Please join us for Vespers at 6:30 p.m. on  Wednesday, December 5, in anticipation for the Feastday of our beloved patron St. Nicholas.  A potluck dinner will be served immediately following the conclusion of Vespers.  Please bring a Lenten dish to share at the dinner.

The Church Office will be closed on Thursday, December 6th for our church's patron saint feast day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Come join us and kick off the  Christmas holiday season at the 73rd Anniversary of  our parish!  

Sunday, December  9, 2018

Marriott Hotel, 301 South Market, San Jose

No Host Cocktails – 5:30 pm

Dinner - 6:30 pm

To reserve your seats, please send back your response card or call the church office at 408 – 246- 2770. We hope to see you there!  Tickets for adults are $100, young adults $50, and children $35.  When you send in your reservations, please include a phone number, list of attendees, and meal choices.  

A special icon of the Panagia Odegetria, donated by Paul and Koula Pries, will go on raffle.  Tickets are $100 each and all proceeds benefit St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.  You can purchase tickets from the Church Office and also from the table that will be set up in the Small Hall after Liturgy starting on Sunday, November 18th.  Drawing will be on Monday, December 24th after the evening Liturgy.  No need to be present to win.   Call the Church Office at 408-246-2770 for more information.

Sunday Coffee Hour Team in honor of St. Dionysios of Zakynthos celebrated on December 17: Maria Baras, Soula Kardaris, Stella Karoglou, Theoni Maroudas, Irene Mallias, and Olga Sarakinis 

For more information and joining the coffee hour teams, please contact Marcella Fotis at 408-723-4124.  

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:

https://www.facebook.com/SaintNicholasOrg/

A CASA advocate (Court Appointed Social Advocate) approached us with tears in his eyes. “You don’t know what this program means to these kids.” He proceeded to describe a teenager, hard as nails, who, upon opening her Angel Tree bag, started to cry. She looked at him and said “It’s like a Mom actually shopped for me.  For ME.”

Every year we support 85 young people, ages 12-20, who are living in or transitioning out of Group Homes or Foster Care.  We provide each with a Hoodie, a Gift Card and a personal item.  These Gifts are more than a package or a bag under a tree.  They are an act of LOVE!

                November 18^th                  Take an Angel (or two or three)

                November 25^th                  Take an Angel (if there are any left)

                December 2^nd                    Bring Gifts to Church

                December 9^th                     Last call for returning Gifts

Please be a part of this important program!

All families are invited to join in an evening of fun and Christmas cookie decorating at our December Family Night on Friday, December 14th at 6:30pm in School Room 3 of the Educational Building. If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Panayotopoulos annapanayotopoulos@hotmail.com.

Sunday, December 16th is the St. Nicholas Christmas Pageant sponsored by the Youth Ministries of Greek and Sunday School.  Luncheon and program to follow after the Liturgy in the Community Center.  Please note, we will only have one Liturgy on this special day so all parishioners can enjoy the pageant and lunch gathering.

FEASTDAY OF ST. ANNA:  Today, December 9 is the feastday of St. Anna, the mother of our blessed Panagia.  St. Anna is the patron saint of the Philoptochos chapter of the parish of St. Nicholas.  There will be a memorial service for all our past Philoptochos members of this chapter who have departed this life.  Philoptochos will also hold an artoclasia for the health and welfare of all our parishioners of our beloved St. Nicholas parish.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON - LAST DAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS is Sunday, December 9th for the annual St. Anna's Philoptochos Christmas luncheon.  Tickets are $65 per person. The entrée  options are Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breast or Honey Mustard Salmon, or Creamy Potato Gnocchi with Peppers.  No tickets will be sold at the door.  Join us at the Saratoga Country Club on Saturday, December 15th with your friends and family for a beautiful and joyous event.  If you have questions, please contact Stacy Panayotopoulos at stacypanayotopoulos@yahoo.com or (408) 295-0387.    

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  Philoptochos wishes to thank our wonderful parish for all the support that was given for our warm winter drive.  It was another success!  Blankets, jackets, sweaters, scarves, etc., filled the boxes to the brim, and once emptied were filled again! 

VASILOPITA SALES:  On the day of Epiphany, Sunday, January 6, 2019, Philoptochos will hold its annual Vasilopita sale.  All proceeds will go to the philanthropic work of Philoptochos.  If you would like to donate a Vasilopita, either cake or bread, please bring your delicious item on the morning of Sunday, January 6th.  For more information, contact Effie Pappas (louie.g.pappas @ ATT.net) or Anna Gikas annagikas@ATT.net.

Christmas Pageant - All Parishioners Invited:

This year, Greek and Sunday School have joined together to present our annual Christmas Program to be held on Sunday, December 16 following the first Liturgy (only one Liturgy this Sunday).  We will host pizza and salad lunch (free) for all in the Community Center to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to spend cherishable time among all of us.   The pageant will take place in the church following services.   We look forward to seeing you there and yes, our special guest will also be arriving following lunch.

Christmas Pageant Rehearsals December 2 and December 9 from 1130 AM – 12:15 PM:

We have two more Sundays to practice for the Christmas Pageant 2018.  This year Greek and Sunday School are partnering together for the Christmas Pageant which will be held on Sunday, December 16^th.  Please make sure your students are present these two Sundays.  We will be publishing more information in the coming weeks on the costumes and exact timing.   If you have any questions, please send an email to SaintNicholasSundaySchool@gmail.com.

Need Support from Parents and Parishioners

The only requirement is love working with children and you are a perfect match – we will do the rest to ensure your success.  We are in need of additional volunteers (teachers and aides) for Pre-K, 6^th grade, 9^th grade, and 10^th grade. Please stop by the Sunday School office any Sunday or send email to SaintNicholasSundaySchool@gmail.com

Sunday School Calendar Remainder of Year:

Sunday, December 2 – Sunday School

Sunday, December 9 – Sunday School

Sunday, December 16 – Sunday School, One Liturgy, Christmas Pageant Following Liturgy, lunch for entire parish community

Sunday, December 23 – NO Sunday School

Sunday, December 30 – NO Sunday School

January 2019 Sunday School Calendar

January 6, 2019 – Sunday School, First Sunday Back to Sunday School

January 13, 2019 – Sunday School

January 20, 2019 – Sunday School

January 27, 2019 – Sunday School, Three Hierarchs and Godparents Lunch/Brunch

There will be one liturgy on Sunday, December 16th due to the Christmas Pageant and Lunch.  Orthros and Liturgy will begin at 8:30am.  

Please note that the bookstore will be closed on Sunday, December 23rd and Sunday, December 30th.  

BOYS

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade boys: Tuesdays 6:30pm

6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys: Thursday at 6pm

GIRLS

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls: Wednesdays 6pm

6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls: Wednesdays 6pm

If you have any questions contact Paul Papageorge at paulpapa@mac.com

ST. NICHOLAS GOLDEN YEARS CALENDAR – 2019

• Tuesday, January 8, 2019 – 11am - Vasilopita
• Tuesday, February 5, 2019 – 11am - Meeting, Small Hall
• Sunday, February 3, 2019 – Golden Year’s Valentine's Luncheon, Small Hall
• Tuesday, March 5, 2019 – 11am - Meeting Small Hall-MOVIE
• Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 11am – field trip to FILOLI GARDENS
• Wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019 – Presanctified potluck hosted by the Golden Years
• Tuesday, May 7, 2019 – Last meeting – offsite (tba)

 For more information call Mina at: 408 515-8301

Please look for the new building updates from Sister Nektaria's St. Ignatius school in India, in the November Cannon of Faith. The Orphanage is on the path to becoming self-sustaining and we invite you to join us in an exciting campaign during November and December to finish and furnish the school classrooms. 

The St. Ignatius school’s mission is to fund the Theotokos Girls Orphanage and provide a sanctuary for children at high risk of being enslaved or trafficked. For more details, please contact Amy Terrill (amyterrill@outlook.com). See pictures on our Saints Peter and Paul Missions Ministry Facebook page or at www.fili-inc.com.

Do you find yourself humming along with the hymns each Sunday?  Then please come on up and join our active, music-loving choir.    Requirements:  age 16 and over; be able to carry a tune, reading music is not necessary, knowledge of Greek NOT required, phonetics provided.  Rehearsals every Thursday from 7:30 to 9pm. Sunday liturgy from 10:00am to 11:45am; no rehearsals in July and August.  You will gain many benefits including active participation in the liturgy which enhances the understanding of our religion, gaining knowledge of the Feast Days, being part of a warm, friendly group, and guaranteed the best seat during Holy Week!  If this sounds interesting, drop in at a rehearsal - no invitation necessary.  For questions, call the Choir Director, Dr. Tikey Zes at 408-723-0640 or the Church Office at 408-246-2770.

The donations for September included a brand new car seat, a high chair, and baby clothing. A big thank you to all that contributed in the month of September for the RealOptions Pregnancy Center located on the Alameda.   These items are a great blessing to the moms in need that are facing a crisis pregnancy.  Our collection bins will continue to be in the church book store and near the Sunday School office.  God Bless you, thank you!

For any questions, please call Ruth Duterte @ 408-483-3009 or ruthrad1@aol.com.

Confessions with Father Demosthenes are available by appointment.  Call him directly or call the church office at 408-246-2770.

A pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, AZ is scheduled for the weekend of December 8 – 10.  Visit the grounds, see the churches and chapels or you could have confession with Elder Paisios or one of the other priestmonks, upon request. If you are interested, please call Despina at 520-457-0000, who will be making accommodations to/from the airport/monastery along with reserving rooms at the monastery for all the pilgrims.  Flights are reserved by each individual but you may contact Despina to obtain the specific flights. 

Rain or shine, everyone is invited to attend the 4th Annual Blessing of the Waters at the Rio Del Mar Beach, Aptos on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:00 am.  We are planning to gather at the beach entrance and have a small procession toward the surf where we will pray, bless the waters, and throw the cross into the ocean.  Luncheon is to follow at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 223 Church Street, Santa Cruz. Please call the office at 831-429-6500 or visit the website www.propheteliassc.org.

Join us for this beautiful retreat, located on a private beach on the shore of Lake Tahoe with spectacular views, incredible food, and awesome accommodations with a weekend packed full of fun, faith, and fellowship with Orthodox young adults from all over the West Coast! This retreat will sell out with a max capacity of 60, so make sure to register beginning November 1, 2018!

DATE: January 18-21, 2019
LOCATION: Galilee Episcopal Camp & Retreat Center, South Lake Tahoe
ARRIVAL TIME: Friday beginning at 5:30pm and DEPARTURE TIME: Monday 9:30am
AGES: 18-30's

ONLINE REGISTRATION Opens: November 1, 2018 at www.gosfyouth.org

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1943883609026865/

RETREAT VIDEO from 2016: https://vimeo.com/153430756

COST: $260 includes 3 nights lodging (Fri, Sat, and Sun) and all meals except lunch Saturday & Sunday since we will be out exploring Lake Tahoe both afternoons. Price does not include lift ticket. For questions call  Johanna Duterte, Cell: (408) 712-7658, Email: JDuterte@sanfran.goarch.org, Website: www.gosfyouth.org

If you wish to order kollyva, paximadia, koulourakia or other Greek pastries, or artoklasia, please see below.  Payment is arranged with the makers and not the church.  If there is anyone who wants to be added to the makers list, please call the church office.

For kollyva:

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

Maria Anagnostou 408-316-6609

For paximadia, koulourakia, and other Greek pastries:

Maria Tsaboukos 408-723-5175

Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

For artoklasia:

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

Despina Anagnostou 408-316-6609

To avoid any confusion on our part as we compose and print the Sunday bulletin, we ask that anyone who wishes to include a notice in the Sunday bulletin submit the notice in writing to the office BY TUESDAY AT 5PM!  Please don't wait until the last minute or send a note into the altar on a Sunday morning while the liturgy is in progress.

In addition, all ongoing (same message) bulletin entries will be in for four weeks, four times a year.  Please review these entries and plan accordingly.

Please check with Father Demosthenes in the office before posting anything on the bulletin board in the Small Hall.  Notices, announcements, advertisements, etc. that have not been approved will be removed.  Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Please note that all information in the weekly bulletin is subject to change.