Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Mark 1:9-11

At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7.

TITUS, my son, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Gospel Reading

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Matthew 3:13-17

At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Saints and Feasts

January 06

The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens.

January 07

Synaxis of John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, & Forerunner

Today we celebrate the Synaxis in honour of the most sacred Forerunner, since he ministered at the Mystery of the Divine Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rest from labour. Fish allowed.

January 10

Gregory of Nyssa

Saint Gregory, the younger brother of Basil the Great, illustrious in speech and a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, was born in 331. His brother Basil was encouraged by their elder sister Macrina to prefer the service of God to a secular career (see July 19); Saint Gregory was moved in a similar way by his godly mother Emily, who, when Gregory was still a young man, implored him to attend a service in honor of the holy Forty Martyrs at her retreat at Annesi on the River Iris. Saint Gregory came at his mother's bidding, but being wearied with the journey, and feeling little zeal, he fell asleep during the service. The Forty Martyrs then appeared to him in a dream, threatening him and reproaching him for his slothfulness. After this he repented and became very diligent in the service of God.

Gregory became bishop in 372, and because of his Orthodoxy he was exiled in 374 by Valens, who was of one mind with the Arians. After the death of Valens in 378, Gregory was recalled to his throne by the Emperor Gratian. He attended the Local Council of Antioch, which sent him to visit the churches of Arabia and Palestine, which had been defiled and ravaged by Arianism. He attended the Second Ecumenical Council, which was assembled in Constantinople in 381. Having lived some sixty years and left behind many remarkable writings, he reposed about the year 395. The acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council call him 'Father of Fathers."

Holy Cross Notices

Michael E. Zervos Funeral

http://www.mccabefuneralhome.com/obituaries/details/2310

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JANUARY 6: EPIPHANY SUNDAY
+ Blessing of Waters (Agiasmos)
+ 2019 Parish Council Oath of Office
(New Members: Doug Garber, Ed Power, Benny Zervos, Paul Stewart)
+ GOYA Meeting

+ Philoptochos Meeting
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2019 ANNUAL VASILOPITA

hosted by Philoptochos

Sunday January 13 after Divine Liturgy

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50th Anniversary Album Advertising Information

(see flyer below)

Pictures have been taken & being submitted,

ads are now being accepted.

Deadline is March 15.

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50th Bowling Reunion Outing February 1- info is coming

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PHILANTHROPY

Philoptochos and Parish Community (including GOYA)
Thank you's to all who contributed and donated items: Delivery is expected January 5

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COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Jan 9: 50th Anniversary Meeting @ 6:30pm
followed by the
Parish Council Joint Meeting (outgoing/incoming) @ 7:30pm
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2019 Annual Directory*

*report any changes: address, phone #, e-mail to church office by January 15, 2019

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holycrossgo.org

Links to eBulletin, Facebook, Metropolis
Facebook: HolyCrossGreekOrthodoxChurch
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SHOP AT ACE HARDWARE?
5% minus tax = (!)
Holy Cross has been entered into our system for business rewards and discounts. When you or any of your church members visit any our stores right around the corner or any 47 stores (list attached), simply let the cashier know your Church is in the system under Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church or #214538. This will give you a 5% line discount off everyday pricing in the store + earn you 2% Ace Rewards as well as 6% Tax Exempt will come off automatically.
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SHOP AT KROGER?
Register your card in a few steps. Each May the registration needs to be renewed,
so if you were part of the program last year and haven't renewed, please do so. Go to:
http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Holy Cross' ID # 83567
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Holy Cross 50th Anniversary News

This section of the Holy Cross eBulletin is dedicated to the events and announcements leading up to the Holy Cross 50th Anniversary Celebration. Save this important date - September 15, 2019.

Stay tuned to this section for updates and see the Events, Announcements and Flyers section of this bulletin to print out and save reminders.

UPCOMING EVENTS - Mark Your Calendars!
- Feb 01 2019: Bowling Event (more details to come)
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ANNIVERSARY ALBUM MEMORIALS/ADS - See attached information pamphlet
Go down in history and be a part of the Holy Cross 50th Anniversary Album by submitting your family memorial page or a business advertisment. We look forward to working with you!
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PHOTO COLLECTION

The 50th Anniversary Committee is looking for photos documenting 50 years of history at Holy Cross. If you have pictures you would like to share, please drop them off in the Photo Drop Box located near the Church office. Label each picture with your name if you would like them returned. Thank you!
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Ladies Philoptochos News

NEXT PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING
January 6, 2019

JANUARY COFFEE HOURS HOSTS

6: Anniversary Committee Members (50th Memorial/Ad promotion)

13: Vasilopita
20: Terrie Stefanakis
27: Philoptochos Membership Tea
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COFFEE HOUR SIGN UPS

Call Bonnie Sitaras or Debbie George

Thank you to all who sign up in offering hospitality/filoxenia

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Altar Boy List

HOLY CROSS ALTAR BOYS 2018-2019

Captains: Matthew Fekaris, Sam Zervos, Chris Zervos, Alex Matthews

_______________________________________

TEAM 1 TEAM 2

Nicholas Barnaby Yianni Giannakis

Benjamin Barnaby Dimitri Sitaras

Mateo Pesaros Pano Stilianos

Stavros Fekaris Dino Thanos

Niko Thanos

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Team 1 Team 2

January 13, 27 January 6,20

February 10,24 February 3,17

March 10,24 March 3, 17, 31

April 7, Palm Sunday 21 April 14-Holy Pascha 28

May 5,19 May 12,26

June 2,16,30 June 9, 23

July- open come any Sunday! July- open

August- open come any Sunday! August-open

September 1,15,29 (registration again) September 8,22

On holy days, if you come on Time you can serve :

for robes on holy days it’s first come-first serve.

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PLEASE NOTE ALTAR BOYS & PARENTS-

This is a great commitment to the Lord and it is an important RESPONSIBILTY to be on Time for the Divine Liturgy!

Liturgy begins at 10 a.m. SO please be on time !

DO NOT come into the Holy Altar after 10:05 a.m.

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Events, Announcements and Flyers

50th Anniversary Album Advertising Information

Please consider a memorial page or advertisement for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Directory.

Metropolis of Detroit Friends Campaign

Each year the Metropolitan and the Metropolis reach out to assist His Eminence with the operation and ministries. There is a percentage that returns from the Archdiocese Commitments to the Metropolis which covers payroll and health insurance of most of the full time staff including the Youth Director. The rest is up to us to do the work of the Lord at the Metropolis level... Utilities, travel, outreach, scholarships, camp assistance sponsoring (sponsored over dozen children who could not afford camp experience), clergy professional development (i.e. Dr. David Trobish), lecture sponsorships (i.e. Bishop Kallistos Ware), supplement Youth Office and its ministries. Your generosity and cheerful giving assists the Metropolis in this Holy Labor.

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