We turn our attention towards stewardship for the upcoming year, when we all re-evaluate our commitment to serve the Lord and cast our pledge for 2025.  

Fill in the 2025 Pledge Card for 2025 HERE.

As a community, we are working toward tithing. What does this mean? How do you do that?

Tithing means giving 10% of your first fruits to God.  At first, giving 10% might seem difficult. But it is something that can be eased into very easily. We suggest you begin slowly.

Become a percentage giver: Look at how you are doing right now. Our Stewardship web site has a calculator you can use (CLICK HERE).  

• Enter what you give each month, or year and let the calculator tell you the percent you are currently giving. 
• Next, round up your percent giving to the next whole percent for 2025. If it was 5%, commit to at least 6%. If it was 6.2% round up to 7%.
• NOW, increase by 1% every year, you will be on your way to tithing.

Fill in the 2025 Pledge Card for 2025 HERE.

Living the Gospel

The 2025 Calendars are available. If you have not picked up yours yet, they will be available at church. We invite you to get yours soon!!

If you are not able to attend church,

• Please ask one of the parishioners to pick one up for you.
• Or respond to this bulletin email requesting delivery, and we will try to find someone who is able to hand deliver your calendar. 

We have a change in the plans for the feast of saint John: His eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos will not be able make it, as originally announced. Instead, we will be very blessed to host His Grace Bishop Ioannis for the 6pm Vespers and dinner on Monday evening. Other clergy from the area might join us as well.

We will be offering a festal potluck dinner right after the service. Angelina, Mary and Thimi will be working with the Fellowship Teams and Parish Council to organize the dinner.

Community

A Ministry led by Kathy Shaw

We will continue with the two groups meeting on two days of the week: Mondays and Wednesdays. The same reading will be covered in both sessions every week - no need to attend both! The new expanded hours are:

• Mondays, from 7pm
• Wednesdays, from 10:00am

The Wednesday group will meet in person for lunch at Saint Basil Church on Wednesday January 8 @10:30am - a potluck lunch following the book  discussion.

We are reading Beginning to Pray, by Archbishop Anthony Bloom. It is a short, yet powerful text. We have a few copies at the bookstore. You may also check it out online here. 

 Education, Community

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The classes are open to all and they will take place after lunch in the chapel of Saint Nektarios.

No class this Sunday given the many services and events.

 Living the Gospel

Ministries led by Despina Hatton

LADIES I-HELP:  Tuesday, JANUARY 7. Cooking - 4-5pm, Dinner with the ladies - 5-6pm. Plan to stay for prayers in the chapel after dinner.

FOOD BANK: Tuesday, JANUARY 14, 9:00 -10:30am @St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Seaside.

Community

A Ministry led by Father Ion

The Church University brings to light the beautiful, yet complex sides of Orthodoxy through prayer and the study of Scriptures, hymnography of the Church, lives of the saints and the writings of the Holy Fathers.

We continue to study the book of Exodus.

On week days without morning liturgies, 9am via Zoom.

Worship, Education, Community

 Ministry led by Angelina Taylor 

Thank you for your effort and participation in bringing a dish to share for our Agape Meal. If you cannot participate when it is your turn, kindly let Angelina know in advance so she can make other arrangements.     

Sunday, January 5
   Parish Council:   Ali Castanada
   Greeter: Marissa Castanada
   Agape Meal: PINK TEAM - Thank you to Nadia, Maria, Rania, and Christine D

Sunday, January 12
   Parish Council: Dr Michael Bachik
   Greeter: Anthony Zavitsanos
   Agape Meal: ORANGE TEAM - Thank you to Melanie, Miriam, Marissa, and Irene.

Community

Many of us remember John and Noelle Ehab. They were part of our community until a few years ago when they moved to Colorado. During their years here, they worked on a project that had to do with children refugees from Siria. John's goal was to write a book about it. Great news! The book is ready to go to print. Please see John's message below and visit the provided link to learn more about the exciting project and how you can help to make it happen.

I am writing to remind you that after many years of work, Backpack Full of Fear, my book, is finally ready for print. When we were preparing for our 4-month trip back in 2017, you and the community at St John's helped us fundraise to support refugees and build bridges which paved the way to making this book a reality. Thank you for all your help and your prayers for us.

Now that the book is finally being published, I would like to ask for your support once again. We need donations for our Kickstarter campaign and I ask you to help spread the word about our book. Because we are self-publishing, it is imperative that we raise enough money to get the book in print. Also, do keep in mind that Kickstarter is all or nothing, so if we don't raise our goal, we won't get any of the money. The Kickstarter ends January 27. The link is enclosed here: http://kck.st/4eLlwSw.

Blessings in Christ,
John Ehab

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