Opportunities for the Week

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 25 ~ Sunday of Orthodoxy Love and remember your church in your will! Epistle Reading: Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 page 136 Gospel Reading: John 1:43-52 page 137 Today at St. John Memorials Vasilios Thomas 40 Days Spyridon Pliakos 5 years, Vasilios Mihos, Irini Mihos, Gregorios Pliakos, Panayiota Pliakos, Areti Gonos, Demetrios Gonos, Penelope Dorlis, Demetrios Dorlis Panorthodox- Vesper Service 6:00pm Opportunities for the Week Monday, February 26 Basketball Practice for kids of all ages 6:30pm at Joe Dumars Tuesday, February 27 Greek School 4:30 pm / Adult Greek School 6:30pm Wednesday February 28 Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm Lecture by Christos Strubakos 7:00pm Thursday, March 1 Greek School 4:30 pm / Adult Greek School 6:30pm Friday, March 2 2 nd Salutations to the Theokotos 6:30pm Fill out your 2018 Stewardship form, or visit our website http://www.stjohngoc.net/stewardship1.html

First Sunday of Lent There are three major Christian denominations in the world today: Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism. Each has its own customs and traditions. The Protestant Churches have eliminated most of their customs, traditions and symbols during the last 400 years. The Roman Catholics adorn their Churches with religious statues. Orthodox Christians grace their Churches with Holy Icons. Iconography (the painting of Holy pictures) does not have as its aim to reproduce a saint or an incident from the Gospel or the lives of the saints, but rather to express them symbolically, to impart to them a spiritual character. In Byzantine Iconography the saint is not represented as he is in actual life, that is naturalistically, but as he is now in the heavenly kingdom, as he is in eternity. This is called Liturgical art. A noted writer once said about our art as he visited our most famous Church (St. Sophia which is now in the hands of the Turks in Constantinople), "Below the dome of St. Sophia I felt that the Byzantine idea has a world-wide mission. Never in all the evolution of human art have painters succeeded in spreading heaven before us so superbly, so truly, so profoundly - at no other time did the feeling of rhythm and artistic knowledge find such a mature expression; at no time was art so living and real." Western painters paint with their eyes; the Byzantine painters paint with their heart and soul. These Holy pictures called Icons have always graced our Churches since the Apostolic age. During the seventh century, A Byzantine Emperor attempted to remove all Icons from our Churches believing that Icons should not be worshipped but only God. He actually succeeded in doing away with Icons, and for over 150 years Orthodox Christians were banned from using Icons in any manner, shape or form. The Christian Empress Theodora finally ordered the restoration of the Icons in the Churches, and on March 11, 843 A.D. a great celebration was held in the Church of St. Sophia. There was a great meeting held during that period which defined the position of the Icon in Orthodox worship. The Icons produce within us a sense of repentance of our sins, which sanctifies our soul. They are spiritual mirrors through which we see the heavenly Saints. They are the symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ in accordance with our Orthodox tradition. This is why this Sunday of the restoration of the Icons in our Church is called "Sunday of Orthodoxy." It is truly a victory for Orthodoxy, which has withstood for almost 2,000 years. The Sunday of Orthodoxy is celebrated all over the world and is one of the most important feast day of our Faith.

Attention Altar Boys Join us in celebrating the Sunday of Orthodoxy Please participate in the procession of the icons with Father Nick following the Holy Communion by carrying your own icon. The procession will take place after Holy Communion in this order: A. Altar boys B. Priest As we go around the church, we will stop: 1. At the North side 2. At the West side 3. At the South side 4. In front of the Iconostasis We will read with Father Nick, the Decision (Affirmation) of the 7th Ecumenical Council. Decision, of the 7 th Ecumenical Synod Priest: As the prophets beheld, as the apostles have taught, as the Church has received, as the teachers have declared, as the world has agreed, as grace has shown forth, as truth had been revealed, as falsehood has been dispelled, as wisdom has become manifest, as Christ awarded; thus we declare; thus we affirm; thus we proclaim Christ our true God, and honor His saints in words, writing, thoughts, sacrifices, churches, and holy icons on the one hand, worshiping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord, and on the other, honoring the saints as true servants of the same Lord of all, and offering them proper veneration. This is the faith of the apostles. This is the faith of the fathers. This is the faith of the Orthodox. This is the faith on which the world is established. Therefore, with fraternal and filial love we praise the heralds of the faith, those who with glory and honor have struggled for the faith, those and we say: to the champions of Orthodoxy, faithful emperors, most-holy patriarchs, hierarchs, teachers, martyrs, and confessors: May your memory be eternal. People: May their memory be eternal (3). Priest: Let us beseech God that we may be instructed and strengthened by the trials and struggles of these saints, which they endured for the faith even unto death, and by their teachings, entreating that we may to the end imitate their godly life. May we be deemed worthy of obtaining our requests through the mercy and grace of the Great and First Hierarch, Christ our God, through the intercessions of our glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, the divine angels and all the Saints. People: Amen. People: Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who alone performs wonders (3).

Every Sunday 9:00am Orthros ~ 10:00am Divine Liturgy March 10 Goya Lenten Retreat at Saints Constantine and Helen in Westland March 18 Godparents Sunday Parish General Assembly March 25 Greek Independence Parade April 20 St. John Reverse Raffle and Dinner at St. John Hall May 19 Metropolis St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival August 20 Golf Outing November 9, 10, 11 St John Holiday Hoops Basketball Tournament Winter 2018 Orthodox Lecture Series by Christos Strubakos The goal of this series is to gather at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church on Wednesday evenings throughout the period of the Triodion, and following a service, to have a talk followed by a discussion on various aspects of our faith. The schedule and topics are listed below. All are welcome to attend and to participate with questions and insights. We look forward to seeing everybody. Wednesday, February 28: The Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion Wednesday, March 7: How we live our faith not just on Sundays Wednesday, March 14: The Bible in Orthodoxy Wednesday, March 21: Holy Tradition in Orthodoxy Wednesday, March 28: Participating in Holy Week PLEASE TAKE YOUR 2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES. If you do not see your name on an envelope box but would like to have offering envelopes, please contact he church office 586-977-6080.

Flowers needed for the Easter Season 2018 Please return this form to the church office if you are interested in donating flowers. Friday February 23 rd - 1st Salutation Carnations Donated Friday March 2 nd - 2nd Salutation Carnations Donated Friday March 9 th - 3rd Salutation Carnations Donated Sunday March 11th - Veneration of the Holy Cross Daffodils Friday March 16-4th Salutation Carnations Donated Friday March 23 rd - Akathist Hymn Carnations Sunday April 1 - Palm Sunday Palm Trees Crosses Sunday April 1 - Palm Sunday - Bay Leaves Thursday - April 5 th - Holy Thursday Wreath for the Crucifix Friday April 6 - Holy Friday Epitaphios Flowers Donated Sunday April 8 - Holy Easter Resurrection Wreath Donated Icon: Name Donated Eggs: Name

ST. JOHN HALL RENOVATION PROJECT Fellow parishioners, As you may have noticed we are nearing the completion of the construction of our renovated hall. We are so thankful to the tireless efforts of our renovation committee shepherded by Larry Stavrou, Evans Caruso and Gus Kondoleon. A special thank you to all the many volunteers who gave of their time and talent in the demolition and cleaning of the hall during this process (the list of volunteers is too large to document here but you all know who you are and you are appreciated!) We want to thank all of those who have given their time, talent and treasure to date and encourage all of those who have not had the opportunity to give, to please prayerfully consider making an offering today. To date we have received pledges and contributions from the following members of our church: Mr. & Mrs. Nikos & Mika Backos - Donor Mrs. Sophia Borgaonkar - Donor Mr. John Geottes Donor Mr. & Mrs Adoni Kalatzis and Family - Donor Mr. Matthew Vasilakis - Donor Mrs. Vekos Gloria - Donor Mr. & Mrs. John Hanjiantoniou - Donor Mr. & Dr. Michael & Joyce (Patouhas) Aho- Donor Jeffrey Morgan - Donor Perring Family - Donor Miss Elena Vasilakis Donor Mr. & Mrs. Joann and Timothy Welch - Donor Mr. & Mrs. Tom Aitas and Family Friend Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Baros and Family-Friend Mrs. Diana Chantis Friend Mr. Nino Corsetti Friend Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Giacona - Friend Mr. & Dr. John & Zoy Gilbert Friend Mr. Nick Kasotakis Family Friend Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Manousakakis-Friend Mr. & Mrs. John & Becky Patouhas - Friend J. Gargasoulas & K. Patsarikas Families - Friend Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Theodorou Friend Mr. Gerry Floros Friend Mr & Mrs Aristides & Koula Andreopoulos- Patron Mr. & Mrs. Bill Andreopoulos - Patron Mr. & Mrs. George Balalas and Family- Patron Mr. Constantine Cavis- Patron Mr. & Mrs. Lilian and Gus Demas Patron Mr. & Mrs. George & Kathy Demetriou Patron Dr. & Mrs. Demetri Demetriou & Family- PatronMr. & Mrs. John Papakonstantinou - Patron Dr. & Mrs. Nick Papakonstantinou - Patron Mr. & Mrs. George Collins and Family Patron Mr. & Mrs. Menas (Ted) Georgeson - Patron Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kourtesis and Family Patron Mr. & Mrs. Michael Karamichas - Patron Mr. & Mrs. John Kyritses and Family Patron Rev. Father Nicholas Kyritses Patron Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Marselis - Patron Miss Anne Simopoulos - Patron Mr. & Mrs. Phil Tangalos and Family Patron Mr. & Mrs. Constantinos Tsitsis- Patron Mr. & Mrs. John Polyzois and Family- Patron Mr. & Mrs. Nick Prantzalos and Family - Patron Dr. & Mrs. Andy Kotsis and Family Patron Mrs. Harriet Shafkalis - Patron St. John Senior Citizen s Patron Mr. & Mrs. Daniel & Paulette Szajna & Family - Patron Mr. & Dr. Alex & Maria Aretakis Supporter Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Linda Boosalis Supporter Mr. & Mrs. Bill Caruso and Family-Supporter Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos C. Marselis -Supporter Mr. & Mrs. John Tangalos and Family - Supporter The Souris Family Visionary Dr. & Mrs. Ted Tangalos and Family Visionary Dr. & Mrs. Steve Kotsonis and Family Visionary St. John Ladies Philoptochos Visionary St. John Youth - Visionary Please select an offering level below and remember that this offering is sincerely requested to be in addition to your current annual Stewardship Offering. Sincerely, St. John s Parish Council Donate today towards the renovation of our Church Hall! Name: phone: Sponsorship Levels $ Donor Up to $500 $ Friend $500 $999 $ Patron $1,000 $2,499 $ Supporter $2,500 $4,999 $ Contributor $5,000 $9,999 $ Benefactor $10,000 $14,999 $ Visionary $15,000 plus WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE ABOVE GROUPS AND PARISHIONERS ABOUT $ 134,000.00 WE STILL NEED $66,000.00 ALL OUR PARISHIONERS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THIS FUND RAISING

M onday November 20 Please remember to register for the season on-line at the Sports-Signup program, which is now available through our website: www.detroit-oyaa.org

Saturday, March 10, 2018 11:30am - 7:00pm All GOYAns are invited to attend this annual Lenten gathering of faith and fellowship. This event is FREE thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Metropolis and the Sts. Constantine and Helen parish. Workshops will also be available for adults in attendance. Lenten meals will be provided. All participants (youth & chaperones) must register online by February 24, 2018. www.detroit.goarch.org/migoya

ST. JOHN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Let s Go to the Movies!!! HOPE, JOY and Little Angels Please join us for a fun afternoon at Emagine Theatre. We will have the entire theatre to ourselves So bring all your little ones with you! Saturday February 24, 2018 Time: 1:30 PM Place: Emagine Macomb Movie: Peter Rabbit Cost Per Person: $10.00 ** COST INCLUDES MOVIE, POPCORN AND BEVERAGE** ** Please try to RSVP on Signup Genius through Facebook: Hope and Joy, St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Chapter ** Or Contact Irene Kourtesis: 586.764.7603 Dimetra Mansoor: 586.201.1027

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 * Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237 www.goarch.org - Email: communications@goarch.org Contact: PRESS OFFICE Stavros Papagermanos pressoffice@goarch.org Date: February 13, 2018 IV NEXT BY IONIAN VILLAGE AND LEADERSHIP 100 AN EXCITING NEW MINISTRY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS NEW YORK IV Next is an exciting new ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for college students and Young Adults offered by Ionian Village and Leadership 100. Q: I graduated from GOYA, I m in college, I m too old to go to camp, I have to work this summer...what s next for me? A: IV Next is what s next. Working together with and funded by a Leadership 100 grant, IV Next will focus on the influential excursions of the classic Ionian Village program and the future of the participants by providing access to mentors from Leadership 100. Dozens of colleges and universities offer study abroad programs in Greece, and many of the programs of our own diaspora offer similar opportunities. However, IV Next is the only travel-based program for young adults, that has our Greek Orthodox Faith as a core tenet of the program. Only IV Next combines professional development, international travel, and the Orthodox Faith into one all-inclusive program. The twelve-day itinerary includes time at the historic Ionian Village campgrounds, as well as excursions to the cornerstones of the travel program. Throughout the program, participants will engage in discussions about career goals, the financial realities of being a millennial, and how to successfully incorporate our Orthodox Faith into everyday business life. These conversations and sessions will provide not only a more solid understanding of vocation, but also serve as an excellent inter-community networking opportunity. Through a varied schedule that includes churches and monasteries, meetings with political and religious figures, and museums and archaeological sites, IV Next participants will become intimately familiar with all aspects of Greece, her culture and people. Participants of the IV Next program will be selected by filling out an online application and interviewing with a member of the selection committee. Participants will be required to get themselves to JFK for departure to Greece. Full participation and all costs associated with this program (flight to and from Greece, meals, travel, lodging) are subsidized through a generous grant from Leadership 100. Applications for IV Next are due March 1st, 2018. To be a part of the conversation and for more information, visit ionianvillage.org/next.

SAINT JOHN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH STERLING HEIGHTS MI 2018 STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE CARD 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 that bring us 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. We encourage everyone to join and participate in a ministry. 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 operation of the church and for funding our ministries. The economic reality is that our church requires $1,260 per day ($460,000 annually) to operate and we are currently a parish of almost 300 Stewards. To meet our current budget each year we need to average at least $1,560 per Steward annually or $30 per week. 2018 STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE CARD 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: $30/week($1,560 yearly) $25/week($1,300 yearly) $20/week(1,040 yearly) /week or /month or /year Credit Card (Visa/Master Card): exp: code: Name: Signature: Date: Visit http://www.stjohngoc.net/stewardship1.html to register as a Steward or turn this form into our church office. 2017 Stewards who submitted email addresses will receive a link to a Stewardship Update Form which can be completed online for 2018.

Saturday of Souls- February 10 th, 17 th and 24 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

St. John Greek Orthodox Church presents REVERSE RAFFLE NIGHT GRAND PRIZE - $3,000 WITH $1,300 ADDITIONAL CASH PRIZES PLUS GREAT GIVEAWAYS!! ONLY 250 TICKETS SOLD! FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018 $150. per ticket includes chance to win and dinner Additional person $50. for dinner $100. per ticket for non attendees 6:30 PM GOURMET DINNER AND OPEN BAR, 7:30 PM RAFFLE FOR RESERVATIONS ONLINE, PLEASE GO TO WWW.STJOHN.NET CONTACT KATHY DEMETRIOU AT 586-246-9415 OR SEND IN FORM BELOW: NAME: ADDRESS: telephone #: Amt. of check enclosed $ i will not be attending the event, but wish to purchase a ticket** credit card # EXP. DATE: mastercard visa amex **Please make checks payable to St. John greek orthodox church **NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN St. John Greek Orthodox Church - 11455 Metropolitan Pkwy, Sterling Heights, MI 48312

ed ng BRIDGING GENERATIONS MUSEUM MISSION: To promote and preserve our Hellenic Culture, Heritage, History and Language NIKE Last opportunity-visit the NIKE Exhibit Greece s Critical Role in Nazi Germany s Defeat Coming September, 2018, the exciting exhibit on The Story of Greek Immigration to Michigan: Assimilating and Contributing to American Life Museum Hours Sundays 1-5 pm Special Parade Weekend Tours - Saturday March 24, 12-5 pm Group tours available by calling 313.871.4100 67 E Kirby Hellenic Museum of Michigan Midtown Detroit, Michigan 48202 (Across from the DIA) Phone: 313.871.4100 Visit our website - www.hellenicmi.org