ST. NICHOLAS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 2250 East Paris Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-954-2700 info@stnicholasgr.com www.stnicholasgr.com V. Rev. Fr. Michael Nasser, Pastor 616-216-3537 frmichaeln@gmail.com V. Rev. Fr. Elias Mitchell, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Archdeacon David Khorey Rev. Deacon Clement Nicoloff Rev. Deacon Justin Adolphson Welcome to our guests! Thank you for attending today s Divine Liturgy. Please register your visit by completing the guest book located on the table in the narthex. We would appreciate getting to meet you, so feel free to join us for refreshments & fellowship in the Cultural Center. We believe Holy Communion to be a sign that in Christ we have all things in common, share an identical faith, and are united fully to the Orthodox Church. Anyone interested in learning more about our faith is encouraged to speak with one of our clergy. Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, & regular confession are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
For the Health and Blessings of Robert and June Medich on their 55th Wedding Anniversary offered by Grant and Anne Medich. May God grant them many years of happiness! For the Health and Blessings of Dan and Kim Hoodhood on their 30th Wedding Anniversary offered by their loving parents George and Ann Hoodhood. The best is yet to come! Many years! HYMNS When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee. O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thy Kingdom. Thy work of justice did show thee to thy congregation a canon of faith, the likeness of humility, a teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore, by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by meekness richness. Intercede, therefore, with Christ to save our soul. Do Thou, Who of Thine own good will was lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in Thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in Thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.
EPISTLE O Lord, how manifold are Thy works. In wisdom hast Thou made them all. Bless the Lord, O my soul. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (2:16-20) Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1) The Lord said, If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. And He said to them, Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power. Trisagion Prayers of Mercy are being given in memory of Servant of God Abe Simon offered with love by Marge, Mike & Lynn, Mark & Michelle Simon and families. May Abe's Memory be Eternal!
LIVING: Vera Mijatovic George Fine Louise Whalen Janice Russell DEPARTED: Jamil Karadsheh George Mickel Millard Laramy DEPARTED PARISHIONERS IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: 9/02/1970 Mary Sayfee 9/06/1959 Alex Ruffin 9/07/1956 Leena Majerezak 9/07/1987 John Wawee 9/08/1986 Nicholas Salhaney 9/08/1998 Robert Mickel 9/10/2009 John Ayoub 9/11/1966 Fred Maloley 9/13/1977 Seth Salhaney 9/17/2004 Mountaha Rizk 9/19/1987 Rt. Rev. Ellis Khouri Linda McDonald Audrey Nicoloff Linda Zainia Ralph Thomas Bujorica Popovici Doris Sulivan Amanda Sutton Victims of the continued conflicts in the Middle East 9/21/1946 Faris Nickola 9/22/1960 Sellen Yared 9/22/2001 Demetra Yared 9/22/2016 Larry Kaleefey 9/23/1944 Hattem Corey 9/23/1984 James Mickel 9/26/1963 Abraham Haddad 9/27/1976 Mitchell Salhaney 9/28/1996 Josephine Wozniak 9/30/1996 James Mickel Sunday, October 15 is the last day orders will be accepted for those wishing to order the book Icon. Our Bookstore is selling the book for $15. You can order your copy in one of two ways. 1. Complete an order envelope, which can be found on the Parishioners' table in the Narthex, enclose your payment and drop the envelope in the Plexiglas box, or 2. Stop by the Bookstore to order the book with your credit card. The book club will meet on Tuesday evening, November 14, to discuss the book over a pot-luck supper. The pot-luck supper will start at 5:30 pm. Bring your favorite dish to share. For questions contact: Anne Medich, Janalyn Salhaney, or Marian Lambert.
We are receiving an offering each Sunday in September for the aid of the victims of the recent hurricanes. Please be generously in this month-long appeal for hurricane relief. The fall Introduction to Orthodoxy class will begin soon. This class is open to all inquirers or members looking to refresh their understanding and appreciation of our Orthodox Christian Faith. This is a great class to invite your friends to attend! Please contact Keith to register for the class. The participants will be contacted with the day and time of the class. On Thursday at 1 PM we will be carpooling from the church and heading to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park. It has 80 acres of many wild and tame animals with a train ride through the park to view these beautiful creatures. The cost is only $9. For those of you who wish to drive, the address is 8313 Pratt Lake SE, Alto, MI 49302, (616) 868-6711. Take a look at their website to see what is in store for us--it is amazing how many different kinds of animals are there. Eat lunch before you come. See Nora Ayoub with questions. St. George is hosting their Dine In or Take Out Middle Eastern Dinner on Thursday. Lunch is from 11 AM - 2 PM and Dinner is from 4 PM-7 PM. Contact St. George to purchase your $15 dinner ticket. We have an opportunity for 20 volunteers to join in at a BBQ and music concert at Shepherds of Independence on this Saturday from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Volunteers will spend time with the residents socializing, playing games, and singing along to the music of Nick Ayoub. Please sign up at the Parishioners table in the Narthex or contact Greg Storey: gregory_storey@yahoo.com. Shepherds of Independence is an Adult Foster Care facility in Grand Rapids that provides shelter & care for those in need in a warm home-lie environment. Our all-parish picnic will be held next week Sunday at Manhattan Park. Bring your own picnic lunch and a dish to share. After we enjoy some eating and fellowship time, the St. George vs. St. Nicholas softball game will begin. So mark your calendars and plan on heading to Manhattan Park next week after the Divine Liturgy. Contact Scott Storey if you have questions.
There will not be a convention meeting next Tuesday September 19. Our next meeting will be Tuesday November 7 at 6 PM. We would like to extend great appreciation to the following people: Amy Amash, Alex Ellis, and Lindsey McCloskey for their great planning & implementation of the Baby Shower. Our Baby Shower "mixologists" for their wonderful cocktails and their good natured rivalry. The people who brought the delicious appetizers and desserts to the Baby Shower. You are a talented group! Everyone for their generous donations to the Catholic Charity s Baby Shower. You have made a difference on the lives of a children and the mothers who is trying to care for them. Kim Hoodhood, Linda Audy, & Chris Upson who painted the signs for the Ministry Fair. Judy & Mike Karolle and Grace & Tom Madden for championing the Hurricane Disaster Clean-up Bucket Project. Everyone who packed the 5-gallon buckets for hurricane relief victims. The sister-duo who cleaned-out and organized the Church School supply room. To those who serve, sing, and freely give of their time, talents, and treasures to the betterment of St. Nicholas! The Health Ministry team is updating their list of St. Nicholas parishioners who are licensed medical personnel (medical professionals, American Red Cross Certifications, Etc). This updated list will be critical in times of medical emergencies. Please contact Anne Medich to verify that your name is on the list and that your information is accurate. A support group has started for people taking care of loved ones at home, in assisted living, or in the hospital. If you would like to know more about this group, contact Anne Medich. Flyers are available on the Parishioners table in the Narthex. Congratulations to Rob Rinvelt who won the Cocktail Cup for the second year. He says he is retiring from competition leaving the field wide open for next year!
Any parishioner who would like to be trained in Heartsaver CPR/AED is encouraged to register for one of the following training sessions being held at St. Nicholas on Thursday, October 19 either from 2-5 PM or 6-9 PM. Call Anne Medich to register. Flyers are available on the Parishioners table in the Narthex. With all of the busyness of life, it can be hard to find rest and be at peace. We will reflect and practice finding rest in God and accept Christ's invitation to find rest in Him. Join us on Saturday, October 28 for this time of spiritual growth. Flyers for this retreat are available on the Parishioner s table in the Narthex. Flyers are available on the Parishioners table in the Narthex. This year's Fall Gathering October 12-15 is being hosted by our sister parish St. George. Flyers are available on the Parishioners table in the Narthex. That They May Be One: A Remembrance and Reflection of the Reformation October 30-31, 2017 The Christian Church is poised to commemorate the 500 th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. As the Church looks back on this historic event, it is important that we look at the positive results as well as the unintended outcomes that have occurred. St. Nicholas will mark the occasion by hosting a Conference to engage in dialogue within our Christian community with a view toward greater interaction and development of respectful relationships. Our own Bishop Anthony will be the Keynote Speaker on Monday, October 30, followed by leaders from other Christian churches on Tuesday, October 31. All are encouraged come and invite others to join us! Dear St. Nicholas Church, I want to express my gratitude to you who have kept me in your prayers and thoughts this past month. They say it will still take me a while to get my strength back and feel really "normal" again. Thank you for your concern for me. David Rock (Colie Rock s brother)
2020: VISION TO REALITY UPDATE The committee is still in the process of meeting with St. Nicholas families. At this time, here is what has been contributed toward our $1.6 million goal: Percentage of the Goal Pledged: 34% Total Commitments Pledged: over $551,000 Interesting facts about the money pledged to date: 21 St. Nicholas families or individual parishioners have pledged the $551,000 The amounts pledged range from $20 to six figures over 3 years The age of donors ranges from 11 years old to retirement age. One pledge has been received from a non-parishioner When you are contacted, please do what you can. We want ALL parishioners to participate in this historic project. NOTE: Please write a separate check for all 2020 Vision to Reality donations. COFFEE HOUR HOSTS Today: Hoodhood Family/ice cream social Next Sunday: No Coffee Hour/All-parish Picnic THIS WEEK S ACTIVITIES Today Open Seating/Name Tag Sunday * SOYO (during Coffee Hour) * Nurses mtg. (during Coffee Hour) * Parish Council (12:30 PM) Tuesday, September 19 * O.K. Mama! (9:30 AM) Wednesday, September 20 * Sixth Hour Prayer (Noon) * Family Night Dinner/Bible Study (6 PM) Thursday, September 21 * Forerunner Event (1 PM) * Choir Practice (6:30 PM) Saturday, September 23 * Shepherds of Independence Outreach Event (11 AM) * Great Vespers (5 pm) * SOYO Outing/Bonfire (6 pm) Sunday, September 17 Church Picnic & Softball Game * Matins & Orthodox Education (8:50 AM) * Divine Liturgy (10 AM)
We are blessed to be a part of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church! A church that is vibrant, active, and filled with people who selflessly give of their resources time, talents, and treasures. This year s theme is PUTTING FAITH into ACTION! This theme encourages us to remain committed and connected to our community while serving Christ, one another, and our neighbors. This year let s resolve to do the following: Commit to strengthening our spiritual lives by attending services, Bible Studies, and other spiritually enriching opportunities as often as we are able: Great Vespers Matins Divine Liturgies (Sundays & Special Feast Days) Sixth Hour Prayer Orthodox Education Classes (Church School & Adult Class) Wednesday Family Night Dinner & Bible Study Connect with our fellow parishioners by participating in the ministry opportunities St. Nicholas has to offer: Fellowship Groups Hospitality Communications Liturgical Preparation Ushering Outreach Church School co-teaching or substitute teaching Middle Eastern Dinner 2019 Archdiocese Convention It has been said that a family that prays together and plays together stays together. Let s do this as together we continue to be all that God has called us to be! May God bless your efforts in the days, weeks, and months ahead!
Thursday, October 5 from 4:30-7:30 PM The Next Baking Day: Saturday, September 30 Meatballs 10 AM-Baking Begins Advertisement/Posters: Please advertise our dinner by placing flyers in your place of business, on your community center bulletin board, and in any other location that would be appropriate. Contact Beth Rinvelt to let her know how many flyers you need. Also, be certain to like the dinner on our St. Nicholas Facebook Page! Tickets: We need everyone in the parish to sell dinner tickets to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Please stop by the Ticket Table outside The Cultural Center to pick-up tickets to sell. In order to get a clear idea of how many dinners have been sold, we need everyone who has sold tickets to drop-off your collected money to the Middle Eastern Dinner ticket table outside the Cultural Center. If you have any questions regarding tickets, contact Melissa directly: powellm09@gmail.com. Take-Out Dinners can be purchased on our St. Nicholas website: https:// stnicholasgr.com/middle-eastern-dinner/ KEEP SELLING DINNER TICKETS!