S u n day b e f o r e Nat i v i t y

Transcript

1 S u n day b e f o r e Nat i v i t y Te n Ma r t y r s o f C r e t e ; C o n s e c r at i o n o f H a g i a S o p h i a Tr a n s f i g u r at i o n o f o u r L o r d Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephens School Road Austin, Texas (512) office@transfiguration.org website - Sunday Service Schedule Orthros 8:15am; Divine Liturgy 9:30am Reverend Fr. Vasileios Flegas, Proistamenos

2 Hymns Hymn Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenu tekthenta is sotirian imon, animnisomen pisti ke proskinisomen, oti ivthokese sarki, anelthin en to stavro, ke thanaton ipomine, ke egire tus tethneotas, en ti enthoxo Anastasi aftu. Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, for in the flesh did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead through His all glorious resurrection. Hymn for the Forefeast Ἑτοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ, ἤνοικται πᾶσιν ἡ Ἐδέμ. Εὐτρεπίζου Ἐφραθᾶ, ὅτι τὸ ξύλον τῆς ζωῆς, ἐν τῷ Σπηλαίῳ ἐξήνθησεν ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου. Παράδεισος καὶ γάρ, ἡ ἐκείνης γαστήρ, ἐδείχθη νοητός, ἐν ᾧ τὸ θεῖον φυτόν, ἐξ οὗ φαγόντες ζήσομεν, οὐχὶ δὲ ὡς ὁ Ἀδὰμ τεθνηξόμεθα. Χριστὸς γεννᾶται,τὴν πρὶν πεσοῦσαν, ἀναστήσων εἰκόνα. Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime Hymn for Pre-Nativity Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς πίστεως κατορθώματα! Ἐν τῇ πηγῇ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ ἅγιοι Τρεῖς Παῖδες ἠγάλλοντο, καὶ ὁ προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls Hymn of Transfiguration Μετεμορφώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι. Metemorfothis en to ori, Christe o Theos, dixas tis mathites Sou tin doxan Sou, kathos idynando Lampson ke imin tis amartolis to fos Sou to aidion, presvies tis Theotokou Fotodota doxa Si. When O Christ our God Thou wast Transfigured on the mountain Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee Kontakion 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. On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to God the Word ineffably, Who was before all the ages. Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the ages is God.

3 Epistle - St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Daniel 3.26,27 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers. Verse: For you are just in all you have done. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; B RETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us,that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Thank you to this week s Epistle reader Next week s Epistle reader Προκείμενον. Ήχος δ'. Δανιήλ Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:9-10, τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα Ἀ δελφοί, πίστει παρῴκησεν Ἀβραὰμ εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας μετὰ Ισαὰκ καὶ Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ Θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψὼν καὶ Ιεφθάε, Δαυΐδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος, ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσι καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ Θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσι. Kyriakos Keah Gabriel Boyer No Sunday School classes this Sunday, December 23

4 G o s p e l - Mat t h e w 1 : 1-25 T he book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. Β ίβλος γενέσεως Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυῒδ υἱοῦ Αβραάμ. Αβραὰμ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ισαάκ, Ισαὰκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιακώβ, Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιούδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, Ιούδας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Φαρὲς καὶ τὸν Ζαρὰ ἐκ τῆς Θάμαρ, Φαρὲς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Εσρώμ, Εσρὼμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αράμ, Αρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αμιναδάβ, Αμιναδὰβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ναασσών, Ναασσὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλμών, Σαλμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Βοὸζ ἐκ τῆς Ραχάβ, Βοὸζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς Ρούθ, Ωβὴδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιεσσαί, Ιεσσαὶ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Δαυῒδ τὸν βασιλέα. Δαυῒδ δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐγέννησε τὸν Σολομῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου, Σολομὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ροβοάμ, Ροβοὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αβιά, Αβιὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ασά, Ασὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωσαφάτ, Ιωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωράμ, Ιωρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Οζίαν, Οζίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωάθαμ, Ιωάθαμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αχαζ, Αχαζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Εζεκίαν, Εζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αμών, Αμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωσίαν, Ιωσίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιεχονίαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος. Μετὰ δὲ τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος Ιεχονίας ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλαθιήλ, Σαλαθιὴλ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ζοροβάβελ, Ζοροβάβελ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αβιούδ, Αβιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ελιακείμ, Ελιακεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αζώρ, Αζὼρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαδώκ, Σαδὼκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αχείμ, Αχεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ελιούδ, Ελιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ελεάζαρ, Ελεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιακώβ, Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἄνδρα Μαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη Ιησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός. Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ Αβραὰμ ἕως Δαυῒδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυῒδ ἕως τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες. Τοῦ δὲ Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γέννησις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ Ιωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος Αγίου. Ιωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν παραδειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρα ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν. ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων Ιωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυΐδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν Αγίου. τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ιησοῦν αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν. Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Εμμανουήλ, ὅ ἐστι μεθερμηνευόμενον μεθ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ιησοῦν.

5 C h r i s t m a s a n d Ep i p h a n y S c h e du l e o f S e rv i c e s Sunday, December 23, pm Great Vespers Monday, December 24, 2018, Merry Christmas!!! The Proeortia (Forefeast) of the Nativity of Christ 10 am Matins and Royal Hours (of the 24 th ) 5pm Christmas Eve Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great for the 24 th Tuesday, December 25, 2018, Merry Christmas!!! Feast of the Nativity of Christ 9am Matins; 10am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for the 25 th Wednesday, December 26, 2018 Synaxis of the Theotokos 9am Orthros; 10am Divine Liturgy Thursday, December 27, 2018 Feast of St. Stephen 9am Orthros; 10am Divine Liturgy Sunday, December 30, 2018 Sunday after Nativity 8:15am Orthros; 9:30am Divine Liturgy Tuesday, January 1, 2019, Happy New Year!!! The Circumcision of our Lord and the Feast of St. Basil the Great 9am Orthros; 10am Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great Saturday, January 5, 2019 Saturday Before the Feast of the Theophany of Christ 9am Orthros; 10am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom; followed by the Service of the Lesser Blessing of Waters 5pm Great Vespers of the Feast of Theophany Sunday, January 6, 2019 The Holy Theophany of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ 8:15 am Orthros; 9:30am Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great; followed by the Service of the Greater Blessing of Waters Monday, January 7, 2019 The Synaxis Feast of St. John the Baptist 9am Orthros; 10am Divine Liturgy

6 H o u s e B l e s s i n g s r i g h t a f t e r t h e Fe a s t o f T h e o p h a n y o n J a n u a r y 6 This year again, we will do a progressive house blessing in your neighborhood. Please get together with your neighbors and arrange for a day that Father Vasileios can come and bless the houses in your neighborhood. To set an appointment please return the form below to the office. Please make sure you mark a couple of available dates and times. EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSING FORM To schedule a progressive house blessing, please return this form to the Church Office as soon as possible. Please indicate your preferred days of the week and time of day: Names of families: Addresses: Phone Number of Coordinating Family: If you have any questions please call the Church Office at Items needed: list of names of living members of the family; a crystal bowl with water; a bunch of fresh basil; a candle; an icon; incense; charcoal; incense burner

7 TGOCT (TGOC Tykes) A new ministry for Newborns, Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers. All ages are welcome to attend! Check us out on the church website: HOPE/JOY (preschool through 5th grade) *Beginning Jan 1, we will need new leadership to run HOPE/JOY. Please let Elissa Bjeletich know if you're interested. GOYA (grades 6th through 12th) Find us on GOYA Levendia Greek Dance Practice: No practices till 1/27/2019 DEC 23, 30: GOYA Basketball Practice, 1pm to 3pm at O Henry Middle School JAN 18-21: Annual Metropolis of Denver Basketball Tournament in Dallas FEB 10: Oratorical Festival GREEK SCHOOL DEC 28: JAN 4: MAR 22: APR 26: MAY 17: EPISTLE READERS DEC 23: DEC 24: DEC 25: DEC 30: YOUTH ACTIVITIES Find us on ΝO CLASS - Christmas Break NO CLASS - Winter Break /Epiphany NO CLASS - Spring Break NO CLASS - Good Friday (Greek Easter) Last Day of classes Kyriakos Keah Gabriel Boyer MaryKatherine Randol Alexis Gianakopoulos **For GOYANS interested in reading the Epistle during Liturgy on Sundays, please contact Jackey Randol at: mail4jackey@gmail.com or ** 2019 Hellenic Professional Society of Texas Scholarship Call for Applications for the 2019 Hellenic Professional Society of Texas Scholarship. Each year since 1977, the Society awards scholarships to qualified high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate full-time students. Over the years, more than one hundred fifty scholarships have been awarded. Applicants are eligible for a scholarship if they: 1) Currently attend or have been accepted to a college or university in Texas, 2) Have shown excellent scholastic performance in their corresponding field of study, and 3) Are of Hellenic heritage The Society also accepts applications from students of non-greek descent that have demonstrated clear, strong and sustained excellence in academic studies related to Greek letters or affairs. The deadline is January 15, Students may access the application at or, contact the HPST Scholarship Chair, Dr. Elena Papadopoulou at HPSTscholarship@gmail.com.

8 Potluck Patristics BOOK STUDY Our Potluck Patristics Book Study is meeting on Monday, February 4, with The Divine Liturgy: A Commentary in the Light of the Fathers. The meeting will start at 6pm with a potluck dinner and the discussion will start at 6:30pm. TRANSFIGURATION GREEK FESTIVAL Memorial Day weekend 2019 Sonia Phocas is heading up the Marketing committee for the upcoming Greek Festival in May and is looking for some enthusiastic volunteers to join her and her team. No marketing experience necessary, just willing to share some ideas and help get the info on the festival out to the community. The website is currently in progress, but they are looking to really starting with all this in the New Year. Please her if you re interested to: DenisPhocas@aol.com PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS VASILOPITA AUCTION!!! It s time to plan for our vasilopita auction. On December 30 after church, during coffee hour we will auction off some fabulous vasilopitas. I know they will be fabulous because many of you will be baking them and bringing them to church that morning. I am sure you remember that all the money raised goes to the orphanage at St Basils. Please make sure you get yours for the new year. Yum yum!!! Philoptochos has the very best Christmas stocking stuffers. They have gift cards from $5-$10 Starbucks to $100 Walmart, Target and many for many others. Lots of different kinds. Do your shopping with us and help us help those in need.

9 Welcome Visitors! If you are new to Transfiguration, we would love to get to know you. Please reach out to Eleni Ackerman or Pat Gatlin We welcome all new visitors who worshipped with us this morning. We are pleased to have you with us! Please join us next door after service for coffee and fellowship. There is material in the entrance of the Hall regarding ministries and events of Transfiguration. We hope that you will return often to worship with us and grow in Christ! R e c e i v i n g H o l y C o m m u n i o n The sacrament of Holy Communion is reserved for only baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by fasting, prayer and confession. The Orthodox Church is not in sacramental communion with any other church outside the Orthodox Christian Faith. If you are not Orthodox, you are invited with everyone to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of service. If you would like information about the Orthodox Church, please see Fr. Vasileios after services. he is always wrestling in prayer for you (Colossians 4:12) Prayers for those in our Armed Forces SGT Jennifer D. Atkinson, SSG John Atkinson, COL Dave Romine, CPT James Alfaro, SSG Deane Anderson, CPT William Willett, MAJ Timothy Ullman, Lt. Col. Chris Chase, SPC Mindy Keys, SPC Andrew Bentzel, MAJ Scot Thornhill, CPT Christopher Gilbert, Major Alexander Stathos, 1st LT Angela Bahlatzis, MIDN 1/C Joseph Barone, LCDR Thomas Uhl, Lt. Lance Shannon, CPT Raphael Regalado, SSG George Graman The Prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16) Prayers for Health Father Justin, Presbytera Aspazia, Gregory, Nicholas Wyatt, John, Kim, Joey, Rebecca, Michael, Panayota, Denis Luke, William, George, Ioanna, Anna, Anna, Jim, Stella, Paul, Rebecca, Kassandra, Simone, Kynlee, Irma, Russ, Christine Adzic, Nici, Adam, Nicky, Peter, Nicky Cumberland, Dr. Erica Suchman, Antonios, Hunter Gray, Katie Calwell, Christin Wallace, Kiriaki, Christos, Chantal, Fr. Damaskinos, Emmanuel, Eleni, Thomas, Maria, Garyfalia, Zoe, Ioannes, Anna, Harikleia, Maria, Marie, Miguel, Constanze, Damon, Maria, Alexander, Les Overflow Parking! Many thanks to COL Tyra Swanson and SGM Jason Morrow and the soldiers at the Texas National Guard Base next door for arranging coverage at the Base to allow us to park on the Base this week. We are hopeful that this will become available to us on a regular basis. If you are able we would encourage you to park over in there big lot in the back in order to allow folks with mobility difficulties to park closer to the Sanctuary. We also plan to shuttle folks from the Base to the Sanctuary and back to your vehicle after the service. If you know someone who may be willing to help shuttle some Sundays, have them contact Tom Gouris at:

10 Fr. Vasileios & Prsb. Stella Flegas Fr. David & Prsb. Vasiliki Eckley Dn. George & Prsb. Ria Bithos Prsb. Aspazia Bita Dn. Sal & Dnss. Angela Fazio Ackerman, Eleni Adamson, Philip & Rachael Agnos, Peter & Sarah Aldridge, William & Roxanne Ambrose, Rod & Effie Angelo, Dr. Jacob & Diana Apostolakis, Dr. Lou & Ellen Appling, Dan & Gigi Arges, Chris & Allie Athanasiou, Vaios & Madeleine Atkinson, John & Jennifer Ayers, Robert & Magdalene Bainter, James Bakiris, Michalis & MaryKatherine Barcan, Andrei Bennett, Ronald & Christine Benson, Kiki, Maria & Jerry Betondo, George & Zlata Bjeletich, Marko & Elissa Boukadakis, Michael & Pauline Bourgeois, Lynne Boyer, Russell & Christine Bryant, Jason & Katie Burgess, J. T. & Christina Burns, Michael & Evanthia Carabiniero, Sophia Carter Carter, Despina Christie, Dimitrios & Eleni Christou, Christakis & Christina Chronis, Gregory & Marousa Chronis, John & Amy Chronis, Maria Clark, Ron Clay, Marianne Colovas, William & Betty Craus, Constantin & Adina Crawford, Matthew Crenshaw, Brian & Elena Daniello Victor & Hilary Daskalantonakis, Dean & Melissa Daskalantonakis, Emily Daskalantonakis, Michael & Elizabeth Demetriadis, Alex & Joan Demopoulos, Joanna DeRossi, Joseph & Koula Dimarhos, Theoharis Djukich, Rodney & Marlena 2018 Stewards thus far 12/23/18 Dow, Stephen & Diann Draina, Joseph & JoAnn Eagle, Judith Edwards, Rich & Lia Esper, John & Jessica Evgenides, Costas & Ellen Ferrua, Jose & Camelia Fuselier, Kevin & Katie Garwood, Jason & Amity Gatlin, Jack & Patricia Gault, Josh & Dominique Georgakopoulos, Ilias Georgantonis - Keah, Demetra Anna Georgantonis, Mary George, Anthony & Effie George, Thomas Georgilis, Kathy & Bacon David Geranios, Peter & Lillian Gerleman, Victor & Mimi Geuras, Dean Gianakopoulos, George & Crissi Giannopoulos, Demetrios Glarakis, Christina Glaros, Michael & Nyda Gligor, David Gouris, Tom & Allison Gradziel, MaryBeth Graman, George & Krista Hahalis, Roula Haldes, Tula Halter John & Pam Harris, Christopher & Vicki Hasiotis, Thanos & Misty Herescu, Octavian & Oltea Hicks, Vickie Holland, Brian & Susan Horwedel, David & Eleni Howard, Matthew Hrissikopoulos, Eleni Jones, Jerry & Julie Jones, Ralph & Anita Justice Johnny & Argyro Justice, Maria Kalenterides, Theodore Kalogirou, Nici Kalpaxis, Dr. James Kangos, Peter & Linda Karides, George & Georgia Karvelas, Elsie Katsos, Louis & Pat Keah, Demetra Kenyon, Scott & Katina Ketrenos, Christopher & Michelle Keys, Andrew & Dolores King, Neysa Klaras, Panagiota Klaras, Vicki Kolber, Carolyn Kolesnikova, Ksenia Kollias, Ted Korioth, Kevin & Patricia Koulakis, Mihail & Katina Kourkounakis, William Koutsavdis, Evangelos & Mary-Roselie Lamari, Matthew Lambros, Despina Landon, James & Karen LaRue, Keith Leakas, Sophia Leakas, Timothy Leara, William & Michelle Leatherwood, Lee & Elaine Lerman, Nicholas & Juliana Levendakis, Steve Lindsey Robert & Susan Long, Mary Lowe, Josh & Ioana Manthos, Vasilios Margos, Fotini McFalls, David & Mariam Meador, Archie & Dina Menezes, Evandro Mikhail, Samir Milosovich, John Misthos, James & Donna Mitchell, Patricia Morris, Nina & Erik Urdy Morros, Maria Moya, Enrique & Iulia Nelson, Richard & Eleni Nikas, Maria O Brien, Shawn & Stephanie Orr, Terry & Patricia Orthmann, Chris & Summer Osowski, David & Elaine Ousaklidis, Ioannis & Wanda Papageorgakis, Christos Papanikolaou, Nick & Smaranda Pappas, Valli Pavlos, Pete & Toni Peet, Kim Peppas, Nicholas & Lisa Peter, Evan, Carson & Jacob Petropoulos, Elizabeth Petropoulos, Chris & Tina Petty, Ioanna Phillips, John & Cynthia Phocas, Denis & Sonia Pirovolos, Nicholas & Anna Pon, Ken & Mary-Ellen Poulos, Gabe & Lisa Poulos, John & Nina Pozharova, David & Mariya Prasifka, Greg & Marisa Price, Geoffrey & Maria Price, Jordan Price, Peter & Cynthia Qatato, Jamal & Angele Randol, Mark & Jackey Read, Bruce & Anastasia Reeder, Daniel Rigney, Daniel & Maggie Rigney, Thomas Robertson, William & Linda Romell, Peter & Barbara Romine, Dr. David Ross, Terri Rossnagel, Stella Russell, Mary Helen Ryburn, Earl & Michelle Samaras, Vasilis & Florentia Sarinaki, Maria Sarkis, JP & Mary Sewell, Shane & Christa Shotwell, Patricia Sigalos, John & Mara Rivera Skevofilax, Cristina, Costas, Maria Skevofilax, George & Teresa Skevofilax, Ioannis Smith, Alexander & Sandra Sounas, Dimitrios Southwick, Philip Spanos, Kostas & Vasiliki Spiropoulos, Nicholaos & Christiana Spyropoulos, Steve & Nadia Stahlke, Karl & Evangelia Stamatis, Harry & Patrice Stamatopoulos, Athanasios Stathos, Judith Stefos, John & Norris, Meredith Streetman, Kyle & Sophie Suehs, Brandon & Jennifer Suehs, Thomas & Christine Tidd, Simon & Irene Tindle, Debbie Triant, Vasilis & Erin Tsihlas, Stephen & Martha Uritu, Daniel & Marinela Vrentas, Gregory & Andrea Werner, Mark & Maria Burke Willmann, Judd & Carol Willoughby, Walter & Triantafilli Woodruff, Rachel Woodruff, Robert & Debra Wynn, Allen & Julie Xylouris Bowles, Niky & Tom Yentzen, David & Celia Yoder, Stuart & Kori Zachos, Elias & Cynthia Zerdecki, Andrew & Elizabeth Zotis, Efstathios & Vicki

11 Thank you to all our Building Expansion Project Pledgers Fr. Vasileios & Prsb. Stella Flegas Dn. George & Prsb. Ria Bithos Ackerman, Eleni Adamson, Philip & Rachel Ambrose, Roderick & Effie Angelo, Dr. Jacob & Diana Apostolakis, Dr. Lou & Ellen Athanasiou, Dr. Vaios & Magda Ayers, Robert & Magdalene Bakiris, Michael & MaryKatherine Bartela, Thomas & Sophia Bell, Gregg & Amy Benson, Kiki Bjeletich, Mark & Elissa Boukadakis, Michael & Pauline Boyer, Russell & Christine Bryant, Jason & Katie Carabiniero, Sophia Khan Carter, Despina Christou, Chris & Christina Chronis, Gregory & Marousa Chronis, John & Amy Colovas, William & Betty Daniello, Victor & Hilary Demetriadis, Alex & Joan DeRossi, Joseph & Koula Djukich, Rod & Marlena Dow, Stephen & Diann Draina, Joseph & JoAnn Esper, John & Jessica Garwood, Duke Garwood, Jason & Amity Garwood, John Gatlin, Pat & Jack Georgantonis, Anna - Keah Georgantonis, Mary George, Anthony & Effie Gianakopoulos, George & Crissi Gouris, Tom & Allison Gradziel, MaryBeth Graman, George & Krista Hahalis, Roula Holland, Brian & Sue Jones, Ralph & Anita Holland, Brian & Sue Kangos, Peter & Linda Karides, George, Georgia & Mia Katsos, Louis & Pat Kenyon, Scott & Katina Keys, Andrew & Dolores Kolber, Carolyn Kostas, Pam & Walker Tim Koulakis, Mihail & Katina Koutelou, Evangelia Landon, James & Karen Leakas, Sophia Leatherwood, Elaine Levendakis, Steve Lindsey, Robert & Susan Long, Mary Lowe, Ioana & Joshua Margos, Fotini McFalls, David & Mariam Meador, Dina Menezes, Evandro Misthos, Jim & Donna Moros, Maria Morris, Nina & Erik Urdy O Brien, Shawn & Stephanie Orr, Terry & Patricia Orthmann, Chris & Summer Osowski, David & Elaine Pappas, Valli Peter, Evan Petropoulos, Chris & Tina Petty, Yanna Phillips, Cynthia Tassos Phocas, Denis & Sonia Pon, Ken & Mary-Ellen Poulos, Gabe & Lisa Poulos, George & Alicia Pozharova, Mariya Price, Pete & Cynthia Price, Wayne Qatato, Jamal & Angie Randol, Mark & Jackey Reeder, Daniel Rigney, Tom Robertson, William & Linda Ross, Terri Russell, MaryHelen Ryburn, Earl & Michelle Shebay, Michael & Georgia Shotwell, Patrice Spanos, Kostas & Vasiliki Spiropoulos, Nicholaos & Christiana Stamatis, Harry & Patrice Stefos, John & Norris Meredith Stiurca, Dan & Ecaterina Streetman, Kyle & Sophie Suehs, Brandon & Jennifer Tindle, Debbie Tracey, Christa & Matthew Uritu, Daniel & Marinela Vrentas, Greg & Andrea Werner, Mark & Maria Burke Willmann, Judd & Carol Woodruff, Rachel Woodruff, Robert & Debra Wynn, Allen & Julie Yediares, Pam & Jason Yoder, Stuart & Kori

12 WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sunday, December 23, 2018 Services for this Week Sunday, December 23 - Great Vespers 5pm Monday, December 24 - Royal Hours 10am Vesperal Liturgy 5pm Tuesday, December 25 - HOLY NATIVITY Orthros 9am D. Liturgy 10am Wednesday, December 26 - Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos Orthros 9am D. Liturgy 10am Thursday, December 27 - Feast of Stephen the First Martyr Orthros 9am D. Liturgy 10am Memorial Service The memorial service today is for: Frances Maria Ousaklidis (40 days) - survived by her children: daughter Kimberly Flippen; sons: Ioannis (Wanda) Ousaklidis, Dimitrios Ousaklidis and Nicolaos Ousaklidis, nine grandchildren including Anastasia, Konstantinos, Eleni and Stavros Ousaklidis and nine great grandchildren. Themistoklis Prousalis (2 yrs) - survived by his sisters Maria X Nikas, Zoe (Haralambos) Pasagelis, her nephews Konstandinos (Bridget) Nikas & family; Dimitrios (Jenny) Nikas & family; Georgios Pasagelis; Dimitrios (Jacklyn) Pasagelis May Their Memory be Eternal Thank you to last week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Osowski, Pappas, Papanikolaou Peppas, Peter, Petropoulos Thank you to last week s ushers: Thank you to this week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Petropoulos, Petty, Phillips Nelson, Pon, Poulos Thank you to today's ushers: Next week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Pozharova, Price, Price, Qatato, Randol Next week s ushers are: Diann Dow (PCM) Argiro Justice, Allen Wynn, Vickie Hicks Christakis Christou (PCM) Jack Gatlin, Stella Rossnagel, Constantine Craus Eleni Ackerman (PCM) Dan Appling, Gigi Appling Nyda Glaros