ST. NICHOLAS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

JANUARY 6, 2019

HAPPENING TODAY

SOYO meeting Sign the birthday banner for Bishop ANTHONY outside the Cultural Center Annual Outdoor Blessing of the Waters at 1 PM hosted by Holy Cross. We will all meet

at Holy Cross (2828 Richmond St NW 49504 ) and then walk to the adjacent Blandford Nature Center to bless the living water there. Afterwards, light refreshments will be provided. Please enjoy this opportunity for the wider Orthodox community of West Michigan to celebrate this great feast together!

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Adult Track: Our guest speaker for the day is Bill Marianes. In the morning session (designed for everyone), we will discover how to live our personal calling and reorient our lives as more effective Disciples of Jesus Christ. In the afternoon session (designed for Ministry leaders), we will learn how to create a culture of true stewardship and ministry.

Teen Track: Dn. Saed Rihani from St. Mary’s in Palos Heights, IL will challenge us to dedicate our lives to Christ by utilizing the 4-Ts (Time, Talent, Treasures, & the mystery T).

Breakfast and lunch are included in this conference that is being held in the Cultural Center

next Saturday, January 12 from 9:30 AM-4 PM. Register at: www.stnicholasgr.com/renewal-in-christ. Come & Renew your faith in Christ at the start of this New Year!

Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Starting Soon Last night Fr. Michael hosted the first of an 8-week series introducing the Orthodox Faith. It is designed for anyone—new inquirers and long-time members—desiring to learn more about or learn a fresh perspective on the Orthodox Faith. The classes will be held once a week from 7-8 PM each Saturday through February 23. Everyone is invited to attend.

Winter Family Nights to Begin in January In these cold and dark winter months, be warmed and enlightened by the Word of God! We will come together for dinner and fellowship each Wednesday at 6 PM, with Bible Studies for adults, teens and kids beginning at 7 PM and ending promptly by 8 PM. Come for either or both beginning this Wednesday, January 9.

In honor of Bishop ANTHONY’s birthday and Name Day, both celebrated in January, the Ladies of St. Nicholas will be taking a collection. We will split the total amount collected between His Grace’s Speaker Fund and the Toledo Chancery Registry. The Speaker Fund is used to cover costs associated with attracting foremost speakers, clergy, and academics for various events such as conventions, delegate meetings, and conferences. The Toledo Chancery Registry is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and contains kitchen and bath items needed for the Chancery. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated by His Grace! A table has been set up outside the Cultural Center through next Sunday, January 13. Please stop by to sign the birthday banner and give generously in support of our beloved Bishop ANTHONY.

Project Grand Rapids Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) has purchased 177 houses in Grand Rapids in order to renovate them. This is an effort to stem the tide of gentrification pushing low income residents out of the city they live in and have lived, in some cases for generations. Our Parish has committed to this effort by supporting the ICCF Community Homes Initiative in two ways: Supply work crews to help rehab a specific home. Work dates: Saturday, February 9,

Monday, February 11, Saturday, February 16, and Monday, February 18 each from 10 AM-2 PM.

Donate money to fund supplies and a Welcome Basket for the new home residents. There will be a second collection tray to fund this effort on Sunday, January 20.

Please consider supporting this effort. For more information contact Greg Storey or Greg Lambert.

We have once again organized the House Blessing schedule according to zip codes and have provided an on-line sign-up feature for your convenience. Register by visiting: https://stnicholasgr.com/houseblessing/

It is time to sign-up to host a 2019 Coffee Hour. Consider hosting a Coffee Hour in memory of a departed loved one, in honor of a special occasion--anniversary, birthday, name day, etc., or for no other reason than because you are a member of St. Nicholas. Feel free to sign-up as a family or invite another family to host with you. The sign-up sheet is available on the Parishioners' table in the Narthex.

Please discard your 2018 Tithes & Offerings Envelopes and begin using your 2019 envelopes. If you have not received your 2019 envelopes, please contact the church office or Michael Jammal.

Congratulations to Bryan and Laura Helder on the birth of their first born son, Carter Nicholas Helder. Carter came into the world on December 28 weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz. and stretching 19.5 inches. Carter’s proud grandparents are Barb Sielaff and Mark Seilaff & Nancy O’Meara. May God grant Carter many years!

Moms and Kids - Let's go get some wiggles out at Gymco's Mini Movers this Tuesday, January 8! Class is from 9-10 AM. The cost is $5 per child and is open for 0-4 years old. We hope you can join us!

Moms and Kids - Join us on Friday, January 11 from 10-11:30 AM at St. Nicholas for a morning learning about house blessings . We'll have activities and time for fellowship and snacks!

Moms - Join us at St. George on Thursday, January 17 from 7:30-9 PM for a night learning from some of our more experienced moms! We'll have a panel of moms with kids from late elementary age to young adults who will answer our questions and chat about ways to support our kids and ourselves during their childhood! We'll have drinks and snacks, too, of course!

This is what you have been waiting for! Our annual white elephant exchange and Bingo will take place on Thursday, January 17. It all begins with a luncheon pot luck at noon. Please bring a soup, salad, or dessert to share. Please contact Eileen Adolphson if you are planning to come. See you then!

Come on out to Graydon’s Crossing (1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 49505) for Team Trivia on Thursday, January 17th at 6 PM! The more people that join us, the more likely it is that someone will know the answer! Join us for drinks, food, an fellowship!

February is just around the corner...which means LOVE is in the air! What better time to give from your heart, as we shower the babies and children served through Catholic Charities with everything they need. We hope to see all of the women of St. Nicholas at our annual baby shower and cocktail contest on Sunday, February 24 from 5-7 PM as we enjoy food, fun, and fellowship and gather together to give for the glory of God. More details to come! Please see Amy Amash, Alex Ellis, or Lindsey McCloskey with questions.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES

For a complete listing of all of St. Nicholas’ services and events, visit our website at https://stnicholasgr.com/event-calendar/

Tuesday, January 8 Moms’ and Kids’ Morning at Gymco (9 AM)

Stewardship Meeting (6 PM) Convention Leadership Meeting (6 PM) Choir rehearsal (7 PM)

Wednesday, January 9 6th Hour Prayer (Noon)

Family Night Potluck (6 PM) & Bible Study (7 PM)

Friday, January 11 Moms’ and Kids’ Morning (9 AM)

Saturday, January 12 Igniting the Flame-Renewal in Christ Session 1 (9 AM)

Session 2 (12:30 PM)

Great Vespers followed by Confession (6 PM)

Introduction to Orthodoxy (7 PM)

Sunday, January 13

Orthodox Education & Matins (8:50 AM)

Divine Liturgy (10 AM) Bishop Anthony’s Name Day

Choir Party

LOOKING AHEAD

January 27—General Assembly Meeting following Divine Liturgy (Snow date: Sunday,

February 3) March 9-11—Archpastoral visit of Metropolitan JOSEPH

March 11—Lent begins April 20-28—Holy Week

Join on Saturday, January 12, 2019 with guest speaker Bill Marianes!

In the morning session, we will discover how to live our personal calling and re-orient our lives as more effective Disciples of Jesus Christ.

In the afternoon session, we will learn how to create a culture of true stewardship and ministry.

Breakfast & lunch are included in this conference that is being held in the Cultural Center from 9:30 AM-4:00 PM. Come & Renew your faith in Christ at the start of a New Year! Register at: www.stnicholasgr.com/renewal-in-christ.

It is time to schedule your Theophany House Blessing! We have once again organized the House Blessing schedule according to zip codes and have provided an on-line sign-up feature for your convenience. If you do not have email access, please call the office to schedule your house blessing. Please do your best to schedule your House Blessing during your listed zip code time frame, but if you must schedule outside the prescribed time frame, we will understand. Register at: www.stnicholasgr.com/houseblessings. The schedule is as follows:

If your zip code is not listed, contact the church office so we can update our records. Feel free to coordinate your House Blessing with parishioners in your neighborhood.

NOTE: Each household must be scheduled for their own time slot.

January 6-10 Zip Codes: 49306, 49319, 49326, 49341, 49415, 49431, 49307,

January 11-January 27 Zip Codes: 49301, 49525, 49546, 49431

January 29-February 3 Zip Codes: 49503, 49504, 49505, 49506, 49507, 49534, 49549

February 5-16 Zip Codes: 49302, 49315, 49316, 49423, 49508, 49509, 49512, 49519, 49548, 48815

Mark your calendars so that you will attend the following services:

Eve of the Nativity of Christ on Monday, December 24 Royal Hours: 9-11 AM Vesperal Liturgy: 6-7:30 PM

The Nativity of Christ on Tuesday, December 25 Matins: 8:30-10 AM Divine Liturgy: 10-11:30 AM

This 40-day fast is not primarily about giving-up food. It is a time that we should increase our liturgical and personal prayers, participate in the Sacrament of Holy Confession, and focus more on loving our neighbors. The Church offers to us this opportunity to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Birth in the flesh of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

During the Nativity fast, we have the opportunity to pray the Advent Paraklesis service to the Theotokos. Join us on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM on November 28, December 5, December 12, and December 19. Following each Paraklesis service, please stay for fellowship. Bring a Lenten potluck and enjoy conversation, a short reflection on fasting presented by Archdeacon David, and a Lenten recipe demonstration from one of St. Nicholas's wonderful cooks. Contact Dn. David with questions.

The Church offers us a wonderful gift in the Sacrament of Confession. The Advent Season is an appropriate time to come to our Lord, repent of our sins and receive the Gift of His love and forgiveness. Confessions are heard without an appointment after Saturdays' Great Vespers or by appointment Tuesdays through Fridays. A guide to preparing for confession can be picked-up on the Parishioners' table in the Narthex.

Give careful consideration to how you and your family can apply the Church’s prescription for fasting. You are urged to keep the fast in some way in preparation for the coming of the Lord. Fr. Michael stands ready to assist you in adapting the Church’s prescription to your family’s situation. You will find great articles and suggestions on making this Advent and Christmas season truly enriching by visiting the Nativity Fast page on our Archdiocese’s website: www.antiochian.org/nativity/pre-feast.

Visit our bookstore for your Advent resources and for wonderful choices for Christmas giving. Additional materials to assist you in preparing for the Birth of our Savior can be found on our Archdiocese's website.

Looking for meaningful Christmas gifts for family & friends? Stop by the bookstore!

♦ Prayer Corner candles ♦ Books on the Orthodox faith

♦ Scented soaps & lotions ♦ Orthodox Christmas cards

♦ Children’s books ♦ St. Nicholas Church night lights ♦ Icons ♦ Christmas Tree ornaments

SEATING IS LIMITED SO REGISTER NOW!

Who do you know that needs to hear or more fully understand the Good News of the salvation message that began with the Birth of Christ? We encourage you to personally invite these people to this evening of celebration. Invitations are available on the display boards as well as in the bookstore.

This event will be held on Saturday, December 8 at 6 PM beginning with hors d' oeuvres and dinner followed by the program.

His Grace, Bishop ANTHONY will deliver a talk on the Nativity of Christ and its meaning for us and our salvation, as uniquely understood in the Orthodox

Church. The St. Nicholas Byzantine Choir will perform. The evening will truly be a wonderful event that you will not want to miss!

REGISTER at: www.stnicholasgr.com/one-of-us