SUN DEC 18 Sunday before the Nativity. Tone 2
- Неділя перед Різдвом.
- Liturgy. Святa Літургія @ 9:00 AM
- Apostle Heb. 11:9-10,17-23,32-40
- Gospel Mt. 1:1-25
SAT DEC 24 Eve of the Nativity. Навечір’я Різдва Христового.
- Great Compline. Велике Повечір’я @ 4:00 PM
SUN DEC 25 THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
- РІЗДВО ГОСПОДА, БОГА І СПАСА НАШОГО ІСУСА ХРИСТА.
- Liturgy. Святa Літургія @ 9:00 AM
- Apostle Gal. 4:4-7
- Gospel Mt. 2:1-12
MON DEC 26 SYNAXIS of the Most Holy Theotokos.
- СОБОР Пресвятої Богородиці.
- Divine Liturgy. Свята Літургія @ 9:00 AM
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СЛАВА ІСУСУ ХРИСТУ! СЛАВА НАВІКИ! GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY NOW AND EVER!
DUES REMINDER: We will be closing our dues payment books for 2022 on Saturday, December 31. Please make all payments by then. Otherwise, any amounts received after the 31st will be credited for 2023.
ЧЛЕНСЬКІ ВНЕСКИ: Переконайтесь чи ви сплатили ваші внески за 2022 рік, і якщо ні, то зробіть це до 31 грудня. Облікові книги за 2022 рік будуть закриватися в суботу 31го січня, і всі внески зроблені після цього дня будуть враховуватись вже на 2023 рік.
LIVE STREAMING of the services in our church comes with a price tag of $650/year. We had very generous donors (Peter and Helen Zeleniuk, Julia (+blessed memory), and Irene Stepanczak) who sponsored live streaming in 2022. As the year 2023 is quickly approaching, we are looking for sponsors to pay for the live streaming once again. Many thanks go to our recent donors Helen Yawin, Dr. Joan Kerelejza, Irene Stepanczak (in memory of her mom Julia), and Julie Breen. The necessary amount is not reached yet. Please, let Fr. Andrii know if you’d like to become a sponsor. Thank you!
AID for Ukraine: Today is the 298th day of the war and genocide in Ukraine perpetrated by Russia. This is what our heroes need right now: 20 sets of thermal wares – sizes L and M (On sale at Costco for $10 for 2 pairs), 10 sleeping bags (Amazon $60) or could be used, 10 lightweight blankets new or used (new – Costco $22-25 each), body/hand warmers (Amazon $34 box or Costco), 10 boxes cold/flu medicine ($8/box Costco), 2 boxes Immune support packets (Costco $8), shovel emergency set ($60 Amazon). Please, check the wish list on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2I3LC6NXWNXUF We need monetary donations to cover the cost of shipping as well! Please, help!
SAINT OF THE DAY: SAINTS OF THE DAY: The Sunday of the Fathers is the Sunday before the Nativity of the Lord (December 18-24). On this day the Church honors all those who were well-pleasing to God from all ages, from Adam to St. Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, those who are mentioned in the genealogy of Luke 3:23-38. The holy prophets and prophetesses are also remembered on this day, especially the Prophet Daniel and the three holy youths. The previous Sunday, the Sunday of the Forefathers, the Church commemorated all the righteous of the Old Testament who awaited the coming of Christ. This day remembers all those in the Old Testament who were related to Christ by blood and those who spoke of his birth as a man.
Venerable Daniel the Hesychast is commemorated on December 18. Saint Daniel the Hesychast, the great wonderworker and instructor of monastics, was born in Moldavia at the beginning of the fifteenth century. When he was sixteen, he became a monk at the monastery of Saint Nicholas at Radauti and received the name, David. After many years of ascetical struggles, he became a chosen vessel of the Spirit and was ordained to the holy priesthood. He lived for some years at the monastery of Saint Laurence in the Civoul de Sus district. There he fulfilled his obediences during the day, and at night he kept vigil, prayed, and wove baskets. He received the Great Schema and the new name Daniel. Around 1450, he lived near the Neamts Monastery by Secu creek for fourteen years. In time, people discovered where he lived and came to visit him. Longing for solitude, he moved to northern Moldavia and chiseled out a cell for himself in the face of a cliff near Putna creek. Next to it, he carved out a small chapel for prayer. After his spiritual child, Saint Stephen the Great built the Putna Monastery, which was consecrated in 1470, Saint Daniel moved near the Voronets Monastery. Here too, he carved a small cell out of the rock under Soim (Falcon) Cliff and lived a God-pleasing life for the next twenty years. He guided many disciples in the principles of spiritual life, and he also had the gift of healing the sick of their physical infirmities. In 1488, when he was over eighty years old, Saint Daniel went to live at the Voronets Monastery, where he was chosen to be the ihumen. People from near and far visited him seeking his spiritual advice, or to confess their sins. He died in 1496 and was buried at the Voronets Monastery.
COFFEE and…: Thank you to Sylvia and Maria Sacalos for hosting Coffee and… last Sunday. Hosting today is Joanna O’Flaherty. There is no Coffee and next Sunday. Special thank you to Meroslava Szwez for making the fasting cake last Sunday! We always need coffee, butter, individual creamers, and monetary donations.
ANGELS CLUB: Congratulations to the winners of the December drawing. They are: Kimberly Irvin, $25.00; Jennifer Wowk, $15.00 and Elizabeth Gemski, $10.00.
+ + + CHURCH SCHOOL AND YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS + + +
Church School classes will be held today. There will be no classes next Sunday (Christmas) and January 1 (New Year’s Day). Classes will resume on January 8.
Happy birthday to Cora who will be celebrating her birthday this week.
The following students will be observing their patron saints days while we are on vacation. They will be celebrating this event with their classmates either today or on January 8. 12-23 – Victoria – St. Victoria, 12-26 – Eleanor Marie -Theotokos (Synaxis), 12-26 – Mariya (Margarita) Theotokos, 12-27 – Grade 4 – St. Stephen, 1-3 – Genevieve-St. Genevieve of Paris
Youth Ministry Christmas caroling to shut-ins is scheduled for January 8 (weather permitting) after Church School classes. Please let Fr. Andrii or Sarah Bailly know if your child will be participating so we can plan the needed transportation. The snow date is January 15.
Many thanks to all who made last Sunday’s St. Nicholas celebration a success. It was truly a team effort.
Many thanks to all who donated toys to our collection. They were delivered to the Marine Center on Tuesday and were gratefully received.