Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church Jackson, NJ

JANUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER

CHRIST IS BORN! CHRISTOS ROZDAETZA!

GLORIFY HIM! SLAVITE JEHO!

SCHEDULE OF HOLYDAYS FOR JANUARY 2015:

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR: Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 7th for the glorious feast day of Our Lord and Savior’s Birth. Please make an effort to be with us on this day.

FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. SAINT BASIL THE GREAT: Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14th beginning at 10 AM. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FEAST OF “THE HOLY THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD”: On Monday, January 19th the Divine

Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 AM. Please be present on this day as Holy Water will be solemnly blessed in conjunction with this Feast Day. Please bring a jar or vessel to bring home from church the sanctified waters.

GENERAL CONFESSION: General Confession will be served on Sunday, January 4th. Please make an effort to be with us beginning at 9:30AM. This is a great time to reconcile with Our Lord and receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This would be a great gift to Our Lord and Savior in honor of His Glorious Birth!

ADULT EDUCATION / CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES: Church School classes will begin again on Sunday, January 18th at 9:15AM. We have had a great turnout for these classes and nothing but positive reviews have been heard after each class. Please make an effort to join us for this half hour of Orthodoxy 100. You can’t believe how much you have missed by not attending our previous classes!

PARISH ASSESSMENT IS NOW DUE FOR 2015. Please be reminded that your parish dues are due now for 2015. In order to be a good member in standing of Saint Mary’s this assessment of $145 will

be collected for this new year. This is an assessment that we must pay for each member of our parish to our Diocesan Headquarters. Please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to make this contribution.

LITURGICAL NEEDS: The following items are needed for the upcoming year 2015. Please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to offer one of these items for liturgical use.

Paraffin: (oil for candles on altar) $250

Wine for Divine Liturgy: $300

HOLY WATER VESSEL: $700

NEW Altar Covers: $2500: We have $1500 donated last year

NEW ALTAR BOY CANDLE HOLDERS FOR PROCESSION: $500

NEWSLETTER SPONSORS FOR 2015: Each month it has been our goal to inform our faithful about what is going on in the parish and our diocese. This Newsletter has been a welcome edition to our parish and has been very informative. You the faithful have responded to our request to sponsor this Newsletter each and every month. We are now

soliciting sponsors for the upcoming year 2015. Cost to sponsor this Newsletter per month this year is only $50.00. Please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to reserve your month.

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY LUNCHEON: On Wednesday, January 7th after the Divine Liturgy we as a parish family will gather in the Parish Hall to break bread and share Christian fellowship. If you would like to contribute towards this dinner it would be greatly appreciated. Please see Matushka Ludmila to contribute towards this luncheon and help defray the cost of food and baked goods.

HOME BLESSING: It is customary in our faith to invite Father into your homes for the traditional blessing of your home. In conjunction with the feast of “THEOPHANY” Father John will be blessing homes during this festal period. If you would like to have your home blessed this year please leave your name at the candle desk with Matushka Ludmila. Father John will begin the blessing of homes on Monday, January 19th.

ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING: Please mark the date on your calendars for the Annual Church Meeting of Saint Mary’s Parish. The meeting will be

held on Sunday, February 22nd 2015. During this time we will elect new church officers to serve our parish for the upcoming year. If you are interested to join our Parish Council please see Joseph Chvasta to submit your name. No experience necessary!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015: The clergy and the church committee of Saint Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church sincerely greet you with the glorious Holy Day of the Birth of Christ and extend best wishes for the New Year! May the Merciful Lord, extend His Mercies to you in the coming year and grant you peace, tranquility and prosperity for many years to come. Many Blessed Years! Christ Is Born!

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS: Every year we have a tendency to make some resolutions. They can be to lose weight, save extra money, take care of the needs around our house or to exercise more. This year let us think about some resolutions which we will need on earth so that when our time comes we can honestly stand before Our Lord and pray that He Tells us these simple words: “Well done Good and Faithful Servant.”