JANUARY FEBRUARY 2019

JANUARY FEBRUARY 2019 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Note from our Pastor s Pen Homily on the Nativity of the Lord, by St. John Chrysostom I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing! The Archangels blend their voices in harmony! The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise! The Seraphim exalt His glory! All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised. Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side the Sun of Justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, he had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things move in obedience to God. This day He Who Is, is Born; and He Who Is becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became he God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassibility, remaining unchanged. And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb. Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His Incarnation has he departed from the Godhead. And behold, Kings have come, that they might adore the heavenly King of glory; Soldiers, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven; Women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of childbirth into joy; Virgins, to the Son of the Virgin, beholding with joy, that He Who is the Giver of milk, Who has decreed that the fountains of the breast pour forth in ready streams, receives from a Virgin Mother the food of infancy; Infants, that they may adore Him Who became a little child, so that out of the mouth of infants and suck- Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church www.stsch.org 43404 30 th St West Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 945-1212 Rev. Father John Beal E-mail: frjohnbeal@stsch.org For confirmation or questions on any event, please contact sylvarobinson001 @gmail.com

P A G E 2 THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON lings, He might perfect praise; Children, to the Child Who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod; Men, to Him Who became man, that He might heal the miseries of His servants; Shepherds, to the Good Shepherd Who has laid down His life for His sheep; Priests, to Him Who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchisedech; Servants, to Him Who took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might bless our servitude with the reward of freedom; Fishermen, to Him Who from amongst fishermen chose catchers of men; Publicans, to Him Who from amongst them named a chosen Evangelist; Sinful women, to Him Who exposed His feet to the tears of the repentant; And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. Since therefore all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice. I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival. But I take my part, not plucking the harp, not shaking the Thyrsian staff, not with the music of pipes, nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ. For this is all my hope, this my life, this my salvation, this my pipe, this my harp. And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels, sing: Glory to God in the Highest; and with the shepherds: and on earth peace, His good will among men. Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the tree of life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit: If we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning! Prepare, indeed a place in all our homes, hearts and this holy temple for the Lord who comes in the flesh as a tender babe! Let us make our Orthodox parish a place where Christ's love manifests to all who come: the rich and the poor, the wise and the foolish! Let us commence the spiritual feast of the Lord's Nativity in awe of the Divine Child present in our midst; and we shall continue to celebrate without fail his Advent in the flesh throughout the cycle of feasts from Nativity, keeping festival on His Circumcision (January 1), Baptism (January 6) and Presentation in the Temple (February 2) celebrating the full 40 days of Christmas. By worshipping this way, in the Orthodox manner, we may be instructed in all the ways of the Lord who comes not in terrifying majesty but in humble vulnerability, the weakest of us all, a newborn babe, who grows in stature and strength as God-child to God-man. **Fr. John s Office Hours** Tuesdays Noon to 3:30 PM For appointments with Fr. John Beal Call 661-945-1212 Vespers 5: 30 PM Tuesdays Orthodox Faith Class 6:30 PM Tuesdays Fr. John Beal is also willing to meet with parishioners on other days, by appointment. Call 661-945-1212

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1 FELLOWSHIP HOUR SCHEDULE Date Event Sponsor Jan 1 No Coffee Hour Jan 6 Coffee Hour Ms. Valerie Popita Jan 13 Potluck Vasilopita Parish Jan 20 Coffee Hour Catalina Brunson Jan 27 Coffee Hour Nicole Golea Feb 3 Feb 10 Feb 17 Feb 24 Coffee Hour Coffee Hour Coffee Hour Coffee Hour Anyone interested in doing a memorial luncheon or interested in sponsoring a Fellowship Hour, may contact Helen Poulos, 661-618-8607(Cell). Yes, it is Helen Poulos! PAGE 3 JAN-FEB SPECIAL SERVICES & EVENTS Jan 01 Tue 9/10 AM St Basil New Year s Day Matins/Liturgy Jan 06 Sun 10 AM Theophany Liturgy -- Blessing of the Waters Jan 13 Sun end of Liturgy Installation of 2019 Parish Council. Vasilopita Potluck Feb 01 Fri 7 PM Meeting of the Lord Great Vespers The Orthodox Faith Class and vespers is cancelled Tuesday 01 Jan due to St Basil s and New Year s Day (Pastor, continued from page 2) Christ the infant shines in His majesty and glory His own from before He made the world to touch, to enter and dwell in our hearts, for who could spurn this wondrous and perfect child whose charms conquer every fear? Even the beasts of burden adore Him and warm His flesh with their sweet breath where He lies helpless in the manger. Christ's ineffable beauty as a newborn penetrates every human heart and remakes it as tender and compassionate: loving Him, being tamed by His meekness, we cannot despise our fellow men but recognize that this Child Jesus has created us for love. Let us be transformed in His Image and Likeness through our devotion alongside the Shepherds and Magi. For Christ the Divine Child has conquered the world with love! TEXT REMINDERS To receive text reminders of upcoming events, email your cell phone number to webmaster@stsch.org Καλά Χριστούγεννα! Merry Christmas! Fr. John

PAGE 4 THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON NOTICES Memorials A form is available on which you can notify Fr. John of your planned memorials. Please ask for the form at the candle stand. Use the baptismal names of those for whom the memorial is being offered. If possible, please submit the form at least one Sunday prior to the planned date. According to the rules of the Church memorials are not permitted: from the Saturday of Lazarus through Thomas Sunday. Also, memorials are not allowed on the Great Feast Days of the Lord and of the Theotokos. FEEDING THE HUNGRY Sts. Constantine & Helen has joined with Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church to collect toys, gloves, and socks to distribute at Saint Vincent de Paul on Saturday, December 22, 2018. A warm thank you to all who have brought in items for this occasion. Our months for 2019 are Jan, Feb, April, June, Aug and Oct. We serve from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. St. Vincent de Paul is located at 45058 Trevor Ave, Lancaster. Let us know you will be coming, your help is needed! Text Pamela at 661-350-7549. Memorials Memorial services offered In Nov-Dec 2018 A 5-year memorial was offered for John Tsobanakis A 40-day memorial was offered for the mother of Hind Qarmout: Radie 2019 PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS Elections for the 2019 Parish Council were held on 9 Dec 2018. The following were elected by the Members of our Parish: Mr. Bill Koukourikos and Mr. Philip Evola for a 3 year term from 2019-2021. Once the election is ratified by the Metropolis, the Parish Council will be installed on January 13th at the end of Divine Liturgy by Father John. As President of the 2018 Parish Council I would like to thank Father John and all the Members of the Council for their effort and dedication in serving the Lord and His Parish. May the Lord bless the 2019 Parish Council to faithfully serve His Holy Church in the Antelope Valley. Peter Bouras 2018 Parish Council President

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1 Miltos Leventis Memorial Scholarship Applications for the MLMS for 2019 are available to graduating seniors of our parish. Application deadline will be January 31, 2019. To be eligible to apply, a senior must have attended Divine Liturgy a minimum of twelve times during the 2018 calendar year and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The student s participation in extracurricular school and civic activities, along with participation in local Parish and Metropolis activities will be taken into consideration during the evaluation of the application. PAGE 5 A s You were baptized in the Jordan O Lord, then the worship of the Trinity became manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming You the Beloved Son; and the Sprit in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, glory to You. Schedule an appointment with Fr. John to come bless your home or business! Fr. John is available on Sundays following Divine Liturgy. To schedule an appointment call the Parish Office at 661-945-1212.

P A G E 6 THE ATELOPE VALLEY BEACON When we believe, stewardship follows. Stewardship is faith in action; action motivated by humble gratitude to God for His blessings in our life. Stewardship 2019 Let us joyfully offer to the Lord a portion of what He has given us. Renew your pledge for 2019 and drop it into the Stewardship Box in the Narthex Options for Giving 1) Give by cash or check by using the offering tray on Sundays. 2) Give by Bill Pay by signing up with your bank. 3) Give by stsch.org by using the parish website. Here is how... Click on the donate button on the banner at the top of our website, www.stsch.org This will take you to the Donate Page where you can choose the a) type of donation and the b) form of payment. The two forms of payment are by Credit Card or by your Paypal account. Stewardship Sunday January 27, 2019

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1 PAGE 7 THE SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE Register on line for Summer Camp www.gosfyouth.org Registration Dates Normal Registration (January 1 January 31 $525 Late Registration (February 1 May 31) $550 2019 Summer Camp Dates Session I: July 7 13 Session II: July 14 20 Session III: July 21 27 Every summer, hundreds of children and teenagers from throughout the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco gather for our summer camp program. The Orthodox Christian faith comes alive for young people as they develop lifelong friendships and memories that will last forever. Summer camp activities include: arts and crafts, faith and culture, athletics, swimming, canoeing, campfires, archery, hikes, daily worship services, a visit to the Monastery of the Theotokos the Lifegiving Spring, and Orthodox life discussions. Faith, Dance, Fellowship FDF in Ontario, CA Feb 14 17, 2019 Beginning Thursday night with the Opening Ceremony, and concluding Sunday evening with the Awards Show, FDF includes three days of Greek dance and choral competition, as well as non-competitive exhibition dance performances, with over 100 groups participating. Educational workshops about the Orthodox faith are offered to all attendees throughout the weekend. FDF s Diakonia Project a project designed to promote and encourage dance groups to perform charitable acts within their communities has also evolved into organizing an additional all-hands community service project on-site during FDF weekend. In addition, various entertainment options and activities fill the weekend, including concerts, glendia, guest speakers, musicians, comedians and kids events, all of which have helped encourage guests from around the world to come visit and partake in this fantastic weekend. A one day pass for any day may be purchased on line for $30.

P A G E 8 THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON Meeting (Presentation) of our Lord in the Temple Apolytikion 1st Mode O Lady full of grace, rejoice, Virgin Theotokos, for Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness has risen from you and He illumined those in darkness. And you, righteous Elder, be glad in heart, receiving in your embraces the One who liberates our souls and bestows on us the Resurrection Forty days after Christ was born He was presented to God at the Jerusalem Temple according to the Mosaic Law. At this time as well His mother Mary underwent the ritual purification and offered the sacrifices as prescribed in the Law. Thus, forty days after Christmas, on the second of February, the Church celebrates the feast called the Meeting (or Presentation or Reception) of the Lord. The meeting of Christ by the elder Simeon and the prophetess Anna (Lk 2.22 36) is the main event of the feast of Christ s presentation in the Temple. It was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord s Christ (Lk 2.26) and, inspired by the same Spirit, he came to the Temple where he met the new-born Messiah, took Him in his arms and said the words which are now chanted each evening at the end of the Orthodox Vespers service: Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of the revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel (Lk 2.29 32). At this time as well Simeon predicted that Jesus would be the sign which is spoken against and that He would cause the fall and the rising of many in Israel. He also foretold Mary s sufferings because of her son (Luke 22.34 35). Anna also was present and, giving thanks to God she spoke of Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Lk 2.38). In the service of the feast of the Meeting of the Lord, the fact emphasized is that Christ, the Son and Word of God through Whom the world was created, now is held as an infant in Simeon s hands; this same Son of God, the Giver of the Law, now Himself fulfills the Law, carried in arms as a human child. The celebration of the Meeting of the Lord in the church is not merely a historical commemoration. Inspired by the same Holy Spirit as Simeon, and led by the same Spirit into the Church of the Messiah, the members of the Church also can claim their own meeting with the Lord, and so also can witness that they too can depart in peace since their eyes have seen the salvation of God in the person of his Christ. It is customary in many churches to bless candles on the feast of the Meeting of the Lord. We will be celebrating the Feast, with Great Vespers Friday Feb 1st at 7PM

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1 PAGE 9 SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN 2019 STEWARDSHIP HONOR ROLL Agnew, Bouras, Ms. Mr. Jenny and Mrs. Peter Agnew. Brunson, Ms. Mr. Julie and Mrs. Jim Anderson, Poulos, Ms. Mr. Helen and Mrs. David Astrinakis, Robinson, Mrs. Fotini Sylva Benveniste, Mrs. Stefania Benveniste, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Bonorris, Mrs. Josie Bouras, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brunson, Mr. and Mrs. James Christou, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Chryssostomides, Mr. and Mrs. Pandelis Dracopoulos, Mr. and Mrs. George Drimakis, Mr. and Mrs. Costas Eliopulos, Mrs. Georgia Evola, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Golea, Mrs. Nicole Goutsos, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Grado-Berona, Mrs. Georgia Grado, Mrs. Elaine Haddad, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Harris, Mr. Thomas Hartman, Ms. Beth Hendrickson, Mrs. Lee Homsy, Mr. John We are glad that you are part of this Parish. Your stewardship is offered out of your love for God and His Church. Hutchison, Mr. and Mrs. Michael It is a New Year and we need a new pledge for 2019. Without your commitment on a stewardship card, we cannot properly fund our Church ministries or plan for the financial obligations of the Parish. Thank you for assisting the parish by your timely response. Stewardship Sunday is January 27, 2019

TIME DATED MATERIAL Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 43404 30th Street West Lancaster, California 93536 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church The Antelope Valley Beacon JAN-FEB 2019 Holy Theophany