St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Monthly Newsletter Diocese of Toledo - Orthodox Church in America 2143 S. Center Road – Burton, Michigan 48519 Served by: Fr. Matthew-Peter Butrie – Rector Fr. Esteban Vázquez Deacon Kerry Luke Gonser Email: [email protected] Website: www.saintnicholasburton.org Church Office: 810-744-0070 Fr. Matthew mobile: (810) 247-4265

Services: Wednesday- 9 am Adult Education-11 am Saturday – 5 pm Vespers followed by Confessions Sunday - 9:30 a.m. Third Hour 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Holydays, Vigil and Vespers as announced

“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” St. Jude 1:20

SEPTEMBER 2017

FROM FATHER’S DESK Beloved faithful of St. Nicholas Church, One of the hallmark prayers of our life is the Jesus Prayer which has different versions. Some are short: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” This is the version I have heard from watching videos of the on Mount Athos. Other versions are longer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.” Others are used at the Liturgy by the , priest and deacon, “God, cleanse me the sinner and have mercy on me.” In some writings in English you may find it translated as “on me a sinner.” No other translation except for English uses “a sinner.” All other translations and all the Greek manuscripts have “the sinner” (τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ - toh amartolo). The full prayers in Greek is Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱέ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν – Kyrie Iesou Hriste, Ieh tou Theou, eleison meh ton amartolon. In Greek, to say “a sinner”, one would have to omit the definite article “the” “τῷ” but no Greek text omits that particle. To use “a sinner” is a spiritual mistake. The Liturgy and other prayers call each one of us to see ourselves as the worst sinners in each own’s right, not as “a sinner” – one out of many. To be “a sinner” can only mitigate our own sinfulness. Rather than judging others as sinners we are to say, “God, be merciful to me the sinner” “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner” confessing to God that I am not merely one sinner among many, but the sinner, the only one. There are prayers where we confess that we are sinners among others. It is then that we take our lead from Paul. Saint Paul who, before he became a follower of Christ, persecuted the Christians, writes of himself, “I am the first (πρωτος - protos) of sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15) Here Saint Paul says that all are sinners but he says that he is the first of all sinners. He calls himself the chief sinner of all sinners. We take his words and make them our own, each one of us, individually. We say this in the very first sentence of the Communion Prayer we recite at every Liturgy: “I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first.” Pride would have us judge ourselves better than others. Pride would have us judge ourselves better than other sinners because we don’t commit their sins. Confessing ourselves as the first of sinners, praying “God, be merciful to me the sinner”, this is the path of all the who have gone before us and who live among us. The holy ones of God do not look left nor right, before nor behind them to see and judge other sinners. The saints look only into their own hearts and see their own sins and call themselves the first of sinners. So great was the saints’ knowledge of their own sins that one saint, Sisoes the Great (July 6) on his deathbed “was entreating the angels to give him a little more time for repentance. The monks said, ‘You have no need for repentance, Father.’ Saint Sisoes said with great humility, ‘I do not think that I have even begun to repent.’” (Life of St. Sisoes the Great) For us to tread the same path as the saints, the path which leads to life in God here and in His kingdom which is come and is yet to come, we must confess our sinfulness to God, as “the sinner”, as “the first” (chief) of all sinners. With love in Christ,

the sinner Third Hour Schedule Reader Schedule September October November September October November 3 Reggie 1 Angelo 5 Reggie 3 Taras 1 Amir 5 Amir 10 Angelo 8 Lucy 12 Angelo 10 Amir 8 Angelo 12 Angelo 17 Lucy 15 Reggie 19 Lucy 17 Angelo 15 Johnny 19 Johnny 24 Reggie 22 Angelo 26 Reggie 24 Johnny 22 Kathy 26 Kathy 29 Lucy 29 Taras If you are unable to make your assigned If you are unable to make your assigned reading date, you must find a replacement. reading date, you must find a replacement.

COFFEE HOUR volunteers are needed. There is a sign-up list outside of the kitchen. Please commit to helping out so that we can continue having this social time together.

September Coffee Hour Volunteers 3 10 Neely/Goodman (Joe Goodman 3 yrs.)

17

24

BINGO! on Sunday September 17 following the Divine Liturgy. Please come and have some fun! Call or see Lucy Hogg if you would like to assist at the bingo.

th The parish council will meet on September 12 at 6:30 pm. If you are unable to attend this meeting please call the parish office.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE The nominating committee will meet on September 12 at 5:30 pm. If you have any names of parishioners in good standing that you think would be an asset to the parish council please see any member of the nominating committee. They are: Allison Borkovich, Anna Branoff, Dorothy Goodman, Christine Panoff, and Stephanie Stikovich.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS  Church School will begin on Sunday, September 10. The New Year will begin with prayers during the Liturgy for the teachers and students and a blessing after Communion for them as they go to class. See you then!

NORTH END SOUP KITCHEN Please come & minister to Christ with our brothers & sisters September 7th (North End Soup Kitchen) and September 26th (St. George at North End Soup Kitchen) from 9am-12:30pm

ORTHODOX BOOK CLUB The Flint Area Orthodox Book Club will hold its first meeting on 9/12 and will meet every Tuesday 6pm-8pm, taking a week or two break between books. Our first book will be the Sayings of the (aka Apophthegmata Patrum"). Father Deacon Bassett / Orthodox Church / Flint, MI

HOPE IN A BOX

Toothpaste/ Sept. Toothbrushes

Oct. Socks

Nov. Blankets & Coats

MIDDLE EASTERN LUNCHEON & BAKE SALE Sept. 28, 2017 at St. George Orthodox Church 11am-3pm. For more information call St. George at 810-732-0720.

FESTIVAL OF TABLES Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Grand Blanc is hosting their Festival of Tables September 30th. To reserve a table contact Susan Kallis (810-655-5260) or Lori Photou (810-444-1967).

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, & NAMESDAYS BIRTHDAYS NAMESDAYS (CONTINUED) 3 Gregory Oginsky 5 Betty Nicevski 4 John Nastos Caitlyn Elizabeth Nicole Rittman 5 Germanos Batcos Lisa Pray 6 Roseanne Bagale Ressa Ann Borkovich Anastasia Butrie Quin Elizabeth Gerzevske 10 Cathy Steiner 9 Anita Glusica 12 Brandon Conover Anna Allen Ciera Conover Anna Zubovich Neely Cortney Anne Batzos 14 Matthew Batzos Kelly Anne Panoff Amani Helal Peggy Ann Russell 20 Tara-Michael Butrie Nancy Ann Krigner Gonser Nancy Borkocivh Peter Economou Nancy Kocovski 25 Jimmy Todorovsky Megan Ann Krigner Jo Sredich 13 Amy Sfetkidis (St. Amatus) 26 John Goodman Cheryl Ellis (St. Amatus) 28 Kathy Swanigan Corey Treloar (St. Cornelius) 29 Georgiana Adkisson 16 Lucy (Ludmilla) Hogg Angela Panoff 17 Luba Todorovsky Luba Yosheff ANNIVERSARIES Sophia Batzos 3 George & Sherry Brown Sophia Treloar 4 Scott & Georgiana Adkisson 18 Ariana Loomis 11 Thomas & Nancy Krigner Arinn Alexandra Pray 19 Dennis & Sharon Jernigan Ashley Goodman 20 Jerry & Christine Brucksch 20 Oleg Dashevsky 26 George & Julie Jonascu Oleg Zubovich 27 Jeremy & Jami Fisher

NAMESDAYS 1 Athena Adkisson Joshua Brucksch Joshua Vuckovich

If your name is missing or has the incorrect information in the birthday, anniversary or namesday list please call the office: (810) 744-0070

LITURGY AND REDEDICATION OF THE SHRINE – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 – PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD Alexander Stockman of Grand Blanc has refurbished and repainted the interior of the Shrine for his Eagle Scout Project. This follows up the work Noah Gonser did for the exterior of the Shrine for his Eagle Scout project. Additionally, a permanent made to withstand the elements will be installed this month, replacing the older image which cannot be repaired. To mark the completion of all this work on the Shrine dedicated to our Lady of Iveron, Archbishop Alexander will lead us in the Holy Liturgy on Sunday, October 1, a feast of the Mother of God – The Protection. God-willing, the Liturgy will be held in the pavilion and the Archbishop will rededicate the Shrine at the Liturgy. Plan on attending! The interior work was made possible through the memorial fund of +Alexandros “Alex” Georgopoulos. The new icon was made possible through memorial funds that will be listed in the October newsletter.

100th ANNIVERSARY OF ST. MICHAEL, FLUSHING on Saturday, October 21. Envelopes with information and to make reservations are on the Parish Info bulletin board in the hall. Cost for the banquet is $20 per person.

CONTACT INFORMATION Please contact the church office with any updates to your mailing address, email address or telephone number(s) whenever you have a change. Thank you.

GLORIOUS DIFFERENCES “We are creatures formed by God. That thought is astonishing when we actually ponder the intricacies of the human body; the nervous system, skeletal system, the organs with their specific functions. Add our thought process and we are tremendous creations. More importantly, God created us in His image, with eternal spirits, small echoes of our Father.

Each of us is gifted with particular traits. One person’s strongest character trait may be a sense of humor, another’s may be sensitivity. One isn’t a “better” trait; both are useful and necessary to flesh out the particular family or community. The class clown may be reprimanded a lot, but without him school would be less interesting!

I have known boisterous women who tried being demure, and quiet women who attempted to be outgoing. It didn’t work. Why? Because we each have been created to be unique individuals, to have traits and capabilities that are ours alone. Some would say it’s a combination of genetics and training. We as Christians go further, saying it is our God-breathed gift of personality.

We should accept differences in others and not try to change our neighbors, children, and spouses. If our daughter is a shy, contemplative person, it would be wrong to encourage her to become an outgoing cheerleader. When we don’t accept personality traits as gifts from God’s hands, we are not encouraging the development of abilities given to glorify God. We are rejecting the very essence of self.

As we learn to accept ourselves and those around us as unique creations of a loving Father, we should revel in the differences we bring to the world. Each of us has so many gifts to share, and so many brothers and sisters to enjoy as God’s individual creations. Instead of trying to change one another or mimic the personalities of those around us, we should celebrate our God-given uniquenesses with joy and gratefulness.”

Taken from the book “THE ONE THING NEEDFUL: MEDITATIONS FOR THE BUSY ORTHODOX WOMAN” by Colette D. Jonopulos

VISITATION TO THE SICK Fr. Matthew brings Holy Communion to the shut-ins on Mondays. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact the office. Presently, those receiving weekly visits are: Helen Ashmun, Mary Ann Brayan, Paul Ellis, Fred Oginsky, Gloria Zelenko. Monthly Fr. Matthew visits Larry Bladecki (Bay City) and Peter and Olga Samaras (Caro).

DAILY INTERCESSION FOR OUR SICK AND HOMEBOUND The following are our brothers and sisters of St. Nicholas who are currently homebound, suffering from chronic illness, in recovery or in need of special prayers. Please remember them in your prayers and reach out to them with a card, a phone call or a visit! Please call the office to schedule a visit for Holy Communion.

Larry Bladecki JoAnn Havens Fred Oginsky Deacon John Bocek Bill Haw Ron Salhany Anna Branoff Helen Iwanoff Olga Samaras Linda Branoff Goldie Johnson Peter Samaras Gladys Edwards Mary Karayanis Bill Tadrick Paul Ellis Nick Karayanis Wendy Tadrick Susan Goodman Macy Lemen Gloria Zelenko

To aid in your outreach, here is a listing of the addresses and phone numbers of our Homebound:

Helen Ashmun 4436 Beecher Rd Flint, MI 48532 Larry Bladecki 409 15th Street Bay City, MI 48708 Gladys Edwards 2 Harbor Dr. St. Clair, MO 63077 Paul Ellis 5931 Western Rd Flint, MI 48506-1305 Goldie Johnson 3215 W. Mount Hope Ave. Apt. 142 Lansing, MI 48911 Pete & Olga Samaras 1285 Cleaver Rd Caro, MI 48723-9241 (989) 673-0821 Gloria Zelenko 5370 E. Baldwin Rd. #520 Grand Blanc, MI 48439

AN EVENING WITH

The Konevets Quartet

A Concert of Traditional Russian Folk & Church Music

Wednesday

October 4, 2017

The Konevets Quartet, under the direction of Igor Dmitriev, was 6:30 pm founded by graduates of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatory in July 1992 with the goal of sharing Hosted by: the rich Russian vocal tradition with its audiences. The Quartet takes its name from the Konevets Island and St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Monastery, outside of St. Petersburg. 2143 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI 48519 (810) 744-0070

A free-will offering will be collected, a portion of which will benefit the restoration of the Konevets Monastery. CDs will be available for purchase.

6:30 pm

Please join us for a great time of fun & fellowship.

7:30 PM - FRIDAY, SEPT. 15 – “Finding Dory” 7:30 PM – FRIDAY, Oct. 20 – “Boss Baby” ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH 2143 S. CENTER RD. BURTON, MI 48519

Popcorn will be provided

Bring your family and friends, even if they do not attend St. Nicholas.

$36.00 Single Space

for 6 months

$50.00 Double

Space ? for 6 months

$65.00 Triple Space for 6 months

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church 2143 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI 48519 SEPTEMBER 2017 810-744-0070 Email: [email protected] Website: www.saintnicholasburton.org

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Fast Charitable Ministries by the Orthodox Churches of Flint: 1 2 th Dairy Permitted (no meat) St. George – N. End Soup Kitchen, 4 Tuesday, 9 am to 12:30 pm Assumption – Center for Hope 517 E Fifth Ave, No Vespers Wine & Oil Permitted (no meat) rd 3 Wednesday, 11 am to 1 pm (Sept thru June) Fish Permitted (no other meat)

3 4 Labor Day 5 6 7 9:am to 12:30 pm 8 Nativity of the 9 North End Soup 9:30 Third Hour 9 am Divine Liturgy Kitchen 5 pm Vespers 10 am Divine Liturgy 11 am Adult Ed. 6 pm Combined

Vesperal Liturgy Office Closed Office Closed

10 11 12 Leavetaking 13 14 Elevation of the Cross 15 16 Father in Toledo Nativity of the 9 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 Third Hour Theotokos 11 am Adult Ed. 7:30 pm Family 5 pm Vespers 5:30 pm Nominating 10 am Divine Liturgy 6 pm Combined Movie Night Committee Meeting Church School Vesperal Liturgy Office Closed 6:30 pm Parish Begins at St. George Council 6-8pm Book Club 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 9:30 Third Hour 9 am Divine Liturgy Conception of 10 am Divine Liturgy 11 am Adult Ed. St. Bingo 6-8pm Book Club 11 am to 1 pm Church School Assumption at Office Closed 5 pm Vespers Center for Hope 24 25 26 Father in Toledo 27 28 29 30 Middle Eastern Lunch 9:am to 12:30 pm 9:30 Third Hour 9 am Divine Liturgy & Bake Sale 11-3 @ 5 pm Vespers St. George Church at 10 am Divine Liturgy No Adult Ed. St. George North End Soup Church School Kitchen Diocesan ClergyOffice Closed Retreat at Dormition Monastery 6-8pm Book Club St. Nicholas Orthodox Church 2143 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI 48519 810-744-0070 OCTOBER 2017 Email: [email protected] Website: www.saintnicholasburton.org

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 Father in Toledo 4 5 6 7 9:45 am Greet 9 am Divine Liturgy 9:am to 12:30 pm Archbishop Alexander 11 am Adult Ed North End Soup 5 pm Vespers 10 am Pontifical Liturgy Kitchen in the Pavilion and 6-8pm Book Club 6:30 pm rededication of the Shrine Konevets Quartet Office Closed 8 9 Father in Toledo 10 11 12 13 14 6:30 pm Parish 9:30 Third Hour Council 9 am Divine Liturgy Office Closed 5 pm Vespers 10 am Divine Liturgy 11 am Adult Ed Church School 6-8pm Book Club

15 16 17 Father in Toledo 18 19 20 21 9 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 Third Hour 11 am Adult Ed 7:30 pm Family No Vespers 10 am Divine Liturgy 6-8pm Book Club 11 am to 1 pm Movie Night Church School Assumption at Center for Hope Office Closed 22 23 24 Father in Toledo 25 26 27 28

9:am to 12:30 pm 9:30 Third Hour 9 am Divine Liturgy 5 pm Vespers St. George Church at 10 am Divine Liturgy 11 am Adult Ed Church School North End Soup

Kitchen Office Closed 6-8pm Book Club

29 30 31 Father in Toledo Charitable Ministries by the Orthodox Fast Churches of Flint: 9:30 Third Hour Dairy Permitted (no meat) St. George – N. End Soup Kitchen, 10 am Divine Liturgy th 4 Tuesday, 9 am to 12:30 pm Church School Wine & Oil Permitted (no meat) Assumption – Center for Hope 517 E Fifth 6-8pm Book Club Fish Permitted (no other meat) Ave, 3rd Wednesday, 11 am to 1 pm