St. John Greek Orthodox Church Sterling Heights, Michigan Phone: 586-977-6080/Emergency 586-530-2747 Web site: www.stjohngoc.net/ Email: parish@stjohngoc.net Parish Priest: Father Nicholas Kyritses February 24 th ~Sunday of the Prodigal Son Holy Communion can be received only by those who have been baptized according to the rites of the Greek Orthodox Church and are spiritually prepared through prayers, fasting, and almsgiving! Epistle Reading: II Corinthians 4:6-15 Not in Book Gospel Reading: Luke 15:11-32 Page 130 Today at St. John 9:00am Orthros ~ 10:00am Divine Liturgy Opportunities for the Week Monday, February 25 Basketball Practice for kids of all ages 6:30pm at Joe Dumars Tuesday, February 26 Greek School 4:30 pm / Adult Greek School 6:30pm Wednesday, February 27 Paraklesis- Supplication Service & Lecture by Dr. Strubakos 7:00pm Thursday, February 28 Greek School 4:30 pm / Adult Greek School 6:30pm Saturday, March 2 1 st Saturday of Soul Divine Liturgy 9:30am Names of your deceased to be commemorated Prosfora (Bread), Nama (Sweet Wine), Koliva Fill out your 2019 Stewardship form, or visit our website https://stjohngoc.wufoo.com/forms/w1sanvr50ndkzip/
Sunday of the Prodigal Son This Sunday the theme of repentance continues to be developed. Repentance remains fruitless without the desire and decision to change life, to go back to God where we truly belong. So, the theme which is central to this Sunday is the return to the Father. It is set out in Gospel reading during the Divine Liturgy and is the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-31). This parable is perhaps the best known and the most familiar one. One the most touching points of this parable is the moment when the young son comes in himself and says: I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, father I have sinned against heaven and before you... These words are a deeply moving expression of repentance. The son s decision, I will arise and go to my father is a vigorous action, it is an action of will. He repents and he goes back to the father. He sets in front of us an example of return to the Father, to God. Another central figure in this parable is the Father, who unselfishly and freely expresses his tenderness and love. He loves so much that he waits, keeps watching for the return of the Prodigal Son. And when he sees him, still far off, he runs out to meet his child, falls on his neck and kisses him warmly. So, God accepts us when we return to Him! He does not simply restore a repentant sinner to the grace he might have possessed before, but He bestows on him the greatest grace he could receive, a maximum of grace. We can also look at the role played by the third person, the elder brother. In the parable, the elder son shows that he is jealous of his brother. He is annoyed that forgiveness should be granted so generously and refuses to take part in the rejoicing. But this is just the opposite of what actually takes place when a sinner returns. Vespers and Matins for this Sunday contain hymns which are comments on the teaching of this parable. Here is one: I have wasted the wealth which the Father gave to me, and in my wretchedness I have fed with the dumb beasts and being hungry, desired their food.that is why I shall go back to my father, crying and saying to him: receive me as a hired servant, who kneels before Your love for men.compassionate Savior, take pity on me, cleanse me.and give me once more the finest robe in Your Kingdom. PLEASE TAKE YOUR 2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES. If you do not see your name on an envelope box but would like to have offering envelopes, please contact the church office 586-977-6080.
March 3, 2019 Macaronatha March 24, 2019 Godparents Sunday March 26, 2019 Rise Against Hunger May 10, 2019 St. John Reverse Raffle Dinner August 19, 2019 14 th Annual St. John Golf Outing Introducing the Orthodox Church Classes at St. John Greek Orthodox Church By: Christos Strubakos, PhD Every Wednesday evening following Paraklesis service. Service at 7:00pm, lecture immediately following. January 16: The Sacraments: Baptism and Chrismation January 23: The Divine Liturgy Part 1: Preparatory Service January 30: The Divine Liturgy Part 2: What the actions and symbol mean February 6: The Sacraments: Marriage and Ordination February 13: The Sacraments: Unction and Confession February 20: What we believe about the Old Testament: Salvation and Prophesies February 27: What we believe about the New Testament March 6: What we believe about prayer *Note: The Lenten discussion topics will be released in the February Dear Friends IONIAN VILLAGE- METROPOLIS SUMMER CAMP-CROSS ROAD St. John Parish will offer: $2000 to each Goyan who will participate in the IONIAN VILLAGE program in the summer of 2019. Half of the Tuition of St. John boys and girls who will participate in the SUMMER CAMP of our Metropolis. Half of the expenses (travel and tuition) of St. John boys and girls who will participate in the CROSS ROAD program of our Archdiocese. All the parents of the participants must be members in good standing of St. John Greek Orthodox Church of Sterling Heights for the years 2018(at least $200 per individual or $350 per family) and 2019(at least $350 per individual or $700 per family, less than $1 per day).
Saturday of Souls- MARCH 1 st, 9 th and 16 th DIVINE LITURGY AND MEMORIAL SERVICE AT 9:30AM Soul Saturdays are a series of Saturdays set aside in the liturgical calendar of Eastern and Greek Orthodox Churches for the remembrance of those who have died. These days occur on designated Saturdays before and during the seasons of LENT and EASTER: the first two are observed on the two Saturdays before Lent begins, the third Saturday of Souls coincides with the first Saturday of Lent, and the forth Soul Saturday takes place on the Saturday before PENTECOST, the close of the Easter season. Saturday holds special significance in the religious calendar as the day on which the crucified Jesus lay dead in the tomb before his resurrection. On each Soul Saturday a special service is held where prayers are offered in memory of those who have died and a list of the names of the dead is recited. Participants attending the services prepare kollyva, a dish made of sweetened, boiled wheat kernels, raisins, almonds, and pomegranate seeds that is traditionally associated with funerals and memorial services in Greece and Eastern Europe. In addition to attending religious services, participants often visit the graves of departed family members on Soul Saturdays, to clean and decorate the burial sites. See you all in Church to pray for our beloved ones who have left this temporal world. NAMES TO BE COMMEMORATED CHECK On Saturday March 1 st (.), 9 th (.), 16 th (.)
SAINT JOHN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH STERLING HEIGHTS MICHIGAN What is Stewardship? Stewardship is the management of the gifts bestowed upon us by God. These gifts are time, talent and treasure. It is through these gifts we are brought closer together as a Church and as a community. What is a Steward? A steward is a member of our St. John community that volunteers their time, talent and treasure. How can I volunteer my time and talent? Our St. John community offers many ministries! To find out more and volunteer, contact the church office. How much treasure should I give? This is a personal decision. Every year we should look at our finances and determine how much we should give back to God. These funds are used for the daily usage of the church and for funding our ministries. TO BE A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING AT ST. JOHN, the suggested minimum Stewardship for an individual is $350 per year ( less than $1 per day) or for a family $700 per year (less than $1 per day for the husband and the wife) PLEASE USE YOUR CREDIT CARD OR YOUR WEEKLY OFFERING ENVELOPES St. John S 2019 BUDGEt is $410.000. It costs around $1,125 a day to run our church. Name: Spouse Name: Orthodox Christian: Y or N Orthodox Christian: Y or N Date of birth: Date of birth: Email: Email: Home Phone: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Cell Phone: Address: Address: City, State, Zip: City, State, Zip: Child 1: Orthodox Christian: Y or N Cell: DOB: Child 2: Orthodox Christian: Y or N Cell: DOB: Child 3: Orthodox Christian: Y or N Cell: DOB: Child 4: Orthodox Christian: Y or N Cell: DOB: Child 5: Orthodox Christian: Y or N Cell: DOB: In gratitude for God s blessings, I/We commit to Christ and His Church the following amount: $-----------/day $ /week $ /month $ /year Credit Card (Visa/Master Card): Exp: CSV: Name:_ Signature: Date: Visit http://www.stjohngoc.net/stewardship1.html to register as a Steward or turn this form into our church office.
Join us for the Annual ST. JOHN PHILOPTOCHOS MACARONATHA Sunday, March 3, 2019 St. John Community Center 11455 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI Please Reserve & Purchase Tickets by February 24, 2019 Adults: $25 Students (under 18): $15 Children Under 5: Free Doors Open at 5:00 p.m. - Dinner at 6:00 p.m. *Basket Raffle with proceeds going to Friends of Foster Kids* DJ S-Chilly & Dio Reservations: Church Office-586-977-6080, Georgia Mansell 586-260-4532, geemansell@comcast.net, or parish@stjohngoc.net Please list names and put a check(x) under either Adult, Student, or Child under 5 Also please list seating request (will do our best to accommodate) (table of 8 maximum) Name Adult - Student - Under 5 Seating Request Free
St. John Greek Orthodox Church Macaronatha Donation List 6 cases Chicken $75.00 each Total $750.00 John & Kiki Hanjiantoniou John & Kiki Hanjiantoniou Meatballs $50.00 each Total $200.00 Fr. Nick Fr. Nick Hatzis Family Hatzis Family Vegetables $50.00 each Total $200.00 T. Pozios Nick Prantzalos John & Kiki Hanjiantoniou Feta Cheese $25.00 each Total $150.00 Anonymous Nick & Erin Papakonstantinou Nick & Erin Papakonstantinou Guastella Family Nick & Erin Papakonstantinou Nick & Erin Papakonstantinou Vegetable Oil & Spices $50.00 each Total $150.00 Ted & Mary Tangalos Ted & Mary Tangalos Ted & Mary Tangalos Bread Rolls w/butter ($200.00) $50.00 each Total $200.00 Boosalis Family Boosalis Family Pasta Sauce $50.00 each Total $200.00 G. Demetriou G. Demetriou G. Demetriou G. Demetriou Tomatoes (3cases) $25.00 each Total 75.00 J. Floros Matthew Vasilakis Spiro, Maria & Elena Vasilakis Pasta $20.00 each Total $200.00 Makrides Family Makrides Family Makrides Family Makrides Family Makrides Family Efstathiou Family Efstathiou Family Efstathiou Family Efstathiou Family Efstathiou Family Iceberg and Spring Mix Lettuce $35.00 each Total $350.00 A.Ioannou A. Mantas E. Kalliantasis J. Floros Greek Dressing $25.00 each Total 100.00 Mike & Joyce Aho Mike & Joyce Aho Mike & Joyce Aho Mike & Joyce Aho Pop $75.00 each Total $300.00 DJ $100.00 each Total $600.00 Wait Staff/Cleaning $100.00 each Total $1000.00 Steve & Angela Kotsonis Steve & Angela Kotsonis Basket Raffle items $50 each Total $250 Basket Raffle items $75 each Total $375 G. Mansell
ORDER OF AHEPA DISTRICT #10 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association January 3 rd, 2019 TO: Michigan Parish Priests Sunday School Teachers Greek Orthodox Young Adults (GOYA) Sponsors The Order of AHEPA District #10 Educational Foundation will be awarding educational scholarships to high school students who are graduating in June 2019. In addition, the Foundation will also be awarding scholarships, to current college students. It is extremely important that applicants review the individual application requirements in advance to qualify for these scholarships. You will find our NEW REVISED 2019 high school graduate scholarship application as well as the new revised 2019 college student scholarship application at the website www.ahepadistrict10.org/educational-foundation. The revised forms can be filled out in a computer (fillable PDF) and are designed to streamline the scholarship application process. A checklist at the end of each application assists applicants in better organizing their efforts to apply. Scholarship applications can be downloaded at: www.ahepadistrict10.org/educationalfoundation Make sure you discard any applications that do not say 2019 on the cover sheet. Submitted applications using older application forms will not be considered. It is the responsibility of each applicant to submit the entire completed application so it is received, by APRIL 1 ST, 5:00pm Eastern Time in order to be considered for an award. Please make sure to advise all students to contact the Executive Secretary of the Educational Foundation, by telephone, 248-689-4156, to confirm that their application was received on time. Sincerely, Milton A. Gust Executive Secretary Order of AHEPA District #10 Educational Foundation Email: imgust@yahoo.com Telephone: 248.689.4156 cc George Mortis Chairman AHEPA Distrisct#10 Educational Foundation
2019 MICHIGAN AREA GOYA LENTEN RETREAT All GOYANS are invited to join us for a day of wonderful discussions activities, Lenten meals, and service. Workshops will be offered for adults, as well. This event is FREE, but all must register online! SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2019 11:30AM - 7:00PM Holy Trinity Cathedral - 740 N. Superior Street - Toledo, OH YOUTH AND CHAPERONES MUST REGISTER BY MARCH 11, 2019 WWW.DETROIT.GOARCH.ORG/MIGOYA