Sundays
8:45am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
PARISH SUPPORT STAFF OFFICE HOURS
Join us in person for Liturgy or watch online on our Facebook page or Youtube
Friday, November 22
2:00 pm 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 School & Catechism
Philoptochos pie sale
Monday, November 25 - Catherine the Great Martyr
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, November 26
11:00 am Bible Study with Fr. Nick (Join Zoom Meeting)
12:00 pm Tuesday Lunch Group
6:00 pm Youth Greek Classes (Ed Center)
6:30 pm Adult Greek Classes (online)
Wednesday, November 27
Church office closes at noon
Thursday, November 28
Thanksgiving Day - Church office closed
Friday, November 29
Church office closed
Saturday, November 30 - Andrew the First-called Apostle
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Sunday, December 1 - 14th Sunday of Luke
Click here to view the printed liturgy
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:30 am Sunday School & Catechism
Parish Council elections are scheduled for Sunday, December 8.
As a reminder, you must be a steward in order to vote in the 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.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. NICK -We hope you can join him at 11 am for lively discussion and stay for food and fellowship (TUESDAY LUNCH GROUP) following Bible Study. Join Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 833 1117 3595, Passcode: bible
Services this week
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
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
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.
HOPE/JOY MEETS AT 6 PM ON DECEMBER 20. We hope to see you there for food, fellowship and activities.
DO YOU LIKE TO SING? - COME TO CHOIR PRACTICE ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND JOIN THE CHOIR! The next choir practice is Friday, December 13 at 7 pm. Contact Louis Poulos if you have questions.
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:
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.
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.
Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Προκείμενον. Plagal First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18.
Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.
13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27
At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
13th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:18-27
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων· διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει· πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο· ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε· πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες· καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.
Saint Clement was instructed in the Faith of Christ by the Apostle Peter. He became Bishop of Rome in the year 91, the third after the death of the Apostles. He died as a martyr about the year 100 during the reign of Trajan.
Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.
This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist's witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First-called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name's sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X," the first letter of "Christ" in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew.
1 year memorial for Zina Karadimas
3 year memorial for Mike Tjilos
May their memory be eternal.
Thank you to the family of Zina and Mike for sponsoring coffee hour.
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.
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.
Memorials and Trisagon
🐟 13th Sunday of Luke
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:30AM Church School & Catechism
11:30AM Philoptochos Pie Sale
🐟 Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria
9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy - St. Catherine the Great Martyr
12:00PM Tuesday Lunch Group
Church office closes at noon
Thanksgiving Day - Church office Closed
6:30PM ADULT GREEK CLASSES 102, 103, 201 (on Zoom)
Church Office Closed
7:00PM AA Meeting in Social Hall
🐟 Andrew the First- Called Apostle
9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy- St Andrew the First-Called Apostle
Memorials and Trisagion
🐟 14th Sunday of Luke
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
12:00PM Tuesday Lunch Group
5:00PM YOUTH GREEK CLASSES
6:00PM Philoptochos Christmas Party
6:30PM ADULT GREEK CLASSES 101 (on Zoom)
7:00PM Holy Unction at Sts. Constantine and Helen
6:30PM ADULT GREEK CLASSES 102, 103, 201 (on Zoom)
7:00PM Great Vespers for St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (off site)
Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy - St Nicholas
6:30PM Christmas Auction
12:30PM Philoptochos Christmas Marketplace Preparation
6:00PM Basketball Practice
🐟 10th Sunday of Luke
Parish Council Elections 11 am to 2 pm
Memorials and Trisagion
Philoptochos Christmas Marketplace
8:45AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:30AM Church School & Catechism
12:30PM GOYA Meeting
Use this form to make your stewardship commitment for 2025.
Updated schedule for Holy Unction with our sister parishes.
Christmas Auction on December 6 - Save the Date
Register your children for Sunday Church School
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.
Updated list of coffee hour servers and ushers as of 10.31.2024
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
Be sure to RSVP ASAP