Services This Week
11/28/2021
Sunday, November 28th, 13th Sunday of Luke
Orthros 8:50 A.M.
Divine Liturgy 10:00 A.M.
Sunday, December 5th, 10th Sunday of Luke
Orthros 8:50 A.M.
Divine Liturgy 10:00 A.M.
Festival Appreciation Luncheon and General Assembly Meeting
11/28/2021
Today, there will be a complementary dinner to show our appreciation for the parishioners' support of the Festival. Afterwards, there will be a General Assembly Meeting. All Parishioners in Good Standing are requested to attend.
Festival Resale Items
11/28/2021
The following Festival items are available for purchase. Please see a Parish Council Member if you are interested in purchasing any of the items. They are:
- Almond Crescent (Amigdalota) - $3/each,
- Baklava - $3/each
- Chocolate Baklava - $3/each
- Baklava Cheesecake - $4/each - $40/whole pie
- Kataifi - $3/each
- Koulouria - $6/doz
- Marble (chocolate) Koulouria - $6/doz
- Kourambiedes - $2/each
- Melomakarona - $2/each
- Dolmathes - $10/doz
- Sampler Box - $20
- Spanakopita - $20/ tray - $55/box of 3 trays
- Tryopita - $20/ tray - $55/box of 3 trays
- Greek Wine - $16/bottle
House Blessing with Icon of St. Nicholas
11/28/2021
On Saturday, December 4, 2021, for Parishioners who request it, Father John, members of the Parish Council and altar boys will make a brief visit to their homes with the Icon of Saint Nicholas and saying a short pray blessing the household. To have your home blessed contact Father John by phone at 361-929-8924 or email at frjohnhaby@stnicholasgoc.net. The blessing will be organized by neighborhoods.
Saint Nicholas Day Dinner and Parish Council Elections
11/28/2021
On December 12th, the Parish Council will host the Saint Nicholas Day Dinner. Parish Council Elections will be held concurrently where three positions will be voted upon.
Community Christmas Party
11/28/2021
On Sunday, December 19, the annual Community Christmas Pot Luck Party will be held. Everyone is asked to be a food item, keeping in mind that we are still in the Christmas Fast.
Fast of the Nativity
11/28/2021
The Nativity Fast had begun and is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Eastern Orthodox, in preparation for the Nativity of Christ. The fast is a more relaxed fast with fish, oil and wine allowed until December 10th.
Welcome to our Guests
11/28/2021
Father John and the members of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church offer warm greetings to all our guests. We are happy to have you worshiping with us and we hope that you will make this your spiritual home in the future. You are invited to receive blessed bread (antidoron) which will be given out at the end of today’s services.
Church Etiquette
11/28/2021
Please be reminded that out of respect for what goes on during the Divine Liturgy, there are certain time when not to enter the Nave. These times are: 1) between the readings of the Epistle and Gospel; 2) when the priest censes the icons and the congregation; and 3) whenever the priest faces the congregation to bless them. When entering the Nave, please enter by the side aisles and not by the middle isle. Stanchions will be placed by the Narthex door in order to prevent anyone from entering the Nave at inappropriate time. When the Parish Council Members ask that no one enter at a particular time, please heed their request. It is disruptive to the other worshipers when someone enters the Nave at an inappropriate time. Everyone’s cooperation is appreciated.
Respectful Worship Environment
11/28/2021
The worship experience is enhanced by having your children participate. Please help them learn proper behavior and reverence while in the Church. Teach them to cross themselves, venerate the Icons, & respond prayerfully “Lord have mercy.” If they become too loud, please take them to the Narthex for a brief stay and return as soon as they have calmed. More Church etiquette may be found at http://stnicholasgoc.net/our-parish/church-etiquette.
Please silence all cell phone, tablets and all other electronic devices before entering church. We understand that in this electronic/digital age, some people will use their device to read along with parts of the Divine Liturgy. However, please check your setting when you come to church and keep your devices on silent or vibrate inside the church. Please do not answer your phone while inside the church. Please do whatever you can do to minimize distracting others with the light coming from your phone or your pop-up notifications and alerts or with blue-tooth devices on your ear.
Recitation of the Lord's Prayer
11/28/2021
Please remember that everyone has the opportunity to say the Lord’s Prayer in their first language. The order of languages is: Greek, English, Spanish, Russian, Romanian, and Arabic.
Holy Communion
11/28/2021
The Holy Communion of the Orthodox is the Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is with awe and love that we approach the Divine Mysteries. Therefore, the Communion of the Orthodox is reserved only for those baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves by prayer and fasting, as prescribed by the Canons of the Holy Church. Women, in respect of our Lord, please remove lipstick before you approach to receive, in order that no oils contact the Holy Spoon or the Holy Chalice.