Come and Worship!

Join us in person for Liturgy or watch online on our Facebook page or Youtube

Upcoming Calendar Events

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

Tuesday, December 3
11:00 am Bible Study with Fr. Nick Join Zoom Meeting
12:00 pm Tuesday Lunch Group
6:00 pm Philoptochos Christmas Party (at George's Senate on Dun Rovin Dr)
6:00 pm Youth Greek Classes (Ed Center)
6:30 pm Adult Greek Classes (online)

Wednesday, December 4
7:00 pm Holy Unction at Sts. Constantine and Helen

Thursday, December 5
5:00 pm Adult Greek Classes (online)
7:00 pm Vespers for St. Nicholas at St. Nicholas, Ann Arbor; and St. Nicholas, Troy

Friday, December 6 - Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
6:30 pm Christmas Auction

Saturday, December 7
6:00 pm Youth Basketball Practice

Sunday December 8 - 10th Sunday of Luke
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS
PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS MARKETPLACE
8:45 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
11:30 am Church School & Catechism
12:30 pm GOYA Meetiing

Notice of Parish Council Elections

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.

Parish News and Updates

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. NICK ON DECEMBER 3 - 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

UPCOMING SERVICES

Saturday, November 30 - Andrew the First-called Apostle - Orthros is at 9 am and Divine Liturgy is at 10 am.
Wednesday, December 4 - Holy Unction at Sts. Constantine and Helen
Friday, December 6 - Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker - Orthros is at 9 am and Divine Liturgy is at 10 am.

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.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Christmas Party - Tuesday, December 3 at 5:30 pm at George’s Senate Restaurant. The deadline to RSVP has passed. For more information contact 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.
Christmas Marketplace on Sunday, December 8 following Liturgy.

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

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.

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.

HOPE/JOY MEETS AT 6 PM ON DECEMBER 20. We hope to see you there for food, fellowship and activities.

CHOIR PRACTICE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR - 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:

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 Plagal Second Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary, who was seeking Your immaculate body. Unassailed by Hades, You divested it of spoils. Then You met the Virgin. You granted life. O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin Maid * goes to the grotto to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word * in an ineffable manner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. * Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child, * the preeternal God. (Automelon. Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.)

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν Προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10.

Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 2:4-10.

Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεός, πλούσιος ὢν ἐν ἐλέει, διὰ τὴν πολλὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὄντας ἡμᾶς νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν συνεζωοποίησεν τῷ Χριστῷ - χάριτί ἐστε σεσωσμένοι - καὶ συνήγειρεν, καὶ συνεκάθισεν ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· ἵνα ἐνδείξηται ἐν τοῖς αἰῶσιν τοῖς ἐπερχομένοις τὸν ὑπερβάλλοντα πλοῦτον τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ ἐν χρηστότητι ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· τῇ γὰρ χάριτί ἐστε σεσῳσμένοι διὰ τῆς πίστεως, καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ ἐξ ὑμῶν· θεοῦ τὸ δῶρον· οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, ἵνα μή τις καυχήσηται. Αὐτοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν ποίημα, κτισθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐπὶ ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς, οἷς προητοίμασεν ὁ θεός, ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν.

Gospel Reading

14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43

At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

14th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:35-43

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ᾿Εγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν αὐτὸν εἰς ῾Ιεριχὼ τυφλός τις ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν προσαιτῶν· ἀκούσας δὲ ὄχλου διαπορευομένου ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτῷ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος παρέρχεται. καὶ ἐβόησε λέγων· ᾿Ιησοῦ υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με· καὶ οἱ προάγοντες ἐπετίμων αὐτῷ ἵνα σιωπήσῃ· αὐτὸς δὲ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἔκραζεν· υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με. σταθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀχθῆναι πρὸς αὐτόν. ἐγγίσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν λέγων· τί σοι θέλεις ποιήσω; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Κύριε, ἵνα ἀναβλέψω. καὶ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἀνάβλεψον· ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε. καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνέβλεψε, καὶ ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ δοξάζων τὸν Θεόν· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἰδὼν ἔδωκεν αἶνον τῷ Θεῷ.

Saints and Feasts

December 01

14th Sunday of Luke

December 01

Philaret the Merciful of Amnia

Saint Philaret a native of Paphlagonia in Asia Minor, was a virtuous Christian layman who lived in lawful wedlock and raised a family. He was most renowned for his generosity to all in need. With the permission of God, in a short space of time he lost the greater part of his possessions to theft and other misfortunes and was left with nothing but his family, his home, and a little livestock. Yet he continued to give generously to the poor despite the faint-heartedness of his family, who reproached him for giving alms when they were in need themselves; and God, seeing his faith, restored his prosperity to him many times over. He foresaw the day of his death, and reposed in an odour of sanctity in Constantinople in 789.

December 04

Barbara the Great Martyr

Saint Barbara was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia and lived during the reign of Maximian.

She was the daughter of a certain idolater named Dioscorus. When Barbara came of age, she was enlightened in her pure heart and secretly believed in the Holy Trinity. About this time Dioscorus began building a bath-house; before it was finished he was required to go away to attend to certain matters, and in his absence Barbara directed the workmen to build a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She also inscribed the sign of the Cross with her finger upon the marble of the bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeply into the marble as if it had been done with an iron tool. (When the Synaxarion of Saint Barbara was written, the marble of the bath-house and the cross inscribed by Saint Barbara were still preserved, and many healings were worked there.) When Dioscorus returned, he asked why the third window had been added; Barbara began to declare to him the mystery of the Trinity. Because she refused to renounce her faith, Dioscorus tortured Barbara inhumanely, and after subjecting her to many sufferings he beheaded her with his own hands, in the year 290.

December 06

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra

This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

Memorials and Trisagion

1 Year Memorial for Mary Rentis

7 Year Memorial for Rev. Fr. Charles (Eustratios) Sarelis

9 Year Memorial for Alexandria Takis

12 Year Memorial for Presb. Angela (Angeliki) Sarelis

18 Year Memorial for John (Panayoitis) Takis

May their memory be eternal.

Thank you to the Rentis and Takis families for sponsoring coffee hour.

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

December 1 to December 15, 2024

Sunday, December 1

Memorials and Trisagion

🐟 14th Sunday of Luke

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, December 3

11:00AM Bible Study with Father Nick

12:00PM Tuesday Lunch Group

5:00PM YOUTH GREEK CLASSES

6:00PM Philoptochos Christmas Party

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

Wednesday, December 4

7:00PM Holy Unction at Sts. Constantine and Helen

Thursday, December 5

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

7:00PM Great Vespers for St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (off site)

Friday, December 6

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra

9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy - St Nicholas

6:30PM Christmas Auction

Saturday, December 7

12:30PM Philoptochos Christmas Marketplace Preparation

6:00PM Basketball Practice

Sunday, December 8

🐟 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

Tuesday, December 10

11:00AM Bible Study with Father Nick

12:00PM Senior Lunch Group

5:00PM YOUTH GREEK CLASSES

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

Wednesday, December 11

6:30PM Great Vespers St Spyridon with reception to follow (At the Metropolis Chapel)

6:30PM Men's Club Meeting @ Big Tommy's Parthenon

Thursday, December 12

Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trymithous

9:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy - St Spyridon

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

Friday, December 13

7:00PM AA Meeting in Social Hall

Saturday, December 14

6:00PM Basketball Practice

Sunday, December 15

🍇 11th Sunday of Luke

Philoptochos Christmas Marketplace

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

12:00PM SCS Christmas Program rehearsal

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

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins