This Sunday's Memorial
Presvytera Maria Tranta – 1 year
As a reminder: The pews on the front right side of the church as you walk in are reserved for the family/families who are having a Memorial Service for their loved ones. Thus, please allow one pew per Memorial family on any given Sunday. Thank you for your understanding.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco Will Be With Us For Our Feast Day
Please mark your calendars and plan to be with us for the Great Vespers service on Wednesday, evening, December 11th at 6:00 pm and on Thursday morning, December 12th for the Orthros/Preparatory Service and the Divine Liturgy starting at 9:00 am. Following the Vespers service on Wednesday, December 11th our Philopotochos Ladies will host a light lenten reception. Following the divine services on Thursday, December 12th a complimentary feast day luncheon will be offered in our fellowship hall. We do ask that you make your reservation for the luncheon by calling the office at 619-297-4165 or emailing Christine in the office at admin@stspyridon.org.
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Stewardship Reminder
Dear Fellow Steward of Saint Spyridon GOC:
“Tis the Season” once again! My. Time flies, doesn’t it? The Stewardship Committee once again thanks you for your ongoing and honorable pledges and/or financial contributions throughout the year 2024.
As you may remember, several weeks ago I introduced St. Spyridon and his wondrous ministry and Thomas Jefferson and his pronouncement of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Both men assisted modern society in defining its religious and political freedoms. Both men gave their lives to serve others! One man wore slippers and walked his ministry, and one man wore riding boots and rode to Pennsylvania to define freedom for a new nation.
Thus, we are asking you, as St. John Climacus suggested, to do every good deed that you can. And, in this case, that means filling those “big boots” with your Time, Talent, and Treasure. We respectfully ask you to complete a 2025 stewardship pledge card that has been mailed to your home. Or, if you need a pledge card, please call the office and ask for one to be sent to you. Or, go online to stspyridon.org and make a pledge online.
Once again, the Stewardship Committee thanks you for your honorable giving. Please continue to be attentive to your Orthodox Christian call to offer your first fruits unto Christ’s Body, which is the Church (Eph. 1:23 Col. 1:24).
God’s continued blessings to you and your family.
The Stewardship Committee,
John T Kalas - Stewardship Chairperson
Ben De La Riva, Jim Gilpin, Stephen Thiros, and Spero Tzathas
January 2025 Newsletter Deadline
The monthly newsletter deadline is this, Monday, December 9th! Please email Soula (office@stspyridon.org) with your submission.
Fall See's Candy Fundraiser
Today, December 6th is the last day to purchase Sees Candy to support the Dance and Choral School! Sees candy are great gifts for out of town family and friends! Candy is shipped directly to your (or your recipient’s) home. Order online: https://tinyurl.com/5n7cwxsf
Greek Dance and Choral School
This Friday and Saturday we will be sponsoring our annual December Nights parking lot fundraiser at church. We can use volunteers to help us with this effort if you're interested in volunteering for any amount of time. For information contact stspyridondance@gmail.com or you can sign up directly here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA8A62EA2FDC70-53662966-december
GOYA Sock Drive
This Sunday is the last day to bring socks for the GOYA Sock Drive! We have almost met our goal of 10 boxes filled with socks! Put the new socks of all colors and sizes in the drop boxes in the Sunday School Building, Hall, and Youth Room! Thank you for all of your generosity so far!
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Young at Heart Seniors
Please plan to attend our Christmas luncheon this Tuesday, December 10th. We’ll be treated to songs performed by Ellia Samouris, including Greek Christmas Carols. And Santa Claus will be there spreading holiday joy! So please “be good” and RSVP with Cynthia Samarkos (619-582-4109) by Sunday, December 8th. Ho Ho Ho!
Little Angels Playgroup
Philoptochos Decorated Icons
Commemorate a Feast Day by offering a decorated icon to be displayed in the Narthex for veneration. The suggested donation is $85 to: Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. Call the church office at 619-297-4165 to reserve.
Icons available for decoration:
12/25 - The Holy Nativity of Jesus Christ
1/1 - St. Basil the Great
1/17 - St. Anthony the Great
1/18 - Sts. Athanasios and Cyril
1/20 - St. Euthymios
1/25 - St. Gregory the Theologian
1/30 - The Three Hierarchs
Christmas Gift Bags for Homebound Parishioners
Please volunteer to deliver a Christmas gift bag to one of our Homebound Parishioners next Sunday, December 15th. Come to the Hall Lounge after Divine Liturgy. Thank you for supporting St. Spyridon Philoptochos.
HOPE and JOY Christmas Party
Saturday, December 14th, 10am - 12:00pm. We hope that our HOPE and JOY Families will join us for our Christmas Party with brunch, decorating gingerbread houses, and stuffing stockings for the Angel’s Christmas Party. Please RSVP by December 12th. Bring a brunch item to share and a game or toy for the stockings! All kids in attendance will take home their very own gingerbread house. RSVP via email youthministries@stspyridon.org or the Youth Ministries website https://sites.google.com/stspyridon.org/stspyridonyouthministries/hope
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
Please join us on Sunday, December 15th for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Nativity through the voices of our Sunday School students! Sunday School will provide lunch in the Hall after the Christmas Pageant.
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Angels Christmas Party - Monday, December 16th
Our Anthousa Chapter, along with the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos, will once again create a special holiday celebration for our amazing Kids ‘n’ Cancer families. If you are interested in contributing in any way, please reach out to Marian Dougenis at 619-520-3660. Thank you as always for your overwhelming generosity.
In Christ,
Marian Dougenis and Stella Pappas
GOYA Christmas Party
We hope you will mark your calendars for our GOYA Family Christmas Party on Saturday, December 21st at 5:30pm! We will enjoy dinner, dessert, games, have a gift exchange, and walk to look at Christmas Card Lane. This is a not-to-miss event! RSVP via email, youthministries@stspyridon.org or on the Youth Ministries website on the GOYA tab.
See the attached flyer in the Inserts & Flyers section below.
Greek School
Save the date for Greek School's Fellowship Sunday, December 22nd! Join us after the Divine Liturgy to enjoy light refreshments and our Greek School students who will be performing the traditional Greek Christmas, New Year's, and Epiphany "kalanda" (carols).
Memorials for December
12/22: Jennifer Cappos Willits – 40 days
12/22: Maria Kosmos – 40 days
12/22: Connie Angelopulos-House – 1 year
12/22: Alexandria Cappos – 28 years
12/22: George Cappos – 35 years
Women of the Word (WOW) Bible Study Group
Women of the Word will be on holiday break until Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Please join us in the new year at our usual time and place from Noon to 1 PM in the Lower Educational Building classroom. (No meetings December 18, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, or January 8). A joyful Nativity and blessed Theophany to all!! :