choir rehearsals will no longer be held during Monday evenings, but rather following Sunday liturgy on an as-needed basis. Grounds & Maintenance...Scott Pierpont, Facilities Manager (no news submitted) Plan now to attend the Cookie Walk, held on December 11, from 10:00 am 1:00 pm in our church hall. Fill your home with sweets baked by our Sisters & Brothers in Christ. Classroom Snacks: Parishioners & parents, alike, please sign-up to provide snacks for our church school. The children come from liturgy directly to their classrooms and the time saved having snacks already available in the room is valuable instruction time. Please speak with Jennifer today. From the Mouths of Babes: Our church school children have provided us with Words of Wisdom concerning their current lessons studying God and prayer. Please look for these anecdotes located elsewhere in this newsletter. (submitted by Jennifer Beck) Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Church Calendar Җ Organizations of Fellowship Җ Brotherhood of St. George Scott Pierpont, President Younkers Fall 2004 Community Day Event Through the efforts of our church volunteers, we raised $310 in coupon sales. We hope to get approximately $500 from sale profits during the event. Special thanks to Scott Pierpont, Jack Stein and Matushka Sarah for assisting at the store. And special thanks to Denise Covell, Jack Stein, Cathy Estrada, Scott Pierpont, and John Johnson for selling coupons and everyone who purchased coupons. Also, a sheet is now available in the church hall to sign up volunteers to work during the Christmas holiday season. We are looking for 2 to 5 volunteers per listed days. Volunteers earn $6.50 per hour for our church. See the table listed under Living Work in this newsletter for work times. (submitted by Samir Matta) Jr. FOCA Youth Group Laura Fisher, Leader Christmas Stockings Thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas Stocking Project sponsored by our Jr. FOCA chapter. We raised over $150, thus far, which will be used to deliver Christmas gifts to over 35 children in Russian and Eastern Europe. Be sure to read all the names on the stockings displayed in the church hall and keep all in your prayers for a Blessed Nativity. (submitted by Laura Fisher) Humor & Aging Two Things Should That Go Together Professor Linda Keilman is a gerontology nurse practitioner who has researched the effects of humor as it relates to forestalling the aging process. She speaks about learning how to laugh. For example, Lord, so far I ve done alright. I haven t gossiped. I haven t lost my temper. I haven t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or overindulgent. I am grateful for that. But, in a few minutes, I m going to get out of bed, and from then on I m probably going to need a lot more help. Amen. Җ Organizations of Fellowship Җ Sisterhood of St. Helen Tsveta Lambo, President Cookie Walk Sweet Donations & Volunteers Needed The cookie walk will be on December 11 from 10am - 1pm; complimentary coffee will be served. Come early to get all your favorite holiday treats. Everyone who pledged to bake cookies should drop them off on Friday, December 10, from 10-6pm. Please have the name of the cookie attached to the box or container (main ingredients would be good too). We are looking for 300 dozen cookies to make this event a success. The cookies should be festive and fun, the kind that you wouldn't bake all the time. Please no drop cookies; these don't sell as well. Anyone who would like to help at this event, please see Matushka Sarah or Bianka Daly. (submitted by Matushka Sarah) MSU Concessions Wrap-up Our football season was another big success. We earned $2701.98 in commissions this season (with one less game than last season)! The Sisterhood earned $252.79 in ice cream commissions toward purchasing new vestments and altar cloths. (submitted by Barb Pierpont) Thanksgiving Gifts The Sisterhood donated $100 to the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) for worldwide aid and $92.50 to Volunteers of America to feed homeless people during Thanksgiving. (submitted by Matushka Mary) Orthodox christian Fellowship Laura Fisher, MSU Group Coordinator Meetings are open to students, young adults, and anyone interested in becoming involved including parishioners of St. Andrew Church wishing to reach out to our area college students. Please visit our website at www.msu.edu/~ocf to stay informed of upcoming events.
Words of Wisdom Following are anecdotes provided by our church school children, sharing their learned wisdom- I learned what the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit meant. And I learned what Amen meant. Anastasia You bow when you enter the alter, you pray, (during) lent, (and on) feast day. You stand during church (and) meals. You pray (in) church (and before) meals. Angela I leaarned that prayer is trying to get God. annonymous I learnd what we do dering pray like bowing standing. I also learnd that tipes of pray like thangiving and petitions and penitential. I also learned that you should speek the trouth. Ibtisam That Amen means so be it. Alaina I know that there are 3 different types of prayer. And there are different types of prayer too. It cleans and feeds (our) soul. Carlos I lerned that praying is inportint. Marissa 1.Pray to God; 2. Stand when pray; 3. pray when I go to bed, eat, in church; 4. nessicery to pray; 5. pray for thankgiving; 6. respet when you pray; 7. when pray you get riches; Anastasia I learned that you have to say Father Son Holly Spirt befor we say (our) pray. I also learned that Amen means so be it. Ibtisam Gifts for the True Holiday Season To spread the true Christmas Spirit, consider purchasing your loved ones an Orthodox book or item. This is a sample of books available in the church hall display case: Educational The Divine Liturgy for Children Orthodox Study Bible Children s Orthodox Prayer Book Children s Story Books The Abbot and I Daniel and the Lion The Blackbird s Nest The ABC s of My Church Adult Study Books The Desert Fathers On the Invocation of the Name of Jesus God s Human Face The Cruelty of Heresy The Orthodox Church Christ in the Psalms Compassion-A Reflection on the Christian Life Additional Possibilities Icons of Saints Prayer corner necessities Boxes of Christmas & everyday Icon note cards to greet your loved ones Speak to Matushka Sarah to view these or other items, order an item, and to make your purchase in time for Christmas. Another possibility for gift giving is the Russian merchandise displayed on a table in the church hall direct from Russia and for sale through the Sisterhood. Russian cookbook orders are also being taken for sale at $10. Speak with Tsveta Lambo if you are interested. For Your Consideration: Bishop Kallistos Ware s Orthodox Way is one of the best guides to take along on your journey of faith this season. Each chapter addresses key elements of the Christian experience of God s love in Christ as lived out by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Drawing on both ancient and modern authors, as well as his own scholarship, Bishop Kallistos seeks to answer such fundamental questions as: How do we know that God loves us? How do we nurture our relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit? What does it mean when we confess that Christ is our Savior? What does this mean for understanding ourselves as created in the image of the Trinity? What is heaven and hell? What is prayer and how do we pray? How is the Church the Body of Christ? These and many other topics are explored in detail. This book is VERY readable and can be used with our daily devotions as well. -submitted by Matthew Hubinger. Love those Christmas Cookies but don t have time to bake? The Sisterhood of Saint Helen would like to invite you to their 2nd annual cookie walk and bake sale. You ll find all your favorite ethnic treats, like nut rolls, gingerbread, decorated cookies, baklava, to name just a few, Time: 10am - 1pm Saint Andrew Orthodox Church 1216 Greencrest Ave East Lansing, MI 48823 Corner of Haslett and Hagadorn Date: Saturday, December 11, 2004