Publish-header
St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-12-24
Bulletin Contents
Allsaint
Organization Icon
St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (203) 375-2564
  • Street Address:

  • 1240 Broadbridge Avenue

  • Stratford, CT 06615


Contact Information




Services Schedule


Divine Liturgy - Sundays and Feast Days : 9:00 am

Great Vespers - Saturday Evenings: 5:00 pm

Great Vespers - Eve of Great Feasts: 7:00 pm

Moleben to St. Nectarios - Second Tuesday 7:00 pm 


Past Bulletins


Lectionary & Typicon


Image result for transfiguration icon

Second Sunday Before The Nativity Of Our Lord
The Sunday of The Holy Forefathers

 St Daniel The Stylite

 Epistle: Colossians 3:4-11
Gospel: Luke 14:16-24

Resurrectional  Tone 4

BACK TO TOP

Church Services and Events

  • Calendar

    December 24, 2017 to January 7, 2018

    DECEMBER

    Sunday, December 24

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School

    Tuesday, December 26

    7:00PM Teen Catechism Class

    Wednesday, December 27

    7:00PM Adult Scripture Study

    Saturday, December 30

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, December 31

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School

    JANUARY

    Wednesday, January 3

    7:00PM Adult Scripture Study

    Friday, January 5

    9:00AM Royal Hours

    Saturday, January 6

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy of Christmas Eve

    4:30PM Confessions

    6:30PM Holy Supper

    Sunday, January 7

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy - The Nativity of Our Lord

BACK TO TOP

Parish Stewardship

Logo_-_stewardship_commission_-_10-7-2013_(234_x_249)

 

DATE COFFEE HOUR HOST HOURS EPISTLE
Dec 31 Ivers/Pierce Pani Carol Bill Bilcheck
Jan 7 Christmas Fellowship Holly Bilcheck Matthew Mihaly
       

2017 STEWARDSHIP

     YTD: $63,380.00  As of 12/17/17  Goal: $68,000.00

 

BACK TO TOP

Announcements

PRAYERS FOR PEACE - Please do not forget that Bishop Gregory has asked all of us to pray a special prayer for peace  each night during our evening prayers.  It is included in this bulletin for your convenience. 

ADULT EDUCATION
 - Our Orthodox Boot Camp will meet next on Wednesday Dec 27 at 7:00 pm. We are now turning our attention to Holy Scripture. Our study is of a practical nature:  we are learning about the basics of the Bible, its origin and how to  read it  with them main focus being  how the bible offers answers to the struggles we face in everyday life. Those who are interested in taking part in the class either in person or by telephone or video conferencing are kindly asked to contact Fr. Peter. 

CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY SUPPER - Many thanks to all  those who donated the food ingredients, prepared the meal and served at the Lord's Kitchen Christmas Dinner last Wednesday.  May God Bless you all!

LEAF RAKING SESSION -  As we were snowed out with our planned work day last Sunday,  we  are hoping to reschedule, weather permitting during the next couple weeks.  Watch your email in box  for  new day and time.

EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES – We have instituted a parish email system.  For correspondence with Fr. Peter please use the following email address: priest@sjoc.org  For parish bulletin or monthly newsletter submissions or questions please use news@sjoc.org 

LOTS O LUCK CALENDARS - Now on sale in the Church hall. Cost is $25.00.  Proceeds support Diocesan Mission Fund and other charitable works of the ACRY.

2018 PERPETUAL CANDLE PROGRAM:  Those parishioners who are currently participating in the 2017 Perpetual 7 Day CandleProgram are reminded that it concludes with this week’s candles. Those parishioners who wish to continue to have candles perpetually lit for their family, friends, or themselves, or would like to take part for the first time, are invited to be enrolled in the 2017 Perpetual Candle program. Cost is $156 per candle for the year.  To be enrolled in the perpetual candle list for this coming year, all current and new participants are asked to contact Fr. Peter and let him know the desired number of candles you would like lit and the intentions.  Please make checks payable to St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church  with perpetual candle program in the memo and either mail to the Church or place in the donation box on the candle desk in the back of the Church before the end of December.   

ACRY - THE FELLOWSHIP OF STS CYRIL AND METHODIOS -  The purpose of our parish ACRY is to provide a forum for our young adults and young at heart to provide input and generate ideas for parish outreach projects and provide more opportunities for parish fellowship. All parishioners are invited  to take part in the meetings.  Those who wish to become official members of the ACRY are kindly asked to see Holly Bilcheck who is collecting the $20 annual dues which supports the various Diocesan outreach ministries, scholarship and campership programs spearheaded by the National ACRY.  

LORD’S KITCHEN - Our Next  Meal will be  Mon,  Jan 15, 2018.  Please See Mary or Eve if you  wish to help. 

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS - All parishioners are kindly asked to prepare themselves to receive Holy Communion at the Christmas Morning Divine Liturgy.  All parishioners, including regular communicants, are asked to come to Holy Confession during the remaining time of the Nativity Fast.  Fr. Peter is available before and after Vespers and Divine Liturgy.  He will also be available on the afternoon of  Christmas Eve, after the 8 pm Compline Service and before Divine Liturgy of Christmas, beginning at 9:15 am. and through appointment at any other time.    We will also schedule a few choir rehearsals to go over the Christmas Liturgy and Christmas.  

CHRISTMAS EVE HOLY SUPPER - All parishioners are cordially invited to take part in our annual Community Holy Supper to be held on Sati, Jan 6, 201ndfay at 6:30 pm, prior to the 8:00 pm Compline Service.  Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the parish Hall if you plan on attending. There is no cost but all are asked to bring a food item and take part in the clean-up after the supper. 

NEW YEAR'S BRUNCH - We will ring in the Julian Calendar New Year with a celebratory luncheon (Sunday Sauce)  at  Ralph and Riches in Bridgeport following Sunday Divine Liturgy on January 14,  at approx Noon. 12:30 pm. Cost is approximately $27 for a four course meal.   Please mark your calendar and add your name to the sign up sheet  in the Church Hall. Reservations must made by Jan 7th.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 
Dec 25 Maribel Best  Birthday
Dec 27 Faith Stirna  Birthday
Dec 29 Bryan Papillo  Birthday
Dec 29 Jeff Stokely  Birthday
 
FINANCIAL STATISTICS 12/17/17
Pew Collection             1147.00
7 Day Candles                  9.00 
Christmas Outreach             1161.00
St Nicholas Brunch               820.00
St Nicholas Donation                 25.00
TOTAL          $3,305.00
   
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
December 11

Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople

This Saint was from the village of Marutha in the region of Samosata in Mesopotamia. He became a monk at the age of twelve. After visiting Saint Symeon the Stylite (see Sept. 1) and receiving his blessing, he was moved with zeal to follow his marvellous way of life. At the age of forty-two, guided by providence, he came to Anaplus in the environs of Constantinople, in the days of the holy Patriarch Anatolius (see July 3), who was also healed by Saint Daniel of very grave malady and sought to have him live near him. Upon coming to Anaplus, Saint Daniel first lived in the church of the Archangel Michael, but after some nine years, Saint Symeon the Stylite appeared to him in a vision, commanding him to imitate his own ascetical struggle upon a pillar. The remaining thirty-three years of his life he stood for varying periods on three pillars, one after another. He stood immovable in all weather, and once his disciples found him covered with ice after a winter storm. He was a counsellor of emperors; the pious emperor Leo the Great fervently loved him and brought his royal guests to meet him. It was at Saint Daniel's word that the holy relics of Saint Symeon the Stylite were brought to Constantinople from Antioch, and it was in his days that the Emperor Leo had the relics of the Three Holy Children brought from Babylon. Saint Daniel also defended the Church against the error of the Eutychians. Having lived through the reigns of the Emperors Leo, Zeno, and Basiliscus, he reposed in 490, at the age of eighty-four.


BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11

Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.


BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Great indeed was the faith of Abraham. . . It was necessary to go beyond human reasoning. . . to manifest also something more.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily XXV on Hebrews XI, 1,2. translation found in The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox, Monastery Books, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY 2003, p. 955., 4th Century

The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14).
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Diocesan Stewardship Blog

Logo_-_stewardship_commission_-_10-7-2013_(234_x_249)

On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life - Part 152: Bad Excuses (6/25/17)

05/02/2017

"Honor the Lord with your substances and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3: 9-10 RSV)

We tend to shy away from a discussion involving money when it comes to stewardship. The reason lies in the fact that the Western church has put such an emphasis on it in America that even the Orthodox Church has adopted the “westernization of stewardship.” We have tried very hard to present the true biblical connotation of stewardship through the Diocesan Stewardship Commission. Stewardship of your treasure/wealth is an important factor in the church. Without it, the church cannot pay the mortgage, priest salary, utilities and most importantly, outreach efforts.

On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life - Part 151: Giving Away the Kingdom (6/18/17)

05/02/2017

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.” (Matthew 21: 43 RSV)

The New Testament is full of parables which Christ attempts to teach us using common day examples. We see in Matthew, Chapter 21, several parables. The parable of the two sons (versus 28 -32) and the parable of the wicked tenants (versus 33- 41) both teach us that we are not guaranteed a place in the Kingdom of God. Eternal life is truly a gift that God has given us but how we experience that gift depends entirely on how we use the gifts that God has given us as well as expressing our gratitude for those gifts.

On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life - Part 150: Fairness and Credibility (6/11/17)

05/02/2017

"I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength; yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but God has not permitted him to harm me.”.” (Genesis 31: 5-7 RSV)

Jacob was deceived several times by La’ban. It was not fair how La’ban had treated him yet Jacob persisted until God instructed him to take his wives, children and flocks and leave. I think that most of us at one time or another and to one degree or another have had something happen to us that was just not fair. Most of us took it in stride and continued with other lives. There is an ever increasing movement in this country that there must be an equality of outcomes.
BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Diocesan Resources

Diocesan Website:  http://www.acrod.org Camp:  http://www.campnazareth.org
Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/acroddiocese
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrodnews
You Tube: https://youtube.com/acroddiocese
 National ACRY: http://www.acry.org

 

BACK TO TOP