S T . J OHN THE B APTIST G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH
T HE F ORERUNNER V OLUME XXXII N UMBER 12 D ECEMBER 2015
A N I CON
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S PECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST :
C HRISTIAN F AMILY
Everyone’s favorite time of the year is the period before Christmas, when the air is filled with joy, peace and expectation. We are blessed to live in a country that looks forward to Christmas, although we might seem to have lost some of it’s meaning along the way. We have radio stations that air carols without ceasing, exalting the season, although many of them sing about snow, jolly figures carrying gifts, family time and other things that are all fine, but missing maybe the point of all this festival. It is wonderful that everyone celebrates Christmas, in their own way, and, even people that don’t believe in God, enjoy the season and try to be “good for goodness’ sake”, as a recent billboard from our atheistic friends reads recently (we can discuss some other time about the origin of Good).
An Icon of the Christian Family
Parish Council Capsule
Stewardship 2016 IS ON!!
Youth Ministries News
The Services of Nativity in the Orthodox Tradition
1962 Nativity Epistle of St. John Maximovitch
Choir News
One of the Christians staples of the pre-Christmas period is the Nativity Scene that adorns most churchyards and many of the lawns in our neighborhoods. People count on these scenes to convey to the world the true meaning of Christmas, although they have been recently the object of national debate, as our world moves more and more towards political correctness, and away from mutual respect for everyone’s beliefs. But I might be digressing... (Continued on page 3)
I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :
C OUNCIL C APSULE Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, we are rapidly approaching The Nativity Feast! However, as everything returns to, whatever our version of normal is, let us take a minute to look at some of our parish’s events in November… The Parish Council did not have a meeting in November but, we held our Fall General Assembly, and if you were unable to attend; here are some things you’ve missed. We had a marching band, funnel cakes, fireworks ok, not really but maybe in the spring! We did however, approve the budget for 2016; we elected the Audit Committee, and we also had the great pleasure to meet the candidates who have graciously agreed to run and serve on the Parish Council. Please help me in congratulating
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Y OUTH M INISTRIES
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MUSIC
M INISTRIES
C ALENDAR
Connie Rafalides, Kirsten Shah, Mike Strong (who ran as Santa Claus), Mike Poriotis, and the (Continued on page 2)
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C OUNCIL ’ S C APSULE the Pew Research Center, the Holiday season is a time of seasoned vet himself, Larry year when we see an increase Leeders! We must also share in people starting to visit or a sincere thank you to the attend church. Remember to Nomination and Election live up to our reputation of Committees for their efforts. being a very warm and welThey were led by, Connie coming community. Let us Sarros and Leo Alexander. kindly welcome all of our visitors into our church and Moving forward, according to extend an invitation to join us (Continued from page 1)
A GELESS W ONDERS IN
THE FINAL ANALYSIS , COMMITMENT AND EFFORT OF MANY PARISHIONERS BEFORE , DURING AND AFTER THE F ESTIVAL , UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR VARIOUS KEY C HAIRPERSONS , IS WHAT MADE THIS YEAR ’ S F ESTIVAL SO SUCCESSFUL .
Everyone is invited to attend the AGELESS WONDERS and PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS DINNER and Chinese Auction on
Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 5:30 pm. At the Texas Star Conference and Golf Center; 1400 Texas Star Parkway; Euless, TX 76040. Price $25.00.
for coffee and a small snack in the hall afterwards! In closing, I would like to express my deep gratitude, and thankfulness to you and for you, my extended family, and wish you and yours a very blessed and Merry Christmas! Warmly, Michael Eftimie
Special Appearance: GOYA Singing Carols Non-gender Chinese Auction Gift: $15.00 Per person RSPV: Margaret Chokas Cell: 817-917-4771 Phone: 817-314-7731 hrh.madge@gmail.com
2015 F ESTIVAL W AS A N U NQUALIFIED S UCCESS ! This year’s Festival was an unqualified success, exceeding planned results and breaking past records for total sales revenue. Preliminary results indicate gross sales revenue will exceed $150,000 and, after all fixed costs and expenses are paid, the remaining net amount may well exceed $50,000… A final set of numbers will be presented to the first General Assembly in 2016. Sincere thanks to all those parishioners who worked hard to achieve these results and to Father Vasile for his enthusiastic support of the Festival. Special recognition is due to the Ladies Philoptochos Society who organized and
hosted Taverna Night which this year also celebrated the 35th Anniversary of our Parish. It is hoped Taverna Night will become a traditional annual charity event to fulfill the Philoptochos mission while also promoting recognition of our Parish and of Orthodox Christianity in the greater MidCities region. As always, music and entertainment set the mood this year, helping to extend patrons’ time at the Festival, and our Youth Dance groups were no small reason. More than instilling Parish pride and their parents’ pride in them, our youth prove each year to be the best in the Metroplex.
In the final analysis, commitment and effort of many parishioners before, during and after the Festival, under the leadership of our various key Chairpersons, is what made this year’s Festival so successful. We hope they have set an example to inspire their fellow parishioners in future years’. We will continue to need successful Festivals to help finance the development of Parish facilities for current needs and for the future needs of our youngest children and each new generation of parishioners. It is hoped more of our parishioners will see fit to contribute their time and talent to even greater success of next year’s and all future Festivals. George P. Vittas, P.E. gpv2011@att.net
V OLUME XXXII N UMBER 12 D ECEMBER 2015
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(Continued from page 1)
The Nativity Scene strives to portray the ideal Christian family on a backdrop of simplicity and humbleness. The perfect “Baby Jesus” is born in a loving family with a Holy Mother and an adopted father casting a caring arm around those he was called to protect. The angels sing, the magi come with gifts, the shepherds praise and even the animals care of the Newborn with their warm breath. Christ is welcomed in the world with joy and is surrounded by love. All Creation gathers at the manger of Bethlehem in perfect harmony to glorify the Incarnation of the Son of God. All is more than perfect. Is this however the true story of Christmas or more of our wishful thinking? Looking for other sources of inspiration I recalled a similar tradition from my home country, Romania, where the priest brings the icon of Nativity in everyone’s homes on Nativity’s Evem singing the troparion of the Feast. It is, if you want, a reversed pilgrimage where Christ comes and visits you where you are, in your house. The visitation is an icon of the Incarnation of God in itself, a representation of His coming to earth where we are at home.
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C HRISTIAN F AMILY (C ONT .) Looking at this Nativity icon, in its Orthodox Byzantine rendering, we discover an interpretation that is not as idealistic as a Nativity Scene. We see a Christ born in a cold cave because no one has opened the door for Him. In place of a crib He has to cope with an animal manger so the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled: The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel has not known me, and my people have not understood. The shepherds do not come on their own, but an angel gathers them. Joseph himself is not portrayed very flattering, as he is represented far from the Mother and Child, doubting the whole story, conversing with a sinister character that is no other but the devil tempting him. The Virgin, now Mother of God, is also many times portrayed with her head turned towards Joseph, worrying about the state of his soul. This is the true world in which Christ was born, but this imperfect world is also the very reason for His coming. Even the ones closest to Him are not perfect and they as well are in need of the salvation that He will preach and accomplish by His death on the Cross. The reality of the Cross is not missing from this icon either, because the swaddling clothes are also his funeral shroud, the manger His coffin and the cave His tomb. Everything is depicted through the realistic
perspective of the need for redemption, without cosmetic surgery or idealization. Christ came to save the sinners, not the righteous. The iconographic detail of the ox and the donkey further illustrates this point. From the Law of the Old Testament we know that the ox was a clean animal while the donkey was not. They are symbols of the chosen people and of the gentiles, of those under the Law and those outside of the Law, of the sinners and the righteous. Their presence in the icon suggests one more time that Christ has come for all, good or bad, without prejudice, without expectations, ready to sacrifice Himself for those that will crucify Him. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do! Looking at the season through this reversed perspective of the Orthodox icon of Nativity, we might grasp a better understanding of the world in which we live, with all the things that are plaguing it from all directions. Yes, we complain today that the world expects Christ with a generic message, that our traditions are void of content, that we have lost the meaning of Christmas, but when actually was the world ready for the coming of Christ? When He was born in the midst of His own chosen people and they could care less? (Continued on page 7)
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WORLD HAS NEVER BEEN READY FOR THE COMING OF C HRIST , JUST AS IT IS NOT READY NOW , BUT IT IS EXACTLY THIS THAT MAKES IT ESSENTIAL .
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2016 STEWARDSHIP: BRING THEM TO ME! In a well known parable we see the Apostles bringing to Jesus Christ their concerns about the 5,000 men plus women and children that are with them in the wilderness. His disciples lament that all they have are five loaves and two small fish a boy has offered. Jesus’ response is “Bring them to me.” He then takes the loaves, blesses and breaks them, and feeds 5,000 men plus women and children with abundant leftovers. “ WE
FIND
OURSELVES BY OFFERING OURSELVES .”
A RCHBISHOP A NASTASIOS OF A LBANIA
In a similar way, we also bring what we have to Jesus. We offer bread and wine and it may not seem much, but He returns them to us, in the overabundance of His Grace, as His Own Body and Blood, the Holy Communion. By the bread and the wine, foods that are specific to human nature, we offer our lives to Christ, and, through the Holy Spirit that transforms them, we become the Church, His Body on earth. We give our earthly lives in exchange for life ever-
lasting. What a favorable exchange of gifts! No matter how much we give, He cannot be outdone. Just like the boy who offered the loaves and the fish, if we offer what we have – however great or small our gift – with prayer and humility, God will receive our gifts and multiply them to feed His people, both materially and spiritually.
Christian Stewardship is about becoming good caretakers of all that God has given us. God has given each of us special and unique gifts. He also teaches us all that we have is a loan. He lends everything to us, and reminds us that one day He will ask us to give a detailed accounting of what we have done with these gifts He has given us. The only way to multiply these gifts is by offering them to God through the people around us. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania has noted “we find ourselves by offering ourselves.” Have we learned the blessedness of generously giving to others
out of all we have without worrying? Our vibrant parish is on a continuous and sustained growing pathway. Our children, our youth, our young adults, our seniors, our women and men, our inquirers in the faith, our poor and needy, demand the help of our ministries more than ever. The only way for them to fulfill their mission is through your support. Stewardship is not only about how much you give, although this is important, it is also about how much you are engaged, how much time and talent you invest, ultimately in yourselves. If we give the little we have to our brothers and sisters, God will make us heirs of the Kingdom. By giving from what we have, big or small, we become part of the eternal Kingdom that never suffers neither famine nor thirst. I encourage you all to prayerfully consider your contribution in your 2016 stewardship program and getting fully engaged in the life of you parish. May the Lord richly bless you and your family in all
V OLUME XXXII N UMBER 12 D ECEMBER 2015
S TEWARDSHIP 2015—W RAPPING Wow, it's hard to believe the holidays are here, just around the corner is the new year. I have so many hopes for the new year, one of which includes meeting our 2016 stewardship goals. I truly believe this is the year our goals are within reach.
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UP THE YEAR
Becoming a steward for 2016 is something an individual needs to do on a personal level. Stewardship is a way of giving back to God, who's generosity can not be outdone. Our stewardship cards are available in the pews. Not only is tithing part of giving back, but giving of your time and
talents are also a great way to get involved , meet other people, and share your gifts. Thank you to those who have already filled out a card, and I hope to see many more cards filled out in the near future. Your stewardship committee. Angela cline Cecilia Junell
Planning Committee After temporarily deferring progress in favor of Festival Planning activities, the Planning Committee has resumed its activities with the goal of a substantive report to the General Assembly in early 2016. The Committee is following the Parish Ministries Survey Questionnaire results to establish immediate and near term requirements of the Parish while also focusing on the longer term needs of Parish Growth. The elements of the Parish Growth Plan will be presented to the Council and General Assembly early next year. Within the Growth Plan, the site and facilities development master plan will be presented in concept for Parish approval and will include an estimated capital budget and a recommended approach to financing development costs. In this regard, the results of the 2015 Festival will enable the Parish to begin the next phase of capital development in 2016 . George Vittas
H OW TO BECOME A STEWARD IN 2016? FAQ S How do I become a member of the parish? Membership in the Orthodox Church begins at Baptism (Chrismation for some) and continues throughout our life. We are united with Christ through the sacraments and through our faithful offering of our lives to Christ. We have to distinguish however between voting members and non-voting members. A voting member is over 18 years old and has turned in a signed stewardship commitment card (for time, talent and treasure). The Archdiocese also requires the voting member to remain current through the year on their commit-
ments. Overall true membership in the Body of Christ, involves living daily according to His word and within His Church. Why must I commit to give a specific amount? Knowing the amount of your monetary participation helps our parish plan the activities throughout the year. Your monetary stewardship is kept in the strictest of confidence. What if I cannot fulfill my stewardship commitment? During the course of a year,
people’s circumstances change. Your stewardship is valued because it is made out of your love for God and His Church. Please do not be concerned if you are unable to meet your stewardship commitment – we are glad you are a part of this parish. How do I submit a Stewardship Card? You can find the card in the pews in Church or you can fill one on-line and e-mail it to our church office at stjohndfw@gmail.com. More info here
Stewardship 2015 info as of 11/22/2015: Goal : $304,127 Pledged: $282,308 S HORT : (21,819) WE
ARE SO CLOSE TO REACH OUR GOAL ! P LEASE HELP US TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL .
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Y OUTH M INISTRIES R EPORT Youth Ministries report Belated kudos to Athena Russo for organizing the Halloween Hideaway- we had about 20 kids for games, pumpkin carving and pizza! The GOYA has been busy with retreats, basketball practice and caroling. Glad to see a great turnout for the GOYA basketball tournament in January including six advisors!
T HE A DVENT R ETREAT TAKES PLACE S ATURDAY , D EC . 12- HOPE TO SEE KIDS OF ALL AGES - INCLUDING GOYA NS .
The Advent Retreat takes place Saturday, Dec. 12- hope to see kids of all ages - including GOYAns. We will be making Christmas crafts, preparing for Christmas play as well as attending a short ser-
vice with Fr Vasile who also will be available for Confession. The 2016 Oratorical Festival is quickly approaching. We will hear essays from our middle school and high school kids on Feb 21. If your child has not already done so, you might go over the topics and help him find one. Our teachers will work with the kids on delivery and content. We hope parents will do the same at home. God bless. Harriet Blake Sent from my iPhone
...
C HURCH S CHOOL here in Church School. Church School Families,
10 AM -1 PM Thanks to all who donated items for our Harvest Basket! The Church School children from Mrs. Theresa’s and Miss Allison’s classes made thank you cards for the Veterans of our parish. These cards were presented to our wonderful Veterans at our General Assembly in mid-November. Mrs. Harriet’s class made little note cards with kind messages for our sack-lunches that are assembled for the Philoptochos Feeding the Hungry project. Community service and kindness are definitely fostered
Here are a few upcoming dates on our calendar: 12/6 --class 12/12 --Advent Retreat 12/13 --class, Christmas Pageant 12/20 --No Class, Christmas Break 12/27 --No Class, Christmas Break 1/3 – Church School classes resume
I look forward to the new year ahead and pray that everyone has a safe and wonderful Holiday Season. Veronica Fisher Church School Coordinator veronicafisherps50@gmail.com
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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Happy Holidays! It is a busy time for us. We are currently taking orders for our Poinsettias to help beautify the church and we are also taking orders for our annual Christmas Bake Sale. Order forms are available in the hall. We look forward to our Philoptochos Christmas Dinner this year. We will enjoy an evening with Ageless Wonders, for food and fellowship. As a quick update, our Feeding the Hungry project is going very well. Each month we pack 120 sack lunches for the homeless and hungry of the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth. Since we began in the first week of
June, we have fed 660 hungry folks. We have enjoyed an amazing turnout of volunteers each month, and look forward to the continued success of this project. We worked together with Church School this year to help make National Make A Difference Day count in our own community. The Pre-Kinder- Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grade classes made thank you notes to Veterans here at St. John the Baptist. We presented the handmade card to the Veterans of our church at the General Assembly meeting. We received a lovely letter from the folks at Texas Health HEB. They truly appreciate the dona-
tion made by our St. Irene Philoptochos chapter, to their NICU. The folks there also look forward to a strong and long-lasting relationship with us. Linda Papadimitriou is once again organizing our AdoptA-Family project. Please help support this important effort if you can. Have a blessed and safe Holiday Season! Veronica Fisher, President St. Irene Philoptochos
GOYA NEWS January at the same place as last year.
The GOYA family has been busy in November-December practicing for caroling with Mrs. Joanne Ruppel and practicing for the basketball tournament every Sunday after Church.
We’ll also have Turkey raffle for Christmas so please purchase tickets, the funds will help defray some of the cost for the basketball
tournament. We would like to thank you all for your support and we wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Jolly New Year!
Please come and support us in
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When the Christians were persecuted by Roman emperors and thrown to the lions? When the French revolution shouted triumphantly that they would kill the last king with the intestines of the last priest? When the communists have demolished the churches and imprisoned the priests? The world has never been ready for the coming of Christ, just as it is not ready now, but it is exactly this that makes it essential. The unpre-
paredness of the world underscores the unfathomable love of Christ for His dysfunctional family.
carnation. Then, and only then, the world will be able to understand the meaning of the miracle from the manger of Bethlehem.
This display of infinite love Christ is born, glorify Him! should make us all want to change something within our hearts, to make our heart a place fit for Christ. To give him there a proper place to be born, to grow and to save each of us from inside out. Then, and only then, the Christians will truly become a cloud of witnesses of the In-
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ARE ONCE AGAIN ORGANIZING OUR A DOPT -AF AMILY PROJECT . P LEASE HELP SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT IF YOU CAN .
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T HE S ERVICES OF N ATIVITY IN THE O RTHODOX T RADITION
The hand of St. Ephraim the Syrian, a patron Saint of Church Musicians
M AKE
GLAD , O YOU RIGHTEOUS ! G REATLY REJOICE , O HEAVENS ! D ANCE FOR JOY , O MOUNTAINS ; FOR C HRIST IS BORN ! T HE V IRGIN HAS BECOME LIKE THE CHERUBIC THRONE .
The Nativity Cycle Forty days before the feast of the birth of Our Lord we enter the period of the Christmas Fast: to purify both soul and body to enter properly into and partake of the great spiritual reality of Christ’s Coming. This fasting season does not constitute the intense liturgical season that is characteristic of Great Lent; rather, Christmas Lent is more of an "ascetical" rather than "liturgical" nature. Nevertheless, the Christmas fasting season is reflected in the life of the Church in a number of liturgical notes that announce the coming feast. Within the forty days preparation the theme of the approaching Nativity is introduced in the services and liturgical commemorations, little by little. [...] On the eve of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, we hear the first announcement from the nine hirmoi of the Christmas Canon: "Christ is born, glorify Him!" With these words something changes in our life, in the very air we breathe, in the entire mood of the Church’s life. It is as if we perceive far, far away, the first light of the greatest possible joy — the coming of God into His world! Thus the Church announces the coming of Christ, the Incarnation of God, His entrance into the world for its salvation. Then, on the two Sundays preceding Christmas, the Church commemorates the Forefathers and the Fathers: the prophets and the saints of the Old Testament who prepared that coming, who made history itself into the expectation, the waiting for, the salvation and reconciliation of mankind with God. Finally, on December 20th, the church
begins the Forefeast of the Nativity, whose liturgical structure is similar to the Holy Week preceding Pascha — for the birth of the Son of God as child is the beginning of the saving ministry which will lead Him, for the sake of our salvation, to the ultimate sacrifice of the Cross.
and other members of the Church, is reflected in the prokeimenon of the day: The Lord said to me: Thou art My son, this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the nations for Thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Thy possession.
Then, at the end of the Liturgy, the The Eve celebrant, taking a lighted candle to The liturgical services of December the very centre of the Church, and 24th, the Eve of the Nativity, are: surrounded by the entire congregation, intones the troparion and kon1. The Royal Hours takion of the Feast: 2. Vespers, and Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, Has 3. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil shone to the world the light of wisdom. the Great. For by it, those who worshipped the stars Were taught by a star to adore Thee, Coming at the end of the Forefeast, The Sun of Righteousness, And to know and indeed of the entire Advent, Thee, the Orient from on high. O Lord, the Hours summarize all the glory to Thee! themes of the feast and make them into a last and solemn announceThe Matins and the Liturgy ment. In the special psalms, hymns The order of Matins is that of a and biblical readings prescribed for great feast. Now, for the first time, each hour, the joy and power of the full Canon "Christ is born…," Christ’s Coming are proclaimed. It one of the most beautiful canons in is one last meditation on the cosmi- Orthodox worship, is sung while cal meaning of the Nativity, on the the faithful venerate the icon of decisive and radical change it perChrist’s Nativity. The Praises folformed in the entire creation. low, summarizing the joy and themes of the entire feast: The Vespers inaugurates the celeMake glad, O you righteous! bration of the feast itself, for, as we Greatly rejoice, O heavens! know, the liturgical day begins in Dance for joy, O mountains; for Christ the evening. The tone of this cele- is born! The Virgin has become like the bration is given by the five stichera cherubic throne. She carries at her boson "Lord, I call...." What they really om God the Word, made flesh. Shepare is an explosion of joy for the herds glorify the newborn child. Wise gift of Christ’s Incarnation, which men offer the master gifts. Angels praise is now fulfilled! Eight biblical read- Him and sing: O Lord, past understandings show that Christ is the fulfilling, glory to Thee! ment of all prophecies, that His Kingdom is the Kingdom "of all Concluding the celebration of the ages," that all human history finds Nativity of Christ is the Liturgy of its meaning in it, and the entire the day itself with its festal anticosmos its center. phons proclaiming: …The Lord will send Thee the scepter The Liturgy of St. Basil which folof power from Zion: "Rule in the midst lows Vespers was in the past the of Thine enemies." With Thee is dominbaptismal liturgy at which catechu- ion on the day of Thy birth, in the mens were baptized, chrismated radiance of holiness. and integrated into the Church, the Body of Christ. The double joy of The Rev. Alexander Schmemann the feast, for the newly-baptized “The Services of Christmas” OCA 1981
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1962 N ATIVITY E PISTLE
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God." You that had sinned came not to God, but the Son of God, before Whom you sinned, came to you! He calls everyone to Himself; He gives forgiveness to everyone who merely thirsts for this. For The Angel of the preeternal Counsel of the Holy without the desire of man himTrinity comes to the earth. self, without at least his little This is not an ordinary mes- effort, God's peace cannot settle in him. The Lord forces no senger; it is the Onlybegotten Son of God Him- one to come to Him, but calls everyone: "Come unto me, all self. He brings peace to men. "Peace be unto you," ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." he said more than once to His disciples. "Peace I leave Come all ye who are heavy laden with sins, who are exwith you, my peace I give hausted from your labors and unto you," He says to the who do not find rest! You shall apostles at the Mystical find that inner peace, which Supper, "not as the world you will find nothing on earth giveth, give I unto you." more desirable than. The soul And appearing after His will feel unearthly peace and Resurrection, again He says: "Peace be unto you." joy. "For he is our peace," the Holy Apostle Paul says con- The Magi who worshipped the cerning Him: "He came to Babe experienced that joy; the the earth to reconcile man shepherds, finding Him lying in a manger, also felt it. But neiunto God by the Cross, ther peace nor joy touched the having slain the enmity thereby. And having come, heart of Herod and those who He preached peace to those wanted to destroy the Babe. For evil desire and malice are afar off and to those near, incompatible with inner peace. because through Him we And whoever does not have both have access unto the inner peace, also sows strife Father." and malice about. The wall that separated The Church now calls us to heaven and earth is demeet Christ Who comes from stroyed; the sword that barred the way to the Tree heaven. What can we do in order to meet Him like the of Life disappears. Unto man that had sinned comes Magi, and not like Herod? "Ye that desire life, keep your his Creator, calling him tongue from evil and your lips into His embrace! By the mouths of the apostles, the from speaking guile. Turn away from evil and do good; Holy Spirit cries out: "In Christ, be ye reconciled to seek peace and pursue it." It "Thou, Who art the God of peace and the Father of compassion, didst send unto us the Angel of Thy great Counsel, granting us peace."
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tends to be hard to do this; we are weak when it comes to everything good. But the Son of God even came for this: in order to strengthen us. Not for naught was He born in Bethlehem, which signifies "house of bread." He feeds us with heavenly food, His flesh. "God, the Lord and Creator of all, as a babe in the flesh, is worshipped in a poor manger, crying out: 'Eat My body and through faith be made steadfast.'" These words of the divine Babe are directed to us. Let us hearken to His call! Let us follow the Magi; let us hasten with the shepherds! Our churches are now that cave of Bethlehem. Not illusory, but in reality does He, Who is now being born in His most pure flesh, rest in them. Let us worship Him; let us offer as a gift our thoughts and desires; let us confess our sins, and let us taste of His immaculate Body and Blood. Whoever did not do this earlier, let him at least accomplish it now, when the star of Bethlehem is already shining! Our minds will be enlightened and the heart will hear: "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will among men!"
Found here
"Y E THAT DESIRE LIFE , KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL AND YOUR LIPS FROM SPEAKING GUILE . T URN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD ; SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT ."
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PARISH
W EBSITE
Out with the old and in with the new! In this period of spiritual regeneration we are also very happy to announce that our website just got a complete overhaul! Built on a modern, mobile and social friendly platform our website will keep you connected with everything that is happening at St. John’s. Please join us at http:// stjohndfw.info for a new level of browsing experience. Enjoy the new graphic interface, simplified menus, news posts, photo galleries and more to come. Share it on your favorite social media, send it to your friends, get the word out!
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HAVE RECENTLY SWITCHED TO A NEW C OFFEE HOUR SYSTEM WHERE EVERY FAMILY WILL HOST A COFFEE HOUR PER YEAR .
C ATECHISM C LASSES 2015-2016 ARE A G O !
Our Catechism / faith enrichment classes continue. See us every Sunday after Divine Liturgy in the Church Bridal Room. The program is open for non-Orthodox as well as for Orthodox Christians that want to learn about the Faith. Join us to learn more about the Orthodox Faith and don't forget to bring a friend. Don’t forget our Parish Library is open. See Steven or Serban if you want to borrow a book.
A COLYTE S CHEDULE U SHER S CHEDULE 1st Sunday: Chris Geil / Jeff Younger 2nd Sunday: Michael Eftimie / Jeff Younger 3rd Sunday: Jeremy Ellis / Cecilia Junell 4th Sunday: Angela Cline / Olga Papadopoulou 5th Sunday: Nancy Medvic / Jeremy Forcum
C OFFEE H OUR D UTIES SETUP Arrange pastries/food in a desirable manner on the appropriate tables in the parish hall. You are responsible for making the coffee. Make two pots: one regular, one decaf. Plug in be-
1st Sunday: Jackson Wright, Alex Genovezos, Caleb Ellis, Luca Tudora 2nd Sunday: Dmitri Rodgers, Alex Shah, Chris Eftimie, Joseph Berca, Noah Ellis 3rd Sunday: James Seals, Alex Genovezos, Caleb Ellis, Luca Tudora, Matei Tudora 4th Sunday: Noah Ellis, Alex Shah, Chris Eftimie, Dmitri Rodgers
C OFFEE H OUR H OST
As you probably know already , we have recently switched to a new Coffee hour system where every family will host a coffee hour per year. Please see Olga Papadopoulou
5th Sunday: Matei Tudora, Alex Genovezos, Alex Shah, Luca Tudora
to schedule Your Sunday.
fore going into church. The instructions are in the kitchen.
CLEAN UP
Prepare a tray with sugar, creamer, sugar substitute, mixing straws, a few spoons. Set with trash bucket. Put donation basket out with appropriate sign.
Wash all dishes soiled, including coffee pots. Return sugar tray to kitchen and replenish it. Wash off hall tables and kitchen counters. Thank-You
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
December 2015 SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
1
2
3
FRI
SAT
4
5
Barbara the Great Martyr John the Righteous of Damascus
Savas the Sanctified Martyr Diogenes
Fast Free Fish Allowed Strict Fast
Nahum the Prophet Philaret the Merciful of Amnia
Wine/ Oil Allowed
6
Habakkuk The Prophet Cyril Of Phileus
Zephaniah The Prophet John, Bishop and Hesychast
Vespers 5 pm
Pantanassa Paraklesis 6 pm
7
8
9
10
11
12
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan Athenodoros of Mesopotamia
Forefeast Conception Theotokos Patapios of Thebes
Conception of Theotokos Hanna the Prophetess
Menas, Hermogenes, Eugraphos Thomas of Bithynia
Daniel the Stylite Luke, Stylite of Chalcedon
Spyridon the Wonderworker Peter the Aleut
Vespers 6 pm
Divine Liturgy 6 am
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
11th Sunday of Luke
Thyrsos, Lucius, & Callinicos
Eleutherios, Bishop Illyria Susannah the Deaconess
Haggai the Prophet Modestos, Abp. Of Jerusalem
Daniel & the Three Holy Youths Dionysios of Zakynthos
Sebastian & his Companions Michael Synkellos the Confessor
Boniface of Tarsus Gregentius, Bishop of Ethiopia
10th Sunday of Luke Nicholas the Wonderworker Nicholas the new Martyr 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Retreat 10am-1pm Vespers 5 pm
Catechism Class
Auxentios & Martyrs of Sebaste Lucia the Virgin Martyr Herman of Alaska 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
20 Sunday before Nativity Forefeast of the Nativity Ignatius the God-Bearer 8:30 am Orthros
Vespers 5pm
Small Paraklesis 6 pm
Catechism Class Bake Sale Pick Up
21 Forefeast of the Nativity Juliana & 630 Companions
22 Anastasia the Great Martyr Chrysogonos the Martyr
23
24 Nativity Eve
Ten Martyrs of Crete Consecration of Hagia Sophia
Eugenia the Nun-martyr of Rome
Small Paraklesis 6 pm
Royal Hours 8am Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6pm
Catechism Class
Sunday after Nativity Stephen, First Martyr Theodore The Confessor 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
No Catechism Class PC Meeting
Holy Nativity Nativity of Jesus Christ Adoration of the Magi: Melchor, Gaspar & Balthasar
26 Synaxis Theotokos Euthemios, Bishop of Sardis Vespers 5pm
8:00 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy
9:30 am Divine Liturgy
27
25
28 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia Martyr Glykerios
29 14,000 Infants, (Holy Innocents) Righteous Marcellus
30 Anysia of Thessaloniki Gideon of Mount Athos
31 Apodosis of the Nativity Melania, Nun of Rome Vespers 6 pm
1
2
Circumcision of the Lord St. Basil the Great
Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
8:00 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Vespers 5pm
S T . J OHN
THE
NONPROFIT
B APTIST
G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH
303 Cullum Dr. Euless, TX 76040 Tel 817 283-2291 Return Service Requested
Sponsorship for This Month’s Forerunner
W E ’ R E O N T H E W E B AT HTTP:/ / STJOHNDFW. INFO
THE FORERUNNER
Vol. XXXII No. 12 December 2015
The Holy nativity of Christ December 25 , 2015