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This Week's Calendar

Friday, November 15, NATIVITY FAST BEGINS
6:00 pm Hope/Joy Family Night
7:00 pm Choir Practice

Saturday, November 16
6:00 pm Youth Basketball Practice

Sunday, November 17 - 9th Sunday of Luke
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:30 am Sunday Church School and Catechism
Fall General Assembly, immediately following Divine Liturgy
GOYA FRAPPE FUNDRAISER

Tuesday, November 19
6:00 pm Youth Greek Classes (Ed Center)
6:30 pm Adult Greek Classes (online)

Wednesday, November 20
7:00 pm Great Vespers for the Entrance of the Theotokos

Thursday, November 21, Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
9:00 am Orthros
10 am Divine Liturgy
5:00 pm Adult Greek Classes (online)

Friday, November 22
10:00 am Philoptochos pie baking

Saturday, November 23
10:00 am Philoptochos pie baking
6:00 pm Youth Basketball Practice

Sunday, November 24 - 13th Sunday of Luke
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:30 am Sunday Church School and Catechism
Philoptochos pie sale

Notice of Fall General Assembly

THE FALL GENERAL ASSEMBLY is this Sunday, November 17, following Divine Liturgy. Parish Council Elections will be Sunday, December 8.

As a reminder, you must be a steward (with a signed stewardship commitment for 2024 on file) in order to vote at the Fall Assembly and Parish Council Elections. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CURRENT LIST OF STEWARDS. Please contact the church office if you believe your name should be on this list.

Parish News and Updates

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. NICK IS TAKING A BREAK ON NOVEMBER 19 - We hope you can join him at 11 am on November 26 for lively discussion and stay for food and fellowship (Tuesday Lunch Group) following Bible Study.

Services this week

Wednesday, November 20—Great Vespers for the Entrance of the Theotokos at 7:00 pm
Thursday, November 21—Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple - Orthros is at 9 am and Divine Liturgy is at 10 am.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Pie Sale - Mark your calendar to help bake pies on November 22 and 23 in preparation for our pie sale on November 24. Apple and Pecan Pies - $25, Pumpkin Pie - $20.
Christmas Party - Tuesday, December 3 at 5:30 pm at George’s Senate Restaurant. Cost: $30.00 - RSVP by November 22. Call or Text Anna Petrou (734)634-2266 or email [email protected] or Kathy Klein (815)557-6461.
Tree of Love - sponsor an ornament in the memory of or for the health of a loved one. Cost is $10. See the bulletin insert below or in the bulletin this week.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AUCTION ON DECEMBER 6! Presvytera Liza and Maria Kaplantzes are heading up this fundraiser for Nativity. We are seeking sponsors for this event - see the table in the narthex for the sponsorship form. Donations are welcome but they must be new items WITH SALES RECEIPT.

GOYA NEWS

GOYA will offer Frappes after service on Sunday, November 17 as a fundraiser for their ministry
Sign Up has started for our Goya Christmas Caroling for Fri Dec 20 and Saturday 21. Sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway or speak our Goyans during coffee hour to sign up.
The next GOYA Meeting is Sunday, December 8, following Sunday Church School.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AN EVENING BIBLE STUDY? - PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY! This survey is being conducted to determine when Father Nick should hold a Bible Study to meet the needs of those who cannot attend Tuesday Bible Study held during daytime hours. What days/times work best for you? This survey will collect information through the month of November and we will begin the Bible Study in January 2025. Paper copies are available at church on the candlestand.

WIN TWO AIRLINE TICKETS TO GREECE! Our Christmas Auction Team is selling raffle tickets to win a voucher for two airline tickets to Greece. See insert below for details. Tickets are $100 and are available at church - see Fr. Nick, Maria Kaplantzes or inquire in the church office during regular business hours. Plan to attend our Christmas Auction and Raffle on December 6 - It's always a good time with some really awesome prizes to win.

THE NEXT HOLY UNCTION IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 AT 7 PM - The Holy Unction Service is a Sacrament of the Church meant to bring healing of body and soul. We will offer this service by rotation at the three sister parishes mentioned in the schedule. Please check their calendars for any changes that may occur. St. Cons will host Holy Unction on Wednesday, December 4 at 7 pm.

ATTENTION PARENTS OF YOUNG ADULTS—we’re looking for contact information to your children who are off to University or new beginnings. Send their address, email and phone to Kathy in the church office. We’d like to send them notes of encouragement as they step out into the world.

ORTHODOX YOUTH BASKETBALL– important dates to note:

February 14-16, 2025: Dayton Tournament
March 14-16, 2025: Pan Orthodox Tournament

FRIENDS OF THE METROPOLIS END-OF-YEAR APPEAL When you support the Friends of the Metropolis campaign, you become a greater part oft he ministry of our Holy Orthodox Church to serve the people of God. The Friends Program funds activites to educate the youth, help our parishioners grow in their faith, share our Orthodox faith with our neighbors, and so much more. Learn more about the program - pick up a flyer on the table in the Narthex or visit https://www.detroit.goarch.org/friends.html

Mark your calendar! COCC Nativity Concert - December 8 at St. Mary Orthodox Basilica. All are invited to attend this free concert of Orthodox Christian music celebrating the birth of our Lord! Bring your family and friends too!

PANHELLENIC SCHOLARSHIP - Do you or an exceptional undergraduate student you know qualify to be a PanHellenic Scholar? The 2024/2025 application is now open and accepting applications. Visit https://www.panhellenicsf.org/apply to apply.

Those in Our Prayers

Nicholas the Bishop, John the Priest, John the Priest, Cassani the Presvytera,Kalliope the Presvytera, Sevi Bertolis, Panayiotis Christodoulos, Mary Christopoulos, Constantin Dumitrescu, Kosta Efthimiou, Tracey Ford, Greg Georvassilis, Randa Istephan, George Hrisoulis, Zoe Jaimee, Kathy Jenaras, Maria Kalas, Diane Kotsonas, Panayiota Koutoupa, Elias Koumariotis, Gus Kyriakou, Penelope Kyriakoula, Jim Lee, Nick Malamis, George Margaritis, Frank Maroudis, Freda Mollasis, Gregory Morakeas, Evelyn Morris, George Mortis, Alexander Nichoff, Marchela Papageorgakis, Stella Papasavva, Nikolia Pappas, Nicholas Pappas, George Peters, Helen Peters, Katerina Peters, Costas Photsios, Penny Poulos, Pam Provgna, Helen Sitaras, Vasillios Sotiropoulos, Rick Stanley & Family, Evan Kotsonas Stoecklein, Mike & Julia Tate, Jim Tsakos, Evris & Helen Tsaprazis, Chris Vardouniotis, John Vardouniotis, Alexander Varverakis , Jim Vlahakis, Irene Vouharas, Trevor Wilhelmi, Sandy Zembylas, Selina Zembylas-Hernandez, George Zervos, Little Jack, Sofia.

THE CHURCH IS HERE FOR YOU In times of need or times of celebration, there are a number of pastoral situations that warrant contacting Father Nick.

Any Hospital Stay: Illness, Surgery, etc.
Death - Call when a person is dying and at the actual time of death, regardless of the hour!
Substance abuse involving you or a loved one.
Domestic problems of any sort, Marital or children.
When you desire spiritual direction.
Birth of a child, (naming, and 40 day blessing).
When you become engaged and are planning a wedding.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women disciples of the Lord heard the Angel joyously proclaim the resurrection, they cast aside the ancestral verdict, and boasting in glory they said to the Apostles, “Death has been despoiled! Christ God has risen, granting the great mercy to the world!”

Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Gregory the Wonderworker in the Plagal Fourth Mode

By your accomplishments, you earned the name that you bore, for you were vigilant in prayer and diligent in working miracles. Therefore, holy father Gregory, intercede with Christ our God, that He illumine our souls, lest we fall asleep in sin unto death.

Εν προσευχαίς γρηγορών, ταίς τών θαυμάτων εργασίαις εγκαρτερών, επωνυμίαν εκτήσω τά κατορθώματα, αλλά πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, Πάτερ Γρηγόριε, φωτίσαι τάς ψυχάς ημών, μή ποτε υπνώσωμεν, εν αμαρτίαις εις θάνατον.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

The Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she. (Mode 4. You who were lifted. Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.)

Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος, η πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό Ιερόν θησαύρισμα τής δόξης τού Θεού, σήμερον εισάγεται, εν τώ οίκω Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν εν Πνευματι θείω, ήν ανυμνούσιν Άγγελοι Θεού, Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 103.24,1.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.
Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20.

Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21

The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

9th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 12:16-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα· καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε· τοῦτο ποιήσω· καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου· ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά· ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός· ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ· ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν.

Saints and Feasts

November 17

9th Sunday of Luke

November 17

Gregory the Wonderworker & Bishop of Neo-Caesarea

Saint Gregory was born in Neocaesarea of Pontus to parents who were not Christians. He studied in Athens, in Alexandria, in Beirut, and finally for five years in Caesarea of Palestine under Origen, by whom he was also instructed in the Faith of Christ. Then, in the year 240, he became bishop of his own city, wherein he found only seventeen Christians. By the time the Saint reposed about the year 265, there were only seventeen unbelievers left there. Virtually the whole duration of his episcopacy was a time of continual, marvellous wonders worked by him. Because of this, he received the surname "Wonderworker"; even the enemies of the truth called him a second Moses (see Saint Basil the Great's On the Holy Spirit, ch. 29).

November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.

November 24

Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

Saint Peter illustriously occupied the throne of Alexandria for twelve years, and, as Eusebius says, "was a divine example of a bishop on account of the excellence of his life and his study of the sacred Scriptures" (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 3 2; Book VIII 11, 13; and Book IX, 6). He excommunicated Arius for his sympathy with the Meletian schism. When Arius learned that Saint Peter had been imprisoned, he sent many priests and deacons to him, asking that he receive him back into the communion of the Church before his martyrdom. When the ambassadors of Arius, who had not, like Saint Peter, perceived the ruin he would engender, were astonished at the vehemence with which Saint Peter refused to receive Arius again, he revealed to them a dread vision he had seen, in which the Master Christ had appeared to him as a child wearing a garment torn from head to foot. When Saint Peter asked the Lord who rent His garment, the Lord answered that it was Arius, and that he must not be received back into communion. The holy hieromartyr Peter was beheaded during the reign of Maximinus in the year 312; he is called the "Seal of the Martyrs," because he was the last Bishop of Alexandria to suffer martyrdom under the pagan Emperors. His successors to the throne of Alexandria, Saints Alexander and Athanasius the Great, brought to final victory the battle against Arius' heresy which Saint Peter had begun.

Wisdom of the Fathers

I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

Stewardship and Online Giving

Your Own from Your Own

As Orthodox Christians, we see the world as God’s gift, as a sacrament of God’s presence and a means of communion with Him. This way we are able to offer back to God, in thanksgiving and love, the many gifts we receive from Him. Like the boy in the New Testament who offered the five loaves and two fish and Jesus multiplied them to feed the 5,000, God receives our humble gifts and multiplies them to feed the world.

loaves and fishes

When we see great need in our community and in the world, we may ask, “If God is so loving, then why is there so much poverty and suffering in the world? Where is God when we need Him?” Sometimes the need is so overwhelming that to help at all seems impossible, but in the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, we are taught to offer what we have, no matter the amount, and miracles will happen.

So it is with our church, we often imagine only what is humanly possible. If we do our part in faith, God will lovingly return to us much more than we could ever imagine. This is the true meaning of “Your own from Your own.” We will see our church, not as it is, but as it could be, with our humble gifts multiplied by God’s generosity and love. With our faithful offering, we will see in our church as they did in the early Church, “…the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

COMMIT TO SHARING YOUR TIME, TALENTS AND TREASURES IN 2025 Help us share the good news of Christ’s redemptive work through His death and resurrection. 2025 Stewardship forms are available on the table in the Narthex.

We give thanks for all who have submitted their stewardship commitments for 2024 We now look ahead to 2025 as we enter into the fall and traditional time of Stewardship. Our goal for 2025 is to update the information in our member database so we can produce and updated directory. Please be sure to complete all of the information on your Stewardship Card. A printable copy is attached below. or visit bit.ly/2025nvm-stewardship to fill out the stewardship commitment form online.

GIVE ONLINE IN 2025 - Abundant is Nativity's online giving service! You can donate by ACH/EFT or Credit Card by App (available for Apple or Android devices) by web (click here to visit Abundant online giving page) We can help you set up your electronic giving - it's safe and easy and best of all, it connects directly with our parish data system - so your stewardship gifts are imported directly into your record.

DONATION WITHOUT TAXATION Donations from a qualifying Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) directly to Nativity is a tax free way to support our ministries. By contrast, if you receive the money first and then donate to Nativity, you must pay federal income tax on the "income." The recent increase in the standard deduction means that most people will not benefit from using charitable contributions as a deduction in computing federal income tax. Now is the time to work with your financial institution in order to assign all or part of the RMD, which will be distributed during 2025. For more information consult your financial institution or contact Kathy in the Church Office.

2024 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS will be sent via email to those who have a working email in our Parish Database. Paper copies available upon request for those who do not have an email on file. Please contact the church office if you have any concerns or if changes need to be made.

Nativity's Gmail Calendar

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Google Calendar

November 17 to December 1, 2024

Sunday, November 17

🐟 9th Sunday of Luke

GOYA Frappe Fundraiser during coffee hour

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Church School & Catechism

12:00PM Fall General Assembly

Tuesday, November 19

5:00PM YOUTH GREEK CLASSES

6:30PM ADULT GREEK CLASSES 101 (on Zoom)

Wednesday, November 20

🐟 The Forefeast of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple

7:00PM Great Vespers for the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Thursday, November 21

🐟 The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy- Entrance of the Theotokos

5:00PM ADULT GREEK CLASSES 102, 103, 201 (on Zoom)

Friday, November 22

2:00PM Philoptochos Pie Baking

Saturday, November 23

10:00AM Philoptochos Pie Baking

6:00PM Basketball Practice

Sunday, November 24

Memorials and Trisagon

🐟 13th Sunday of Luke

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:30AM Church School & Catechism

11:30AM Philoptochos Pie Sale

Monday, November 25

🐟 Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy - St. Catherine the Great Martyr

Tuesday, November 26

11:00AM Bible Study with Father Nick

12:00PM Tuesday Lunch Group

Wednesday, November 27

Church office closes at noon

Thursday, November 28

Thanksgiving Day - Church office Closed

Friday, November 29

Church Office Closed

7:00PM AA Meeting in Social Hall

Saturday, November 30

🐟 Andrew the First- Called Apostle

9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy- St Andrew the First-Called Apostle

Sunday, December 1

Memorials and Trisagion

🐟 14th Sunday of Luke

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Bulletin Inserts

2025 Stewardship Commitment form

Use this form to make your stewardship commitment for 2025.

Holy Unction Schedule

Updated schedule for Holy Unction with our sister parishes.

Christmas Auction and Raffle

Christmas Auction on December 6 - Save the Date

Sunday School Registration

Win Two Tickets to Greece!

Our Christmas Auction Team is selling raffle tickets to win a voucher for two airline tickets to Greece. Tickets cost $100 and are available at church - see Fr. Nick, Maria Kaplantzes or inquire in the church office during regular business hours. Plan to attend our Christmas Auction and Raffle on December 6 - It's always a good time with some really awesome prizes to win.

Ushers and Coffee Hour

Updated list of coffee hour servers and ushers as of 10.31.2024

Friends of the Metropolis end of year appeal

When you support the Friends of the Metropolis campaign, you are part of a greater outreach that proclaims with one universal voice that God is truly our hope and our rock of salvation. Because of your devotion to the Friends program, ministries and programs are implemented on a Metropolis-wide Basis which strengthen and enhance our faith and our joint ministry of service. I would like to invite you to join forces with the faithful throughout the Metropolis of Detroit in support of the ministries which are part of the Office of the Metropolitan. MORE INFO AT:WWW.DETROIT.GOARCH.ORG/FRIENDSOUTREACH

Philoptochos Christmas Party

Be sure to RSVP ASAP

Orthodox Christian Women Presentation

The Necessity of Prayer and Fasting, presented by Rev. Fr. Aleksandar Vujkovic at 7 pm on November 18 at St. Mark Orthodox Christian Church, Rochester Hills, MI

General Information

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