Sunday Bulletin January 1, 2017 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 13555 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas 75240 Office 972-991-1166 Fax 972-661-1717 www.holytrinitydallas.org Reverend Father Christopher Constantinides Reverend Father Peter Kostakis Reverend Father John Essa Reverend Deacon Mark Pakes Reverend Deacon Athanasios Clint Sharpley Reverend Deacon Christopher Stern
COMMUNION ETIQUETTE If you are either baptized and or confirmed as an Orthodox Christian and have spiritually prepared to receive Holy Communion, please come up from the middle aisle of the Church with reverence and humility, row by row, in a QUIET and ORDERLY fashion, and depart as directed. Please remain seated in your pews until a council member indicates your row should go forward. If you are standing in the back of the nave, please wait until all seated parishioners have gone forward and a council member indicates you should go ahead. In receiving Communion, you should place the cloth under your chin, recite your CHRISTIAN NAME, and wipe your mouth after receiving. Women, please remove your lipstick prior to receiving Communion. THANK YOU! PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN Brandon Bell, USAF Michael Bocan-Collins, PO1 US Navy 1st Lt. Thomas C. Bouras, US Army Nicholas Patitsas, 1st Lt., US Marine Corps Haylie Marie Pike, US Navy Stephen Serniak, Major, USAF Space Command We are currently updating the list of active service members. Please submit the name of the person/s you would like added to this prayer list. 972-991-1166 or vwells@holytrinitydallas.org PRAYERS FOR HEALING 2
Sunday, Janary, 20 7 Hymns at the Small Entrance HYMN OF THE LORD S CIRCUMCISION, 1 ST TONE Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly receivest circumcision in the flesh, that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away the veil of our sinful passions. Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. Glory be to Thy compassion. Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension. PRIEST ENTRANCE HYMN, 2 ND TONE Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us O Son of God, who did arise from the dead. We sing to You, alleluia! RESURRECTIONAL HYMN, 3 RD TONE GREEN BOOK PAGE 83 LET ALL THINGS REJOICE HYMN OF THE LORD S CIRCUMCISION, 1 ST TONE Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly receivest circumcision in the flesh, that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away the veil of our sinful passions. Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. Glory be to Thy compassion. Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension. HYMN OF ST. BASIL, 1 ST TONE Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy. HYMN OF THE CHURCH, PLAGAL 4 TH TONE GREEN BOOK, PAGE 115, O BLESSED ARE YOU KONTAKION OF THE LORD S CIRCUMCISION, 3 RD TONE (Η παρθένος σήμερον) Now the Lord of all that is* doth undergo circumcision*, in His goodness cutting off* the sins and failings of mortals*. He this day* doth give salvation unto the whole world*; and the hierarch and bright daystar of the Creator* now rejoiceth in the highest,* Basil the wise* and divine initiate of Christ. 3
Epistle Reading St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 2:8-12 BRETHREN, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Gospel Reading Luke 2:20-21, 40-52 At that time, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. 4
Daily Commemoration of Saints Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 3 Jan. 4 Jan. 5 Jan. 6 Jan. 7 Circumcision of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia; Gregory, Bishop of Nanzianzos, Father of Gregory the Theologian; Peter the New Martyr of the Peloponnesos; Theodotos the Martyr; Fulgentius, Bishop of Ruspe; Emmelia, Mother of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Makrina, and Peter of Sebaste; Telemachos the Martyr; Righteous Theodosios of Triglia Cosmas, Archbishop of Constantinople; Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Sylvester, Pope of Rome; Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov; Juliana the Righteous; Theagenes the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Parios; Theopemptos; Theodota, the Mother of the Holy Anargyroi; Righteous Mark the Deaf; Basil the Martyr of Ankyra; Sergios; Theopistos the Martyr; George the New Martyr of Georgia; Nilos the Sanctified; Sylvester of the Kiev Caves Malachi the Prophet; Gordios the Martyr of Caesarea; Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Righteous Genevieve of Paris; Righteous Peter of Atroas; Righteous Akakios the Wonderworker; Righteous Thomais of Lesbos Synaxis of the 70 Holy Apostles; Our Righteous Father Theoctistus, Abbot of Cucomo in Sicily; Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Zosimos the Monk and Athanasios the Notary; Righteous Apollinaria the Senator; Martyrs Chrysanthos and Euphemia; Righteous Euthymios the Younger; New Martyr Onuphrios; Righteous Euthymios of Vatopedi; Righteous John Scholarios; Eustathios Archbishop of Serbia; Nikephoros the Leper Eve of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas; Righteous Syncletike of Alexandria; Apollinaria of Egypt; Gregory of Akrita The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Theophan the Recluse Synaxis of John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, & Forerunner; Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Cedd, Bishop of Scotland; Fursey, Abbot of Lagny 5
Calendar of Events Sunday, Jan. 1 Circumcision of our Lord & Feast of St. Basil 8:15 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (S) NO CLASSES TODAY 11:30 a.m. St. Basil s Day Celebration (A,D,O) Monday, Jan. 2 OFFICE CLOSED 5:30-7 p.m. GOYA Jr. Girls B ball Practice (Gym) Tuesday, Jan. 3 1:30-3:30 p.m. Pickleball (Gym) 2:30 p.m. Austin Street Cooking (K) 5-6:30 p.m. NO Greek School (GS Rooms) 5:30 p.m. Austin St. Volunteers leave church 7-8 p.m. Adult Evening Bible Study (BR) 7-8:30 p.m. NO Adult HT Greek School (GS Room) Wednesday, Jan. 4 2-5:45 p.m. Holy Trinity Bookstore OPEN 5-6:30 p.m. NO Greek School (GS Rooms) 6 p.m. Paraklesis (C) 7 p.m. Faith Enrichment (BR) 7 p.m. Metropolis Tournament Meeting (A) 7-9 p.m. B ball Practice Sr. Boys (Gym) Thursday, Jan. 5 Eve of Theophany (S) 8:30 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy & Blessing of the Waters 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adult Bible Study (BR) 5-6:30 p.m. NO Greek School (GS Rooms) 7 p.m. Men s Basketball (Gym) 7 p.m. Philoptochos Board Meeting (BR) 7:30 p.m. GOYA Board Mtg. (A) 6
Friday, Jan. 6 Feast of Theophany (S) 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy & Great Blessing of the Waters Saturday, Jan. 7 Feast of St. John the Baptist (C) 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 5 p.m. Great Vespers (C) Sunday, Jan. 8 8:15 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (S) 40 Day Memorial for Melissa Argero Jones Swearing in of new Parish Council Members. Catechetical School (Community Center) and Adult Catechetical School (Chapel) after Holy Communion. Vasilopita Celebration (Community Center) immediately following Divine Liturgy. 4:30-8:15 p.m. GOYA B ball Practice Sr Girls 4:30 pm; Jr Boys 6 pm; Jr Girls 7pm Parish Council Schedule January 1 Tasos Kaiafas, Wade Stephens, Alin Voicu, Mary Ann Trapalis, Fotis Papanicolaou, Mary LeBrecht January 8 Jim Dolmas, Dimitri Tsevoukas, Nick Cimino, Jimmy Horiates, Louis Antos, Ellena Fox 7
MANY THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL PARISHONERS WHO DONATED TO OUR LITTLE LAMB PROJECT 2015. BECAUSE OF YOU, MANY CHILDREN WERE BLESSED WITH ACCESSORIES THAT PROVIDED PROTECTION & WARMTH THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS. AS IN 2015, OUR PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE NEW GLOVES, MITTENS, HATS, SCARVES, COATS, SWEATERS, & BOOTS FOR CHILDREN AGES UP TO 12 YEARS THERE ARE LARGE COLORFUL BOXES IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS! For more information, please contact: HELLEN J SMITH A MILLION THANKS! 8
St. BaSil S annual new Year S DaY Celebration/Brunch Everyone is invited to attend the St. Basil Fellowship's annual celebration in the Arthur L. Sarris Community Center immediately following Divine Liturgy TODAY, the first day of the new year, Sunday, January 1, 2017. Our fellowship is honored to host you, your family, friends and anyone visiting our parish that day. If you are new to the community and have someone in your family named after our patron saint, St. Basil, please contact Bill Karahal at 972-931-3230, bkarahal@aol.com or Basil P. Xeros, 972-991-1166, bexeros@att.net. It would be an honor to have you or your family member become a new fellowship member. There are no membership dues. 9
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Weekly Bulletin 2016 Stewardship Report as of 12/28/16 Contributions received 1/1/16 to 12/28/16 2016 Stewardship Pledges Number of Pledges $ 2016 Pledges No Change to Pledge 342 $417,109 Decreased Pledge 141 $157,929 Increased Pledge 210 $313,553 New Pledges 63 $35,065 $ Contributed to % of 2016 Pledge 2016 Stewardship Contributed TOTAL # of Pledges 756 $923,656 $829,189 89.77% Jim Dolmas Harry Yianitsas 2016 Parish Council President 2016 Stewardship Chairman Don t forget to stop in the bookstore and pick up your Vasilopita Coin For the New Year! If you have been a part of the joyous tradition of the cutting of the vasilopita, you know of its beauty If not, we urge you to begin this year and make it a cherished family tradition to be relived in the years to come on New Year s Day! Each golden Vasilopita Coin comes in its own display case complete with the story of the vasilopita, vasilopita recipe, and the traditional cutting instructions. Sundays after Divine Liturgy until 12:30 p.m. & Wednesdays 2-5:45 p.m. Your Bookstore Team! 15
Why Are We Here? What made you get up this morning? The alarm clock? Did you offer a prayer of thanks for this day? Why? What makes today so great that you d want to say thanks? What did you plan on doing today? Coming to church? Staying home? Giving yourself some downtime? Why? Why do you think you need downtime? Why did you plan to stay home? Why did you come to church? Why are we here? Before we came to church, why did we bother to get all dressed up? Why bother? Once we got to church, was the church still here? What makes us so confident that it would be open when we arrived? Were we relieved that it was still here and open when we got here, or do we just expect it to be around forever just because? Once we went inside, did we immediately look around for our friends and family? Did we immerse ourselves in prayer? Did we allow ourselves to feel the presence of God as we entered His holy house, or did we drag the outside secular world inside with us? Did we come to church, or did we become the church? Why are we here? As we knelt during the consecration, did we close our eyes to the world and allow the Holy Spirit to engulf us, or did we count the threads in the carpet while waiting to rise again? Did we take communion, or did we allow the body and blood of Christ to come inside our souls and bodies? Did we stay until the completion of liturgy, or did we walk the red carpet right out the door of the church to be the first to grab some coffee, or better yet, keep walking to the car to leave and get on with all those things that simply can t wait the extra ten minutes the liturgy takes to complete? Why are we here? While we fellowshipped in the community center, did we continue the same old conversations with our familiar friends, or did we notice someone new and introduce ourselves? Do we unconsciously exclude others from feeling they belong to this community, or do we encourage and invite them to join us as part of a church that serves God and his people? Why are we here? What is the reason we feel the need to come here? What do we offer to our community? Do we serve our greater community with our own personal time, talent, and treasure? Or, do we allow ourselves to be served by the time, talent, and treasure of others? Have we fulfilled our pledges without pleading, or are we waiting for pleading before pledging? Do we feel unsettled with more questions than answers? Then I ask you again, Why are we here? Harry Yianitsas 2016 Stewardship Chairman