C o m m u n i t y B u l l e t i n SUNDAY SERVICES 8:15 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy PARAKLESIS Every Tuesday at 10 a.m., except Dec. 22 nd, Dec. 29 th, & Jan. 2 nd OTHER SERVICES DECEMBER 25 TH TO JANUARY 30 TH Fri. Dec. 25, 9:00 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy - Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ Fri. Jan. 1, 9:00 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy - Circumcision of Our Lord, St. Basil the Great Tues. Jan. 5, 6:00 p.m. Vesperal Liturgy - Eve of Epiphany Wed. Jan. 6, 9:00 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy - Theophany Thur. Jan. 7, 9:00 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy - St. John the Baptist Mon. Jan. 18, 9:00 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy - Sts. Athanasios & Cyril of Alexandria Sat. Jan. 30, 9:00 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy - Three Hierarchs IN THIS MAILING: January Calendar Service & Activity Schedule through the Twelve Days of Christmas Feast Day of St. Basil the Great Godparent Sunday Community Brunch Queen City Holiday Glendi Youth Ministry News Adult Religious Education Epiphany Services Town Hall Meeting Donation Center DECEMBER 2015 Metropolis Family Life News OCMC 2016 Mission Trips Philoptochos News Philoptochos Membership Tea ST. NEKTARIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 5108 KUYKENDALL RD. CHARLOTTE, NC 28270 WWW.STNEKTARIOS.ORG PH: 704-708-4669 Holiday Hours The office will be open Thursday, December 24, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The office will close at 12:00 p.m. The office building will be CLOSED Friday, December 25, in observance of the Nativity of our Lord. The office will be open Thursday, December 31, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The office will close at 1:00 p.m. The office building will be CLOSED Friday, January 1, in observance of New Years Day. College Students Fr. Steve invites all college students on their Christmas break to join him for breakfast on Friday, Dec. 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Stacks Restaurant in Matthews. Reservations are required. Please kindly reply to the church office by Mon., Dec. 21 if you can attend. Holiday Glendi -- High School students through recent college graduates, come join your friends for a casual get-together one more time before going back to school, Saturday, Jan. 2 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall for good food, fellowship, music and dancing. Hosted for our youth by the GOYANS GONE GRAY ministry. YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY (YAM) Everyone enjoy the holidays. Watch your email and Community Announcements for upcoming YAM events. Young at Heart for our over 55 members The next meeting will be a luncheon on Thursday, January 14, 1:00 p.m. The organizing committee will be your hosts. Second Trays Periodically, we pass a second tray on Sundays to support those causes beyond St. Nektarios. In January, we have one opportunity to offer our assistance: On Sunday, January 3 rd, the second tray will be for St. Basil s Academy Better Late than Never Book Club The January meeting of Book Club will be on Tuesday, January 26 at 7:30 pm at the Starbucks on Rea Rd., in the Trader Joe s shopping center. We will be discussing Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The group is always welcoming new members. For more information, please contact Maria Demakis at maria_p29@hotmail.com. 2015 Tax Donations Please be reminded that your offerings must be received by the church or mailed and postmarked December 31, 2015 in order for your offering to be tax deductible in 2016. Contact Evelyn or Madalina in the office if you have any questions. Stock donations can also be accepted by December 31, 2015. Please be reminded that it helps the financial management of the parish for donations to be offered as soon as possible before the year end. New Years Day - January 1, 2016 Some say, the way you start the year sets the tone for the rest of the year. What better way to start off the New Year than to come to church. Matins begins at 9:00 a.m. followed by Divine Liturgy. The Ladies Philoptochos will have their annual Cutting of the Vasilopita. The service will be followed by a New Year s Day Brunch. 2016 HOUSE BLESSINGS Father John will be available for house blessings starting in January. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, you may take some Holy Water and a prayer card home to bless it yourself. Remember, it s the same water, the same prayer and the same blessing. Beyond St. Nektarios 34th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, Friday, February 5 Sunday, February 7. Anniversary activities include: Friday 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers & 7:00 p.m. St. Augustine Cantorae Sacred Music Concert Saturday 8:30 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy, 11:30 a.m. St. Photios Trustees Luncheon followed by annual meeting, & 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Sunday 9:00 a.m. Ecclesiastical Services & 1:00 p.m. 34th Anniversary Pilgrimage Banquet & Wine Raffle, keynote address by Fr. Christopher Metropulos, President of Hellenic College Holy Cross Daughters of Penelope Tea Queen of Hearts High Tea and Fashion Show, Saturday, February 20, 2:00 p.m. at the Carmel Country Club - if you would like to be part of the St. Nektarios group, contact Bessie Vrettos, bvrettos1951@gmail.com. Visit by Metropolis Ierokyrix Very Reverend Father Christodoulos Papadeas will be visiting St. Nektarios on January 8 to 11. He will be available to offer the Sacrament of Confession. Please contact the office after the 1st of January to make your appointment.. Fr. Papadeas is our Metropolis traveling pastor and is available to offer our parish priests support in spiritual growth and ministry.
Beyond Sunday Liturgies through the 12 Days of Christmas Services, Programs & Activities Thur. Dec. 10 Young at Heart Christmas Dinner Sat. Dec. 12 6:00 p.m. Opera Carolina Presents Christmas at St. Nektarios Tues. Dec. 15 7:00 p.m. YAM Christmas Party and Charity Collection at Leroy Fox Sun. Dec. 20 Youth Presentation of the Icon of the Nativity after Liturgy Thur. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. Vesperal Liturgy Service Fri. Dec. 25 The Nativity of our Lord 9:00 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy Sat. Dec. 26 10:00 a.m. College Student Breakfast with Fr. Steve at Stacks Restaurant Fri. Jan 1 9:00 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy - Feast Day of St. Basil; Vasilopita Cutting & Feast Day Reception Sat. Jan. 2 7:30 p.m. College Student Christmas Break Queen City Holiday Glendi Sun. Jan. 3 Godparent Sunday; 8:15 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy; with the Godparent Affirmation Service & Brunch Tues. Jan. 5 6:00 p.m. Eve of Epiphany Evening Liturgy; Agiasmo Service/Blessing of the Water Wed. Jan. 6 9:00 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy -- Theophany; Agiasmo Service/Blessing of the Water Thur. Jan. 7 9:00 a.m. Matins; 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy -- St. John the Baptist
Godparent Sunday Community Brunch January 3, 2016 A special day of worship for Godparents and their Godchildren in honor of the upcoming Epiphany Celebration With a brief Godparent Affirmation Service A Special Community Brunch Buffet follows the Divine Liturgy ($8 per adult/$4 per child)
SENIOR BOYS 7th Grade Girls 7th grade Boys 9th Grade Boys Sun, Jan 3, 3pm Sat, Jan 9; 10am Sat, Jan 2; 5pm Sun,, Jan 3, 1PM @ Char. Cath. High @ St. Matthew @ St. Matthew @ St. Matthew
A D U L T R E L I G I O U S E D U C A T I O N Winter/Spring Session No Classes during Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany holidays Epiphany Services Sunday Points Well-Made -- offered by Fr. Seraphim, generally weekly, resumes January 3rd at a new time, following the Epistle reading. Tuesday Morning Journey through the Scriptures -- led by Fr. John, resumes Jan. 12th at 10:30 a.m. following the Paraklesis service. Weekly except on Feb. 2nd and 9th and ends on Mar. 1st. Tuesday Evening Islam and the Koran -- led by Fr. Steve at 7 p.m.; six week session begins Jan. 12th to Feb. 16th. Wednesday Sunrise Scripture Study -- led by Fr. John at 7 a.m.; resumes Jan. 13th, weekly except Feb 3rd and 10th, and ends Mar. 2nd Wednesday Evening History of the Church & Faith -- led by Gerry Clonaris at 7 p.m.; weekly sessions meet Jan. 13th & 27th and Feb. 3rd to 17th Special Presentations -- Offered periodically with special speakers and seasonally timed themes; to be announced Sun. Jan. 3 Tues. Jan. 5 Wed. Jan. 6 Thur. Jan. 7 Godparent Sunday; 8:15 a.m. Matins & Divine Liturgy; with the Godparent Affirmation Service & Brunch 6:00 p.m. Eve of Epiphany Evening Liturgy; Agiasmo Service/Blessing of the Water 9:00 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy -- Theophany; Agiasmo Service/Blessing of the Water 9:00 a.m. Matins; 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy -- St. John the Baptist Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7
DONATION CENTER Now Accepting Food for Matthews HeLP Center Most Urgent need is for: Canned beans- pinto, kidney, black, navy Canned veggies- mixed, corn, peas, carrots, green beans Hamburger/Tuna/ Chicken Helper Canned chicken Instant mashed potatoes Pork and beans Jelly Instant grits Hearty soups Located in Spiritual Life Center Lower Level Elevator Lobby Donate Prom Dresses by January 10 th Southminster Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, NC will be hosting on Valentine s Day, February 12 th This special event provides a prom experience for people with special needs, ages 16+. More than 125 churches in 41 states and 7 countries, including Kenya, will be hosting proms this year. Your help is needed to provide prom or formal dresses, sizes 0-16, for the ladies attending. Bring your dresses to the Donation Center located in the lower level lobby of the Spiritual Life, across from the elevator.
Helping Orthodox families live Christ-centered lives with updated blogs, family retreats, and teaching materials. Albania Open Mission Teams Current Mission Team opportunities available through OCMC are listed below. Airfare not included in Team costs. Team members must travel on scheduled dates; air travel to be coordinated with OCMC; ground transportation will be provided. Team members are encouraged to raise additional funds to cover the cost of domestic and international travel. To learn more or sign-up for a Mission Team go to: http://www.ocmc.org/about/ Kenya 3/19/2016 to 3/27/2016 Teaching 8/10/2016 to 8/22/2016 Youth Work 5/23/2016 to 6/10/2016 Outreach 8/10/2016 to 8/22/2016 Youth Work 6/7/2016 to 6/20/2016 Youth Work Mexico 8/26/2016 to 9/5/2016 Teaching 3/26/2016 to 4/2/2016 Teaching 10/25/2016 to 11/5/2016 Teaching Uganda Guatemala 5/9/2016 to 5/21/2016 Healthcare 4/8/2016 to 4/17/2016 Healthcare United States 6/15/2016 to 6/28/2016 Youth Work 7/1/2016 to 7/11/2016 Youth Work 8/26/2016 to 9/4/2016 Healthcare 7/7/2016 to 7/21/2016 Construction Indonesia 7/20/2016 to 7/30/2016 Youth Work 5/9/2016 to 5/21/2016 Healthcare 7/27/2016 to 8/5/2016 Youth Work 6/28/2016 to 7/11/2016 Teaching 6/28/2016 to 7/11/2016 Teaching
December 2015 Upcoming Events Sunday, December 27 Vasilopita & Pastries Sales during Fellowship Coffee Hour Friday, January 1 Vasilopita Cutting following the Divine Liturgy Sunday, January 3 Passing Second Tray for St. Basil Academy Sunday, January 24 Board Meeting Budget workshop (tent.) Sunday, January 31 Membership Tea see flyer for details Thursday, February 18 or 25 (tent) Health Fair details to follow Saturday, March 26 Lenten Service Project Sunday, April 24 Palm Sunday Luncheon Tuesday, May 24 End of the Year Picnic For your convenience, you may make your offering on our website at www.stnektarios.org. Click on Online Giving.