Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 900 6th Street Sioux City, Iowa 51101 Www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org Church Office Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos Telephone: 712-255-5559 847-558-9849 Office Fax: 712-255-1837 Fr.dimitri.tobias@gmail.com Parish Council President: Maria Schultz Sunday, December 8, 2013 Today: St. Nicholas Gift Project Saints and Feasts: 10th Sunday of Luke Forefeast of the Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos Patapius the Righteous of Thebes Apollo, Tychikos, Sosthenes, Cephas, Epaphroditos, Caesar, & Onesiphoros, Apostles of the 70 ABRAHAM S PANTRY: This Week WE ARE ASKING FOR CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES! Please donate! Foods from Abraham s Pantry is distributed to the local Food Pantries to feed the poor. Check the expiration Date!!! Abraham served the best he had. If we would not eat it, why should we expect someone else to risk getting sick? Prosforo offered by: English Epistle Reader: Greek Epistle Reader: Coffee Hour sponsored by: Maria Rigas Andreana Kjos Pete Bovis Maria Rigas

The First Antiphon (Ps. 102) Verse 1. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Verse 2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. Verse 3. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. The Second Antiphon (Ps. 145) Verse 1. Praise the Lord, O my soul: while I live I will praise the Lord; while I have any being, I will praise my God. Verse 2. Blessed are those whose helper is the God of Jacob; whose hope is in the Lord their God. Verse 3. The Lord will be king forever: your God, O Zion, will reign throughout all generations. Ἀντiφωνον A' (Ψαλμός. 102) Στίχ. α'. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐντός μου τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ἅγιον αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. β' Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον καὶ μὴ ἐπιλανθάνου πάσας τὰς ἀνταποδόσεις αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. γ' Κύριος ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἡτοίμασε τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ πάντων δεσπόζει. Ἀντiφωνον Β' (Ψαλμός. 145) Στίχ. α' Αἴνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον αἰνέσω Κύριον ἐν τῇ ζωῇ μου, ψαλῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου ἕως ὑπάρχω. Στίχ. β' Μακάριος οὗ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακὼβ βοηθὸς αὐτοῦ, ἡ ἐλπὶς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. γ' Βασιλεύσει Κύριος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ὁ Θεός σου, Σιών, εἰς γενεὰν καὶ γενεάν. The Third Antiphon (Ps. 117) Ἀντiφωνον Γ' (Ψαλμός. 117) Verse: This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone Hymns of the Day Στίχ. Αὓτη ἣ ἣμέρα Κυρίου, ἀγαλλιασώμεθα καί εὐφρανθῶμεν ἐν αὓτη Απολυτίκιον Αναστάσιμον Ήχος βαρύς O Lord by Your sacred Cross You abolished death, and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The apostles did preach the Good News at Your command, that You had risen from the dead O Christ Our God, bestowing Your mercy upon the world evermore. Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Apolytikion of the Church in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone O Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them made the fishermen wise and through them illumined the world and to You the universe was ever drawn all glory to You O Lord. Seasonal Kontakion in the 3 th Tone 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. Απολυτίκιον τοῦ Ναοῦ Ήχος πλ. δ' Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι. Κοντάκιον Ηχος γ 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.

THE EPISTLE / Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22 Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1 The Lord will give strength to his people. Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory. BRETHREN, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 2:14-22 Προκείμενον. Ἦχος βαρύς. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1 Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει. Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν. Ἀδελφοί, Χριστός ἐστιν ἡ εἰρήνη ἡμῶν, ὁ ποιήσας τὰ ἀμφότερα ἕν, καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας, τήν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκί αὐτοῦ, τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν, καταργήσας ἵνα τοὺς δύο κτίσῃ ἐν ἑαὐτῷ εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον, ποιῶν εἰρήνην, καὶ ἀποκαταλλάξῃ τοὺς ἀμφοτέρους ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι τῷ θεῷ διὰ τοῦ σταυροῦ, ἀποκτείνας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐλθὼν εὐηγγελίσατο εἰρήνην ὑμῖν τοῖς μακρὰν καὶ τοῖς ἐγγύς ὅτι διʼ αὐτοῦ ἔχομεν τὴν προσαγωγὴν οἱ ἀμφότεροι ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα. Ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι, ἀλλὰ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐποικοδομηθέντες ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ προφητῶν, ὄντος ἀκρογωνιαίου αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἐν ᾧ πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ συναρμολογουμένη αὔξει εἰς ναὸν ἅγιον ἐν κυρίῳ, ἐν ᾧ καὶ ὑμεῖς συνοικοδομεῖσθε εἰς κατοικητήριον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν πνεύματι.

THE HOLY GOSPEL / ΤΟ ΘΕΙΟΝ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ The Gospel of Luke 13:10-17 At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 13.10-17 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Ην δὲ διδάσκων ἐν μιᾷ τῶν συναγωγῶν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἦν πνεῦμα ἔχουσα ἀσθενείας ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ ἦν συγκύπτουσα καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακῦψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές.ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὴν ὁ Ιησοῦς προσεφώνησε καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ γύναι, ἀπολέλυσαι τῆς ἀσθενείας σου καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνωρθώθη καὶ ἐδόξαζε τὸν Θεόν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀρχισυνάγωγος, ἀγανακτῶν ὅτι τῷ σαββάτῳ ἐθεράπευσεν ὁ Ιησοῦς, ἔλεγε τῷ ὄχλῳ ἓξ ἡμέραι εἰσὶν ἐν αἷς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι ἐν ταύταις οὖν ἐρχόμενοι θεραπεύεσθε, καὶ μὴ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου. ἀπεκρίθη οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριος καὶ εἶπεν ὑποκριτά, ἕκαστος ὑμῶν τῷ σαββάτῳ οὐ λύει τὸν βοῦν αὐτοῦ ἢ τὸν ὄνον ἀπὸ τῆς φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει; ταύτην δέ, θυγατέρα Αβραὰμ οὖσαν, ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ σατανᾶς ἰδοὺ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη, οὐκ ἔδει λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τούτου τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου; καὶ ταῦτα λέγοντος αὐτοῦ κατῃσχύνοντο πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἔχαιρεν ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐνδόξοις τοῖς γινομένοις ὑπ αὐτοῦ.

Financial condition of Holy Trinity? NOT GOOD!!! In November of 2013 the parish council approved the operating budget for 2014 and presented this budget along with other financial information to the General Assembly on November 10, 2013. The reports outlined our budget, past and present operating results and our current fund balances. There were also graphs showing where our operating dollars come from and how they are used, as well as a graph showing the year in which we run out of money under various scenarios. Treasurers Report: Facts: Our 2014 operating budget, which is based on historical results and future expectations, results in a $16,000 LOSS for the year. There is virtually no discretionary spending in this budget. I.e. Only essential items are included in the budget. During 2013 we lost our single largest donor ($ equivalent to about 6 average families) We were assigned a new priest in 2013 but that did NOT increase our costs. It is physically impossible and unhealthy for the parish to under take any more fundraising activities. We already host two diners, a festival, and a booth at a city music festival. We will run out of money in 6 years if we sustain a $16,000 loss each year. Every Steward needs to INCREASE their commitment by $5 per week to cover the shortfall. Course of Action: Effective immediately, the Parish Council has implemented a spending freeze on all items that are not essential to the activities of the parish and we expect affiliated organizations to do the same. What this means to you is that we will NOT solicit funds for any purchase unless it meets the criteria outlined below. We will, however, focus all of our effort on building our Stewardship program to cover the budgeted shortfall. All purchase requests for items not specifically covered in the operating budget will be required to have the approval of the Parish Council. The Parish Council will use the criteria to the right when considering approval of purchases and we will do everything possible to cut costs for items in the budget. This includes comparing no less than three bids for comparable work, certifying that such work is absolutely necessary and cannot be put off, and researching the work to make sure the right work is done for our church. We welcome all ideas on ways to increase revenue or cut costs. If you have any ideas, questions, or would like more information, please contact Dean Karras @ 712-898-7007. Leave a message if no answer and I will get back to you. Purchase Criteria Checklist: Is the purchase Necessary to maintain the integrity of the building or prevent further damage? Necessary to cure a safety issue? Essential to effectively serve the community? Will the purchase Increase Stewardship? *How? Provide a payback? *How? *How long?

HOLIDAY BREAD SALE - ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN See sign-up sheet in church hall or contact Joan Vlahoulis BAKING DAYS Dec. 17 th & 18 th Help needed for baking on these days

All through the month of December the Tree of Love will be up in the Fellowship Hall. On the tree you will find angels of boys and girls who are in need this Christmas. On the Angels you will find a code. Please write that code on the wrapped gift. We appreciate your generosity this Christmas and all through the year!

Come check out the Bookstore this holiday season and get your Christmas Shopping out of the way! We have lovely ornaments, prayer ropes, icons, books, soaps, and many other liturgical items that make great Stocking Stuffers!

Upcoming Parish Events Monday December 9 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Conception of the Theotokos Tuesday December 10 6:00 pm Byzantine Music Practice 7:00 pm Choir Practice Wednesday December 11 4:30 pm Greek School 5:30 pm Greek Dance Practice 6:00 pm GOYA Thursday December 12 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. Spyridon 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness Adult Education Friday December 13 Saturday December 14 Sunday December 15 Divine Liturgy at St. Thomas

Calendar of events Holy Trinity GOC December 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 The Tree of 2 Love 7:00 pm Parish Council Meeting 8:30 am Agiasmos Service 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 8 Men's Group Monthly Meeting The Tree of Love St. Nicholas Project 9:00 am 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 6:00 pm Esperinos 15 Metropolis Open House The Tree of Love 22 Carolling The Tree of Love Christmas Pageant 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 29 The Tree of Love Christmas Break 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 3 6:00 pm Byzantine Music Practice 7:00 pm Choir Practice 9 10 6:00 pm Byzantine Music 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Practice Conception of the 7:00 pm Choir Practice Theotokos 16 17 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of Prophet Daniel and St. Dionysios 6:00 pm Byzantine Music Practice 7:00 pm Choir Practice 23 24 Christmas Eve 6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy Eve of the Nativity 30 31 New Year's Eve 4 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of SS. Barbara & John of Damascus 6:00 pm Youth & Family NIGHT 11 4:30 pm Greek School 5:30 pm Greek Dance Practice 6:00 pm GOYA 18 4:30 pm Greek School 5:30 pm Greek Dance Practice 7:00 pm Peter K. Ladeas Cancer Support Group 25 Christmas 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Nativity of Jesus Christ 5 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. Sabbas the Sanctified 11:00 am Refugee advocacy Group 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness Adult Education 12 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. Spyridon 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness Adult Education 19 8:30 am Morning Bible Study 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness Adult Education 26 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, the Holy Innocents and King David 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. Stephen the Protomartyr

We need Coffee Hour Sponsors! Does a loved one have a name day, birthday, anniversary, memorial coming up? Why not honor that loved one by Sponsoring the Coffee Hour in his/her/their honor? Check the Coffee Hour Section of the Website to see open days Church Office Hours: 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Wed. & Thurs. Fr. Dimitri will be in the office more than these times, but for ease of appointments, these are the times the office will be open and staffed.