A NATIVITY REFLECTION By. Father Jason The Gifts of the Magi

1 Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 501 West 27th Street Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 (307) 635-5929 office@cheyennegoc.org Inside this issue: A Nativity Reflection Parish Life 2-3 Stewardship 4-5 Capital Campaign 6 Prepare, O Bethlehem, Eden is 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 partake of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning! Glory be to you o our Savior! ~Prayers of Proskomidi 1 Nativity/Epiphany Edition A NATIVITY REFLECTION By. Father Jason The Gifts of the Magi A few years back, our Archdiocese presented the Three Magi as a theme for parishes like us to present as our stewardship ministry. After all, why not emulate the wisdom of the three kings who offered their gifts to the King of Kings? Since then, our little manger has been blessed to experience how our own efforts can come to fruition when we offer them to God. This is what happens when we cooperate with Christ who has not only come into the world, but has been born in our hearts, and has taken shape in the life of our spiritual family. God never intends to simply maintain a status quo by setting out to simply keep our doors open or to last another five years. God became one of us in order to show us a better way! We are being led to salvation and holiness in Jesus Christ! Thank God that when a body of faithful Orthodox Christians puts their faith into practice, and commits themselves to common goals, that their efforts manifest themselves in the form of what we have seen take place at Saints Constantine and Helen over the past couple of years. Look at what has been taking place. It s a blessing from God that more people have been coming to Church! This includes members of our parish, and others who are slowly and steadily inquiring about the Orthodox Faith. Unless it s the first weekend after labor day (i.e. the Greek Festival), what else do people in Cheyenne have to do on a Sunday?! Look again, you ll even notice that just about everyone in our parish is active in some sort of ministry! These ministries are also working together with common goals that are benefitting the Church and it s mission. Aside from the fact that our entire temple has recently been gutted, repaired, and renovated, you will also notice that the physical structure of our Church is looking better! We could easily say that this very visible progress is simply the result of an improved financial state. But, like the saying goes: Money doesn t grow on trees! Money has to come from somewhere. As a matter of fact, it comes from good, decent people who work very hard for it. Thank God that out of love, you have offered it back to Him in return for what He has done for you. As your priest, it is a rich blessing to take a small part in what is taking place at Saints Constantine and Helen. Let Continued on page 6...

Pastoral Visits If you or someone that you know someone is in need of pastoral care, please call the Church office. In the event of an emergency, Father Jason can be reached on his emergency cell phone number: (219) 895-0626 Also, if you have a scheduled surgery or doctor's appointment, please ask Fr. Jason for the sacrament of Holy Unction following Divine Liturgy. ΠΡΟΣΧΩMΕΝ: PLEASE NEV- ER TEXT YOUR PRIEST IN THE EVENT OF A PAS- TORAL EMERGENCY. CALL HIS EMERGENCY CELL PHONE NUM- BER INSTEAD. Home Blessings Are you new to the neighborhood? Did you forget to have your house blessed this year? Even though Epiphany season is upon us, you don t have to wait until the Epiphany Season! Call your priest at any time of the year! Here are some helpful guidelines for having your home blessed: A candle with an icon should be placed somewhere suitable, such as the kitchen or dining room table, or a home altar (i.e. a prayer corner). Other helpful items should include a bowl and a towel. A list of first names for whom prayers can be offered, including members of the family and all those living in the house. The list should have a clear distinction between the living and the dead. Office Hours Father Jason s Office Hours are: Monday Thursday (9:00 am 4:00 pm) If you would like to speak with Father Jason during the week, please stop in or call and set up an appointment. Memorials Please contact Father Jason at Church office to make the proper arrangements to schedule a memorial service. When doing so, let him know whether or not you would like a graveside Trisagion in addition to the memorial that will be taking place at the Church following the Divine Liturgy. The Sacrament of Confession Confession is necessary for our personal healing, and for the repentance and forgiveness of sins. It is also a vital element of our Lord s Commission to us as Orthodox Christians for the life and growth of the Church. Please speak to Father Jason to make the necessary arrangements. Prayers Cards Please take a moment to fill out one of our prayer cards in the narthex or front office so that Father Jason can commemorate your loved ones so that we can pray for those "whom each of us has in mind, and all people everywhere." If you require assistance, a parish council member will be happy to assist you. 2

Good News at Saints Constantine & Helen Parish Council It s been another wonderful year here at Saints Constantine and Helen! After God, we have you to thank! We hope to see everyone in Church in the coming weeks and months as we celebrate Christmas, the coming year, and Epiphany! Please take the time to congratulate our incoming parish council members: Stephanie Lindholm, Linda Panopoulos, and Taylor Olson. Remember to also thank our outgoing members: Stella Contos, Bill Apostolou, and Nancy Tsandes for their hard work. Our parish council always needs your prayer and support. On behalf of the entire parish council, we hope and pray that everyone at Saints Constantine and Helen has a blessed Christmas, along with a safe and happy New Year! Thank you for all that you do! Saint Macrina's Academy While taking a short break from our regular curriculum, we have been preparing for our annual Christmas pageant! Thank God for our children, teachers, and Sunday School families who help with everything that goes into our Sunday School program. We look forward as we always do to sharing the blessings and joy of the Nativity Season with everyone. It s also rumored that a special visitor will be visiting us on December 17th! Altar Boys All young men who are interested in serving in the altar by serving as acolytes (i.e. Altar Boys) should speak with Father Jason. Serving as an Altar Boy includes serving in the altar on a regular basis, following directions, and attending education sessions throughout the year! WE ARE ALSO IN NEED OF ADULTS (I.E. PAR- ENTS & ALBOY ALUMNI ) WHO ARE INTER- ESTED IN HELPING FATHER JASON AND OUR ALTAR BOYS!!! Please remember that our upcoming Altar Boy Fun Day on December 28th from 10-12pm. This is a family event. All young people of all ages are invited to attend!!! Philoptochos Philoptochos extends good wishes for the Nativity Season to everyone. We thank our community for your wonderful response to our Turkey Raffle and your participation in our community Christmas card. Thank you! At our Christmas dinner meeting we collected essentials for the residents of COMEA. Our members were very generous with their donations of gift cards, socks and toiletries for "the poorest of the poor." We are so appreciative of our parishioners for participating in the Christmas Families project, so that two less fortunate families can experience a Merry Christmas. We look forward to new projects in January: preparing our Epitaphion, baking koulourakia for fellowship hour, and celebrating our Three Hierarchs Nameday with a community breakfast. Join us! Remember to always support and pray for our local Philoptochos chapter here at Saints Constantine and Helen. In Christ Always Nancy Tsandes President 3

STEWARDSHIP AT SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN 4 It is by offering our blessings back to God that He will be able to continue His forgiving, healing, liberating, empowering, transfiguring, loving ministry through the Church. For God, Infinite though He is, has chosen to work through us, through our gifts, to continue His saving work in the world today. Father Anthony Coniaris It all starts right here, right now!!! The base from which we serve as Orthodox Christians is Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. It is the local parish that provides opportunities for sharing the Good News of Christ, for welcoming those that are searching for a spiritual home, and a base for serving those in need. The parish also provides a place for worship, community and education in the faith. The most important way to be stewards of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to become a steward of Saints Constantine and Helen. This requires the vision and inspiration to see the parish, not as it used to be, but as it is now, and as it could be as we offer ourselves and everything that we have to our spiritual family so that we can all grow together in Christ! As 2018 approaches, let us not only prayerfully consider, but act upon how we will offer our blessings back to God for the salvation that He has provided for us in His Son Jesus Christ. The responsibility of stewardship is the responsibility of every member of our parish family. With God s help, and with the help of one another, let us continue to fulfill our mission and purpose as fellow workers in the Lord s vineyard.

5 STEWARDS FOR 2017 So far 87 families (133 parishioners) have made a financial commitment as stewards for the year 2017. Thank you for your Stewardship Commitment for 2017! If you haven t fulfilled your financial pledge for 2017, please consider doing so. This community works best when we all work together towards a common goal. Have a safe and healthy rest of your year as we look forward to 2018! 1. PETE ANADIOTIS 2. BILL & IDA MAE APOSTOLOU 3. JAMES & ANGIE ANDRIKOPOULOS 4. NICK ANEST 5. C & K ANDRIKOPOULOS 6. GEORGE C. ANDRIKOPOULOS 7. JAMES ANEST 8. VASO ANEST 9. GEORGE ARGERIS 10. ANNA BARKER 11. NICHOLAS & ALEXIS BELLACK 12. AARON & CHRISTINA BLOODING 13. MARIANE BOURIS 14. JOHN CONTOS 15. STELLA CONTOS 16. GEORGE COSTOPOULOS 17. HELEN COSTOPOULOS 18. EVAMARIE COTTON 19. HAROLD & ELAINE CUNNINGHAM 20. CHRIS & ANASTASIA DAIFOTIS 21. FR JASON & PRES TIFFANY DICKEY 22. NICK & HELEN DUDASH 23. ANGIE ELIOPOULOS 24. JOHN & CORRINA ETCHEPARE 25. MOUSA & AIDA FINO 26. SAM & STACEY GALEOTOS 27. SHARON GAUS 28. NIKISHA GRAY 29. TOM & JONI HARLAN 30. AMALIA HARRISON 31. FR. PETER & PRES DINA HARRISON 32. DR. BILL & SUSIE HARRISON 33. GUST & DAWN HATANELAS 34. MR. JAMES D. HUNTER 35. JENNI JACKSON 36. JENNIE JOANNIDES 37. TIMOTHY & KATHY JOANNIDES 38. C. ROBERT & DEBRA JOHNIGAN 39. ROBERT & IRENE JOHNIGAN 40. KATHY JOHNSON 41. TARA JOHNSON 42. NICK & CARLENE KALOKATHIS 43. GEORGE KALLAS 44. TASO KALLAS 45. OLYMPIA KLEDARAS 45. TONY & ELENI KLEDARIS 47. KAREN KITHAS 47. PETE KITHAS 49. TIM & GEORGIA KRANTZ 50. PAUL T. & PATRICIA LAFKAS 51. DION LAMBOUSIS 52. JOHN AND SOPHIA LAMBOUSIS 53. WILLIAM LAGOS 54. JULIE LEHMAN 55. S, G & E LEPAS 56. KELLY & STEPHANIE LINDHOLM 57. TED & NORA MAKRIS 58. DR A.J. MEARES 59. JOANNE MEARES 60. PATRICIA MEARES 61. SUSIE MESSER 62. JIM MESSER 63. MARY MESSER 64. MASON & VALERIE MITCHELL 65. BETTY MORGANDO 66. TAYLOR OLSON 67. IRENE PANOS 68. ANDREW & THEONI PAPPAS 69. DRIKO & CHRISTINE PAPPAS 70. GREG & TARA PAPPAS 71. WILLIAM & JACQUE PAPPAS 72. STEPHAN & KAY PAPPAS 74. MARIE PITT 75. VINCE & MARTI PORRECO 75. NIKO PORRECCO 76. SECIO PORRECO 77. ALEKSANDER RADICH 78. CHARLIE RADICH 79. BARRY & GEORGIA SIGMON 80. MARK & TINA SLIZESKI 81. JEREMY & ALLISON TROY 82. KOSTA & NANCY TSANDES 83. GEORGE & FAY ZAHARAS 84. NICK ZAHARAS 85. STEVE & KELLY ZAHARAS 86. CHARLIE & BILLIE ZUMO 87. DR. TOM & ANN ZUMO

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE...Continued from page 1 6 Dear Parish Family, The Capital Construction Campaign is completing our term of service at the end of this month. It has been a privilege to work with a generous and dedicated committee to complete this successful fundraising effort. Thank you to: Fr. Jason, Dr. Bill Harrison, Dawn Hatanelas, Anna Barker, Angela Costopoulos, Mary Messer, Linda Panopoulos, Andy Pappas, Kosta Tsandes, and Billie Zumo for their hard work, support and generosity! To date, we have recognized $107,500.00 in contributions from generous donors. The ceiling in the Fellowship Hall has been completed and the upstairs of the church is under renovation with the anticipated completion date before Holy Nativity. Having completed our mission, the CCC Committee will evolve into the Church Directory Committee (CD) under the leadership of Dawn and Gus Hatanelas. The CD committee has been tasked by the Parish Council to complete a directory for distribution to parishioners. In anticipation of this directory, funds are being pledged so that there will be no charge to Parishioners. (Of course, donations are always welcomed). After the holidays, a letter will be sent with detailed instructions and information. It is anticipated that the directory will be ready for distribution in March or early April. We are hoping to include Fellowship activities (as in BINGO) during the photo sessions. May God bless all of you for dedicating your Time, Talent and Treasures to this project. Kαλά Χριστούγεννα and Merry Christmas to Everyone! Yours in Christ, Julie Lehman Community Snapshots Chair TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FUND AND TO VIEW OUR GIV- ING TREE PLEASE VISIT OUR PARISH WEB- SITE: WWW.ORTHODOXCHEYENNE.ORG us hope and pray that God will continue to help us prayerfully commit ourselves towards common goals for His purpose of Salvation in His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Our Manger Something that will help us continue to grow this Nativity Season is to reflect on the manger the cave in which the Holy Family, the magi, shepherds, and livestock gathered when God came into this world for our salvation. Every Orthodox temple also has a preparation table prothesis where the icon of the Nativity overlooks the prepared gifts of bread and wine within the altar in order for the priest to say the prayers of proskomidi. At this time of year many of us also have Nativity Scenes in our homes. I ve even made a reference to our own little manger of Cheyenne in which we have grown quite a bit over the past few years! But what about the manger of our hearts? This little manger reminds us that out of His love for us, we are constantly being shaped and molded as we pursue salvation, healing, and holiness in Jesus Christ. This can be very reassuring considering that we live in a world that constantly demands perceivable and tangible results (i.e. SUCCESS!). Thankfully, even when don t always possess the ability to perceive tangible results, we still have the potential to be nurtured in a way that God desires! It s when we partake of the Divine Seedling that was born in the cave in and gives life to the world that our hearts are truly restored. Continue on the following page...

There will always be room for improvement so long as we look to Christ who heals our imperfections. One of our essential tasks as followers of Christ and as a Body of Christ is to cooperate with God so that we can seek perfection until His second Advent. Whether we worship in a basement, a newly renovated Church, a small cave, or pray to God in the secret room of our hearts, may we glorify Him who has come into the world, and in our hearts as Emmanuel God among us. +Fr. Jason METROPOLIS NEWSLETTER Are you interested in receiving the latest news from the Metropolis of Denver? Visit https://denver.goarch.org/ where you can subscribe to their latest newsletter and read about the latest Metropolis and archdiocese news and events. 7 POINSETTIA & EPIPHANY DONATIONS For more information on how to participate in the KING SOOPERS gift card program, please call or email the church office.

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 501 West 27th Street Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 (307) 635-5929 office@cheyennegoc.org NON-PROFIT ORG. 8 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 148 CHEYENNE, WY Return Service Requested Address Label... His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver www.denver.goarch.org Rev. Father Jason Dickey Proistamenos Our Parish Council President Bill Harrison (307) 256-8505 Vice President Bill Apostolou (307) 634-6985 Treasurer Gust Hatanelas (307) 421-4291 Secretary Nancy Tsandes (307) 638-8632 Assist. Treasurer Patrick Pace (661) 713-0155 Betty Morgando 307) 286-4804 Jim Messer (307) 286-1727 Stella Contos 638-6200 Charlie Radich (307) 634-3478 Saints Constantine and Helen is the spiritual home for Orthodox Christians in Cheyenne with a mission and purpose to not only strive for our own salvation, but for the salvation of every person in Jesus Christ. This is how we share the Good News of Jesus Christ, and preserve the pure and undefiled faith as it has been handed down to the apostles by the Lord himself who commands us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded. (Matthew 28:18) Whether you are looking for a spiritual home, or you are currently a parishioner of Saints Constantine and Helen, join us for worship. If you have any questions about the Orthodox Faith, our ministries, or upcoming events, please feel free to contact us. WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday: Orthros (Matins) 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Weekday Services: Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Please see our Monthly Calendar or visit us online at www.orthodoxcheyenne.org