MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! KΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!

Transcript

1 The MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18) Δεῦτε ἴδωµεν πιστοί, ποῦ ἐγεννήθη ὁ Χριστός! Come, O faithful, let us see the place where Christ was born! (from the iconography of the St. Haralambos Church in Niles, Illinois) MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! KΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!

2 WORSHIP SCHEDULE December 2014 Thurs, Dec 4 St Barbara 8:30 am Orthros and Liturgy Sat, Dec 6 St Nicholas 8:30 am Orthros and Liturgy Sun, December 7 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Fri, Dec 12 St Spyridon 8:30 am Orthros and Liturgy Sunday, December 14 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Monday, Dec 15 St. Eleftherios 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sunday, December 21 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Wednesday, December 24 6:00 am Hours and Divine Liturgy Wednesday, Dec 24-Christmas Eve 8:00 pm Orthros 9:00 pm Divine Liturgy Thursday, Dec 25 CHRISTMAS DAY THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD 8:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Sunday, December 28 Family Worship 9:45 am Divine Liturgy 2014 STEWARDSHIP As of NOVEMBER 19, 675 stewards have committed $342, Have you become a 2014 Steward yet? OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST NICHOLAS in Oak Lawn invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Friday evening, December 5th in honor of the Feastday of St. Nicholas, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Saturday, December 6. ( Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on December 6.) OUR SISTER COMMUNITY OF ST SPYRIDON in Palos Heights invites you to Great Vespers at 7:00 pm on Thursday evening, December 11th in honor of the Feastday of St. Spyridon, and to Divine Liturgy the morning of Friday, December 12. (Liturgy WILL be celebrated at St. Haralambos on December 12.) SACRAMENTS AND BLESSINGS BLESSINGS OF INFANTS Forty days after birth, a child and its mother come to church to receive a 40 Day Blessing, imitating Christ who was presented in the Temple 40 days after He was born. Please call the church office to arrange this blessing. BAPTISMS Please call the church office to schedule Baptisms. Plan ahead! there are some days when Baptisms are not performed. Keep in mind that there should be only one Godparent and that a child is supposed to be given one name when he or she is baptized. WEDDINGS Please arrange an appointment with Fr. Dean at least eight months before the proposed wedding date to allow time for all necessary marriage preparation. CONFESSION Confessions are arranged by appointment. Please call the church office to schedule Confession. MINISTRY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK Orthodox Christians who would like to receive Holy Sacraments but are unable to attend church (hospitalized or at home) should contact the church office so Holy Sacraments can be administered to them. Please inform the church office if your loved one is hospitalized! Most hospitals no longer inform us when they receive patients from our parish. MEMORIAL SERVICES Memorial Services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Customarily, these services are offered at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. When three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. DID YOU KNOW?... OUR CHURCH S TEACHING ABOUT CREMATION The New Testament teaches that the body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The body is further sanctified by the incarnation of Christ God becoming Man in the body. Consistent with this teaching, the body is an integral part of the whole person, and the Church teaches and expects the resurrection from the dead of the body and the soul, when God s Kingdom comes in its fullness. The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made, and insists that the body be buried for the natural process to take place. As the denial of the resurrection, in cases where there is intention for the body of a deceased person to be cremated, a church funeral is not allowed, either in the church, or the Funeral home or any other place. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva are not allowed, since the significance between the kernel of wheat and the body has been intentionally destroyed. from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Yearbook

3 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE: 847/ From Father Dean Dear Stewards and Friends, December 2014 It s the time when we begin thinking about next year. Before we know it, it will be 2015! Our usual year-end activities focus on celebrating Christmas, shopping, exchanging gifts, parties, fasting and getting ready to receive Holy Communion. It s hard to keep all these things balanced, and it s really important to teach our children how to establish the right priorities. We urge you take advantage of this opportunity. This is also the time of year when many people make their budgets for the coming New Year. Soon you will be receiving information about Church Stewardship for We are grateful that many people raised their level of giving in 2014; it would be really helpful if many people make a gentle increase for 2015, too! But the really exciting development for 2015 will be PHASE 3! The Phase 3 Committee has begun meeting regularly, with the expectation that plans will be ready by Spring 2015! Then there will be a General Assembly and we hope you will plan to attend; we know everyone will be excited about the plans that will be presented for approval. It should be obvious that the Parish Council can proceed on a project of this scale only with the approval and support of the whole community! We have not asked for any major donations for many years. But every now and then, in our church community and every other community, the members are asked to do something special and sacrificial. We are being told that the economy is recovering, so it should be the best opportunity that we have had in several years! 2015 will be our year the year of the St. Haralambos Community! We will need your support! Oh yes, please keep the evening of February 15 open! A very special event is being planned and we think you will want to be there. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! As the very special celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Savior draws near, let s try to find a little quiet time to think about how truly remarkable this event is. God becomes Man! The Creator participates in His creation, to restore us to the fullness of the glory He wants us to have! He gifts us with the power to know Him and live in communion with Him. Rejoice! Fr. Dean HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NILES, ILLINOIS Proistamenos...Fr. Constantine P. Botsis Synefimerios....Fr. George Lamberis Pastoral Assistant Deacon John G. Suhayda Chanter Nick Harisiadis Parish Council Officers President Perry Giannopoulos Vice President Nick Andrews Treasurer..... David Loomos Secretary Argy Koutsikos Strategic Planning... Perry Giannopoulos Stewardship.. Budget Committee Chairman...Perry Giannopoulos Building & Grounds Chairman.. Michael Pontikes and Theodoros Karabatsos Decor Committee Chairman...Stephan Aliferakis Finance Committee Chairman...George Kotsionis Outreach Committee....John :Pierce Phase III Chairman... Board Chairman......Tom Zavos Audit Committee Chairman...Evan Houpis.. Philoptochos President......Maria Dimitriou PTA Co-Presidents (Afternoon ) Anna Sikoral and Kathy Ioannidis PTA President (Preschool)......Marianna Memmos and Natasha Palmisano PTA Co-Presidents (Saturday )......Angelo Mihalopoulos and Georgia Pipikios Greek Principal... Mrs. Anastasia Liapi Saturday Director...Mrs. Andrianna Panayiotou Preschool Director Mrs. Rita Petratos Sunday Director...Presvytera Georgia Botsis Athletic Director David Loomos Scoutmaster George Alpogianis Asst Scoutmaster Sam Parmakis Asst Cubmaster John Frake Little Angels... Mrs. Tasia Liapis YAL President......Christina Pappadis GOYA President... Vasiliki Karabatsos Jr. Goya Advisor.. Jolynn Ruggerio Bookstore Manager..... Jolynn Ruggerio Web Master George Houpis Office Staff..Barbara Skaouris and Alexandra Grivas Maintenance Staff.Juan Caro and Carolina Contreras IN THIS ISSUE: Letter from our Priest (pg 3) Announcements/Ανακοινώσεις (pp 4-5) Schedule of Christmas Services (pg 6) Thoughts on Christmas (pg 7) Holiday Events (pg 8) Christmas Retreat Photographs (pg 9) Calendar (pg 10) 3

4 COMMUNITY NEWS PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS PARTY The ladies of our St. Haralambos Philoptochos will have their annual Christmas Dinner on Monday evening, December 8 at the Chateau Ritz. The reception hour will begin at 6:30 and Dinner will be at 7:00, and the donation is only $35. Bring a friend! For reservations, call Eleni Lanzourakis ( ) or Pam Papakanelou ( ). Please make your reservations before December 1st! GET IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT! Two wonderful Christmas Music programs are being offered during December. Home for Christmas is a Pan-Orthodox Christmas Concert, taking place at 7:00 on December 6 at St. John the Baptist in Des Plaines, featuring Christmas songs and carols in English, Georgian, Greek, Romanian, Serbian and Ukrainian! The Spirit of Christmas will be presented by the Hellenic Choral Society at5:00 pm on Saturday, December 13 at Ss. Peter and Paul in Glenview. No admission is charged, but a free will donation will be accepted at both programs. HEAVEN ON EARTH The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago) is featuring an exhibit called Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections, until February 15, More than 60 artworks icons, sculptures, textiles, glass and silver from museums throughout Greece! This is a special opportunity and we encourage you to visit the Art Institute. HOLY COMMUNION----During the Christmas Season, all Orthodox Christians usually plan to receive Holy Communion. In order to receive Holy Communion properly, please plan to prepare yourself through prayer, Holy Confession, fasting and almsgiving. Let us think of our heart as the manger in which Christ will be born, and let us prepare our manger to receive Him! SHUT-INS--Please inform the church office about elderly or ill who would like to receive Holy Communion but are unable to come to church, so that our priests can bring the Sacrament to them. His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago invites you to the annual Metropolis of Chicago Open House Christmas Reception Sunday December 14, 2014 Beginning at 5:00 pm 40 East Burton Street Chicago, Illinois All are welcome! Season (Epiphany is Tuesday, January 6) to bless our homes with the Agiasmos of Epiphany. If you would like to have your home blessed by the priest, please call the church office ( ). ANNUAL VASILOPITA LUNCHEON - Our St. Haralambos Vasilopita Luncheon will take place on Sunday, January 11 th in our Community Center after Church services. Plan on coming, and bring your entire family. The donation is only $10. METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO VASILOPITA--Our Annual Metropolitan Vasilopita will take place Sunday evening, January 11th at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, and all are invited to join Metropolitan Iakovos and the clergy and laypeople of our Metropolis at this annual event. The Vasilopita benefits St. Basil Academy. GODPARENTS SUNDAY Our Godparents Sunday will be observed on January 18, 2015! Godparent Sunday gives us the opportunity to renew the relationship between Godparents and their Godchildren by receiving Holy Communion together and attending our Godparents Luncheon. This is a popular event every year, and reservations are required! Please call the church office to make your reservations, and plan to participate in our Godparents Sunday. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS will take place after church services on Sunday, December 14! Nominations are being accepted until December 1! Have you ever served on the Parish Council? A SUPER THANK-YOU! to all who supported the toy drive for the foster children under DCFS this year. Toys were provided for 175 children, and we are grateful to all who offered their kindness for this worthwhile cause! BLESSING OF HOMES--It is an annual custom in the Epiphany PRAY FOR Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Paul Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop John Ibrahim, both of Aleppo, Syria, who were kidnapped April 22, STEWARDSHIP FOR 2014: LIKE THE THREE WISE MEN, WE OFFER OUR GIFTS TO THE LORD Through our Stewardship offering, we empower our Church to minister its sacred duty of forgiveness, healing and salvation. As the Three Magi offered their gifts to Christ, we are called to imitate them and to offer our own gifts to Him and His Church. At the same time, we become the beneficiaries of our own generosity! Did you know that we need every steward to increase their level of giving, even if it s only a few dollars, every year in order for Stewardship to be successful? Please set a level of giving that is a reflection of your love for God and of your appreciation for the blessings and benefits you derive from your Church. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means proportional giving giving in proportion to our resources and income. Let us become good stewards through our devotion, love and generosity. Your heartfelt Stewardship support is vital to the progress of our church and community. Have you become a 2014 steward yet? 4

5 ΕΝΟΡΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΘΕΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ-Κατά την εορταστικήν εποχή των Χριστουγέννων, όλoι πρoγραµµατίζoυµε vα λάβoυµε Θείαv Κoιvωvία. ια vα δεχθoύµε τηv Θ. Κoιvωvία, πρέπει vα πρoετoιµασθoύµε αvάλoγα, µε πρoσευχή, Εξoµoλόγηση, vηστεία και ελεηµοσύνη. Ας θεωρήσουµε την ψυχή µας ως την φάτνη όπου γεννήθηκε ο Χριστός, και ας πρoετoιµάσoυµε τηv ψυχή µας ως φάτvη δια vα δεχθoύµε τov vεoγέvvητo Χριστό! ΕΣΩΚΛΕΙΣΤΑ ΑΤΟΜΑ-Παρακαλούµε όπως πληροφορείτε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια τους ηλικιωµένους ή αρρώστους που θέλουν να λάβουν την Θείαν Κοινωνίαν και δεν δύνανται να έλθουν στην εκκλησία, ούτως ώστε οι ιερείς να προγραµµατίσουν να τους προσφέρουν την Θείαν Κοινωνίαν όπου διαµένουν. ΕΚΛΟΓΕΣ IΟIΚΗΤIΚΟΥ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛIΟΥ Τηv Κυριακήv 14 εκεµβρίoυ, µετά τηv Θεία Λειτoυργία, θα γίvoυv oι εκλoγές τoυ ιoικητικoύ Συµβoυλίoυ. Ελάτε αυτη την ηµέρα να ψηφίσετε! ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ του 2015 διατίθενται εις το γραφείο της εκκλησίας. Παρακαλούµε όπως οι stewards του 2013 ή 2014 περνάτε από το γραφείο, εαν θέλετε ένα ηµερολόγιο της εκκλησίας δια το έτος του 2015! ΕΝΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ εις όλους όσους συµµετείχαν και εφέτος στην αγορά δώρων δια τα παιδιά του DCFS. Προµηθεύσαµε 175 παιδιά µε δώρα και είµεθα ευγνώµονες σε όλους που είχαν την καλοσύνη να συµβάλουν στην επίτευξη αυτού του αξιόλογου σκοπού. ΑΓIΑΣΜΟΣ ΣΠIΤIΩΝ-Τo έθιµo καλεί vα αγιάζoυµε τα σπίτια µας κατά τηv επoχή τωv Θεoφαvείωv (Ηµέρα των Θεοφανείων είναι η Τρίτη, 6 Ιανουαρίου). Εαν θέλετε ο ιερέας να έλθει σπίτι σας για αγιασµό παρακαλoύµε όπως τηλεφωvείτε στo γραφείo της εκκλησίας (847/ ). ΕΟΡΤΑΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΒΑΣIΛΟΠIΤΑΣ Η εκκλησία µας θα εoρτάσει τηv Βασιλόπιτα εις τις 11 Ιαvoυαρίoυ µε γεύµα τo oπoίo θα πρoετoιµασθεί από τηv Φιλόπτωχo µετά την Θεία Λειτουργία στην Κοινοτική µας Αίθουσα. Σας περιµένουµε µε την οικογένειά σας. Η δωρεά είναι µόνον $10. ΕΤΗΣΙΑ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΗΣ - Η ετήσια Βασιλόπιτα της Μητρόπολης θα λάβει χώρα την Κυριακή, 11 Ιανουαρίου στον Άγιο ηµήτριον εις Elmhurst, και προσκαλούνται όλοι να συνεορτάσουµε µε τον σεβασµιώτατο Μητροπολίτη µας κ. κ. Ιάκωβο αυτό το σπουδαίο γεγονός. Τα έσoδα θα διατεθoύv δια τηv Ακαδηµίαv τoυ Αγ. Βασιλείoυ. ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΝΟΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΑ ΟΧΩΝ-Η Κυριακή, 18 Ιανουαρίου είναι Κυριακή των Νονών και Αναδόχων εις τον Αγ. Χαράλαµπον. Είναι ευκαιρία δια τους Νονούς και Αναδόχους µαζί να λάβουν Θεία Κοινωνία εκείνη τη Κυριακή, και να παρακαθήσουν στο γεύµα που θα δοθεί µετά την Θ. Λειτουργία εις την Κοινοτική Αίθουσα του Aγ. Χαραλάµπους. Τηλεφωνήσατε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας (847/ ) δια να κρατήσετε θέσεις και να παρευρεθείτε στην Κυριακή των Αναδόχων! ΠΕΡΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΕΥΧΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΩΝ ΕΥΧΕΣ ΝΕΟΓΕΝΝΗΤΩΝ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ--Κάθε µάνα και το παιδί της, σαράντα ηµέρες µετά την γέννησή του προσέρχονται στην εκκλησία για να λάβουν την Ευλογία των 40 Ηµερών, κατά µίµησην του Ιησού Χριστού ο οποίος παρουσιάσθηκε στον Ιερόν Ναόν σαράντα ηµέρες µετά την γέννησή του. Παρακαλούµε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας για να κανονίσετε την ευλογία αυτή. ΒΑΠΤΙΣΕΙΣ Παρακαλούµε όπως τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να προγραµµατίσετε Βαπτίσεις. Σχεδιάστε πολύ ενωρίτερα!-υπάρχουν µερικές µέρες που δεν γίνονται βαπτίσεις. ΓΑΜΟΙ-Παρακαλούµε όπως κανονίζετε συνάντηση µε τον π. Κωνσταντίνο τουλάχιστον οκτώ µήνες πριν την προτεινόµενη ηµεροµηνία του γάµου δια τις απαιτούµενες προετοιµασίες. ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ Οι Εξοµολογήσεις κανονίζονται κατόπιν ραντεβού. ια να προγραµµατίσετε εξοµολογήσεις, παρακαλούµε τηλεφωνείτε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ ΑΡΡΩΣΤΩΝ Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί που θα ήθελαν να λάβουν τα Άγια Μυστήρια και δεν µπορούν να έλθουν στην εκκλησία (βρίσκονται εις νοσοκοµεία ή ανήµποροι εις τα σπίτια τους) παρακαλούνται να επικοινωνούν µε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας δια να µπορέσουν να τα λάβουν. Παρακαλούµε να επικοινωνείτε µε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας εαν κάποιος συγγενής σας είναι στο νοσοκοµείο! Τα νοσοκοµεία πλέον δεν µας πληροφορούν όταν έχουν αρρώστους από την ενορία µας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιµνηµόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ηµέρες, τους 6 µήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρµόζον να ενθυµούµεθα τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. STEWARDSHIP 2014 ΌΠΩΣ ΟΙ ΤΡΕΙΣ ΜΑΓΟΙ, ΠΡΟΣΦΕΡΟΥΜΕ ΚΙ ΕΜΕΙΣ ΤΑ ΩΡΑ ΜΑΣ ΣΤΟΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΝ ια µέσω του stewardship µας, καθιστούµε ικανή την εκκλησία µας να εκτελέσει το ιερό έργο της συγχώρησης, της θεραπείας, και σωτηρίας. Όπως οι Τρεις Μάγοι προσέφεραν τα δώρα τους στο Χριστό, ηµείς καλούµεθα να µιµηθούµε τους Μάγους και να προσφέρουµε τα δικά µας δώρα στο Χριστό, να ενδυναµώσουµε την εκκλησία µας. Και συγχρόνως είµεθα εµείς που επωφελούµεθα από την γενναοδωρία µας! Ας γίνουµε καλοί stewards, µε την αφοσίωση µας, την αγάπη και την γενναοδωρία µας! Έχετε γραφτεί ακόµη δια τον 2014; 5

6 Schedule Of Holiday Services- Christmas and Epiphany Wednesday morning, December 24 Eve of Christmas 6:00 am Royal Hours 7:00 am-- Divine Liturgy Wednesday evening, December 24 8:00 pm Orthros 9:00 pm Divine Liturgy Thursday, December 25 THE BIRTH IN THE FLESH OF OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Divine Liturgy *Note: There is no fasting from Dec 25 through Jan. 4 Sunday, December 28 - Family Worship Sunday 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Divine Liturgy HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Thursday, January 1, 2015 Feastday of St. Basil the Great 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Divine Liturgy (Family Worship) Sunday, January 4 Sunday before Epiphany 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Monday, January 5 Eve of Epiphany (Day of Fasting) 8:30 am Royal Hours of Epiphany 9:45 am Divine Liturgy, The Great Blessing of the Waters Tuesday, January 6 THE GREAT FEAST OF THEOPHANY 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy, followed by The Great Blessing of the Waters THIS YEAR S VASILOPITA LUNCHEON WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY. ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ / ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ Τετάρτη πρωϊ, 24 εκεµβρίου Παραµονή της του Χριστού Γεννήσεως 6.00 πµ Βασιλικές Ώρες των Χριστουγέννων 7.00 πµ - Θεία Λειτουργία Τετάρτη βράδυ, 24 εκεµβρίου 8.00 µµ Ορθρος 9.00 µµ - Θεία Λειτουργία Πέµτη, 25 εκεµβρίου Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ 8.30 πµ Ορθρος 9.45 µµ Θεία Λειτουργία ΣΗΜ: Από την 25 ην εκ. µέχρι την 4 ην Ιαν. δεν νηστεύουµε. Κυριακή, 28 εκεµβρίου 8.30 πµ - Όρθρος 9.45 πµ - Θεία Λειτουργία ΕΥΤΥΧΕΣ ΤΟ ΝΕΟ ΕΤΟΣ! Πέµτη, 1 Ιανουαρίου 2015 Αγ. Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Αρχιεπισκόπου Καισαρείας 8.30 πµ Ορθρος 9.45 πµ - Θεία Λειτουργία Κυριακή, 4 Ιανουαρίου Πρό των Θεοφανείων 8.30 πµ Όρθρος 9.30 πµ Κατηχητικό Σχολείο 9.45 πµ Θεία Λειτουργία, Παρασκευή, -5 Ιανουαρίου (Ηµέρα νηστείας) 8.30 πµ - Οι Βασιλικές Ώρες των Θεοφανείων 9.45 πµ Θεία Λειτουργία Τελετή του Μεγ. Αγιασµού Τρίτη, 6 Ιανουαρίου -ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ 8.30 πµ Ορθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία, Τελετή του Μεγ. Αγιασµού ΕΦΕΤΟΣ, ΘΑ ΕΟΡΤΆΣΟΥΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΗ ΜΑΣ ΑΙΘΟΥΣΑ ΤΗΝ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ, 11 ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΥ, ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ. 6

7 GIVING YOUR BEST GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS In about a month, children and many of us will be asking each other, What did you get for Christmas? Gifts are definitely a part of this season, but why do we give gifts? Perhaps we give to express our love for the other person. Perhaps we give to show our appreciation to someone. There are many reasons to present a gift to someone else, by why follow such a practice? As Orthodox Christians, we give gifts at Christmas in humble imitation of the Gift that God gave His only Son, our Lord Jesus. For the Christian, Christmas and every day is an opportunity to give. There was a family who opened up all their Christmas gifts on Christmas morning after Church. After all the kids opened up their gifts, the father said to his children, Of all the presents you received, I want you to decide which one you like the very best, and set it in front of you. Each child picked out their favorite gift and placed it in front of themselves. When this was done, the father continued, Now I want each of you to think of someone who is less fortunate than you and probably won t receive presents today. Tomorrow, we are going have the great joy of bringing this favorite gift to them. From this point on, these children never forgot this experience. It taught them what Christmas was all about when God gave mankind the very best He had. What kind of gifts can we give others to help make real the true spirit of Christmas? The gift of time- Not only is this gift easiest on the budget, but it is personal as well. It is a gift that is planned for a specific person, and it is a gift that can never be given back. It seems today that we don t have a lot of this to give to others. My challenge to you is to give someone your time. Give one hour out a week of the 168 that you have to someone who doesn t receive much company. As part of your stewardship, offer one hour of your time to our beloved St. Haralambos parish. Join a ministry, volunteer in the office, become an altar boy, join the PTA, start a new ministry there are so many opportunities! Give this personal, most appreciated and most unique gift to the Lord! Time is most precious gift because it is the only gift that you can never receive back The gift of friendship Instead of asking, How many friends do I have? the Christian asks: to how many people can I be a friend? People who need other people are the luckiest people in the world. I know how much I need people, and I know how many others there are who are seeking a friend, a peer, someone to help them through a difficult time in their life. It s easy to be friends with those who are friends with you. Ask God to help you find people who need me my friendship, my love. Let me express this with a thoughtful letter, a phone call, or visit to let them know that you care about them. We all need each other. Reach out of your comfort zone and become friends with someone who truly needs Christ s love through you, the instrument of the Lord! Give them encouragement with your words. Listen to their struggles and give them 100% of your attention, and truly attempt to understand how they are feeling. To give one s whole and serious attention to another is a beautiful gift. Freely you have received, Freely Give - Our Lord tells us that whatever gift we give, we should give to those who have the greatest need, and we should never expect anything in return. Even further, Christ challenges us to step out of our comfort zone. Jesus said, When you give a dinner or banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen of your rich neighbors. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just (Luke 12:12-24). Yes, invite your family over to your home, but have you ever thought of having someone over who is in need? Invite someone that doesn t have anyone to be with on Christmas. We know the best gift that God offered us was Jesus Christ. It s the best because it is many gifts in one. Through Him, we receive the gift of members of God s family, the gift of a loving Father, a person who knows us by name and cares for us, the gift of the Holy Spirit which abides in us all, and finally, the gift of eternal life. This year for Christmas, instead of focusing so much on the material gifts that we will receive, may we experience Christmas this year knowing that the best gift we received is our Savior and Lord. As He humbled Himself to be with us and touch us, may our hearts become the manger that receives Christ so that we can do nothing but offer our time, friendship, love, care concern and understanding to all who are the Church but also to those who are yearning to experience Him through your personal touch. Fr. George Lamberis 7

8 SAVE THE DATE! ST HARALAMBOS FAMILY FUN DAY Sponsored by our SUNDAY SCHOOL at the ST IAKOVOS RETREAT CENTER on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, AM to 3 PM Join us for a fun and casual day of fellowship Outdoor Activities Crafts for the kids Pot Luck Lunch Relax with family and friends! All are welcome! Pre-registration required Space is limited 8

9 ST HARALAMBOS FAMILY CHRISTMAS RETREAT Over 100 parents and children participated in our Family Christmas Retreat on November 15! Everyone had a great time! 9

10 December 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Parish Council nomination deadline! 5:30 Fam Nite 7:00-Cub Scouts 7:00-Sr. GOYA Movie Night 2 11:30 am Little Angels Playgroup 4:30 pm Greek 7pm-Phase 3 7:30-Bible Study 3 Philoptochos Outing The King and I 4 ST BARBARA 8:30-Orthros and Liturgy 5 4:30 pm-parent Teacher Conferences (no classes) 6 ST NICHOLAS 8:30-Orthros and Liturgy 9:00 am-saturday Greek 7 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy GENERAL ASSEMBLY 8 6:30-Philoptochos Christmas Party 9 11:30 am Little Angels Playgroup 4:30 pm Greek 4:30-PTA Mtg 7pm-Phase 3 7:30-Bible Study 10 7:30 pm Philoptochos Mtg SAINT SPYRIDON 8:30-Orthros and Liturgy 4:30 pm Greek 13 9:00 am-saturday Greek 11:30--Parent Conferences 14 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy Parish Council ELECTIONS Metropolitan s Open House 15 SAINT ELEFTHERIOS 8:30-Orthros and Liturgy 5:30 Fam Nite 7:00-Cub Scouts 16 11:30 am Little Angels Playgroup 4:30 pm Greek 7pm-Phase 3 7:30-Bible Study 17 7:30 pm Parish Council Mtg :30-Preschool Christmas Program 4:30 pm Greek 20 9:00 am-saturday Greek 11 am-christmas Program Jr/Sr GOYA Christmas Caroling 21 9:30 am Sunday 9:45 am Divine Liturgy CHRISTMAS PAGEANT :30 pm Greek 5:30 Christmas Program 7pm-Phase 3 24 CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING: 6:00 am-hours and Liturgy Evening Christmas Services 8:00 pm Orthos 9:00 pm Liturgy 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 Orthros and Liturgy FAMILY FUN DAY at ST IAKOVOS CAMP CENTER 28 9:45 am Divine Liturgy

11 Providing Service From SMITH-CORCORAN FUNERAL HOMES 1104 Waukegan Road 6150 N. Cicero Avenue 185 E. Northwest Highway Glenview, IL Chicago, IL Palatine, IL (847) N. Milwaukee Ave. Suite 104 Niles, IL Fax (847) JOHN S ROOFING, INC Roofing Gutters Siding Soffit Fascia Windows Insured Free Estimates T HIS SPACE AVAILABLE For Information On Advertising, Please Call Our Representative Alex Nicholas at , ext or anicholas@4lpi.com HRH Mechanical Inc. Balourdos & Mikuzis, LLP Attorneys at Law 535 N. Michigan Ave. #200 Chicago, Illinois (312) Open at 11am, Seven Days a Week Home of the Best Wood Roasted Chicken & B.B.Q. Baby Back Ribs! (847) John Lemperts ELMWOOD CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM 2905 N. Thatcher Road River Grove, IL Private Room Available for Funeral Lunches, Showers & Baptisms Milwaukee & Euclid/Lake Glenview Serving the Greek Community For Over 100 Years helping you celebrate the special times in your life 9073 Courtland Dr Niles, IL phone fax Nickie Gregoriou Where Magnificent Meets Unforgettable LET US CATER YOUR NEXT PARTY 3727 West Dempster Skokie, IL (847) W. Dempster Skokie, IL Fresh Flowers Delivered Daily Funerals & Sympathy Gatherings Birthdays/Anniversaries/Just Because Event Planning/Floral Production Food At Its Best The Pittsfield Building 55 E. Washington Chicago, IL (312) Fax (312) Your Hosts: Bill, Bob & Chris FOREMOST LIQUOR CENTER GREAT WINE & LIQUOR SELECTION Beer From All Over the World For Your Entertainment Needs AT LOW PRICES 5301 N. Milwaukee & Central Ave. (773) The Best Greek Cuisine In Town SERVING THE N/W FOR OVER 27 YEARS 8660 GOLF ROAD NILES, IL (847) FAX (847) Dimitrios & Athena Merageas, Owners LOUKAS PERGANTAS 5424 West Montrose, Chicago, IL Phone: /52 fax: fourstar@ameritech.net CINDY M. SWERDON, CEMETERY BROKER (708) PLEASE CONTACT CINDY DIRECTLY FOR DISCOUNT OR INQUIRIES CMAS Inc. ELMWOOD CEMETERY RIDGEWOOD CEMETERY *SAVE AS MUCH AS 50-70% OFF CURRENT CEMETERY PRICES FOR A LIST OF OUR INVENTORY, VISIT US AT Glenview Shell Complete Auto Repair Service Experts on Foreign & Domestic Cars Tune-Ups, Towing, Road Service 3255 Central/Greenwood, Glenview We accept all extended warranties Dean T. Velis M.D. F.A.C.P. Certified by The American Board of Phlebology Clinical Assistant Professor U.I.C. of Medicine F.A.A. Senior Aviation Medical Examiner Ultrasound Guided Endovenous Laser Ablation Ambulatory Microphlebectomy Vericose Veins Leg Ulcers Cosmetic Treatment of Spider Veins Endoluminal Chemical Ablation (sclerotherapy) Fax N Arlington Hts Rd. #105 Arlington Heights, IL Peter / Koula Louras Serving Families For Three Generations 24 Hour Service (847) J F Barber Shop PH: FAX: W. Touhy Avenue Lincolnwood, IL Rand & Euclid Shell Express Gifts A Unique Gift Shop Featured on 190 North (847) N Waukegan Rd Niles, IL Supporter of 630 Rand Rd., Mt. Prospect FOR AD INFO CALL ALEX NICHOLAS Holy Taxiarhai and St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, Niles, IL Welcome To Catering We Available Deliver 9645 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL (one block North of Golf Road) (847) / Fax: (847) The Seven Brothers Restaurant OPEN 6AM-8PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK Full Service Restaurant & Bar BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER 9300 Waukegan Rd. Morton Grove, IL WE LOVE ST. HARRY S Jon, Marianna, Eleni NORWOOD HEALTHMART DRUGS Higgins Chicago, IL PAPA CHRIS PLACE WE ARE HABIT FORMING CATERING AVAILABLE THE SIDERIS FAMILY 6235 TOUHY AVE CHICAGO, IL (773) Fax: (773) A 4C :53:48

12 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE NILES, IL Address Service Requested On behalf of the Parish Council, our parish organizations and the entire St. Haralambos Family, we wish you a blessed and joyful Christmas, and a wonderful, prosperous And Holy New Year!