December 2013 ¨1645 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 ¨ (850) 878-0747 ¨ Rev. Fr. Robert J. O’Loughlin¨ http://www.hmog.org
Keeping the Nativity of Christ Simple ~ A Message from Fr. Robert
We live in the world today where technology keeps us informed immediately of dif- ferent things going on all the time. Within the busyness we may not include God and trusting in Him to assist in making our lives more simple. The more we trust Him, the simpler life becomes. What God asks of us is to release some of our own desires and wants and trust in Him that He will guide us to all we need. One of the central mes- sages of the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is that He becomes alive in each one of us. Our thoughts, words and deeds become ways to carry out His will. We are to engage in the opening of our heart, mind, soul and body to the presence of the Holy Spirit as it takes effort to integrate the thoughts and feelings to become temples of His Holy Spirit.
We come to that time of year when we take time to think of others. One thing that is associated with the cel- ebration of Christmas everywhere is giving. Christmas is the feast of giving and St. Nicholas has become a symbol of Christmas because he gave all of what he had and was never tired of giving. The biggest gift that we can receive and then ultimately give is receiving Christ in our hearts. And then when we have this we can give the gift of ourselves more and spend the time that many people long for. We need to strive to find the time to visit and be with people. This is the greatest gift because its value cannot be calculated in terms of money. And everybody needs love and encouragement. Everybody needs the inner peace and joy that comes from the Holy Spirit that we can inspire to utilize. When we visit people this Christmas season, let us try to share with them the Spirit of God in us, the Spirit of peace and joy. At this time of year when we are generally so distracted by everything else except the reason that we are celebrating Christmas, it’s important for us to pay attention a little more closely to what is happening.
As we come together to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity, let us be reminded that Christ came to live with people just like us. He accepts us and embraces us no matter where we have been. So as we prepare for this joyous Feast, let us never lose sight that God has entered the world and changed it forever. The big ques- tion is whether we truly realize this entrance of God into the world, and accept His entrance as an event that directly impacts our lives in the way we live. I pray this Christmas will be a time of renewed commitment for all of us. Let us open our hearts and receive the greatest gift that God has given us in His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Fr. Robert
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If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Next Spaghetti Dinners: Fr. Rob immediately at 850-559-8184. Friday, December 6th
Our next ECHO Sundays are December 1st and January 5th. Please drop off your non- Friday, January 10th perishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall.
Dear Parishioners, November has been a good month for our parish in many aspects and I wish December to be even better for everyone. Following a two-month suspension due to preparation work for the Greek Food Festival, we resumed our monthly spaghetti dinners on November 1. It was indeed very inspiring to see those dedicated volunteers gathering that early morning and carrying on with great enthusiasm throughout the day. If you can spare a few hours in the future, I guarantee you will enjoy joining them while at the same time helping your church. Usually, this event takes place on the first Friday of each month. The next one will be on December 6. Hope to see you then either volunteering or dining or both! Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Archangel Michael Award, Jimmy Koikos and Krista O'Loughlin. His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios presented the awards during the Archangel Michael Honors Banquet on November 9 at the Metropolis of Atlanta. We all are proud for these recognitions and thankful for Jimmy and Krista's paradigmatic dedication to the faith, our church and ministries. Our most heartfelt wishes to both. The General Assembly of October 20 nominated six church members for four seats on the Parish Council. Our Elec- tion Day is December 8. On behalf of the entire Parish Council, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas followed by a Prosperous and Happy New Year! Yours in Christ Pete Koikos
Metropolis of Atlanta Archangel Michael Recipients Nov. 9, 2013
Jimmy Koikos Krista O’Loughlin
Christmas Services
Tuesday, December 24th
For more information and if you would Great Hours and like to donate a Vasilopita for Sunday, Vespers of the Nativity 8:30 a.m. January 12th, 2014, please see or call Orthros & Divine Liturgy Vicky Gavalas. All proceeds from the of St. John Chrysostom Vasilopita benefit St. Basil’s 6:00 p.m. Academy and the children.
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Youla Lountos Youla
Margarita Joanos Margarita
allowed
allowed
—
=Strict Fast
—
=Wine and Oil
= Fish Allowed = Fish
=Dairy eggs & =Father Away
Prosforo
Schedule
12/22
12/08
+ + CalendarSymbol Key s
SAT 5:00 pm 5:00
f No Fast
OCF/GOYA OCF/GOYA
Great Vespers Great
Christmas Caroling Christmas
7 14 21 28
—
FRI
7:00 pm7:00
St. St. Nicholas Feast Day of of Feast Day
No Fast No Fast (c) Gorb*/Perrigan/EJoanos
Poulos*/Gorb/Papageorge (c) Poulos*/Gorb/Papageorge
Branch*/SJoanos/Poulos (c) Branch*/SJoanos/Poulos
Koikos*/EJoanos/Branch (c) Koikos*/EJoanos/Branch
Gorb*/Pappageorge/Koikos © © Gorb*/Pappageorge/Koikos
Perrigan*/Manias/SJoanos (c) Perrigan*/Manias/SJoanos
11:00 am 11:00
—
—
—
—
—
—
Spaghetti Dinner Spaghetti
Divine Liturgy, 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy,
6 13 20 27
*Denotes a 9:30 start time
12/01
12/08
12/29
01/05 01/05
12/15 12/15
PangariSchedule for December
12/22 12/22
THU
f No Fast
f
Divine LiturgyDivine 9:00 a.m.
Feast Feast Day SpyridonSt. of
5 12 + 19 26
1:00 p.m. 1:00
—
No Fast No Fast
WED
quirers) quirers)
6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00
Glorify Him! Glorify
Christis Born,
OFFICE CLOSED
OrthodoxLife
Second Harvest
(Newcomers/In- (Newcomers/In-
Catechetical Class Catechetical Class
11:00 a.m. 11:00 4 11 + 18 25
8:30 a.m. 8:30
TUE
Liturgy Liturgy
Vespers Vespers
6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00
f 6:00 pm
f 6:00 6:00 p.m.
of the Nativity the of No Fast
Great Hours & & Hours Great
New Year’s Eve New Year’s
Choir Practice Choir Practice Choir Practice Choir
Liturgy of St. Basil Orthros & Divine & Orthros
Vespers Divine and
10 17 + 24 31
3
Meeting Meeting
MON
5:30 5:30 p.m.
No Fast
f
Parish Council Council Parish
f
2 9 + 16 + 23 30
SUN
Elections Elections
10:30 a.m. a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30
10:30 a.m 10:30
Divine Liturgy Liturgy Divine
Church School Church
Church School School Church School Church
f
Youth Sunday Sunday Youth
Parish Council Council Parish
ECHO Sunday Sunday ECHO
& Divine Liturgy Liturgy Divine & 9:30a.m. Orthros Liturgy Divine & 9:30a.m. Orthros Liturgy Divine &
Orthros 9:30 a.m. 9:30a.m. Orthros No Fast
(sponsored by GOYA)
No Church School Church No
No Church School School Church No
& Divine & Liturgy Divine Orthros9:30a.m
f
Orthros 9:30 a.m. & a.m. 9:30 Orthros
las Pancake Breakfast las Pancake
Feast Day of St. Nicho- of Day Feast
1 8 15 22 29 Page 4
A huge thank you to the Holy Mother of God community for support- ing our bake sale in which proceeds will go towards purchasing toys for “Toys for Tots”. Over $300 was made! Sat. Dec. 7th– Christmas caroling to parishioners Sun. Dec. 8th- 6th Annual Feast of St. Nicholas Community Pancake Breakfast GOYA Bake Sale
November GOYA meeting –dinner ,discussion and fellowship
Feast Day of St. Nicholas Family Pancake Breakfast
Sponsored by GOYA Sunday Dec. 8th, 2013 Following Divine Liturgy After breakfast there will be crafts and a surprise visit from St. Nicholas
For more information please contact Presvytera Joy at Nov. OCF Meeting at FSU 320-1101 or email at [email protected]
Holy Mother of God Monthly Community Outreach Wednesday, December 11th
If you would like to make a difference and help fight hunger, join us at America’s Second Harvest Warehouse facility on Four Points Way . The time that you donate at the food bank will go a long way towards helping the men, women, and chil- dren of the Big Bend get the food they so desperately need. We will meet at Second Harvest at 11:00 am.. If you are interested in assisting in this effort for one or two hours or have any questions, please contact: Fr. Rob @850-559-8184 or Presv. Joy @ 850-320-1101.
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Christmas Poinsettias
Philoptochos will be adorning the Solea with Poinsettias for the Nativity! If you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one for $15.00, please contact Olibia Drzewiecki after Liturgy on Sunday’s or reach her at 877-7604 by December 15th. The names will be listed in the January Reflection. Parish Christmas Card
Please call the church office about including your family in the Parish Christ- mas Card by December 15th. Donation is $10 per family. Sign up early.
Stewardship Ministries
Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledg- es accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him.
Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards. Each year the Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn support the Na- tional Ministries of our Archdiocese, Metropolises, and institutions.
Effective stewardship ministry is not a single event or project. Rather, it is going out to our people wherever they are in their walk with Christ, listening to their concerns, helping them to realize their importance as branches of the True Vine and encouraging them to offer their gifts in His service. We use various resources to support our efforts, but unless we meet with our people personally, sincerely listen to their ideas and concerns, and share a vision for the future of the parish, our efforts will not each their full potential. In Oriented Leadership their book on Orthodox Christian leadership, Williams and McKibben define stewardship as the call of the faithful to share willingly the gifts that God has bestowed on them, including sharing these gifts for God’s work. Stewardship is devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as a Parish, as a Metropolis, as a National Church, and as the Church Universal. Stewardship is our active commitment to use ALL our time, talent and treas- ure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ’s redeeming love.
Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one's self to God as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying "I believe..." as proof of that belief. - Williams and McKibben in Oriented Leadership
In the words of Fr. William Chiganos of Holy Apostles Church in Westchester, Illinois, “…people don’t give to need; they give to vision…. Church people don’t stretch their giving because of need to meet the budget; they give more because they are able to see a vision of people being reached and God’s purpos- es being accomplished in the life of the church and its ministry.” Parishes with successful Orthodox Christian Stewardship Programs have found that incredible support is unleashed from Stewards who unselfishly and joyfully offer their time, talent and treasures, which in turn enhances the spirituality and ministry of the local parish.
© 2013 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Page 6
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Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! “God bless us, everyone!” Spoken by Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Poinsettias for Christmas
It is now time to place your orders for poinsettias to decorate our Church for the Feast of the Nativi- ty. They always make our church look even more beautiful at this very special and holy time of the year. You The Ladies Philoptochos Society may place them “In Memory” of loved ones. (Friend of the Poor) These names will appear in the January Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin. Please see Olibia 1645 Phillips Road Drzewiecki in the bookstore in the Hellenic Tallahassee, Florida 32308 (850) 878-0747 Center following Divine Liturgies to place Present their… your orders.
Annual Dinner
Save the Date (Friday) January 31, 2014
More Details to Come
$15.00 Philoptochos Members’ Christmas Eat in or take out Brunch Menu includes:
In Thomasville Greek Salad
December 7th (Sat) 11:00 AM – Dutch Treat Greek Style Chicken
Greek Style Green Beans Liam’s Restaurant Pastitsio
“Sinfully Delicious” Tiropita & Spanakopita
Check their website: www.liamsthomaville.com Roll
113 East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 30792 Galatoboureko
RSVP Connie 229-22-1071 Coffee or Tea
Proceeds from this dinner support our philanthropic endeavors— Thank you for your support
Just Over the Horizon . . . To make your reservation (850) 251-5211 (9:00 am to
January 9 Next Meeting m in the Patmos Hall at 6:00 pm 8:30 pm) or (850) 339-9495 after 5:00 pm January 12 Vasilopita Sunday or email your ticket reservations to [email protected]
January 31 Annual Chicken Dinner Page 7
The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Celebrated December 25th
The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Ro- man emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come
the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).
Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Naza- reth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the de- cree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since be- cause of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstace constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living crea- tures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his
master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).
But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high cele- brated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon bright- ness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new- born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).
Parish Council Elections — Sunday, December 8th Nominees to fill four vacancies are: Michael Eudy, Pete Koikos, Stelios Manias, Connie Mathes and Mike Papageorge Please keep in mind that only members in good standing who have completed a 2013 Stewardship Card and are no more than 1 year in arrears in payment of stewardship commitment are eligible to vote as duly noted in the UPR Section 4: A parishioner in good standing and duly enrolled in the Parish Record but delinquent in his or her Parish stewardship obligations for the current year may vote in the election by meeting his or her stewardship obligation prior to the election, unless Par- ish Bylaws have established alternate deadlines in this regard. If a Parishioner is delinquent for more than the current calendar year, he or she may vote in the Parish Council elections only if he or she has met his or her unfulfilled stewardship financial obligations at least thirty (30) days pri- or to the date of the elections. Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Return Service Requested
Holy Mother of God The Nativity of Website: www.hmog.org
Greek Orthodox Church Email Addresses: Our Lord and Savior, 1645 Phillips Road Father Rob: Tallahassee, FL 32308 Jesus Christ [email protected]
Office: 850-878-0747 Church Secretary: Hall: 850-877-2501 Celebrated [email protected]
Fr. Rob’s Cell: December 25th Secretary Hours: 850-559-8184 Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm